Dietary restriction-induced alterations on estrogen receptor alpha expression in regulating fertility in male Coturnix coturnix japonica: Relevance of Withania somnifera in modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in testis

Problem: Reproductive performance of animals gets affected by nutritional restrictions which act as potential stressors leading to hormonal imbalance and testicular inflammation, the major causes of infertility. Withania somnifera (WS), well-known traditional medicinal plant, has been used as antistress and infertility treatment. Therefore, the present study looks into the ameliorative effects of WS on the reproductive and immune system of male Coturnix coturnix japonica in stressed conditions like water and food restriction focussing on the modulation in estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha). Method of study: Biochemical estimations for oxidative stress, histological alterations, immuno-fluorescent localization of ER alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-4, and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in testicular cells were performed. Results: Nutritional restriction declines endogenous estradiol, ER alpha in testicular cells while it elevates corticosterone leading to oxidative stress in testis thereby reducing fertility by decrease in sperm. Results indicate significant reversal in all the parameters after the administration of WS by improving testicular cell morphology, increased superoxide and catalase activity thus reducing oxidative stress. WS increases spermatogenesis and enhances expression of ER alpha in testicular cells in quail. Further, WS increases IL-4, decreases IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma expression in testis, thereby improving immune profile contrary to stressed conditions. Conclusion: WS stimulates HPG-axis even after stress resulting in increased endogenous estradiol which stimulates the expression of ER alpha in testis; increases sperm count and immunity thereby improving the reproductive performance. WS may be the best therapy against nutritional-restriction stress induced reproductive toxicity by reducing oxidative stress mediated inflammatory response via increased testicular expression of ER alpha in quail.