Diet-induced obesity alters kinematics of rat spermatozoa

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of DIO on the kinematics and viability of spermatozoa in an albino rat model.MethodsSperm suspensions from normal (Control) and diet-induced obese (DIO) Wistar rats were collected and incubated for various times (30, 60, 120 or 180 min at 37 °C). Motility parameters were analyzed with computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), while viability was assessed by means of a dye exclusion staining technique (eosin/nigrosin).ResultsResults reveal that there was a significant time dependent decrease (P < 0.05) in progressive motility, curvilinear velocity and beat cross-frequency after 60 min, while amplitude of lateral head displacement and sperm viability was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after 120 min in the DIO group compared to control spermatozoa.ConclusionsThese results provided evidence that obesity is detrimental to sperm parameter in rats possibly through increased testicular temperature as a result of a rise in fat deposition.