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PubMedDate not supplied

Epididymal sperm motion as a parameter of male reproductive toxicity: sperm motion, fertility, and histopathology in ethinylestradiol-treated rats.

The present study was designed to characterize the effect of ethinylestradiol (EE) on epididymal sperm motion using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), and to elucidate the correlation between sperm motion endpoints and other measures including fertility, histopathologic, and endocrinologic endpoints. EE was orally given to adult male rats at a daily dosage of 10 mg/kg for 3 and 5 d, and at daily dosages of I and 10 mg/kg for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Changes in sperm motion were first detected after one week of treatment. Of nine sperm motion parameters, the percentage of motile sperm, velocity, and amplitude of the lateral head displacement (ALH) were decreased in the 10 mg/kg dosing group. Accompanying the decreases in those parameters, the male fertility indices in the 10 mg/kg dosing group were reduced after one week of treatment, and no males in this group could impregnate intact females after 2 weeks or more of treatment. The number of sperm heads in the cauda epididymis in the 10 mg/kg dosing group was reduced to about one-half that in the control group after one week of treatment, whereas the total number of homogenization-resistant advanced spermatids in the testis was not altered and only a slight change was detected in the number and morphology of germ cells in the testis. These results suggest that reduction in the number of epididymal sperm and in sperm motion are not secondary to testicular alteration. However, after 3 weeks of treatment, the number of sperm heads in the testis was drastically reduced with severe atrophy of the seminiferous tubules both in the 1 and 10 mg/kg dosing groups. The profiling of epididymal luminal fluid proteins indicated that two major bands that migrated with molecular weights of about 22 and 23 kDa were weakened and their density was reduced to approximately 70% of the control after 5-d and one week treatments in the 10 mg/kg dosing group. Circulating testosterone declined drastically after 3 d of treatment and remained at undetectable levels with a concomitant decline of circulating LH and FSH, suggesting that EE inhibits testosterone secretion immediately via a negative feedback system, and there follow changes in the accessory reproductive organs including the epididymis. These results indicate that EE affects epididymal spermatozoa before testicular germ cells via a testosterone deficiency, when it is administered at extremely high dosages. The reduction in the sperm motion manifested as decreases in the percentage of motile sperm, ALH, and velocity, is considered to be responsible for the onset of infertility. Sperm motion analysis could be particularly useful for detecting the toxic effects of chemicals that act through the endocrinologic system on the epididymis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of N-heterocyclic polyaromatic hydrocarbons on survival, reproduction, and biochemical parameters in Daphnia magna.

N-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs) belong among newly identified classes of environmental pollutants with relatively high toxic potential. N-PAHs have been detected in air, soil, marine environments, and freshwater sediments. The N-PAHs are present at lower concentrations than their nonsubstituted analogues but their greater solubility would lead to greater bioavailibity and potential for toxic effects. Here we present results of acute and chronic toxicity in traditional aquatic invertebrate ecotoxicological model (Daphnia magna) along with assessment of biochemical responses. Studied biomarkers in D. magna exposed to N-heterocyclic derivatives included glutathione levels and activities of detoxication and antioxidative enzymes glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. Phenanthrene and 1,10-phenathroline were the most toxic of all tested compounds (EC50 < 6 microM after 48 h exposure) and all tested N-PAHs suppressed reproduction of Daphnia magna. The data suggest that N-PAHs can induce oxidative stress in D. magna. The significant decline of glutathione content was found in animals treated with acridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, benzo(h)quinoline, phenantridine, and phenazine. Significant decrease of GPx activities relative to controls was found for all tested compounds except of phenanthrene and phenazine. Activities of GST increased after exposure to phenanthridine, phenazine, and benzo(h)quinoline, and declined in D. magna treated with phenanthrene (significant at one concentration) or anthracene (not significant). Our results confirmed significant acute as well as chronic toxicities of N-PAHs as well as potential of biochemical parameters to be used as early warning signals of toxicity in Daphnia magna.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the toxic potentials of cypermethrin pesticide on some reproductive and fertility parameters in the male rats.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to tap water containing 0, 8,571, 17,143, or 34,286 ppm cypermethrin for 12 weeks. Based on water consumption per animal per day the rats received 13.15, 18.93, and 39.66 mg cypermethrin, respectively. Fertility was significantly reduced in male rats ingesting cypermethrin at a concentration of 13.15 and 18.93 mg in that the number of females impregnated by them was significantly reduced. The number of implantation sites was significantly reduced in females mated with males that had ingested cypermethrin at a concentration of 39.66 mg. A significant reduction in the number of viable fetuses was observed in females impregnated by the exposed males at all three doses of cypermethrin. The body weight gain was significantly lower in the treated males. Ingestion of cypermethrin at a concentration of 18.93 or 39.66 mg per day resulted in a significant increase in the weights of testes and seminal vesicles. Preputial gland weights were increased at all three concentrations of cypermethrin. Epididymal and testicular sperm counts as well as daily sperm production were significantly decreased in exposed males. The serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were significantly reduced in males exposed to 39.66 mg per day. Ingestion of cypermethrin at 18.93 and 39.66 mg/animal/day also resulted in a significant decrease in the perimeter and number of cell layers of the seminiferous tubules. The testes of treated animals were infiltrated with congested blood vessels with marked hemorrhage and a significant accumulation of connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules, which contained a large number of immature spermatids. These results clearly demonstrate the adverse effects of cypermethrin pesticide on fertility and reproduction in male rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of food restriction on reproductive and toxicological parameters in rats--in search of suitable feeding regimen in long-term tests.

Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats, consisting of 40 animals of each sex, were examined for age-related lesions after a 13-week food restriction. From 6 weeks of age, four groups of 10 male and 10 female rats each were fed normal pelleted chow, ad libitum for the control group and approximately 85%, 70% and 55% of feed consumption in the control group, for 13 weeks. Estrous cycles in females were examined during the 3rd through 12th week of the study, and hematological, blood biochemical and pathological examinations of all animals were carried out after the 13-week feeding. Estrous cycles were prolonged or stopped in most females of the 55% feeding group from the 7th week of restricted feeding and atrophy of the theca granulosa cells with decreased cytoplasmic lipid droplets was found in the ovaries at necropsy. In the males of the 55% feeding group, Leydig cell atrophy was found in the testes. The groups at 70% and 85% feeding showed no abnormality in hematological, blood biochemical and pathological observations. On the other hand, decreases in plasma lipid peroxide levels were noted in the 70 and 85% feeding groups. These results suggest that 70% and 85% feedings seem suitable for minimizing development of age-related changes without nutritional disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of some environmental parameters on the reproduction and development of a tropical marine harpacticoid copepod Nitocra affinis f. californica Lang.

The effects of salinity, temperature, and light conditions on the reproduction and development of harpacticoid copepod, Nitocra affinis f. californica under controlled laboratory conditions were determined. Seven different salinity levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 ppt), four temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 degrees C), three different light intensities (25, 56, 130 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) and photoperiods (24 h:0 h, 1 h:23 h, 12 h:12 h LD cycle) were employed in this study. The highest (p < 0.05) overall reproduction and fastest development time were achieved by copepods reared under 30-35 ppt salinity. The optimum temperature required for the maximum reproduction was 30 degrees C while under 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C the copepod development time was shortest (p < 0.05) compared to other temperature levels. The overall reproduction was highest (p < 0.05) and development rate of N. affinis was shortest (p < 0.05) under lowest light intensity (25 micromol m(-2) s(-1)). Continuous light (24 h:0 h LD) inhibited the egg production while, continuous darkness (1 h:23 h LD) and 12 h:12 h LD significantly favoured the overall reproductive activity of the female. Photoperiods 1 h:23 h and 12 h:12 h LD yielded highest total (p < 0.05) offspring female(-1) coupled with highest (p < 0.05) survival percentage. This study illustrated that although N. affinis can tolerate wide range of environmental conditions, prolonged exposure to subnormal environments affect its reproduction and development. This study showed that this species can be mass cultured for commercial purposes and has a potential to be used for toxicity studies due to its high reproductive performance fast development and a wide range of tolerance to environmental conditions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1986

Genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits of male and female littermate swine.

Reproductive traits of purebred and crossbred pigs produced in a four-breed diallel mating system using the Duroc, Landrace, Spotted and Yorkshire breeds were collected for five consecutive farrowing seasons (two farrowing seasons/year) beginning in fall 1976. Paternal half-sib heritabilities and genetic correlations for testicular traits (120 boars from 36 sires), serum testosterone (TE) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations before and after treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 131 boars from 37 sires) and breeding performance traits (151 boars from 38 sires) were estimated. Heritability estimates were generally small to moderate except for sperm/gram testis (SGT), LH concentrations before (LHO) and at 3 h (LH3) after treatment with GnRH (.73 +/- .48, .61 +/- .46 and 1.19 +/- .45, respectively). A large positive genetic correlation was found for LHO with LH3 (.94 +/- .39), while a negative relationship existed for LH3 with TE concentrations at 3 h after GnRH injection. The genetic correlation between a boar's average first service conception rate and average conception rate also was significant (.82 +/- .54). Genetic correlations among littermate traits would suggest that selection for decreased age at puberty in gilts could cause an increase in LH concentrations in boar offspring, before and after GnRH injection, and may also have adverse effects on their ability to settle females. Selection for increased weight at puberty of gilts could cause TE concentrations of boar offspring to increase while having little effect on their breeding performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of oxyprogesterone caproate, tamoxifen and their combination on the level of steroid hormone receptors in the tumor, and some parameters of the reproductive system in patients with endometrial cancer.

