Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine illness. It has a detrimental effect on many organs including male reproductive system. Royal Jelly (RJ) has many health promoting properties such as antioxidant and antidiabetic effect.
Aim of the Work: The current study was conducted to study the possible ameliorative effect of RJ on the histological and immunohistochemical changes in testicular tissue induced by type Ⅰ DM.
Materials and Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were used and classified into 3 groups. Group I (control group), Group 2 (diabetic group) that was injected intraperitoneally with single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg) and Group III (RJ treated diabetic group) that was injected with STZ as Group II and after confirmation of diabetes received royal jelly at dose of (100 mg/kg/ day) for a period of 4 weeks. For histological and immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and Ki-67, testicular specimens were prepared.
Results: The widely spaced, irregular seminiferous tubules in group II (diabetic rats) testicles were clearly involved, and their luminal spermatozoa were absent. The lining epithelium height was also significantly reduced. There were numerous vacuoles replacing spermatogenic cell layers. Congested blood vessels in interstitial tissue and Leydig cells with dark stained nuclei were noticed. The KI-67 immuno-expression was significantly reduced, while the area percent of caspase3 immuno-expression was significantly increased. The testes from group III (the diabetic group receiving RJ treatment) displayed a significantly better histological picture with the preservation of germinal epithelium in the majority of seminiferous tubules. The KI-67 immuno-expression was increased significantly while the area percent of caspase3 immuno-expression was reduced significantly.
Conclusion: RJ ameliorated the testicular damaging effect of type Ⅰ DM on testis through reduction of apoptosis and preserving spermatogenesis.