Epididymal Sperm Count Research Articles

The influence of hormonal treatment with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin for cryptorchidism on future fertility in rats

There have been two treatment modalities for cryptorchidism such that surgical and hormonal; the latter being highly controversial. While some authors suggest that hormonal treatment increases the number and maturation of germ cells in cryptorchid testes, others believe just the opposite. We aimed to find out the sperm counts and testicular index; briefly fertility potential of the normally descended contralateral testes in adulthood period in rats treated with Beta-HCG in early period of their lives. Three groups, each including 10 rats aged 22 days old, in which delactation and normal feeding can be started, were formed to be Group 1: Sham operated, Group 2: Experimental cryptorchidism (EC) and Group 3: Hormone-treated after experimental cryptorchidism was performed (HT-EC). Left testis was placed in the abdomen in group 2 and 3. In group 1, a sham operation was performed. The rats in EC-HT group received subcutaneous injections of 50 IU/kg Beta-HCG daily for 7 days. Right orchidectomy was performed when they reached reproductive period to evaluate fertility potential with sperm counts and testicular index. Testicular index was calculated according to the formula "testicular length × width/weight of rat". Epididymal sperm count was made with hemocytometer. We evaluated the physical characteristics and fertility potential (sperm counts) of contralateral normal testes during adulthood in rats that underwent experimental unilateral cryptorchidism during infancy. A relationship between testis weight and sperm counts were also investigated. We could not find any direct correlation of sperm count with either testicular weight or testicular index in our study. Although the rats had normal testes at birth, we found decreased sperm counts in contralateral normal testes in EC group. This suggests that unilateral cryptorchidism may cause some systemic effects that reach the other testis. Hormone treatment was not beneficial. This is comparable to Nambirajan et al. who reported histological changes and decreased spermatogenic cell count in contralateral scrotal testes in experimentally induced unilateral cryptorchidism in early period of life in rats. Heiskanen et al. reported that treatment with Beta-HCG leads to decreased total sperm counts in the future due to increased germ cell apoptosis caused by hormonal withdrawal after treatment. Cortes et al. also reported decreased number of germ cells in 1-3 year-old boys who underwent surgery after unsuccessful Beta-HCG treatment. The reasons could be delayed testicular descent or adverse effect of hormone treatment though. Our results concurred with them. Apparently, our model has failed to mimic the pathophysiologic mechanisms of congenital cryptorchidism in humans. Furthermore, we applied hormone treatment in normal rats with normally descended testes. Therefore, the "by-product" information of our study is that, unnecessary use of Beta-HCG during infancy may impair future fertility. Our study suggests that Beta-HCG treatment may decrease sperm counts and decrease the future fertility potential. We could not find any direct correlation of sperm count with either testicular weight or testicular index.

Macronutrient balance, reproductive function, and lifespan in aging mice.

In invertebrates, reproductive output and lifespan are profoundly impacted by dietary macronutrient balance, with these traits achieving their maxima on different diet compositions, giving the appearance of a resource-based tradeoff between reproduction and longevity. For the first time in a mammal, to our knowledge, we evaluate the effects of dietary protein (P), carbohydrate (C), fat (F), and energy (E) on lifespan and reproductive function in aging male and female mice. We show that, as in invertebrates, the balance of macronutrients has marked and largely opposing effects on reproductive and longevity outcomes. Mice were provided ad libitum access to one of 25 diets differing in P, C, F, and E content, with reproductive outcomes assessed at 15 months. An optimal balance of macronutrients exists for reproductive function, which, for most measures, differs from the diets that optimize lifespan, and this response differs with sex. Maximal longevity was achieved on diets containing a P:C ratio of 1:13 in males and 1:11 for females. Diets that optimized testes mass and epididymal sperm counts (indicators of gamete production) contained a higher P:C ratio (1:1) than those that maximized lifespan. In females, uterine mass (an indicator of estrogenic activity) was also greatest on high P:C diets (1:1) whereas ovarian follicle number was greatest on P:C 3:1 associated with high-F intakes. By contrast, estrous cycling was more likely in mice on lower P:C (1:8), and the number of corpora lutea, indicative of recent ovulations, was greatest on P:C similar to those supporting greatest longevity (1:11).

