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Protective effects of metformin on reproductive function in obese male rats induced by high-fat diet

  • Reproductive Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to elucidate the changes in testicular spermatogenic function in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats and to evaluate the protective effects of metformin intervention.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 18) were randomly divided into a control group (standard diet), an HFD group, and a metformin group (HFD + metformin at 100 mg/kg, once daily by oral gavage). After 8 weeks, rats were euthanized, and the weights of body and testes were measured. Testis and epididymis were dissected and hematoxylin-eosin-stained for histopathological examination and semen parameter analysis. Blood samples were collected for assessment of sex hormones and metabolic parameters (serum glucose, insulin, and leptin). Spermatogenic cell apoptosis was accessed by TUNEL.

Results

Compared with the control group, the final body weight and weight gain were significantly higher in HFD rats, while the testicle weight and coefficients were lower. In HFD rats, metformin treatment induced weight loss and increased testicle weight (P < 0.05). In HFD rats, obvious pathological changes in the testicular tissue were characterized by small, atrophic, and distorted seminiferous tubules and destroyed basement membrane. Metformin treatment protected against the HFD-induced decrease in the number of spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells (P < 0.05); ameliorated the HFD-induced increases in serum glucose, insulin, leptin, and estrogen; and decreased serum testosterone (P < 0.05) and reduced the rate of testicular cell apoptosis in obese male rats. Finally, metformin significantly improved semen parameters (including concentration, viability, motility, and normal morphology) in HFD rats (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

HFD-induced obesity in rats results in detrimental effects on spermatogenesis, semen quality, endogenous hormones, and testicular cell apoptosis. Metformin intervention improved the semen parameters, possibly due to its effects on weight loss, increased testicular weight, reduced testicular cell apoptosis, and resulted in restoration of hormonal homeostasis and correction of metabolic disorder.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by the key research project of the Ministry of Public Security (2010 ZDYJHBST007).

Author contributions

WJY and JY conceived and designed the study. YZ collected the data. YM, XLP, and DC performed the animal experiments and statistical analyses. WJY, NY, and JY drafted and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare no competing interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China

    Wen-jie Yan, Yang Mu, Tai-lang Yi, Yi Zhang, Xiang-li Pang, Dan Cheng & Jing Yang

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430060, China

    Nan Yu

Authors
  1. Wen-jie Yan
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  2. Yang Mu
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  3. Nan Yu
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  4. Tai-lang Yi
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  5. Yi Zhang
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  6. Xiang-li Pang
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  7. Dan Cheng
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  8. Jing Yang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jing Yang.

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Capsule

Metformin intervention improved the semen parameters, possibly due to its effects on weight loss, increased testicular weight, reduced testicular cell apoptosis, and resulted in restoration of hormonal homeostasis and correction of metabolic disorder.

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Yan, Wj., Mu, Y., Yu, N. et al. Protective effects of metformin on reproductive function in obese male rats induced by high-fat diet. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 1097–1104 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0506-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0506-2

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