Impact of Dietary Copper Deficiency on Wistar Rat Sperm Morphology and Sperm Kinetics

Abstract

Copper a transition element is essential for innumerable physiological functions. Copper deficiency has now been recognized and is global problem-affecting person of all age groups leading to untold problems. The study determines the effect of copper deficiency on caudal sperm density, and viability as well as sperm vas deferens morphology of male Wistar rats.  Pre-pubertal male Wistar rats (35-50 g) were divided into four groups: Negative control (NC), copper control (CC) and pair fed (PF) group [126 nmol Cu/g of diet] as well as copper deficient (CD) group [6.3 nmol Cu/g of diet]. Duration of experiments was 2-, 4- and 6- weeks. Caudal epididymal sperm density and viability were recorded while vas deferens sperm morphology was analysed. Studies revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in sperm density as well as viability in the copper deficient group animals. Sperm morphology showed various abnormalities in dietary copper deficient group animals, which were more pronounced after 6 weeks. Copper under nutrition starting from prepubertal period negatively affected sperm density and viability as well as morphology as evident by insufficient acrosome, abnormal head and tail cytoplasmic integrity – all of which could probably be due to enhanced oxidative stress and other protein factors which could be one of the causative factors leading to infertility if the duration of copper deficit enhances.