Fertility-Enhancing Potential of P. amygdalas and J. regia Oil Mixture in Wistar Rats: Male/Female Infertility Models Assessment

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids-rich nuts are a group of natural sources that have served as a tonic in the treatment of many ailments for centuries. In this regard, P. amygdalas and J. regia nuts are traditionally used in infertility treatments. However, so far, the main mechanisms for the fertility-enhancing effects of these nuts in males/females are unknown. The present study was intended to evaluate the fertility-boosting effect of a mixture constituting P. amygdalas and J. regia oil on male/female infertility models and in two successive generations of rats; F ₀ (parents) and F ₁ (offspring). For the fertility assessment, male and female rats, 18 pairs (n = 36, 1:1, F ₀ generation), were separated into three groups and dosed with 2 and 4 mL/kg daily of oil mixture and saline, respectively, from precohabitation up to lactation. To determine the further protective role of the oil mixture in infertility, we designed ethanol-induced male and estradiol-induced female infertility models. Various parameters like hormonal, hematological, lipid profile, and antioxidant markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were measured along with histopathology of sex organs. The continual exposure of F ₀ and F ₁ generations to the oil mixture did not affect the fertility index and survival index in females. However, in males, all sperm parameters were significantly improved in both generations. We have found pronounced fertility outcomes with oil mixture supplementation in both genders of F ₀ and F ₁ generations. Results showed that the oil mixture significantly restored (p < 0.05) luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone, GPx, plasma testosterone, and SOD activities in both models. Histological findings endorsed enhanced folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis with enhanced architecture. Our results strongly suggest that P. amygdalas and J. regia oil mixture might be a promising option in future for male/female sterility treatment. This finding could pave the way in infertile men and women for clinical trials. This is the first study that has provided an experimental rationale for a walnut and almond oil mixture combination as an effective candidate for fertility recovery by improving sex hormones and managing oxidative stress.

Keywords: almond; fertility; mixture; oxidative stress; sex hormones; two-generation study; walnut.

Figure 1

GC-MS chromatogram of oil mixture.

Figure 2

Effect of oil mixture on hormonal parameters as compared to control: male (a); female (b). n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 3

Effect of oil mixture on oxidative parameters as compared to control: male (a); female (b). n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 4

Effect of oil mixture on histopathological parameters. (a) Micrograph rat ovary of control (10x). (b) Micrograph rat ovary low-dose oil mixture–treated (20x). (c) Micrograph rat ovary high-dose oil mixture–treated (20x). (d) Micrograph rat testis of control (20x). (e) Micrograph rat testis low-dose oil mixture–treated (40x). (f) Micrograph rat testis high-dose oil mixture–treated (40x).

Figure 5

Effect of oil mixture on the hormonal and oxidative parameters as compared to negative control. n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 6

Effect of oil mixture on the hematological and biochemical parameters as compared to negative control. n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 7

Effect of oil mixture 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 oil mixture (20x). (d) Micrograph, rat testis treated with ethanol and vitamin E (20x).

Figure 8

Effect of oil mixture on hormonal and blood glucose parameters as compared to negative control. n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 9

Effect of oil mixture on oxidative and biochemical parameters as compared to negative control. n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 10

Effect of oil mixture on hematological parameters as compared to negative control. n = 6, Mean ± SEM; ^∗p < 0.05 significant, ^∗∗p < 0.01 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 11

Effect of oil mixture on histopathological parameters. (a) Micrograph rat ovary of control (20x). (b) Micrograph rat ovary treated with estradiol (40x). (c) Micrograph rat ovary treated with estradiol and oil mixture (20x). (d) Micrograph rat ovary treated with estradiol and metformin (20x).