New approach for reproductive toxicity assessment: chromatoid bodies as a target for methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in prepubertal male rats

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.

ISRN Urology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulsah Bitgul ◽  
Isil Tekmen ◽  
Didem Keles ◽  
Gulgun Oktay

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of resveratrol, a strong antioxidant, against possible negative effects of chronic immobilization stress on testes of male rats histochemically, immunohistochemically, ultrastructurally, and biochemically. Material and Methods. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=7). Group I, control group (C), was not exposed to stress. Group II, stress group (S), was exposed to chronic immobilization stress. In Group III, low dose resveratrol + stress group (LRS), rats were given 10 mg/kg/day resveratrol just before the stress application. In Group IV, high dose resveratrol + stress group (HRS), rats were given 20 mg/kg/day resveratrol just before the stress application. For chronic immobilization stress application animals were put in the plastic tubes (6 cm in diameter, 15 cm in length) during 32 days for 6 hours. All animals were sacrificed 18 hours after the last stress application. Results. Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations showed that in stress group there was germ cell deprivation in seminiferous tubules and increase of connective tissue on interstitial area. No significant changes were seen in low and high dose resveratrol groups. After immunohistochemical investigations, TUNEL (+) and Active Caspase-3 (+) cells were increased in seminiferous tubules of stress group compared with those control group, but they were decreased in low and high dose resveratrol groups. According to biochemically results, MDA, GSH, and testosterone levels in stress group showed no significant difference when compared with those of the other groups. Conclusion. The chronic immobilization stress increases oxidative stress and apoptosis and causes histological tissue damages; resveratrol can minimize the histological damage in testes significantly.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Barlas ◽  
G Selmanoglu ◽  
A Kockaya ◽  
S Songür

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of low and high dose of carbendazim on the level of certain hormones and endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands) of male rats. Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide with activity against a number of plant pathogens. In this study, daily doses of 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg per day carbendazim were applied to male rats by gavage for 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment, T3, T4, TSH, ACTH and GH levels in rat serum were analysed. Thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands of rats were taken. A significant increase was observed in serum T3 levels of the rats, which were exposed to 300 mg/kg per day carbendazim doses, compared to the serum T3 levels of the control group. There were no differences between the control and carbendazim-treated group of rats regarding serum TSH, T4, ACTH and growth hormone levels. This showed us that carbendazim caused histopathological damages in thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands of rats. No changes were observed in pituitary glands of treated rats. These results suggest that a high quantity of subchronic carbendazim exposure affects thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.


Author(s):  
Khaidatul Akmar ◽  
Mahanem Mat Noor

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that often affected fertility health, specifically in men. Gynura procumbens (G. procumbens) has been used as traditional medicine due to its ability in treating various types of illness. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the potential beneficial effect of G. procumbens as anti-hyperglycaemia, pro-fertility and libido agent towards diabetes-induced male rats. A total of 42 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups; normal, negative, and positive control, and three treated groups of different dosages of G. procumbens aqueous extract (GPAE); 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg. Each group was given treatment via oral gavage for seven consecutive days. The rats were sacrificed on day eighth for further analysis. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in all GPAE treated group showed significant decrease, and 450 mg/kg treated group showed significant reduction to a normal blood glucose level compared to all groups. There were significant increases in the sperm quality of GPAE treated groups after seven days of treatment compared to the negative and positive control group, specifically in 450 mg/kg treated group. Testis histology showed that GPAE treated groups produced a significant result whereby the seminiferous tubules were seen packed with sperm and successive stage of spermatogenesis were shown compared to control groups. Hormone analysis suggested that the luteneizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone hormone of the treated groups were elevated after seven days of treatment compared to the negative and positive control groups. Libido analysis of seven days treatment showed that GPAE treated groups, significantly improved in 450 mg/kg dose compared to other groups, with the highest number of mounting frequency and shortest mounting latency. Fertility test revealed a significant increase in number of implantation sites produced in GPAE treated groups compared to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, GPAE exhibited a potential beneficial effect as an anti-diabetic and also as fertility agent in diabetic-induced male rats.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifukibot Levi Usende ◽  
Fatima Oyenike Oyelowo ◽  
Agbonu Oluwa Adikpe ◽  
Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe ◽  
Allam Abdel Hamid Mohamed Nafady ◽  
...  

