Effect of Alhagi camelorum on Varicocele-Associated Epididymal Sperms and in Vitro Fertilization Disorders in Mature Rats

Varicocele is known to be induced by abnormal dilation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus veins within the spermatic cord and is considered the most common surgically remediable etiology of male infertility. This study aimed to uncover the effects of Alhagi camelorum (AC) on epididymal sperms characteristics and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in a rat model of varicocele. In this experimental study, ۴۰ male rats were randomly categorized into five groups (n = ۸), including control, varicocele, varicocele with high-dose AC (۴۰۰ mg/kg), varicocele with medium-dose AC (۱۰۰ mg/kg), and varicocele with low-dose AC (۲۵ mg/kg). After a ۶۰-day treatment period, malondialdehyde, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), sperm parameters, and IVF outcomes were determined. The varicocele group showed significant reductions in TAC, and sperm count, motility, and viability, as well as the number of zygotes, two-cell embryos, blastocysts, and hatched blastocysts, compared to the control group. The AC administration improved sperm traits, fertilization rate, and in vitro embryo development. These findings propound that AC can palliate the deleterious effects of varicocele on fertility in rats, likely due to its pharmacological properties, particularly anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alhagi camelorum ، In vitro fertilization ، Rat ، Sperm ، Varicocele