Effect the fasting and a ketogenic diet on some hematological and hormonal features of the reproductive system in male mice

Diet and lifestyle are the most important factors controlling maintaining the health of animals. Fasting is a type of physical stress that causes oxidative stress, which can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates, high in fat and sufficient protein. This system mimics fasting, causing ROS which affects the reproductive system, inflammation and apoptosis, thus affecting the secretion of hormones. This study aimed to compare some hematological and hormonal features of the reproductive system in male mice under fasting and ketogenic diets. For this purpose, 120 male mice were used and divided into three group’s control, fasting, and ketogenic diet each consisting of 40 males. The control group was fed regular food, while the fasting group fasted for 24 hours, and the ketogenic diet group were fed a keto diet. The experiment lasted eight weeks and 10 male’s mice from each group were killed at the end of every two weeks to obtain blood to measure CBC and hormones (LH, FSH and testosterone). Following fasting and a ketogenic diet in mice, significant changes in blood parameters were observed. Fasting did not affect the level of LH, while the ketogenic diet did reduce the level of LH. Fasting and the ketogenic diet equally reduced FSH, and testosterone was decreased more in the ketogenic diet group than in the fasting group.