# Metabolic intervention restores fertility and sperm health in non-obese diabetic rats

## TL;DR

Sleeve gastrectomy improves fertility and sperm health in diabetic rats by reducing weight and glucose levels.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that sleeve gastrectomy can restore testosterone and sperm parameters in diabetic rats.

## Key findings

- Sleeve gastrectomy led to significant weight loss and improved glucose profiles in diabetic rats.
- Testosterone levels and sperm count improved significantly after the surgery.
- Testis tissue showed significant recovery following sleeve gastrectomy.

## Abstract

In people with diabetes, the effect of sleeve gastrectomy on impaired sperm parameters, hormonal profile, and testis tissue remains controversial to some extent.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of sleeve gastrectomy on the hormonal profile, sperm parameters, and testis tissue in infertile rats with type II diabetes mellitus (TIIDM). This study included 32 rats with TIIDM with or without sleeve gastrectomy. All the rats underwent sperm, testis tissue, and serum hormone profile analyses before and 8 weeks after surgery.

There was a significant correlation between weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy and a decrease in glucose profile (p < 0.05). In the hormonal profile, testosterone improved significantly after 8 weeks following sleeve gastrectomy. There was a significant increase in sperm count (p < 0.05) and improved sperm morphology during the follow-up after sleeve gastrectomy. The analysis also showed significant changes in testis tissue after surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy significantly improved testosterone deficiency, testis tissue, and sperm count in rats with TIIDM. Further prospective clinical studies are needed to show how bariatric surgery affects infertility in patients with TIIDM.