Cold Stress induced oxidative stress on diabetic female rat reproductive cycle: An Ameliorative effect of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract

Abstract

Objective: The effects cold stress or diabetes caused pathophysiology are well known. This study aims not only to access the effects of cold stress but also its interaction with diabetes. The adverse effects of diabetes and cold stress on reproductive impairments is considered as a co-morbid factor for aggravating diabetic complications, since their co-exposure results in synergistic effects. The aim of this study was to address the extent of reproductive impairments occurred in co-exposed rats and the amelioration brought by ethanol extract of Tribulus terrestris fruit (TTF). Methods: Female Wistar rats of induced diabetes (STZ 45mg/kgbw) were exposed to cold stress (4±2°C, 3hr/day for 7 days) and were supplemented with TTF extract (200 mg/kgbw/day for 21 days) to investigate the impaired reproductive performance. Results: A significant change was evident in reproductive cyclicity among the positive control groups studied. Following hyperglycemic state, the estrous pattern and levels of reproductive hormones changed significantly (P