{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,27]],"date-time":"2025-08-27T10:40:19Z","timestamp":1756291219130,"version":"3.44.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Knowledge E DMCC","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,27]],"date-time":"2025-08-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1756252800000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["knepublishing.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["IJRM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Oxidative stress significantly contributes to male infertility. Spirulina contains phycocyanin (PC), a protein with significant biological effects, including strong antioxidant activity.\r\nObjective: This study investigates the protective effects of Spirulina platensis (Sp) and its active compound, PC, against oxidative damage in sperm and testicular tissue in rats.\r\nMaterials and Methods: This research was an experimental study. 36 male Wistar rats (7\u20138 wk, 180\u2013220 gr) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 6\/each): control, PC (500 mg\/kg\/day), Sp (300 mg\/kg\/day), hydrogen peroxide (HP; 0.5%), HP+PC, and HP+Sp. Treatments were given orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters (count, motility, viability) were assessed via Neubauer chamber, motility analysis, and eosin Y staining. Oxidative markers and histopathology were evaluated using colorimetric kits and hematoxylin and eosin staining. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured via acridine orange.\r\nResults: HP reduced sperm count (40.2 vs. 55.2 million\/mL; p = 0.001), motility (43.4% vs. 87.0%; p = 0.001), and increased DFI (18.5% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.001) versus control. Co-treatment with PC\/Sp improved motility (HP-PC: 69.0%, HP-Sp: 61.9%; p = 0.001 vs. HP) and DFI (15.7%; p = 0.001 vs. HP). HP decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase and elevated malondialdehyde (p = 0.001). PC\/Sp partially restored superoxide dismutase, reduced malondialdehyde (3.8\u20133.9 nmol\/mL; p = 0.001 vs. HP). PC enhanced total antioxidant capacity (5.6 vs. 3.1 mmol; p = 0.001), while Sp lowered oxidative stress index (0.41 vs. 1.36; p = 0.001) versus HP.\r\nConclusion: Sp and PC protect against oxidative sperm and testicular damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress. PC demonstrated superior effects on sperm quality, DNA integrity, and testicular histology, indicating its therapeutic potential in male infertility.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.18502\/ijrm.v23i7.19485","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,27]],"date-time":"2025-08-27T10:02:55Z","timestamp":1756288975000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18502\/knecrossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Protective effects of Spirulina platensis and phycocyanin on sperm quality, DNA integrity, and testicular tissue following oxidative stress in rats: An experimental study"],"prefix":"10.18502","volume":"23","author":[{"given":"Katayoun","family":"Sedaghatizadeh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Farkhondeh","family":"Nemati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maryam Gholamitabar","family":"Tabari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Fatemeh Peyravii","family":"Ghadikolaii","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Roya","family":"Bishehkolaei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"7770","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"288222","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[1] Song B, Chen Y, Wang C, Li G, Wei Z, He X, et al. Poor semen parameters are associated with abnormal methylation of imprinted genes in sperm DNA. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20: 155.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12958-022-01028-8"},{"key":"288223","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[2] Rojas-Sol\u00e9 C, Lillo-Moya J, Rodrigo R. Oxidative stress biomarkers in human health and disease. In: Saso L, Giuffr\u00e8 A, Valacchi G, Maccarrone M. Modulation of oxidative stress. USA: Academic Press; 2023.","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-443-19247-0.00003-5"},{"key":"288224","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[3] Bahrami S, Shahriari A, Tavalla M, Azadmanesh S, Hamidinejat H. Blood levels of oxidant\/antioxidant parameters in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2016; 2016: 8045969.","DOI":"10.1155\/2016\/8045969"},{"key":"288225","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[4] Orta T, Abdullah N, G\u00fcnebakan S. Investigation of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide. 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Reduction of oxidative stress and testicular tissue damage in Wistar rat treated with Diazinon by Quercetin. J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci 2024; 28: e147085.","DOI":"10.5812\/jkums-147085"},{"key":"288242","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[21] Bahmanzadeh M, Goodarzi MT, Rezaei Farimani A, Fathi N, Alizadeh Z. Resveratrol supplementation improves DNA integrity and sperm parameters in streptozotocin\u2013nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Andrologia 2019; 51: e13313.","DOI":"10.1111\/and.13313"},{"key":"288243","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[22] Zeitoun MM, Ateah MA, Almaiman AT, Mansour MM. Spirulina supplementation to the semen extender influences the quality and antioxidant parameters of chilled or cryopreserved Arabian stallion spermatozoa. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 118: 104108.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2022.104108"},{"key":"288244","unstructured":"[23] Sedaghatizadeh K, Gholamitabar Tabari M, Bishehkolaei R, Peyravii Ghadikolaii F, Nemati F. 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