Lead induced testicular changes in protein malnourished rats

The effect of concurrent low protein (8% casein) diet and lead (Pb) exposure (1 mg/ml lead acetate in drinking water) on testes of weaned rats up to 90 days of age was investigated Histopathological examination of testes of lead treated rats maintained on low protein diet revealed marked pathological changes associated with greatly reduced succinic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and adenosine triphosphatase activity as revealed histochemically compared to lead treated rats fed normal protein diet. It was concluded that higher accumulation of lead may be responsible for altering the enzyme levels and inducing the testicular degeneration to a greater extent in low protein fed rats compared to their counterpart controls.     

Endotoxin induced changes in serum estrogen in male rats: influence of testicular maturation

The influence of acute endotoxin (Endo) administration on adrenal and testicular serum hormones, corticosterone (B), progesterone (P4), 17 alpha OH progesterone (17 alpha OH P4), androstenedione (delta 4), testosterone (T), estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) was studied in male rats aged 8, 12 and 15 weeks. The present study confirms that the concentrations of circulating steroid hormones in male rats vary with age, and indicate that the adrenal glands mature before the testes. The steroid response to Endo is age-dependent. B, P4, 17 alpha OH P4 was increased and T decreased in all animals. But, there was a very significant increase in estrogens (E1 and E2) and a decrease in delta 4 only in male rats aged 12 weeks and over. The lack of an estrogen response to Endo injection in 8 week-old rats may indicate that the reduced sensitivity (refractory period) to Endo (which has been reported to last until 21 days of age) continues longer. The reduced sensitivity to Endo which occurs in young rats could be due in part to the absence of adrenal-testicular cooperation as a result of partial testicular immaturity.     

The effect of beta glucan on MTX induced testicular damage in rats

We investigated the histopathological effects of methotrexate (MTX), a chemotherapeutic agent, and beta glucan (BG), an antioxidant, on rat testis. We used four groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats: MTX, MTX + BG, BG, and control. The MTX group was exposed to a single dose of MTX on the first day of experiment. The MTX + BG group was exposed to a single dose of MTX and BG on the first day of experiment followed by BG for 4 additional days. The BG group was exposed to BG for 5 days. The control group was given saline for 5 days. On day five, all animals were sacrificed and testicular tissue was evaluated for histopathology and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay (TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis. The apoptotic index (AI) and testicular damage increased in the MTX group compared to the other three groups. Histopathology was reduced in the MTX + BG group compared to the MTX group. Seminiferous tubule diameter was reduced in the MTX group compared to the BG group; we found no difference between control and BG groups. The thickness of th e germinal epithelium was reduced in the MTX group compared to the other groups. We found no difference in testicular weight among the groups. We compared body weight before and after the experiment; weights in the MTX and MTX + BG groups were significantly reduced compared to controls. In the control groups, we found a statistically significant increase in body weight, whereas there was no change in the BG group. We found that MTX causes deleterious effects on testicular tissue and that beta glucan may be protective.     

Treatment of rats with hCG induces inflammation-like changes in the testicular microcirculation

Adult rats were injected subcutaneously with 50 i.u. hCG and vascular permeability was compared to that in saline-treated control rats by two independent methods. At 4 h after hCG treatment the rats were injected intra-arterially (i.a.) with FITC-labelled macromolecular dextran (Mr 150,000) and the testicular microcirculation was studied in vivo by using a fluorescence microscope. Other rats were injected i.a. with a suspension of colloidal carbon and the location of leaking blood vessels was recorded in sections from the testes by light and electron microscopy. In hCG-treated animals leucocytes were found adhering to the endothelium in post-capillary venules and in these venular segments dextran was leaking into the interstitium. Carbon particles were deposited in the walls of post-capillary venules and leucocytes migrated through open interendothelial cell gaps in hCG-treated animals. In control animals leucocyte adhesion and migration were not observed, the injected dextran remained in the circulation and the blood vessels were not labelled by carbon. It is suggested that the hCG-induced increase in testicular interstitial fluid volume, like the tissue oedema in inflammation, is caused by a leucocyte-mediated increase in venular permeability.     

P-aminodiphenylamine induced biochemical changes in sex organs of male albino rats.

Intraperitoneal administration of p-aminodiphenylamine (p-ADPA), an aromatic amine of wide industrial applications, / 42.5 mg/kg body weight for 180 days significantly decreased the activities of testicular lactate dehydrogenase and hyaluronidase and lactic acid content indicating arrest of spermatogenesis. Patchy necrosis of the testis was confirmed histopathologically. No change in testicular cholesterol, fructose content of coagulating glands and dorso-lateral prostate and activities of alkaline phosphatase in seminal vesicle and acid phosphatase in ventral prostate support normal androgenic status.     

