Obesity causes weight increases in prepubertal and pubertal male offspring and is related to changes in spermatogenesis and sperm production in rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Navya ◽  
Hanumant Narasinhacharya Yajurvedi
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Calorie Diet ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Prepubertal Rats ◽  
Normal Males ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes ◽  
Developmental Hierarchy

The effect of obesity on testicular activity in prepubertal and pubertal rats was investigated in the present study. Obesity was induced in adult females by feeding a high-calorie diet (HCD). These females were mated with normal males and were fed an HCD during pregnancy and lactation. The male offspring born to obese mothers and fed an HCD after weaning were found to be obese. Seminiferous tubules of offspring from control mothers (OCM) and offspring from HCD-fed mothers (OHCDM) had the same set of germ cells at different age intervals, namely spermatogonia, leptotene spermatocytes, zygotene spermatocytes, pachytene spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids on postnatal days (PND) 7, 13, 17, 24 and 36, and on the day of preputial separation, respectively. However, there was a significant decrease in round and elongated spermatids and the epididymal sperm count, coupled with a significant decrease in testosterone and an increase in leptin serum concentrations in OHCDM compared with OCM. These results show that obesity in prepubertal rats does not affect the age-dependent appearance of germ cells according to developmental hierarchy, but it does interfere with spermatid formation, resulting in a reduced sperm count, which may be due to a deficiency of testosterone mediated by hyperleptinaemia.

scholarly journals Hspa4l-Deficient Mice Display Increased Incidence of Male Infertility and Hydronephrosis Development

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 8099-8108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Held ◽  
Ilona Paprotta ◽  
Janchiv Khulan ◽  
Bernhardt Hemmerlein ◽  
Lutz Binder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Heat Shock Gene ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Null Mutant Mice ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT The Hspa4l gene, also known as Apg1 or Osp94, belongs to the HSP110 heat shock gene family, which includes three genes encoding highly conserved proteins. This study shows that Hspa4l is expressed ubiquitously and predominantly in the testis. The protein is highly expressed in spermatogenic cells, from late pachytene spermatocytes to postmeiotic spermatids. In the kidney, the protein is restricted to cortical segments of distal tubules. To study the physiological role of this gene in vivo, we generated mice deficient in Hspa4l by gene targeting. Hspa4l-deficient mice were born at expected ratios and appeared healthy. However, approximately 42% of Hspa4l −/− male mice suffered from fertility defects. Whereas the seminiferous tubules of Hspa4l −/− testes contained all stages of germ cells, the number of mature sperm in the epididymis and sperm motility were drastically reduced. The reduction of the sperm count was due to the elimination of a significant number of developing germ cells via apoptosis. No defects in fertility were observed in female mutants. In addition, 12% of null mutant mice developed hydronephrosis. Concentrations of plasma and urine electrolytes in Hspa4l −/− mice were similar to wild-type values, suggesting that the renal function was not impaired. However, Hspa4l −/− animals were preferentially susceptible to osmotic stress. These results provide evidence that Hspa4l is required for normal spermatogenesis and suggest that Hspa4l plays a role in osmotolerance.

Reproductive effects of endosulfan on male offspring of rats exposed during pregnancy and lactation

1999 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
P R Dalsenter ◽  
E Dallegrave ◽  
J Rb Mello ◽  
A Langeloh ◽  
R T Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Offspring ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Rat Offspring ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Reproductive Effects ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Daily Sperm Production

1 The reproductive effects of endosulfan on the male offspring of rats were examined. Dams were treated orally with 0, 1.5 or 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg from day 15 of pregnancy to postnatal day (PND) 21 of lactation. The male offspring rats were investigated at PND 65 or 140, corresponding to the pubertal and adulthood stage of development. 2 The dose of 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg induced a decrease in maternal body weight during pregnancy, but litter size and mean birth weight were not affected. Similarly, the age at testis descent and preputial separation was not affected on the male offspring. 3 The daily sperm production (6106) was permanently decreased in the highest dose group when investigated at puberty and at adulthood. At the lowest dose, however, the daily sperm production was significantly reduced only at puberty. 4 Histologically, the percentage of seminiferous tubules showing complete spermatogenesis was significantly decreased at puberty. This finding may explain the decrease in daily sperm production observed in the endosulfan-exposed male rats. 5 The results of this study show that low doses of endosulfan have no apparent effect on developmental landmarks or on the weight of reproductive and accessory sex organ. Daily sperm production was the most susceptible endpoint in the male offspring exposed to endosulfan during pregnancy and lactation. To further understand the reproductive effects of endosulfan on male rat offspring, additional reproductive and toxicokinetic studies should be carried out to determine the extent of endosulfan exposure in male rat offspring in utero and during lactation.

scholarly journals Alcohol Consumption and Its Effect on Testicular Structure and on Sperm Count and Motility in Parent Mice and Their Offspring

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinaria T. Albadri
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ethanol Treatment ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Introduction: The goal of the present study was to examine the effect of alcohol consumption on sperm count and motility and the morphological changes in the seminiferous tubules of parent mice and their offspring. Methods: Animals were divided into two groups, Group 1 (alcohol group) of twelve male and twelve female mice, were given a daily dose of (3 g/kg body weight as 25%, v/v) ethanol by gastric gavage for four and eight weeks. Group 2 (control group) also of twelve male and twelve female mice; received normal access of food and water. After four weeks of treatment, the males and females in each group were allowed to mate, and ethanol treatment continued for up to another four weeks. Twelve male offspring from group 1 and twelve male offspring from group 2 were selected randomly and allowed to become mature. Male parent mice were killed at the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment, and their male offsprings were killed when they reached maturity age. Results: Physiological examination of the sperm solution showed that there was a significant decrease in sperm count and motility after 4 and 8 weeks of ethanol treatment in parent male mice, but this decrease was not significant in their adult offspring. Furthermore, histological investigations indicated testicular lesions in the parent male mice and their adult male offspring. Conclusion: Alcohol abuse has deleterious effects on the testes structure and on the sperm count and motility of the epididymal spermatozoa of both parent mice and their offspring.

scholarly journals Study on the effect of maternal administration of oxaliplatin on offspring testes using unbiased design-based stereology

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Javad SADEGHINEZHAD ◽  
Moslem DAHMARDEH ◽  
Zahra TOOTIAN ◽  
Hadis BOJARZADEH ◽  
Fatemeh YARMAHMOUDI
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Interstitial Tissue ◽  
Left Testis ◽  
Cell Divisions ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Maternal Administration ◽  
Group 1

Oxaliplatin (Ox) is widely used for the treatment of various tumors. Since Ox prevents DNA replication and transcription, it may affect organs with rapid cell divisions such as the testes. Although its use during pregnancy has been reported, no information regarding its effects on the testes of the offspring is not available yet. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (1) was administered intraperitoneally 0.2 ml of saline three times a week for the 21 days of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation. Experimental groups 2, 3 and 4 received 3 mg/kg of oxaliplatin three times a week for 21 days during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation, respectively. The left testis was removed from male offspring 30 and 60 days after birth. The volume of the testes, seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, the surface area and height of the seminiferous epithelium, as well as the length and diameter of seminiferous tubules, were analyzed by means of stereology. Results showed a decrease in the evaluated parameters in experimental groups, in comparison with the control group. Due to the ameliorating effect of Ox on offspring testes, cautiousness is needed during maternal administration in order to preserve the fertility of male offspring.

scholarly journals Aberrant Cytoplasmic Accumulation of Connexin 43 in Human Testicular Seminoma

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mauro ◽  
D. Chevallier ◽  
J. Gilleron ◽  
N. Defamie ◽  
D. Carette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Testicular Seminoma ◽  
Specific Alteration ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes ◽  
Membrane Level

In the present study Cx43 mRNA and protein were analyzed in germ cells of men with normal spermatogenesis and in human testicular seminoma. In normal testis Cx43 mRNAs were basally located within seminiferous tubules and expressed in the most basally located germ cells (spermatogonia, early spermatocytes, and pachytene spermatocytes) and in Sertoli cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Cx43 signal was mainly located in the basal compartment of seminiferous tubules and was stage-dependent. Cx43 mRNAs were also detected in human testicular seminoma. Transcripts were present within seminoma cells identified by PLAP staining. However, Cx43 protein exhibited an intracytoplasmic accumulation, within an intracellular compartment distinct from the Golgi apparatus and was undetectable at the plasma membrane level, suggesting post-translational rather than transcriptional abnormalities. This aberrant intracytoplasmic accumulation of Cx43 is due neither to a dysfunction of the protein trafficking machinery nor to a specific alteration of its major protein partner, ZO-1, since the tight junction associated protein was detected at the plasma membrane level and did not colocalize with Cx43.

INFLUENCE OF GERM CELLS UPON TRANSFERRIN SECRETION BY RAT SERTOLI CELLS in vitro

1988 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. R13-R16 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. LE MAGUERESSE ◽  
C. PINEAU ◽  
F. GUILLOU ◽  
B. JEGOU
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Hypotonic Treatment ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes

ABSTRACT Indirect approach (hypotonic treatment) and direct approaches (co-cultures and conditioned media) were used in order to investigate the effects of germ cells from adult rats upon transferrin secretion by Sertoli cell cultures prepared from 20-day-old rats. Removal of germ cells contaminating the Sertoli cell cultures resulted in a significant decrease in transferrin secretion whereas the addition of crude germ cell preparations or of enriched preparations of pachytene spermatocytes, early spermatids and of liver epithelial cells (LEC) markedly stimulated this parameter. Furthermore, spent media of pachytene spermatocytes and of early spermatids, but not of LEC, also stimulated transferrin production. It is concluded that germ cells normally located within the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules may be capable of controlling their own supply of iron via their influence upon transferrin secretion by the Sertoli cells.

Effect of aldrin on spermatogenesis, plasma gonadotrophins and testosterone, and testicular testosterone in the rat

1988 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Chatterjee ◽  
A. Ray ◽  
S. Ghosh ◽  
K. Bhattacharya ◽  
A. Pakrashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Seminiferous Epithelium ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes ◽  
Type A Spermatogonia

ABSTRACT Quantitative evaluation of the different varieties of germ cells at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, namely type-A spermatogonia (ASg), preleptotene spermatocytes (pLSc), mid-pachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and step 7 spermatids (7Sd), along with radioimmunoassay of plasma gonadotrophins (FSH and LH), testosterone and testicular testosterone were performed in Wistar rats following treatment with aldrin (polycyclic chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide) for approximately one (13 days) or two cycles (26 days) of the seminiferous epithelium. Extensive degeneration of all varieties of germ cells at stage VII, reduction in the sperm count and significant reductions in plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone were observed following aldrin treatment. The reduction in plasma concentrations of FSH was statistically significant only after treatment for two cycles. The inhibitory effect of aldrin on plasma gonadotrophins, testosterone levels, testicular testosterone content and numbers of 7Sd and ASg was maximum after treatment for two cycles. Administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin along with aldrin treatment for two cycles partially prevented the degeneration of germ cells and enhanced testosterone production. The results indicate that aldrin may have a direct inhibitory influence on gonadotrophin release, but the possibility of a direct action of the insecticide at the level of the testes is also discussed. J. Endocr. (1988) 119, 75–81

scholarly journals Altered Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites in Hypertension of Developmental Origins: Exploring Differences between Fructose and Antibiotics Exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2674
Author(s):  
Chien-Ning Hsu ◽  
Julie Y. H. Chan ◽  
Kay L. H. Wu ◽  
Hong-Ren Yu ◽  
Wei-Chia Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Minocycline Treatment ◽  
High Fructose ◽  
Induced Hypertension ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

Gut microbiota-derived metabolites, in particular short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and their receptors, are linked to hypertension. Fructose and antibiotics are commonly used worldwide, and they have a negative impact on the gut microbiota. Our previous study revealed that maternal high-fructose (HF) diet-induced hypertension in adult offspring is relevant to altered gut microbiome and its metabolites. We, therefore, intended to examine whether minocycline administration during pregnancy and lactation may further affect blood pressure (BP) programmed by maternal HF intake via mediating gut microbiota and SCFAs. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received a normal diet or diet containing 60% fructose throughout pregnancy and lactation periods. Additionally, pregnant dams received minocycline (50 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage or a vehicle during pregnancy and lactation periods. Four groups of male offspring were studied (n = 8 per group): normal diet (ND), high-fructose diet (HF), normal diet + minocycline (NDM), and HF + minocycline (HFM). Male offspring were killed at 12 weeks of age. We observed that the HF diet and minocycline administration, both individually and together, causes the elevation of BP in adult male offspring, while there is no synergistic effect between them. Four groups displayed distinct enterotypes. Minocycline treatment leads to an increase in the F/B ratio, but decreased abundance of genera Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Odoribacter. Additionally, minocycline treatment decreases plasma acetic acid and butyric acid levels. Hypertension programmed by maternal HF diet plus minocycline exposure is related to the increased expression of several SCFA receptors. Moreover, minocycline- and HF-induced hypertension, individually or together, is associated with the aberrant activation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Conclusively, our results provide a new insight into the support of gut microbiota and its metabolite SCAFs in the developmental programming of hypertension and cast new light on the role of RAS in this process, which will help prevent hypertension programmed by maternal high-fructose and antibiotic exposure.

Evaluation of Reproductive Development Following Intravenous and Oral Exposure to DEHP in Male Neonatal Rats

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon N. Cammack ◽  
Randy D. White ◽  
Donovan Gordon ◽  
Jerome Gass ◽  
Lawrence Hecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Count ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Oral Exposure ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Primary Group ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Intravenous Injections ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Recovery Group ◽  
Ethylhexyl Phthalate

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was administered to 3- to 5-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats by daily intravenous injections of 60, 300, or 600 mg/kg/day or by daily oral gavage of 300 or 600 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Histopathological evaluation and organ weight measurements were performed on some animals after 21 days of dosing (primary group) and later on the recovery group animals that were held without further treatment until sexual maturity at approximately 90 days of age. No effects of any type were observed in animals treated intravenously with 60 mg/kg/day. Testicular changes, consisting of a partial depletion of the germinal epithelium and/or decrease in diameter of seminiferous tubules, were present in all animals of the 300- and 600-mg/kg/day groups after the 21-day dosing period. Testes weight decreased and liver weight increased in these animals. Testes changes were dose-related and generally more severe among animals dosed orally versus intravenously. In the recovery animals, a residual DEHP-induced decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter was present in the testis of several animals dosed orally at 300 and 600 mg/kg/day, but not in animals dosed intravenously. There was no germinal cell depletion or Sertoli cell alteration observed in any dose group at any time. Notably, no effects on sperm count, sperm morphology, or sperm motility were observed at 90 days of age in any of the groups.

Effect of oral administration of carbofuran on male reproductive system of rat

1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 889-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Pant ◽  
AK Prasad ◽  
SC Srivastava ◽  
R. Shankar ◽  
SP Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Reproductive Toxicity ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ventral Prostate ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Effect Level ◽  
Dose Dependent Decrease

1 Carbofuran was administered orally to adult male rats at dose levels of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mg kg -1 body weight, 5 d wk-1 for 60 days. A dose dependent decrease was observed in body weight of rats treated with 0.2-0.8 mg carbofuran kg -1 body weight 2 A significant decrease in the weight of epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate and coagulating glands was observed at various test doses of carbofuran except at the lowest dose. 3 Decreased sperm motility, reduced epididymal sperm count along with increased morphological abnormali ties in head, neck and tail regions of spermatozoa were observed in rats exposed to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg carbo furan kg-1 body weight. 4 In addition, significant alterations were observed in the activities of marker testicular enzymes viz. sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-P-dehydrogenase (G6PDH) (decreased), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) (increased) depending on dose. 5 Histologically, the results indicated the toxicity of carbo furan on testes depending on dose. The changes pre dominantly consisted of moderate oedema, congestion, damage to Sertoli cells and germ cells, along with the accumulation of cellular debris and presence of giant cells in the lumen of a few seminiferous tubules which showed disturbed spermatogenesis with the higher doses of carbofuran. 6 These observations determined a no effect level dose of 0.1 mg kg-1 body weight of carbofuran on the biochemi cal and morphological indices studied for male repro ductive toxicity assessment in the rat model. The results of the present study provide first hand information on the reproductive toxicity of carbofuran in male rats.

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