Benefits of the consumption of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) extract in male reproductive parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of intake of Brazil nut extract (BN) or sodium selenite solution on reproductive parameters of male diabetic animals. Methods A total of 48 Wistar rats were distributed into six groups: diabetes (n = 8); diabetes and Brazil nut extract (n = 8); diabetes and sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) (n = 8); Brazil nut extract (n = 8); sodium selenite (n = 8) and control (n = 8). A single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) was injected intravenously to the rats to induce diabetes. BN or Na2SeO3 were administered by gavage for 56 days. Results The diabetes caused critical alterations on body mass gain, reproductive parameters and antioxidant capacity. Treatments with both BN or Na2SeO3 were able to increase significantly the glutathione peroxidase and the daily sperm production, both in diabetic (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) and in healthy animals (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Conclusion The Brazil nut extract and sodium selenite were able to improve some reproductive parameters of diabetic rats. Moreover, we could infer that this effect is probably due to the natural selenium content of the BN.