From food to infertility: Disruption of the male reproductive axis by wheat lectin in rats

Male fertility is declining globally, prompting efforts to identify contributing dietary factors. Wheat, a major staple worldwide, provides caloric and protein value but also contains anti-nutritional components such as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which has been implicated in oxidative stress and infertility. This study investigated the effects of common wheat lectin on male reproductive parameters in prepubertal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty-five prepubertal SD rats (40–50 g; 30 days old) were randomized into three treatment durations (2, 5, and 10 weeks), each subdivided into three groups: control, pure wheat lectin (250 mg/kg), and common wheat lectin extract (250 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally once daily. At each time point, testicular histology, sperm quality, reproductive hormones, and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Rats treated with wheat lectin showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in testicular antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GSH) and testosterone (serum and intratesticular), alongside elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) and reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin). Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were significantly impaired. Histological analysis revealed notable damage to the seminiferous germinal epithelium, expansion of the interstitial compartment consistent with edema, and basement membrane disintegration. Chronic exposure to wheat-derived lectins, may adversely influence male reproductive biology in this prepubertal rat model. The findings suggest a potential association between lectin exposure and testicular dysfunction, possibly mediated by alterations in hormone regulation and oxidative stress. These results should be interpreted cautiously and warrant further investigation to clarify their relevance to human reproductive health. • Demonstrates that wheat lectin exposure disrupts androgen production and alters pituitary–gonadal hormone regulation. • Purified lectin produced earlier and more pronounced reproductive impairment than wheat extract. • Lectin exposure was associated with oxidative stress and structural disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium. • Findings support a potential mechanistic link between lectin exposure and testicular dysfunction.