An elderberry-supplemented diet improves spermatogenesis in mice with busulfan-induced azoospermia

An elderberry-supplemented diet improves spermatogenesis in mice with busulfan-induced azoospermia
Reza Soltani,¹ Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar,^2,*
1. Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Velenjak, Tehran, Iran
2. Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Velenjak, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Approximately 40–50% of all infertility cases are due to male infertility, and one of the most important causes of infertility is azoospermia. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of elderberry on the spermatogenesis process in the azoospermia mice model
Methods: Thirty adult male mice were randomised into three groups: control; busulfan (45mg/kg); and busulfan+elderberry (2%), 6mL orally per animal. Sperm samples were collected from the tail of the epididymis, and testis specimens were also collected and then subjected to sperm parameters analysis, histopathological evaluation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH) measurement to determine the mRNA expression and hormonal assay
Results: The results indicated that the total sperm count in the control group was significantly higher compared to the busulfan (P < 0.0001) and busulfan + elderberry (P < 0.0001) groups. Our results showed that the treatment by elderberry had a significant impact on serum testosterone level in mice induced by busulfan. The results revealed that the serum testosterone level in the busulfan group was significantly decreased com-pared to control and busulfan + elderberry groups.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the elderberry diet may be considered a complementary treatment to improve the spermatogenesis process in busulfan-induced azoospermic mice. Implications. Considering some limitations, the elderberry diet can be an alternate option for improving testicular damage following chemotherapy.
Keywords: azoospermic mice, elderberry diet, spermatogenesis busulfan