Up-regulation of Arl4a gene expression by broccoli aqueous extract is associated with improved spermatogenesis in mouse testes

Abstract

Introduction: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is well recognized due to its properties as an anti-cancer, antioxidant and scavenging free radicals. However, its benefit in enhancing spermatogenesis is not well understood.
 Objectives: To investigate the effect of broccoli aqueous extract on sperm factors and also expression of the involving genes (Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5 and Sox9) in sperm factors in mice.
 Material and methods: Male mice were divided randomly into six groups: (1) Control, (2) Cadmium (3 mg/kg mouse body weight), (3) Orally treated with 200 broccoli aqueous extract (1 g ml-1), (4) Orally treated with 400 µl of broccoli aqueous extract, (5) Orally treated with 200 broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium, and (6) Orally treated with 400 µl of broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium. Sperms factors and also gene expression in Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5 and Sox9 genes were studied.
 Results: An obvious improvement in sperm number and slight enhancement in sperm motility was observed in mice treated with broccoli extract with and without cadmium. While sperm viability was reduced by broccoli extract, except for 200 µl of broccoli extract with cadmium that was significantly increased. Interestingly, Arl4a gene expression showed an increase in 400 µl broccoli-treated group. Likewise, the Arl4a mRNA level in mice treated with cadmium along with 200 µl broccoli extract was higher than in cadmium-treated mice. Furthermore, broccoli extract enhanced the mRNA level of Catsper2 and Sox5 genes in mice treated with both 200 and 400 µl broccoli extract along with cadmium than the only cadmium-treated group.
 Conclusion: Generally, improvement in sperm count in broccoli-treated mice provides insight into the pharmaceutical industry to make new products available to infertile men.

Anti-oxidative effects of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) sprout extract in RAW 264.7 cell and cisplatin-induced testicular damage

“…Our results suggest that BSE prevents cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in MTFs. A recent study reported that an aqueous extract of broccoli improved spermatogenesis in mouse testes via upregulation of ADP ribosylation factor like GTPase 4A (Arl4α) (Jazayeri et al, 2021). Another study described that treatment of spermatozoa with 5 μM sulforaphane, which is the major component of broccoli extract, protects against oxidative stress during the freeze-thaw process, and these results strongly support our results.…”