Alterations of morphology and phosphorylated protein expression in the seminal vesicles of diabetic mice

Although many studies reported the detrimental effects of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM) on testis, reproductive parameter changes in DM seminal vesicles have never been documented. This study aimed to examine the morphology, biochemical levels and tyrosine phosphorylation in seminal vesicles of T1DM and T2DM mice. Fifty-six male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 14/each): T1DM control, T1DM, T2DM control and T2DM. T1DM mice were daily injected of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg BW) for 5 days. T2DM mice received high-fat diet for 14 days prior to STZ injection at a single dose (85 mg/kg BW). At the end of experiments (days 36 and 72), magnesium (MG) and fructosamine (FRA) levels, and phosphorylated protein expression in seminal vesicle were examined. The results showed that seminal and prostate weights and MG and FRA levels of T1DM animals were significantly increased as compared to T2DM mice. Some seminal histopathologies and decreased epithelial height were observed in both DM groups. Significantly, a 72-kDa phosphorylated protein expression was increased in DM seminal vesicle. We concluded that changes of biochemical components and phosphorylated proteins in seminal vesicle of T1DM and T2DM mice may be associated with low-quality seminal plasma.