Protective properties of lactoferrin in spermatogenesis disorders

Objective of the study: to evaluate the protective effect of lactoferrin on improving spermatogenic function in testicular dysfunction caused by low-intensity electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter range. Materials and methods: 48 mature male rats were used. They were divided into four groups: a control group, a group exposed to low-intensity electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter range, a group of lactoferrin with oral intake of lactoferrin 10 mg per day, a group of combined irradiation with lowintensity electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter range and taking lactoferrin. Testicular spermatogenesis was assessed using traditional methods. Testicular tissue homogenate was used for Western blot analysis. Serum testosterone concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A statistical difference was accepted at p < 0.05. Results. Low-intensity electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter range causes a significant decrease in sperm concentration by almost 2 times (51.7 % of the control). Combined oral administration of lactoferrin with low-intensity millimeter-wave electromagnetic radiation has a protective effect on sperm concentration. Electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter range causes a significant decrease in testosterone production in the testicles. Oral administration of lactoferrin during radiation maintained normal testosterone levels. Lactoferrin also improves the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, which is compromised by exposure to millimeter-wave radiation. Millimeter-wave radiation significantly reduces the expression of claudin 11 by 40 %. The combined use of millimeter-wave radiation and oral administration of lactoferrin maintains claudin 11 production at control levels. Irradiation significantly reduces the production of N-cadherin; the combined use of irradiation and oral administration of lactoferrin does not restore the level of this protein. Conclusion. Taken together, the results showed that lactoferrin ameliorated spermatogenesis and integral aspects of the blood-testis barrier that were compromised by exposure to millimeter-wave radiation, which was achieved by improving the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, restoring claudin-11 expression, as well as restoring testosterone levels.