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C-phycocyanin protects against obesity-associated type 2 diabetes-induced male fertility dysfunction by improving sperm quality and regulating key fertility-related enzymes. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to assess the effects of C-phycocyanin on reproductive dysfunction in obese rats with type 2 diabetes.

February 26, 2026Asian Journal of Andrology1 citationsOpen Access

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C-phycocyanin protects against obesity-associated type 2 diabetes-induced male fertility dysfunction via key enzyme regulation

AAAljazi Abdullah AlRashidi SRSahar Y RajehUniversity of Ha'il KHKhaled HamdenUniversity of Sfax

Key Points

The study aims to assess the effects of C-phycocyanin on reproductive dysfunction in obese rats with type 2 diabetes.
Administered C-phycocyanin daily at 300 mg kg −1 for 3 months to obese rats with type 2 diabetes.
Measured body weight, blood glucose levels, and sperm quality parameters pre- and post-treatment.
Examined seminal plasma enzyme activities and antioxidant defenses.
C-phycocyanin reduced body weight by 35.6% and blood glucose levels by 40.2%.
Improved sperm quality metrics: increased concentration, viability, and motility, while lowering abnormalities.
Enhanced activities of key fertility enzymes and antioxidant defenses in seminal plasma.

Abstract

Abstract The prevalence of male infertility is steadily increasing and has become a growing global health concern. The goal of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of C-phycocyanin (CPC), a natural phycobiliprotein pigment extracted from Spirulina platensis (Sp), on male reproductive dysfunction in obese rats with type 2 diabetes (OB-T2D). Daily treatment was administered for 3 months. CPC at 300 mg kg −1 significantly reduced body weight (−35.6%) and blood glucose levels (−40.2%). It markedly suppressed seminal plasma inflammation by reducing leukocyte count and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and elastase (ELA) in seminal plasma by 77.3%, 63.1%, and 55.4%, respectively. CPC significantly improved sperm quality by increasing sperm concentration as well as the percentages of sperm viability and motility, while significantly reducing the percentage of sperm abnormalities. In parallel, CPC stimulated key fertility-related enzymes, including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and adenosine deaminase (ADA), while downregulating phosphodiesterase (PDE). Moreover, CPC optimized seminal plasma composition by increasing fructose levels, modulating pH, and enhancing the activity of hyaluronidase (HYAL) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Seminal plasma antioxidant defense was strengthened via increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST); and reduced oxidative stress markers including total oxidant status (TOS), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Therefore, CPC exerts a potent protective effect against OB-T2D-induced reproductive dysfunction by improving sperm parameters, enzymatic activity, and seminal antioxidant capacity.

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C-phycocyanin protects against obesity-associated type 2 diabetes-induced male fertility dysfunction via key enzyme regulation

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