Effects of aqueous extract of celery (Apium graveolens L.) leaves on spermatogenesis in healthy male rats.

Nowadays, a lot of attention has been paid to the therapeutic properties of herbs, including evaluation of the effects of these plants on fertility in laboratory animals. Apium graveolens L. (celery) has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of various disorders including impotency. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of A. graveolens on testicular tissue and spermatogenesis in healthy male rats. In this research, 24 apparently healthy male rats were divided into three groups, including eight rats in each. The first group as control received only distilled water 1 ml/animal/day. The second and third groups orally received 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of the extract, respectively, for 30 days. The day after the last administration of the extract, the rats were sacrificed, the testes were removed entirely, and the morphometric studies were carried out. Epididymal sperm count and histological studies of testicular tissue were conducted. The comparison between the treated and control groups revealed a remarkable increase in the seminiferous tubules diameter, testes volume (p≤0.001), and the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and spermatozoa. Furthermore, the increase in the number of spermatids and epididymal weight were only significant at high doses of the extract (p≤ 0.05). The results from this study indicated that administration of celery leaf extract may improve spermatogenesis process and also be useful for some sperm fertility parameters.

Modulation of Dhh signaling and altered Sertoli cell function in mice lacking the GPR37-prosaposin receptor.

The mammalian G-protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) is expressed in brain, in adult testis, and during the early phase of gonad differentiation. Somatic Sertoli cells (SCs) are located within the seminiferous tubules where they support the germinal epithelium. An adequate number of SCs is required for the complete prepubertal differentiation of germ cells and adult fertility. This study shows that Gpr37 and its ligand prosaposin are both postnatally expressed by SCs, whose proliferation and maturation are affected in Gpr37-null mutant mice during postnatal testicular development. Mutant pups show a delayed timing in sperm cell development, with a partial arrest of spermatocytes at the meiotic pachytene (e.g., 1.5-fold increase in Gpr37(-/-) P21 pups) and their increased apoptosis (e.g., 1.8-fold and 3.5-fold increase in Gpr37(-/-) P21 and adult mice, respectively). Mutant adults have reduced testis weight (wild type, 299 ± 5 mg; knockout, 258 ± 16 mg; P < 0.05) and epididymal sperm count and motility (e.g., 1.5-fold and 1.45-fold decrease in Gpr37(-/-) mice, respectively). Lack of Gpr37 results in the reduction in androgen receptor levels during prepubertal testis development, alongside the altered expression of SC maturation markers. It also affects the prepubertal testis expression of desert hedgehog (Dhh) mitogenic cascade components (Dhh, 1.3-fold increase in Gpr37(-/-) P10 and P21 pups; Gli2, 1.4-fold and 1.6-fold increase in Gpr37(-/-) P10 and P21 pups, respectively) including patched homolog 1 (1.3-fold increase in Gpr37(-/-) P10 and P21 pups), which is found localized in prepubertal SCs and is associated with Gpr37 in cultured primary SC samples. These results indicate that Gpr37 is a specific modulator of murine testis Dhh mitogenic signaling and SC proliferation and maturation.

Isoflavones and their effects on the onset of puberty in male Wistar rats.

This study was performed to determine how two of the most important isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, affect the gonadal axis in male prepuberal rats. One hundred and seventy-five prepuberal male Wistar rats were allocated into seven groups: one control group and six experimental groups that were orally administered a high or low dose of genistein, daidzein or a mixture of both. Testosterone determination was assayed by EIA. The testes and body weights were measured, and the histology of the epididymis with the sperm content and epididymal sperm count were evaluated. In the control group, we observed an increase in the serum testosterone levels (>2.5 ng ml(-1) ) at the third week (52 days), which corresponded to the onset of puberty in these rats. The same increase in serum testosterone levels was observed at the fourth week in rats that received low doses of isoflavones; therefore, we concluded that the onset of puberty was delayed. At high doses, there was no significant increase in testosterone levels, which could be related to the fact that these male rats did not reach puberty. These findings were supported by the results obtained from the analysis of the epididymal content as well as the testes/body weight ratio.

