Effects of Acute Exposure to Methylglyoxal or/and A Diet Rich in Advanced Glycation End Products on Sperm Parameters in Mice

Abstract

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that accompany many metabolic disorders including diabetes,obesity, and a wide range of dyslipidemia conditions, are strongly associated with adverse effects on cell and tissuehomeostasis. Accordingly, our objective was to investigate the impact of AGE-promoting diets on mouse models,considering both scenarios with and without methylglyoxal (MGO) as a primary precursor of AGEs.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 5-week-old C57BL/6 mice were split into four groups as a controlgroup (n=5), AGE (n=5), MGO (n=8), and AGE-MGO-diets (n=8). After five weeks the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS),body weight, food intake, sperm parameters, and functional tests were evaluated. Furthermore, testicular superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed.Results: After five weeks, AGE, AGE-MGO, and MGO groups showed the highest level of body weight and FBS incomparison to the control group. Mean sperm concentration, sperm malondialdehyde, testicular lipid peroxidation,and TAC did not differ significantly among the study groups. While, AGE, MGO, and AGE-MGO groups showed asignificant reduction in sperm motility and progressive motility compared to the control group (P<0.05). The greatestincreases in abnormal sperm morphology and intracytoplasmic reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed in theMGO and AGE-MGO groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Sperm protamine deficiency and residual histonewere significantly increased in the three treatment groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Regarding theDNA damage, the AGE and AGE-MGO groups showed the most severe damage. The lowest amount of testicularsuperoxide dismutases (SOD, P<0.001) was observed in the AGE-MGO group.Conclusion: AGEs and MGO have a negative influence on sperm function and reproductive potential. These effectscould be possibly attributed to both increased oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation.

Keywords

• advanced glycosylation end products
• diabetes mellitus
• methylglyoxal
• sperm function