P-43: A Comparative Study of The Protective Effects of Metformin and Juglans Regia Leaves on the Alterations of Sperm Population and Motility in Adult Diabetic Rats

Background: Increase of blood glucose leads to structural and functional changes in various target tissues and organs. Gonadal dysfunction and decrease in testosterone production are the consequence of diabetes and these conditions lead to insufficient production of spermatozoids. Besides the use of chemical agents, herbal medications for treatment and reduction of diabetic side effects have been attended. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of herbal and synthetic drug therapy on fertility in diabetic conditions. Materials and Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with mean body weight 200 ± 20 g were used in this study. The animals were divided into six groups of eight animals: 1. control, 2. control + metformin, 3. control + Juglans regia extract, 4. diabetic, 5. diabetic + metformin and 6. diabetic + juglans regia extract. Metformin and Juglans regia extract were administered with dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight for 56 days after two weeks from induction of diabetes. Diabetes was induced using single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of Streptozotocin. At the end of 70 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the sperms of cauda epididymides were collected for analysis. Results: The administration of metformin and Juglans extract has not effect on the sperm population and motility in control groups. In diabetic group, the sperm population and motility were decreased significantly in comparison to control rats. As well, the administration of metformin to diabetic rats leads to increment of sperm population significantly and sperm motility insignificantly. In this regard, both indices of sperm analysis were significantly increased in diabetic rats that received Juglans regia extract in comparison to other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that in similar circumstances, the herbal medications can be used alone or with glucose lowering drugs due to their good performance and fewer side effects.