The effect of lipid disturbance and vitamin D on the fertility in male albino rats

Mohammed Hikal, Shimaa; El Bayoumi, Mona; Ibrahim, Samah; EL Shawwa, Mohammad

doi:10.21608/jram.2020.30036.1058

The effect of lipid disturbance and vitamin D on the fertility in male albino rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Cairo, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

² Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Cairo, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

³ Physiology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Cairo, Al Azhar University, Egypt.

10.21608/jram.2020.30036.1058

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D has multiple biological effects on male reproductive system. Vitamin D deficiency (VD−) and disturbance of lipid metabolism can induce changes in testicular hormone production and seminal parameters that relate to male infertility.
Objective: To investigate the role of vitamin D and lipid metabolism on fertility in male albino rats.
Methods: The study was performed on 60 male rats, divided into 6 groups; GI: control group, GII: orlistat group, GIII: orlistat and vitamin D group, GIV: hyperlipidemic group, GV: hyperlipidemic orlistat group and GVI: hyperlipidemic orlistat and vitamin D group. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OHD), testosterone (T), inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E) levels were determined. Sperm count and viability were also analyzed.
Results: Administration of orlistat in GII caused significant alterations of the serum lipid profile, compared to control group. There was interaction between dietary fat and VD− on serum 25 (OHD). A significant VD− was occurred in both GII and GIV, compared to GI. VD− in these groups consequently caused significant decrease in serum T, inhibin B, sperm count and viability and significant increase in FSH and E levels. Administration of orlistat in GV caused significant changes in serum lipid profile, a decrease in E, increase in 25(OHD) and inhibin B, compared to IV. On the other hand, administration of vitamin D with orlistat in GIII and GVI caused significant increase in HDL-c, 25(OHD), T, sperm count and viability and significant decrease in TC, TG, LDL-c, FSH and E.
Conclusion: Both hyperlipidemia and hypolipidemia were associated with vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, vitamin D has a positive potential effect on male fertility in either hyperlipidemic or hypolipidemic rats.

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