Semen parameters, fertility and testosterone levels in male rats exposed prenatally to betamethasone

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata C. Piffer ◽  
Patrícia C. Garcia ◽  
Daniela C. C. Gerardin ◽  
Wilma G. Kempinas ◽  
Oduvaldo C. M. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Testosterone Levels

The present study investigated the long-term effects of prenatal betamethasone exposure on sperm quality and count, fertility and plasma testosterone levels in adult male rats. Pregnant rats received 0.1 mg kg–1 betamethasone on Days 12, 13, 18 and 19 of pregnancy. This treatment impaired sperm quality, sperm production, fertility and plasma testosterone levels in adult male offspring compared to the control group. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that the long-term effects of prenatal betamethasone exposure may be deleterious to offspring. The consequent decrease in testosterone production during adulthood, in association with damaged semen parameters, may explain for the observed decrease in the capacity of adult male offspring to themselves generate viable descendants.

scholarly journals Long-Term Adverse Effects of Oxidative Stress on Rat Epididymis and Spermatozoa

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei You Wu ◽  
Eleonora Scarlata ◽  
Cristian O’Flaherty
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Antioxidant Enzymes ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Dna Oxidation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Effects

Oxidative stress is a common culprit of several conditions associated with male fertility. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote impairment of sperm quality mainly by decreasing motility and increasing the levels of DNA oxidation. Oxidative stress is a common feature of environmental pollutants, chemotherapy and other chemicals, smoke, toxins, radiation, and diseases that can have negative effects on fertility. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes associated with the protection of mammalian spermatozoa against oxidative stress and the regulation of sperm viability and capacitation. In the present study, we aimed to determine the long-term effects of oxidative stress in the testis, epididymis and spermatozoa using the rat model. Adult male rats were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) or saline (control group), and reproductive organs and spermatozoa were collected at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after the end of treatment. We determined sperm DNA oxidation and motility, and levels of lipid peroxidation and protein expression of antioxidant enzymes in epididymis and testis. We observed that cauda epididymal spermatozoa displayed low motility and high DNA oxidation levels at all times. Lipid peroxidation was higher in caput and cauda epididymis of treated rats at 3 and 6 weeks but was similar to control levels at 9 weeks. PRDX6 was upregulated in the epididymis due to t-BHP; PRDX1 and catalase, although not significant, followed similar trend of increase. Testis of treated rats did not show signs of oxidative stress nor upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. We concluded that t-BHP-dependent oxidative stress promoted long-term changes in the epididymis and maturing spermatozoa that result in the impairment of sperm quality.

scholarly journals Influence of Fetoplacentary Insufficiency of Mothers on the State of Spermatogenesis of Male Offspring

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 343-348
Author(s):  
N. Yu. Seliukova ◽  
◽  
K. V. Misyura ◽  
D. V. Morozenko ◽  
R. V. Dotsenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
The State ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Testosterone Levels

The demographic situation in most countries of the European region, which includes Ukraine, is characterized as quite complex. Nowadays the question of the long-term effects of maternal fetoplacental insufficiency on the functioning of human body systems, in particular on the reproductive system of male offspring, remains open. It is known that negative factors during pregnancy can affect the development and existence of the individual. The purpose of the work was to study the long-term effects of fetoplacental insufficiency on the functioning of the reproductive system of adult male offspring born by mothers of different ages. Material and methods. The study was performed on healthy adult female Wistar rats, young (3 months) and mature (10 months) of reproductive age. 4 groups were formed: the 1st and the 2nd groups included intact animals of young and mature age; the 3rd and the 4th had females with experimental fetoplacental insufficiency of young and mature reproductive age. Modeling of fetoplacental insufficiency was performed by daily subcutaneous injection to females from the 12th to the 18th day of pregnancy 50% oil solution of carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 2 ml/kg body weight. We studied the state of spermatogenesis, weight of internal organs, sex hormones in mature male offspring of 3 months of age after decapitation. Results and discussion. Fetoplacental insufficiency leads to lower testosterone levels in all offspring born to mothers of different reproductive ages. The total level of estradiol remained almost unchanged, but still, in animals there was a shift in the ratio of sex hormones in the direction of hyperestrogenism. Experimental fetoplacental insufficiency in females of different reproductive ages also affected the mass of the testes, epididymis and adrenal glands in their male offspring. According to the indicators of the functional state of epididymal sperm in animals born by reproductively young females, the share of pathological forms of sperm decreased by 45%, in the offspring born by reproductively mature females with fetoplacental insufficiency decreased the number of motile sperm by 46% compared to the intact group of animals. Conclusion. The penetration of toxic substances into the mother's body leads to varying degrees of total xenobiotic load, followed by induction of neutralization reactions and the development of metabolic forms of fetoplacental insufficiency, changing the function of the endocrine system and causing adverse effects on the reproductive system. Fetoplacental insufficiency affects the reproductive function of adult male offspring born to mothers of different reproductive ages, which is manifested in a decrease in testosterone levels and deterioration of the spermogram, which in turn can lead to problems with impregnation

Effects of oestradiol benzoate (OeB) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on the testes and accessory sex glands of the rat

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mridula Chowdhury ◽  
Robert Tcholakian ◽  
Emil Steinberger
Keyword(s):  
Treated Group ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Intact Control ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Direct Inhibitory Effect

Abstract. It has been suggested that treatment of intact male rats with oestradiol benzoate (OeB) causes an interference with testosterone (T) production by the testes by a direct inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis. To test this hypothesis, different doses (5, 10 or 25 IU) of hCG were administered concomitantly with 50 μg of OeB to adult intact or hypophysectomized male rats. The testicular and plasma testosterone, and serum hCG levels were determined. The sex accessory weights were recorded. In the intact OeB-treated group of animals, hCG stimulated both the secondary sex organs and plasma testosterone levels above the intact control group. However, in hypophysectomized animals, although plasma testosterone levels increased above that of intact controls, their secondary sex organ weights did not. Moreover, inspite of high circulating hCG levels, the testicular testosterone content and concentration remained suppressed in OeB-treated animals. The reason for such dichotomy of hCG action on OeB-treated animals is not clear at present.

scholarly journals Peripheral Administration of RF9 Does Not Affect Hypothalamic-PituitaryGonadal Axis in Normal Fed Adult Male Macaque

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aalia Batool ◽  
Madiha Wazir ◽  
Rahim Ullah ◽  
Aalia Batool ◽  
Rabia Naz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Short Time

Stress represses hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG-axis) but RF9, a synthetic peptide, rescues such repression. To assess the role of RF9 in regulating HPG-axis under normal physiological conditions in higher primates, RF9 was administered to intact adult male rhesus monkeys and response of the HPG-axis was examined by measuring plasma testosterone as an end parameter of the axis. Control group (n=4) received normal saline whereas the treated group (n=4) received RF9. On the first day of experiment, four bolus injections of normal saline (1ml/animal) were administered intravenously at 2-hr interval to the control monkeys. Similarly, on the second day of experiment, treated group received four iv bolus injections of RF9 (0.1mg/kg BW) at 2-hr interval. Serial blood samples were collected at 20 min interval during a 6-hr period which started just after first saline/RF9 injection. Plasma testosterone levels were measured by using a specific EIA. Overall means of plasma testosterone levels and plasma testosterone area under curve (AUC) and overall mean testosterone and mean testosterone AUC in short time windows following each injection of RF9 and saline were comparable between the groups. Our results demonstrate that RF9 has no role in regulating HPG-axis under normal physiological conditions in adult male monkeys.

