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. 2010 Aug 24;17 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S9.
doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-S1-S9.

Effects of taurine on male reproduction in rats of different ages

Jiancheng Yang  1 , Gaofeng Wu, Ying Feng, Qiufeng Lv, Shumei Lin, Jianmin Hu
Affiliations

Effects of taurine on male reproduction in rats of different ages

Jiancheng Yang et al. J Biomed Sci. .

Abstract

Background: It has been demonstrated that taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the male reproductive system, and can be biosynthesized by male reproductive organs. But the effect of taurine on male reproduction is poorly understood.

Methods: Taurine and beta-alanine (taurine transport inhibitor) were offered in water to male rats of different ages. The effects of taurine on reproductive hormones, testis marker enzymes, antioxidative ability and sperm quality were investigated.

Results: The levels of T and LH were obviously increased by taurine supplementation in rats of different ages, and the level of E was also significantly elevated in baby rats. The levels of SOD, ACP, SDH and NOS were obviously increased by taurine administration in adult rats, but the levels of AKP, AST, ALT and NO were significantly decreased. The levels of SOD, ACP, LDH, SDH, NOS, NO and GSH were significantly elevated by taurine administration in aged rats, but the levels of AST and ALT were significantly decreased. The motility of spermatozoa was obviously increased by taurine supplement in adult rats. The numbers and motility of spermatozoa, the rate of live spermatozoa were significantly increased by taurine supplement in aged rats.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that a taurine supplement could stimulate the secretion of LH and T, increase the levels of testicular marker enzymes, elevate testicular antioxidation and improve sperm quality. The results imply that taurine plays important roles in male reproduction especially in aged animals.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The levels of reproductive hormones in baby rats (mIU/ml). a: The level of T, b: The levels of E, FSH and LH. Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=15). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The levels of reproductive hormones in adult rats (mIU/ml). a: The level of T, b: The levels of E, FSH and LH. Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The levels of reproductive hormones in aged rats (mIU/ml). a: The level of T, b: The levels of E, FSH and LH. Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The levels of testis biochemical indicators in adult rats. a: the levels of SOD and ACP (U/mg prot), b: the levels of MDA (nmol/mg prot), AKP (U/mg prot), SDH (U/mg prot) and LDH (U/mg prot), c: the levels of AST (U/mg prot), ALT (U/mg prot) and GSH (μg/mg prot), d: the levels of NOS (U/mg prot) and NO (pmol/mg prot). Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The levels of testis biochemical indicators in aged rats. a: the levels of SOD and ACP (U/mg prot), b: the levels of MDA (nmol/mg prot), AKP (U/mg prot), SDH (U/mg prot) and LDH (U/mg prot), c: the levels of AST (U/mg prot), ALT (U/mg prot) and GSH (μg/mg prot), d: the levels of NOS (U/mg prot) and NO (pmol/mg prot). Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 6
Figure 6
The sperm quality of adult rats. a: the numbers of spermatozoa, b: the rates of spermatozoa motility, live spermatozoa, abnormal and intact acrosome spermatozoa. Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
Figure 7
Figure 7
The sperm quality of aged rats. a: the numbers of spermatozoa, b: the rates of spermatozoa motility, live spermatozoa, abnormal and intact acrosome spermatozoa. Results are presented as mean ± SE (n=10). *: significantly different from the control group (p<0.05), **: significantly different from the control group (p<0.01).
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