Animals ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; radiation effects

Acrylamide is a common chemical material, extensively used in industry and scientific experiments. Recently, it has been reported that starchy food cooked at high temperature can produce acrylamide. Acrylamide monomer has several toxic effects and the extensive concern for its toxicity has arisen with the finding of acrylamide formation in some processed foods. Researches have shown that acrylamide monomer can cause reproductive toxicity, including toxic effects on male reproductive behavior, male reproductive endocrine function and spermatogenesis. The mechanisms may include the effects of acrylamide on Leydig cells, the formation of motor protein/ chromosomal/DNA alkylation and damage by oxidative stress.
Acrylamide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

Elimination of spermatogenic cells via apoptosis occurs spontaneously under normal physiologic conditions and is often aggravated after chemical-induced testicular impairment. A great amount of pollutants is released into the environment by modern industry, and many of these substances have been confirmed possessing reproductive toxicity, which can affect the reproduction and development of organism. These chemicals have been categorized to endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs). Studying spermatogenic cell apoptosis induced by EDCs will enrich and expand the pathway to identify EDCs, and will put forward new expounding of its mechanism. It has important meaning in the field of reproduction toxicology and male fertility.
Apoptosis ; Endocrine System ; cytology ; drug effects ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Humans ; Male ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

Animals ; Biomedical Research ; methods ; Lead ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

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

Male meiosis is a complex process whereby spermatocytes undergo cell division to form haploid cells. This review focuses on the role of retinoic acid (RA) in meiosis, as well as several processes regulated by RA before cell entry into meiosis that are critical for proper meiotic entry and completion. Here, we discuss RA metabolism in the testis as well as the roles of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) and MEIOSIN, which are responsive to RA and are critical for meiosis. We assert that transcriptional regulation in the spermatogonia is critical for successful meiosis.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/genetics* ; Humans ; Meiosis/drug effects* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Tretinoin/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of neonatal exposure of DNA methylation inhibitor, Cadmium and PCB153 on DNA methylation, apoptosis and spermatogenesis in SD rats.

METHODSNeonatal SD rats were randomly divided into 10 groups and received oral administrations of PCB153 (0.025, 0. 250, 2.500 mg/kg), or Cadmium (1, 2, 4 mg/kg), or positive control 5-Aza-CdR (0.025, 0.250 mg/kg), or vehicle control for five days from PND3. Half of the rats were killed 24 h after the last administration. The remains were fed until 12 weeks. Sperm numbers, apoptosis and DNA methylation levels in testis were investigated.

RESULTSThe daily sperm production was significantly decreased in each neonatal exposed group (P < 0.05). Neonatal rats exposed to 5-Aza-CdR and Cadmium reduced the global DNA methylation level, increased apoptosis, while PCB153 exposure did not significantly change DNA methylation and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONNeonatal rats exposed to chemicals could reduce spermatogenesis via multiple pathways. Lower DNA methylation and increased neonatal apoptosis were suggested as one of the causes.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; Male ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology

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 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

OBJECTIVES: Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is a liquid compound obtained by condensation of two molecules of epichlorohydrin with one molecule of bisphenol A. General and reproductive toxicity with BADGE has been reported higher than 1000 mg/kg/day. This study was performed to show the effects of acute exposure to BADGE below 1000 mg/kg/day on the testis in adult male rats. METHODS: BADGE was administered by gastric lavage in a single dose of 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day in 8-week old male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats. The right testis was processed for light microscopic analysis. The left testis was homogenized and spermatids were counted to determine the daily sperm production and daily abnormal sperm production. The sperm count, sperm motility, and incidence of abnormal sperm were estimated in the epididymis. In testicular sections, the seminiferous tubules were observed for qualitative changes. The progression of spermatogenesis was arbitrarily classified as full-matured, maturing, and immature. The specimen slide was observed at 3 points and 10 seminiferous tubules were evaluated at each point. RESULTS: The male rats exposed to single oral dose of BADGE at 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day were significantly increased the number of immature and maturing sperm on the testis. There were no significant differences with respect to sperm head count, sperm motility, and sperm abnormality in the BADGE treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that single oral exposure of BADGE 750 mg/kg/day can affect adult male testis development.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epoxy Compounds/*toxicity ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatids/drug effects ; Spermatogenesis/drug effects ; Testis/*drug effects/metabolism