Effects of red palm oil and rooibos on sperm motility parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycaemia could affect sperm quality as a result of increased oxidative stress. This study was performed to investigate the effects of red palm oil (RPO), aqueous rooibos tea extracts (RTE) as well as their combination (RPO + RTE) on sperm motility parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Diabetes was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the rats were treated with red palm oil (2 ml/day) and / or aqueous rooibos tea extract (2%) for 7 weeks. Sperm motility parameters were measured using Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA).


RESULTS
Hyperglycaemia negatively affected the sperm progressive motility significantly at p<0.05. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sperm linearity (LIN) in the diabetic group when compared with the normal control group. RPO supplemented diabetic rats exhibited increased progressive sperm motility, sperm linearity (LIN) and wobble (WOB). Significant decreases (p<0.05) in straight line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP) of the sperms were observed in all the diabetic groups when compared to the control group. Significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of WOB and LIN were observed following RTE treatment and co-administration with RPO respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that red palm oil and / or rooibos administration exhibited no adverse effects on sperm motility parameters but rather showed some beneficial effects.
Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville South Africa.
Ademola O
AO
Ayeleso
Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville South Africa.
Oluwafemi O
OO
Oguntibeju
Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville South Africa.
Yapo G
YG
Aboua
Department of Wellness Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.
Nicole L
NL
Brooks
D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D036903:Aspalathus; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000073878:Palm Oil; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D000073878:Palm Oil
Diabetes mellitus; Rats; Red palm oil; Rooibos; Sperm; Streptozotocin