Abstract
Urocortin I (Ucn I), Ucn II and Ucn III are corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) - like peptides. Ucn I has a high affinity for CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. The function of Ucn in male reproduction has not yet been elucidated. Ucn I is present in rat testis with lower levels of Ucn II and III mRNA gene expressions. Therefore, it is suggested that Ucn I may play a role in the regulation of male reproductive action. This study is designed to find out the endocrine and reproductive effects of Ucn I in normal adult male rats through investigation of exogenous Ucn I effects on epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, testicular weight and sex hormone proi¬les. 24 normal adult male albino rats of 175 to 200 gm initial body weight were implemented in this study. Randomly, the rats were subdivided into four equal groups. Group (I): Vehicle-treated group in which control rats received 0.1 mL of normal saline for 42 days as Ucn I-treated groups. Rats in group II were divided into three equal subgroups. Group (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC): Ucn I-treated groups in which rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of rat Ucn I at doses of 5, 10 and 20 μg/kg body weight respectively for 42 days. Rats were weighed. Serum testosterone and levels of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, in addition to epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and testicular weight. Administration of Ucn I in dose dependant manner induced significant reducing effects upon body weight, testes weight, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone levels of normal adult rats. Ucn I may possibly affect male infertility by induction of a significant decrease in epididymal sperm count, motility and serum testosterone levels that might be due to a direct effect of Ucn I on testicular tissue and the germ cells without direct involvement of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Key words: Urocortin I, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, testosterone, male rat.
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