Testicular Ascorbic Acid Research Articles

Protective Effect of Hesperetin on Nicosulfuron-Induced Testicular Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Nicosulfuron is a post-emergence herbicide used to control weeds while hesperetin found in citrus fruits has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative properties of Hesperetin on Nicosulfuron-induced reproductive oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Twenty-four male wistar rats weighing 200 ± 20g were assigned to different groups, each with six animals. Group A serves as the control group and were administered distilled water only. Group B received 25 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) Nicosulfuron. Group C were co-administered with 25 mg/kg B.W. Nicosulfuron and 100 mg/kg Hesperetin while animals in group D received 100 mg/kg B.W. Hesperetin. All treatment lasted for 14 days. An increase in the percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology (23.07%) in the group exposed to Nicosulfuron was observed. Sperm motility, testicular Ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were reduced significantly in the Nicosulfuron-treated group by 20.33%, 48.11%, and 41.10% respectively. Also, GST, Catalase, and SOD activities were significantly down-regulated in the Nicosulfuron-treated group. Furthermore, as compared to the control group, the Nicosulfuron-treated group had significantly higher activity of testicular acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), MDA, and NO levels. However, co-treatment of Nicosulfuron and Hesperetin significantly ameliorated the Nicosulfuron-induced changes in sperm morphology, motility; testicular ascorbic acid, GSH, NO levels; SOD, CAT, GST, ALP, and ACP activities. The result from this study indicates that Hesperetin, due to its antioxidant properties, protects against testicular oxidative stress induced by Nicosulfuron exposure.

Role of zinc as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to relieve cadmium oxidative stress induced testicular damage in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of zinc in reducing the deleterious effects of cadmium on male gonads. MethodsRats were injected subcutaneously with CdCl2 and ZnCl2 at dose level of 2.2 mg/kg (1/40 of LD50 of cadmium per day). ResultsThe rats treated with cadmium exhibited a significant increase in levels of testicular malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitrogen oxide and inducible nitrogen oxide synthase immunostaining reaction, as well as an elevation of blood hydroperoxide and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition, a significant decrease in testicular ascorbic acid, zinc, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, sex organ weight, plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone were observed in the cadmium group. Sperm motility and count were decreased with cadmium treatment, while sperm abnormalities elevated significantly. Zinc treatment was found to mitigate the toxic effects of cadmium on oxidative stress, spermatogenesis, sex hormones, and inflammatory markers. Rats injected with cadmium showed intense histopathological changes. Zinc manifested protective role and markedly reduced tissues damage induced by cadmium. ConclusionsThe protective effect of zinc can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fluazifop- p-butyl, an aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicide, diminishes renal and hepatic functions and triggers testicular oxidative stress in orally exposed rats.

Fluazifop- p-butyl (FPB) is a selective aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicide. Its phytotoxicity mechanism involves inhibition of lipid biosynthesis, free-radical generation, and oxidative stress in vulnerable plants. This study evaluates the impact of orally administered FPB on selected tissues in non-target animal model. Twenty-four male wistar rats (160-180g) were randomized into groups (I-IV). Group-I served as control, while animals in groups II, III, and IV received FPB at 18.75, 37.5, and 75 mg/kg body weight/day p.o., respectively, for 21 days. FPB caused significant ( p < 0.05) increase in plasma biomarkers of renal and hepatic function (urea, creatinine, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) when compared to control. Significant reductions in testicular ascorbic acid, glutathione, and activities of glutathione-S transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were observed in FPB-treated animals when compared to control, in a dose-dependent manner. This was accompanied by increased testicular lipid peroxidation in the treated groups. Furthermore, a significant decrease in testicular acid phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase activities was also observed in the FPB-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner compared to control. However, testicular lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased in the FPB-treated rats when compared to control. Additionally, histopathological studies revealed severe interstitial oedema and congestion of testicular blood vessels in the FPB-treated groups. Overall, data from this study suggest that FPB induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress-mediated alteration of testicular functions in rat.