Abstract Environmental exposure to vanadium has been on the increase in recent time. This metal is a known toxicant. The current study was conducted to investigate the reproductive toxicity of sodium metavanadate (SMV) in male African giant rats. Administration of SMV was done intraperitoneally daily for 14 consecutive days at a dosage of 3mg/kg body weight. Sterile water was administered to the control group. We analyzed serum reproductive hormones, sperm reserve and quality as well as testicular ultrastructural changes following SMV treatment. Our results showed SMV exposed AGR group had statistically increased progesterone but decreased testosterone, FSH and LH concentrations. Also, SMV treated group had statistically decreased sperm motility and mass activity with increased percentage of abnormal morphophenotypes of spermatozoa and upregulation of P53 immunopositive cell. Ultrastructural study revealed vocuolation of germ and Sertoli cells, cytoplasmic and nucleus; and mitochondrial swelling and vacuolations were also observed. There was severe disintegration of the seminiferous tubules, atrophy and degeneration of myeloid cells and apoptosis of the Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells. In conclusion, intraperitoneal SMV exposure exerts severe adverse effects on some serum reproductive hormones, reduction of sperm reserve and quality, apoptosis and degenerative changes of the Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells which can lead to infertility.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengda Li ◽  
Qimeng Wang ◽  
Hui Yu ◽  
Long Yang ◽  
Yiqing Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract As a persistent organic pollutant, microplastics (MPs) have been reported to induce sperm quantity decrease in male rats. However, the related mechanism remains obscure. Therefore, this study is intended to explore the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on male reproduction and its related mechanism of blood-testis barrier (BTB) impairment. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups fed with PS-MPs for 90 days at the dose of 0 mg/d (control group), 0.015 mg/d, 0.15 mg/d and 1.5 mg/d respectively. The present results have showed that PS-MPs exposure led to the damage of seminiferous tubule, resulted in apoptosis of spermatogenic cell and decreased the motility and concentration of sperm, while the abnormality of sperm was elevated. Meanwhile, PS-MPs could induce oxidative stress and activate p38 MAPK pathway and thus deplete the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Noteworthily, the adverse effect of PS-MPs on BTB is only significant in 0.15 mg/d and 1.5 mg/d groups ,which demonstrated that high-dose PS-MPs exposure may lead to the destruction of BTB integrity and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells through the activation of MAPK-Nrf2 pathway. The current study provided novelty evidence for elucidating the effects of PS-MPs on male reproductive toxicity and its potential mechanism.


MEDISAINS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Ave Olivia Rahman ◽  
Anati Purwakanthi ◽  
Hasna Dewi

Background: Betel nut (Areca catechu L) are traditional beverages in Jambi. Betel nut high dose has a cytotoxic effect on testis and other organs—limited data about the effect of betel nut as male antifertility.Purposes:  This study aimed to determine the effect of infertility on betel nut use at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) in male rats.   Methods: Ten male Sprague Dawney rats that had passed the fertility test, aged 2-3 months and weighing 150-200 grams ware used in this study. The rat was grouped into two groups randomly. Group 1, as the negative control, were received aqua dest, and group 2 was treated by betel nut with dose 50 mg/kg BW for 35 days. When terminated, testis weight weighed using micro scales. Blood collected for measuring testosterone levels. Histopathology assessment of testis used Hematoxylin Eosin Staining and sperm counting from cauda epididymis.Results: The weight of testis in the group received betel nut was lower than the control group. The histopathology of testis showed shrunk, reduced the diameter of seminiferous tubules, and like cytolytic lesions in the germinal layer—the total sperm number and progressive sperms also lower than the control group (p<0.05). There was no abnormality in Leydig cell and interstitium tissue.  Male rats after treatment could not impregnate the female rats.Conclusion: Betel nut at dose 50 mg/kg BW have antifertility activity in male rats.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7039
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Jie Xu ◽  
Feng Zeng ◽  
Xiangjun Fu ◽  
Weihong Xu ◽  
...  

Objective Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) with a weak ability to mimic estrogen have been associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, little is known about the effect of nonylphenol (NP), a well-known EED, on thyroid structure. The present study evaluates whether gestational and lactational exposure to NP impacts growth and thyroid structure in F1 male rats. Methods A total of 60 rats were gavaged with NP (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), estradiol (E2, 30 μg/kg/day), and corn oil alone (vehicle control) from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. Serum thyroid hormones free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were detected by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. The NP level in the thyroid was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The ultrastructure of follicular epithelial cells was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Histopathology was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results On PND 0, exposure to 50 and 100 mg/kg/day NP led to a significant decrease in the average litter size, litter weight and number of live pups per litter compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Dams exposed to NP during perinatal period demonstrated decreased serum levels of FT3 and FT4 in F1 male rats, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The NP level in the control group was 3.39 ± 0.08 ng/mg, while NP levels in the low, middle, and high dose groups ranged from 5.20 to 11.00 ng/mg. Exposure caused a dose-related increase in NP level in the thyroid of male pups (P < 0.01). The thicknesses of the thyroid follicular epithelium were 2.06 ± 0.37 μm in the control group and 3.97 ± 1.61 μm in the high-dose group. The thickness of the thyroid follicular epithelium increased with an increase in treatment dose in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The sizes of the thyroid follicles were 1,405.53 ± 866.62 μm2 in the control group and 317.49 ± 231.15 μm2 in the high-dose group. With increasing NP dosages, animals showed a decreased size of the thyroid follicle (P < 0.01). Thyroid follicular cells of NP-treated rats showed mildly swollen mitochondria and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Nonylphenol can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in the thyroid of F1 male rats. Gestational and lactational exposure to NP in dams impacted both development and growth of pups and damaged the ultrastructure of their thyroid tissue, which may further negatively influence normal thyroid function.


