Reproductive alterations produced by varicocele from peripuberty are reduced by resveratrol in adulthood. - GreenMedInfo Summary

AIM: To investigate the protective action of resveratrol against the reproductive damage caused by experimental varicocele.

RESULTS: There was a reduction of testicular major axis in the group V when compared with the other groups; the testicular volume was reduced in V group in comparison to the S and R groups. The frequency of morphologically abnormal sperm was higher in groups V and VR than in groups S and R. The frequency of sperm showing 100% of mitochondrial activity and normal acrosome integrity was lower in group V than in groups VR, S and R. Sperm motility was also reduced in group V than in other groups. DNA fragmentation was higher in V group than in other groups. Testicular levels of malondialdehyde were higher in V and VR groups. The V and VR groups had a significantly higher frequency of TUNEL-positive cells than S and R groups; however, immunolabeling of testes from VR group showed a lower number of apoptotic germ cells in comparison with the left testis of varicocelized rats of the V group.

INNOVATION: Reproductive alterations produced by varicocele from peripuberty are reduced by resveratrol in adulthood. Resveratrol should be better investigated as an adjuvant in treatment of varicocele.

CONCLUSION: These results showed that daily administration of resveratrol to peripubertal rats with varicocele improves sperm quality in the adulthood.