Masters Degrees (Medical Physiology)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/3553

Browse

Browsing Masters Degrees (Medical Physiology) by browse.metadata.advisor "Du Plessis, Stefan S."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The effect of lipid modifying drugs on male reproductive parameters
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Bhadula, Cebisa; Du Plessis, Stefan S.; Skosana, Bongekile T.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Biomedical Sciences: Medical Physiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent and on the increase globally. Lipid-lowering drugs, have been found to reduce CVD. They act by either reducing LDL or increasing HDL. Thus reducing the serum cholesterol which plays a pivotal role in male reproduction as it is a precursor for steroid hormone biosynthesis and forms an integral part of the sperm membrane. During spermatogenesis these hormones are necessary for normal sperm development and activation of genes in Sertoli cells, which promote differentiation of spermatogonia. The widespread prophylactic use of statins, especially by men of reproductive age, gives rise to concerns regarding the effect thereof on the male reproductive system. Aim: To determine if lipid-modifying drugs (Simvastatin and Fenofibrate) have any effects on male reproductive parameters. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=60) were randomly divided into four groups and treated for 6 weeks as follows: Control, Simvastatin (0.5 mg/kg), Fenofibrate (100mg/kg) and Simvastatin + Fenofibrate (S+F). Sperm morphology was assessed using Computer-Aided Sperm Morphology Analysis (CASMA). The plasma concentration of Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides (TG) were analyzed by the veterinary section of PathCare, a private pathology company. Testosterone and Estradiol concentrations were measured by ELISA kits. Testicular and epididymal histomorphometrics were measured by staining the testis with H&E and quantified using Zeiss imaging software. Testicular oxidative status was assessed by measuring the activity of Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) as well as lipid peroxidation using a microplate reader. Data was analyzed by GraphPad Prism® V5.00. Results were expressed as Mean ± SEM using One-way ANOVA. p≤0.05 determine statistical significance. Results: The body weight of animals was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.0753). However, the Simvastatin treated group presented with general increased body weight and significantly higher peritoneal fat compared to the Fenofibrate and S+F groups (p≤0.05). The Fenofibrate treated group had significantly higher fasted blood glucose levels compared to the Simvastatin group (p≤0.05). The total cholesterol and TG levels were generally reduced in treated animals compared to control animals. There were alterations observed in testosterone levels between the groups (p=0.0077). The S+F group receiving combination treatment had significantly lower testosterone levels compared to the Simvastatin (p<0.05) and Fenofibrate (p<0.05) groups, but did not differ from the control. There were no differences observed in sperm vitality when comparing the groups. The percentage of morphological normal spermatozoa was significantly lower in the Fenofibrate as well as S+F groups compared to the control group (p<0.05), while no differences were observed when comparing the Simvastatin group to the control group. When assessing testicular histomorphometrices, there were no significant differences found in seminiferous tubules’ area (p=0.0987), lumen diameter of the seminiferous tubules (p=0.914) and epithelial height (p=0.3401). When assessing the epididymal tubules’ parameters, luminal diameter did not show any significant differences (p=0.0620) and the mean heights of the epithelium also did not differ significantly (p=0.5101) between the treatment groups. Conclusion: Short-term exposure to cholesterol-lowering drugs can alter male reproductive parameters, however, more studies using longer treatment regimens are needed. In the interim, it is advised that physicians treating men with infertility should take cognisance of this fact.