scholarly journals Common and specific effects of the two major forms of prolactin in the rat testis

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (6) ◽  
pp. E1795-E1803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valencia L. Williams ◽  
Ariel DeGuzman ◽  
Hong Dang ◽  
Mitsumori Kawaminami ◽  
Timothy W. C. Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Fas Ligand ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Specific Effects

Prolactin (PRL) has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on testicular function, a finding we hypothesized may be related in some part to the form of the hormone present or administered. In the analysis of the pituitary secretion profiles of early pubescent vs. mature male rats, we found PRL released from early pubescent pituitaries had about twice the degree of phosphorylation. Treatment of mature males with either unmodified PRL (U-PRL) or phosphorylated PRL (via the molecular mimic S179D PRL) for a period of 4 wk (circulating level of ∼50 ng/ml) showed serum testosterone decreased by ∼35% only by treatment with the phospho-mimic S179D PRL. Given the specificity of this effect, it was initially surprising that both forms of PRL decreased testicular expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. Both forms also increased expression of the luteinizing hormone receptor, but only S179D PRL increased the ratio of short to long PRL receptors. Endogenous PRL and luteinizing hormone levels were unchanged in all groups in this time frame, suggesting that effects on steroidogenic gene expression were directly on the testis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling analysis combined with staining for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and morphometric analysis showed that S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, increased apoptosis of Leydig cells, a finding supported by increased staining for Fas and Fas ligand in the testicular interstitium, providing an explanation for the specific effect on testosterone. S179D PRL, but not U-PRL, also increased apoptosis of primary spermatogonia, and U-PRL, but not S179D PRL, decreased apoptosis of elongating spermatids. Thus, in mature males, hyperprolactinemic levels of both forms of PRL have common effects on steroidogenic proteins, but specific effects on the apoptosis of Leydig and germ cells.

Bee bread mitigates down-regulation of steroidogenic genes, decreased spermatogenesis, and epididymal oxidative stress in male rats fed with high-fat diet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Bagi Suleiman ◽  
Ainul Bahiya Abu Bakar ◽  
Mahanem Mat Noor ◽  
Victor Udo Nna ◽  
Zaidatul Akmal Othman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Cytochrome P450 Enzyme ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Bee Bread ◽  
Steroidogenic Genes

Background: The pituitary-gonadal axis plays an important role in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis and by extension, fertility. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of bee bread, which is a natural bee product, against obesity-induced decreases in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 200-300 g were divided into four groups (n=8/group), namely: normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus bee bread administered concurrently for 12 weeks (HFD+B), HFD plus orlistat administered concurrently for 12 weeks (HFD+O) groups. Bee bread (0.5 g/kg) or Orlistat (10 mg/kg/day) was suspended in distilled water and given by oral gavage daily for 12 weeks. Results: Levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone testosterone, and adiponectin, as well as sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology and epididymal antioxidants decreased whereas levels of leptin and malondialdehyde, and sperm nDNA fragmentation increased significantly in HFD group relative to NC group. There were significant decreases in the testicular mRNA transcript and protein levels of androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 enzyme, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β-HSD in the testes of the HFD group. Further, mount latency, mount frequency, intromission, ejaculation, penile iNOS and cGMP levels deceased significantly in the HFD group. Supplementation with bee bread significantly reduced leptin level and increased adiponectin level, enhanced sperm parameters and reduced sperm nDNA fragmentation, upregulated the levels of steroidogenic genes and proteins in HFD-induced obese male rats. Discussion and Conclusion: Bee bread improved spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis by upregulating steroidogenic genes. Therefore, bee bread may be considered as a potential supplementation to protect against infertility in overweight or obese men.

Effects and Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Reproductive Endocrine Function in Male Rats with Partial Androgen Deficiency

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Ren ◽  
Xiaoguang Yang ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xuezhi Li
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Androgen Deficiency ◽  
Serum Lh

Objectives Partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) is characterised by a deficiency in serum androgen levels. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and mild moxibustion (MM) can raise serum testosterone levels in PADAM. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the use of EA and MM in a rodent model of PADAM. Methods Fifty rats received cyclophosphamide injection over 5 consecutive days to induce PADAM, which was verified by comparing total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels with 10 non-PADAM healthy control rats (CON). Successful modelling was confirmed in 43 of 50 rats, 40 of which were randomly divided into untreated (PADAM), EA-treated (PADAM+EA), MM-treated (PADAM+MM), and androlin (AD)-treated (PADAM+AD) groups (n=10 each). EA and MM were administered at BL23 and CV4 acupuncture points for 8 weeks, and no treatment was given to rats in the PADAM and CON groups. Serum levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), mRNA expression of cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (3β-HSD1), and protein levels of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17β-HSD3) and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) were evaluated after 8 weeks. Results Both EA and mild MM significantly increased serum TT and FT levels with MM displaying superiority. P450scc, 17β-HSD3 and SF-1 protein expression, and P450c17 and 3β-HSD1 mRNA expression, were significantly increased and serum LH and FSH levels were significantly decreased in PADAM+EA and PADAM+MM relative to PADAM rats. Moreover, serum LH and FSH levels were significantly lower and 17β-HSD3 protein expression significantly higher in PADAM+MM relative to PADAM+EA rats. Conclusions EA and MM at the BL23 and CV4 acupuncture points appear to be effective treatments for PADAM, and MM displays superior efficacy to EA.

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