OBJECTIVETo evaluate effects of cypermethrin on the testis histology and testosterone, LH and FSH in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSThe intact adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups and were treated with cypermethrin at doses of 0, 7.5, 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg per day by oral gavage for 15-days. After the treatments, serum was collected for hormone assays. The testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, and prostates were excised and weighed. The right testis was frozen for daily sperm production and the left one was processed for histopathology.

RESULTSDaily sperm production decreased significantly in 30 and 60 mg/(kg•day) groups. Testicular structure abnormalities included atrophic and distorted seminiferous tubules, deformed and disordered arrangement of germ cells, reduced germ cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, vacuolization and multinucleated formations of spermatids in the cypermethrin-treated rats. Vacuolization was found in Sertoli cells and the deformed nucleus was noted in Leydig cells. Serum testosterone reduced significantly in 30 and 60 mg/(kg•day) groups. Serum FSH increased significantly in 60 mg/(kg•day) group.

CONCLUSIONCypermethrin induces impairments of the seminiferous tubules structure and spermatogenesis in the rats. The damages of the male reproductive system may be attributed to the imbalance of circulating testosterone.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; Male ; Prostate ; drug effects ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminal Vesicles ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine on the testis and epididymis against ornidazole (ORN)-induced injury in male rats.

METHODSForty male SD rats weighing 200 -230 g were randomly divided into 5 groups, Group A treated with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and Groups B, C, D and E with ORN at the daily dose of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg plus LC 100 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg plus LC 100 mg/kg, respectively, all by oral gavage for 20 days continuously. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, all the rats were put to death, their testes and epididymides harvested, weighed and subjected to HE staining. The indexes of the testes and epididymides were obtained and their histopathological changes observed.

RESULTSCompared with Group A, Groups B and C showed significant decreases in the indexes of the testis and epididymis (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), while Group D exhibited no difference and Group E extremely significant difference (P < 0.01). HE staining revealed that the spermatogenic cells at all levels of testicular seminiferous tubules were neatly arranged in Group B, caduceus in some seminiferous tubules, with decreased number of sperm and sporadic spermatogenic cells in the epididymal duct. Necrotic and caduceus spermatogenic cells were observed in the seminiferous tubules of Group C, with significantly decreased number of sperm and lots of non-sperm cell components in the epididymal duct. No obvious changes were found in the testicular seminiferous tubules, nor evident reduction in the number of sperm in the epididymal duct of Group D. Group E showed decreased number of sperm in the testicular seminiferous tubules, necrotic and caduceus spermatogenic cells, obviously reduced number of sperm and a lot of non-sperm cell components in the epididymal duct.

CONCLUSIONORC can induce histopathological changes in the testis and epididymis of male rats, and L-carnitine plays a role in protecting the testis and epididymis from ORN-induced injury in male rats.

Animals ; Carnitine ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Ornidazole ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Chinese herbal composition Zengjing Granule (ZJG) on the quality of sperm in the epididymis of infertile rats, and to study its therapeutic mechanisms of improving sperm quality.

METHODSA total of 40 GTW infertile rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats each, including an infertility group[GTW 2 mg/(ml.100 g)], a high-dosage group[ZJG 0.67 g/(ml.100 g) + GTW 2 mg/(ml.100 g)], a medium-dosage group[ZJG 0.33 g/(ml.100 g) + GTW 2 mg/(ml.100 g)], a low-dosage group[ZJG 0.17 g/(ml.100 g) + GTW 2 mg/(ml.100 g)], and a normal control group(1% CMC). This study consisted of a 3-week modeling period and a 3-week ZJG period. The changes of sperm quality, the thickness of the epididymal gland canal wall and sexual organ coefficient were detected after 3-week ZJG period.

