Background and purpose: Multiple line of evidence suggested that diabetes has adverse effects on male sexual and reproductive functions. The aim of present study was to investigate the protective effect of colostrum (COL) on sperm parameters, sex hormones, testes histopathological changes, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 30 diabetic male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10) and were treated either by saline (model) or COL (100-200 mg/kg). Also, 10 healthy age matched rats were allocated as normal control group which received only saline. The rats in the COL treated groups were given colostrum at 100-200mg/kg once a day orally for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, epididymal sperms were counted, and testis tissues and blood samples were collected for histopathologic and biochemical analysis. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests in SPSS V.18.

Results: COL treatment (at both doses) significantly decreased the elevated glucose (P<0.01) and tissue malonaldehyde (MDA) (P<0.05) levels in plasma and testis tissues samples, respectively. The COL treated rats showed an improved histologic appearance (germinal layer thickness, spermatogonia number, seminiferous tubule diameters) and serum testosterone levels.

Conclusion: The results clearly provide evidence that CLO treatment can inhibit the progression of reproductive system complication in diabetic rats.