The protective effects of Crocin on testopathy in fat-fed and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Male hypogonadism is associated with type II diabetes mellitus due to testicular dysfunction. Medicinal plants have received considerable attention for the management of diabetes and its complications. Objective: The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and protective influence of Crocin on testopathy in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, type II of diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin. Male Wistar rats (8 weeks, 150–200 gr, 18 rats; n= 6 per group) were divided into a control group (standard diet), diabetic group (streptozotocin+high-fat diet), and treatment group (High-fat diet+streptozotocin+Crocin at 20 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 60 days). After 60 days, animals were euthanized, testis and epididymis were dissected, and weights of testes and sperm count were analyzed. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained was done for histopathological examination. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum glucose and cholesterol. Results: High-fat diet and streptozotocin significantly increased the serum glucose and cholesterol levels as compared to the control group (p≤ 0. 001). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the weight of right (p= 0.008) and left testes (p≤ 0. 001) and also the total sperm count (p= 0.023) in the diabetic group compared with the control