Reproductive Function In Rats Research Articles

Ameliorative Effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine and Zinc Sulfate on Reproductive Dysfunction Induced by Short-Term Crude Oil Exposure in Male Wistar Rats

Background: Crude oil contamination by accidental or voluntary ingestion is prevalent in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. One of the possible impacts of crude oil contamination is reproductive toxicity leading to infertility. The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO4) in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by short-term Bonny Light Crude oil (BLCO) exposure in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty (50) male Wistar (180 – 200g) were used for the study. They were divided into ten (10) groups of five (5) animals each. Groups I and II served as the control and negative control and received distilled water and BLCO (600mg/kg) respectively while groups III to X served as the experimental groups and received NAC (100 and 200mg/kg) and ZnSO4 (0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg) orally for three (3) weeks. Animals were euthanized, and blood and semen were collected for biochemical and seminal analysis. Results: The results of this current study show that BLCO exposure caused a disruption in reproductive functions in rats by decreasing reproductive hormones and semen quality parameters in Wistar rats. NAC and ZnSO4 administration significantly improved semen quality parameters by improving sperm count, sperm motility and morphology in experimental rats. Conclusion: Evidence from the present study suggests that NAC and ZnSO4 protected the testes, preventing reproductive alterations linked to BLCO exposure.

Experimental substantiation of the risks of developing health disorders when exposed to smoke from wildfires

Introduction. An increase in the number of wildfires, along with the lack of a chemical control system for the quality of the atmosphere during smoke, leads to a risk of developing health disorders for rescuers and firefighters exposed to high concentrations of toxic smoke components.
 The study aims to identify causal relationships based on experimental modeling between exposure to natural fire smoke and the functional state of the nervous and reproductive systems.
 Materials and methods. The authors conducted studies on white rats of both sexes. The animals were placed in inhalation chambers and exposed to forest fire smoke of varying concentrations and duration of exposure. The scientists examined the functional state of the nervous system (open field method, Morris test, electroencephalography, histology of nervous tissue), the reproductive system (number of Leydig cells, average number of spermatogonia, spermatogenesis index), the presence of genotoxicity (DNA comet method), DNA methylation and the effect on offspring (postnatal development, species-specific behavior). We calculated the total exposure limit in each group of animals in accordance with the indicators of CO and PM2.5 content in the chambers.
 Results. The researchers found that with a total exposure load of 0.03–0.22 mg, there were initial changes in the morphofunctional state of the central nervous system. With an increase in the load to 4 mg, violations of the indicators of behavior and electrical activity of the brain were accompanied by significant changes in the structure of the nervous tissue of the rat brain. The reproductive function of rats under the influence of smoke changed, starting with a total exposure dose of 10.8 mg. We observed a decrease in spermatogenesis and a change in the cyclic function of the ovaries. A violation of the postnatal development of offspring has already been detected with a total dose of 0.22 to 4 mg. Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke for one month was accompanied by a pronounced violation of the spermatogenetic function of the testicles and an increase in neonatal mortality in offspring, as well as a violation of the structure of behavior and spatial memory in adulthood. The genotoxic effect of smoke was not detected, and a change in DNA methylation in blood cells was detected at the maximum total dose of smoke components.
 Limitation. The study is limited to studying the effect of wildfire smoke on the nervous and reproductive systems of mongrel white male rats.
 Conclusion. The results obtained are a fundamental foundation for solving such tasks as the development of risk-oriented preventive health-saving measures for workers in extreme situations in conditions of smoke during wildfires and making effective management decisions.
 Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (Protocol LK of East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research No. 32/19 dated 09/10/2019), conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experiments or Other Scientific Purposes (ETS No. 123), Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union 2010/63/EC dated 09/22/2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

Dietary aflatoxin B1 and antimalarial—a lumefantrine/artesunate—therapy perturbs male rat reproductive function via pro-inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms

We investigated the impact of Coartem™ (COA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rats’ hypothalamus, epididymis, and testis. Male rats were randomly grouped (n = 5 rats) and treated: control group (corn oil), AFB1 (70 µg/kg), COA (5 mg/kg), COA + AFB1 (5 + 0.035 mg/kg) and COA + AFB1 (5 + 0.07 mg/kg) for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for serum prolactin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones (FSH and LH) assay upon sacrifice. The semen, hypothalamus, epididymis, and testes were harvested for morphological, biochemical, and histopathology determination of oxidative, inflammation stress, genomic integrity, and pathological alterations. Exposure to the COA and AFB1 caused the cauda epididymal spermatozoa to display low motility, viability, and volume, with increased abnormalities. Hormonal disruption ensued in animals exposed to COA and AFB1 alone or together, exemplified by increased prolactin, and decreased testosterone, FSH and LH levels. Treatment-related reduction in biomarkers of testicular metabolism—acid and alkaline phosphatases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase—were observed. Also, COA and AFB1 treatment caused reductions in antioxidant (Glutathione and total thiols) levels and antioxidant enzyme (Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase) activities in the examined organs. At the same time, treatment-related increases in DNA damage (p53), oxidative stress (xanthine oxidase, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation), inflammation (nitric oxide and tumour necrosis factor-alpha), and apoptosis (caspase-9, and -3) were observed. Chronic exposure to COA and AFB1 led to oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage in male rats' hypothalamic-reproductive axis, which might potentiate infertility if not contained.

Oxidized palm oil impairs reproductive functions and architectures in female rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets (OPD) on female rat reproductive function. Methods: Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups. The rats were fed with: a standard diet, 70% of standard diet+30% oxidized palm oil diet (OPD1), OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg (OPD2) and OPD1+10% sucrose (OPD3) for 125 days, respectively. During the feeding period, morphometric, estrous cycle, sexual behavior, gestation, biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated. Results: All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference, body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle. They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours, quantic pregnancy index, fertility rate, implantation sites and index, serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels, increased pre-implantation losses, anti-implantation activities, serum estradiol, triglycerides, total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status. Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary, tertiary, Degraaf, total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group. Conclusions: The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function, especially OPD2 and OPD3. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats, which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЦИКОРИЯ ОБЫКНОВЕННОГО (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.) НА РЕПРОДУКТИВНУЮ ФУНКЦИЮ КРЫС

Currently, the development of new domestic medicines-hepatoprotectors for veterinary medicine is an urgent task because liver diseases of various genesis in animals occupy a leading place in the list of non-infectious pathologies. Of particular interest are medicinal plants and substances based on them, which influence the main mechanisms of the development of liver diseases. Such plants include chicory – from the aerial part of which a dry extract with a pronounced hepatoprotective effect has been obtained and standardized at the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The objective of our study was to study the effect of dry extract of chicory aerial part on the reproductive function of rats in order to preclinically assess the safety of its use during pregnancy. The article presents the results of studying the potential embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of extract recorded in the antenatal and postnatal periods of development of the offspring of rats receiving the studied extract intragastrically at doses of 100 and 500 mg/kg from the 1st to the 6th and from the 6th to the 19th days of pregnancy. When administered in both periods of pregnancy in the tested doses, the dry extract of cichory did not cause a decrease in the body weight of pregnant women, an increase in pre- and post-implantation mortality of embryos, did not affect the body weight and craniocaudal size of 20-day-old rat fetuses, the rate of ossification of cartilaginous bone bookmarks, the condition of the internal organs of embryos. The introduction of the dry extract in the first six days of pregnancy does not have a negative effect on the postnatal development of offspring. However, when the studied extract is administered at the maximum tested dose from 6-19 days of pregnancy, it helps to slow down the formation of sensory-motor reflexes in the offspring. Taking into account the changes obtained, the administration of drugs based on the studied extract to pregnant animals during organo- and fetogenesis should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian in compliance with the therapeutic dose.

Dietary Egg White Hydrolysate Prevents Male Reproductive Dysfunction after Long-Term Exposure to Aluminum in Rats.

Aluminum (Al) is a non-essential metal omnipresent in human life and is considered an environmental toxicant. Al increases reactive oxygen production and triggers immune responses, contributing to chronic systemic inflammation development. Here, we have tested whether an egg white hydrolysate (EWH) with potential bioactive properties can protect against changes in reproductive function in rats exposed to long-term Al dietary levels at high and low doses. Male Wistar rats received orally: low aluminum level group-AlCl3 at 8.3 mg/kg b.w. for 60 days with or without EWH (1 g/kg/day); high aluminum level group-AlCl3 at 100 mg/kg b.w. for 42 days with or without EWH (1 g/kg/day). The co-administration of EWH prevented the increased Al deposition surrounding the germinative cells, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the reproductive organs. Furthermore, the daily supplementation with EWH maintained sperm production and sperm quality similar to those found in control animals, even after Al exposure at a high dietary contamination level. Altogether, our results suggest that EWH could be used as a protective agent against impairment in the reproductive system produced after long-term exposure to Al at low or high human dietary levels.

Exposure to tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate induces abnormal sperm morphology and testicular histopathology in male rats

Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) is one of the most abundant organophosphate flame retardants in the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TBEP exposure during adolescence on male reproductive function in adult rats. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with 20 and 200 mg/kg body weight of TBEP or corn oil from postnatal day (PND) 42 to PND 105. A significant increase in the proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology (flattened head and bent tail) and superoxide anion (O2-.) production in the sperm of the 200 mg/kg treated group was observed (p < 0.05). Excessive production of sperm hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was found in both the 20 and 200 mg/kg treatment groups (p < 0.05). Disruption of testicular structure was observed in the 20 and 200 mg/kg treated groups and seminiferous tubule degeneration was observed in the 200 mg/kg treated group. Our study demonstrated the adverse effects of TBEP on male reproductive function in rats.

SUPPRESSION OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION BY BROWN HT IN RAT

Objective: Brown HT is an extensively used food color. Our objective was to evaluate the possible toxic effect of Brown HT on male reproductive functions in rats. Methods: Brown HT was administered to male rats orally at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 30 days. At the end of this period, different types of parameters related to male reproductive physiology and activities of different antioxidant enzymes were measured by spectrophotometric method using standard protocols. The serum hormonal levels were measured by Chemiluminescence Immuno Assay method using the kit. Results: We have observed significant decrease in mean body weight, gonado somatic index, number of epididymal sperms, percentage of motile sperms, and also decrease in serum level of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone in a dose dependent manner in Brown HT exposed rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase have been decreased and the level of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation has been increased significantly in exposed rats. Histopathology of testes also showed degeneration of germ cells in somniferous tubules in Brown HT exposed rats. Conclusion: According to this result, it is concluded that Brown HT suppresses the male reproductive functions probably by producing oxidative stress in testicular tissues and suppressing the hypothalamus-anterior pituitary-testicular axis in rat.

Coadministration of gallic acid abates zearalenone-mediated defects in male rat's reproductive function.

Asgallic acid (GA) role in zearalenone (ZEN); mediated reproductive dysfunction has not been studied,we report on GA's effect on reproductive dysfunction in rats treated with ZEN-100 µg/kg alone, or with GA-40 mg/kg; for 4 weeks. The mycotoxin ZEN contaminates crops, causing toxicity on ingestion, economic losses, and alters reproductive function. Relative to control, GA reversed ZEN-induced reduction of rats' testicular function enzymes and reproductive hormones and improved ZEN-impaired sperm quality. GA significantly (p < 0.05) increased rats antioxidant status, inhibited (p < 0.05) reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation levels, and abated (p < 0.05) proinflammatory biomarkers in the examined organs: hypothalamus, testis, and epididymis. Histopathology revealed that GA facilitated the preservation of testicular and epididymal cytoarchitecture significantly altered in rat cohorts treated with ZEN alone. Conclusively, GA protected against ZEN-induced toxicity in the rats' organs examined, enhanced endogenous antioxidative protective mechanism, and abated proinflammatory responses. GA further averted a decline in circulatory, reproductive enzymes, hormone levels. GA also protected against reproductive tissue damage and improved parameters of sperm functionality.

Study of Reproductive Toxicity of the Liposomal Photosensitizer Lipophthalocyan.

Study of embryotoxicity, teratogenicity and reproductive toxicity of the new drug Lipophtalocyan in rats. Studies were conducted on 210 non-inbred female rats and 105 non-inbred male rats. The drug was administered daily via i. v. injection for 48 days (males) and for 15 days (females) in 2 total doses corresponding to the therapeutic dose (TD) for mice when converted to rats and 10 TD. When mating with intact female rats, no changes in sexual behavior were observed, but the index of the ability to fertilize and conceive decreased when compared to the values of the control group by 35-40% (TD index=60%) and by 75-80% (10 TD index=20%). The index of the ability to fertilize and conceive differed from the values of the control group by 90% (TD index=5%) and by 15% (10 TD index=80%). There were no differences in the indicator of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in intact and drug-treated female rats, compared with the control group. Lipophtalocyan has a negative effect on the male and female reproductive function in rats and has an embryotoxic effect according to the index of the ability to fertilize and conceive, as well as the indices of preimplantation and post-implantation fetal death. The drug does not have a teratogenic effect, neither it affects the physical development of offspring or the rate of maturation of sensory-motor reflexes during feeding.

Rosuvastatin exposure in female Wistar rats alters uterine contractility and do not show evident (anti)estrogenic effects

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor drugs that lead to serum-cholesterol-lowering effects. Rosuvastatin, a third-generation statin, has shown better results in reducing cholesterol concentrations when compared to other widely prescribed statins. Recent studies by our group reported that rosuvastatin impairs reproductive function in rats possibly by disrupting the reproductive-endocrine axis. In this study, we evaluated whether rosuvastatin presents estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects, by an in vivo uterotrophic assay in rats, and investigated the direct effect of this drug upon rat uterine tissue contractility both in non-gravid and gravid periods. Rosuvastatin exposure in vivo at doses of 0 (control), 3, and 10 mg/kg/d was not associated with estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects on uterine tissue. However, in vivo (doses of 0, 3, and 10 mg/kg/d) and ex vivo (concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL) exposures to this drug were related to alterations in uterine basal contraction pattern. Furthermore, in vivo and ex vivo rosuvastatin exposures potentially modulate the action of uterine contraction inducers carbachol, norepinephrine, and prostaglandin E2. Thus, rosuvastatin can affect uterine physiology not necessarily by an endocrine mechanism related to the estrogen signaling, but possibly by its pleiotropic effects, with indirect tissue and cellular interactions, since in vivo and ex vivo exposures of uterine fragments to rosuvastatin presented different responses in uterine contractile parameters, which require further studies upon the precise mechanism of action of this drug in female reproductive function.

Protective effects of L-carnitine on reproductive capacity in rats with diabetes.

To explore the protective effects of L-carnitine on erectile function and reproductive function in rats with diabetes. A total of 60 male diabetes mellitus induced-erectile dysfunction (DMED) rats were randomly divided into three groups, 20 rats in each group. The blank group was fed normally, the control group was fed with 0.9% sodium chloride solution 5 ml/kg/day, and the experimental group was given L-carnitine 300 mg/kg/day. After six weeks, the Corpus cavernosum penis pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The sperm of epididymis were taken to detect the parameters of sperm. After six weeks of treatment, ICP and MAP in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05), and sperm density and PR in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the blank group (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). We conclude that L-carnitine can significantly improve erectile function and reproductive function in rats with diabetes and it has great potential in the treatment of systemic organ damage in DMED rats.

Study of the effect of the xenobiotic hormone on the reproductive function of rats

The aim is to study the effect of the xenobiotic of Nonylphenol on functional and morphological indices of the reproductive system of males of rats.Materials and methods. Experimental modelling of gonadotoxic effects of the xenobiotic was performed by inhalation of Nonylphenol at a concentration of 500 mg/m3 for 30 days, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day in conditions of the seed chamber. Male rats ejaculate were obtained by the method of electrostimulation seed tubercle in the mucous membrane of the rectum. The number of sperm in the ejaculate and their mobility were determined in the Hemocytometer 1, 7, 14 and 30 days after the start of the experiment. Macroscopic study of the testes included the assessment of external signs of damage, the determination of the mass and length of the testes.Results. It is established that the introduction of Nonylphenol to rats males leads to a gradual dynamical reduction of the total number and the number of mobile forms of sperm cells compared to intact animals. At the end of the experiment the number of mobile forms of sperm was 2.1 times below the original data. Long-term effect of Nonylphenol has also led to a significant decrease of body weight growth, which confirms its high toxicity. In the study found that intoxication in Mature rats Nonylphenol were significant changes in the reproductive system, which is primarily characterized by decreased weight of the testes and the appendages of the testis, and changes in linear dimensions of the bodies downward. These violations indicate a feminizing effect of this hormone-like xenobiotic and its role in the development of male infertility.Conclusions. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of the ejaculate of sexually mature male rats can serve as a valid criterion for adaptive and maladaptive processes occurring in the organism under the influence of the xenobiotic. In conditions of prolonged exposure to Nonylphenol (within 30 days) the changes in mass of the testes and reduce their linear dimensions

Irisin may have a role in pubertal development and regulation of reproductive function in rats.

