Effects of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Extract on Male Fertility Factors and Oxidative Stress After Torsion/ Detorsion in Adult Male Rats Using Intrauterine Insemination Method

Abstract

Objectives: The current study was conducted on adult male models to assess the impact of the Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extract on male fertility factors and oxidative stress after torsion/detorsion using the intrauterine insemination (IUI) method. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 56 adult male Wistar rats including 28 males and 28 females. The male subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of sham (G1), 4 hours of testicular torsion following a surgical torsion/detorsion (TD/G2), TD treated with the clove extract (4 mg/kg, orally/G3) 30 minutes before detorsion, and healthy subjects treated with the clove extract (4 mg/kg/G4). The levels of blood testosterone and some oxidative stress indices were investigated in the testis tissue. In addition, some sperm parameters were evaluated, including the concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm. Finally, the fertilization potential of adult female rats was assessed through the IUI method. Results: The histological evaluation revealed considerable adverse changes in the G2 in comparison with the sham group. The serum levels of testosterone, and glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase meaningfully reduced in the testis of rats in the G2. In addition, the malondialdehyde level was significantly higher during the ischemia although all the mentioned changes improved in the treated groups. Nonetheless, the sperm quality and fertility power considerably reduced in the G2 compared to the sham group. Conclusions: The results of the current experimental study demonstrated that the testicular torsion/detorsion has an adverse impact on the testis function and decreases the fertilization potential, and finally, treatment with the clove extract can improve these adverse changes.