Effect of intensive exercise-induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders in mature male Wistar strain rats: a correlative approach to oxidative stress

Aims: In order to investigate the effects of intensive exercise on reproductive dysfunctions in relation to oxidative stress, a total of 12 male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127 +/- 2.86 g) were randomly divided into: (1) control group (CG, n = 6) and (2) experimental group (Exp. G, n = 6). Methods: An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming day(-1) , 5 days week(-1) was followed for 4 weeks in Exp. G, with no exercise in CG. All the animals were killed; blood, testes and the accessory sex organs were collected for estimation of different parameters. Results: A significant diminution (P < 0.001) was noted in testicular Delta(5) , 3beta -hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (Delta(5) , 3beta -HSD), 17beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17beta -HSD); plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH); preleptotine spermatocytes (pLSc), midpachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and stage 7 spermatids (7Sd); with no significant alteration in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and spermatogoia A (Asg) after intensive exercise. A significant elevation (P < 0.001) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) along with significant reduction (P < 0.001) in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and peroxidase were found in testes of Exp. G. Moreover, the somatic index of testes and accessory sex organs were also decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after exercise. High correlations have been found in 17 beta -HSD with CAT (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) and peroxidase (r = 0.83, P < 0.05), epididymal somatic index with CD (r = -0.91; P < 0.05) and GSH (r = 0.84, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study focused an chronic intensive exercise-induced oxidative stress that may cause dysfunctions in male reproductive system including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.