Physical exercise and body muscle/fat mass are known to affect the endocrine system, puberty onset and reproductive health. However, the potential effects of irisin, an adipo-myokine and exercise-induced hormone, have not yet been fully elucidated on reproductive maturation. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of irisin administration on pubertal maturation and reproductive system in female and male rats. Daily i.p. injection of irisin (100 ng/kg; from postnatal day 21 for about 10 weeks) delayed the ages at the vaginal opening (as an external index of puberty onset) and first estrus. Furthermore, continuous administration of irisin to female rats caused a significant decrease in serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels and an increase in serum luteinizing hormone and 17β-estradiol levels, as well as causing histopathological changes in the ovarian tissue. On the contrary, irisin administration to male rats did not modify the timing of puberty, as estimated by age at preputial separation. However, chronic exposure to irisin produced significant increases in serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels and also sperm concentration and seminiferous tubule diameter in male rats. In conclusion, irisin exposure has different effects on both pubertal maturation and reproductive system in female and male rats. The present findings reveal that chronic irisin exposure may lead to disorders in the female reproductive system and may have androgenic potential on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in males.

Toxicity and postwithdrawal effects of ketamine on the reproductive function of male albino rats: Hormonal, histological, and immunohistochemical study

Ketamine is increasingly used in clinical practice, and ketamine addiction is common in young individuals. There are limited reviews on the chronic effects of ketamine on the testes. Three groups of rats received saline or ketamine 50 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 6 weeks with or without a subsequent 4-week drug-free period. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone levels, as well as testicular malondialdehyde concentrations, were measured. Epididymal sperm parameters were assessed. Testicular tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining using caspase-3 and vimentin antibodies. Chronic ketamine injection significantly decreased the levels of the examined hormones and adversely affected sperm parameters. Testicular tissue showed a significant increase in caspase-3 expression. In addition, Sertoli cell shape and position were disrupted. These effects disappeared 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. Chronic ketamine treatment has revisable hazardous effects on the rat reproductive function. There is a need to increase the knowledge of physicians and the public regarding these harmful effects of ketamine.

In vivo effects of black tea on the male rat reproductive system and functions of the kidney and liver.

This study focused on the effects of black tea on the male reproductive system as well as the kidney and liver functions. Male Wistar rats were given aqueous extract of black tea (2% and 5%) for 52days as the only means of drinking fluid, while control rats received tap water. Black tea enhanced sperm vitality (44%-49%), total sperm motility (10%-12%) and acrosome reaction (2%-9%) (p<.05). Body weight gain, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, liver weight, testosterone level, sperm concentration, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antioxidant levels in the testes, liver and kidney remained unchanged (p > .05). Black tea (5%) increased kidney weight (p < .05). Testis and epididymis showed normal histological appearance. However, black tea significantly reduced the diameter (9%-10%) and epithelial height (9%-10%) of the seminiferous tubule, but increased the epithelial height of the cauda epididymis (8%-24%) (p<.05). A significant reduction in serum levels of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) (38%) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) (23%-34%) was observed (p<.05); creatinine level, on the other hand, increased (8%-72%) (p<.05). Black tea improved several sperm parameters, but may cause subtle changes in certain reproductive organs and the kidney functions.

Effects of three herb-based alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on sperm characteristics and reproductive hormones in rats

BackgroundAdvertisements of most alcoholic beverages in Ghana persuasively entice consumers with herbal constituents believed to enhance sexual performance, although, alcohol has negative effect onfertility. The impact of herbal constituents in these alcoholic beverages on the known negative effects of alcohol on fertility remains to be evaluated. This study evaluated the effects of three alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on male reproductive function in rats. MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats received 0.5, 2.5 or 5 ml/kg of 3 herb-based alcoholic beverages (Brand A, B & C), 42% v/v ethanol or distilled water p.o. for 21 days. On day 22, blood was collected and assayed for serum prolactin, testosterone and, hematological parameters. Testes were removed for histology and sperm from the cauda epididymis analyzed for sperm count, motility and morphology. Total antioxidant capacity of the testes was determined. ResultsThe three alcoholic beverages did not cause any changes in hematological parameters and relative weight of the testes. However, Brand C reduced epididymal sperm count and increased serum prolactin and induced loss of germinal epithelial cells, necrosis, inter-tubular edema in seminiferous tubules and lipid and fluid accumulation in the Sertoli cells. Both Brands A and B caused tubular atrophy and enlarged spermatogonia at 5 ml/kg. All three brands significantly (p<0.001) reduced sperm motility and serum testosterone, although they increased total antioxidant capacity. ConclusionThe herb-based alcoholic beverages evaluated did not enhance or exert a beneficial effect on male reproductive function but rather demonstrated spermatotoxic properties irrespective of the presence of medicinal plants.

