scholarly journals The effects of gold nanoparticles on Leydig cells and male reproductive function in mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Xiaojie Li ◽  
Shuwen Xiao ◽  
Xinyi Liu ◽  
Xuanming Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have shown great promise in various biomedical applications, but their effects on male reproductive function remain to be ascertained. The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake, cytotoxicity and testosterone production inhibition of AuNPs in mouse Leydig cells, as well as their accumulation in the testes of male mice and their effects on male reproductive function.Results: AuNPs (5 nm) were able to be internalized into the endosomes/lysosomes of TM3 Leydig cells, induce the formation of autophagosomes, increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and arrest the cell cycle in S phase, resulting in concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and DNA damage. Interestingly, AuNPs significantly reduced testosterone production in TM3 cells by inhibiting the expression of 17α-hydroxylase, an important enzyme in androgen synthesis. After repeated intravenous injection, AuNPs gradually accumulated and retained in the testes of male BALB/c mice in a dose-dependent manner. One week after withdrawal, the level of plasma testosterone in the 0.5 mg/kg AuNPs group was significantly reduced compared to that in the PBS control group, accompanied by the decreased expression of 17α-hydroxylase in the testes. In addition, AuNPs treatment significantly increased the rate of epididymal sperm malformation, but without affecting fertility.Conclusion: Our results suggest that AuNPs can accumulate in the testes and reduce testosterone production in Leydig cells by down-regulating the expression of 17α-hydroxylase, thus affecting the quality of epididymal sperm.

2011 ◽  
Vol 282-283 ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Yu Bin Ji ◽  
Jing Chao Sun ◽  
Lang Lang

Solanine is one of chemicalcomponents in the tuber and the sprout of the potato which is toxic to human. Some studies on the toxicity of solanine on humans and animals have been reported, little is known about the mechanism of its testicular toxicity. In present study, the toxicity of solanine on male reproductive function was investigated in adult male Kunming mice. Compared with the control group, there was an obvious pathological change in testis, and the expression levels of 3β-HSD and vimentin decreased when the test concentration of solanine was at 21 mg/kg/day. Meanwhile, there was a significant dose- and duration-dependent reduction in the testicular weight and organ coefficient. However, no changes have been detected about the level of testosterone and there was a dramatic increase in the expression of LH in Leydig cells. Results of this study suggested that solanine leaded to male reproductive toxicity influencing the functions of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells.


2014 ◽  
Vol 675-677 ◽  
pp. 167-170
Author(s):  
Huan Li ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Shu Guang Jin

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), espically benzopyrene (BaP),are the most popular pollutants in surface water,and the adverse effects on male reproductive function have aroused more and more attention. The objective of this study is to confirm BaP regulates testosterone (T) in adult rat Leydig cells and then deserve the effect of BaP on Cx43 between Leydig cells, in order to explore whether the influence of Bap on Leydig cells is via its effect on Cx43. Established the primary culture system Leydig cell, Primary cultured Leydig cells were incubated in the different concentrations (1;10;50ug/ml) of BaP, and DMSO control group. After culturing 24h, the expression of Cx43 on cell membrane were investigated with immunofluorescence and the total Cx43 were evaluated by Western blotting.. The results indicate: comparing with the control group, the expression of Cx43 are suppressed by Bap in a dose-response relationship.


Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (8) ◽  
pp. 3941-3949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Yun Zhang ◽  
Yuki Ito ◽  
Osamu Yamanoshita ◽  
Yukie Yanagiba ◽  
Miya Kobayashi ◽  
...  

