Resveratrol ameliorates spermatogenesis by increasing protamine 1, 2 and HSPA2 expression in experimental varicocele rat model

Objectives

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility associated with an elevated testicular temperature that induces apoptosis, spermatogenesis dysfunction, and affects sperm parameters. In this study, we investigate the probable therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RES), a natural phytoalexin, against varicocele.

Materials and methods

In this study, 48 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 8 groups: normal, sham, normal + RES (20 and 50 mg/kg), varicocele, varicocele + ethanol and varicocele + RES (20 and 50 mg/kg). Incomplete closure of the left renal vein was used for varicocele induction and two months later, RES was administrated orally for 60 days. Then, sperm parameters, DNA fragmentations, chromatin density, and testis histopathology were analyzed. In addition, HSPA2, protamine 1, and 2 expression levels were evaluated using real-time PCR.

Results

According to our results, resveratrol treatment improved sperm parameters, testis histopathology, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin maturation which damaged follow varicocele (p ≤ 0.05). Also, it increased HSPA2, protamine 1, and 2 expression levels significantly in both doses (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Resveratrol potentially attenuates varicocele-induced spermatogenic impairments by its antioxidant features and regulates spermatogenic gene expression undergoing DNA fragmentation, so leads histopathological properties of tissues to physiological parameters.