Lycopene protects sperm from oxidative stress in the experimental varicocele model

Oxidative stress (OS) is an important parameter in the evaluation of infertility caused by varicocele. Antioxidants are the most commonly prescribed drugs in these patients. Lycopene molecule, as the powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family, has beneficial effects on improving fertility in males. Therefore, we investigated the effects of lycopene on induced OS by varicocele in an animal model. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control (n = 12) and varicocele (n = 33). Two months after induced varicocele, five rats in each group were sacrificed randomly and induced varicocele was investigated. Remained rats were divided into five groups (n = 7), including the control (I), varicocele (II), varicocele reserving solvent (III), varicocele reserving lycopene 4 mg/kg (IV), and 10 mg/kg (V) for two months. At the end of the experiment, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), %DNA damage, and antioxidant enzymatic levels were measured. The results indicated that there were significant increases in the levels of ROS, MDA, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase (SOD), sperm concentration, and motility in the varicocele groups compared with the control group. In the lycopene group (10 mg/kg), sperm concentration, the levels of TAC, and catalase (CAT) activity were improved so the levels of ROS, MDA, and %DNA damage were reduced compared with varicocele group. Our findings indicated that the administration of lycopene especially at a dose of 10 mg/kg in the varicocele group could protect sperm from OS and sperm DNA damage by increasing antioxidant activity and reducing ROS.

Soursop juice enhanced seminal antioxidant defence and semen quality of rabbit bucks in extremely dry climatic condition of Southwestern Nigeria

Heat induced stress associated with dry climatic conditions in the tropics does have adverse effects reproduction in rabbits, and this in-turn impacts negatively on the income of rabbit farmers. However, natural products might prove to be a reliable, safe and cheap remedy for ameliorating reproductive such anomalies in rabbits. The potential of soursop for mitigating heat induced reproductive deficiency in rabbit bucks was investigated during the peak of dry climatic conditions in southwestern Nigeria. Sixty mixed breed (New Zealand white x Chinchilla) adult rabbit bucks were allotted to five treatments of four replicates (3 bucks per replicate) each in a completely randomized design. Soursop (Annona muricata) fruit was processed into juice using standard procedures and was designated as soursop juice. The juice was administered orally daily per kg body weight (BW), 0.55ml/kgBW distilled water (control), 0.55 ml/kgBW soursop juice, 1.11 ml/kgBW soursop juice, 1.67 ml/kgBW soursop juice and 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice to designated treatments 1 to 5, respectively for 56 days. Semen samples were collected with an improvised artificial vagina on the 28th and 56th day of the study, semen quality and seminal oxidative status were evaluated using standard procedures. Results showed that rabbit buck exposed to heat stress had lower semen quality, seminal antioxidants and increased seminal lipid peroxidation. However, the consumption of soursop juice lowered lipid peroxidation and enhanced (p < 0.05) antioxidant production in the seminal fluid of heat-stressed bucks than bucks on control group. Bucks' semen quality and antioxidant status peaks in heat-stressed bucks gavaged 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice and gives 100% recovery from the effects of heat induced stress. It can be concluded that 2.22 ml/kgBW soursop juice administered for 56 days did enhance spermatozoa quality and mitigated lipid peroxidation by improving antioxidant capacity of male rabbits in a dose dependent manner on extremely dry climatic conditions.

The Role of Selected Natural Biomolecules in Sperm Production and Functionality

Emerging evidence from in vivo as well as in vitro studies indicates that natural biomolecules may play important roles in the prevention or management of a wide array of chronic diseases. Furthermore, the use of natural compounds in the treatment of male sub- or infertility has been proposed as a potential alternative to conventional therapeutic options. As such, we aimed to evaluate the effects of selected natural biomolecules on the sperm production, structural integrity, and functional activity. At the same time, we reviewed their possible beneficial or adverse effects on male reproductive health. Using relevant keywords, a literature search was performed to collect currently available information regarding molecular mechanisms by which selected natural biomolecules exhibit their biological effects in the context of male reproductive dysfunction. Evidence gathered from clinical trials, in vitro experiments and in vivo studies suggest that the selected natural compounds affect key targets related to sperm mitochondrial metabolism and motion behavior, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA integrity and cell death. The majority of reports emphasize on ameliorative, stimulating and protective effects of natural biomolecules on the sperm function. Nevertheless, possible adverse and toxic behavior of natural compounds has been indicated as well, pointing out to a possible dose-dependent impact of natural biomolecules on the sperm survival and functionality. As such, further research leading to a deeper understanding of the beneficial or adverse roles of natural compounds is necessary before these can be employed for the management of male reproductive dysfunction.

Potential of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) to maintain oxidative stability of rooster semen for artificial insemination

Fruits with antioxidant enrichment can be an economically affordable supplement for mitigating oxidative damage prone spermatozoa membrane pathologies. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer and oxidative status were utilized to evaluate the impact of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) fortification of dextrose saline as diluent for rooster semen and fertility response of hens inseminated. Watermelon juice and dextrose saline were used to formulate diluent of 7 treatments consisting of unextended semen (positive control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and only dextrose saline (negative control) designated as Treatments 1-7. Pooled semen was obtained from fertile roosters and equilibrated with diluents at ratio 1:2 in the various treatments and were evaluated using computer software coupled microscope and seminal oxidative status assay. 168 laying hens randomly divided into 7 treatment of 8 replicates and 3 hen per replicate. Hen were everted, and semen (2 × 10⁸ Spermatozoa) deposited intra-vagina and eggs collected over 8 weeks to assess fertility and hatchability of eggs laid. The result obtained revealed that watermelon-dextrose saline rooster semen diluent enhanced progressive motility, sperm kinetics and lowered non-progressive motility in T2-T6 compared to T7 over the 3 hours of evaluation. Watermelon addition to rooster semen diluent enhance the antioxidant capacity of rooster semen and lowered lipid peroxide generation. The percentage fertility was highest in T3 (81.01%) and T4 (81.24%) with lowest value obtained in T7 (73.46%). The hatchability of eggs set of hens inseminated with undiluted semen (71.46%) was lower than values for hens inseminated with watermelon inclusive extended semen (75.71%-80.39%). The optimal inclusion of 30%-40% watermelon in dextrose saline diluent enhance rooster semen kinetics, seminal oxidative stability and egg fertility.

