Browsing by Author "Omolaoye, Temidayo S"

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The Effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) and Sutherlandia (Lessertia frutescens) on Testicular Insulin Signalling in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats
(2021) Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Du Plessis, Stefan
Background: Testicular insulin signalling is altered in diabetic (DM) males. While unravelling the mechanism through which DM exert these detrimental effects, studies have shown the importance of insulin regulation in glucose homeostasis, and how a lack in insulin secretion indirectly led to reduced male fertility. The current study aimed to investigate the role of rooibos, honeybush and Sutherlandia on insulin signalling in the testicular tissue of type I diabetic rats. Methods: Animals (n=60) were randomly divided into six groups. The groups include a control group, a vehicle group, and diabetes was induced in the remainder of animals via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at 45mg/kg. The remaining four groups included a diabetic control (DC), diabetic + rooibos (DRF), diabetic + honeybush (DHB) and diabetic + Sutherlandia group (DSL). Animals were sacrificed after seven weeks of treatment, and blood and testes were collected. Results: All diabetic groups (DC, DRF, DHB, DSL) presented with a significant increase in blood glucose levels after diabetes induction compared to the control and vehicle (p<0.001). The DC animals presented with decreased testicular protein expression of IRS-1, PkB/Akt and GLUT4 compared to controls. DRF and DHB animals displayed an acute upregulation in IRS-1, while the DSL group showed improvement in IRS-2 compared to DC. Although, DRF animals presented with a decrease in PkB/Akt, DHB and DSL animals displayed upregulation (22.3%, 48%) compared to controls, respectively. Conclusion: The results taken together, it can be suggested that these infusions may enhance insulin signalling through diverse pathways
Effects of space flight on sperm function and integrity: A systematic review
(2022-08) Ahrari, Khulood; Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Goswami, Nandu; Al Suwaidi, Hanan; Du Plessis, Stefan
Abstract: With the advancement in space exploration and the intention to establish an inhabitable human settlement on Mars, it is important to investigate the effects of exposure to space/microgravity and the associated radiations on procreation. Sperm function and integrity are fundamental to male reproduction and can potentially be affected by the environmental changes experienced in space. Therefore, this study was conducted to systematically gather, filter, and collate all the relevant information on the effects of spaceflight on male reproductive parameters and functions. A search was performed utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were extracted from the major electronic databases including PubMed, and other credible literature sources. MeSH search terms that were employed included "spermatozoa", "microgravity", and "ionizing radiation". The literature search did not discriminate against papers published before a certain date due to the very limited number of articles available. However, there was a restriction on the male gender and language (English). The parameters included in this study are sperm motility, total sperm count, sperm DNA fragmentation hormonal levels and testicular histology. Following a comprehensive literature search, a total of 273 articles were retrieved and screened, 252 articles were excluded due to the irrelevance to the topic, duplication, and non-original articles. A total of 21 articles met the inclusion criteria and are included in the current study. Findings from these studies showed that sperm motility was decreased after exposure to microgravity and ionizing radiation. Total sperm count was also found to be reduced by microgravity only. Sperm DNA fragmentation was increased by both ionizing radiation and microgravity. Testosterone levels and testicular weight were also decreased by microgravity. Although there is a dearth in the literature regarding the effects of microgravity and ionizing radiation on male reproductive parameters, the available findings showed that exposure to microgravity poses a risk to male reproductive health. Therefore, it is essential to develop countermeasures to either manage, treat, or prevent these consequential adverse effects. Hence, this review also highlights some potential countermeasure approaches that may mitigate the harmful effects of microgravity and associated exposures on male reproductive health.
Monkeypox and Male Fertility: Is There Any Looming Danger?
(2022) Du Plessis, Stefan; Omolaoye, Temidayo S
Abstract: The current emergence of monkeypox virus infection, mainly reported from previously non-endemic regions, raised concerns about its transmission and possible implication on general health and wellbeing. The concern is spawned from the fact that the virus keeps spreading, and as of the 8th September 2022, at least 88 countries have reported over 54191 cases globally. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, this recent outbreak is mustering up thoughts of public panic, social disruption, severe illness, and comorbidities, including risks to fertility and offspring.
Phytochemical Evaluation of Lepidium meyenii, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Spirulina platensis, and Tribulus arabica, and Their Potential Effect on Monosodium Glutamate Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction in Adult Wistar Rats
(2024-08) Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Rawat, Surendra Singh; Naidoo, Nerissa; Du Plessis, Stefan S
Abstract Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt derived from glutamic acid, is widely used in commercial food products to improve taste, quality, and preservation. However, its consumption may have detrimental effects on male reproductive function. Nevertheless, plant extracts, such as Lepidium meyenii (Maca), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek), Spirulina platensis (Spirulina), and Tribulus arabica (Tribulus), may ameliorate these adverse effects. To this effect, the phytochemical properties of Lepidium meyenii, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Spirulina platensis, and Tribulus arabica were assessed, and their potential impact on MSG-induced impairment of reproductive parameters was examined. The phytochemical composition (steroids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids) of the plants was profiled through spectrophotometry and the antioxidant activity was assessed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups at random: a control group receiving distilled water, and five experimental groups (MSG, Maca, Fenugreek, Spirulina, and Tribulus) receiving 900 mg/kg/day of MSG dissolved in water for 45 days. Subsequently, the animals in the experimental groups were administered 500 mg/kg/day of the respective plant extract via oral gavage for an additional 35 days, while the MSG group continued to receive water only. Following the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed, and their reproductive tract organs were collected, weighed, and subjected to further analysis. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of diverse bioactive elements in the plant extracts, including phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Exposure to MSG negatively impacted total and progressive sperm motility, which was ameliorated by Lepidium meyenii treatment. Sperm morphology showed no significant differences among groups. Treatment of the phytochemical agents diminished histomorphometric alternations of the testicular length, germinal epithelium height, and number of cells in seminiferous tubules, which were caused by the initial administration of MSG. Testosterone and LH levels were reduced in the MSG group but improved in extract-treated groups. The study suggests Lepidium meyenii as a potential remedy for reproductive dysfunction. However, further investigation into its mechanisms and human safety and efficacy is warranted.
