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Caloric restriction alters the hormonal profile and testicular metabolome resulting in alterations of sperm head morphology.

A. Martins,I. Jarak,T. Morais,R. Carvalho,P. Oliveira,M. Monteiro,M. Alves

Published 2019 in American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism

ABSTRACT

Energy homeostasis is crucial for all physiological processes. Thus, when there is low energy intake, negative health effects may arise, including in reproductive function. We propose to study whether caloric restriction (CR) changes testicular metabolic profile and ultimately sperm quality.Male Wistar rats (n=12) were randomized into a CR group fed with 30% less calories than weight matched ad libitum fed animals (control group). Circulating hormonal profile, testicular glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), ghrelin and leptin receptors expression and sperm parameters were analyzed. Testicular metabolites abundance and glycolysis-related enzymes were studied by NMR and Western blot, respectively. Oxidative stress markers were analyzed in testicular tissue and spermatozoa. Expression of mitochondrial complexes and mitochondrial biogenesis in testis were determined. CR induced changes in body weight along with altered GLP-1, ghrelin and leptin circulating levels. In testis, CR led to changes in receptors expression that followed those of the hormone levels; modified testicular metabolome particularly amino acids content; decreased oxidative stress-induced damage in testis and spermatozoa though increasing sperm head defects.In sum, CR induced changes in body weight, altering circulating hormonal profile, testicular metabolome and increasing sperm head defects. Ultimately, our data highlights that conditions of CR may compromise male fertility.

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