Effect of Chronic Moderate Caloric Restriction on the Reproductive Function in Aged Male Wistar Rats

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2022 Mar 26

PMID 35334913

Authors

Pablo Lopez de Jesus

Edith Arenas-Rios

Mirna Ruiz-Ramos

Juan Carlos Flores-Alonso

Victor Manuel Mendoza-Nunez

Isabel Arrieta-Cruz

Marcela Arteaga-Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to be an effective nutritional intervention for increasing longevity in some animal species. The objective of this study was to evaluate CR's effects on metabolic and reproductive parameters in 12-month-old male Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in three groups: control, CR at 15%, and CR at 35% for 6 (up to 18 months of age) and 12 months (up to 24 months of age). At the end of CR treatment, we evaluated reproductive (male sexual behavior (MSB), sperm quality) and biochemical parameters (plasma glucose, glucose-regulating hormone, and sex steroid levels), and quantified annexin V in the seminiferous epithelium. Results showed that MSB and sperm quality were improved after 6 months of CR associated with increases in plasma testosterone and decrease annexin V in the seminiferous epithelium of the testicles compared to their control group. The metabolic profile of the CR rats also improved compared to controls. However, these effects of CR on reproductive parameters were not maintained after 12 months of CR. Findings suggest that beginning CR at the age of maturity reestablishes the behavioral sexual response and reproductive function in older animals after 6 months of CR and improves endocrine functioning during aging.

Citing Articles

Diet and Fertility Status: Relevance in Health and Disease.

Della Torre S Nutrients. 2023; 15(7).

PMID: 37049511 PMC: 10097215. DOI: 10.3390/nu15071669.

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