高氟对3月龄公鸡生殖细胞的损伤作用

为了探讨高氟对鸡生殖细胞损伤作用,选用3月龄蛋公鸡10只,实验组和对照组各一组,每组5只,实验组在饮水中添加3.25 g/L的氟化钠,对照组饮用自来水,实验周期为120 d。分别于60 d、80 d、100d、120 d采集精液,检测精子密度、早期精细胞微核率、精子畸形率及精子活率。120 d后,处死动物,取两侧睾丸,称重并测量大小。结果表明,氟化钠可致精子数量减少,活率降低,精子畸形率和微核率上升,并呈明显的时间-效应关系。比较两组睾丸重量和大小,差异极显著(P<0.01)。说明高氟对鸡生殖细胞有遗传损伤作用,高氟可能是致突变物。     

恒定磁场对小鼠精子毒性作用的实验研究

观察不同强度恒定磁场对雄鼠睾丸、附睾重量、精子数量、精子活动度及精子形态的影响. 结果显示睾丸与附睾重量各组无显著差异, 精子数量在实验组与对照组中亦无明显改变. 在 0.12T磁场环境暴露下, 雄鼠精子畸形率增加及活动率下降, 与对照组相比有显著差异. (P< 0.01), 提示磁场对小鼠精子有一定毒性, 并且毒性与其强度有关.     

雷公藤制剂对雄性长爪沙鼠繁殖功能的影响

为了检测雷公藤制剂对长爪沙鼠繁殖功能的影响,根据预实验结果,将40只雄性长爪沙鼠分为40 mg/kg连续用药4周组(n=16)、100 mg/kg一次给药组(n=10)和1%CMC灌胃对照组(n=14)处理,6周后剖检,比较睾丸、附睾的脏器系数、精子密度、精子活力、精子形态和繁殖率等指标.结果表明40 mg/kg连续用药组鼠的睾丸、附睾脏器系数与对照组比较差异显著;精子密度、精子活力和活精子百分率显著下降;精子畸形率显著上升;繁殖率显著下降(df=1,P<0.05).100 mg/kg一次给药组除附睾脏器系数显著下降、精子畸形率显著上升外,其它指标与对照组无明显差异.该药对长爪沙鼠连续作用4周后不育效果明显,并且具有致畸性,在药物有效范围内,高浓度一次性给药方式不如较低浓度连续多次给药效果显著.     

复方辣木颗粒剂影响雄性小鼠性功能的实验研究

目的观察复方辣木颗粒剂对雄性小鼠性功能的影响。方法建立醋酸铅致雄性小鼠生精障碍模型。将60只实验小鼠分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组和复方辣木颗粒剂高、中、低剂量组,每组10只。给药后,观察小鼠体重、脏器指数、附睾精子活力、精子活率及睾丸的病理形态等。结果复方辣木颗粒剂对醋酸铅致少弱精子症小鼠体重无明显影响,各给药组小鼠附睾系数、睾丸系数、精子活力、精子活率均有所上升,生精细胞和间质细胞数量增多、排列更紧密。各剂量间比较,高剂量效果更显著(均P0.05)。结论复方辣木颗粒剂可显著改善小鼠性功能,为临床合理应用提供有利参考。     

环境雌激素硫丹对根田鼠(Microtus oeconomus)生殖毒性效应

为探讨硫丹的生殖毒性,实验选择健康雄性根田鼠20只,随机分成对照组和实验组,分别注射等剂量生理盐水(6mL/kg)和硫丹溶液(7.0mg/kg)。在染毒的第7天和第14天,实验组和对照组各处死5只根田鼠。通过实验,第1阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降不明显,精子畸形率明显增加(P0.05)。第2阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降明显,精子畸形率增加,与第1阶段相比,体重没变化,睾丸系数也无明显变化,精子活动率下降明显(P0.05),精子畸形率增加极显著(P0.01)。因此,环境雌激素硫丹可以引起根田鼠睾丸的精子数下降、精子活动率下降、精子畸形率明显增加。     

