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

BACKGROUND

Cryptorchidism (CPT) is an important cause of male infertility. is a medicinal plant with a powerful antioxidant potential. We investigated the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of on spermatozoa parameters, antioxidant enzymes and fertility potential of rats with experimental unilateral CPT.

METHOD

Normal ( = 15), sham-operated ( = 15) and cryptorchid rats ( = 80; distributed into 16 groups of 5 rats/group) were treated for 2, 4 or 8 weeks with either distilled water (10 ml/kg/day), vitamin E (75 mg/kg/day), aqueous or methanolic extract of (12 and 60 mg/kg). Sex organ weights, spermatozoa parameters, testicular proteins, sex hormones, fertility potential, morphometric characteristics of testis and oxidative stress markers were measured.

RESULTS

CPT significantly ( < 0.05-0.001) decreased testicular and epididymal weights, spermatozoa density, spermatozoa motility, spermatozoa normality, testicular proteins, LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations. In cryptorchid rats, peri-vascular fibrosis significantly increased ( < 0.001), while diameter of the seminiferous tube, germ cell thickness, gestation index and fertility index decreased when compared to control. Additionally, CPT induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and by reducing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. These alterations were corrected by For instance, a significantly increase ( < 0.05-0.001) in spermatozoa motility, normality, viability and density after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment was noticed. also increased ( < 0.05-0.001) testicular proteins, gestation index (90-100%) and fertility index (90-100%), compared to the untreated cryptorchid rats.

CONCLUSION

boosts fertility potential in cryptorchid rats and could be considered as a promising alternative agent for the management of infertility associated with CPT.