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2026, Vol: 51, Issue: 2
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RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 557-560


Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Rabia Azhar, Shazia Ali, Ruqaiyya Nazir, Humaira Fayyaz, Shagufta Feroz.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of whole wheat on serum cortisol, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, testosterone, and testicular histology in a stress-induced model of male Sprague-Dawley rats.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the NIH, Islamabad. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats (5 weeks old, 200–300 g) were included. They were divided randomly into an experimental and a Control group. The experimental group underwent 6 hours of daily immobilization stress for 4 weeks using wooden restrainers to induce chronic stress. Post-stress, these rats were split into a Positive Control group (standard diet) and a Wheat-Treated group (whole wheat diet for 6 weeks).
Blood samples were collected at week 0 (baseline), week 4 (post-stress), and week 10 (end of study) to measure serum cortisol, FSH, and testosterone (ng/mL). Testicular histology was also evaluated. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA followed by Post hoc Tukey’s test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The wheat-treated group showed significantly lower cortisol and higher FSH and testosterone levels (p<0.001) compared to the positive Control. Histological analysis revealed preserved seminiferous tubules, increased mature spermatozoa, reduced interstitial edema and vascular congestion.
Conclusion: Whole wheat supplementation alleviated stress-induced reproductive damage in male rats by normalizing hormones and preserving testicular structure and function.

Key words: Stress, FSH, wheat, cortisol.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Azhar R, Ali S, Nazir R, Fayyaz H, Feroz S. Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 557-560.

Web Style

Azhar R, Ali S, Nazir R, Fayyaz H, Feroz S. Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=271416 [Access: May 27, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Azhar R, Ali S, Nazir R, Fayyaz H, Feroz S. Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. RMJ. 2026; 51(2): 557-560.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Azhar R, Ali S, Nazir R, Fayyaz H, Feroz S. Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. RMJ. (2026), [cited May 27, 2026]; 51(2): 557-560.


Harvard Style

Azhar, R., Ali, . S., Nazir, . R., Fayyaz, . H. & Feroz, . S. (2026) Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. RMJ, 51 (2), 557-560.


Turabian Style

Azhar, Rabia, Shazia Ali, Ruqaiyya Nazir, Humaira Fayyaz, and Shagufta Feroz. 2026. Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 557-560.


Chicago Style

Azhar, Rabia, Shazia Ali, Ruqaiyya Nazir, Humaira Fayyaz, and Shagufta Feroz. "Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 557-560.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Azhar, Rabia, Shazia Ali, Ruqaiyya Nazir, Humaira Fayyaz, and Shagufta Feroz. "Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats." Rawal Medical Journal 51.2 (2026), 557-560. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Azhar, R., Ali, . S., Nazir, . R., Fayyaz, . H. & Feroz, . S. (2026) Whole wheat supplementation ameliorates stress-induced hormonal disruption and testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (2), 557-560.


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