Dicky Faizal Irnandi, Wibi Riawan, Nadhirah Mohamed Azhar, Irene Yasmina Vilado, Daniel Stenly Chandra, Aulia Rahmi Pawestri, Amelia Faradina, Adi Lukas Kurniawan, Nurdiana, Margarita Maria Maramis, Reny I’tishom
Introduction: Male infertility is a major reproductive problem, with depression recognised as a contributing factor. Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, is well known for having spermicidal properties. Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of Bifidobacterium spp. supplementation on sperm quality and spermatogenesis in depression-induced mouse model of male infertility. Methodology: Fifty Male Mus musculus mice were randomly divided into five groups for seven weeks experiments. Depression was induced in four groups using corticosterone injection for four weeks, followed by a two-weeks intervention with either fluoxetine of Bifidobacterium spp. The groups included: negative control (CTR), positive control (DEP), fluoxetine-treated (FLX), Bifidobacterium spp.-treated (BFD), and Bifidobacterium spp.-prevention (pBFD), which received probiotic before corticosterone exposure. Sperm quality parameters (concentration, motility, morphology) and spermatogenesis markers (Johnsen’s score and germinal cell count) were analysed. Results: The preventive Bifidobacterium spp. group showed significantly superior sperm quality, with higher concentration, motility, morphology, Johnsen’s score, and spermatid cell count compared to other groups. Conclusion: Bifidobacterium spp. Supplementation demonstrates potential as a probiotic intervention to improve sperm quality and spermatogenesis in depression-related male infertility, suggesting its potential role in infertility management. © 2025 Universiti Putra Malaysia Press. All rights reserved.
Doctoral Program of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60131, Indonesia; Department of Biochemistry and Biomolecules, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Bachelor of Medicine Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Psychiatry Specialist Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60131, Indonesia; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60131, Indonesia; School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan; Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
