scholarly journals The Potential Role of Circulating MicroRNAs in Male Rat Infertility Treated with Kaempferia parviflora

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Hadeel A. Al-Rawaf ◽  
Sami A. Gabr ◽  
Ahmad H. Alghadir

Background. Therapeutic strategies based on herbal plants and diets containing sufficient amounts of antioxidants and essential vitamins are very important factors in treating reproduction and male infertility worldwide. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) on the role of some microRNAs in treated and nontreated infertile rats. In addition, the correlation of expressed microRNAs with sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm viability was identified. The probable use of these microRNAs as a diagnostic marker for predicting the clinical response of infertility to the treatment with KP was also achieved. Methods. In the present study, the potential effects of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) at different doses (140, 280, and 420 mg/kg) for six weeks on male rats with subinfertility were explored. In addition, the effect of KP on the expression of circulating microRNAs and its correlation with the parameters of sexual infertility was identified by performing both in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro antioxidant activity, sperm functional analysis, serum testosterone, and expression of circulating microRNAs were conducted using colorimetric, ELISA, and real-time RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Results. Kaempferia parviflora (KP) at nontoxic doses of 140–420 mg/kg/day for six weeks significantly improved serum testosterone and epididymal sperm parameters (sperm count, motility, and sperm viability), increased testicular weight, and provided a reduction in the percentage of abnormal spermatozoon in infertile male rats. The expression of miR-328 and miR-19b significantly decreased, and miR-34 significantly increased in infertile rats treated with KP compared to infertile nontreated rats. After six weeks of KP therapy, the change in the expression levels of miRNAs was correlated positively with higher levels of serum testosterone and the measures of epididymal sperm parameters. The respective area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was applied to predict the potential use of miR-328, miR-19b, and miR-34 in the diagnosis of male infertility in treated and nontreated infertile male rats. The data showed that AUC cutoff values of 0.91 for miR-328, 0.89 for miR-19b, and 0.86 for miR34 were the best estimated values for the clinical diagnosis of male rats with infertility. In rats treated with KP for six weeks, AUC cutoff values of 0.76 for miR-328, 0.79 for miR-19b, and 0.81 for miR-34 were the best cutoff values reported for the clinical response of infertility to KP therapy after six weeks. Conclusions. In this study, the improvement of male infertility might proceed via antioxidant and antiapoptotic pathways, which significantly improve spermatogenesis and aphrodisiac properties of males. In addition, the expression of miRNAs, miR-328, miR-34, and miR-19b, in KP-treated and nontreated infertile rats significantly correlated with increased serum testosterone levels and epididymal sperm parameters as well. MicroRNAs, miR-328, miR-34, and miR-19b, might be related to oxidative and apoptotic pathways that proceeded in spermatogenesis. Thus, the use of miRNAs could have a role as diagnostic, therapeutic, and predictive markers for assessing the clinical response of Kaempferia parviflora treatment for six weeks. This may have potential applications in the therapeutic strategies based on herbal plants for male infertility. However, in subsequent studies, the genetic regulatory mechanisms of the expressed miRNAs should be fully characterized.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulqader Fadhil Abed ◽  
Yazun Bashir Jarrar ◽  
Hamzeh J Al-Ameer ◽  
Wajdy Al-Awaida ◽  
Su-Jun Lee

Background: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analogue that is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes. However, oxandrolone causes male infertility. Recently, it was found that metformin reduces the risk of infertility associated with diabetes mellitus. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Methods: Rats continuously received one of four treatments (n=7) over 14 days: control DMSO administration, oxandrolone administration, metformin administration, or co-administration of oxandrolone and metformin. Doses were equivalent to those used for human treatment. Subsequently, testicular and blood samples were collected for morphological, biochemical, and histological examination. In addition, gene expression of the testosterone synthesizing enzyme CYP11A1 was analyzed in the testes using RT-PCR. Results: Oxandrolone administration induced male infertility by significantly reducing relative weights of testes by 48%, sperm count by 82%, and serum testosterone levels by 96% (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). In addition, histological examination determined that oxandrolone caused spermatogenic arrest which was associated with 2-fold downregulation of testicular CYP11A1 gene expression. However, co-administration of metformin with oxandrolone significantly ameliorated toxicological alterations induced by oxandrolone exposure (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Metformin administration protected against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility among athletes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Ali Akbar Rezaei ◽  
Iraj Salehi ◽  
Seyed Asaad Karimi ◽  
Mehdi Rahnama

