Nazaruddin Nazaruddin, Tongku Nizwan Siregar, Amalia Sutriana, Sri Wahyuni, Teuku Armansyah
The growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has raised significant concerns about its detrimental effects on male reproductive health. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic models, particularly when combined with a high-fat diet (HFD), effectively replicate key features of human T2DM, including hyperglycemia and subsequent reproductive dysfunction. This study investigates the impact of STZ with various doses in inducing diabetes on testosterone levels, androgen receptor (AR) expression, and semen quality in male Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty rats, aged approximately 2 months and weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 4 groups (n = 5). Each group received a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at doses of 0 mg/kg BW (P0), 20 mg/kg BW (P1), 30 mg/kg BW (P2), and 40 mg/kg BW (P3), using 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5) as the solvent. On day 56, blood glucose levels (BGL) were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in all treated groups, particularly in P3 (average BGL 196.0 ± 4.24 mg/dL), indicating successful DM induction. Testosterone concentration in P3 was significantly lower (0.18 ± 0.05 ng/dL) compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, sperm concentration, motility, and viability in P3 showed a significant decrease (p = 0.00), while sperm abnormalities significantly increased (p = 0.00). AR intensity score (IS) was markedly reduced in P3 compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Histopathological examination revealed necrosis and lysis in seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue damage, and decreased quantity and quality of spermatogenic cells. These findings confirm that STZ at 40 mg/kg BW effectively induces hyperglycemia and causes significant disruptions in male reproductive parameters, including hormonal profiles, sperm characteristics, and AR expression. This outcome offers a reliable method for studying the reproductive consequences of DM and may serve as a platform for evaluating potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate DM-related infertility. © 2025, Walailak University. All rights reserved.
Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Laboratory of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Laboratory of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
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