Permethrin, a popular synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used to control noxious insects in agriculture, forestry, households, horticulture, and public health throughout the world, poses risks of environmental exposure. Here we evaluate the reproductive toxicity of cis-permethrin in adult male ICR mice that were orally administered cis-permethrin (0, 35, or 70 mg/kg·d) for 6 wk. Caudal epididymal sperm count and sperm motility in the treated groups were statistically reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular testosterone production and plasma testosterone concentration were significantly and dose-dependently decreased with an increase in LH, and a significant regression was observed between testosterone levels and cis-permethrin residues in individual mice testes after exposure. However, no significant changes were observed in body weight, reproductive organ absolute and relative weights, sperm morphology, and plasma FSH concentration after cis-permethrin treatment. Moreover, cis-permethrin exposure significantly diminished the testicular mitochondrial mRNA expression levels of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and enzyme and protein expression levels of StAR and P450scc. At the electron microscopic level, mitochondrial membrane damage was found in Leydig cells of the exposed mouse testis. Our results suggest that the insecticide permethrin may cause mitochondrial membrane impairment in Leydig cells and disrupt testosterone biosynthesis by diminishing the delivery of cholesterol into the mitochondria and decreasing the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in the cells, thus reducing subsequent testosterone production.


2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 15 ◽  
pp. 9499-9514
Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Xiaojie Li ◽  
Shuwen Xiao ◽  
Xinyi Liu ◽  
Xuanming Chen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Motamedifar ◽  
Yalda Malekzadegan ◽  
Parisa Namdari ◽  
Behzad Dehghani ◽  
Bahia Namavar Jahromi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Infertility considered as a social and public health issue and estimated that most of these infertile couples are residents of developing countries. Infectious diseases including the history of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may impact on male reproductive function. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contaminants of semen and probable association with sperm quality of infertile men in Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 200 infertile men and 150 fertile men attending an infertility Center in southwestern Iran during the study period in 2015. The assessment of sperm parameters was according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The presumptive pathogens were identified using standard microbiology tests and confirmed by specific PCR primers. Results: The prevalence of bacteriospermia in the semen of the infertile group was significantly higher than that in the fertile group (48% vs. 26.7%, P <0.001). The microbiological analysis of samples showed that the most abundant species of bacteria in semen of infertile men were Chlamydia trachomatis (12.5%) followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). On the other hand, in the control group, Lactobacillus spp. (17.3%) was the most isolated pathogen. Results showed that the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Haemophilus, and Klebsiella was significantly associated with sperm abnormality. Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that bacteriospermia is associated with alterations in the properties of semen which may lead to a decrease in the fertilization potential of sperm. Therefore, immediate and appropriate treatment is necessary before investigating every other possible cause of infertility.


1991 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Nicholson ◽  
S. E. F. Guldenaar ◽  
G. J. Boer ◽  
B. T. Pickering

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


2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (5) ◽  
pp. E1039-E1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guey-Shyang Hwang ◽  
Szu-Tah Chen ◽  
Te-Jung Chen ◽  
Shyi-Wu Wang

The aim of this study was to explore the effect and action mechanisms of intermittent hypoxia on the production of testosterone both in vivo and in vitro. Male rats were housed in a hypoxic chamber (12% O2 + 88% N2, 1.5 l/ml) 8 h/day for 4 days. Normoxic rats were used as control. In an in vivo experiment, hypoxic and normoxic rats were euthanized and the blood samples collected. In the in vitro experiment, the enzymatically dispersed rat Leydig cells were prepared and challenged with forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator, 10−4 M), 8-Br-cAMP (a membrane-permeable analog of cAMP, 10−4 M), hCG (0.05 IU), the precursors of the biosynthesis testosterone, including 25-OH-C (10−5 M), pregnenolone (10−7 M), progesterone (10−7 M), 17-OH-progesterone (10−7 M), and androstendione (10−7-10−5 M), nifedipine (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, 10−6-10−4 M), nimodipine (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, 10−5 M), tetrandrine (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, 10−5 M), and NAADP (calcium-signaling messenger causing release of calcium from intracellular stores, 10−6-10−4 M). The concentrations of testosterone in plasma and medium were measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of plasma testosterone in hypoxic rats was higher than that in normoxic rats. Enhanced testosterone production was observed in rat Leydig cells treated with hCG, 8-Br-cAMP, or forskolin in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Intermittent hypoxia resulted in a further increase of testosterone production in response to the testosterone precursors. The activity of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was stimulated by the treatment of intermittent hypoxia in vitro. The intermittent hypoxia-induced higher production of testosterone was accompanied with the influx of calcium via L-type calcium channel and the increase of intracellular calcium via the mechanism of calcium mobilization. These results suggested that the intermittent hypoxia stimulated the secretion of testosterone at least in part via stimulatory actions on the activities of adenylyl cyclase, cAMP, L-type calcium channel, and steroidogenic enzymes.


1984 ◽  
Vol 218 (2) ◽  
pp. 621-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
M H F Sullivan ◽  
B A Cooke

The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist ICI 118630 was found to increase testosterone production in purified rat testis Leydig cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but no consistent changes in cyclic AMP levels were detectable. The stimulation of steroidogenesis by LHRH agonist was found to be dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ in the incubation medium; at least 1 mM was required. The calcium ionophore A23187 mimicked the effects of the LHRH agonist on steroidogenesis, and addition of both compounds together did not further increase testosterone production. The calcium ionophore caused a small increase in cyclic AMP which was independent of the concentration of the ionophore and of the calcium concentrations. The evidence obtained in this study indicates that LHRH agonist-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat testis Leydig cells is primarily mediated by calcium and not cyclic AMP.


1978 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Sundby ◽  
P. A. Torjesen

ABSTRACT Administration of 6000 IU HCG to 4 bulls was followed by an elevation of plasma testosterone lasting for 9–13 days. When HCG administration was repeated, the testosterone response was shortened to 4–6 days in 3 bulls due to the formation of antibodies against HCG. The appearance of HCG antibodies coincided with a sharp decrease in the plasma testosterone level, indicating that Leydig cells have to be under continuous HCG stimulation to maintain increased testosterone production. No antibody against bovine LH was detected in the plasma samples containing antibodies against HCG. In one bull the response following the second HCG injection was similar to the plasma testosterone pattern following the first. No antibodies against HCG were found in this bull. Five bulls received 750 IU HCG twice. Following the period with elevated plasma testosterone levels, subnormal levels were observed after both injections. One injection led to decreased levels without development of antibodies against HCG while the second HCG injection led to subnormal testosterone levels concomitant with measurable antibodies against HCG.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-402
Author(s):  
I Gede Widhiantara ◽  
Anak Agung Ayu Putri Permatasari ◽  
I Wayan Rosiana ◽  
Putu Angga Wiradana ◽  
Luh Putu Widiastini ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The discovery of herbal ingredients for antihypercholesterolemic and to improve male reproductive function is very necessary due to high-cholesterol diet factors. Blumea balsamifera leaf extract (BBLE) is known to be able to increase the number and diameter of Leydig cells in rats given high-fat feed. This study was to conducted to determine the levels of total cholesterol, body weight, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in high-cholesterol-fed male rats provided with BBLE.METHODS: This research utilized a randomized post-test only control group. Ethanol was used to extract the BBLE, which was then evaporated. For 21 days, 16 Wistar rats were given a high-cholesterol diet. To determine the effect of BBLE on the high-cholesterol diet, the samples were divided into two groups (control and BBLE group) on day 22. The treatments lasted 30 days. SOD, plasma MDA, LH, and total cholesterol were measured.RESULTS: The results showed that the SOD and LH parameters were significantly higher in the treatment of BBLE compared to the control group (p<0.05). The parameters of total cholesterol levels, bodyweight, and MDA of rats given BBLE were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight that BBLE has antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant effects. The BBLE also has potential to be used as a therapy to maintain male reproductive function because it has a positive effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis through increasing LH secretion.KEYWORDS: Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Luteinizing hormone, Blumea balsamifera extract, High-cholesterol diet


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document