Spermatogenesis recovery in protein-restricted rats subjected to a normal protein diet after weaning

Abstract

This study investigated the pre- and postnatal effects of protein restriction (8% vs 20% crude protein) on different parameters of spermatogenesis in adult rat offspring. Body and testis weights as well as the seminiferous tubular diameter were reduced in those animals that received the protein-restricted diet after weaning, although these parameters recovered when a 20% protein diet was offered subsequently. The numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Leydig cells were reduced in undernourished animals, whilst the Sertoli cell number did not change. Prenatal programming effect was observed only in the spermatogonial or proliferative phase of spermatogenesis. However, the intake of the normal protein diet after weaning brought many of the testicular parameters evaluated back to normal in 70-day-old rats. A significant reduction of the meiotic index, Sertoli cell supporting capacity and spermatogenic efficiency was observed in animals subjected to protein undernutrition throughout their lives. The data presented show that protein restriction impairs the normal development of the testis in different ways, depending on the period during which the restriction was imposed, and the negative effects on spermatogenesis are more severe when undernutrition occurs from conception to adulthood; however, the return to a normal protein diet after weaning recovers the spermatogenic process.

The effects of dietary restriction and administration of β-glucan from Euglena gracilis on the sperm characteristics and reproductive organs of rats

“…It is also observed that βG reduced the negative effects of DR on seminiferous tubule diameters. These results are consistent with the findings published by Melo, Almeida, Caldeire‐Brant, Parreira, and Chiarini‐Garcia () who reported that seminiferous tubule diameters were reduced after DR. In this context, we conclude that that βG administration may scavenge directly free radical and protect the testicular structure and increase sperm quality.…”

Effects of nutrient limitation on sperm and seminal fluid: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…For example, protein is essential for oogenesis (Chippindale & Leroi, 1993;Adler et al, 2013), but there is also evidence to suggest that protein can be important for male sperm and semen traits (e.g. Droney, 1998;Melo et al, 2014;Dávila & Aron, 2017). Other studies have suggested that micronutrients such as carotenoids, amino acids and vitamins can affect ejaculate trait expression (Lederhouse et al, 1990;Locatello et al, 2006;Lambrot et al, 2013;Yossa et al, 2015;Tomášek et al, 2017).…”

Developmental diet irreversibly shapes male post‐copulatory traits in the neriid fly Telostylinus angusticollis

“…Similar to our findings, male spiders ( Paratrechalea ornata ) subject to early food deprivation were unable to recover the quality of saliva produced nuptial gifts when provided with increased food later in life (Macedo‐Rego et al ., ). However, in rats, although sperm production was reduced by in utero dietary restriction, sperm production was recovered when males were provided with a normal protein diet after weaning (Melo et al ., ). These differences between species may reflect differences in ontogeny of post‐copulatory traits.…”

“…Hence, nutrient restriction during developmental stages can also positively or negatively affect male post-copulatory trait expression. However, few studies have manipulated nutrient availability during both developmental and adult stages in the same experiment (although see Amitin & Pitnick, 2007;Vermeulen et al, 2008;Melo et al, 2014). Therefore, the relative importance of nutrient availability in each life-history stage for male post-copulatory investment, and potential for interactive effects of juvenile and adult nutrition, remains poorly understood.…”