2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Achón ◽  
E. Alonso-Aperte ◽  
N. Úbeda ◽  
G. Varela-Moreiras

There are nationwide folic acid (FA) fortification programmes of staple foods established or under consideration in order to prevent neural tube defects. Universal FA fortification still remains controversial because of the concern that additional FA in the diets of population groups (e.g. children and elderly) not initially targeted for fortification may suffer adverse effects. However, dietary surveys regarding folate generally deal with adults and little is known about the consumption and long-term effects of fortified food and supplements in growing individuals. Recent reports from our laboratory show several effects of high-dose folate supplementation in rats. In the present work, we studied the effect of FA on the methionine cycle in weanling (3-week-old) male rats after 4 weeks of supplementation with 40 mg FA/kg dietv.control (1 mg FA/kg diet). FA supplementation resulted in a reduction of homocysteine and creatinine concentrationsv.control group. FA supplementation did not alterS-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio, DNA methylation, enzymatic activities or concentrations of vitamins involved in the nutritional regulation of the methionine cycle, except for folate. FA supplementation of 40 mg/kg did not lead to hepatic or renal damage. In conclusion, there were no apparent adverse effects on one-carbon metabolism after FA supplementation in the studied conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (06) ◽  
pp. 491-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Santos-Silva ◽  
Egberto de Moura ◽  
Cintia Pinheiro ◽  
Elaine Oliveira ◽  
Patricia Lisboa

AbstractNeonates can be exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) through placenta and milk, and BPA is associated with disorders such as precocious puberty and obesity. We evaluated the effects of BPA exposure during breastfeeding on the biochemical and endocrine profiles in young and adult rat progeny. From postnatal day (PND) 3 to 15 dams were divided into low-dose BPA treatment [50 μg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-LD)], high-dose BPA treatment [5 mg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-HD)], and Control (vehicle) groups. Milk was collected at PND15 and 21, which represents the end of exposure and 6 days after withdrawal, respectively. Dams were euthanized at weaning. Offspring of both genders were euthanized at PND15, 21, and 180. Milk estradiol levels were lower in the BPA-HD group than in the control group at PND 15; however, they were higher at PND21. Female rats whose mothers were BPA-exposed showed more significant differences from those in the control group, including better glycemic control and lipid profiles and higher food intake without higher adiposity, in adulthood than in the weaning period, when they presented with higher adiposity and hyperestrogenism. Conversely, male rats showed more abnormalities after BPA exposure compared to control rats, including insulin, leptin, testosterone, and thyroid hormone changes, when young but exhibited fewer alterations in adulthood, with increase only in LDLc in the BPA-HD rats. Taken together, the present findings suggest that exposure to BPA exclusively through milk affects adiposity, metabolism, and/or hormones of offspring in the short and long term, possibly compromising normal development in both sexes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Haitham Hassen Abd ◽  
Harith Abdulrhman Ahmed ◽  
Thulfiqar Fawwaz Mutar

Abstract Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic used for moderate-to-severe pain structurally related to codeine and morphine, where their analgesic mechanism is a result of opioid and non-opioid mechanisms. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MLE) on tramadol-induced testicular toxicity, sperm changes, testicular damage, and oxidative stress in male rats. Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups and treated for 4 weeks (group 1, as control; group 2, MLE; group 3, tramadol; group 4, MLE + tramadol). The relative body weight, relative testes weight, serum total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, sperm counts, vitality, total sperm motility, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in tramadol-treated group when compared with the control group. In contrast, sperm abnormality, immotile sperm percent, testicular injury, and TBARS concentration in testes were significantly increased in the tramadol-treated group. In addition, histopathological examination for the tramadol-treated group has shown incomplete spermatogenesis, moderate degeneration in some seminiferous tubules with a significant decrease in the number of spermatogenic cells and depletion of Leydig cells. The administration of MLE with tramadol ameliorates the testicular toxicity, injury, sperm count, abnormalities, and oxidative stress induced by tramadol.


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