Fertility-enhancing effects of Prunus amygdalas oil on reproductive functions of male rats: A two-generation study

Abstract

Objective: Prunus amygdalas (Almond; PA) has extensively been used in traditional medicine and has been the source of robust phenolic compounds. The current study intended to evaluate the fertility-enhancing effect of PA on male rats infertility and reproductive performance of two successive generations of rats namely, F₀ and F₁.

Materials and methods: Chemical composition of the oil was established with the aid of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil was then subjected to in-vitro antioxidant assay via DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ROS (reactive oxygen species), followed by in vivo toxicity testing. In the fertility assessment, 1 and 2 ml/kg of PA oil was given to rats up to pre-cohabitation, cohabitation, gestation and lactation period. The reproductive performance along with hormonal and antioxidant markers of F₁ generation was estimated and histopathological evaluation of both sex organs was done. Further, ethanol-induced male infertility model was established and sex hormones, antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lipid profile were assessed along with histopathology of male sex organs.

Results: The PA oil supplementation showed pronounced fertility outcomes in terms of raised litter size, sex hormones and antioxidant markers in both generations. Moreover, in ethanol-induced male infertility model, PA oil significantly restored sex hormones, ROS and GPx levels. Histological findings also endorsed better spermatogenesis with enhanced architecture.

Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that PA oil rich in PUFA (poly-unsaturated fatty acids) might be a promising treatment option in future for male/female sterility.

Keywords: Almond; Ethanol; Fertility; Infertility models; Oxidative stress; Sex hormones; Two-generation study.

Figure 1

GC-MS complete chromatogram of Prunus amygdalas oil

Figure 2

(a) Chromatogram peaks at 26-35 min, (b) Chromatogram peaks at 35-64min, (c) Chromatogram peaks at 36-55 min, (d) Chromatogram peaks at 55-64 min

Figure 3

Percentage Viability of Prunus amygdalas in comparison to H₂O₂

Figure 4

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Hormonal Parameters as compared to control: Male (A); Female (B). n=6, Mean±SEM; *p<0.05 significant, as compared to control.

Figure 5

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Oxidative Parameters as compared to control: Male (A); Female (B). n=6, Mean±SEM; *p<0.05 significant, as compared to control.

Figure 6

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Histopathological Parameters (a) Micrograph rat ovary of control (10x), (b) Micrograph rat ovary low dose Prunus amygdalas treated (10x), (c) Micrograph rat ovary high-dose P. amygdalas treated (10x), (d) Micrograph rat testis of control (10x), (e) Micrograph rat testis low-dose P. amygdalas treated (10x), (f) Micrograph rat testis high dose P. amygdalas treated (10x)

Figure 7

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters. n=6, Mean±SEM; *p<0.05 significant, **p<0.01 highly significant, as compared to negative control.

Figure 8

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Hormonal and Oxidative Parameters. n=6, Mean±SEM; *p<0.05 and **p<0.01 significantly different from negative control group.

Figure 9

Effect of Prunus amygdalas on Histopathological Parameters. (a) Micrograph rat testis of control (20x), (b) Micrograph rat testis Ethanol treated (20x), (c) Micrograph rat testis treated with Ethanol and Prunus amygdalas (20x), (d) Micrograph rat testis treated with Ethanol and Vitamin E (20x)