P-28: The Protective Effect of Equisetum Arvense Alcoholic Extract on Sperm Quality, DNA Damage and Sperm Abnormalities in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Male Mice

Background: Diabetes mellitus as a chronic disease can cause fertility problems in male human population. In fact, it exerts sever damages in testicular tissue and subsequently reduces total number of normal sperms and semen volume. Therefore, this study is designed to evaluate the protective effect of Equisetum arvense extract on sperm quality, DNA damage and maturation in diabetic male mice. Materials and Methods: To follow-up present study, 24 mature male mice were divided equally in four groups: control-sham, diabetic and two diabetic + EE (250 and 500 mg/kg, orally, daily gavage). Diabetes induction was done by injection of the streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, for five days). After 45 days of STZ administration, all animals were sacrificed. Cauda epididymis were removed surgically and placed in 1ml HTF + BSA 4 mg/ml medium (preequilibrated). Then, they were incubated for 30 minute in CO2 incubator to allow the spermatozoa to swim out. The spermatozoal suspension was analyzed for sperm motility, concentration in the cauda epididymis, and viability. Also, sperm chromatin quality and DNA integrity were assessed by Aniline blue and Acridine Orange staining following sperm sampling. Results: The obtained data demonstrated that the sperms motility and viability remarkably (p<0.05) increased in diabetic + EE groups in comparison to diabetic group of animals. Although the sperm count was decreased in diabetic group, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05) with those in diabetic + EE. Moreover, the percentage of sperm with DNA disintegrity, nuclear immaturity and morphologic immaturity, were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in diabetic + EE groups in comparison to diabetic group. Conclusion: Diabetes can impair reproductive function which is associated with sexual impotence and low sperm quality. Our results showed that diabetes caused damages in testicular function with adverse effect on sperm production, sperm DNA integration and nuclear maturation. While EE could decrease these damages.