Effect of glabridin on sperm traits, testicular oxidative status, and in vitro fertilization in diabetic mature mice: a controlled experimental study.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to the defects in insulin secretion and function, or both. Glabridin (GBD) is one of the natural anti-oxidants used for infertility treatment. This study was planned to evaluate the effects of GBD on testicular oxidative status, sperm characteristics, and early embryo development in diabetic mature mice. Forty mature male mice were allotted to five equal groups, including control group received no treatment, diabetic group received intraperitoneal streptozotocin (50.00 mg kg-1), and three experimental groups receiving 12.50, 50.00, and 200 mg kg-1 GBD by gavage daily for 30 days, respectively. Serum levels of testosterone, sperm parameters, and testicular malondialdehyde, total anti-oxidant capacity, and catalase levels, as well as pre-implantation embryo development were determined. The diabetic group exhibited significantly reduced sperm motility, viability, and count, testosterone level, and testicular total anti-oxidant capacity and catalase levels, and increased testicular malondialdehyde level, and DNA-damaged and immature sperms along with poor in vitro fertilization outcomes compared to the control group. In contrast, the GBD administration, particularly at the highest dose, caused a pronounced improvement in the above-noted parameters. These findings suggest that GBD may play a role in impeding diabetes-induced male reproductive complications through oxidative stress repression, and sperms and early embryos protection.