OBJECTIVETo determine whether testosterone-induced intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal and therefore spermatogenic impairment is associated with looser arrangement of spermatogenic cells in rats.

METHODSAdult male SD rats received intramuscular injection of testosterone undecanoate at 19 mg/(kg x 15 d) for 130 days, and then testicular tissue blocks were obtained for the preparation of methacrylate resin-embedded sections and observation of the changes in testicular histology.

RESULTSApart from such changes as impaired spermiogenesis and spermiation, apparently looser arrangement of spermatogenic cells was seen in 11.5% of the seminiferous tubule profiles, with radial cracks (empty spaces) running towards the tubule lumen being formed between lines, bundles or groups of spermatogenic cells (mainly spermatids and spermatocytes).

CONCLUSIONLooser arrangement of spermatogenic cells is one of the key histological changes resulting from intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal in rats.

Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

AIMTo observe the acute effect of the organophosphorous insecticide malathion on testicular function in mice.

METHODSThe effects of a single dose of malathion [240 mg/kg (1/12 LD(50))] on plasma acetylcholinesterase (ACE) activity, spermatozoa (epididymal cauda counts and teratozoospermia), testis and plasma testosterone concentration) were evaluated at day 1, 8, 16, 35 and 40 after treatment.

RESULTSThe sperm count was decreased significantly 24 h after treatment and teratozoospermia was increased at day 35 and 40. The height of the seminiferous epithelium and the diameter of tubular lumen were decreased at day 8. The percentage of tubular blockade was increased between day 8 and 35. A decrease in testosterone plasma level was observed at day 16 after treatment.

CONCLUSIONMalathion damages male reproduction. The depletion of seminiferous tubules and the increase in teratozoospermia may be a genotoxic damage to the renewing spermatogonia, but the possibility of spermatogenic/spermiogenic disfunction due to a decrease in the plasma testosterone level can not be ruled out.

Animals ; Insecticides ; pharmacology ; Malathion ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; Testosterone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on the testicular histology and reproductive endocrine function in male rats and investigate the possible mechanism of inflammation affecting male fertility.

METHODSThirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (A) and three LPS intervention groups (B, C, and D) to receive saline and LPS (5 mg/kg i. p, once), respectively. The animals in groups B, C, and D were killed by anesthesia at 12, 24, and 72 hours after treatment. Histopathological changes in the left testis of the rats were observed by HE staining and the levels of the reproductive hormones T, FSH, and LH in the serum were determined by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with group B, group A showed clear structure of seminiferous tubules, orderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, a slightly decreased number of sperm in some seminiferous tubular lumens, and shed spermatogenic cells in the rat testis tissue; group C exhibited thinner seminiferous epithelia, disordered structure of seminiferous tubules, irregular arrangement of spermatogenic cells, decreased number of mature sperm and obvious shedding of spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubular lumens; group D manifested similar findings to those of group C, with even more shed spermatogenic cells that blocked the tubular lumens. The levels of serum T, LH, and FSH were (0.490 +/- 0.028) ng/ml, (6.290 +/- 0.515) ng/L, and (1.837 +/- 0.127) IU/L in group A, (0.460 +/- 0.024) ng/ml, (5.881 +/- 0.124) ng/L, and (1.707 +/- 0.098) IU/L in group B, (0.417 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (5.123 +/- 0.271) ng/L, and (1.620 +/- 0.115) IU/L in group C, and (0.378 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (4.504 +/- 0.279) ng/L and (1.562 +/- 0.216) IU/L in group D, all decreased in group B as compared with A (P > 0.05). The decreases of T and LH were extremely significant (P < 0.01) and that of FSH was significant in groups C and D (P < 0.05) in comparison with A.

CONCLUSIONLPS-induced inflammation affects the testicular tissue and reproductive endocrine function of male rats, resulting in decreased levels of serum T, LH, and FSH.

Animals ; Endocrine System ; drug effects ; physiology ; Fertility ; drug effects ; physiology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reproduction ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood

AIMTo quantitatively study the histological changes of the testis and epididymis as a result of a drastic reduction of testosterone secretion.

METHODSFourteen adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS, 75 mg/kg) and the same number of animals were injected with normal saline as a control. At days 7 and 12 (after treatment), respectively, half of the animals from each group were killed. The testes and epididymides were removed and tissue blocks embedded in methacrylate resin. The cell number per testis was estimated using the stereological optical disector and some other parameters were obtained using other morphometric methods.