Testicular and Related Size Evaluations in Nigerian Sahel Goats with Optimal Cauda Epididymal Sperm Reserve.

Testicular sizes of animals are important for identification of those with adequate sperm production. The aim of this study was to define the testicular and related size estimates that would be associated with optimal cauda epididymal sperm counts (ESC) in Sahel goats based on postmortem evaluations. A stratified quota sample population of 125 male goats inclusive of all testicular sizes was taken at a slaughterhouse in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The bucks were aged 18–30 months and weighed 17.04 ± 2.99 (12–25) kg. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights of each goat with other related size measurements were estimated. ESC was determined from homogenized tissue using a manual cytometer. At the cut-off ESC of >1.1 × 109 sperm heads, 66 (52.80%) of the goats had optimal ESC which was associated with testicular weight of 59.90 ± 16.10 (31.40–86.20) g, gonadosomatic index of 3.51 ± 0.69 (2.00–4.50) g/kg, and scrotal circumference of 19.07 ± 1.29 (17.00–21.80) cm. The size variables of the scrotum and testis correlated with one another and with the ESC. These findings provide data that may be used to anticipate adequate antemortem sperm reserve based on testicular size during preliminary selection of sires for breeding from a sexually mature Sahel buck population.

Tribulus terrestris ameliorates metronidazole-induced spermatogenic inhibition and testicular oxidative stress in the laboratory mouse.

Objective:The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of the fruit extract of Tribulus terrestris (TT) on the metronidazole (MTZ)-induced alterations in spermatogenesis, sperm count, testicular functions, and oxidative stress.Materials and Methods:Thirty adult Swiss strain mice were divided into six groups. Animals of Groups I and II served as untreated and vehicle-treated controls, while that of Groups III and IV were administered with MTZ (500 mg/kg BW/day) and TT (200 mg/kg BW/day) alone for 28 days, respectively. Low (100 mg/kg BW/day) and high (200 mg/kg BW/day) doses of TT along with MTZ (500 mg/kg BW/day) were administered for 28 days in the mice of Groups V and VI, respectively. Twenty four hours after the last treatment, all the animals were euthanized to study the histological changes in the testis and sperm count in the epididymis. Testicular functional markers, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, were also assessed in the mice of all the groups.Results:Metronidazole caused marked alterations in the testicular weight, spermatogenesis, activities of antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and the level of LPO. The epididymal sperm count also declined significantly in MTZ-treated group. These changes were partially restored following co-administration of 500 mg/kg BW/day of MTZ and 100 mg/kg BW/day of TT. However, in the mice co-administered with 500 mg/kg BW/day of MTZ and 200 mg/kg BW/day of TT, the changes reverted back completely, similar to that of the controls.Conclusion:The fruit extract of TT ameliorates the MTZ-induced alterations in the testis.

Yangjing Capsule Ameliorates Spermatogenesis in Male Mice Exposed to Cyclophosphamide.

Yangjing capsule (YC), a traditional Chinese compound herbal preparation, has been proven as an effective drug to improve spermatogenesis in clinical practice. However, its pharmacological mechanisms were not fully clarified. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of YC on spermatogenesis in the mouse model of spermatogenesis dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). The administration of YC significantly increased the epididymal index, sperm count, and sperm motility of model mice. Histopathological changes demonstrated that CP caused obvious structural damage to testis, which were reversed by the administration of YC. Results from TUNEL assay showed that treatment with YC dramatically decreased the apoptosis of spermatogenic cell induced by CP. Moreover, YC treatment could inhibit the mRNA and protein expression of Bax to Bcl-2 and also raised expression of AR at both mRNA and protein levels. These data suggest that YC might ameliorate spermatogenesis in male mice exposed to CP through inhibiting the apoptosis of spermatogenic cell and enhancing the actions of testosterone in spermatogenesis.

