Evaluation of the Efficiency of Combined and Separated Antioxidant Supplementation of Vitamin C and E on Semen Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Male reproductive functions could be affected at multiple levels due to dia-betes mellitus. Antioxidants vitamins have direct impact on improving male reproductive capacity. Our objective was to assess the efficiency of treat-ment with vitamin C and E in the case of whether diabetes mellitus is the cause of infertility or if infertile men suffer from diabetes by inducing diabe-tes on male Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each: a normoglycemic control. Other four groups were given a single dose of streptozotocin, and divided into: diabetic control, diabetic + 250 mg/kg/day of vitamin C, diabetic + 250 mg/kg/day of vitamin E, diabetic + 250 mg/kg/day of vitamin C + 250 mg/kg/day of vitamin E by gavage during 30 consecutive days. Animals were anesthetized, sacrificed to evaluate body and reproductive organ weights, plasma hormone levels, and semen quality. Compared to normoglycemic animals, diabetic rats showed reduced body weight (211.33 ± 8.70gr) and epididymis (1.35 ± 0.10 gr). The testis weight (3.10 ± 0.14 gr) and sperm count (2.72 ± 4.61 x 106) were maintained. A reduction of LH and testosterone levels (0.10 ± 0.00, and 0.25 ± 0.12) respec-tively. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the final body and epididy-mis weights, hormonal levels, and sperm count among diabetes vitamins treated groups as compared to the normoglycemic and hyperglycemic groups. Diabetes mellitus induces adverse effects on reproductive capacity. Antioxidant vitamins C and E improves sperm quality and increases hormonal levels.