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Prebiotics mannan-oligosaccharides accelerate sexual maturity in rats: A randomized preclinical study
Luiz Eduardo Rodrigues1, Milena Miyoshi Kishibe1, Rogeria Keller2
1Department of Functional Sciences, Laboratory of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Veterinary World
|July 5, 2021
Summary
Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) prebiotics enhanced male rat sexual maturity by increasing testosterone and sperm production while reducing stress hormones. This study highlights MOS
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gut Microbiome and Health
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Prebiotics, specifically mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), influence gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria and pathogen removal.
- Gut inflammation impacts the brain-intestinal axis, affecting male reproductive functions like spermatogenesis and stress regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MOS supplementation on testosterone and corticosterone levels in growing male rats.
- To assess the impact of MOS on the development of the male reproductive system.
Main Methods:
- 128 male rats were divided into four groups: Control and three MOS supplementation levels.
- Animals were sacrificed at four time points (14, 28, 42, 56 days) for hormonal and histological analyses.
- Testicular weight, testosterone, corticosterone, sperm counts, and seminiferous tubule morphology were evaluated.
Main Results:
- MOS supplementation significantly affected testicular weight and seminiferous tubule radii.
- Rats receiving MOS exhibited elevated testosterone and reduced corticosterone levels at later time points.
- Increased sperm counts and relative sperm frequency were observed in MOS-supplemented groups.
Conclusions:
- Dietary MOS supplementation accelerates sexual maturity in male rats.
- MOS positively influences hormonal balance and reproductive parameters during growth.
