Fertility is lower in both men and women with epilepsy than in the general population. Moreover, reproductive endocrine disorders are more common among patients with epilepsy than thegeneral population. In this study, all sperm parameters such as sperm count, sperm viability, progressive sperm motility, and testosterone and pituitary-gonadal hormone changesin the epileptic and normal groups were changed by increasing the dose of Satureja edmondi Briq essential oil. The increase in these variables was significant in some instances. The total number of sperms, sperm viability, and progressive motility in both normal and epileptic groupswereraised with an increase inthe dose ofSatureja edmondi Briq essential oil. Thus, the highest dose ofS.edmondi essential oil increased significantly in normal groups compared to normal control group, and different doses of S.edmondi essential oil caused a significant increase in epileptic groups compared to the epileptic control group.
Previous studies have shown that most men with epilepsy have abnormal sperm parameters, including decreased sperm count, abnormal morphology, and impaired motility [17]. In a study, the antioxidant effects as well as the stimulating effects of Satureja Khuzestanica essential oil on fertility in male rats were investigated.The results showed the positive effects of Satureja Khuzestanica on fertility in male rats [18].In patients with epilepsy, sperm motility decreased and caused sperm abnormalities [19]. Focal epilepsy may affect the spermmorphology, concentration, and motility [20]. Induction of experimental epilepsy significantly reduced the number of natural sperms and total sperm count in experimental rats compared to the normal rats. It can also reduce sperm count and motility and decrease sperm viability in the kindled Wistar male rats [21].
On the other hand, a significant difference was observed in the group treated with S.edmondi essential oil compared to the epileptic control group in terms of sperm count, viability, and motility, which is due to the high antioxidant properties of this plant.The most common causes of infertility in men are their inability to produce enough healthy and active sperms and their reduced mobility [22]. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) stops the cell cycle and increases the apoptosis process, thus reducing daily sperm production as well as the total number of sperms [23].
There is a steady decrease in sperm viability and progressive motility and a decrease in motility, which is associated with increased ROS level [24]. Epilepsy produces a variety of biochemical processes, including proteolysis and ROS emission, which can damage the fats and proteins and reduce antioxidant properties [25].Different doses of Ferollago angulata,a traditional herb in the west of Iran with high antioxidant power, significantly increase sperm parameters such as sperm count, motility, and survival, thus improving sperm parameters and enhancing spermatogenesis [26].
The protective effect of reproductive system degeneration on cyclosporine in male moths was also investigated by Satureja Khuzestanica[27].The resultsof Cao et al. showed that, the levels of important enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in Leydig cells decreased with an increase in oxidative stress, which reduced the synthesis and secretion of testosterone and an was an effective factor for spermatogenesis and dysfunction. As a result, there is a significant reduction in the number of epididymal sperm [28].Testosterone levels in the body play an important role in maintaining spermatogenesis, and lower levels of testosterone reduce sperm count [29].
The physiological effects of oxidative stress on male infertility have been investigated.It has been reported that oxidative stress causes endocrine disorders in the testicles and damagesthe testicular morphology [30]. Theantioxidant properties and role of Satureja Khuzestanicain infertility treatment have also been investigated [31]. The LH, FSH, and testosterone levels in the experimental epileptic group increased due to PTZ. A significant decrease was observed compared to the control group. However, there was a significant increase compared to the normal control group and the epileptic control grouponly in the highest dose (300 ppm).
The changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the study groups, whether in the normal rats or epileptic rats, increased slightly, which was not significant.Due to the production of free radicals by PTZand the induction of experimental epilepsy in the studied rats, a significant decrease was observed in the testosterone and lutein hormones compared to the control group. Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, Satureja edmondi Briq significantly increased serum testosterone and lutein hormone compared to normal and epileptic control groups. The results are consistent with the results of a study that found that the kindling of Wistar male rats reduced serum testosterone and luteinizing hormonelevels, but did not change the serum levels of folliclestimulating hormone between groups [21].
An important factor in reducing serum testosterone is increased free radicals and oxidative stress. As a chronic neurological disorder, epilepsy can increase the active species of oxygen and the production of superoxide in the brain [32]. Studies have shown that epilepsy reduces serum LH concentrations and lowers LH,which consequently decreasesthe testosterone secretion [33].In the present study, serum testosterone levels decreased significantly in the epileptic group without treatment compared to the normal group. Different doses of plant extract with abundant antioxidant properties cause a significant increase in testosterone in Wistar male rats with oxidative diseases, thus improving and enhancing the fertility potential in these patients [16].