Testicular Changes in Newborn Rats Exposed to Phototherapy

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Koç ◽  
H. Altunhan ◽  
A. Dilsiz ◽  
A. Kaymakçi ◽  
S. Duman ◽  
...  

In this study we investigated the long-term effects of 72-h continuous phototherapy on the reproductive system of newborn rats. The animals' weight, fertilization rates, and number of newborn and histopathological changes in the gonads in a normal group not exposed to phototherapy and in the test animals were compared. At the age of 24 weeks there were no significant differences between the two groups, apart from the histology of the testicles of the male rats who were exposed to the phototherapy. The study group showed a significantly reduced diameter of the seminiferous tubules when compared to the controls ( P < 0.001). It can be postulated that phototherapy may cause histological degenerative changes in the structure of the rat's testes, even though there were no changes in fertilization rates. Further studies are necessary to reveal the effects of phototherapy on humans and to determine the effects, if any, on fertility.

Andrologia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.A. SOD-MORIAH ◽  
U. SROR ◽  
D. SHEMI ◽  
G. POTASHNIK ◽  
R. CHAYOTH ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
N. V. Chueshova ◽  
F. I. Vismont

The experiment established the long-term effects of low-intensity electromagnetic radiation from a mobile phone (EMR MP 1745 MHz, xpd = 7.5 ± 0.3 μW/cm2) in the offspring of male rats from parents, one of which was either subjected to a prolonged exposure of the investigated factor. A change in the sex ratio of the born offspring and a decrease in their body weight have been established. The analysis of the reproductive system of the offspring of males when they reached the age of 2 and 4 months, revealed significant impairments, with the most pronounced changes found in the offspring obtained from both the irradiated parents or when only the male was irradiated. These changes are manifested in the disruption of the normal functioning of the spermatogenic epithelium, namely, an intensification of the initial stage of spermatogenesis is noted, with a significant inhibition at the stage of spermatid transformation. A decrease in the number of mature germ cells – spermatozoa and a pronounced deterioration of their viability, as well as an increase in testosterone secretion is established. The revealed violations in the morphofunctional state of the reproductive system of the offspring suggest that the trans-generation effect of EMR exposure generated by cellular sources can be considered as a factor affecting the decline in the male fertility.


1962 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
M. ALLANSON ◽  
R. DEANESLY

SUMMARY Cadmium chloride, in a single subcutaneous injection, can destroy spermatogenic and interstitial cells in the rat testis (Pařízek, 1957) and produce changes in the pituitary. The interstitial tissue is restored by ingrowths from the tunica and full androgen secretion returns before there is any regeneration of germinal epithelium. A cytological study has been made of the peripheral and central pituitary gonadotrophs; the latter revert almost to normal as the interstitial tissue regenerates, whereas the former retain characteristic castration features, unless there is also regeneration of the germinal epithelium. This seems to indicate that in the normal testis there is a hormone contribution from the seminiferous tubules as well as from the interstitial cells. The long-term effects of cadmium on the testis depend on the dose. Early stages of tubule restoration have been studied, but after administration of 0·9 mg., actual proliferation of the germinal epithelium was rarely found—only in four out of twenty rats, 113 or 142 days after injection.


2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. R575-R579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Korotkova ◽  
Britt G. Gabrielsson ◽  
Agneta Holmäng ◽  
Britt-Marie Larsson ◽  
Lars Å. Hanson ◽  
...  

Epidemiological studies in humans have shown that perinatal nutrition affects health later in life. We have previously shown that the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the maternal diet affects serum leptin levels and growth of the suckling pups. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of various ratios of the dietary n-6 and n-3 PUFA during the perinatal period on serum leptin, insulin, and triacylglycerol, as well as body growth in the adult offspring. During late gestation and throughout lactation, rats were fed an isocaloric diet containing 7 wt% fat, either as linseed oil (n-3 diet), soybean oil (n-6/n-3 diet), or sunflower oil (n-6 diet). At 3 wk of age, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in the serum phospholipids of the offspring were 2.5, 8.3, and 17.5, respectively. After weaning, all pups were given a standard chow. At the 28th postnatal wk, mean body weight and fasting insulin levels were significantly increased in the rats fed the n-6/n-3 diet perinatally compared with the other groups. The systolic blood pressure and serum triacylglycerol levels were only increased in adult male rats of the same group. These data suggest that the balance between n-6 and n-3 PUFA during perinatal development affects several metabolic parameters in adulthood, especially in the male animals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
M. S. Garcia ◽  
W. A. Orcini ◽  
R. L. Peruquetti ◽  
J. E. Perobelli

