BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prosopis farcta has antidiabetic and antioxidant properties and may be effective in preventing destructive effects of diabetes on the testes. The present study aims to analyze the effect of Prosopis farcta on fertility parameters, antioxidant status and the structure of testicular tissue in diabetic rats.

METHODS: In this experimental study, 32 male adult Wistar rats (200-220 g) were divided into 4 groups including control, Prosopis farcta, diabetic and diabetic plus Prosopis farcta. Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to induce diabetes in rats. Prosopis farcta group and Prosopis farcta extract treated diabetic group received 300 mg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of Prosopis farcta intraperitoneally for 30 days. At the end of the study, the animals were weighed and dissected. Then, fertility, antioxidant and histopathology parameters of testis were analyzed.

FINDINGS: The level of total antioxidant capacity (12.4±0.5) and superoxide dismutase (1.9±0.5) in testicular tissue of diabetic rats treated with Prosopis Farcta increased significantly compared with diabetic group (7.9±0.7 and 0.6±0.18, respectively) (p=0.001), while Prosopis Farcta extract significantly decreased the level of Malondialdehyde in the diabetic group (373.9±16.6) (p=0.000). Furthermore, a significant increase in serum testosterone levels, count and motility of sperm was observed in diabetic rats treated with Prosopis Farcta (p=0.003). Moreover, Prosopis Farcta decreased testicular tissue damage caused by diabetes.

CONCLUSION: Results of the study demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extract of Prosopis farcta improves fertility parameters and testicular tissue structure in diabetic rats through increasing antioxidant activity and decreasing oxidative stress.