Impact of Combined High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin Exposure on Male Reproductive Health: Protective Role of Quercetin
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499-522
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Sep 8, 2025
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10.58578/ajmsphr.v2i3.7346
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Authors:
Ajayi S. O1, Akunna G. G2, Tongle Nanle3, Mosungu Ovayosa Omolara4 
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Main Article Content
Abstract
Male infertility is an increasing global concern with profound social and psychological implications, often linked to metabolic dysfunctions such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Streptozotocin (STZ), widely used to induce T2DM in animal models, is known to cause testicular toxicity through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, thereby impairing spermatogenesis and hormone production. Quercetin, a flavonoid with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in ameliorating diabetes-related complications, including reproductive dysfunction. This study investigates the combined effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and STZ exposure on male reproductive health, while assessing the protective role of quercetin. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups and subjected to HFD, STZ, and quercetin at different doses. Testicular health was evaluated by measuring absolute and relative testicular weights. STZ was administered intraperitoneally (30 mg/kg), and quercetin was administered orally at 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg for 28 days. Results showed that STZ-treated rats had significantly reduced testicular weight (1.00 ± 0.40 g) compared to controls (1.24 ± 0.07 g), confirming testicular toxicity. Quercetin supplementation, especially at 75 mg/kg (1.52 ± 0.37 g) and 100 mg/kg (1.48 ± 0.66 g), significantly restored testicular weight, suggesting a dose-dependent protective effect. These findings demonstrate that HFD exacerbates STZ-induced testicular toxicity, while quercetin confers substantial protection, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing testicular dysfunction in diabetic conditions.
Article Details
How to Cite
O, A. S., G, A. G., Nanle, T., & Omolara, M. O. (2025). Impact of Combined High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin Exposure on Male Reproductive Health: Protective Role of Quercetin. African Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Research, 2(3), 499-522. https://doi.org/10.58578/ajmsphr.v2i3.7346
References
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Li, Z., Wang, L., & Liu, Y. (2021). Quercetin enhances sperm motility and testicular antioxidant status in diabetic rats. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 24138. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03659-3
Luo, C., Zhang, X., & Liu, J. (2022). Dose-dependent protective effects of quercetin on testicular oxidative damage in diabetic rats. Journal of Natural Medicines, 77(3), 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-022-01478-w
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Mekhemar, M., Mohany, M., & Abdel Moneim, A. E. (2020). Quercetin alleviates oxidative stress-induced testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 74, 103314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2020.103314
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Murakami, A., Ohigashi, H., & Kawabata, T. (2008). Effects of dietary and medicinal factors on NF-κB activity. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 19(10), 693–704.
Nam, S., Kang, S. W., & Lee, T. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of quercetin and its glycosides. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(4), 559.
Nna, V. U., Ujah, G. A., & Antai, A. B. (2017). Oxidative stress and testicular dysfunction: The role of diabetes mellitus. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 9(2), 129-137.
Ofosu-Budu, E., Agyarko, K., & Boateng, J. (2022). Infertility and its psychosocial impact on men in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health, 22, 1083.
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Ajani, M. A., & Ibrahim, M. T. (2020). Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A review. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 14(6), 1231-1241.
Alam, M. I., Chowdhury, S. K., & Khan, M. M. (2023). Diabetes-induced oxidative stress and its association with testicular damage. Journal of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 19(3), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsr.2023.03.009
Alharthi, S. S., Alharbi, R. A., & Alzahrani, M. M. (2021). The protective effect of quercetin on testicular atrophy induced by oxidative stress. Pharmacological Reports, 73(4), 902-910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2021.01.021
Al-Masri, M. R., Al-Ramahi, H., & Al-Juhaishi, T. (2021). Effects of quercetin on sperm quality and histopathological changes in diabetic rats: A dose-dependent study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 24(6), 602-612. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.0249
Batiha, G. E.-S., Beshbishy, A. M., Ikram, M., Mulla, Z. S., Abd El-Hack, M. E., Taha, A. E., Algammal, A. M., & Elewa, Y. H. A. (2020). The pharmacological activity of quercetin: New trends and future directions. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 128, 110-168.
