Volume 32, Issue 3 (Autumn 2025)
Journal of Translational Medical Research. 2025, 32(3): 223-236 |
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Research code: ۱۶۲۸۶۸۶۴۸
Ethics code: IR.IAU.URIMA.REC.1403.079
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Mohammadbeygi H, Hosseinchi M. Study of the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on fertility parameters in type 1 diabetic syrian mice. Journal of Translational Medical Research. 2025; 32 (3) :223-236
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-3540-en.html
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-3540-en.html
1- Graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran ,hosseinchi.m@iau.ac.ir
2- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran ,
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Background and Objective: Type 1 diabetes negatively affects the reproductive system by inducing metabolic disturbances and increasing oxidative stress, which reduces the success of assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Nigella sativa, due to its bioactive compounds, such as thymoquinone and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may be effective in reducing these disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on IVF-related fertility parameters in male diabetic mice.
Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in male mice by streptozotocin injection, and the animals were divided into five groups: healthy control, diabetic control, and three diabetic groups receiving Nigella sativa extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 30 days. Subsequently, oocytes from healthy female mice were fertilized in vitro with epididymal sperm from the male mice, and the fertilization rate, two-cell and four-cell embryo development, total antioxidant capacity, serum testosterone levels, and percentages of immature and abnormal sperm were evaluated.
Results: Diabetes significantly reduced the fertilization rate, two-cell and four-cell embryo development, total antioxidant capacity, and testosterone levels. In contrast, the percentages of immature and abnormal sperm were significantly higher. Administration of Nigella sativa to diabetic male mice improved their fertility parameters. In diabetic control mice, treatment with Nigella sativa at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg resulted in moderate improvements in fertilized oocytes and two-cell and four-cell embryos (P<0.05). In contrast, the 200 mg/kg dose nearly restored these parameters to the levels observed in healthy controls (P<0.01). Total antioxidant capacity and serum testosterone levels increased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Additionally, the percentages of immature and abnormal sperm gradually decreased with higher doses (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa significantly reduces the adverse effects of diabetes on fertility and early embryonic development, probably because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Keywords: Diabetes, Fertility, In vitro Fertilization, Nigella Sativa, Oxidative Stress
Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in male mice by streptozotocin injection, and the animals were divided into five groups: healthy control, diabetic control, and three diabetic groups receiving Nigella sativa extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 30 days. Subsequently, oocytes from healthy female mice were fertilized in vitro with epididymal sperm from the male mice, and the fertilization rate, two-cell and four-cell embryo development, total antioxidant capacity, serum testosterone levels, and percentages of immature and abnormal sperm were evaluated.
Results: Diabetes significantly reduced the fertilization rate, two-cell and four-cell embryo development, total antioxidant capacity, and testosterone levels. In contrast, the percentages of immature and abnormal sperm were significantly higher. Administration of Nigella sativa to diabetic male mice improved their fertility parameters. In diabetic control mice, treatment with Nigella sativa at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg resulted in moderate improvements in fertilized oocytes and two-cell and four-cell embryos (P<0.05). In contrast, the 200 mg/kg dose nearly restored these parameters to the levels observed in healthy controls (P<0.01). Total antioxidant capacity and serum testosterone levels increased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Additionally, the percentages of immature and abnormal sperm gradually decreased with higher doses (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa significantly reduces the adverse effects of diabetes on fertility and early embryonic development, probably because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Keywords: Diabetes, Fertility, In vitro Fertilization, Nigella Sativa, Oxidative Stress
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Reproductive Biology
Received: 2025/07/22 | Accepted: 2025/11/10 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/12/17 | ePublished: 2025/11/11
Received: 2025/07/22 | Accepted: 2025/11/10 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/12/17 | ePublished: 2025/11/11
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