Oral glucose administration impairs fertility parameters of male albino wistar rats

Introduction: Fertility issues has been one of the major concerns of health care givers and the patients; several factors can interfere with fertility parameters. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of glucose on male fertility parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male albino wistar rats weighing between 220 and 240 g were used. They were randomly assigned into three groups of six rats each. Group one served as control and was gavaged 5 mL of normal rat chow, groups two and three were gavaged 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg body weight glucose orally, twice daily as medium and high dose respectively twice daily for 21 days. On the 22nd day, the rats were sacrificed; blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture; following standard procedure, the serum was obtained for hormonal (FSH, LH, Prolactin and Testosterone) assay using immunoassay kits. The testes were harvested and semen analysis was done. Results: The results showed that FSH levels in medium and high dose groups were significantly (p< 0.01) higher. There was a significant (p< 0.01) dose-dependent decrease in LH levels. A significant (p< 0.01) dose-dependent decrease was observed in sperm motility. Also, a significant (p< 0.01) decrease was observed in percentage sperm concentration and percentage normal sperm morphology. Conclusion: We therefore infer that excess glucose intake adversely affects male fertility parameters in male albino wistar rats.