Effects of high and low dose of cadmium chloride on male Reproductive system in mice

Background: Cadmium is highly toxic and carcinogenic environmental contaminant exposure to cadmium has been reported to reduce male fertility and there are several hypotheses that suggest how reduced male fertility may result from incorporation of cadmium. The purpose of this study was to determined the role of testicular ascorbic acid level in cadmium mediated oxidative damage on mice testis.Objectives:To know the extent of toxicity of cadmium chloride and its adverse effects on male reproductive system in mice .Methods:Fifteen adult albino male mice were divided into three groups, group one control and two experimental groups (low dose and high dose ).the experimental groups were injected with single dose of (0.14mg/BW) cadmium chloride in low dose and with (0.28mg/BW) cadmium chloride in high dose group ,intraperitoneally (ip) . The control group has given normal saline (0.9%) only .Animals were sacrificed after 15 days.The epididiymal sperm count, sperm abnormalities, tissue level of lipid peroxidation and testicular ascorbic acid level were estimated.Results:Exposure of mice to different doses of cadmium showed a decrease in the testicular weight (0.219±0.03), sperm count (124.6±0.2), ascorbic acid level (0.023±0.04), and increase in the testicular level of lipid peroxidation (0.49±0.1) and in the incidence of abnormal sperms. Exposure to high dose of cadmium showed a significant decrease in testicular weight (0.140±0.03), sperm count, (83.8±0.5) and increase in lipid peroxidation (0.79±2.1) compared to low dose group. Ascorbic acid level decreased significantly in high dose group compared to low dose group.Conclusion: Therefore the present study suggests that cadmium has deleterious effect on spermatogenesis and one of the possible mechanism in cadmium induced oxidative damage on mice testis cell might be mediated through its effect on reducing ascorbic acid level.

Effect of Prostaglandins A-1, E-2 and F-2a on Blood Plasma Levels of Testosterone, LH and FSH in Male Rats

Effects of the administration of PGs A-1, E-2 and F-2 alpha (150 micrograms/rat b.i.d. for 10 days) were studied. Significant increase in testicular weight was observed only in PGE-2 treated group. Testicular ascorbic acid content reduced significantly by treatment with all the PGs. PGE-2 treatment caused a significant decrease in the content of testicular cholesterol, while no change was observed in the same and prostatic acid phosphatase activity in any of the PG treated groups. Blood plasma levels of testosterone drastically reduced by both PGE-2 and PGF-2 alpha, while there was no change in the levels of plasma LH in any of the groups. Plasma FSH levels increased significantly in PGA-1 treated rats only. The results suggest that 1) There is a direct action of PG particularly PGE-2 on testicular weight. PGE-2 increases testicular weight possibly by preventing degeneration of spermatids, 2) PGE-2 acting directly on the testis, reduces testicular ascorbic acid content, stimulates the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone but depresses the conversion of the latter to testosterone.

Effects of methyl parathion ( o, o-dimethyl o-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) on rat sperm morphology and sperm count, but not fertility, are associated with decreased ascorbic acid level in the testis

Methyl parathion (MP; o, o-dimethyl o-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) is an organophosphorous pesticide used world wide to spray agricultural crops. The present study was aimed to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on male germ cells and their possible relation with testicular ascorbic acid levels. Adult male Wistar rats ( n = 5/group) received MP at 0, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg (experiments 1 and 2) for 12 days and 0, 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg (experiment 3) for 25 days (i.p.) everyday at intervals of 24 h. The epididymal sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular ascorbic acid levels (by 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine method) were estimated on days 130, 77 and 17 following the last exposure in experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Virgin untreated female rats were mated with treated males from experiments 2 and 3 for a week effective from day 35 to 41 after the first treatment, and fertility indices were measured after the birth of pups. Sperm count was decreased in experiments 2 and 3 ( P < 0.01), and in all three experiments, the abnormal sperms increased ( P < 0.001). Concomitantly, the ascorbic acid levels decreased in the testis ( P < 0.05–0.001; one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test). The body weights of offspring of treated males did not show significant changes from those of the controls, although there were some decreases observed. MP reduced the lactation index in experiment 2 ( P < 0.001; Chi-square test). The number of pups/parent along with fertility indices showed some numerical decrease but without any statistical significance. The present findings suggest that MP is a weak genotoxic and cytotoxic agent in the rat exposed to human exposure dose-levels, and that these effects, except the fertility are well correlated with decreased ascorbic acid level in the testis. Furthermore, MP-induced changes in the germ cells do not have any significant effects on F 1 generation.

