Glutathione (GSH) improves sperm quality and testicular morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

• Published in: Asian Journal of Andrology
• Main Author: Abdullah F.; Khan Nor-Ashikin M.; Agarwal R.; Kamsani Y.; Abd Malek M.; Bakar N.; Mohammad Kamal A.-A.; Sarbandi M.-S.; Abdul Rahman N.-S.; Musa N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85105398410&doi=10.4103%2faja.aja_81_20&partnerID=40&md5=8ce3e3a9c682b32236942f388699ad69

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause reproductive impairment. In men, it has been linked to altered sperm quality and testicular damage. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in the development of DM complications. Glutathione (GSH) is a part of a nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system that protects lipid, protein, and nucleic acids from oxidative damage. However, the protective effects of exogenous GSH on the male reproductive system have not been comprehensively examined. This study determined the impact of GSH supplementation in ameliorating the adverse effect of type 1 DM on sperm quality and the seminiferous tubules of diabetic C57BL/6NTac mice. GSH at the doses of 15 mg kg-1and 30 mg kg-1was given intraperitoneally to mice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. The mice were then weighed, euthanized, and had their reproductive organs excised. The diabetic (D Group) showed significant impairment of sperm quality and testicular histology compared with the nondiabetic (ND Group). Diameters of the seminiferous lumen in diabetic mice treated with 15 mg kg-1GSH (DGSH15) were decreased compared with the D Group. Sperm motility was also significantly increased in the DGSH15 Group. Improvement in testicular morphology might be an early indication of the protective roles played by the exogenous GSH in protecting sperm quality from effects of untreated type 1 DM or diabetic complications. Further investigation using different doses and different routes of GSH is necessary to confirm this suggestion. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.