Histo-morphological and seminal evaluation of testicular parameters in diabetic rats under antiretroviral therapy: interactions with Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Objective(s): Broad range of metabolic changes associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported over decades including reproductive perturbations. The current study aimed at investigating the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hyp) in the seminal and morphometric alterations in the testes of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats under HAART.Materials and Methods: Sixty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into A-H groups, containing ۶ rats in the control group A and ۸ rats in the treatment groups B-H. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (۱۱۰ mg/kg BW) followed by streptozotocin (۴۵ mg/kg BW). The animals were then subjected to various treatments with HAART, Hyp, and melatonin.Results: weights (body and testicular), histological, histochemical, seminal fluid, and morphometric analyses were carried out. Sperm count and motility were reduced in HAART (P<۰.۰۵/۰.۰۰۳) and Hyp۲۰۰ (P<.۰۰۳) groups compared with normal and diabetic controls, respectively. Sperm count was higher (P<.۰۰۳) in HAART+ Mel and HAART+Hyp۱۰۰ groups. Morphometry showed the reduction in germinal epithelium height and basement membrane thickness (P<.۰۰۳) in the Hyp۱۰۰ group compared with diabetic controls. Adjuvant use of Hyp and melatonin with HAART did not significantly raise these indices (P>.۰۵). Histological slides showed gross distortions in HAART, diabetic and HAART +Hyp groups with marked atrophy in tubules, germ cell loss and areas of focal depletion of the cell. PAS staining revealed detached basement membrane in diabetic groups with strong PAS-stain. Conclusion: The use of Hyp or melatonin does not ameliorate the testicular damages in diabetic animals under antiretroviral therapy.

Keywords:

Experimental diabetes , HAART , Hypoxis hemerocallidea , Seminal fluid , Testis