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Published on: October 13, 2018
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.
Background And Aim:
The prebiotics, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), demonstrate the ability to increase probiotic microorganisms and fixation and removal of pathogens associated with chronic systemic inflammation in the digestive system. Inflammatory processes play an important role in modulating the brain-intestinal axis, including maintaining male reproductive function and spermatogenesis and regulating stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the action of MOS on testosterone and corticosterone concentrations and the reproductive system development of rats in the growth phase as an animal model.
Materials And Methods:
In total, 128 male rats were used, randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=32): Control; MOS 1; MOS 2; and MOS 3. From each group, eight animals were sacrificed in four experimental moments (14, 28, 42, and 56 days, respectively, moments 1, 2, 3, and 4) and hormonal measurements and histological evaluations were performed.
Results:
The results revealed the effect of diet, MOS, and timing on testicle weight (p<0.05). At moments 3 and 4, the groups supplemented with MOS showed higher concentrations of testosterone and decreased corticosterone levels throughout the experimental period. Groups supplemented with MOS showed an increase in the frequency of relative sperm and sperm scores. The radii of the seminiferous tubules presented a significant statistical effect of the diet, moments, and diet + moment interaction.
Conclusion:
It was concluded that the three different MOS prebiotics brought forward sexual maturity.
Insights
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.
