Investigating the Protective Effects of Eugenol on Hormonal Levels, Spermatogenesis, and Testicular Tissue Damage in Diabetic Rats

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that can impair male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress, testicular damage, and hormonal imbalance. Eugenol, a bioactive component of clove, has shown antioxidant and protective effects in various tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eugenol on testicular histology, spermatogenesis, sperm parameters, and reproductive hormone levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (each with 8 rats): Control, diabetic control, diabetic+eugenol (4 mg/kg/d via gavage for 8 weeks), and eugenol alone. Diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels of the rats were monitored during the study. At the end of the study, testicular tissues were collected for histopathology and Johnsen scoring. Also, epididymal sperm were analyzed for count, morphology, and motility. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were also measured by ELISA.