Decline of sperm quality and testicular function in male mice during chronic low-dose exposure to microcystin-LR

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaodong Han
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Male Mice

scholarly journals Exposure to atrazine during puberty reduces sperm viability, increases weight gain and alters the expression of key metabolic genes in the liver of male mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Cook ◽  
Bethany J. Finger ◽  
Mark P. Green ◽  
Andrew J. Pask
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Effect Level ◽  
Liver Gene ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Atrazine (ATZ) is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide and is a common contaminant in human drinking water. It disrupts metabolic pathways in plants, and has metabolic and reproductive effects in vertebrates, including humans. Few studies have investigated the effects of exposure to low doses of ATZ, especially during sexual development in males. In this study, we exposed C57BL/6J male mice from weaning for 8 weeks to drinking water containing 0.5mgkg−1 bodyweight (BW) day−1 ATZ, the ‘no observed effect’ level used by the Australian government, or a 10-fold higher dose (5mgkg−1 BW day−1). Mice treated with the low dose of ATZ showed increased total and cumulative weight gain. At 12 weeks of age, there was a significant increase in the percentage of dead spermatozoa in both ATZ-exposed groups, as well as decreased epididymal sperm motility in the low-dose ATZ group. Significant changes in testis and liver gene expression were also observed following ATZ exposure. These data demonstrate that a low dose of ATZ can perturb metabolic and reproductive characteristics in male mice. A chronic reduction in sperm quality and increased weight gain could have negative consequences on the reproductive capacity of males, and further studies should consider the effects of long-term ATZ exposure on male reproductive health.

Restraint stress of male mice triggers apoptosis in spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells via activating the TNF-α system

Zygote ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
De-Ling Kong ◽  
Bin Xiao ◽  
Hong-Jie Yuan ◽  
Qiao-Qiao Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Restraint Stress ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Testicular Cells ◽  
Tnf Α

SummaryStudies have indicated that psychological stress impairs human fertility and that various stressors can induce apoptosis of testicular cells. However, the mechanisms by which psychological stress on males reduces semen quality and stressors induce apoptosis in testicular cells are largely unclear. Using a psychological (restraint) stress mouse model, we tested whether male psychological stress triggers apoptosis of spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells through activating tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α signalling. Wild-type or TNF-α−/− male mice were restrained for 48 h before examination for apoptosis and expression of TNF-α and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) in spermatozoa, epididymis, seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic cells. The results showed that male restraint significantly decreased fertilization rate and mitochondrial membrane potential, while increasing levels of malondialdehyde, active caspase-3, TNF-α and TNFR1 in spermatozoa. Male restraint also increased apoptosis and expression of TNF-α and TNFR1 in caudae epididymides, seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic cells. Sperm quality was also significantly impaired when spermatozoa were recovered 35 days after male restraint. The restraint-induced damage to spermatozoa, epididymis and seminiferous tubules was significantly ameliorated in TNF-α−/− mice. Furthermore, incubation with soluble TNF-α significantly reduced sperm motility and fertilizing potential. Taken together, the results demonstrated that male psychological stress induces apoptosis in spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells through activating the TNF-α system and that the stress-induced apoptosis in spermatogenic cells can be translated into impaired quality in future spermatozoa.

scholarly journals Systematic evaluation of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots toxicity on the reproduction and offspring health in male BALB/c mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Li ◽  
Xiaotan Lin ◽  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Kan Liu ◽  
Zhiwen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Organ Index ◽  
Acrosome Integrity ◽  
Offspring Health

Abstract Background: Increased applications of quantum dots (QDs) in biomedical field have aroused attention for their potential toxicological effects. Although many studies have been carried out on the toxicity of QDs, their effects on reproductive and development are still unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated the male reproductive toxicity and developmental toxicity of CdSe/ZnS QDs in BALB/c mice.Results: The male mice were injected intravenously with CdSe/ZnS QDs at the dosage of 2.5 mg/kg BW or 25 mg/kg BW, respectively, and the survival status, biodistribution of QDs in testes, serum sex hormone levels, histopathology, sperm motility and acrosome integrity was measured on Day 1, 7, 14, 28 and 42 after injection. On Day 35 after treatment, male mice were housed with non-exposed female mice, and then offspring number, body weight, organ index and histopathology of major organs, blood routine and biochemical tests of offspring were measured to evaluate the fertility and offspring health. The results showed that CdSe/ZnS QDs could rapidly distribute in the testis, and the fluorescence of QDs could still be detected on Day 42 post-injection. QDs had no adverse effect on the structure of testis and epididymis, but high-dose QDs could induce apoptosis of Leydig cells in testis at an early stage. No significant differences in survival of state, body weight organ index of testis and epididymis, sex hormones levels, sperm quality, sperm acrosome integrity and fertility of male mice were observed in QDs exposed groups. However, the development of offspring was obviously influenced, which was mainly manifested in the slow growth of offspring, changes of organ index of main organs, and the abnormality of liver and kidney function parameters.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that CdSe/ZnS QDs were able to cross the blood-testis barrier (BTB), produce no discernible toxic effects on the male reproductive system, but could affect the healthy growth of future generations to some extent. In view of the broad application prospect of QDs in biomedical fields, our findings might provide insight into the biological safety evaluation of the reproductive health of QDs.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Exercise Loads on Testicular Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Function in Obese Male Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejie Yi ◽  
Donghui Tang ◽  
Shicheng Cao ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
Haining Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
High Load ◽  
Serum Testosterone Level ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
Moderate Load

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of different exercise loads on the reproductive function of obese male mice and the underlying mechanisms. Male mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity were divided into obesity control (OC), obesity moderate-load exercise (OME), and obesity high-load exercise (OHE) groups. The OME and OHE groups were subjected to swimming exercise 5 days per week over a duration of 8 weeks, with the exercise load progressively increased to 2 h per day in the OME group and 2 h twice per day in the OHE group. In the OC group mice without exercise regimen, we observed a decrease in mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes, increase in free radical products, upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor-κB and proinflammatory cytokines, inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of testosterone synthases, decrease in the serum testosterone level and sperm quality, and increase in sperm apoptosis. Although both moderate-load exercise and high-load exercise reduced body fat, only moderate-load exercise effectively alleviated obesity-induced oxidative stress, downregulated the expression of nuclear factor-κB and proinflammatory cytokines, and reversed the decrease in mRNA and protein expression of testosterone synthases, serum testosterone level, and sperm quality. These changes were not observed in the OHE group mice. Obesity-induced testicular oxidative stress and inflammatory response decreased testosterone synthesis and sperm quality. Moderate-load exercise alleviated the negative effect of obesity on male reproductive function by decreasing testicular oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Although high-load exercise effectively reduced body fat, its effects on alleviating oxidative stress and improving male reproductive function were limited.

scholarly journals Protective Role of Spirulina platensis against Bifenthrin-Induced Reprotoxicity in Adult Male Mice by Reversing Expression of Altered Histological, Biochemical, and Molecular Markers Including MicroRNAs

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Barkallah ◽  
Ahlem Ben Slima ◽  
Fatma Elleuch ◽  
Imen Fendri ◽  
Chantal Pichon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spirulina Platensis ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Protein Carbonyls ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme Activities ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Clinical Indicators ◽  
Altered Expression

The potential reprotoxicity of bifenthrin remains unclear if only the common clinical indicators of reproductive disease are examined. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Spirulina platensis, a microalga rich in antioxidant compounds, against bifenthrin-induced testicular oxidative damage in male mice. At the first, we demonstrate that administration of bifenthrin resulted in a decline of testosterone level and in deterioration of sperm quality that was correlated with significant transcription changes of some specific mRNA and microRNA involved in cholesterol transport, testosterone synthesis, and spermatogenesis. At the biochemical level, we found that oxidative stress was obvious in the bifenthrin group, as evidenced by increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitrite oxide (NO) that was correlated with activation of genes related to mitochondrial apoptotic signal pathways. We then brought, for the first time to our knowledge, solid and complete experimental evidences that administration of mice with Spirulina extract was sufficient to protect against deleterious effects BF in testicular tissues by abrogating the change in antioxidant enzyme activities; the increase in MDA, PCO, and NO concentrations; and the altered expression level of miRNA and mRNA involved in spermatogenesis. We finally demonstrate that Spirulina restores the production of testosterone in mice as well as epididymal sperm viability and motility. These results suggest a potential antitoxic activity of Tunisian Spirulina deserving further attention.

Long-Term Exposure to Low-Dose Lead Induced Deterioration in Bone Microstructure of Male Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 195 (2) ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijie Sheng ◽  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Xiang Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyin Li ◽  
Bingyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Bone Microstructure ◽  
Male Mice

scholarly journals Low-dose colchicine prevents sympathetic denervation after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion: a new potential protective mechanism

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. FSO656
Author(s):  
Fabien Huet ◽  
Jérémy Fauconnier ◽  
Marion Legall ◽  
Pierre Sicard ◽  
Catherine Lozza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Coronary Artery ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Colchicine Treatment ◽  
Sympathetic Denervation ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Variability Index ◽  
Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of colchicine on sympathetic denervation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Materials & methods: Ischemia/Reperfusion was induced in C57BL/6J male mice. Left coronary artery was ligated during 45 min followed by reperfusion. 400 μg/kg of colchicine or the placebo was administrated intraperitoneally 15 min before the reperfusion. Results: Colchicine treatment significantly improved heart rate variability index after AMI. Colchicine prevented sympathetic denervation in the remote area (p = 0.04) but not in the scar area (p = 0.70). Conclusion: These results suggest promising protective pathway of colchicine after AMI.

Gestational and pubertal exposure to low dose of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate impairs sperm quality in adult mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Pavla Dostalova ◽  
Eva Zatecka ◽  
Lukas Ded ◽  
Fatima Elzeinova ◽  
Eliska Valaskova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Ethylhexyl Phthalate
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