Probiotic effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on immune response, testicular function, serum pituitary-gonadal hormones and stress markers following localized scrotal heat exposure

Owing to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), 20 mature male albino rats, assigned into four groups (A-D; n = 5), were used to investigate its ameliorative effects on heat stress-induced testicular and humoral alterations. Group A rats were neither treated with SC nor exposed to heat [-SC, -HS]. Group B rats were treated with 7 mg/kg of SC, but were not exposed to heat [+SC, -HS]. Group C rats did not receive 7 mg/kg of SC, but were exposed to heat at 43 °C for 15 min [-SC, +HS]. Group D rats were treated with 7 mg/kg of SC, and were exposed to heat at 43 °C for 15 min [+SC, +HS]. Probiotic administration was done orally every other day for five consecutive weeks, when blood and testicular samples were collected for analyses. Probiotic treatment after heat exposure significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total WBC, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count and monocyte count. Cortisol concentration significantly increased (p < 0.05) in Groups B-D, while only Group C had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) total cholesterol. Exposure to heat (in Groups C and D) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the mean left and right testicular weights, as well as the testicular and epididymal sperm counts. The histology of the testis revealed regeneration of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in the group exposed to heat and treated with SC. Findings from this work proved that the probiotic potentials of SC could be harnessed for mitigating heat-induced humoral and spermatogenic alterations in male albino rats.