Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality
Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are bioactive compounds found in plants with defense and protection functions. In the human body, they simulate the behavior of the hormone estradiol and can modulate the function of the male hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This study aims to describe the ef...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| author | Marilia Ferigolo Jessica Nardi Natália Freddo Alessandra Ferramosca Vincenzo Zara Eliane Dallegrave Mateus Belmonte Macedo Sarah Eller Ana Paula de Oliveira Inara Carbonera Biazus Francieli Ubirajara India Amaral Luciana Grazziotin Rossato-Grando |
| author_facet | Marilia Ferigolo Jessica Nardi Natália Freddo Alessandra Ferramosca Vincenzo Zara Eliane Dallegrave Mateus Belmonte Macedo Sarah Eller Ana Paula de Oliveira Inara Carbonera Biazus Francieli Ubirajara India Amaral Luciana Grazziotin Rossato-Grando |
| author_sort | Marilia Ferigolo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are bioactive compounds found in plants with defense and protection functions. In the human body, they simulate the behavior of the hormone estradiol and can modulate the function of the male hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This study aims to describe the effects of genistein on sperm quality of Wistar rats (male/adult) after a short oral administration protocol (50 mg/day, for 5 days), focusing on mitochondrial function. No signs of toxicity were observed in the animals during the period. The testicular mass of rats from the genistein-treated group was lower than that from the control group. Isoflavone increased the number of viable Leydig and Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes in the treated group. The rounded spermatid count was similar to the control group, and a decrease in elongated spermatids was observed in the treated group. Genistein treatment increased plasma testosterone levels in the treated group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an in vivo short protocol demonstrating that genistein administration stimulates the overall oxygen consumption in rat seminal samples. Therefore, genistein induced a pro-spermatogenesis effect, enhanced plasma testosterone levels, and increased oxygen consumption, improving sperm mitochondrial efficiency. Similar protocols can be explored in animal and human infertility issues. |
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| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:39:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d44fed9cb5b74e2db6839385bab5d0cd2023-11-19T11:10:12ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-09-0124181426010.3390/ijms241814260Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm QualityMarilia Ferigolo0Jessica Nardi1Natália Freddo2Alessandra Ferramosca3Vincenzo Zara4Eliane Dallegrave5Mateus Belmonte Macedo6Sarah Eller7Ana Paula de Oliveira8Inara Carbonera Biazus9Francieli Ubirajara India Amaral10Luciana Grazziotin Rossato-Grando11Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilGraduate Program in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilGraduate Program in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, I-73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, I-73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Sarmento Leite Street, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, BrazilLaboratory of Research in Toxicology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Sarmento Leite Street, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, BrazilDepartment of Pharmacosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Sarmento Leite Street, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, BrazilInstitute of Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilInstitute of Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilGraduate Program in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilGraduate Program in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Passo Fundo 99052-900, BrazilPhytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are bioactive compounds found in plants with defense and protection functions. In the human body, they simulate the behavior of the hormone estradiol and can modulate the function of the male hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This study aims to describe the effects of genistein on sperm quality of Wistar rats (male/adult) after a short oral administration protocol (50 mg/day, for 5 days), focusing on mitochondrial function. No signs of toxicity were observed in the animals during the period. The testicular mass of rats from the genistein-treated group was lower than that from the control group. Isoflavone increased the number of viable Leydig and Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes in the treated group. The rounded spermatid count was similar to the control group, and a decrease in elongated spermatids was observed in the treated group. Genistein treatment increased plasma testosterone levels in the treated group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an in vivo short protocol demonstrating that genistein administration stimulates the overall oxygen consumption in rat seminal samples. Therefore, genistein induced a pro-spermatogenesis effect, enhanced plasma testosterone levels, and increased oxygen consumption, improving sperm mitochondrial efficiency. Similar protocols can be explored in animal and human infertility issues.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/18/14260genisteinisoflavonesphytoestrogensspermatogenesismitochondria |
| spellingShingle | Marilia Ferigolo Jessica Nardi Natália Freddo Alessandra Ferramosca Vincenzo Zara Eliane Dallegrave Mateus Belmonte Macedo Sarah Eller Ana Paula de Oliveira Inara Carbonera Biazus Francieli Ubirajara India Amaral Luciana Grazziotin Rossato-Grando Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality International Journal of Molecular Sciences genistein isoflavones phytoestrogens spermatogenesis mitochondria |
| title | Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality |
| title_full | Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality |
| title_short | Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality |
| title_sort | evaluation of genistein as a mitochondrial modulator and its effects on sperm quality |
| topic | genistein isoflavones phytoestrogens spermatogenesis mitochondria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/18/14260 |
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