A Synbiotic Combination of 505 and Leaf Extract Prevents Stress-Induced Testicular Dysfunction in Mice.

This study investigated the effects of a synbiotic combination (Syn) of 505 (505) and leaf extract (CT) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in mice under chronic stress. Unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) significantly increased the serum levels of corticosterone, however, treatment with Syn suppressed UCMS-induced increases. Histopathological analysis of the testes showed that these organs experienced some damage during UCMS, but this was repaired following treatment with Syn. Similarly, the transcription levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (), GnRH receptor, and gonadotropins, moreover, testicular development (i.e., , , and ) - and steroidogenesis (i.e., , , and ) -related genes were significantly downregulated by UCMS. These UCMS-induced changes were inhibited by the administration of Syn, which was confirmed by the results of hybridization analysis. These results suggest that the administration of Syn could attenuate the testicular dysfunctions induced by UCMS.