Red Palm Oil Attenuates Lead Acetate Induced Testicular Damage in Adult Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.

To study the protective effect of Red Palm Oil (RPO) on testicular damage induced by administration of lead acetate on male Sprague-Dawley rats, 28 rats divided into four groups of 7 animals each were used. They were administered orally with RPO (1 mL and 2 mL) and lead acetate (i.p.) 6 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively. Treatment was conducted for 8 weeks, and 24 hrs after the last treatment the rats were sacrificed using cervical dislocation. Sperms collected from epididymis were used for seminal fluid analyses; while the testes sample was used for ROS and oxidative enzyme activities assessment. Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad Prism 5.02 statistical analysis package. Administration of lead acetate increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly (p < 0.05) as evidenced by the elevated value of H2O2 and LPO and decreased GSH level. Also there was reduced epididymal sperm count, poor grade of sperm motility, and lower percentage of normal sperm morphology significantly. Coadministration with RPO, however, has a protective effect against lead toxicity by decreasing H2O2 production, increased GSH level, and increased sperm qualities especially. This shows that RPO has a potential to attenuate the toxic effect of lead on testicular cells preventing possible resultant male infertility.

Supplemental dietary phytosterin protects against 4-nitrophenol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat testes

4-Nitrophenol (PNP), is generally regarded as an environmental endocrine disruptor (EED). Phytosterin (PS), a new feed additive, possesses highly efficient antioxidant activities. The transcription factor, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), is an important regulator of cellular oxidative stress. Using rats, this study examined PNP-induced testicular oxidative damage and PS-mediated protection against that damage. The generation of MDA and H2O2 upon PNP and PS treatment was milder than that upon treatment with PNP alone. This mitigation was accompanied by partially reversed changes in SOD, CAT, GSH and GSH-Px. Moreover, PNP significantly reduced the caudal epididymal sperm counts and serum testosterone levels. Typical morphological changes were also observed in the testes of PNP-treated animals. PNP reduced the transcriptional level of Nrf2, as evaluated by RT-PCR, but it promoted the dissociation from the Nrf2 complex, stabilization and translocation into the nucleus, as evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In addition, PNP enhanced the Nrf2-dependent gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). These results suggest that the Nrf2 pathway plays an important role in PNP-induced oxidative damage and that PS possesses modulatory effects on PNP-induced oxidative damage in rat testes.

Diabetes and alcohol: Double jeopardy with regard to oxidative toxicity and sexual dysfunction in adult male Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to test whether diabetic rats exposed to alcohol demonstrate a higher degree of reproductive toxicity and suffer with elevated oxidative toxicity when compared with alcohol exposed control rats. Diabetes was induced by injecting single dose of streptozotocin and alcohol was administered through orogastric tube once daily for a period of 55 days. Daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count, motile, viable and HOS-tail coiled sperms, serum testosterone levels and testicular 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity levels were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. Significant reduction in testicular and epididymal superoxide dismutase and catalase activity levels, and elevation in lipid peroxidation products were observed in diabetic rats. Similar reproductive and oxidative toxicity was observed in alcohol treated control rats. Further, alcohol exposed diabetic rats showed additional deterioration in reproductive endpoints and noteworthy elevation in oxidative toxicity suggesting that treatment with alcohol further deteriorates sexual dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Effects of indium chloride exposure on sperm morphology and DNA integrity in rats

