Rubus apetalus (Rosaceae) improves spermatozoa characteristics, antioxidant enzymes and fertility potential in unilateral cryptorchid rats

The effects and molecular mechanism of heat stress on spermatogenesis and the mitigation measures

Under normal conditions, to achieve optimal spermatogenesis, the temperature of the testes should be 2-6 °C lower than body temperature. Cryptorchidism is one of the common pathogenic factors of male infertility. The increase of testicular temperature in male cryptorchidism patients leads to the disorder of body regulation and balance, induces the oxidative stress response of germ cells, destroys the integrity of sperm DNA, yields morphologically abnormal sperm, and leads to excessive apoptosis of germ cells. These physiological changes in the body can reduce sperm fertility and lead to male infertility. This paper describes the factors causing testicular heat stress, including lifestyle and behavioral factors, occupational and environmental factors (external factors), and clinical factors caused by pathological conditions (internal factors). Studies have shown that wearing tight pants or an inappropriate posture when sitting for a long time in daily life, and an increase in ambient temperature caused by different seasons or in different areas, can cause an increase in testicular temperature, induces testicular oxidative stress response, and reduce male fertility. The occurrence of cryptorchidism causes pathological changes within the testis and sperm, such as increased germ cell apoptosis, DNA damage in sperm cells, changes in gene expression, increase in chromosome aneuploidy, and changes in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, etc. At the end of the article, we list some substances that can relieve oxidative stress in tissues, such as trigonelline, melatonin, R. apetalus, and angelica powder. These substances can protect testicular tissue and relieve the damage caused by excessive oxidative stress.

Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) Increases Sexual Hormones and Sperm Parameters, Lowers Oxidative Stress, and Ameliorates Testicular Architecture in Rats with 3 Weeks of Experimental Varicocele

Varicocele is a disease characterized by an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform plexus that drains the testis. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the curative effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea on some reproductive and antioxidant markers in rats with experimental varicocele. Following varicocele induction, rats (5 per group) were randomly partitioned into untreated varicocele, vitamin E-treated (150 mg/kg), aqueous extract-treated (500 mg/kg), and ethanolic extract-treated (100 mg/kg) animals. Two other groups served as normal and sham-operated. After 2 or 4 weeks of treatments, body and sex organ weights, spermatozoa characteristics, antioxidant status, NO level, sex hormones, and testis histology were measured. Animals with 3 weeks of varicocele showed a significant (p < 0.05–0.001) decrease in body and sex organ weights, total proteins, sperm characteristics, testosterone concentration, SOD, catalase, and total peroxidase activities. An increase in the plasmatic FSH, LH, and testicular MDA and NO concentrations was also recorded. Moreover, marked disorganization of the testicular architecture was observed. Treatment with D. arborea significantly reversed these impairments due to varicocele. For instance, after 4 weeks, treatment with aqueous extract of D. arborea significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) increased testes and epididymis weights, sperm viability (89.12 ± 1.09 vs 68.22 ± 1.42), sperm density (148.50 ± 2.59 vs 110.25 ± 2.51), and sperm motility (68.16 ± 2.39 vs 55.88 ± 3.20) in the left side, compared with varicocele-untreated rats. The extract also significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) decreased malondialdehyde level (2.19 ± 0.04 vs 3.50 ± 0.13) but elevated catalase (0.97 ± 0.03 vs 0.55 ± 0.03), SOD (0.5 ± 0.03 vs 0.15 ± 0.03), and peroxidase (65.80 ± 2.9 vs 40.95 ± 2.44) activities. Present results showed that D. arborea extracts possess antioxidant effects and improve sperm quality in male rats with an existing varicocele.