Streptozotocin diabetes and insulin resistance impairment of spermatogenesis in adult rat testis: central vs. local mechanism

Niger J Physiol Sci. 2012 Dec 18;27(2):171-9.

Abstract

Mammalian reproduction is dynamically regulated by the pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are synthesized in the pituitary gland following stimulation by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and act by stimulating steroid production and gametogenesis in both males and females. Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (120 - 140 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups. Group 1 > Control group; fed on normal rat pellets. Group 2 > Streptozotocin group; received a single dose IP injection of streptozotocin 45 mg/kg BW in Na+ citrate buffer pH 4.5. Group 3 > Streptozotocin-insulin treated group; received a single dose IP injection of streptozotocin as in group 2 above and treated with insulin sub-cutaneously. Group 4 > Streptozotocin-ginger treated group; received a single dose IP injection of streptozotocin as in group 2 above and treated with 500 mg/Kg Ginger extract orally. Group 5 > Insulin resistant group; fed ad libitum on a special diet containing 25% fructose mixed with 75% normal rat chow (w/w). Group 6 > Insulin resistant-pioglitazone treated group; fed ad libitum on a special diet as in group 5 above and treated with Pioglitazone 15 mg/kg orally. Group 7 > Insulin resistant-ginger treated group; fed ad libitum on a special diet as in group 4 above, and also treated with 500 mg/Kg Ginger extract orally. Hormonal and tissue biochemistry analyses revealed that both central and local mechanisms are implicated in the impairment of spermatogenesis by diabetes but the hypothalamo-pituitary testicular axis alteration might not likely have a major impact as the local defect on steroidogenesis in the testis. This local defect could also predispose to male hypogonadism, i.e. failure of gonadal function.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Infertility, Male / blood
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pioglitazone
  • Plant Extracts
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Streptozocin
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Zingiber officinale

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Streptozocin
  • Pioglitazone