Protective Effects of Antioxidants on Testicular Functions of Varicocelized Rats

概要

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Left varicocele detrimentally affects spermatogenesis and the epididymal sperm maturation process bilaterally. We analyzed the effect of antioxidants on sperm production and quality in rats which were varicocelized. Non-varicocelized rats served as controls (group A). Left varicocele was done in 5 groups (B, C, D, E and F) of rats of the same age. Antioxidants taurine, catalase or superoxide dismutase were administered intraabdominally twice a week in groups C, D or E, respectively. Group F received taurine, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Groups A and B received a vehicle dose of saline equally. Eight weeks after varicocele induction bilateral epididymal caudal sperm content, motility and fertilizing ability were analyzed. All the parameters were significantly lower in group B than in groups A, C, D, E and F, although the values in group A were higher than in the other groups. Bilateral testicular weight and testosterone responses to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation were significantly higher in groups A, C, D, E and F than in the group B. There were no significant differences in serum testosterone basal profiles among groups A, B, C, D, E and F. These results indicated the effectiveness of antioxidants for the preservation of testicular function and the epididymal sperm maturation process in varicocelized subjects.
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