PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone improves semen quality and testicular histomorphometrics with partial reversal of hyperglycaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Combined effects of chronic hyperglycaemia and oral aluminium intoxication on testicular tissue and some male reproductive parameters in Wistar rats

“…However, the fact that the lowest serum concentration of FSH was not obtained in rats co‐treated with STZ and Al suggests that the lowest sperm count recorded following co‐treatment with Al and STZ was not dependent on serum FSH levels alone, but that additive effects of hyperglycaemia or Al do contribute. In diabetic animals and human, chronic hyperglycaemia is associated with low sperm count and motility by mechanisms that include increased oxidative stress (Adaramoye & Lawal, ), impaired insulin and IGF‐2 signalling (Schoeller et al ., ; Akinola et al ., ) among others. Likewise, Al is spermatotoxic, impairing sperm production and motility by its genotoxicity (D'Souza et al ., ) and by inhibiting dynein ATPase activity (Shimizu, ).…”

“…Combined exposure to chronic hyperglycaemia and Al resulted in high degrees of germinal epithelial erosion, and diminished testicular interstitium (characterised by distortion of reticular fibre network), but these effects were absent in the untreated controls and were not as severe in rats treated solely with either STZ or Al. Previous animal studies employing either STZ or Al only had reported morphological aberration in the testes of hyperglycaemic or Al‐treated rats (Llobet et al ., ; Butchi Akondi et al ., ; Moselhy et al ., ; Akinola et al ., ). However, our findings in the present study further showed the testicular effects of co‐exposure to these factors, indicating that deleterious effects of chronic hyperglycaemia and Al are more severe in combination than in isolation.…”

“…Chronic exposure to environmental toxicants such as metals (including lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminium) is known to impair spermatogenesis (Damek‐Poprawa & Sawicka‐Kapusta, ; Yousef et al ., ; Akinola et al ., ). Moreover, testicular lesions have been reported in experimental diabetes (Amaral et al ., ; Akinola et al ., ) and among diabetic men (La Vignera et al ., ; Singh et al ., ). In the present study, the relationship between co‐exposure to chronic hyperglycaemia and aluminium (Al) toxicity on one hand, and testicular function and morphology on the other, is reported in a rodent model, with the objective of elucidating the extent to which co‐existence of these (environmental and metabolic) factors could impact male reproductive function.…”

“…In a rat model of type 2 DM, low sperm count and motility, and poor testicular antioxidant complement have been reported in Goto‐Kakizaki rats (Amaral et al ., ); while studies in diabetic Zucker rats showed alterations in seminiferous epithelium, sperm DNA damage and fragmentation that manifested as fertility failure (Vendramini et al ., ). Moreover, alloxan‐induced diabetes resulted in poor sperm count and motility and deranged germinal epithelium in rats (Akinola et al ., ), while diet‐induced obesity in mice was characterised by similar deficits in sperm and testicular parameters with decreased serum testosterone (T) and increased oestradiol levels, coupled with reduced blood–testis barrier proteins (Occludins and ZO‐1) (Fan et al ., ).…”

Obesogens and male fertility

“…Curiously, it seems that pioglitazone exerts positive effects in male reproductive health. A recent study evidenced that pioglitazone‐treated rats with 10 mg/kg once daily for 6 weeks reveal an improvement in sperm motility and lowered the percentage of deformed and dead sperm . This improved semen profile is in accordance with findings from Rabbani and collaborators , who evidenced a reduced sperm abnormality in male Wistar rats exposed to 100 mg/kg of pioglitazone.…”