title: Effect of dietary cholesterol on spermatogenesis.
abstract: Cholesterol fed to male rats and rabbits for 120 days impaired testicular function. The production of secondary spermatocytes in rats and rabbits was reduced by 26.1% and 46.9%, respectively. There was significant reduction in spermatid cell population, seminiferous tubules, and Leydig's cell nuclear dimensions. In rats aortic endothelium showed some alterations while in rabbits full-blown atherosclerotic plaque containing a necrotic core and a proliferative fibrous cap was found. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids of the testes were increased whereas, testicular glycogen was significantly reduced. Three- and sevenfold increases were noticed in the serum cholesterol levels of rats and rabbits. The LDL cholesterol values were increased while the HDL cholesterol/Total cholesterol ratio was significantly decreased (P less than 0.001). It is concluded that hypercholesterolemia affects the testicular function and aortic endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Dixit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL