The effects of modest intake of soy milk enriched with Lactobacillus casei and omega-3 on the testis parameters in diabetic rats: a stereological study.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a widely distributed endocrine disorder in the world. Altered reproductive function is a notable long-term consequence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In the current study, we assessed the effects of soya milk containing Lactobacillus casei and omega-3 on stereology of testes in type 1 diabetic rats.

Methods: 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups. Streptozocin (STZ (60 mg/kg)) was applied for diabetes induction. The non-diabetic and diabetic control groups were fed with 1 ml of distilled water. Three treatment diabetic groups were fed 1 ml of Soy milk group (SM), Probiotic soy milk group (PSM), and Omega-3 probiotic soy milk group (OPSM) via intragastric gavage for 60 days. At the endpoint, the animals were sacrificed and serum luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, MDA besides testicular, and seminal parameters were analyzed.

Results: The administration of soy milk supplemented with L. casei and omega-3 in diabetic rats elevated the concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, this combination improved sperm quality, enhanced the number of sperm with rapid progress, increased testis weight and volume, seminiferous tubule and germinal epithelium volume; and also augmented the number of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, round and long spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells.

Conclusion: Supplementation with soy milk containing L. casei and omega-3 can inhibit T1DM-induced infertility rats through improving testicular parameters, enhancing sperm quality, and increasing Sertoli and Leydig cell number.