Comparative Studies on Chemical Contents and Effect in Kidney-Yang Deficiency Rats of Salt-Processed Product and Wine-Processed Product of Cuscutae Semen

Cuscutae Semen mainly includes salt-processed product (SPP) and wine-processed product (WPP), which are most commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the differences between SPP and WPP have not been reported. In this paper, comparative studies between SPP and WPP on chemical contents and effect in kidney-yang deficiency rats have been investigated. UPLC-MS/MS was used to study the differences in chemical components. Kidney-yang deficiency was induced by hydrocortisone in rats. Rats were orally administrated with different doses of Jinkui Shenqi Pills, SPP, and WPP for 28 days. The average organ coefficients, renal function indexes, sex hormone levels, and testicular morphology were detected. As a result, the contents of flavonoids and chlorogenic acids were higher in SPP than in WPP, which may be caused by different processing methods. The improvement on reproduction of SPP was reflected in organ coefficients, renal function indexes, and biochemical properties of seminal plasma; furthermore, WPP was in sex hormone levels and morphology of testis. As a conclusion, these results indicated that both SPP and WPP can improve the reproductive function of kidney-yang deficiency rats with different mechanisms, which may be due to the differences in chemical contents between WPP and SPP as well as different processing methods. It is the first time that the differences between SPP and WPP have been studied in reproductive function in rats with kidney-yang deficiency.

Impact of binary waterborne mixtures of nickel and zinc on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in rats

Several evidences from the literature showed that the coexistence of nickel and zinc in polluted waters is related to the similarity in their geogenic and anthropogenic factors. Although most environmental exposures to metals do not occur singly, there is a paucity of scientific knowledge on the effects of zinc and nickel co-exposure on mammalian reproductive health. The present study investigated the influence of co-exposure to nickel and zinc on male reproductive function in rats. Experimental rats were co-exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of waterborne nickel (75 and 150 μg NiCl2 L−1) and zinc (100 and 200 μg ZnCl2 L−1) for 45 successive days. Subsequently, reproductive hormones were assayed whereas the hypothalamus, epididymis and testes of the rats were processed for the assessment of oxidative stress and inflammation indices, caspase-3 activity and histology. Results indicated that co-exposure to nickel and zinc significantly (p < 0.05) abolished nickel-mediated diminution of antioxidant defense mechanisms while diminishing levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation in the hypothalamus, epididymis and testes of the exposed rats. Additionally, co-exposure to zinc abated nickel-mediated diminutions in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, serum and intra-testicular testosterone with concomitant enhancement of sperm production and quality. Further, zinc abrogated nickel-mediated elevation in inflammatory biomarkers including nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta as well as caspase-3 activity. The protective influence of zinc on nicked-induced reproductive toxicity was well supported by histological data. Overall, zinc ameliorated nickel-induced reproductive dysfunction via its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and spermato-protective activities in rats.

In Utero and Lactational Exposure to Diisopentyl Phthalate Induces Fetal Toxicity and Antiandrogenic Effects in Rats.

A previous study has demonstrated exposure of Brazilian pregnant women to diisopentyl phthalate (DiPeP), which reduces fetal rat testosterone production in a dose-responsive manner. In this study, we examined gene expression of steroidogenic proteins in rat fetal testes and investigated the effects of in utero and lactational DiPeP exposure on male rat reproductive development and function. For the prenatal experiment, we orally exposed pregnant Wistar rats to DiPeP or di-n-butyl phthalate (reference phthalate) at 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day from gestation day 14-18 and the fetal testis was evaluated for transcript expression of Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Cyp19a1, Insl3, Ar, Esr1, Esr2, and Gper1 by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Diisopentyl phthalate lowered mRNA levels of key steroidogenic proteins, lending support to the previously reported reductions in fetal testosterone production. Diisopentyl phthalate also lowered fetal testis transcript levels of Insl3 and changed gene expression of some steroid hormones receptors. For the postnatal experiment, pregnant rats were exposed orally to vehicle (canola oil) and 4 DiPeP doses (1, 10, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day) between gestation day 10 and postnatal day 21. Diisopentyl phthalate induced a range of reproductive and antiandrogenic effects that are typical of the rat phthalate syndrome, including reduced anogenital distance at the highest dose, reduced weight of seminal vesicles at 10 mg/kg/day and above, and testicular morphological and functional changes. Signs of fetal toxicity were observed at the highest dose. Together, our results indicate that DiPeP, a compound relevant to the human exposure scenario, is one of the most active antiandrogenic phthalates.