STUDY OF PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF RASPBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (RUBUS FRUTICOSUS L.) ON CHANGES IN GONADOTROPIN HORMONES, TESTOSTERONE AND SPERMATOGENESIS IN MALE DIABETIC RATS INDUCED WITH STZ

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of raspberry fruit extract (Rubus fruticosus L.) on LH, FSH, testosterone serum levels, and number and percentage of sperm motility in male diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 50 Wistar male rats were used and divided into five groups: (control), diabetic (STZ,55mg/kg, i.p), and treatment groups (DM + raspberry fruit extract: 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks). At the end of experiments, the LH, FSH and testosterone serum levels and the number and percentage of sperm motility were examined. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test. Results: The LH and FSH serum levels increased significantly in DM group compared with other groups (p<0.05). After treatment with raspberry fruit extract, the LH and FSH serum levels decreased significantly compared with DM group (p<0.05). The testosterone serum level and the number and percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly in the DM group (p<0.05). The use of raspberry fruit extract significantly increased testosterone serum level and the number and percentage of sperm motility in treatment groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that raspberry fruit extract increased testosterone hormone in DM rats, and also improved spermatogenesis and ameliorating pituitary-gonadal axis function.