Introduction: Heat stress reduces key parameters such as sperm density and motility and alters sperm morphology. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic, iron-dependent form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides. Royal Jelly (RJ), secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker honeybees between the sixth and twelfth days of life, is a rich source of vitamins, including riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, folic acid, biotin, pyridoxine, and smaller amounts of vitamins C, D, A, and E. RJ is known to alleviate premenstrual symptoms, osteoporosis, and improve hormonal balance and fertility in both men and women by enhancing the quality of eggs and sperm. This study evaluates the effects of RJ on mechanisms of ferroptosis in adult male rats subjected to heat stress.
Methods: This study involved 32 healthy adult male Wistar rats, divided into eight groups: control, control + RJ, 37°C heat stress, 37°C heat stress + RJ, 40°C heat stress, 40°C heat stress + RJ, 42°C heat stress, and 42°C heat stress + RJ. The rats were exposed to heat stress in warm water baths at 37, 40, and 42°C for 20 minutes daily over a 42-day period (6 weeks). After heat exposure, RJ was administered orally by gavage. Following the experimental period, the left testis was extracted for histological examination and fixed in 15% formalin, while the right testis was stored at -70°C for molecular analysis.
Results: The results of this study indicate that examining the expression levels of GPX4 mRNA compared to β -actin in different groups showed that an increase in temperature led to a decrease in the expression of this gene. The thermal groups exhibited a significant reduction compared to the control RJ group. Treatment with RJ somewhat improved these conditions and increased gene expression, indicating the protective effect of RJ, which was more pronounced in the 37-degree thermal treatment group.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that RJ may have a protective effect against heat-induced testicular damage and could enhance sperm quality by mitigating heat stress-related injuries. The study provides promising insights into the potential therapeutic role of RJ in combating heat stress-induced testicular damage and improving reproductive health.