ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS).

METHODSA total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. Meanwhile the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups were gavaged with QJT at 6700, 3300 and 1700 mg/kg/d, respectively, qd 6 days a week for 20 days. Then the testis issue and the apoptosis of the testicular cells were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of vimentin in the testis was determined with the immunohistochemical SP method, that of ERK1/2 detected by Western blot, and the concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThe AS model controls showed round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, broken or lost mitochondria, and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum in the testis tissue. In comparison, the rats of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups exhibited round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, and well-structured mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome, which were all similar those of the blank controls. Compared with the blank controls, the AS model rats manifested significantly increased expressions of ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.26 ± 0.10, P<0.01) and vimentin (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.01, P<0.01) and apoptosis rate of cells in the testis tissue (［9.20 ± 3.07］ vs ［42.20 ± 9.17］ %, P<0.01), but decreased level of TGF-β1 in the semen (［627.67 ± 26.07］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P<0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats of the high- and medium- -dose QJT groups presented remarkably down-regulated expressions of ERK1/2 (1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.14 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.18 ± 0.05, P<0.05) and vimentin (0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P<0.01; 0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.09, P<0.05) and decreased rate of cell apoptosis (［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［21.60 ± 5.94］ %, P<0.01; ［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［33.95 ± 6.39］ %, P<0.05). The concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen was markedly lower in the high-dose QJT than in the AS model control group (［621.78 ± 30.80］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQiangjing Tablets could improve semen quality in asthenospermia rats by acting against oxidative stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Asthenozoospermia ; enzymology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Atrazine (ATZ) on the reproductive system of male rats.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ATZ by gavage at dosages of 0, 38.5, 77, and 154 mg/kg bw/day for 30 d. The toxic effects of ATZ to rats were assessed through histopathologcal observation, spermatozoa quality evaluation, testicular marker enzyme indicators, antioxidant capacity and reproductive hormone levels.

RESULTSSignificant adverse effects on reproductive system were observed in rats exposed to ATZ at different dosages compared with 0 mg/kg group, including an irregular and disordered arrangement of the seminiferous epithelium in 154 mg/kg group; a decreased spermatozoa number and an increased spermatozoa abnormality rate in 77 and 154 mg/kg groups; decreased levels of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) with the increasing of ATZ concentration; a decreased level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in a dose-dependent manner, and a decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) level and an increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in 154 mg/kg group; and decreased serum levels of testosterone (T) and inhibin-B (INH-B) and an increased serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in 77 and 154 mg/kg groups, and an increased serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in 154 mg/kg group.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that relatively high doses of ATZ could exert reproductive toxicity of male rats.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Atrazine ; toxicity ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Herbicides ; toxicity ; Hormones ; blood ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Toxicity Tests, Chronic

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSThe SYDS model was prepared in 30 mice by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. They were randomly divided into the model group and the JSP group, 15 in each group. Another 15 normal male mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal group were fed routinely, with distilled water administered intragastrically at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g. Mice in the model group were also administered intragastrically with distilled water at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g while modeling establishment. Mice in the treatment group were administered intragastrically with JSP suspension at 0.1 mL/10 g (the concentration was 0.241 g/mL). The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, the testis telomerase activity was detected in the three groups by ELISA.

RESULTSThe SYDS model was replicated successfully by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. JSP could improve the signs of mice of SYDS. Compared with the normal group, the activity of testis telomerase decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the testis telomerase activity markedly increased in the treatment group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe testis telomerase activity in mice of SYDS caused by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain obviously decreased, when compared with that in mice of the normal group. JSP could recover its activity.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of metformin on epididymal sperm quality and antioxidant function of the testis in diet-induced obesity rats.

METHODSThirty-two male SD rats were fed on high-fat food for 8 weeks to make obesity models, and another 8 were included as normal controls. Twenty-four of the model rats were equally randomized into a model control group to be fed continuously on high-fat food, a metformin group to be fed on normal food with metformin, and a normal food group. By the end of the 12th week, all the rats were killed for the determination of Lee's index, the organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis, epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility, grade a + b sperm percentage, and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testicular homogenate.

