A high-fat diet negatively affects rat sperm mitochondrial respiration

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Sperm Energetics

Background:

• Abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia are linked to male infertility.
• Defective energy metabolism is implicated in impaired sperm quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sperm energetic metabolism in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome.
• To determine the impact of a high-fat diet on sperm quality and energy production.

Main Methods:

• Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard or high-fat diet for 4 weeks.
• Assessed metabolic parameters, sperm concentration, motility, enzyme activities, mitochondrial respiration, ATP levels, and oxidative damage.

Main Results:

• High-fat diet induced obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia.
• Sperm concentration and motility were reduced in high-fat fed rats.
• Impaired sperm enzyme activities, mitochondrial respiration, reduced ATP, and increased oxidative damage were observed.

Conclusions:

• A high-fat diet negatively impacts sperm quality through defective energy metabolism.
• Metabolic syndrome induced by diet may contribute to male infertility via impaired sperm function.