Impact of hypercaloric diet on histomorphometry and immuno-expression of endocrine receptors in reproductive organs of adult male rats

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are currently two major health problems of world order. Obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in cells from adipose tissue, being related to metabolic and morphological disorders. Recently, overweight has been linked to male infertility, since adipocytes are responsible for the synthesis and release of leptin, a protein whose function is to decrease appetite and increase the energy expenditure, but also acts in the modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It is known that leptin can modulate Sertoli cells behavior, the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and the release of FSH, some of possible pathways involved in the relationship between overweight/obesity and changes in sperm quantity and quality. In order to investigate the effects of obesity on male reproductive health, the present study aims to analyze histomorphometric changes of testis and epididymis of adult male rats exposed to high-fat diet, as well as investigate changes in the pattern of endocrine receptors expression in these tissues. For this, Wistar male rats, adults, were divided into two groups - control (C, n=7) and high-fat (HF, n=7), receiving normal diet or high-fat diet, respectively, during 14 weeks, from post-natal day (PND)n 98 to 196. These animals will be evaluated during experimental period regarding body weight gain, glycaemia, triglyceride, cholesterol and food and water intake. On PND 196, they will be euthanized and the following evaluations conducted: histopathology of the testis and epididymis; morphometry of testicles; immunostaining pattern for androgen and estrogen receptor in the testis and epididymis. This study will contribute to better elucidate the relationship between obesity and male infertility, investigating possible endocrine pathway. (AU)