Indium, a Group IIIA element of the periodic chart and a rare earth metal characterized by high plasticity, corrosion resistance, and a low melting point, is widely used in the electronics industry where released streams can contaminate the environment. Consequently, indium can reach humans mainly by natural ways, which could result in a health hazard. Although reproductive toxicities have been surveyed in some studies in animal models, the infertility effects of sperm function induced by indium compounds have not been greatly investigated. We designed a study to investigate the toxicities of subacute exposure to indium compounds on male sperm function and the process of spermatogenesis in a rodent model. Fourteen Sprague-Dawley rats on postnatal Day (PND) 84 were randomly divided into exposure and control groups, and weekly received intraperitoneal injections of indium chloride (1.5 mg/kg body weight) and normal saline, respectively, for 8 weeks. Cauda epididymal sperm count, motility, morphology, chromatin DNA integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and testis DNA content were investigated. The indium chloride exposed group showed significant toxicity to sperm function, as well as an increased percentage of sperm morphological abnormality and chromatin DNA damage. Furthermore, positive correlations between abnormal sperm morphology, chromatin DNA damage, and superoxide anion generation were also noted. The results of this study demonstrated the toxic effect of subacute low dose indium exposure during sexual maturation on sperm function, resulting in sperm chromatin DNA damage through an increase in sperm ROS generation in a rodent model.

The antimalarial agent artesunate causes sperm DNA damage and hepatic antioxidant defense in mice

Artesunate is an artemisinin derivative effective against multidrug resistant malaria. We analyzed the effects of artesunate 40mg/kg b.w. as a single dose (ART1) or 13.3mg/kg b.w. for 3 days at 24h intervals (ART2) on mice spermatozoa at morphological and molecular level, and hepatic antioxidant status following 24h and 35 days following exposures in vivo. Artesunate significantly reduced epididymal sperm count and increased the frequency of sperms with abnormal head morphology following 24h of exposure. Comet assay analysis revealed significant increase in DNA strand breaks in spermatozoa evidenced by about 3-fold increase in comet tail DNA and up to 10-fold increase in Olive tail moment following 35 days of artesunate treatment. The damage index was significantly higher in the treated groups (40.27±6.62 and 37.07±5.35 for ART1 and ART2 respectively) as compared to the control group (16.13±3.21) indicating the genotoxic effect of artesunate. The significant reduction in GSH, SOD and increase in lipid peroxidation indicate involvement of oxidative mechanisms in artesunate induced toxicity in mice. The present study suggests that artesunate has the potential to breach the testis–blood barrier and cause toxicity to male germ cells which may have implications in male reproductive toxicity.

Strontium fructose 1, 6-diphosphate alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced oligozoospermia by improving antioxidant and inhibiting testicular apoptosis via FAS/FASL pathway.

This study investigated the treatment effects of a new compound, strontium fructose 1, 6-diphosphate (FDP-Sr), in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced oligozoospermia. FDP-Sr, with extra high-energy supply, could reverse male hypogonadism in the testis. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (vehicle treated), CP group and CP + FDP-Sr group. Both CP group and CP + FDP-Sr groups were orally administered CP (20 mg kg(-1) ) consecutively for the first 7 days to establish CP-induced testicular toxic models. Subsequently, CP group was given orally distilled water per day, whereas CP + FDP-Sr group was received FDP-Sr (200 mg kg(-1) ) for 49 days. Compared to the CP group, the FDP-Sr group showed significantly increased levels of serum testosterone, testis relative weights and epididymal sperm counts in rats. In addition, rats treated by FDP-Sr showed the recuperative activities of testicular marker enzymes and normalised levels of antioxidants in tissue. Testicular protection of FDP-Sr was further demonstrated by enhancing expression of P450scc, reducing ability of FAS/FASL and generating cytoprotection in the histopathological study. FDP-Sr appeared to possess an ability to attenuate CP-induced reproduction toxicity via the activation of antioxidants and steroidogenesis enzymes, and alleviate oligozoospermia via inhibition of testicular apoptosis by FAS/FASL pathway.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prevents loss of spermatogenesis after sterilizing busulfan chemotherapy