Lead acetate induced cytotoxicity in male germinal cells of Swiss mice.

Single intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate (200 mg/kg b.w) to Swiss mice stimulated testicular weight loss with a constant increase in the incidence of abnormal sperm population and decrease in the total sperm count. Testicular ascorbic acid also declined significantly during the post-treatment phase with significant rise in Lipid Peroxidation Potential (LPP) of the tissue. Elevated LPP is indicative of oxidative stress in treated mice testes. The possible role of lead-induced oxidative stress in culminating increased sperm abnormality and decreased sperm count have been discussed. Further, possible antioxidative role of testicular ascorbic acid in minimizing oxidative stress in lead-treated mice has been demonstrated.

Interaction of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone on testicular ascorbic acid and cholesterol in prepubertal rat.

A sharp decline of cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the immature testicular tissues was observed after treatment with two dosages of dexamethasone (DXM) i.e., 20 and 40 micrograms i.p. for 10 days daily to 10-day old rats weighing around 40gms. Reversal of these effec s was noted with the concurrent administration of 80 micrograms dehydroepiandrosterone (DEAT) along with both doses of DXM over a similar period. However, 20 micrograms of DEAT was found to be ineffective when administered concurrently with DXM in either of the dosage levels demonstrate the functional roles of ascorbic acid and cholesterol in the prepubertal rat testis.

Age Influenced Variations in Plasma Cholesterol, Testicular Cholesterol and Testicular Ascorbic Acid of Prepubertal Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

home Acta Veterinaria Brno Journal of the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Search:

Effects of aspirin on blood plasma levels of testosterone, LH and FSH in maturing male rats.

Effects of aspirin administration (5 mg/100 g body weight) for various days were observed on the hormonal levels of maturing male rats. Aspirin was given orally every day for 8, 15, 22 and 30 days. No change in the weights of testes, epididymis, prostate or seminal vesicles was observed after treatment. While aspirin administration for 8 days caused an increase in the plasma testosteone level with decrease in both LH and FSH levels, prolonged treatment for 15 days and more produced a reverse effect, viz. decrease in plasma testosterone and increase in plasma LH and FSH levels. Testicular ascorbic acid content was found to decrease on the 15th and the 22nd day of treatment. Testicular cholesterol was increased after 22nd and 30th days of treatment. Prostatic acid phosphatase activity decreased in all the treated groups. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.

The influence of scrotal heating prior to vasectomy on sperm granuloma formation and testicular activity

The effects of scrotal heating, prior to vasectomy, on the incidence of sperm granulomas, and the concomitant changes in the testicular steroidogenic activity were investigated. Twenty-three adult male rats (76 days of age) were divided at random into experimental and controls. The experimental rats were subjected to scrotal heating (dry heat) to a temperature of 50 °C for one minute, two weeks prior to vasectomy. The control rats were vasectomized without undergoing any heat treatment. Local application of heat to the scrotal sac reduced the incidence of sperm granuloma formation by 82%. The experimental rats had smaller testes and higher testicular corticosterone levels, at the end of the 90-day post-operative period, as compared to the corresponding controls. The testicular ascorbic acid utilization was not affected due to heat treatment. It appears that the application of scrotal heat prior to vasectomy selectively causes a total or partial degeneration of the seminiferous tubules. Heat application may cause an early disruption of the feedback link between the seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cells, leading to the production of corticosterone by the testicular interstitium.

