The protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids on rat testicular tissue

• Main Authors: İsmail Zararsız, İlter Kuş, Mürsel Davarcı, Murat Abdulgani Kuş, Dilara Kaman, Mustafa Sarsılmaz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2011-12-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: ω-3 fatty acids; testicle; testosterone; rat
• Online Access: http://www.dicle.edu.tr/fakulte/tip/dergi/yayin/384/02.pdf

Objectives: In this study, the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids on testicular tissue was aimed to investigate at biochemical levels.Materials and methods: Totally, 16 adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Rats in Group I were used as control and only saline was given by intragastric gavage. Rats in Group II, 400 mg/kg dose ω-3 fatty acids were given daily by intragastric gavage. At the end of the six-week experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation. The testicular tissue specimens taken from animals, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, enzyme activities were measured spectrophotometrically. In addition, blood testosterone levels were examined.Results: In our study, ω-3 fatty acids in rats were given a statistically significant increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase a statistically significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels were determined when compared to control group. In addition, ω-3 fatty acids in rats given a statistically significant increase in blood testosterone levels were observed.Conclusion: We concluded that ω-3 fatty acid had favorable effects in rat testis tissue by preventing oxidative damage and increasing the level of testosterone.