AVOCADO (PERSEA AMERICANA) OIL MITIGATES AGAINST UNPREDICTABLE CHRONIC MILD STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN SPERM DNA PARAMETERS, GONADOSOMATIC INDEX, AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Globally, infertility is a public health concern that affects couples with male factors and oxidative stress accounting
for many of the cases. Chronic stress affects the reproductive system through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis stimulation, which negatively causes disruption and impairment of spermatogenesis and testicular function.
Avocado oil (AO) has rich antioxidant properties which are beneficial in cellular and tissue repair. This study
evaluated the protective effects of avocado oil against testicular oxidative stress, sperm DNA concentration and
purity, and gonadosomatic index distortion caused by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) in adult male
Wistar rats. Thirty adults male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=5). Control (distilled water 1ml/kg),
UCMS only, UCMS + AO 4.0ml/kg, UCMS + AO 8.0ml/kg, UCMS + AO 16.0ml/kg and UCMS + 150mg/kg
Vitamin E. Daily oral administration of avocado oil and vitamin E was done 2 hours before induction of stress
factors. Treatment lasted for 60 days after which the rats were sacrificed. Body weights were then evaluated. Body
and testicular weight were used to evaluate gonadosomatic index (GSI), testicular homogenate for oxidative stress
biomarkers (ROS, CAT and GSH) and semen sample for sperm DNA assay. The gonadosomatic index, oxidative
stress biomarkers and sperm DNA parameters were significantly improved (p<0.05) following avocado oil
administration at 16 ml/kg. In conclusion, avocado (Persea americana) oil has protective effects against
unpredictable chronic mild stress-induced testicular dysfunction and improves the gonadosomatic index. This
indicates its fertility potential in the management of male infertility especially the unexplained type mainly
associated with stress.