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ABSTRACT
Aspartame an artificial non-saccharide sweetener is commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. Recent rising in male infertility have been attributed to the metabolic consequences of increasing use of chemicals and food additives of which aspartame is one. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aspartame on male reproductive parameters and histomorphological effect on some male reproductive organs. For this study, 31 prepubertal male Sprague-dawley rats were grouped into 5 (A-E). Group A received 0.5ml distilled water while aspartame was administered orally using a gastric gavage at 40, 80, 160, and 320mg/kg body weight to group B, C, D, and E respectively for 75 days. Results: in this study a dose dependent decrease was observed significantly in the total sperm count and progressive motility while a significant increase was seen in the immotile sperm count as the dose of aspartame increased. There was no significant difference non-progressive sperm motility and testosterone concentration, also there was no significant difference in the organ(testis)-body weight ratio. Sperm morphology showed abnormalities of sperm cells as dose increased. Histomorphology revealed areas of spermatogenic arrest and epididymal depletion of spermatozoid population in higher doses of aspartame. In conclusion, long term consumption of aspartame higher than the acceptable daily intake (40mg/kg) may induce a dose dependent toxicity in male reproductive system.
