<p>AIMTo evaluate the effect of fullerenol on the antioxidant system of goat epididymal sperm.p><p>METHODSFresh epididymides of adult goats were obtained from local slaughter houses and sperm were collected by chopping the epididymis in modified Ringer's phosphate solution (RPS medium). After several washings the sperm samples were equally dispersed in RPS medium and incubated with fullerenol (1, 10 and 100 micromol) and FeSO(4)/ascorbate (40/200 micromol) with or without fullerenol (1, 10 and 100 micromol) for 3 h at 32 degree C. After incubation, an aliquot of sperm samples were homogenized and centrifuged and the supernatant used for biochemical studies.p><p>RESULTSIn FeSO(4)/ascorbate-incubated samples, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, were decreased while lipid peroxidation increased as compared to the control sperm samples. In fullerenol-incubated sperm samples, the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were increased while lipid peroxidation was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Co-incubation of sperm with fullerenol (1,10 and 100 micromol) and FeSO(4)/ascorbate (40/200 micromol) increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and prevented the iron-induced elevation of lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner.p><p>CONCLUSIONFullerenol reduces iron-induced oxidative stress in epididymal sperm of goat by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing lipid peroxidation.p>
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; Fullerenes ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Reductase ; metabolism ; Goats ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

<p>AIMTo evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats.p><p>METHODMale rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs.p><p>RESULTSS. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately.p><p>CONCLUSIONS. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.p>
Animals ; Blood Cell Count ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phospholipids ; blood ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects