Histo-morphological and seminal evaluation of testicular parameters in diabetic rats under antiretroviral therapy: interactions with Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Objective(s): Broad range of metabolic changes associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported over decades including reproductive perturbations. The current study aimed at investigating the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hyp) in the seminal and morphometric alterations in the testes of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats under HAART.Materials and Methods: Sixty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into A-H groups, containing 6 rats in the control group A and 8 rats in the treatment groups B-H. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg BW) followed by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg BW). The animals were then subjected to various treatments with HAART, Hyp, and melatonin.Results: weights (body and testicular), histological, histochemical, seminal fluid, and morphometric analyses were carried out. Sperm count and motility were reduced in HAART (P