Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Evaluation of Intracellular Location of Reactive Oxygen Species in Solea Senegalensis Spermatozoa
Published on: March 11, 2018
Impact of antioxidants on seminal vesicles function and fertilizing potential in diabetic rats
Panagiota Tsounapi1, Masashi Honda1, Fotios Dimitriadis2
1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tottori University School of Medicine, 36-1 Nishimachi, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus significantly affects the male reproduction and sexual function. In the present study, we investigated the diabetes-induced dysfunction of seminal vesicles (SVs) in the diabetes-rat model and the role of antioxidants. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes after 4 weeks caused smaller size of the organs, hypercontractility, histological abnormalities, increased concentrations of malondialdehyde in the serum and tissue, overexpression of oxidative stress markers, and cleaved caspase-3 as identified by immunohistochemistry in the SVs. In addition, diabetes resulted in deceased levels of serum testosterone and no newborns after the mating studies. Antioxidants significantly normalized all the above parameters, except for the severely decreased serum testosterone levels and the negative outcome of the mating studies. The present study gives evidence for the important role of diabetes-induced oxidative stress in the function and structure of these androgen-dependent organs. Antioxidants may be a promising supplementary therapy for diabetic male patients to alleviate ejaculatory disorders but alone is not efficient treatment for the mitigation of infertility.
Insights
Diabetes causes seminal vesicle dysfunction through oxidative stress, impacting male reproduction. Antioxidants can help alleviate ejaculatory issues but do not fully restore fertility in diabetic rats.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is known to impair male reproductive health and sexual function.
- Seminal vesicles (SVs) are crucial androgen-dependent organs for male reproduction, susceptible to metabolic disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diabetes on seminal vesicle structure and function in a rat model.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of antioxidants in mitigating diabetes-induced SV dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Streptozotocin-induced diabetes model in rats.
- Assessment of SV size, contractility, histology, oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, oxidative stress markers), and cleaved caspase-3.
- Measurement of serum testosterone levels and evaluation of mating outcomes.
Main Results:
- Diabetes led to smaller SVs, hypercontractility, histological damage, increased oxidative stress, and cleaved caspase-3 expression.
- Diabetic rats exhibited reduced serum testosterone and failed to produce offspring.
- Antioxidant treatment improved SV parameters but did not restore testosterone levels or reproductive success.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes-induced oxidative stress significantly impairs seminal vesicle function and structure.
- Antioxidants show promise as adjunctive therapy for diabetic ejaculatory disorders.
- Antioxidants alone are insufficient to reverse diabetes-related infertility.
More Related Videos
05:58Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 18, 2025
03:07Development and Validation of a Methodology for Establishing Obese Rat Models with Typical Fatty Pancreas
Published on: November 11, 2025