This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oyster peptides and oyster powder on the procreative capacity of rats displaying reproductive dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). The amino acid composition and relative molecular mass of the oyster peptides and oyster powder were detected using an automatic amino acid analyzer and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After 5 d of exposure to CTX and six weeks of oyster peptide and oyster powder treatment, the biochemical serum indexes of the rats, the expression of related genes and proteins in the testes, as well as the antioxidant status and pathological state of the testes and kidneys were examined. The results showed that oyster peptides could effectively improve the biochemical blood indexes of rats, and increase the level of androgen in the blood, while improving the pathological state and oxidative stress state of the kidneys and testes, therefore, exhibiting a beneficial effect on reproductive injury. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study examined the activity of oyster peptides and their ability to enhance the procreative capacity of rats with reproductive dysfunction induced by CTX while analyzing the amino acid composition and relative molecular mass of the oyster peptides. The results of this experiment provided a preliminary theoretical basis for the development of new functional foods using oyster peptides.
Keywords: cyclophosphamide; male reproduction; oyster peptides; oyster powder; rats.
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