RESULTSThe EDS treatment resulted in an almost complete elimination of Leydig cells but had no effect on the numbers of Sertoli cells per testis. At day 7 after EDS treatment, many elongated spermatids were retained in the seminiferous epithelium and many round spermatids could be seen in the epididymal ducts. At day 12, a looser arrangement of spermatids and spermatocytes became evident, with apparent narrow empty spaces being formed between germ cells in an approximately radial direction towards the tubule lumen; the numbers (per testis) of non-type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes were similar to controls, whereas that of type B spermatogonia increased by 59%, and that of early round, elongating and late elongated spermatids decreased by 37%, 72% and 52%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe primary spermatogenic lesions following EDS administration were (i) spermiation failure and (ii) detachment of spermatids and spermatocytes associated with impairment in spermiogenesis and meiosis.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mesylates ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; pathology ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Morinda officinalis (MO) extract on cytoxan (CTX) -impaired spermatogenesis of adult male SD rats.

METHODSWe randomly divided 56 adult male SD rats into seven groups of equal number: blank control, CTX model, CTX + NS, CTX + 10 g/kg MO, CTX + 20 g/kg MO, CTX + 30 g/kg MO, and CTX + 40 g/kg MO. We made the models of impaired spermatogenesis in the SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of CTX and treated the animal models by intragastric administration of MO at the concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 g per kg per d, respectively. After two weeks of medication, we observed the changes in the body weight, testicular and epididymal indexes, and microstructure of the testis tissue, measured the mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) , and obtained testicular biopsy scores (TBS) in different groups, followed by comparative analyses.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the CTX + NS group showed no remarkable differences in the body weight ([234.83 ± 28.77] g) and epididymal index (2.71 ± 0.34) from those of the four CTX + MO groups, but exhibited a significantly lower testicular index ([12.15 ± 1.04] g) than those in the CTX + 20 g/kg MO ([13.71 ± 0.97] g), CTX + 30 g/kg MO, ([13.30 ± 0.29] g), and CTX + 40 g/kg MO group ([13.48 ± 0.51] g) (P < 0.05). Light microscopy revealed obvious pathological changes of the testis tissue in the CTX + NS group and significantly ameliorated structures of the seminiferous tubules in the CTX + MO 10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg groups, with the MSTD of (204.78 ± 11.03), (216.55 ± 10.93), (218.03 ± 11.23), and (218.59 ± 14.06) μm, respectively, and the TBS of 9.03 ± 0.39, 9.69 ± 0.26, 9.83 ± 0.18, and 9.89 ± 0.11, respectively, all significantly higher than (189.74 ± 8.55) μm and 5.95 ± 1.21 in the CTX + NS group (P < 0.05). The efficacy of MO extract was increased in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONMorinda officinalis extract can repair cytoxan-induced damage to rat spermatogenesis, with may achieve the best effect at the concentrations of 30 and 40 g per kg per d.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; Male ; Morinda ; chemistry ; Mutagens ; toxicity ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; ultrastructure

BACKGROUNDEnvironmental toxins can destroy the physiological process of spermatogenesis and even lead to male infertility. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural phytoalexin with a wide range of biological activities. Some recent researches have demonstrated that RES can increase sperm output and protect sperm from apoptosis caused by physical damage. However, there is no evidence indicating that it can also exhibit a similar activity in testis injury caused by environmental toxins. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of resveratrol on testis damaged by environmental toxins and to elucidate the possible mechanism of its protective effect.

METHODSIn this study 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD) was used as the injury agent. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. During the first 5 weeks, group A was raised normally, groups B, C, D and E were exposed to 1% 2, 5-HD; during the following 9 weeks, group C, D, E received intragastric administration of different concentrations of resveratrol (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), while groups A and B were treated by carboxymethylcellulose. Physical signs, body weight gain and testis weight were comparatively observed. Numbers and diameters of seminiferous tubules were analyzed following HE staining. In addition, expression of the c-kit protein and gene in spermatogenic cells in every group was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blot or RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe 2, 5-HD treatment resulted in physical signs that became worse and in emarciated testis. HE staining and immunohistochemistry showed that seminiferous tubules became emarcid, obsolete spermatogonia being stagnant and expression of c-kit protein being depressed. After oral administration of resveratrol, the 2, 5-HD-induced physical signs were improved and close to the normal rats. The gain of body weight increased (P < 0.01). The recovery of testis weight was significant (P < 0.01). At the histological level, the seminiferous epithelia began to differentiate (P < 0.01); and even the physiological process of spermatogenesis restarted. Moreover, expression of c-kit protein and gene function resumed, although its expression remained different from the normal group. The diameter of and number of seminiferous tubules and the expression level of c-kit protein and gene activity were much closer to the normal group with increased doses of the resveratrol through oral administration.

CONCLUSIONSResveratrol could ameliorate markedly the dyszoospermia induced by 2, 5-HD and induce spermatogenesis. The expression of c-kit, which is a specific marker protein of spermatogenic cell membranes, could be regulated by resveratrol.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Testis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the ultrastructural changes of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule after alcohol consumption.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar mature male rats were divided into two groups randomly: control group (A) and experimental one (B). 6 ml/(kg x d) of 50 degrees alcohol was perfused through the gastric tube for 39 days in Group B; and 6 ml/(kg x d) of normal saline was supplemented in Group A. The ultrastructure of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule was observed by transmission electron microscope at day 14, 27 and 40.

RESULTSIn Group A, the pykno-basement membrane was unstriated and uniform, Sertoli cells showed cytoplasmic profusion, with big nucleus, well-distributed nucleoplasm, distinct nucleolus, more mitochondria and plain hierarchical tight-junction. And the ultrastructure of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule in Group B began to change at the end of the first spermatogenic cycle (D 14) and changed more and more evidently with the ethanol administration, mainly as follows: (1) more lysosomes and vacuolisation found in Sertoli cells, and organelles decreased and blurry; (2) more and bigger vacuoles among the spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and basement membrane; (3) obvious apoptosis of spermatogonia and apoptotic bodies aggregated near the membrane; (4) more cytoplasm and vacuolisation in the sperm of the convoluted seminiferous tubule, and disarranged, deleted or clustered mitochondria in the sperm tail; (5) blurry and rigid tight-junction; (6) thickened, wrinkled or broken basement membrane and under-basement

CONCLUSIONAlcohol can cause ultrastructural changes of the basement membrane, tight-junction and Sertoli cells of the membrane. rat convoluted seminiferous tubule and apoptosis of spermatogonia.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Basement Membrane ; drug effects ; pathology ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; pathology

AIMTo study the effects of Boesenbergia rotunda (Krachai) on sexual behaviour in male albino rats.

METHODSThirty-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups: experimental groups were gavaged with the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of B. rotunda at doses of 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg and a control group received distilled water, for 60 days. Sexual behaviour, reproductive organs, diameter of seminiferous tubule, epididymal sperm density, and androgenic hormones were evaluated.

RESULTSWithin 30-min observation, there was no significant difference of courtship behaviour, mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), copulatory efficiency or intercopulatory interval in male rats. In three 10-min intervals over a 30-min period, courtship behaviour and MF during the first 10-min were significantly higher than those in the second and third 10-min observation in all groups, whereas IF had no significant difference. All doses of B. rotunda extract significantly increased the relative testicular weight and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The dose of 60 mg/kg also significantly increased the relative weight of the seminal vesicle. Nevertheless, the sperm density, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels were not affected by the B. rotunda extract.

CONCLUSIONB. rotunda does not affect sexual behaviour nor serum androgenic levels.

Androstenedione ; blood ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood ; Zingiberaceae

AIMTo evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) against cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects.

METHODSEthanol extracts of H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale (1g/kg x day) were given p.o. to male albino rats for 26 days, which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p. injection (10 mg/kg body weight).

RESULTSExtracts of H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale reduced the extent of cisplatin-induced sperm abnormality and enhanced sperm motility. Both extracts restored the control level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (lipid peroxidation marker) in the cisplatin-treated testis. The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were significantly reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the administration of either H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale.

CONCLUSIONBoth H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale treatment increased the activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin-treated rats. The protective effects of tested plants are, therefore, suggested to be mediated by their potent antioxidant activities.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; toxicity ; Ginger ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Hibiscus ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

The toxicity of acrylamide was evaluated through mutagenicity of Salmonella, chromosome aberration of Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, micronucleus formation in mice and reproductive toxicity in rats. Based on Ames test, acrylamide showed mutagenic potency for strains TA98 and TA100. Moreover, both chromosomal aberration assay and micronucleus assay indicated that acrylamide might have genotoxic potency; the chromosomal aberration frequencies were observed to be proportional to acrylamide concentrations of 5-50 mM, and acrylamide significantly increased micronuclei in peripheral blood cells of mice at doses of higher than 72.5 mg/kg. Male rats were treated with acrylamide at doses of 0, 5, 15, 30, 45, or 60 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days, and the toxicity of acrylamide was observed. In the group treated with the highest dose of acrylamide (60 mg/kg/day), the loss of body weight and reduced testis weight were observed. Also the epididymides weights were reduced significantly in all the groups treated with acrylamide. The number of sperms in cauda epididymidis decreased significantly in an acrylamide dose-dependent manner. Rats treated with 60 mg/kg/day of acrylamide showed several histopathological lesions in the seminiferous tubules. There were thickening and multiple layering of the tubular endothelium, and the formation of many multinucleated giant cells in seminiferous tubules. Taken together, acrylamide not only causes the genotoxicity of eukaryotic cells and mice but also shows the toxicological effects on reproductive system in male rats.
Acrylamide/*toxicity ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Carcinogens/*toxicity ; Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Epididymis/*drug effects/pathology ; Histocytochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Micronucleus Tests ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules/*drug effects/pathology ; Sperm Count