Acrylonitrile interaction with testicular DNA in rats.

In the present study we report the in vivo interaction of acrylonitrile (VCN) with testicular tissue in rats. Covalent binding of radioactivity to testicular tissue DNA was examined for a period of 72 hr after a single oral dose (46.5 mg/kg) of [2,3-14C] VCN. Maximal covalent binding was observed at 0.5 hr (8.9 mumol VCN equivalent/mol nucleotide). Binding decreased gradually thereafter but was still detected (2.5 mumol VCN equivalent/mol nucleotide) at 72 hr following VCN administration. Further, we examined the effects of VCN on DNA synthesis and repair in the testes of rats following a single oral dose (46.5 mg/kg) of VCN to clarify the impact of the covalent binding observed on the testicular genetic material. A significant decrease in DNA synthesis (80% of control) was observed at 0.5 hr after treatment. At 24 hr following acrylonitrile administration, testicular DNA synthesis was severely inhibited (38% of control). Testicular DNA repair was increased 1.5-fold at 0.5 hr and more than 3.3-fold at 24 hr following treatment with VCN. These results suggest that VCN can act as a multipotent genotoxic agent by alkylating DNA in testicular tissue and may affect the male reproductive function by interfering with testicular DNA synthesis and repair processes.     

Experimental therapeutic intervention with ascorbic acid in ethanol induced testicular injuries in rats

Ascorbic acid treatment significantly increased the activities of testicular delta5, 3beta-HSD and 17beta-HSD. Moreover, the treatment was also associated with significant decrease in oxidative stress in the testis. Ethanol induced oxidative stress and decreased steroidogenesis can be reversed by treatment with ascorbic acid.     

力竭游泳诱导的大鼠睾丸金属结合蛋白的初步分离与鉴定

目的初步分离和鉴定力竭运动诱导的大鼠睾丸金属结合蛋白(testis metal-binding proteins,TMB-Ps)。方法 8只雄性SD大鼠一次性力竭游泳运动(8只对照)后6 h取睾丸和肝脏组织,用镉饱和法测定TMBPs和肝脏金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)含量,用tricine-SDS-PAGE方法分离镉饱和法提取液的TMBPs组分和肝脏MT,用液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS-MS)鉴定TMBPs分离条带。结果力竭运动组大鼠TMBPs水平(113.71±11.72)nmol Cd/g testis显著高于安静对照组(87.14±12.72)nmol Cd/g testis(P0.01),肝脏MT表达量(64.70±14.89)μg/g也显著高于安静对照组(7.32±3.31)μg/g(P0.001)。LC-MS-MS对tricine-SDS-PAGE分离的蛋白条带的鉴定结果为:TMBPs含有泛素、铜-锌-超氧化物歧化酶、酪蛋白样磷蛋白等蛋白质,另外还应包括MT。结论TMBPs由一组具有金属结合性、耐热性和诱导性的蛋白质所组成,主要有泛素、超氧化物歧化酶和酪蛋白样磷蛋白。镉饱和法并非测定金属硫蛋白的特异性方法。     

Hepatic changes during a carrageenan induced granuloma in rats

Hepatic changes during inflammation were studied in rats bearing a carrageenan induced granuloma. In spite of a decrease in the metabolic capacity of microsomes to induce lipid peroxidation during inflammation, the endogenous lipid peroxidation remained unchanged and unrelated with the hepatic activities measured. The continuous increase in hepatic cAMP observed during acute and chronic phases could be related to adenylate cyclase stimulation by mediators, and could be an initial step in the hepatocyte adaptation leading to the increased level of hepatic caeruloplasmin, to the reduction of cytochrome P-450 level and to the modifications of Ca(2+) sequestration by microsomes.     

Galanin stimulates hCG induced testicular steroidogenesis in adult but not in immature male rats

The present study was undertaken to understand the role of galanin on testosterone secretion. Leydig cells from adult (60-80 days old) and immature (21-30 days old) rat testis were incubated with galanin (100 nM), galantide (100 nM) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG, 25 I.U.) alone or in combinations and testosterone release was measured. It was observed that in adults, galanin failed to alter the basal testosterone release from the dispersed Leydig cells but potentiated the hCG induced testosterone release significantly. While galantide, prevented this galanin potentiating effect, but it did not alter the hCG alone induced testosterone release. On the other hand, the Leydig cells obtained from immature male rats were sensitive to hCG alone but not to galanin or galantide, both of which failed to alter the hCG induced testosterone release from these cells. Based on these results it can be postulated that galanin's role at the level of the male gonad is age dependent since its potentiating effects on hCG induced testosterone release were visible only in the adult and not in the immature male rats.     

Gonadotropin binding and testicular function in old rats.

Serum testosterone levels, testicular LH binding and the spermatogenic cycle were analyzed in rats 4 and 22 mo of age. With age, serum testosterone levels decreased from 3.2 to 0.63 ng/ml serum. There was no age related decline in testicular LH binding or changes in the spermatogenic cycle.     

Palliative effect of curcumin on doxorubicin‐induced testicular damage in male rats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin (CUR) on doxorubicin (DOX)‐induced testicular damage in male rats. Thirty‐five adult male Wistar rats were used. Control group was received saline for 7 days. CUR group received CUR for 7 days. DOX group received single dose DOX on the 5th day. DOX+ CUR‐100 group received 100 mg/kg/day CUR for 7 days and DOX injection on the 5th day. DOX + CUR‐200 group received 200 mg/kg/day CUR for 7 days and DOX injection on the 5th day. DOX treatment decreased in sperm motility rate, live sperm percentages, cellular antioxidants, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, necrosis, degenerations, and slimming in seminiferous tubules, and DNA damages in testes by inducing oxidative stress. CUR treatment mitigated significantly these side effects when compared with DOX group in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, CUR treatment can be used in the mitigation of DOX‐induced testicular toxicity.     

Effects of folic acid on testicular toxicity induced by bisphenol-A in male Wistar rats

We investigated the protective effect of the folic acid (FA) against bisphenol-A (BPA) induced toxicity in rat testis. We used four groups of seven adult male Wistar albino rats. The control group was fed corn oil, the BPA group was given BPA, the FA group was given FA and the FA + BPA group was given FA initially followed by BPA 1 h later. The BPA, FA and corn oil were administered by oral gavage for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, testis sections were examined for histological and histomorphometric characteristics. The TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis and immunohistochemistry was used to examine the distribution of spermatogonial stem cells. Levels of serum testosterone were measured, and sperm viability and morphology were determined. The histological structure of the testis was normal in the control and FA groups. Although the number of TUNEL positive cells/tubule increased, the seminiferous epithelium height (SEH) at stages VII?VIII decreased in the BPA group compared to the control, FA and FA + BPA groups. The number of TUNEL positive cells/tubule decreased and the SEH at stages VII?VIII increased in the FA + BPA group compared to the BPA group. No significant difference in spermatogonial stem cells was found among groups. The level of serum testosterone and percentage of viable sperm was significantly lower, while the head, midpiece and total sperm abnormalities were significantly higher in the BPA treated group compared to control, FA, FA + BPA groups. It appears that the toxic effects of BPA on testis might be minimized by FA treatment.     

Ameliorating effects of agomelatine on testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible prophylactic effects of agomelatine (AGO) against testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate (MTX) in rats. Twenty‐four male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control group), Group II (MTX group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose), and Group III (MTX+AGO group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose+40 mg/kg AGO; gavage, 7 days). The rats were killed under anesthesia 24 hours after the last AGO application. Testicular and epididymal tissues were bilaterally removed for morphometric, biochemical, pathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured in testes. Sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, degenerated and necrotic cells were evaluated by histopathological analysis. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), osteopontin (OPN), and heat shock protein‐70 (HSP70) immune reactions were analyzed in testes and epididymides. Decreased epididymal weights, increased MDA levels, decreased sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, and degenerated and necrotic cells were observed in the MTX group. In addition, iNOS, HSP70, G‐CSF, and OPN immune reactions were increased. AGO improved morphometric, biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. The present study confirms that MTX induces testicular and epididymal damage both biochemically and immunohistochemically. However, AGO demonstrated ameliorative effects on both biochemical and pathological findings of the current study.     

Ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid attenuate doxorubicin‐induced testicular injury in rats

The anticancer drug doxorubicin causes testicular toxicity as an undesirable effect. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protection of ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid during doxorubicin administration. For this purpose eight groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were used (n = 10), one group received vehicle served as control, and other groups received 5 mg/kg doxorubicin twice a week for 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg, ellagic acid (10 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), rosmarinic acid (75 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid. The latter three regimens were given to control and doxorubicin‐received rats. Doxorubicin decreased testicular relative weight, sperm count, motility, serum testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sialic acid with increased incidence of histopathological changes, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, as well as cholinesterase activity. Conversely, ellagic and rosmarinic acid treatment ameliorated such damage, thus showing the possibility to use as an adjuvant during doxorubicin treatment.