MR 01. Antioxidant effects of anthocyanin on spermatogenesis in rat varicocele-induced model

Objective: Varicocele is a one of the most common causes of primary male infertility and known as disease associated with oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the effects of anthocyanin extracted from black soybeans in a rat model of varicocele.

Materials and Methods: Twenty four male rats were divided into four experimental groups: the control group, group with induced varicocele, and groups that received anthocyanin (40 and 80 mg/kg) after induction of varicocele. Varicocele was induced by the partial ligation of the left renal vein. Following varicocele induction, the anthocyanin was administered for four weeks. After anthocyanin administration, testes from the rats in all groups were removed, weighed, and subjected to histological examination. Apoptosis in the testes was measured by the TUNEL assay. And the oxidative stress was evaluated by measurement of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).

Results: In comparison with that in the varicocele-induced group, administration of anthocyanin led to significantly increased testis weight and spermatogenic cell density (P<0.05). Also, it led to decreased apoptotic body counts and 8-OHdG concentrations significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusions: The antioxidant effect of anthocyanin prevents the oxidative damage caused by varicocele induced reactive oxygen species. Administration of anthocyanin may be effective for making healthy sperm in patients with varicocele.