Amelioration of sperm count and sperm quality by lycopene supplementation in irradiated mice

Male mice were exposed to lycopene (LYC; 0.15 and 0.30mg kg-1) and irradiation (0.5, 1 Gy) alone or in combination (0.5 Gy+0.15mg kg-1 LYC; 0.5 Gy+0.30mg kg-1 LYC; 1 Gy+0.15mg kg-1 LYC; 1 Gy+0.30mg kg-1 LYC) for 2 weeks. LYC administration in the drinking water was started 24h or on Day 8 after the first irradiation dose or equivalent time point for groups treated with LYC alone. Sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA damage were determined at the end of the 2-week treatment period. Irradiation deteriorated sperm count and quality. Supplementation with LYC from 24h significantly increased the sperm count compared with irradiation alone. In almost all combined treatment groups, the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa was significantly decreased compared with that after irradiation alone. In some cases, combined treatment reduced levels of DNA damage in gametes. Both doses of LYC administered from Day 8 significantly reduced the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa compared with that seen after 1 Gy irradiation and reduced DNA damage in all combined treatment groups. In conclusion, LYC supplementation after irradiation can ameliorate the harmful effects of irradiation on gametes. Mitigation of radiation-induced damage in germ cells following LYC administration may be useful for radiological accidents and to protect non-treated tissues in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

The effects of dietary tomato powder (Solanum lycopersicum L.) supplementation on the haematological, immunological, serum biochemical and antioxidant parameters of growing rabbits

Using nutritional antioxidants in livestock systems is considered the key in improving animal production. The current study assumes that dietary tomato powder (TP) supplementation positively affects haemato-immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters for New Zealand rabbits. A total of 30 rabbits (45 days old) were assigned to three groups, including a diet with no additives (control), and two dietary treatments with the providing of 1% or 2% TP. Mass spectrometric study for TP methanolic extract showed some phenolic compounds. Consumption of TP supplemented diets significantly (p < 0.001) affected body weight gain and feed efficiency. Red blood cells and white blood cells count exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.001) in both TP groups compared with the control. In addition to, feeding rabbits on TP enhanced cell-mediated and humoral immune responses through a significant increase in phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and levels of immunoglobulins (TIg, IgG, IgM and IgA). Supplementation of TP significantly (p < 0.01) reduced lipid profile induces except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values. A remarkable significant (p < 0.001) effect on serum and hepatic oxidative stress responses were observed with TP addition. Ultimately, TP supplementation could play a potential role as a growth and health enhancer for fattening rabbits.

Antioxidant efficiency of lycopene on oxidative stress - induced damage in bovine spermatozoa

Background

Lycopene (LYC) is a natural carotenoid with powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities. The aim of this study was to investigate if lycopene has the ability to reverse ROS-mediated alterations to the motility, viability and intracellular antioxidant profile of bovine spermatozoa subjected to ferrous ascorbate (FeAA). Spermatozoa were washed out of fresh bovine semen, suspended in 2.9 % sodium citrate and subjected to LYC treatment (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mmol/L) in the presence or absence of FeAA (150 μmol/L FeSO₄ and 750 μmol/L ascorbic acid) during a 6 h in vitro culture. Spermatozoa motion characteristics were assessed using the SpermVision™ computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. Cell viability was examined with the metabolic activity (MTT) assay, ROS generation was quantified via luminometry and the nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) test was applied to quantify the intracellular superoxide formation. Cell lysates were prepared at the end of the in vitro culture to investigate the intracellular activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Results

FeAA treatment led to a reduced spermatozoa motility (P < 0.001), viability (P < 0.001) and a decline of the antioxidant capacity of spermatozoa (P < 0.001) but increased the ROS generation (P < 0.001), superoxide production (P < 0.001) and lipid peroxidation (P < 0.001). LYC administration resulted in a preservation of the spermatozoa motion parameters (P < 0.001), mitochondrial activity (P < 0.001) and antioxidant characteristics (P < 0.001 with respect to SOD; P < 0.01 in relation to CAT; P < 0.05 as for GPx and GSH) with a concentration range of 1 and 2 mmol/L LYC revealed to be the most effective.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that LYC exhibits significant ROS-scavenging and antioxidant properties which may prevent spermatozoa alterations caused by oxidative stress, and preserve the functionality of male reproductive cells.

Testing the interactive effects of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids on ejaculate traits in the guppy Poecilia reticulata (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Using the polyandrous livebearing guppy Poecilia reticulata, this study revealed no main effects of carotenoids in the diet on ejaculate traits, but significant main effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on sperm viability and weak but significant interacting effects of both nutrients on sperm length. Collectively, these findings not only add evidence that PUFAs are critical determinants of sperm quality, but also provide tentative evidence that for some traits these effects may be moderated by carotenoid intake.