Suleiman, Joseph Bagi
(2020)
Role of heterotrigona itama bee bread on reproductive system in male rats fed with high-fat diet.
PhD thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
Obesity has been reported to cause testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and
apoptosis thereby resulting in impaired male reproductive function while bee bread,
on the other hand, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic
properties as seen in other tissues. However, to date, the role of Heterotrigona itama
bee bread on male reproductive system in obesity has not been reported. Therefore,
the objectives of this study were (i) to assess pH, composition and antioxidant
properties of Heterotrigona itama bee bread and (ii) to determine the role of
Heterotrigona itama bee bread on anthropometric parameters, sperm parameters,
testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, sexual behaviour as well as
reproductive performance in male rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Thirty-two adult
male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 250-300 g were randomised into four
groups (n=8/group), namely normal control (NC), HFD, HFD plus bee bread (HFD+B)
and HFD plus an anti-obesity drug orlistat (HFD+O) groups. Bee bread (0.5g/kg/day)
and orlistat (10 mg/kg/day) were suspended in distilled water and given by oral gavage
for 12 weeks. During the tenth week, each male rat was cohabited with a fertile female
rat to assess male sexual behaviour and reproductive performance. At the end of 12
weeks, male rats were anaesthetized and blood, as well as the reproductive organs,
were removed for the determination of reproductive functions. Bee bread was acidic,
had in vitro antioxidant properties and nine phenolic compounds. Bee bread
significantly improved the anthropometric parameters and lipid profile in rats fed with
HFD. Similarly, bee bread also significantly ameliorated testicular oxidative stress,
inflammation, apoptosis and germ cell proliferation in rats fed with HFD. Furthermore,
bee bread significantly enhanced sperm count, viability, motility, and reduced
abnormal sperm morphology as well as fragmented nDNA. In addition, bee bread
significantly increased the levels of reproductive hormones and penile cyclic
guanosine monophosphate, and decreased leptin level, thereby increasing the number
of rats with improved intromission and ejaculation as well as mating and fertility
indices. In conclusion, bee bread significantly improved the reproductive system in
male rats fed with HFD by attenuating testicular oxidative stress, inflammation,
apoptosis and improving testicular germ cell proliferation. However, further studies
are needed to further investigate the molecular mechanism of action of bee bread and
to determine its safety via toxicity study before it is used as a complementary treatment
among obese patients.
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