Investigating the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of pomegranate seeds on sperm parameters and testosterone level in male mice

The most common cause of male infertility is men’s inability to produce a sufficient number of normal sperms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of pomegranate seeds on testosterone level and some sperm parameters in male mice. Forty male mice were divided into 5 groups including control, control-sham and three group treated with doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/bw of hydro-alcoholic extract of pomegranate seeds. The extract was administered for 30 days by intra peritoneal injection. At the end of the 30th day of treatment period, serum testosterone levels were measured. The weight of the testes and parameters of the sperm count, the percentage of sperm viability, immature sperms and sperms with damaged DNA were measured. The increase in the weight of the testes, the number of sperms, the percentage of fertilization and the decrease in the percentage of sperms with DNA damage were significant only in the treatment group with a dose of 500 mg/kg /bw (P<0.05). In addition, the increase in the serum level of testosterone, the percentage of sperm viability and the decrease in the percentage of immature sperms in the treatment groups with the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg/bw were significant (P<0.05). Antioxidant compounds and androgenic properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of pomegranate seeds improve the quality of sperm parameters in male mice.