Resveratrol benefits on sperm DNA, chromatin structure and reproductive outcomes of varicocelized rats

Abstract

In varicocele, the main cause of sperm DNA damage is oxidative stress (OS).Resveratrol, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, can protect cells from injuries caused by OS. We investigated the benefits of resveratrol against reproductive damage caused by experimental varicocele induced from peripuberty. Eighty peripubertal male rats were distributed into 4 groups: sham-control (S), varicocele (V), resveratrol (R) and varicocele treated with resveratrol (VR). Varicocele was induced through the partial ligature of the left renal vein. Resveratrol was given in a daily dose of 300 mg/ kg body weight (gavage). Sperm samples were collected at 100 days of age for vitality, DNA fragmentation and chromatin protamination evaluations. OS analyses were carried out. Rats from all groups were mated with healthy primiparous females for evaluation of reproductive capacity and embryonic quality. The V group showed reduction of sperm vitality, altered chromatin protamination and sperm DNA integrity and high levels of OS. The VR group showed an improvement of oxidative status, sperm vitality, DNA integrity and chromatin structure, and an enhancement in the gestational index and embryonic quality. Therefore, we showed in this experimental model that resveratrol is a promising nutraceutical adjuvant and should be deeply studied to mitigate subfertility in varicocele.

Moment of induction and duration of experimental varicocele in rats: effects on semen quality

“…Nevertheless, studies report an ipsilateral effect and a contralateral effect of the varicocele ( 19 ), leading to damage to the development of spermatogenesis, and secretory function of the Sertoli and Leydig cells on contralateral testis ( 20 ). Furthermore, ipsilateral and contralateral damage have been observed in sperm function parameters such as nuclear DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, and acrosome integrity ( 21 ).…”

Positive Effects of a Resveratrol-Based Nutraceutical in Association with Surgical Scleroembolization: A Pilot Retrospective Clinical Trial

“…This in vitro evidence is corroborated by in vivo preclinical studies on rat models, highlighting the promising use of Resveratrol as a nutraceutical substance adjuvant to mitigate subfertility in varicocele [8,21,23]. As an example, Mendes et al demonstrated that Resveratrol partially reduces testicular apoptosis and reverses alterations in the sperm motility and promotes mitochondrial activity and DNA integrity [23], as well as improves the oxidative status and sperm vitality [21].…”

“…From a mechanistic point of view, these actions depend on different pathways; among them, Resveratrol is involved in the activation of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, having a crucial role in the lipid damage of human spermatozoa [19]. Furthermore, Resveratrol shows an anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of COX2 and NF-KB [20] and protects cells from DNA damage and apoptosis by modulating antiand proapoptotic mediators, leading to an increase in sperm vitality, sperm DNA integrity, and an improvement in oxidative stress [21].…”

Positive Effects of the Nutraceutical Association of Lycopene and Selenium in Experimental Varicocele

“…The outcomes of different substances on the biochemical and morphological damages induced in testes by experimental varicocele were studied in the last years [7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. In particular, the effects of lycopene and selenium (Se) were evaluated.…”