环境雌激素硫丹对根田鼠(Microtus oeconomous)生殖毒性效应

为探讨硫丹的生殖毒性.实验选择健康雄性根田鼠20只.随机分成对照组和实验组,分别注射等剂量生理盐水(6 mL/kg)和硫丹溶液(7.0 mg/kg).在染毒的第7天和第14天,实验组和对照组各处死5只根田鼠.通过实验,第1阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降不明显,精子畸形率明显增加(P<0.05).第2阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大.睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精于活动率下降明显,精子畸形率增加,与第1阶段相比,体重没变化,睾丸系数也无明显变化,精子活动率下降明显(P<0.05),精子畸形率增加极显著(P<0.01).因此,环境雌激素硫丹可以引起根田鼠睾丸的精子数下降、精子活动率下降、精子畸形率明显增加.     

磁处理水对小鼠血液过氧化氢酶及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力的影响

将小鼠随机分为饮用磁处理水的实验组及饮用自来水的对照组,每组雌、雄鼠各半,饲养一个月,取血测定其过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力。结果雌、雄实验组CAT活性均显著高于对照组;雄鼠实验组GSH-PX活力明显高于对照组,雌鼠实验组GSH-PX活力与对照组无显著差异。显示饮用一定时间磁处理水的小鼠机体外理自由基能力有所提高。     

磁处理水对小鼠血液过氧化氢酶及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力的影响

将小鼠随机分为饮用磁处理水的实验组及饮用自来水的对照组，每组雌、雄鼠各半，饲养一个月，取血测定其过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力。结果雌、雄实验组CAT活性均显著高于对照组；雄鼠实验组GSH-PX活力明显高于对照组，雌鼠实验组GSH-PX活力与对照组无显著差异。显示饮用一定时间磁处理水的小鼠机体外理自由基能力有所提高。     

氯化镧对雄性小鼠精子质量及睾丸酶活力的影响

探讨氯化镧对小鼠精子质量及睾丸细胞酶的影响。40只成年昆明种雄性小鼠随机分成对照组、低(25mg·kg-1)、中(50mg·kg-1)、高(100mg·kg-1)剂量组,腹腔注射1次/4d,饲养35d。测定睾丸和附睾脏器指数,检测并计算精子数量、活精率、活动率和畸形率以及睾丸碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活力。结果显示,高剂量氯化镧降低了小鼠睾丸AKP活力,抑制了精子数量和质量;中剂量氯化镧能促进NOS活力,使精子数量减少,对精子质量造成损伤。     

前列腺素与雄性生殖生理

小剂量前列腺素(PGs)作用于下丘脑,增加LHRH释放,后者促使垂体分泌LH、FSH,从而刺激睾酮分泌。睾丸间质细胞的功能还直接受PGs的调节,睾酮也显著影响雄性生殖道中PGs水平。PGs可增加大鼠睾丸重量,刺激生精过程,增加精子细胞数目,提高精子活力,维持生殖道中平滑肌的收缩,参与射精过程,促进精子在雌体生殖道内的运行,故利于受精。大剂量PGs抑制雄性生殖,使血中LH、FSH、睾酮水平下降,使睾丸动脉收缩,导致睾丸萎缩,减少睾丸及副性腺的重量,抑制生精作用,降低附睾精子活力,增加畸精率。     

Effects of breeding season and mating on total number and distribution of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the brown marsupial mouse, Antechinus stuartii

Changes in the number and distribution of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the adult brown marsupial mouse were examined during July/August in mated and unmated males. The effects of mating on epididymal sperm populations were studied in 2 groups of males each mated 3 times and compared with the number and distribution of spermatozoa in the epididymides of 4 unmated control groups. One testis and epididymis were removed from each animal (hemicastration) either before or early in the mating season to provide information on initial sperm content and distribution. The contralateral side was removed later in the mating season to examine the effects of mating or sexual abstinence on epididymal sperm distribution. Epididymal sperm number peaked in both the distal caput and distal corpus/proximal cauda epididymidis in late July. The total number of spermatozoa, including those remaining in the testis, available to each male at the beginning of the mating season in early August was approximately 4.4 x 10(6)/side. Although recruitment of spermatozoa into the epididymis from the testis continued until mid-August, sperm content of the epididymis reached a peak of about 3.5 x 10(6)/epididymis in early August. At this time approximately 0.9 x 10(6) spermatozoa remained in the testis which had ceased spermatogenic activity. Throughout the mating season, epididymal spermatozoa were concentrated in the distal corpus/proximal cauda regions of the epididymis and were replenished by spermatozoa from upper regions of the duct. Relatively few spermatozoa were found in the distal cauda epididymidis, confirming a low sperm storage capacity in this region. A constant loss of spermatozoa from the epididymis, probably via spermatorrhoea, occurred throughout the mating season and very few spermatozoa remained in unmated males in late August before the annual male die-off. Mating studies showed that an average of 0.23 x 10(6) spermatozoa/epididymis were delivered per mating in this species, but the number of spermatozoa released at each ejaculation may be as few as 0.04 x 10(6)/epididymis when sperm loss via spermatorrhoea is taken into account. We suggest that the unusual structure of the cauda epididymidis, which has a very restricted sperm storage capacity, may function to limit the numbers of spermatozoa available at each ejaculation and thus conserve the dwindling epididymal sperm reserves in order to maximize the number of successful matings which are possible during the mating season.     

Sterility due to inhibition of sperm motility by oral administration of benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in rats.

The contraceptive effects of benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya have been reported in male albino rats at the dose regimens 5 and 10 mg/animal/day; oral for 150 days. The body weight, weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate remained unaltered during the entire course of the investigation. Total suppression of cauda epididymal sperm motility coincided with a decrease in sperm count, viability and an increase in per cent abnormal spermatozoa during 60-150 days observation period. Minor changes in the germ cell proliferations in the testis and vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei in the few epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis were observed. Histology and biochemical composition of testis and accessory sex organs, haematology and serum clinical biochemistry and serum testosterone levels remained unchanged throughout the course of the investigation. Test for estrogenicity indicated mild estrogenicity. Monthly fertility test showed negative fertility. All the altered parameters returned to normal level following 60 days withdrawal of the treatment. The results suggest that the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya exerts antifertility effects in rats without adverse toxicity and that the effects may be directly rendered on the spermatozoa.     

White tea intake prevents prediabetes-induced metabolic dysfunctions in testis and epididymis preserving sperm quality

Prediabetes has been associated with alterations in male reproductive tract, especially in testis and epididymis. Moreover, in vitro studies described a promising action of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) against metabolic dysfunctions. Herein, we hypothesized that white tea (WTEA) ingestion by prediabetic animals could ameliorate the metabolic alterations induced by the disease in testicular and epididymal tissues, preserving sperm quality. WTEA infusion was prepared and its phytochemical profile was evaluated by ¹H-NMR. A streptozotocin-induced prediabetic rat model was developed and three experimental groups were defined: control, prediabetic (PreDM) and prediabetic drinking WTEA (PreDM+WTEA). Metabolic profiles of testis and epididymis were evaluated by determining the metabolites content (¹H-NMR), protein levels (western blot) and enzymatic activities of key metabolic intervenient. The quality of spermatozoa from cauda epididymis was also assessed. Prediabetes increased glucose transporter 3 protein levels and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity in testis, resulting in a lower lactate content. WTEA ingestion led to a metabolic adaptation to restore testicular lactate content. Concerning epididymis, prediabetes decreased the protein levels of several metabolic intervenient, resulting in decreased lactate and alanine content. WTEA consumption restored most of the evidenced alterations, however, not lactate content. WTEA also improved epididymal sperm motility and restored sperm viability. Prediabetes strongly affected testicular and epididymal metabolic status and most of these alterations were restored by WTEA consumption, resulting in the improvement of sperm quality. Our results suggest that WTEA consumption can be a cost-effective strategy to improve prediabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction.     

