Effect of royal jelly on testicular antioxidant enzymes activity, MDA level and spermatogenesis in rat experimental Varicocele model

Varicocele is one of the most prevalent causes of infertility. It causes induction of oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation in the testis and disrupts spermatogenesis cycle. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible protective effects of royal jelly against varicocele induced oxidative stress, biochemical and histological alterations in the experimental varicocele model in rat. Twenty-one adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The control group (I), Varicocele and administration of normal saline (II), varicocele and treatment with RJ (III). At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed and testes excised. The activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and MDA levels were measured. Also, histopathological examinations, Johnsen scores and sperm parameters were determined. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activity level of CAT (0.223 +/- 0.005), SOD (0.177 +/- 0.0062), GPx (9.575 +/- 0.318) and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the MDA level (2.674 +/- 0.336) of the experimental varicocele treated with royal jelly when compared to the activity of CAT (0.011 +/- 0.004), SOD (0.035 +/- 0.0096), GPx (8.864 +/- 0.397) and MDA level (4.630 +/- 0.579) of the experimental varicocele and administration of normal saline. Results of the Johnsen score showed a significant increase (p< 0.05) in the mean score of the RJ group (7.94 +/- 1.5) when compared to the normal saline group (6.04 +/- 1.4). Therefore, RJ is a potential area for further studies and improving in spermatogenesis cycle after varicocele.