Boots, A. W., Haenen, G. R. M. M., & Bast, A. (2008). Health effects of quercetin: From antioxidant to nutraceutical. European Journal of Pharmacology, 585(2-3), 325-337.
Chen, S., Li, Y., & Wu, J. (2023). Impact of diabetes-induced oxidative stress on testosterone biosynthesis and testicular function. Endocrine Research, 48(6), 874-882. https://doi.org/10.1080/07435800.2023.1873039
Chen, S., Li, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Streptozotocin-induced diabetes and its impact on testicular weight and spermatogenesis in rats. Reproductive Toxicology, 99, 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.10.002
Dhanabalan, S., Mathur, P. P., & Rengarajan, R. L. (2018). Quercetin reverses streptozotocin-induced testicular damage by improving antioxidant status and inhibiting apoptosis in rats. Andrologia, 50(1), e12831.
Dierickx, S., Coene, G., & Ouedraogo, L. (2021). The silent suffering of male infertility in Africa: A qualitative study in Burkina Faso. Human Reproduction, 36(2), 334-344.
Dong, X., Zhang, L., & Liu, X. (2020). Quercetin improves insulin resistance by regulating inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 64(15), 2000212.
Eid, A. H., Mohamad, H. A., & Abdel-Rahman, M. A. (2021). Quercetin attenuates testicular dysfunction in diabetic rats by modulating oxidative stress. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 41(9), 1587-1598. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4186
Ekweogu, C. N., Chukwura, E. I., & Okafor, P. N. (2019). Protective effect of natural antioxidants on testicular toxicity induced by environmental pollutants. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 11(4), 40-49.
Ellman, G. L. (1959). Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 82(1), 70-77.
El-Sayed, E. S., Ghanem, A. S., & Abdelrahman, M. M. (2021). The protective role of quercetin in restoring testicular function and architecture in diabetic rats. Reproductive Toxicology, 97, 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.01.007
Gajda, A. M., Pellizzon, M. A., Ricci, M. R., Ulman, E. A., & Keller, J. (2007). Diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rodent models. Current Protocols in Pharmacology, 39(1), 5-71.
Khalid, M. A., Noman, A., & Ali, M. (2020). Impact of quercetin on male fertility in diabetic rats. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 129, 110332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110332
Khan, M. H., Azhar, M. I., & Malik, A. A. (2024). The role of flavonoids in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male fertility. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 165, 78-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.08.005
Li, Y., Yao, J., Han, C., Yang, J., & Luo, S. (2016). Quercetin protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 83, 110–119.
Li, Z., Wang, L., & Liu, Y. (2021). Quercetin enhances sperm motility and testicular antioxidant status in diabetic rats. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 24138. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03659-3
Luo, C., Zhang, X., & Liu, J. (2022). Dose-dependent protective effects of quercetin on testicular oxidative damage in diabetic rats. Journal of Natural Medicines, 77(3), 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-022-01478-w
Maresch, C., Alves, M. G., & Oliveira, P. F. (2017). Diabetes and male reproductive health: focus on pharmacological and nutritional approaches. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(10), 2095.
Mekhemar, M., Mohany, M., & Abdel Moneim, A. E. (2020). Quercetin alleviates oxidative stress-induced testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 74, 103314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2020.103314
Mendiola, J., Jørgensen, N., & Andersson, A.-M. (2019). Environmental factors and male reproductive function. Asian Journal of Andrology, 21(1), 10-18.
Mishra, S. S., Sahu, A., & Meher, J. (2021). Impact of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on male reproductive parameters in rats: Role of oxidative stress. Environmental Toxicology, 36(4), 710-718. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.23028
Mostafa, R. M. (2021). Ocimum basilicum: A review on its health benefits. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 29(1), 36–43.
Murakami, A., Ohigashi, H., & Kawabata, T. (2008). Effects of dietary and medicinal factors on NF-κB activity. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 19(10), 693–704.
Nam, S., Kang, S. W., & Lee, T. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of quercetin and its glycosides. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(4), 559.