RESULTSLee's index was significantly increased in the model control group (P < 0.01) as compared with the other three. Lee's index was markedly higher in the normal control than in the metformin group (P < 0.05). The organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis were significantly decreased in the model control group (P < 0.01) as compared with the other three. Sperm concentration and motility and the percentage of a + b sperm were significantly decreased in the model control in comparison with the other three groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Sperm concentration was remarkably higher in the normal control than in the metformin and normal food groups (P < 0.05). The content of SOD (U/mg prot) was significantly lower in the model control (90.92 +/- 4.06) than in the normal control and metformin groups (101.69 +/- 8.49 and 102.04 +/- 10.67) (P < 0.05); that of GSH-Px (U) obviously higher in the normal control (28.32 +/- 2.28) than in the model control (23.49 +/- 1.08, P < 0.01), the metformin (25.73 +/- 2.14, P < 0.05) and the normal food group (25.77 +/- 2.19, P < 0.05), but evidently lower in the model control than in the metformin group (P < 0.05); and that of MDA (nmol/mg prot) significantly higher in the model control (2.68 +/- 0.76) than in the normal control (1.84 +/- 0.31, P < 0.01), the metformin (1.88 +/- 0.33, P < 0.01), and the normal food group (2.14 +/- 0.35, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMetformin therapy and improved diet could improve sperm quality and promote the antioxidant ability of the testis in diet-induced obesity rats.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; analysis ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Obesity ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) on activities of testicle enzymes as biological markers in rats.

METHODSFifty male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10). One group was left untreated and used as a solvent control (administered orally by corn oil), while the other 4 groups were treated with 3, 4-DCA. Corn oil was used as a solvent, and 3,4-DCA was diluted into tested concentrations (39, 81, 170, and 357 mg/kg). All the groups orally administered 3,4-DCA or corn oil, once a day for 4 weeks. The testicle tissue was homogenized in a 0.1 mol/L potassium phosphate buffer (0.1 mol/L, pH 7.2). The crude homogenate was centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 5 min at 4 degrees C. The supernatant obtained was used as an enzyme extract for determination of the enzyme activities.

RESULTSCompared with the control, the activities of ALP, ACP, and SDH were increased significantly at a lower level of 3,4-DCA, and decreased at a higher level of 3, 4-DCA, whreas the activities of LDH, LDH-X, and G6PDH were inhibited significantly with the increased 3,4-DCA concentration. Organ coefficient "organ weight/total body weight x 100" of testis, liver, and spleen increased significantly with the increased 3,4-DCA concentration. These results suggest that 3,4-DCA toxicity to the male reproductive system was associated with the activities of testicular enzymes which are the sensitive biochemical endpoints reflecting 3,4-DCA toxicity to the male reproductive system.

CONCLUSION3,4-DCA has toxicity to the reproductive system in male rats.

Aniline Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Toxicity Tests

AIMTo evaluate the effects of melatonin on antioxidant enzyme levels and histopathologic changes in dizocilpine (MK-801)-induced psychosis model rat testis.

METHODSA total of 24 adult male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into three groups with 8 in each. Group I was used as control. Rats in Group II were injected with MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg body weight i.p. for 5 days). In addition to MK-801, melatonin (50 mg/kg body weight i.p. once a day for 5 days) was injected into the rats in Group III. The testes were harvested bilaterally for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and nitric oxide (NO) levels in testicular tissues were analyzed using spectrophotometric analysis methods. Histopathological examinations of the testes were also performed.

RESULTSMK-801 induced testicular damage, which resulted in significant oxidative stress (OS) by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and NO levels were increased in testicular tissues of rats. Treatment with melatonin led to significant decrease in oxidative injury. Administration of melatonin also reduced the detrimental histopathologic effects caused by MK-801.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study showed that MK-801 cause OS in testicular tissues of rats and treatment with melatonin can reduce the harmful effects of MK-801.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Mental Disorders ; chemically induced ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protein Carbonylation ; Psychotropic Drugs ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology

AIMTo investigate the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2), Peganum harmala extract (PHE) and caloric restriction (CR) on various testis parameters during aging.

METHODSTwelve month-old male rats were treated for 6 months with either E2 or PHE, or submitted to CR (40%).

RESULTSOur results show that estrogens and CR are able to protect the male gonad by preventing the decrease of testosterone and E2 levels as well as the decrease of aromatase and estrogen receptor gene expressions. Indeed, E2, PHE and CR treatments induced an increase in the superoxide dismutase activities and decreased the activity of testicular enzymes: gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate deshydrogenase as well as the aspartate and lactate transaminases in aged animals. In addition, the testicular catalase and gluthatione peroxidase activities were enhanced in E2, PHE and CR-treated rats compared to untreated animals at 18 months of age. Moreover, the positive effects of estradiol, PHE and CR were further supported by a lower level of lipid peroxidation. Recovery of spermatogenesis was recorded in treated rats.