Differential localization of glycoconjugates having affinity for concanavalin A on the surface of the sperm head in the testis, the epididymis, and the ejaculate of the ram

The localization of Con A receptors on the surface of the head of ram spermatozoa originating from the rete testis, from three regions of the epididymis, or from the ejaculate was investigated using a gold-Con A labelling technique. Electron microscopic observation revealed three major localizations, each being characteristic of the origin of the spermatozoa: periacrosomal in the rete testis, postacrosomal in the epididymis, on the entire surface of the sperm head in the ejaculate.     

The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in drinking water on semen quality, lipid peroxidation and plasma testosterone level of male rats. In this investigation, 24 male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into three group, and 500, 250 and 0 (control) mg/kg/day ascorbic acid were supplemented with drinking water of rats in Groups A, B and C during 8 weeks, respectively. Ascorbic acid supplementation did not increase in the body weight and weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. Exogenous supplementation with ascorbic acid significantly increased (P<0.05) the concentration of ascorbic acid in the testes and blood plasma, and the level of lipid peroxidation significantly decreased (P<0.05) in these locations. There was no significant difference in spermatozoon motility among the three groups. However, epididymal sperm concentration and plasma testosterone level significantly increased (P<0.05) in the ascorbic acid treated animals when compared to the control animals. The results suggest that ascorbic acid supplementation improves reproductive traits of male rats that are associated with high fertility.     

Induction of the acrosome reaction in dog sperm cells is dependent on epididymal maturation: the generation of a functional progesterone receptor is involved

In the current study we investigated the progesterone receptor exposure on the sperm from the testis and different parts of the epididymis, the relation to the sperm maturation stage, the functionality of the progesterone receptor and the capacity of sperm to undergo acrosome reaction. Exposed progesterone receptors on spermatozoa were detected using Progesterone-BSA conjugate labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (P-BSA-FITC) or a monoclonal antibody against progesterone receptor, C-262. Either progesterone or calcium ionophore was used to induce acrosome reaction. A high percentage (69 +/- 8%; mean +/- SD) of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis showed P-BSA-FITC labeling at the onset of incubation, whereas only 0.1 +/- 1 and 4 +/- 2%, of spermatozoa from the testes, caput, and corpus epididymis, respectively, were labeled. There was no significant increase in P-BSA-FITC binding during the course of a 6 hr incubation. Treatment with either 10 microM progesterone or 5 microM calcium ionophore induced acrosome reaction in cauda epididymal sperm but not in testicular sperm, caput or corpus epipidymal sperm. It is concluded that the matured sperm of the dog from cauda epididymis and freshly ejaculated sperm demonstrate a functional membrane-bound progesterone receptor while less matured spermatozoa from the testicle, caput, and corpus epididymis fail to demonstrate such a receptor. Acrosome reaction of dog sperm can be induced using either progesterone or calcium ionophore; however, the maturation stages of spermatozoa influence this occurrence.     

Redox status of the testes and sperm of rats following exposure to 2,5-hexanedione

Objectives: Exposure to 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) is well known to be associated with reproductive dysfunctions in both humans and animals. However, the role of oxidative stress in 2,5-HD-induced toxicity in testes and sperm has not yet been studied.

Methodology: The present study investigated the influence of 2,5-HD on antioxidant systems in the testes and epididymal sperm of rats following exposure to 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% 2,5-HD in drinking water for 21 consecutive days.

Results: Administration of 0.5% 2,5-HD significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased epididymis weight, whereas 1% 2,5-HD-treated rats showed significantly decreased body weight, testis, and epididymis weights compared with the control group. Exposure to 2,5-HD caused a significant dose-dependent increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in both testes and sperm compared with the control group. Moreover, 2,5-HD-exposed rats showed significant decrease in glutathione-S-transferase activity and glutathione level with concomitant significant elevation in the levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in both testes and sperm. Testicular and epididymal atrophy with significant, dose-dependent, decrease in epididymal sperm number, sperm motility, and viability were observed in 2,5-HD-treated rats.

