Influence of hyperthyroidism induced at prepuberty on the epididymal lipids, number and motility of spermatozoa in rats

Abstract

Fifteen prepubertal rats were divided into 3 groups of 5 each: (1) hyperthyroid group (TH), the rats were treated with thyroxine (T4) (25 micrograms/100g body weight/day) for 60 days from the age of day 31 to day 90; (2) T4-withdrawal group (TH-T4), the rats were given T4 for 30 days from the age of day 31 to day 60 and then the T4 treatment was withdrawn for the following 30 days from the age of day 61 to day 90 and the animals were given vehicle during this period; and (3) control group, the rats were given vehicle for 60 days from the age of day 31 to day 90. All were killed at the age of day 91. Serum levels of testosterone, T4 and triiodothyronine increased in the TH group (P < 0.001). The levels decreased to the euthyroid status in the TH-T4 group. Hyperthyroidism caused various changes in the levels of epididymal lipids. The levels changed further or were restored differentially in the TH-T4 group. The number of spermatozoa decreased, in caput epididymis (CpE) as well as in cauda epididymis (CdE), in the TH group (P < 0.001). The number was not restored in the TH-T4 group. The forward motility of the spermatozoa, determined in CdE, decreased in the TH group (P < 0.001) and was not restored in the TH-T4 group. The study showed that chronic hyperthyroidism, induced at the prepubertal age, causes various changes in epididymal lipid composition and sperm parameters. The study may be helpful in revealing the reasons for male infertility in hyperthyroid patients.