The Effect of Male Bee Larvae (Apilarnı̇l) on Sperm Quality, Bacterial Growth and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Gentamicin-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

Objective: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that impairs testicular and reproductive function. Apilarnil is an antioxidant-rich substance derived from drone larvae. In this study, the effects of apilarnil on gentamicin-induced testicular toxicity were investigated. Materials and Methods: The study used 35 rats, with 7 male rats randomly selected from each group. The rats were divided into five groups: control (Group 1), apilarnil (Group 2), gentamicin (Group 3), gentamicin + apilarnil 0.4 g/kg/day (Group 4), and gentamicin + apilarnil 0.8 g/kg/day (Group 5). All administrations were performed for 10 days. LC-HRMS assessment, oxidative stress, reproductive parameter analysis, and histological examinations were all conducted. Bacterial growth was evaluated by microbiological analysis. Results: The research results showed that gentamicin administration reduced total motility, increased the percentage of dead, abnormal, and DNA damaged spermatozoa, and decreased GSH, CAT, GPx, and SOD activity. Apilarnil treatment significantly increased SOD activity. MDA levels were significantly decreased in the apilarnil and low-apilarnil groups compared to the gentamicin group. Testicular histology was normal in both the control and apilarnil groups. Empty tubule lumens, vascular congestion, necrotic spermatids, and hyalinized interstitial tissues were seen in the gentamicin group, while the appearance improved in the high apilarnil group. Gentamicin administration increased 8-OHdG and caspase-3 immunopositivity. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. Citrobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp. grew in the gentamicin group. Apilarnil administration decreased microorganism growth. Conclusion: Apilarnil administration increased sperm quality in gentamicin-induced testicular damage and had a positive impact on testicular histology, bacterial growth, and oxidative stress parameters. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava 2025.