The impact of oral refined sugar consumption on male reproductive parameters: The role of cessation.

Authors

Dennis Seyi Arokoyo, Olufunke Heritage Afariogun, Olutayo Olaronke Aderibigbe, Seyi Olabanji Aleruwa

Published in

JBRA assisted reproduction. Oct 02, 2026. Epub Oct 02, 2026.

Abstract

Refined sugar is a widely consumed dietary component that has been implicated in several health complications, including reproductive dysfunction. Despite growing concern regarding its potential endocrine-disrupt-ing effects, the reversibility of its impact on male reproduc-tive parameters remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral refined sugar consumption on male reproductive parameters in Wistar rats and to in-vestigate the role of sugar cessation in potential recovery.
Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divid-ed into eight groups (n=5): a control group, three treat-ment groups (low, medium, and high sugar doses), and corresponding cessation groups. Sugar dissolved in dis-tilled water was administered orally using an oropharyn-geal cannula for four weeks, followed by four weeks of withdrawal in the cessation groups. Reproductive parame-ters were then assessed.
Refined sugar consumption resulted in statis-tically significant (p<0.05), dose-dependent reductions in relative testicular and epididymal weights, sperm count, motility, and morphology. Significant hormonal alterations were also observed, including reduced testosterone, LH, and FSH levels and increased estradiol levels (p<0.05). In addition, histological analysis revealed testicular degener-ation and vacuolization in all treatment groups. Notably, the cessation groups showed partial recovery in some pa-rameters, particularly the high-dose cessation group, with significant improvements (p<0.05) in sperm count and motility, a lower percentage of abnormal morphology, and increased testosterone, LH, and FSH levels.
Prolonged refined sugar intake impairs male reproductive health through structural and hormonal disruptions. However, cessation showed potential for par-tial recovery, underscoring the importance of dietary inter-vention in preserving male fertility.

PMID:
42825638
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.