RESULTSOf the 3 ZJG groups, the sperm density was (59.6 +/- 3.72), (63.3 +/- 5.70) and (69.7 +/- 6.91) x 10(6)/ml, the sperm motility rates were (65.4 +/- 6.33)%, (69.3 +/- 10.96)% and (72.6 +/- 9.61)%, the sperm deformity rates were (52.3 +/- 7.47)%, (46.2 +/- 7.73)% and (33.2 +/- 7.97)% respectively. The ZJG groups showed significant difference from the infertility group (P < 0.05), whose sperm density, motility and deformity were (13.1 +/- 6.81) x 10(6)/ml, (7.6 +/- 5.87)%, and (77.2 +/- 8.75)% respectively. But there was no significant difference between ZJG groups and the normal control group (P > 0.05), whose sperm density, motility and deformity were (75.6 +/- 10.82) x 10(6)/ml, (83.00 +/- 8.02)%, and (8.80 +/- 3.49)% respectively. The thickness of the epididymal gland canal wall was (37.07 +/- 3.38), (37.16 +/- 6.69) and (43.42 +/- 10.23) nm in the three ZJG groups respectively, different from the infertility group[(28.65 +/- 6.96) nm] (P < 0.05) significantly, but not from the normal control group [(45.79 +/- 11.13) nm] (P > 0.05). The ZJG groups showed an increase in the organ coefficient of the epididymal gland canal wall. And these was obvious statistical difference compared with the infertility group (P < 0.05), but no statistical significance compared with the normal control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSZJG can obviously improve the sperm quality of infertile rats. Its therapeutic mechanisms can be summed up as follows: restoring the thickness of epididymal gland wall, increasing the organ coefficient of testes and epididymis, and hence improving the spermatozoa maturing function of epididymis of infertile rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects

More and more study on the epididymal function and sperm maturation has shown that epididymis will be one of the best target organs of male contraception, although at present there is not a male contraceptive medicine based on epididymis for clinical practice. The promoting research aspects in epididymal contraception in animal included affecting directly epididymis (such as Sulpasalazine), interfering energy metabolism and sperm mobility (such as Chlorinated Glycerol), altering the internal environment of epididymis (such as copper particles and TW19). The epididymal specific proteins could bring out some new target antigens for immunological contraception, to produce contraceptive vaccine. Some special genes, which expressed distinctively in epididymis such as SC342, bin1, have been cloned and studied on their function. These works would be helpful not only for clinical diagnosis and treatment of epididymitis and male infertility, but also for male contraceptive research and progress.
Contraception ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Maturation ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

AIMTo evaluate the effect of acute lead chloride exposure on testis and sperm parameters in mice.

METHODSPbCl2, 74 mg/kg, was daily administered to sexually mature male mice for 3 days and the effects on the testicular histology and ultrastructure as well as the motility and density of spermatozoa in cauda epididymis were observed. An additional group of mice were treated for 1-3 days and were allowed to recover for 32 days to determine the reversibility of lead-induced changes.

RESULTSThe testicular weight, seminiferous tubular diameter and sperm counts were significantly decreased following 3 days of PbCl2 treatment, but were unaffected by shorter-term exposures. The changes caused by lead are mostly reversible.

CONCLUSIONAcute lead chloride exposure injures the fertility parameters of male mice and the effects are partially reversible.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Lead ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron ; Sexual Maturation ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo establish an oxidative stress model induced by cumene hydroperoxide (cHP) in testis and epididymis of rats in vivo, and to understand the peroxidative damage of oxidative stress in testis, epididymal sperm and its propensity to induce nuclear DNA damage during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation in vivo.

METHODSAn organic hydroperoxide, cHP, 70% aqueous, diluted by 0.9% NaCl, was employed as model prooxidant. Ninety-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into a control and three cHP groups, and were administered intraperitoneally 0, 1/10, 1/6 and 1/4 LD50 cHP per day respectively at a dose of 2 ml/kg, for 7 consecutive days and were observed for any toxic symptoms and mortality. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, rats were sacrificed and induction of oxidative stress was ascertained by monitoring the degree of lipid peroxidation expressed as nano molar of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular homogenate and epididymal sperm. Nuclear DNA damage in testes and epididymal sperms was determined by comet assay. Motility of caudal sperms was counted and the morphology of testes and epididymis was observed under light microscope.

RESULTSRats of cHP administered groups were less vigorous than those of the control, but there were not death of rats during treatment. 1/10 LD50 per day for 7 consecutive days resulted in only a marginal increase in testicular MDA levels. However, 1/6 and 1/ 4 LD50 per day for 7 days of cHP administered to adult rats induced marked oxidative stress in testis and epididymal sperms as evidenced by a marked increase in MDA or nuclear DNA damage in testis and caput sperms, as well as significant decreases both in the body weight-and motility of caudal sperms. While the nuclear DNA damage caput sperms of 1/6 and 1/4 LD50 cHP administered rats increased significantly, nuclear DNA damage in caudal sperms showed no treatment related alterations.

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress in testis and epididymal sperms can be safely induced by applying multiple doses of cHP (1/6 and 1/4 LD50 per day for seven consecutive days). DNA damage caused by cHP induced oxidative stress may occurred mainly in testes.

