Methods: The FT and FA of dried C1 and C2 vertebrae (identified bones; n=107, males=53 and females=54) were observed and measured using a Digital Vernier Caliper (Mitutoyo, Kawasaki, Japan). Anteroposterior (AP) and transverse diameters of the left and right FTs (n=214) were measured and compared between sexes. Variations and types of FT and FA found on the upper vertebrae were recorded and classified. Results: The FT shape of the Thai C1 was AP elliptical, while of that of C2 was transverse elliptical. Compared to females, both diameters of the upper spine were significantly greater in males except for the AP diameter of C2 on the right side. All diameters were significantly different in both sexes and sides except for the AP diameter of C1 and C2. A common type of FT classified in C1 was type 2 (male [69.81%], female [79.63%]) whereas for C2 it was type 1 (male [63.21%], female [59.26%]). Moreover, an incomplete osseous bridge was a major FA subtype observed in the Thai spine. Conclusions FT morphometry has an elliptical shape and diameters are greater in males. The FT and FA variations identified in this study will be useful for surgeons treating vertebral neurovascular injuries of the posterior upper cervical spine in the Thai population.

Stress affects the male reproductive system and can cause sub-fertility or infertility. Although Phyllanthus emblica L. (PE) extract has been shown to have high antioxidant capacity and protective properties in damaged tissue, the preventive effects of PE extract on testicular function from stress-related impairment have never been demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PE aqueous leaf extract on testicular impairment and protein marker changes in rats suffering from chronic stress. Adult male rats were divided into four groups: a control group, a chronic stress (CS) group, and two groups with CS that received different doses of PE extract (50 or 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)). In the treatment groups, the animals were given PE extract daily before stress induction for 42 consecutive days. Stress was induced through immobilization (4 h/d) followed by forced cold swimming (15 min/d). Sperm quality and the histology of the testes and caudal epididymis were examined, as were levels of serum corticosterone, testosterone, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The expressions of testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were investigated using immuno-Western blot analysis, as these proteins are assumed to play important roles in spermatogenesis and androgen synthesis. The results showed that PE (50 mg/kg BW) significantly increased sperm concentration and testosterone levels, while decreasing corticosterone levels, MDA levels, sperm head abnormalities, and acrosome-reacted sperm in CS rats. In addition, PE at both doses was found to diminish testicular histopathology in the CS rats. We also found that 50 mg/kg BW of PE significantly improved StAR protein expression and altered the intensities of some tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in testis. We conclude that PE leaf extract at 50 mg/kg BW can prevent testicular damage in rats with CS.
Acrosome Reaction ; Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Corticosterone/blood* ; Epididymis/metabolism* ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/blood* ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Phosphorylation ; Phyllanthus emblica/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis/drug effects* ; Spermatozoa/drug effects* ; Stress, Physiological ; Testis/drug effects* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Tyrosine/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: In traditional medicine, the seeds of Thai Mucuna pruriens (T-MP) are used to treat male dysuria and are believed to enhance fertility. However, information pertaining to the toxicity of T-MP and its interaction with other properties is limited. This study was thus conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and subacute toxicity of T-MP in the reproductive system. METHODS: Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of T-MP seed extract were determined using total phenolic content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Male and female adult rats were treated orally with T-MP at a dosage of 150 or 300 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Sex hormones and functional parameters in the liver and kidney were evaluated. Histopathology of all tissue was conducted using Masson's trichrome staining. Sperm parameters, including concentration, morphology, acrosome reaction status and DNA damage, were also examined. Expression of tyrosine phosphorylated protein (TyrPho), androgen receptor and A-kinase-anchoring protein 4 (AKAP4) were investigated using the Western blot technique. RESULTS: T-MP seed extract contained phenolic compounds and exhibited high antioxidant capacity with no toxicity at the tested doses. It did not affect liver or kidney function parameters in the male rats, but increased estradiol, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in the females. Additionally, it decreased serum progesterone and alkaline phosphatase levels in female rats. Serum and intratesticular testosterone levels were significantly lower in male rats that received a high dosage of T-MP. Histopathological changes were not observed in any tissue treated with T-MP. T-MP also significantly increased sperm concentration (but did not affect sperm parameters), and enhanced testicular TyrPho protein and androgen receptor and expression of AKAP4 in sperms. CONCLUSION T-MP seed extract exhibited antioxidant capacity and was not harmful to reproductive tissues. It also had a phytoestrogenic effect on females and increased the expression of testicular and sperm markers of male fertility.