Fluctuations in Plasma Testosterone Levels in Adult Male Rats and Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 1223-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. BARTKE ◽  
R.E. STEELE ◽  
N. MUSTO ◽  
B.V. CALDWELL
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Rats And Mice

EFFECTS OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE ON PLASMA TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED AND IN INTACT IMMATURE AND ADULT MALE RATS

1974 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. EL SAFOURY ◽  
A. BARTKE
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Hypophysectomized Rats ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

SUMMARY The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on plasma testosterone levels were examined in hypophysectomized and in intact immature and adult male rats. The animals were injected with saline, LH, FSH, or both gonadotrophins twice daily for 3·5 days and were killed 3 h after the last injection. Plasma testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. In immature hypophysectomized rats, plasma testosterone levels were not changed by treatment with LH, FSH or LH plus FSH. The weight of the testes and of the seminal vesicles was increased only in animals injected with both LH and FSH. In adult hypophysectomized rats, LH caused the expected increase in plasma testosterone levels, while FSH injected alone had no effect. Plasma testosterone levels in rats treated with 5 μg LH and 20 μg FSH were significantly greater than those in animals given 5 μg LH alone. However, the same dose of FSH did not potentiate the action of 25 μg LH on plasma testosterone levels. In adult hypophysectomized rats the weight of testes was not affected by any of the treatments. The weight of the seminal vesicles was increased by the higher dose of LH and addition of FSH caused no further increase. In intact immature and adult rats plasma testosterone levels and the weight of testes were not changed by any of the treatments. Seminal vesicle weight was increased only in adult rats treated with the higher dose of LH together with FSH. The results demonstrate that FSH potentiates the action of low doses of LH on plasma testosterone levels in adult hypophysectomized rats and suggest that FSH may be involved in the regulation of androgen secretion by the rat testis.

Testicular oxytocin: effects of intratesticular oxytocin in the rat

1991 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Nicholson ◽  
S. E. F. Guldenaar ◽  
G. J. Boer ◽  
B. T. Pickering
Keyword(s):  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Epididymal Sperm ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Sperm Counts ◽  
Term Administration

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

scholarly journals Potential role of human chorionic gonadotropin supplementation in spermatogenesis in rats subjected to forced swimming exercise

Folia Medica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 710-719
Author(s):  
Ardeshir Moayeri ◽  
Marzieh Darvishi ◽  
Hatef Ghasemi Hamidabadi ◽  
Sina Mojaverrostami
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Forced Swimming ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Swimming Exercise ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tunel Staining

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the supportive effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the quality of spermatogenesis, including count, motility, morphology, viability and apoptosis of sperm following forced swimming exercise. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. All rats were divided into four groups: control group; swimming exercise group (S); hCG administration group and swimming (SG) with hCG administration group (G). The experimental group was trained to force swimming stress for 10 min for 6 days. Then the sperm quality parameters were measured after dissection and epididymis removal. Spermatogenesis and germ cell apoptosis were evaluated by using Miller & Johnsen’s score and TUNEL staining respectively. Results: Results showed the count (control: 113±3.1, S: 74±1.9, G: 111±3, and SG: 103±2.4), motility (control:  93±2, S: 67±2.8,G: 90±2.7, and SG: 78±1), morphology (control: 89±3%, S: 47±2.4%, G: 90±3.1%, and SG: 67±1.1%), and viability of sperm (control: 91±2.9, S: 50±2, G: 91±1.9, and SG: 70±1.3) in swimming exercised-hCG administered group, significantly enhanced by hCG treatment compared to the swimming exercise group (p≤0.01). Also the number of apoptotic germ cells significantly decreased in swimming exercised-hCG administered group compared to the swimming exercised group. Conclusions: These results suggest that administration of hCG can protect the testes against the detrimental effect of forced swimming exercise in adult male rats.

scholarly journals Prenatal Stress Induces Long-Term Effects in Cell Turnover in the Hippocampus-Hypothalamus-Pituitary Axis in Adult Male Rats

PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. e27549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Baquedano ◽  
Cristina García-Cáceres ◽  
Yolanda Diz-Chaves ◽  
Natalia Lagunas ◽  
Isabel Calmarza-Font ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Prenatal Stress ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Cell Turnover ◽  
Long Term Effects
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