EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LAUNAEA ACANTHODES ON TESTICULAR TISSUE AND SPERM PARAMETERS IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Aims: Diabetes cause oxidative stress in sperm and testicular tissue. The Launaea acanthodes has anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic effects. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of Launaea acanthodes extract on sperm parameters and testicular tissue in diabetic rats. Materials & Methods: 27 rats were divided into the 3 equal groups; control, diabetic control and experimental diabetic. Experimental diabetic and diabetic control groups were got diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. Extract of Launaea acanthodes with concentration of 300mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally to the experimental diabetic group every other day for a month. Sterile distilled water was injected to control and diabetic control groups. After creating experimental diabetes, all injections were done every other day for a month. On day 30, all rats were sacrificed and their testes were removed for assessment of sperm parameters and histological evaluation. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software using Kruskal Wallis and Dunn post hoc test. Findings: Percentage of progressive motility, natural forms and the number of sperms in treated diabetic group with extract of Launaea acanthodes with concentration of 300mg/kg were increased significantly compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.05). Average weight, length, width and average diameter of the tubules of the testes and the average thickness of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubule in diabetic group treated with extract of Launaea acanthodes were increased significantly compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Extract of Launaea acanthodes improves sperm parameters, increase sperm count and decrease atrophy of seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats.