Protective Effects of Antioxidants on Sperm Parameters and Seminiferous Tubules Epithelium in High Fat-fed Rats

BACKGROUND: Prescription of antioxidants might increase the quality of sperm parameters and improve the rate of pregnancy in obese people who suffer from infertility. Therefore, the present study investigated protective effects of vitamin A, E and astaxanthin on sperm parameters and seminiferous tubules epithelium in high-fat diet model. METHODS: Thirty-six numbers of 3 months old albino Wistar rats were divided to control, high-fat diet and high-fat diet with antioxidants groups. After 12 weeks, levels of LDL-C and HDL-C were detected in the groups. Sperm was obtained from the tail of epididymis and its parameters (count, vitality, motility and morphology) were analyzed. Testes were fixed in 10% formalin and after tissue processing, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosine (H&E) for histological evaluation. Data were analyzed by a one-way ANOVA and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Our results indicated that viability, motility and normal morphology of sperm in high-fat diet (HFD) decreased significantly compared to high-fat diet with antioxidant (HFD + A) and the control groups (p < 0.05). Also spermatogonium and the number of Sertoli cells increased significantly in HFD + A compared to the control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As it is shown in our study, application of antioxidants decreased serum triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-C/LDL-C in high-fat diet model and improved the semen parameters. Therefore, it is suggested that the low quality of sperm can be improved in obese men through antioxidant prescription. Finally, it seems that the antioxidants in obese patients with subfertility or infertility is a new and efficient strategy with few side effects.