Trihoney improves testicular weight change and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Abstract

Histopathological examination of testicular tissue is the most reliable and sensitive method for detecting effects on spermatogenesis. Hypercholesterolemia reduces testicular weight, induces testicular degenerative changes, impairs spermatogenesis, affects Leydig and Sertoli cells and induces inflammation and fibrosis of testicular tissue. Based on numerous studies, honey has the ability to improve testicular histopathological abnormalities. To date, whether honey has any protective role against the effects of hypercholesterolemia on male reproductive functions is yet to be explored. This study investigated the effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang honeys) on changes in testicular weight and histopathological alterations induced by hypercholesterolemia in male New Zealand white rabbits. These changes were compared with the effects of atorvastatin (a lipid lowering agent) based on the same parameters. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups and received different diets as follows; Control: commercial pellet; CH: commercial pellet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.3 g/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; DAt: 1% cholesterol diet and 2 mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis, the rabbits were sacrificed and the testes were harvested to evaluate any weight and histopathological changes. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet either alone or in combination with atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in the testicular weight, testicular tubular degenerative changes and spermatogenesis impairment. Trihoney, particularly, at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved testicular weight, ameliorated the testicular tubular degenerative changes and enhanced spermatogenesis. The findings of this study suggest that Trihoney plays a favourable role in the protection against testicular weight reduction and histopathological changes induced by hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, atorvastatin per se may have toxic effects on testicular tissue.