Abstract

An iron enriched diet was adopted by different health authorities as an effective tool to combat iron deficiency anemia. However, dietary fat may alter absorption and utilization of iron either in human or animal models. Being a potent pro-oxidant, iron can lead to generation of reactive oxygen species, inducing oxidative damage and inflammations in different tissues.. Present study aimed mainly to illustrate any alterations in testicular function of experimental rats kept on dietary iron. Long intake for 10 weeks may affect the testicular function, supplementation of dietary fat of various pattern may alter iron effect. We found a significant increase in serum iron, ferritin, nitrogen oxide (NO), TNF-α, testicular hydroxyproline, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with decrease in testosterone level in the group that received dietary iron only (control group). Iron overload induced adhesion of seminiferous tubules, disorganization of germinal epithelium, multiple collagen fibers and iron deposition were also observed. While co-supplementation of palm oil with dietary iron intake significantly decreased testosterone level, olive oil intake induced significant increase. That effect was associated with moderate alleviation of fibrosis and mild regeneration of testicular tissues. We concluded that the iron overloaded diet, enhances oxidative stress and, inflammation leading to decreased spermatogenesis, and testosterone secretion (testicular function). Therefore, supplementation of dietary fats can modulate iron effect.

Key words: Dietary iron, lipid peroxidation indices, olive-palm oils, testicular function.