CONCLUSIONBesides a low caloric diet which is beneficial for spermatogenesis, a protective antioxydant role of estrogens is suggested. Estrogens delay testicular cell damage, which leads to functional senescence and, therefore, estrogens are helpful in protecting the reproductive functions from the adverse effects exerted by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in large quantities in the aged testis.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Aromatase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Caloric Restriction ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peganum ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; metabolism

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase(PHGPx), an antioxidative selenoprotein, is modulated byestrogen in the testis and oviduct. To examine whetherpotential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affectthe microenvironment of the testes, the expression patternsof PHGPx mRNA and histological changes were analyzedin 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats exposed to severalEDCs such as an androgenic compound [testosterone (50,200, and 1,000microg/kg)], anti-androgenic compounds [flutamide(1, 5, and 25mg/kg), ketoconazole (0.2 and 1mg/kg), anddiethylhexyl phthalate (10, 50, and 250mg/kg)], andestrogenic compounds [nonylphenol (10, 50, 100, and 250mg/kg), octylphenol (10, 50, and 250mg/kg), and diethyl-stilbestrol (10, 20, and 40microg/kg)] daily for 3 weeks via oraladministration. Mild proliferation of germ cells andhyperplasia of interstitial cells were observed in the testesof the flutamide-treated group and deletion of thegerminal epithelium and sloughing of germ cells wereobserved in testes of the diethylstilbestrol-treated group.Treatment with testosterone was shown to slightly decreasePHGPx mRNA levels in testes by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. However, anti-androgeniccompounds (flutamide, ketoconazole, and diethylhexylphthalate) and estrogenic compounds (nonylphenol,octylphenol, and diethylstilbestrol) significantly up-regulated PHGPx mRNA in the testes (p<0.05). Thesefindings indicate that the EDCs might have a detrimentaleffect on spermatogenesis via abnormal enhancement ofPHGPx expression in testes and that PHGPx is useful as abiomarker for toxicity screening of estrogenic or anti-androgenic EDCs in testes.
Androgen Antagonists/pharmacology ; Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/pharmacology ; Diethylstilbestrol/pharmacology ; Endocrine Disruptors/*pharmacology ; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology ; Flutamide/pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Histocytochemistry ; Ketoconazole/pharmacology ; Male ; Phenols/pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatogenesis/drug effects ; Testis/*drug effects/*enzymology ; Testosterone/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore genital toxicity of depleted uranium (DU) by studying the changes of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the testis of rats instilled with DU particles.

METHODSWistar rats were exposed to DU by means of different dosages of DU particles intratracheal instillation. The samples of the testis were collected 3 months later, and iNOS mRNA was determined by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Semiquantitative analysis of the RT-PCR products was made with a transilluminator.

RESULTSiNOS mRNA was not observed in the control group. Compared with the control, there were significant increases of OD in the PCR products of all the DU groups (P < 0. 05 ); OD rose gradually from the DU 1 mg group to the DU 3 mg group, peaked in the latter, and subsided significantly in the DU 5 mg group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntratracheal instilled DU particles play a key role in iNOS mRNA expression of the rat testis. The iNOS mRNA expression will weaken when the DU dosage reaches a certain level, which may attribute to the complex of DU's chemical toxicity and radiation effects.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testis ; enzymology ; Uranium ; toxicity

AIMTo evaluate the effect of oxidative stress on the spermatogenesis and lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDH-X) activity in mouse testis.

METHODSFor creating different levels of oxidative stress in mice, three selenium (Se) level diets were fed in separate groups for 8 weeks. Group 1 animals were fed yeast-based Se-deficient (0.02 ppm) diet. Group 2 and Group 3 animals were fed with the same diet supplemented with 0.2 ppm and 1 ppm Se as sodium selenite, respectively. After 8 weeks, biochemical and histopathological observations of the testis were carried out. LDH-X levels in the testis were analyzed by western immunoblot and ELISA.

RESULTSA significant decrease in testis Se level was observed in Group 1 animals, whereas it was enhanced in Group 3 as compared to Group 2. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly reduced in both the liver and testis in Group 1, but not in Group 2 and 3. A significant increase in the testis glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was observed in Group 1, whereas no significant change was seen in Groups 2 and 3. Histological analysis of testis revealed a normal structure in Group 2. A significant decrease in the germ cell population in Group 1 was observed as compared to Group 2 with the spermatids and mature sperm affected the most. Decrease in the lumen size was also observed. In the Se-excess group (Group 3), displacement of germ cell population was observed. Further, a decrease in the LDH-X level in testis was observed in Group 1.

CONCLUSIONExcessive oxidative stress in the Se deficient group, as indicated by changes in the GSH-Px/GST activity, affects the spermatogenic process with a reduction in mature sperm and in turn the LDH-X level.

Animals ; Diet ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Isoenzymes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Selenium ; deficiency ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiology