EFFECTS OF PREDATOR INDUCED PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS ON SPERM PARAMETERS OF ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Uwejigho R., Olotu E. J., Osunwoke E. A. and Aigbogun (Jr), E. O.*

ABSTRACT

Aim and objectives: This study evaluated the durational effects of predator-induced psychosocial stress on the sperm parameters using animal models. Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into four (4) equal groups (n=5). Groups A to B (short duration for 52 days) and groups C to D (long duration for 104 days). Groups A and C served as the controls, which were not stressed, while Group B and D were psychosocially stressed in the PTSD chamber at 3hr/exposure daily for 52 and 104 days respectively. The animals from Group A/B and C/D were sacrificed on the 53rd and 105th day respectively, and their total sperm count (×106 cells/ml), abnormal morphology (%), motility (%), immotility (%), progressive (%), and non-progressive (%) sperm determined. GraphPad Prism Version 8 (San Diego, USA) was used to analyse the data and the results described as mean ± Standard Error of Means (S.E.M.). Unpaired t-test (at 95% confidence level) was used to compare values of the control and experimental groups. Results: The result showed that the mean(S.E) sperm count (×106) for control A (39.00±3.32 cells/ml) and B (40.00±3.16 cells/ml) were significantly greater than their experimental groups (52 days [17.00±1.23 cells/ml] and 104 days [18.05±1.23 cells/ml]) respectively (P<0.001). On the other hand, the abnormal, immotile, and non-progressive sperm cells were significantly greater (P<0.01) in the experimental groups when compared to their respective controls; with better sperm parameters observed at day 104 when compared to day 52. Conclusion: The initial exposure of animals to chronic stress for 52 days was deleterious to sperm parameters; however, further exposure (twice the initial duration) produced results that suggested a kind of coping mechanism that reduced the damages.

Keywords: Sperm parameters, Chronic stress, Psychosocial stress, Animal model.