Background & Aims: In addition to the environment, age, temperature, nutrition and medicine, sex hormones including testosterone, FSH and LH are the most important factors affecting spermatogenesis and fertility. Sesame seeds with phytoestrogens and antioxidant activity in its lignans can affect pituitary-gonadal axis and increase fertility directly or indirectly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sesame seeds on the pituitary-gonadal axis hormones in adult male rats.

Materials & Methods: 20 adult male Wistar rats (3-4 months) were divided randomly into 30 days (experimental and control groups) and 60 days groups (experimental and control groups). Control groups received standard diet, while the experimental group received a special diet (70% standard diet +30% sesame seed) for 30 and 60 days. At the end of experiment, after body weight and testicular measurements, the sex hormones estradiol, testosterone, LH and FSH were measured by ELISA.

Results: The results showed that body weight, left and right testis weight and the level of testosterone and LH in the 60 days experimental group had increased significantly compared to 60 days control group and 30 days treatment group (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the level of estradiol and FSH hormones between control and treatment groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Sesame seed intake for 60 days had a positive effect on pituitary-gonadal axis and increased the amount of sex hormones (testosterone, and LH) in adult male rats.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(7): 588 ISSN: 1027-3727