To determine whether granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) could prevent loss of spermatogenesis induced by busulfan chemotherapy via protection of undifferentiated spermatogonia, which might serve as an adjuvant approach to preserving male fertility among cancer patients. Laboratory animal study. University. Laboratory mice. Five-week-old mice were treated with a sterilizing busulfan dose and with 7 days of G-CSF or vehicle treatment and evaluated 10 weeks later (experiment 1) or 24 hours after treatment (experiment 2). Experiment 1: testis weights, epididymal sperm counts, testis histology. Experiment 2: PLZF immunofluorescent costaining with apoptotic markers. Molecular analysis of G-CSF receptor expression in undifferentiated spermatogonia. Ten weeks after treatment, busulfan-treated mice that also received treatment with G-CSF exhibited significantly better recovery of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm counts than animals receiving busulfan alone. G-CSF led to increased numbers of PLZF+ spermatogonia 24 hours after treatment that was not accompanied by changes in apoptosis. To address the cellular target of G-CSF, mRNA for the G-CSF receptor, Csf3r, was found in adult mouse testes and cultured THY1+ (undifferentiated) spermatogonia, and cell-surface localized CSF3R was observed on 3% of cultured THY1+ spermatogonia. These results demonstrate that G-CSF protects spermatogenesis from gonadotoxic insult (busulfan) in rodents, and this may occur via direct action on CSF3R+ undifferentiated spermatogonia. G-CSF treatment might be an effective adjuvant therapy to preserve male fertility in cancer patients receiving sterilizing treatments.

13-week oral toxicity study of vinyl laurate in rats

Vinyl laurate (VL) is used as a monomer in the production of polyvinyl acetate vinyl laurate copolymer, a component of chewing gum base. The safety of VL was examined in a 13-week oral toxicity study in Wistar rats. VL was administered in corn coil by daily gavage (5ml/kgbw/d) to four main groups (10rats/sex) at doses of 0 (vehicle only), 50, 250 and 1000mg/kgbw/d, respectively. The control and high-dose group comprised an additional 5rats/sex which were kept untreated for a further 4weeks until sacrifice (recovery groups). In addition to standard parameters, male and female fertility parameters were determined as well. There were no mortalities and treatment-related clinical signs. Neurobehavioral observations and motor activity assessment, ophthalmoscopic examinations, body weights, feed and water intakes, blood cell counts, coagulation time, standard clinical chemical parameters and urinalyses, absolute and relative organ weights at the end of the treatment as well as macroscopic examination at necropsy and microscopic examination of standard organs and tissues did not show any treatment-related changes. Female and male fertility parameters (estrus cyclicity, testicular and epididymal sperm counts, sperm motility and morphology) were not affected by the treatment. Accordingly, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for VL was determined to be 1000mg/kgbw/d, i.e. the highest dose level tested.

Nucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase-1 Ectonucleotidase Is Required for Normal Vas Deferens Contraction and Male Fertility through Maintaining P2X1 Receptor Function

In this work, we report that Entpd1(-/-) mice, deficient for the ectonucleotidase nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (NTPDase1), produce smaller litters (27% reduction) compared with wild-type C57BL6 animals. This deficit is linked to reduced in vivo oocyte fertilization by Entpd1(-/-) males (61 ± 11% versus 88 ± 7% for Entpd1(+/+)). Normal epididymal sperm count, spermatozoa morphology, capacitation, and motility and reduced ejaculated sperm number (2.4 ± 0.5 versus 3.7 ± 0.4 million for Entpd1(+/+)) pointed to vas deferens dysfunction. NTPDase1 was localized by immunofluorescence in the tunica muscularis of the vas deferens. Its absence resulted in a major ATP hydrolysis deficiency, as observed in situ by histochemistry and in primary smooth muscle cell cultures. In vitro, Entpd1(-/-) vas deferens displayed an exacerbated contraction to ATP, a diminished response to its non-hydrolysable analog αβMeATP, and a reduced contraction to electrical field stimulation, suggesting altered P2X1 receptor function with a propensity to desensitize. This functional alteration was accompanied by a 3-fold decrease in P2X1 protein expression in Entpd1(-/-) vas deferens with no variation in mRNA levels. Accordingly, exogenous nucleotidase activity was required to fully preserve P2X1 receptor activation by ATP in vitro. Our study demonstrates that NTPDase1 is required to maintain normal P2X1 receptor functionality in the vas deferens and that its absence leads to impaired peristalsis, reduced spermatozoa concentration in the semen, and, eventually, reduced fertility. This suggests that alteration of NTPDase1 activity affects ejaculation efficacy and male fertility. This work may contribute to unveil a cause of infertility and open new therapeutic potentials.