Nna, V. U., Ujah, G. A., & Antai, A. B. (2017). Oxidative stress and testicular dysfunction: The role of diabetes mellitus. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 9(2), 129-137.
Ofosu-Budu, E., Agyarko, K., & Boateng, J. (2022). Infertility and its psychosocial impact on men in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health, 22, 1083.
Okonofua, F. E., Omo-Aghoja, L. O., & Onemu, S. O. (2022). Pesticides and male reproductive health: The African perspective. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 95, 103-354.
Olawale, G. B., Olayemi, F. O., & Akinloye, O. (2021). Streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in male reproductive organs: A review. Biochemical Pharmacology, 187, 114-123.
Omolaoye, T. S., Du Plessis, S. S., & Henkel, R. R. (2020). Diabetes mellitus and male infertility: Mechanisms and management. Andrologia, 52(5), e13584.
Onung, O. C., Ede, A. J., & Adewale, O. (2023). The blood-testis barrier and metabolic dysfunction: Emerging insights. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 117-129.
Pinti, M., Cevenini, E., & Nasi, M. (2019). Molecular pathways involved in the diabetes and testicular dysfunction connection. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 42(9), 1121-1133.
Poojari, A. K., Lobo, R., & Gnanamuthu, G. (2023). Quercetin restores sperm motility and mitochondrial function in diabetic rats. Phytomedicine, 98, 153935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.153935
Rahman, M. M., Hossain, M. F., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Streptozotocin-induced testicular atrophy and its underlying mechanisms in diabetic rodents. Toxicology Reports, 10, 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.01.002
Rahman, M. M., Rahman, M. M., & Alam, M. S. (2022). Quercetin alleviates lead and cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 38(1), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.1177/07482337211003085
Rodsprasert, W., Toppari, J., Virtanen, H. E., & Skakkebaek, N. E. (2022). Male reproductive health in the 21st century: The testicular dysgenesis syndrome hypothesis revisited. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 18(6), 315-328.
Saeedi, P., Petersohn, I., & Salpea, P. (2019). Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 157, 107-843.
Santos, J. S., Silva, C. S., & Souza, D. M. (2020). High-fat diet reduces sperm quality and testicular function in male rats. Andrology, 8(6), 1476-1484. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12845
Shahid, M. A., Abubakar, M. I., & Kumar, V. (2021). Effects of STZ-induced diabetes on luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels in rats. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 34(2), 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-021-02785-7
Shokri, S., Ghasemnejad-Berenji, H., & Ghasemnejad-Berenji, M. (2023). STZ-induced testicular toxicity: Mechanisms and protective strategies. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 456, 123-781.
Snedecor, G. W., & Cochran, W. G. (1980). Statistical Methods (7th ed.). Iowa State University Press.
Srinivasan, K., Ramarao, P., & Chandrasekar, B. (2018). The role of oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetes and testicular dysfunction. Free Radical Research, 52(4), 493-507.
Tiwari, S., Arya, A., & Awasthi, S. (2021). High-fat diet-induced reproductive toxicity: Mechanisms and possible interventions. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 228, 107911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107911
Ugbogu, O. C., Emmanuel, O., & Chukwudi, O. P. (2021). Bioactive compounds in Ocimum basilicum: Therapeutic implications. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 15(3), 77-89.
Ugboma, H. A., Nwoke, E. A., & Adebayo, O. T. (2012). Male factor infertility in Nigeria: Prevalence and challenges. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 16(3), 123-129.
Wang, H., Li, Y., & Zhang, J. (2023). High-fat diet exacerbates testicular damage in diabetic rats by enhancing oxidative stress. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 586, 112243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2023.112243
Wang, X., Li, J., & Zhang, J. (2023). Quercetin ameliorates sperm quality and fertility in obese diabetic rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 163, 112926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2022.112926
WHO. (2022). Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990-2021. World Health Organization Reports. https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infertility-global-estimates
Yang, Y., Sun, H., & Huang, Q. (2022). Quercetin restores testosterone synthesis and Leydig cell function in diabetic rats. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 92, 108663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108663
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