Re: The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine on Sperm Quality
(2022) Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Du Plessis, Stefan
Experts summary: Owing to concerns about the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on male fertility and the potential analogous effects of the coronavirus vaccine, Barda and colleagues [1] evaluated the effects of two doses of the Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BNT162b) on sperm parameters. This prospective cohort study included 898 samples from 33 sperm donors, with each donor serving as his own control. Basic semen parameters (total sperm count, total motile count, percentage motile sperm) were assessed in 425 semen samples before the first vaccination and compared to 473 samples collected at least 72 d after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. Total sperm count and total motile count increased after completion of two doses of the vaccine compared to samples obtained before vaccination, while the percentage of motile sperm remained unchanged. In addition, the authors evaluated whether vaccination would affect the quality of freeze-thawed semen samples. Findings showed that the BNT162b, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine did not negatively affect sperm quality after freezing. According to the scientific literature, the virus triggers adverse effects on male sexual and reproductive health, while the vaccine appears to be safe, as evidenced by Barda et al [1]. Therefore, vaccine uptake is recommended, and patients and medical doctors should be counseled accordingly.
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Effects on Semen Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(2022-12) Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Plessis, Stefan S du
Objective: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epitomizes the best preventative SARS-CoV-2 infection strategy to counteract the severe consequences of infection. However, concerns have been raised that the vaccines could have an adverse effect on sperm function and overall reproductive health. This combined systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of different available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on semen parameters. Methods: A systematic PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud), and Scilit database literature search until mid-June 2022 was conducted. Prospective and retrospective studies were eligible. No limitation was placed on language. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were thereafter obtained. Results: Upon search completion, 122 studies were identified and retrieved and 110 were excluded, while the remaining 12 independent studies evaluating the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines on semen parameters were included in this review. The total number of men included was 1551, aged 22.4-48 years. Following meta-analysis, the SMD summary measure with 95% CI for each semen parameter included a concentration of 0.22 (0-0.22); Total sperm count of 0.11 (0.18-0.24); Total motility of 0.02 (0.05-0.09); Volume of 0.02 (-0.1-0.14); Vitality of 0.55 (-0.19-0.29), progressive motility of -0.43 (-0.54 to -0.32); Total motile sperm count of -0.38 (-0.44 to -0.31); And normal morphology of 0.42 (-0.54 to -0.3). In brief, the total sperm count was slightly increased post-vaccination, while progressive motility, total motile sperm count, and normal morphology were marginally reduced post-vaccination, according to the meta-analysis. Conclusions: No effects were observed regarding sperm viability and semen volume since the results of all the studies crossed the line of no effect. All seminal parameters analyzed showed a negligible or small change in relation to the vaccination effect. Furthermore, the parameters remained within the normal World Health Organization reference ranges, making the clinical significance unclear. Therefore, based on these results, it appears that vaccination does not have negative effects on semen quality. The individual study findings suggested that COVID-19 vaccines are not associated with decreased semen parameters.
Testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after treatment with rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia), and sutherlandia (Lessertia frutescens) infusions
(2021) Omolaoye, Temidayo S; Du Plessis, Stefan
Objective: To investigate the testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis status, as well as the sperm functional parameters in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats following treatment with rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) and sutherlandia (Lessertia frutescens) infusions. Methods: Diabetes was induced by injecting fourteen-week-old adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg body weight). Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: the vehicle group received 0.1 M citrate buffer, the diabetic control group received 45 mg/kg STZ, the diabetic+rooibos group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 2.0% rooibos, the diabetic+honeybush group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 4.0% honeybush, and the diabetic+sutherlandia group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 0.2% sutherlandia. Rats were sacrificed 7 weeks after induction of diabetes mellitus. The testes and epididymides were harvested and weighed after induction. Spermatozoa were retrieved from the cauda epididymis for motility, concentration, and morphology analysis, and the testis was used for all biochemical assays. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring malondialdehyde levels, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while apoptotic biomarkers were evaluated by Western blotting assays. Results: After induction of diabetes, rats in the diabetic control group, diabetic+rooibos group, diabetic+honeybush group, and diabetic+sutherlandia group presented with significantly elevated blood glucose levels as compared with the vehicle group (P<0.001). Rats in the diabetic control group had a reduction in sperm progressive motility, while rats in the diabetic+rooibos group and the diabetic+sutherlandia group displayed an increase in progressive motility as compared with the diabetic control group. The diabetic control animals showed a 40.0% decrease in sperm concentration when compared to the vehicle group, and there were no significant differences in sperm kinematic and speed parameters between the groups. In addition, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa was increased by 13.0%, 16.0%, and 15.0% after treatment with rooibos, honeybush, and sutherlandia, respectively and the rats in the diabetic+infusion groups also displayed an increase in superoxide dismutase activity when compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusions: Rooibos, honeybush and sutherlandia infusions may partly alleviate diabetes-induced sperm function impairment by reducing oxidative stress.