Immunological induction of aspermatogenesis

Aspermatogenesis has been induced in rats by intratesticular administration of heterologous antitesticular and antisperm antisera. The extent of lesion of the germinal epithelium, reversibility of the aspermatogenesis and regaining of the fertilizing ability were correlated with the dose of the antibody administered. Determination of the lysosomal stability of the aspermatogenic testes indicated that the degenerative changes of the seminiferous tubules were not due to any autolytic activity consequent to physical injury. The aspermatogenesis was observed to be associated with increased activity of the testicular enzyme 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and depletion of testicular ascorbic acid which suggested increase steroidogenesis in the testis.

Testicular delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in actinomycin D-treated toads.

Unilaterally intratesticular injection of actionomycin D in toad inhibited Δ5-3β dehydrogenase activity with significant increase of dehydroascorbic acid and decrease of ascorbic acid level in the testis.

Reproductive biology of the male leaf-nosed bat, Macrotus waterhousii in Southwestern United States.

The reproductive biology of the bat Macrotus waterhousii was investigated anatomically and physiologically several times monthly throughout the year. The male spermatogenic cycle is initiated in June; sperm are available in August. Testicular hypertrophy is accompanied by increased levels of testicular ascorbic acid and circulating plasma testosterone. Sperm are present in the seminiferous tubules and later the epididymides from August to early December. Regression in testicular size begins in late September and testes are involuted by early December. Levels of testicular ascorbic acid and plasma testosterone decline at this time, although detectable amounts of both are present year-round. Mature sperm are absent from the male tract after late November or early December. The accessory sex gland complex and Cowper's glands undergo an annual cycle in synchrony with the testicular cycle. The accessory complex contains fructose, the concentration of which varies seasonally in direct proportion to glandular hypertrophy. Only trace levels of fructose are elaborated by Cowper's glands undergo an annual cycle in synchrony with the testicular cycle. The accessory complex contains fructose, the concentration of which varies seasonally in direct proportion to glandular hypertrophy. Only trace levels of fructose are elaborated by Cowper's glands. In contrast to vespertilionid bats, where the accessory glands remain enlarged and active when testes involute, those in Macrotus regress. The penis differs structurally from that of other temperate North American bats, primarily by lacking a bony baculum and specialized erectile accessory corpus cavernosus bodies. Males are not reproductively active in their first autumn.

Effect of oestradiol-17beta on testicular output of ascorbic acid and 17-oxosteroids induced by human chorionic gonadotropin.

The effect of pretreatment with estradiol-17beta on the testicular discharge rate of ascorbic acid and 17-oxosteroids was studied in 4 dogs treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Animals not receiving estrogen showed a considerable discharge of ascorbic acid and secretion of 17-oxosteroids after the administration of HCG. However HCG elicited only a slight increase in testicular ascorbic acid discharge in estradiol-treated animals which was significantly lower at 15 30 and 60 minutes after administration of HCG (p<.01). The secretion of 17-oxosteroids was also significantly lower among estradiol-treated dogs compared controls (p<.01) even though a considerable overall increase was recorded. The results suggest that ascorbic acid may have a role in the production of reduced NADP by HCG-activation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on the discharge of ascorbic acid from the canine testis.

The discharge of testicular ascorbic acid into spermatic venous blood was examined in intact and methylenedianiline-treated dogs. An intravenous injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG, 20iu or 40iu/kg) to intact dogs produced a marked increase in the discharge of ascorbic acid as well as in the secretion of 17-oxosteroids from the testis within 15 minutes after the injection. However, neither of these events occurred when methylenedianiline (20mg or 60mg/kg) was given beforehand, while the administration of methylenedianiline (60mg/kg) after HCG (40iu/kg) had been injected failed to abolish an increased discharge of ascorbic acid induced by HCG, although it brought about a substantial inhibition of the increased secretion of testicular 17-oxosteroids. From these results, it is suggested that HCG markedly stimulates the discharge of testicular ascorbic acid, and ascorbic acid in the testicular tissue is closely linked with biosynthetic mechanism of androgens.