José Augusto Lucca Neto, Vinicius Bonato da Rosa, Vera Lucia Langaro Amaral, Martina Cordini, Alessandro Schuffner, Marcel Frajblat
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2012; 16 (2):97-101
Received July 12, 2012
Accepted July 21, 2012
Abstract
Objective:The Brazilian nuts(Berthollitia excelsa) is a seed native of Brazil with a chemical composition rich in proteins and lipids, and a high concentration of selenium and vitamin E. Studies indicate the combination of these latter compounds with increased reproductive function in males. The objective of this study was to test the effect of supplementation with Brazilian nuts in semen parameters in mice.
Methods:A total of 27 animals kept isolated and divided into: group 1 (diet+20% Brazilian nuts), group 2 (ration+30% Brazilian nuts) and group 3 (only diet). The treatment lasted 83 days. At the end of treatment the animals were sacrificed in CO2 chamber. The motility, semen concentration and morphology were analyzed.The average consumption and weight gain were recorded. The sperm concentration of MDA was measured by the TBARS assay.
Results:No significant difference in motility and morphology. The concentration of group 2 were higher than found in group 3, but was lower in group 1. The concentration of MDA in the second group was higher compared to 1, and similar to the third, while the lower group 1with group 2 with group 3 and the like. There was a trend towards a positive correlation between the concentration of spermatozoa and MDA.
Conclusion: Supplementing with nut-stop values did not change the morphology and motility in healthy mice, but caused an increase in sperm concentration. The MDA concentration of sperm was not altered by supplementation with Brazilian nuts. To better assess their antioxidant activity further studies should be conducted with a larger number of animals.