Effects of leptin on sperm count and morphology in Sprague-Dawley rats and their reversibility following a 6-week recovery period

Altered epididymal sperm count and morphology following leptin treatment has been reported recently. This study examined the effects of 42 days of leptin treatment on sperm count and morphology and their reversibility during a subsequent 56-day recovery period. Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into four leptin and four saline-treated control groups (n = 6). Intraperitoneal injections of leptin were given daily (60 μg Kg(-1) body weight) for 42 days. Controls received 0.1 ml of 0.9% saline. Leptin-treated animals and their respective age-matched controls were euthanised on either day 1, 21, 42 or 56 of recovery for collection of epididymal spermatozoa. Sperm concentration was determined using a Makler counting chamber. Spermatozoa were analysed for 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and DNA fragmentation (Comet assay). Data were analysed using anova. Sperm concentration was significantly lower but fraction of abnormal spermatozoa, and levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine were significantly higher in leptin-treated rats on day 1 of recovery. Comet assays revealed significant DNA fragmentation in leptin-treated rats. These differences were reduced by day 56 of recovery. It appears that 42 days of leptin treatment to Sprague-Dawley rats has significant adverse effects on sperm count and morphology that reverse following discontinuation of leptin treatment.

Experimentally induced hyperthyroidism influences oxidant and antioxidant status and impairs male gonadal functions in adult rats.

The objective of the present experiment was to study the effect of hyperthyroidism on male gonadal functions and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in testis of adult rats. Induction of hyperthyroidism by L-thyroxine (L-T4, 300 μg kg(-1) body weight) treatment once daily for 3 or 8 weeks caused a decrease in body weight gain as well as in absolute genital sex organs weight. The epididymal sperm counts and their motility were significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner following L-T4 treatment. Significant decline in serum levels of luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone along with significant increase in serum estradiol level was observed in hyperthyroid rats compared with euthyroid ones. Significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide concentration associated with significant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was also noticed following hyperthyroidism induction. Both reduced glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased in hyperthyroid rats compared with control rats. Marked histopathological alterations were observed in testicular section of hyperthyroid rats. These results provide evidence that hypermetabolic state induced by excess level of thyroid hormones may be a causative factor for the impairment of testicular physiology as a consequence of oxidative stress.

Thymoquinone supplementation ameliorates lead-induced testis function impairment in adult rats.

This study was realized to investigate the possible beneficial effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the major active component of volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds, against lead (Pb)-induced inhibition of rat testicular functions. Adult rats were randomized into four groups: a control group receiving no treatment; a Pb group exposed to 2000 parts per million (ppm) of Pb acetate in drinking water; a Pb-TQ group co-treated with Pb (as in Pb group) plus TQ (5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day, per orally (p.o.)); and a TQ group receiving TQ (5 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.). All treatments were for 5 weeks. No significant differences were observed for the body weight gain or for relative testes weight among the four groups of animals. Testicular Pb content significantly increased in metal-intoxicated rats compared with that in control rats. TQ supplementation had no effect on this testicular Pb accumulation. Interestingly, when coadministrated with Pb, TQ significantly improved the low plasma testosterone level and the decreased epididymal sperm count caused by Pb. In conclusion, the results suggest, for the first time, that TQ protects against Pb-induced impairment of testicular steroidogenic and spermatogenic functions. This study will open new perspectives for the clinical use of TQ in Pb intoxication.