AIMTo evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats.

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.

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.

CONCLUSIONS. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.

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

AIMTo evaluate the effect of an ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium fruits on spermatogenesis in albino rats.

METHODSMale albino rats were fed with a 50 % ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium fruit at 100 mg.kg(-1).day(-1), 200 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) and 300 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) for 60 days. Fertility test was performed after 60 days of treatment. Sperm motility and density were observed in the cauda epididymis. Biochemical and histological analyses of the blood and reproductive organs were done. Recovery of fertility was followed to evaluate the reversibility of drug action.

RESULTSS. anacardium fruit extract administration resulted in spermatogenic arrest in albino rats. The sperm motility and density was reduced significantly. The RBC and WBC counts, haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood sugar and urea were found to be within the normal range in the whole blood. The protein, cholesterol and glycogen in the testes and the fructose in the seminal vesicle were significantly decreased after the treatment. The fruit extract feeding caused marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was also decreased and degenerating cells increased proportionately.

CONCLUSIONS. anacardium fruit extract causes spermatogenic arrest in albino rats.

Animals ; Cell Count ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Semecarpus ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

Background: The effect of the interplay among inflammation, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and oxidative stress (OS) on the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. Previously, we demonstrated the role of OS in endometriosis. Here, we performed a comprehensive investigation of several molecules involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and ECM degradation in women with endometriosis to study their interplay with OS. Methods: Blood samples were collected from women with endometriosis (N=80), as well as from women with tubal factor infertility as controls (N=80). Interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, transforming growth factor-beta, IL-4, -10, -2, -6, -8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, -2, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 levels in serum samples were measured using an ELISA. Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured using flow cytometry. Results: Cytokines, VEGF, MMPs, and COX-2 were significantly higher and TIMPs were significantly lower in patients with endometriosis. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that IL-10 was the most significant variable capable of discriminating endometriosis samples from controls. Conclusions Deregulation of NF-κB activation by OS affects the expression of various cytokines in endometriosis. Elevated cytokine levels further up-regulate IL-10, which subsequently activates the MMPs, leading to excessive ECM degradation and angiogenesis. Moreover, IL-10 emerged as the most important molecule involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Measurement of these molecules may help in better management of the patients with endometriosis.

Exstrophy of the bladder is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of about 1 per 50,000 newborns. The malignant potential of the exstrophied bladder mucosa is well known; 95% are adenocarcinomas, and 3% to 5% are squamous cell carcinomas. Most of the malignant tumors (60%) associated with an exstrophy of the bladder occur during the fourth and fifth decades of life. Of the remaining, about 20% each occur after 60 years and before 40 years. Here we present a case in which squamous cell carcinoma developed in an unrepaired exstrophy of the bladder. We present the management of the case and a brief review of the literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Bladder Exstrophy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Mucous Membrane ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms