OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of fructus schisandrae (FS) on the function of the pituitary-testis axis and carbohydrate metabolism in male rats undergoing experimental navigation and strenuous exercise.

METHODSThirty-four SD rats were randomly allocated into three groups, quiescent control (A), stress control (B) and FS (C). Those in Groups B and C received 10 days of Benford's high-intensity training, followed by 7 days of intragastric administration of normal saline and FS, respectively. Blood samples were immediately obtained at the end of the experiment for the measurement of the levels of serum testosterone (T), corticosterone (CORT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and blood glucose (Glu) by radioimmunoassay. The pituitary gland and testis tissues were also collected for the observation of their ultrastructures under the electron microscope.

RESULTSGroup A showed a significantly lower Glu level and a higher T level than B ([5.22 +/- 2.13] mmol/L versus [9.41 +/- 2.56] mmol/L, and [0.61 +/- 0.68] ng/ml versus [0.10 +/- 0.15] ng/ml, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the CORT level between the two groups ([4.67 +/- 1.19] ng/ml versus [7.25 +/- 6.20] ng/ml, P > 0.05). Compared with Group B, both the Glu and CORT levels were remarkably decreased in Group C ([5.09 +/- 1.64] mmol/L and [3.55 +/- 3.52] ng/ml, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), but the T level showed no significant change ([0.11 +/- 0.12] ng/ml, P > 0.05). And there were no significant differences in the serum LH level among the three groups (P > 0.05). Ultrastructural pathology showed a significant reduction of secretory granules in the pituitary cells in Group B as compared with A, and a markedly increased number of granules in the cytoplasm in Group C in comparison with B. Such changes as mitochondrial swelling, increase of electron density and decrease or disappearance of mitochondrial cristae were also found in the Leydig cells of Group B. No significant differences were observed in the testicular cells between Groups and C.

CONCLUSIONExperimental navigation and high-intensity training significantly suppress the function of the pituitary-testis axis in rats. Intragastric administration of fructus schisandrae can protect the pituitary-testis axis and reduce the blood Glu level in the stressed rats.

Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Pituitary Gland ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Testis ; drug effects ; 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

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a modified Wuzi Yanzong Pill (, WZYZP) on the male rats' testis after microwave radiation, as well as its potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five male rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group, the radiation group, and the WZYZP group. The rats in the radiation group and WZYZP group were exposed to microwave radiation for 15 min once, while the rats in the control group were not exposed to any radiation. The rats in the WZYZP group were given a modified of WZYZP by gavage daily for 7 days. Apoptosis in the testis was evaluated using terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Histopathological alterations of the testis were observed by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Tat-interactive protein, 60kD (Tip60) and p53 expressions were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The apoptosis index (AI) in the radiation group was higher than that of the WZYZP group and control group on day 1 (D1), day 7 (D7) day 14 (D14) after radiation (P<0.05). The seminiferous tubules were of normal morphology in the control group. In the radiation group, the partial seminiferous tubules were collapsed, basement membranes of the seminiferous epithelia became detached. WZYZP could restore the morphological changes. There was no expression of Tip60 among the three groups on D7 and D14. The expression of p53 was higher in the radiation group than in the control group (P<0.05). WZYZP could down-regulate the rising p53 induced by radiation on D7 and D14 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION A modified WZYZP may affect germ cells, and its protective effects may partly result from its ability to intervene in Tip60 mediated apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Microwaves ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

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

Animals ; Female ; Isocyanates ; toxicity ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tiancan Zhuangyang Powder (TCZYP) on the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (stAR protein) expression of Leydig cells in model rats with partial androgen deficiency of aging male (PADAM).

METHODSPADAM rat model was prepared by cyclophosphamide induced reproductive system damage. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, i. e. the normal control group, the model group, the testosterone propionate group, and the TCZYP group. The general condition, body weight, tail suspension experiment and exhaustion swimming test, and the testicular index, etc. were observed to assess the state of rats. The serum total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT) levels were detected by radioimmunoassay before and after treatment. The stAR protein expression level of Leydig cells were determined using immunohistochemical assay. Statistic analyses were performed.

RESULTSBy modeling with cyclophosphamide, serum TT and FT levels decreased (P<0.01), behavior changes were basically similar to PADAM (by tail suspension test), indicating a successful modeling. After treatment serum rTT and FT levels in the testosterone propionate group and the TCZYP group significantly increased when compared with before treatment and with the model group after treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the TCZYP group and the testosterone propionate group (P>0.05). The immobility time in the tail suspension test were significantly shortened in the testosterone propionate group and the TCZYP group (P<0.05). The exhausted swimming time was more significantly prolongated than that of the model group (P<0.05). The stAR protein gray value significantly decreased (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTCZYP could prevent serum TT and FT levels from decrease, improve stAR protein activities, and attenuate the depression state and muscular tension in PADAM rats. Its action was equivalent to that of testosterone propionate.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yijing Recipe (YR) on the apoptosis of testis spermatogenic cells and the protein expression of Bcl-2/Bax in rats with adenine induced infertility.

METHODSTotally 75 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the model group, the high dose YR group, the middle dose YR group, and the low dose YR group, 15 in each group. Except those in the blank control group, rats in the rest groups were intragastrically administered with adenine for 10 successive days. From the 11th day, rats in the blank control group and the model group were fed with equal volume of normal saline. Rats in the YR groups were intragastrically administered with YR at different doses (3.38 g/100 g; 1.69 g/100 g; 0.85 g/100 g), once daily for 20 consecutive days. All rats were killed by the end of the experiment and their testes extracted. The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the expression of Bcl-2/Bax proteins were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and SABC method.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the Bcl-2 protein expression decreased, the Bax protein expression increased, and the apoptosis index increased in the model group, showing statistical difference (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the Bcl-2 protein expression increased in the three YR treated groups (P <0.01, P <0.05). The Bax protein expression level decreased in the high and middle dose YR groups (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). The apoptosis index decreased in the middle dose YR group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONYR could inhibit the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells through regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in the testis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Infertility ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the regulatory effect of Bushenfang on the serum testosterone (T) level of naturally aging rats and its mechanism, in order to provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the clinical treatment of late onset hypogonadism (LOH) in males.

METHODSThirty-two 18-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number, naturally aging model and low-, medium- and high-dose Bushenfang groups, and another eight 4-month-old rats were taken as normal controls. The rats of the aging model and normal control groups were treated with normal saline, while those of the low-, medium- and high-dose Bushenfang groups received intragastrically Bushenfang at 3.25, 7.50 and 15.00 g/kg, respectively, all for 3 weeks. Then the rats were sacrificed, the histomorphologic changes of the testis observed by HE staining, the serum T level measured by radioimmunoassay, and the expressions of the StAR protein, P450scc and 3beta-HSD I determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe number of Leydig cells was obviously increased after Bushenfang treatment. The levels of serum T were significantly higher in the low-, medium- and high-dose Bushenfang groups ([6.74 +/- 1.56] nmol/L, [8.50 +/- 1.99] nmol/L and [12.41 +/- 2.91] nmol/L) than in the model group ([3.48 +/- 0.75] nmol/L) (P < 0.05). The three Bushenfang groups also showed a remarkable elevation in the mRNA expressions of StAR (0.74 +/- 0.29, 0.83 +/- 0.32 and 1.35 +/- 0.50), P450scc (0.72 +/- 0.36, 1.023 +/- 0.30 and 1.41 +/- 0.37) and 3beta-HSD I (0.58 +/- 0.14, 0.72 +/- 0.07 and 0.85 +/- 0.18), as compared with the models (StAR: 0.44 +/- 0.09; P450scc: 0.33 +/- 0.05; 3beta-HSD I: 0.34 +/- 0.02), with significant differences in the StAR expression between the high-dose Bushenfang and the model groups, as well as in P450scc and 3beta-HSD I expressions between the medium- and high-dose Bushenfang and the model groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushenfang could improve the pathological status of testicular injury and increase the expression of testosterone synthetase, which might be the mechanism behind its regulatory effect on the serum T level of aging rats.

Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; metabolism

AIMTo determine the biochemical effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on testes, liver, kidneys and pancreas on day 10 in the process of degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium.

METHODSDiets containing 2% DEHP were given to male Crlj:CD1(ICR) mice for 10 days. The dose of DEHP was 0.90 +/- 0.52 mg/mouse/day. Their testes, livers, kidneys and pancreata were examined for detection of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by peroxidation of nitric oxide (NO) with free radicals, and lipid peroxidation induced by the chain reaction of free radicals.

RESULTSHistological observation and serum analysis showed the presence of severe spermatogenic disturbance, Leydig cell dysfunction, liver dysfunction and dehydration. Unexpectedly, the concentration of MEHP in the testes was extremely low compared with that in the liver. However, the concentration of the NOx in the testes was as high as the hepatic concentration. Furthermore, free radical-induced lipid peroxidation was histochemically detected in the testes but not in the liver.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that DEHP-induced aspermatogenesis is caused by the high sensitivity of the testicular tissues to MEHP rather than the specific accumulation or uptake of circulating MEHP into the testes.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Copper ; metabolism ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Iron ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitrogen Oxides ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; Zinc ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of carbendazim on the testicular development and spermatogenic function of male rats and its action mechanism.

METHODSForty clean-grade impubic male Wistar rats were equally randomized into a low-dose, a medium-dose, a high-dose and a control group, treated respectively with carbendazim at 20, 100 and 200 mg/kg (bw) and Tween-80 solution, all by oral gavage once a day for 80 days. After treatment, the rats were weighed, their testes and epididymides immediately excised, their morphological changes observed and the weights of the right testis and epididymis obtained. Sperm motility and counts in the left cauda epididymis were determined. Histopathological changes, cell apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2/Bax in the testis were detected by HE staining, TUNEL and immunohistochemical SABC method.

RESULTSThe medium- and high-dose groups showed obviously atrophic testes and epididymides, marked histopathological abnormality of the testis, reduced weight of the right testis and epididymis, and decreased sperm motility and counts in the left cauda epididymis (P < 0.01). With the increasing dose of carbendazim, the apoptosis rate and Bax expression were significantly raised, while the expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCarbendazim affects the testicular development and spermatogenic function of male rats, and the mechanism may involve cell apoptosis induced by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzimidazoles ; pharmacology ; Carbamates ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism