Green tea consumption increases sperm concentration and viability in male rats and is safe for reproductive, liver and kidney health

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 17;10(1):15269. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72319-6.

Abstract

Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof. We investigated the effect of green tea on the male rat reproductive system as well as its safety. Male Wistar rats were administered 2 and 5% aqueous extract of green tea for 52 days' ad libitum, while the control group received tap water. Total polyphenol, flavanol, flavonol and soluble solids significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro (P < 0.01). Weights of body, testis, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and liver, serum levels of testosterone, ferric reducing antioxidant power, creatinine, and sperm motility, remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Kidney weight, sperm concentration and vitality, spontaneous acrosome reaction increased (P < 0.05), while alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels decreased (P < 0.05). Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation remained unchanged in the testes, liver and kidney (P > 0.05). Histological sections of testis, epididymis, kidney and liver showed no conspicuous alteration. Diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubule decreased, while caudal epididymis epithelial height increased (P < 0.01). Consumption of green tea in the conditions used in the present study seems to be safe and improved sperm parameters. However, subtle structural changes observed in the decreased diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubule and increased acrosome reaction needs further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome Reaction / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Epididymis / drug effects
  • Epididymis / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Seminiferous Tubules / drug effects
  • Seminiferous Tubules / metabolism
  • Sperm Count / methods
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects
  • Spermatogenesis / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Tea / chemistry*
  • Testis / drug effects
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • Catalase
  • Superoxide Dismutase