The effects of propolis on sperm quality, reproductive organs and testicular antioxidant status of male rats treated with cyclosporine-A

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of propolis on the quality of sperm and reproductive organs in male rats treated with cyclosporine-A. In this study, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats (280-300 g BW) at 8-10 weeks of age were used. The rats were randomly divided into control and 3 treatment groups. Each rat was placed into a cage. During 21 days (experimental period), Group 1 served as control group; Group 2 (CsA) was given 15 mg/kg BW/day of CsA by subcutaneously; Group 3 (P) was given 100 mg/kg BW/day of propolis by gavage; Group 4 (CsA+P) was given 15 mg/kg BW/day of CsA subcutaneously and 100 mg/kg BW/day of propolis by gavage. Administration of CsA to rats decreased sperm motility (P < 0.01) and sperm concentration (P < 0.01), and it increased total abnormal sperm rates (P < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Significant improvements were observed in the sperm motility (P < 0.01) and total abnormal sperm rates (P < 0.05) in CsA+P group. No significant differences were observed in the weights of right and left testes among all groups. The weight values of right and left epididymis were found similar to each other in CsA administrated groups. Seminal vesicle (P < 0.01) and prostat glands weights (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in CsA+P group than CsA group. As a result, it was determined that oral supplementation of 100 mg/kg of propolis had amendatory effect on the quality of sperm and reproductive organs treated with CsA administered rats. CsA treatment caused a significant increase in MDA level (P < 0.01) and significant decreases (P < 0.01) in GSH level and CAT activity when compared with the control group. Ingestion of propolis by CsA-treated rats significantly decreased the MDA level and significantly increased the GSH level when compared with the CsA alone group (P < 0.01).

Bee glue (propolis) improves reproductive organs, sperm quality and histological changes and antioxidant parameters of testis tissues in rats exposed to excess copper

“…The levels of Cu in seminal plasma and serum of fertile male rats were significantly lower than those in subfertile male rats (Aydemir et al, ; Eidi et al, ). Similar to our findings, it was reported that propolis had significantly ameliorative effects on sperm motility and concentration, seminal vesicles, prostate and right cauda weights ( p < .01), abnormal sperm rate, right and left epididymis weights ( p < .05) in Sprague Dawley rats treated with cyclosporine‐A (Gul Baykalir et al, ). Also, Sakhaee et al () reported that a significant decrease in sperm motility, concentration and viability as the adverse effects of Cu on male Wistar albino rat fertility.…”

“…This particular effect (as the first mechanism) may associate with scavenging by propolis of the free radicals. The second mechanism could be the ability prevent of propolis to the activity of xanthine oxidase (XAO), which is generated by free radicals (Attia et al, 2012;Gul Baykalir et al, 2016). It has been reported that the various phenolic and flavonoid components of propolis can able to be capable of scavenging by remove or deactivate free radicals and so, preventing the oxidised of lipids and the breakdown of some compounds such as vitamin C during oxidative stress (Attia et al, 2012;Kumar, Ahmad, Dang, & Husain, 2008;Frozza et al, 2013;Tatli Seven et al, 2009) The Cu causes to alterations in levels of LH and testosterone hormones (Chang, Choi, Kim, & Park, 2011), reduction the activity of 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and damage to histoarchitecture of testicular tissues (Khushboo et al, 2018).…”

“…In previous studies, it was reported that oxidative damage in testicular tissue affects the reproductive system negatively and antioxidants may be able to effective in preventing or reducing this damage (Aslankoc & Ozmen, 2019;Kaya, Ciftci, Cetin, Doğan, & Başak, 2015;Tatli Seven et al, 2018). Also, it was reported that phenolic and flavonoid compounds that are especially liable for antioxidant act of propolis protected the reproductive system against to toxicity, and preventive the impacts to aluminium trichloride (AlCl 3 ) that caused corruption on testicular dysfunction, testosterone levels and semen quality (Gul Baykalir, Tatli Seven, Gur, & Seven, 2016;Ogretmen, Inanan, & Ozturk, 2014;Yousef & Salama, 2009). It was reported that propolis administration to rats improved body weight, reproductive organ weights, normal spermatozoa, sperm motility, testosterone level and seminal plasma enzymes, and reduced abnormal and dead sperm numbers (Gul Baykalir et al, 2016;Meurer, Da Costa, De Barros, De Oliveira, & Da Paixao, 2009).…”

Diltiazem aggravates testicular function impairment induced by cyclosporine A or tacrolimus in unilateral nephrectomised rats

“…Nevertheless, immune suppression must be used for the long term, leading to a series of side effects and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Blood CsA concentrations are inversely related to sperm density and concentration in the semen of male patients after renal transplantation, leading to reproductive disorders (Baykalir, Seven, & Gur, ). Animal experimental results have indicated that CsA had reproductive toxicity, interfering with spermatogenesis and leading to male reproductive dysfunction and male sterility (Baykalir et al, ).…”

“…Blood CsA concentrations are inversely related to sperm density and concentration in the semen of male patients after renal transplantation, leading to reproductive disorders (Baykalir, Seven, & Gur, ). Animal experimental results have indicated that CsA had reproductive toxicity, interfering with spermatogenesis and leading to male reproductive dysfunction and male sterility (Baykalir et al, ). The effects of different immunosuppressive regimens in the therapeutic dose range on the testicular development, semen quality, sex hormone levels and testicular tissue damage were explored in UN rats.…”