Background: Catsper proteins are responsible for entering Ca
2+ to the cell and play an important role in sperm motility and male fertility. Antioxidants are vital for sperm motility too. Escanbil (
Calligonum
) extract possess some of the important antioxidant like Catechin and Quercetin.
Objective: Here we investigated the effects of Escanbil (
Calligonum) extract on the sperm parameters and the expressing of Catsper gene in aging male mice.
Materials and Methods: In this animal study, firstly, dose response was performed by using these three doses of Escanbil (
Calligonum) (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg). 5 mice in each group were considered and Intra Peritoneal injection was done for 5 weeks. the sperm parameters analyzed and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL )staining was done. 30 mg/kg dose was considered as optimum dose. Secondly: fifteen aging male mice (11-13 months) were divided into three groups: control, sham and experiment. The experiments were injected Intra peritonealy with Escanbil (
Calligonum) extract (30mg/kg) weekly for up to 5 weeks. The sham group was injected Intra Peritoneal (DMSO). Sperm parameters were analyzed. Expression of Catsper genes was analyzed by Real time PCR.
Results: Our results showed that after Escanbil (
Calligonum) treatment (30 mg/kg), the sperm parameters were improved in experimental group (p<0.05). Our data showed that there was a statistical significance difference between the expressions of Catsper 2, 4 in aging experiment group comparison with aging control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: We investigated that the Escanbil (
Calligonum) extract (30 mg/kg) can improve sperm parameters and change the expression of Catsper genes in aging male mice. This herbal extract can be used as an antioxidant component for clinical usages.
