Acta medica Iranica 53(9):537-544
Abstract
Varicocele
is one of the most common causes of primary male infertility. Pilea
microphylla (PM) is being used as folk medicine. This study was aimed to
investigate the effects of PM in a rat model of varicocele. A total of
30 male Wistar rats were divided into control, sham, varicocele,
accessory varicocele and PM-treated groups. After 10 weeks of varicocele
induction, sperm parameters and chromatin (Aniline blue, acridine
orange and toluidine blue) were evaluated, except for the treated and
accessory groups that received 50 mg/kg PM orally daily for 10 weeks and
then were sacrificed. Sperm parameters significantly decreased in
varicocele groups (P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a negative
correlation between the DNA fragmentation and sperm parameters in
varicocelized rats. Administration of PM led to significantly increased
sperm parameters and AO staining (P < 0.05). These findings suggest
that PM improves sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation in varicocelized
rats. PM can reduce the damage to sperm DNA but not chromatin
condensation. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights
reserved