Animals ; Benzene Derivatives ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology

Potential negative effects of exposure to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil on the reproductive system of male rats was investigated. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment. Exposure to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil was achieved via oral administration of increasing doses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 ml/rat) every other day for 4 weeks. Cauda epididymal sperm reserves and relative weights of the testes as well as histological features of the testes of rats that received the crude oil treatment were compared to those of control rats. The results described here showed a significant (p < 0.01) dosedependent reduction in the cauda epididymal sperm reserves of rats that received crude oil treatment relative to the control group. The morphology of testes of the crude oil-exposed rats was characterized by the presence of interstitial exudates, degeneration, and necrosis of spermatogenic and interstitial (Leydig) cells. Findings indicate that exposure of male rats to Nigerian Qua Iboe Brent crude oil may have adversely affected their reproductive systems. This may imply possible reproductive health hazards for animals and humans that may be exposed to this environmental pollutant, especially in areas where oil spillage is a common feature.
Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epididymis/*drug effects ; Male ; Petroleum/*toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatozoa/*drug effects ; Testis/*drug effects/pathology

AIMTo investigate the effect of formaldehyde (FA) on testes and the protective effect of vitamin E (VE) against oxidative damage by FA in the testes of adult rats.

METHODSThirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) control; (2) FA treatment group (FAt); and (3) FAt + VE group. FAt and FAt + VE groups were exposed to FA by inhalation at a concentration of 10 mg/m(3) for 2 weeks. In addition, FAt + VE group were orally administered VE during the 2-week FA treatment. After the treatment, the histopathological and biochemical changes in testes, as well as the quantity and quality of sperm, were observed.

RESULTSThe testicular weight, the quantity and quality of sperm, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) were significantly decreased whereas the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in testes of rats in FAt group compared with those in the control group. VE treatment restored these parameters in FAt + VE group. In addition, microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that seminiferous tubules atrophied, seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated and shed in rats in FAt group and VE treatment significantly improved the testicular structure in FAt + VE group.

CONCLUSIONFA destroys the testicular structure and function in adult rats by inducing oxidative stress, and this damage could be partially reversed by VE.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

Detrimental effects of tributyltin (TBT) chloride on the reproductive system were investigated in pubertal male rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats aged with 35 days were assigned to six different groups; negative control receiving vehicle, positive control receiving methyltestosterone (10 mg/kg B.W.), TBT chloride (5 mg/kg B.W., 10 mg/kg B.W., and 20 mg/kg B.W.), and a combination of TBT chloride (10 mg/kg B.W.) and flutamide (10 mg/kg B.W). The animals were treated with test compounds by oral gavage daily for 10 days and sacrificed on the next day of the final treatment. The treatment with TBT chloride at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg B.W. significantly decreased seminal vesicle weights, compared to the negative control. The combined treatment of TBT chloride and flutamide caused a significant decrease in accessory sex organ weights, compared to the control and TBT chloride treatments. The treatment with TBT chloride or in the combination with flutamide increased detached debris and sloughed cells in the tubules of epididymis and narrowed seminal vesicles. In addition, the combined treatment with TBT chloride and flutamide caused a noticeable increase in serum androgen level, compared to the negative control.These results suggest that TBT chloride exposed during pubertal period cause partial reproductive disorders in male rats.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Epididymis/drug effects ; Flutamide/pharmacology ; Genitalia, Male/*drug effects ; Male ; Methyltestosterone/pharmacology ; Organ Size ; Prostate/drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminal Vesicles/drug effects ; *Sexual Maturation/drug effects ; Testis/drug effects ; Trialkyltin Compounds/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the reductive effect of ornidazole on sperm motility in rats and its mechanism of action.

METHODSTwenty rats were randomly divided into three groups, a low dosage group (LD group, n = 5), a high dosage group (HD group, n = 8) and a normal control group (n = 7). Ornidazole (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) was given to the LD and HD groups, and 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) administered to the normal control, all for 20 consecutive days. Immediately after, sperm density, motility and the morphological changes of the testis and epidiclymis were measured, and the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-glycosidase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and fructose in the testis and epididymis tissues were monitored.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control, there were no obvious changes in sperm density (P > 0.05), but a significant decrease in sperm motility in the LD and HD groups (P < 0.01), and the concentration of LDH obviously declined (P < 0.01) while that of MDA distinctly increased in the HD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpermatogenic cells could be damaged by the increase of inhibiting MDA, while sperm motility could be decreased by inhibiting energetic transferase or non-protein substance in the epididymis. This might be one of the mechanisms of ornidazole on weak sperm models in rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epididymis ; cytology ; Male ; Ornidazole ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology