Effects of Three Oral Orlistat Doses on Testicular Oxidative Stress, Histology, and Semen Quality in Male Wistar Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet: A Randomized Animal Experiment
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
1 January 2026
,
Page 1-10
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.53622
Abstract
Background: High-fat diet (HFD) exposure can alter testicular redox balance and male reproductive function. This study compared the effects of three oral orlistat doses on epididymal sperm characteristics, testicular biochemical indices, plasma testosterone, and testicular histology in HFD-fed rats.
Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomized to five groups (n = 5 each): standard-diet control, HFD control, or HFD plus orlistat at 360, 480, or 600 mg/kg/day for 60 days. We assessed sperm motility, viability, and morphology; testicular lipid peroxidation, oxidant status, and antioxidant measures; plasma testosterone; and qualitative hematoxylin-and-eosin histology.
Results: The high-fat diet control exhibited elevated TBARS, sperm abnormalities, and testosterone compared to standard diet controls, whereas orlistat treatment reduced sperm motility and viability, particularly at higher doses; it lowered TBARS and MDA levels, modulated antioxidant markers such as GST and GSH at the highest dose, and caused focal tubular disorganization at 600 mg/kg/day while preserving tubular structure at moderate doses.
Conclusion: In this exploratory animal experiment, lower reported lipid-peroxidation measures co-occurred with lower sperm motility and viability at higher orlistat doses. The divergent biochemical and reproductive patterns support endpoint-specific interpretation rather than a uniformly beneficial response or an optimal therapeutic dose.
- Orlistat, Diet, High-Fat, Sperm Motility, Oxidative Stress, Testosterone, Rats, Wistar
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References
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