This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) and Aroclor (Sigma-Aldrich), alone or in combination, following exposure of prepubertal male rats considering the chromatoid body (CB) as a potential target. The CB is an important molecular regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis, primarily during spermatid cytodifferentiation. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MeHg and/or Aroclor , according the following experimental design: control group, which was administered in corn oil (vehicle) only; MeHg-treated group, which was administered 0.5mg kg−1 day−1 MeHg; Aroclor-treated group, which was administered 1mg kg−1 day−1 Aroclor; Mix-LD, group which was administered a low-dose mixture of MeHg (0.05mg kg−1 day−1) and Aroclor (0.1mg kg−1 day−1); and Mix-HD group, which was administered a high-dose mixture of MeHg (0.5mg kg−1 day−1) and Aroclor (1.0mg kg−1 day−1). MeHg was diluted in distilled water and Aroclor was made up in corn oil (volume 1mL kg−1). Rats were administered the different treatments from PND23 to PND53 by gavage, . The morphophysiology of CBs was analysed, together with aspects of steroid hormones status and regulation, just after the last treatment on PND53. In addition, the long-term effects on sperm parameters were assessed in adult animals. MeHg exposure increased mouse VASA homologue (MVH) protein levels in seminiferous tubules, possibly affecting the epigenetic status of germ cells. Aroclor produced morphological changes to CB assembly, which may explain the observed morphological defects to the sperm flagellum and the consequent decrease in sperm motility. There were no clear additive or synergistic effects between MeHg and Aroclor when administered in combination. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MeHg and Aroclor have independent deleterious effects on the developing testis, causing molecular and morphological changes in CBs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that CBs are targets for toxic agents.


1991 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Nicholson ◽  
S. E. F. Guldenaar ◽  
G. J. Boer ◽  
B. T. Pickering

ABSTRACT The long-term effects of oxytocin administration on the testis were studied using intratesticular implants. Adult male rats had an Accurel device containing 20 μg oxytocin (releasing approximately 200 ng/day) implanted into the parenchyma of each testis; control animals received empty devices. The animals were killed at weekly intervals for 4 weeks. Some animals were perfused and the testes processed for light and electron microscopy. Blood was collected from the remaining animals for the measurement of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, LH, FSH and oxytocin; epididymal sperm counts were measured and the testes were extracted and radioimmunoassayed for testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and oxytocin. Long-term administration of oxytocin resulted in a significant reduction in testicular and plasma testosterone levels throughout the 4-week period examined and, after 14 days of treatment, lipid droplets were seen in the Leydig cells of treated but not control animals. Concentrations of dihydrotestosterone in the plasma and testes of the oxytocin-treated animals, however, were significantly elevated after 7 and 14 days and at no time fell below control values. Plasma FSH levels were also lower in the oxytocin-treated animals. Intratesticular oxytocin treatment did not affect LH or oxytocin concentrations in the plasma, epididymal sperm counts or the number of Leydig cells in the testis. Empty Accurel devices had no effect on testicular morphology. This study provides the first evidence that oxytocin in vivo can modify steroidogenesis in the testis. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 231–238


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. L555-L562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Le Cras ◽  
Neil E. Markham ◽  
Rubin M. Tuder ◽  
Norbert F. Voelkel ◽  
Steven H. Abman

To determine whether disruption of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-VEGF receptor (VEGFR) signaling in the newborn has long-term effects on lung structure and function, we injected 1-day-old newborn rat pups with a single dose of Su-5416, a VEGFR inhibitor, or vehicle (controls). Lungs from infant (3-wk-old) and adult (3- to 4-mo-old) rats treated with Su-5416 as newborns showed reductions in arterial density (82 and 31%, respectively) and alveolar counts (45 and 29%) compared with controls. Neonatal treatment with Su-5416 increased right ventricle weight to body wt ratios (4.2-fold and 2.0-fold) and pulmonary arterial wall thickness measurements (2.7-fold and 1.6-fold) in infant and adult rats, respectively, indicating marked pulmonary hypertension. We conclude that treatment of newborn rats with the VEGFR inhibitor Su-5416 impaired pulmonary vascular growth and postnatal alveolarization and caused pulmonary hypertension and that these effects were long term, persisting well into adulthood.


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