Conclusion: 2,5-HD exposure impaired testicular function and sperm characteristics by disruption of the antioxidant systems and consequently, increased oxidative stress in the treated rats.     

Fertility of mouse spermatozoa retrieved from cadavers and maintained at 4 degrees C

After male animals die, the spermatozoa within the testis and epididymis eventually disintegrate. In this study, the motility, viability and fertility of mouse spermatozoa were examined after retrieval from the epididymis at various days after death. Cadavers were maintained in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C. About 30% of the spermatozoa collected 10 days after death were viable, but they had limited ability to fertilize oocytes in vitro. However, when the spermatozoa were injected into oocytes, the fertilization rate was over 80%. Normal live fetuses were even obtained using immotile spermatozoa retrieved 20 days after death. Therefore, when valuable male animals die unexpectedly and sperm cryopreservation is not possible immediately, temporal storage of cadavers (or epididymis and vas deferens) at 4 degrees C in a regular refrigerator followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection may help to preserve the genome of individuals. This procedure could be particularly important in endangered species.     

Transformation of sperm histone during formation and maturation of rat spermatozoa.

Changes of chromosomal basic proteins of rats have been followed during transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa in the testis and during maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis. Rat testis chromatin has been fractionated on the basis of differing sensitivity to shearing, yielding a soluble fraction and a condensed fraction. The sperm histone is found in the condense fraction. Somatic-type histones are found in both fractions. The somatic-type histones in the condensed fraction contains much more lysine-rich histone I, than does the somatic-type histones in the soluble fraction. This may suggest that the lysine-rich histone I is the last histone to be displaced during the replacement of somatic-type histones by sperm histone. After extensive shearing followed by sucrose centrifugation, the condensed portion of testis chromatin can be further fractionated into two morphologically distinctive fractions. One is a heavy fraction possessing an elongated shape typical of the head of late spermatids. The other is a light fraction which is presumably derived from spermatids at earlier stages of chromatin condensation and which is seen as a beaded structure in the light microscope. Sperm histone of testis chromatin can be extractable completely by guanidinium chloride without a thiol, wheras 2-mercaptoethanol is required for extraction of sperm histone from caput and cauda epididymal spermatozoa. The light fraction of the condensed testis chromatin contains unmodified and monophospho-sperm histone. The sperm histones of the heavy fraction is mainly of monophospho and diphospho species, whereas unmodified and monophosphosperm histones are found in caput and cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Labeling of cysteine sulfhydryl groups of sperm histone releases by 2-mercaptoethanol treatment shows that essentially all of the cysteine residues of sperm histone in testis chromatin are present as sulfhydryl groups, while those of sperm histone isolated from mature (cauda epididymal) spermatozoa are present as disulfide forms and approximately 50% of the cysteine residues of sperm histone obtained from caput epididymal spermatozoa are in disulfide forms. These results suggest that phosphorylation of sperm histone is involved in the process of chromatin condensation during transformation of spermatozoa in the epididymis.     

Acquisition of sperm motility and its maintenance during storage in the lizard, Lacerta vivipara

Lizard spermatozoa, which are non-motile in the testis, develop the ability to swim as they pass along the excurrent duct. The addition of caffeine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, induced forward motility in spermatozoa from the caput epididymidis and increased the velocity of spermatozoa from the distal part of the epididymis. Caffeine had no effect on the motility of testicular spermatozoa. This suggests that sperm motility in this species is cyclic AMP-dependent but this factor alone is not sufficient to induce testicular sperm motility. In samples from the distal region of the epididymis, sperm motility was maximal in April just after the breeding season and then decreased significantly during the following months. A parallel can be drawn between these data and the levels of testosterone in the plasma. In the lizard, as in mammals, the epididymis may play an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa.