Improver effect of berberine on sperm parameters in experimental varicocele

Background: According to clinical reports, varicocele is observed in 10-20% of the male population, 35-40% of males with primary infertility problems, and up to 80% of men with secondary infertility. Varicocele causes abnormalities in sperm count, motility, morphology and sperm viability. Sperm DNA damage increases in varicocele. The present study was done in order to evaluate the ameliorative effect of berberine on sperm parameters in experimental varicocele.Methods: Thirty mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (NO: 6 rats), control-sham (NO: 6 rats) and experimental groups (NO: 18 rats). The animals in experimental groups were undergone experimental varicocele and simple laparatomy was conducted in control-sham group. The experimental group subdivided into: Non-treated VCL-induced, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg berberine-treated groups. Sperm parameters were evaluated in all groups. Left caudal epididymis were carefully dissected free from the testis and minced in 5 mL of Ham’s F10 at 37˚C medium for 30 min. The grinded epididymal tissue was separated from the released spermatozoa and counted. In order to evaluate the sperm motility, the WHO [1999] standard method for manual examination of sperm motility was used. Smears were prepared by eosin- negrosin to evaluate dead, abnormal and morphologically immature sperm (MIS).For evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation, Acridine orange staining was used and analyzed by Epi-fluorescent microscope.Result: Observations revealed a significant (P Conclusion: According to our finding, Berberin by increasing in sperm parameters and decreasing in DNA sperm damage, reduces the harmful effects of varicocele on sperm parameters.

کلیدواژه ها:

Berberine ، DNA damage ، Sperm parameters ، Varicocele