Objective: The strong antioxidant activity of <i>Commiphora mukul</i> prompted us to conduct the present study to explore whether treatment with <i>C. mukul</i> extract (CME) would have any protective influence on sperm parameters, testosterone levels, and plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, control animals treated with CME, diabetic animals, and diabetic animals treated with CME. CME extract (300 mg/kg) was administered for 60 days by daily gavage. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ. The epididymal sperm count, weight, motility, morphology, viability, and serum testosterone and glucose levels were determined.Results: In the diabetic animals, CME decreased blood glucose levels (<i>p</i><0.05), increased the total sperm count (<i>p</i><0.05), and decreased the proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology (<i>p</i><0.05). Diabetes reduced sperm motility (<i>p</i><0.001), and CME supplementation partially reversed this effect of diabetes (<i>p</i>=0.003). Furthermore, in diabetic animals, CME decreased the proportion of immotile sperm (<i>p</i><0.001). In rats, diabetes caused a significant decrease (<i>p</i><0.05) in serum testosterone levels (F[3, 28]=3.283, <i>p</i>=0.035), but treatment of diabetic animals with CME increased serum testosterone levels.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that C. mukul possesses proandrogenic activity and exerts a beneficial effect on sperm parameters in diabetic rats.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
S.H. Roshankhah ◽  
M.R. Salahshoor ◽  
S. Aryanfar ◽  
F. Jalili ◽  
M. Sohrabil ◽  
...  

Opioids are the most potent and effective analgesics available and have become accepted as appropriate treatment for acute, cancer and non-cancer. Morphine, which is commonly used for the treatment of severe pain, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Curcumin petals consist of, glycosides, flavonoids, and anthocyanin. The study aims at evaluating curcumin effect and morphine on sperm parameters, testis tissue and serum testosterone level in rat. In this experimental study, 48 male rats with 28 weeks of age and limited weight of 270 to 300g were selected. They were divided into eight groups of 6, untreated control group; morphine – treated group (20 mg/kg/day); curcumin -treated groups (10, 30, 60 mg/kg/day); and morphine and curcumin treated group intraperitoneal administration for successive 28 days. After 24hours animals were killed. Sperm motility was measured using WHO protocols. The sperm parameter such as motility, sperm count, morphology, seminiferous tubules diameter, weight testis, and serum testosterone level were analyzed (oneway ANOVA). Curcumin (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) significantly increased mean percentage of sperm motility, count, testis weight, and serum testosterone level compared to control group (p<0.05). Testosterone level decreased significantly in rats treated with morphine. Co-administration of curcumin to morphine-treated rats improved the histopathological alterations induced by morphine in testis and increased the sperm count. Curcumin has a very strong antioxidant effects at applied doses and it can probably be used as an antioxidant and food supplement in reproductive disorders.Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences (2017) 6(2), 1-10


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farnaz Sohrabvand ◽  
Somaye Mahroozade ◽  
Sodabe Bioos ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Nazari ◽  
Fataneh Hashem Dabaghian

Introduction. Idiopathic male infertility is a global problem with almost no definite medicinal treatment. Most patients have to go through intrauterine insemination or assisted reproductive technology for achieving fertility. Unfortunately, success rates are low in cases with very low sperm count. Therefore it seems that improvement in sperm quality can have beneficial effects on assisted reproductive technology outcome. Case Report. A 39-year-old man with history of infertility for 6 years was referred to the traditional medicine clinic with a recurrent unsuccessful intracytoplasmic sperm injection trial. His sperm analysis showed severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. After taking a traditional remedy he had a remarkable improvement in his sperm parameters, which led to the formation of 8 embryos in the following intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle. Conclusion. Traditional medicine presents various food and remedy options for treating male infertility. It seems that combination therapy can be beneficial in obtaining better results in treatment of male idiopathic infertility.


Author(s):  
Hozaifa K. Elsawah ◽  
Mohamed M. Kandiel ◽  
Aziza A. Amin ◽  
Haitham M. Mokhimar ◽  
AbuBakr M. El Mahmoudy

Background: Many drugs are implicated in male infertility and screening for medication history is an important for diagnosis and treatment of the problem. The aim is to study amikacin effect on male reproductive system in comparison to gentamicin.Methods: Twenty-five male wister rats weighted 220±20 gm and aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups of five. The first group received gentamicin in dose 18.25 mg/kg/day once daily (OD) (therapeutic dose). The second group received gentamicin with double dose of the first group. The third group received amikacin in dose 54.75 mg/kg/day OD (therapeutic dose). The Fourth group received amikacin with double dose of the third group. However, the fifth group served as a control and received normal saline (NS) OD. All treatments were administered intraperitoneally (IP) for 14 days. On the 15th day, blood samples and reproductive organs were obtained from all animals. Testicular tissues were prepared for genetic testing and chemical and microscopical examination.Results: Amikacin and gentamicin negatively affected reproductive organs weights, sperm parameters, serum follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level relative to control (p<0.05). However, serum testosterone level was only affected with gentamicin (p<0.05). A significant difference between gentamicin and amikacin was found in sperm count, testis and epididymis weights and serum testosterone and LH level (p<0.05). Testicular histopathological changes were also found with the two drugs with different degrees. Effects of both gentamicin and amikacin were dose-dependent.Conclusions: Both gentamicin and amikacin adversely affect andrological function that should be monitored and controlled during application of these drugs.


1996 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 736-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Pant ◽  
R. Shankar ◽  
SP Srivastava

The spermatotoxic effect of carbaryl in adult and young male rats has been examined. Carbaryl 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. Male fed 5 d/week for 60 days, caused dose and age- dependent decline in epididymal sperm count and sperm motility, an increase in sperm with abnormal morphology. The dose of 25 mg/kg/d was a 'No observed effect level' for the indices studied. Young animals in comparison to adults exhibited pronounced spermatotoxic effects.


2004 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
GF Gonzales ◽  
M Gasco ◽  
A Cordova ◽  
A Chung ◽  
J Rubio ◽  
...  

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties.The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Maca can prevent high altitude-induced testicular disturbances. Adult male rats were exposed for 21 days to an altitude of 4340 m and treated with vehicle or aqueous extract of Maca (666.6 mg/day). The lengths of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium and epididymal sperm counts were obtained at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of exposure. The stages of the seminiferous tubules were assessed by transillumination. A dose-response study was also performed at sea level to determine the effect of Maca given to male rats at doses of 0, 6.6, 66.6 and 666.6 mg/day for 7 days on body weight, seminiferous tubule stages and epididymal sperm count. The length of stage VIII and the epididymal sperm count were increased in a dose-dependent manner in Maca-treated rats but treatment reduced the length of stage I. At the highest dose, sperm count increased 1.58 times, the length of stage VIII increased 2.4 times and the length of stage I was reduced 0.48 times compared with the value at dose 0. Exposure to high altitude resulted in a reduction in epididymal sperm count after 7 days and lower values were maintained up to 21 days. Altitude reduced spermiation (stage VIII) to half and the onset of spermatogenesis (stages IX-XI) to a quarter on days 7 and 14 but treatment with Maca (666.6 mg/day) prevented these changes. Data on transillumination and epididymal sperm count in the Maca-treated group exposed to high altitude were similar to those obtained at sea level. Maca increased the sperm count on day 21 of exposure to high altitude to values similar (1095.25 +/- 20.41x10(6) sperm, means +/- S.E.M.) to those obtained in the Maca-treated group at sea level (1132.30 +/- 172.95x10(6) sperm). Furthermore, in the Maca-treated group exposed for 21 days to high altitude, epididymal sperm count was higher than in the non-treated group at sea level (690.49 +/- 43.67x10(6) sperm). In conclusion, treatment of rats with Maca at high altitude prevented high altitude-induced spermatogenic disruption.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Rato ◽  
M. G. Alves ◽  
T. R. Dias ◽  
J. E. Cavaco ◽  
Pedro F. Oliveira

Defects in testicular metabolism are directly implicated with male infertility, but most of the mechanisms associated with type 2 diabetes- (T2DM) induced male infertility remain unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effects of T2DM on testicular glucose metabolism by using a neonatal-streptozotocin- (n-STZ) T2DM animal model. Plasma and testicular hormonal levels were evaluated using specific kits. mRNA and protein expression levels were assessed by real-time PCR and Western Blot, respectively. Testicular metabolic profile was assessed by1H-NMR spectroscopy. T2DM rats showed increased glycemic levels, impaired glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemia. Both testicular and serum testosterone levels were decreased, whereas those of 17β-estradiol were not altered. Testicular glycolytic flux was not favored in testicles of T2DM rats, since, despite the increased expression of both glucose transporters 1 and 3 and the enzyme phosphofructokinase 1, lactate dehydrogenase activity was severely decreased contributing to lower testicular lactate content. However, T2DM enhanced testicular glycogen accumulation, by modulating the availability of the precursors for its synthesis. T2DM also affected the reproductive sperm parameters. Taken together these results indicate that T2DM is able to reprogram testicular metabolism by enhancing alternative metabolic pathways, particularly glycogen synthesis, and such alterations are associated with impaired sperm parameters.


Andrologia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 368-374
Author(s):  
M. Gasco ◽  
J. Rubio ◽  
A. Chung ◽  
L. Villegas ◽  
G. F. Gonzales

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ch. Supriya ◽  
B. P. Girish ◽  
P. Sreenivasula Reddy

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), one of the most common mycotoxins found in human foods, is principally hepatotoxic; however, it also affects reproduction. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the reproductive toxic effects and possible mechanism of action of AFB1 in rats. Male Wistar rats were injected intramuscularly with doses of 10, 20, or 50 µg AFB1/kg body weight on alternate days from 45 to 100 days of age. Significant reductions in body weights, relative weights of reproductive organs, daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count, viable sperm, motile sperm, and hypoosmotic swelling-tail coiled sperm were observed. Significant decreases in testicular steroidogenic enzymes and serum testosterone levels were also observed indicating decreased steroidogenesis. In silico docking studies illustrated AFB1 binds with steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein thereby affecting the transport of cholesterol into mitochondria resulting in decreased steroidogenesis.


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