Effects of Pre-Conception Stress and Dracocephalum moldavica Extract on Sperm Parameters and Sex Hormones in Parents and Offspring.

BACKGROUND

Stress is one of the causes of fertility weakness in both females and males and herbal approaches may reduce this harmful effect. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Dracocephalum moldavica (DM) on the reproductive system in parental pre-pregnancy stress.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

In this experimental study, male and female rats were divided into four groups as follows: control, stress (restraint stress daily for 50 and 15 days for male and female, respectively), extract, and stress + extract. After treatment, the control and experimental rats were mated. Pregnant females were kept undisturbed until delivery and weaning. Offspring were divided into four groups according to the parents' treatment: McFc, McFc+EX, MsFs, MsFs+EX (M: male, F: female, C: control, S: stress, and EX: extract). Epididymis and vagina were dissected from adult rats; sperm parameters, the thickness of vaginal epithelium, vaginal pH, sex hormone levels were assessed; in pups, testosterone/estradiol, litter size and sex ratio were investigated.

RESULTS

DM extract significantly reduced immotile, dead, and abnormal sperms (p < 0.001) and led to increased levels of testosterone/estradiol in parents and offspring (p < 0.01); the sex ratio was changed among the groups (p = 0.036); the highest number of female pups belonged to the MsFs group. Stress led to a decrease in vaginal thickness and pH while DM extract increased them (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that DM extract may have a beneficial effect on some reproductive parameters affected by pre-conception stress. Notably, it was associated with improvements in sperm quality, hormone levels in parents and offspring, and certain vaginal health measures. Further research is needed to confirm these effects and better understand the underlying mechanisms.