Zabihollah Khaksar1*, Mohammad Beyzaei1, Azam Karami2
Background and objectives: Incidence of abnormalities in various organs of fetus and infants of diabetic mothers are now well documented. Results of studies indicate anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of fenugreek. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of fenugreek on the testicular tissue of neonatal rats of diabetic mothers.
Materials and Methods: Sixty adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three healthy groups (including, control, Glibenclamide and fenugreek groups) and three diabetic groups (including, control, Glibenclamide and fenugreek groups) in this experimental study. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce diabetes in the rats. Upon detection of pregnancy, 1000 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract of fenugreek was fed to healthy and diabetic fenugreek groups, 5 mg/kg Glibenclamide was fed to healthy and diabetic Glibenclamide groups, and healthy and diabetic control groups were given distilled water by gavage. After pregnancy and vaginal delivery, one month old neonatal rats of the six groups were selected and their testicles were removed after anesthetization. The serial sections of testicular tissue were studied in all the experimental groups. The prepared slides were then stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and green Masson’s trichrome (MT) staining methods. Blood glucose levels of the infants were also measured. Histomorphometric study was done using two micrometric standard methods (with slides and graded lenses) and also Olympus BX51 microscope and Olysia software.
Results: Administration of fenugreek extract to the diabetic pregnant rats (diabetic fenugreek group) significantly increased the mean number of spermatogonia cells and Leydig cells in one month old infants compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). However, the number of Sertoli cells and the number of seminiferous tubules of one month old newborns of diabetic rats in the diabetic fenugreek group did not show significant change compared to the diabetic control group. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubule and the thickness of testicular capsule of one month old infants of diabetic rats in the diabetic fenugreek group showed a significant increase compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Administration of fenugreek extract as a rich source of antioxidant components to diabetic pregnant rats had a protective effect on the testicular tissue of neonatal rats born to diabetic mothers and improved qualitative and quantitative parameters of the testis.