The results of preoperative use of oxyprogesterone caproate (OPC), Tamoxifen and their combination in 165 patients suffering from primary endometrial carcinoma are presented. It was shown that Tamoxifen was able to increase concentrations cytoplasmatic receptors to progesterone in the tumor. The incidence of specific hormonal pathomorphosis in the tissue of the tumor in patients who received a combination of OPC and Tamoxifen was significantly higher (80% of cases) as compared to the separate use of OPC (60%) or Tamoxifen (57%).

17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of the treatment of Cushing's syndrome and primary obesity on the female reproductive system].

Basic parameters of the reproductive system were examined in 121 women with Icenko-Cushing's disease and in 87 ones with primary obesity before and after therapy. Icenko-Cushing's disease was treated with the means acting on the adrenals (chloditan, destruction of one or both adrenals, uni- or bilateral adrenalectomy) and on the hypothalamohypophyseal area (parlodel, peritol, nakom, R-therapy). Combined therapy of primary obesity included low-caloric diet (approximately 1200 kcal) with 1-2 fasting days weekly, a complex of therapeutic exercises, physio- and balneotherapy. The results permit a conclusion that pathogenetic therapy, resulting in a stable clinical and hormonal remission of Icenko-Cushing's disease and body mass reduction in primary obesity as a rule lead to recovery of the reproductive system functioning in such patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The significance of sperm nuclear DNA strand breaks on reproductive outcome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A growing body of evidence indicates that ejaculated spermatozoa from men being treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection contain nuclear abnormalities. Many of these nuclear anomalies manifest themselves as breaks in the sperm nuclear DNA. This review examines the mechanisms involved in generating DNA strand breaks during spermatogenesis in the human, the main techniques used to assess the sperm nucleus and the evidence, in relation to assisted reproduction, showing that sperm nuclear DNA strand breaks may impact on reproductive outcome. RECENT FINDINGS: Techniques such as the TUNEL assay and the sperm chromatin structure assay both show increased levels of DNA abnormalities in spermatozoa from men who have poor semen parameters. The reproductive parameters affected by an increased presence of DNA abnormalities in ejaculated spermatozoa include fertilization, blastocyst development, and pregnancy rates. SUMMARY: There is accumulating evidence linking sperm nuclear DNA anomalies to poor reproductive outcome in relation to assisted reproduction technologies. The tests currently available only provide an inkling of the impact of sperm nuclear DNA abnormalities on reproductive outcomes. Although the impact an abnormal paternal genome may have on reproductive outcome is unquestionably less than that of its female counterpart, it cannot be ignored.

Chromatin↗
PubMed1991

Reproductive effects in Long-Evans rats exposed to chlorine dioxide.

Long-Evans rats, 4-6 weeks of age, were dosed with 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 ml/kg chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in deionized water for up to 73 days. Males were exposed for 56 days and females for 14 days prior to breeding, and throughout the 10-day breeding period. Males were killed and evaluated for sperm parameters and reproductive tract histopathology following the breeding period. Females continued to be dosed throughout gestation and lactation until weaning on lactation day 21, when both dams and selected pups were necropsied. Neither clinical signs of toxicity nor adverse effects on any reproductive parameter examined were observed in the parental animals. Litter size, pup viability, and pup weight were unaltered by chlorine dioxide exposure. F0 reproductive tract organ weights and F1 organ weights for testis, epididymis, uterus, and ovaries were not different between groups, but vaginal weight was significantly decreased (P less than 0.03) for female weanlings in the high dose (10.0 mg/kg) group relative to controls. There were no changes in thyroid hormone parameters that appeared to be attributable to chlorine dioxide treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Kinetics of luminal secretions in the female reproductive tract. Ultrastructural and physiological parameters.

The epithelium of the female reproductive tract undergoes cyclic morphologic alterations in cell shape, apical microvilli, ciliation, and secretion. These changes are hormone-dependent. The endometrial fluid is made of (a) components from the transudation of the blood serum and (b) protein, carbohydrate and other metabolites synthesized within the endometrial cells and discharged through the apical cell membrane. Endometrial cells have several mechanisms of transport processes across the plasma membrane. These processes regulate cellular volume, nutrition, excretion and communication along the surface of the cell as well as the intracellular and extracellular communication. The endometrial secretions play a major role in the capaciation of spermatozoa, and the nutrition of the blastocyst.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed2002

Influence of mild infections on iron status parameters in women of reproductive age.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of mild infections on iron status parameters. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: A population of female nurse students in Norway. SUBJECTS: 33 women with self-reported episodes of infection and 33 women without infections but with comparable s-ferritin at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change from baseline in haemoglobin, s-iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation, s-ferritin, e-protoporphyrin and s-transferrin receptor on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 after onset of illness, compared to changes in non-infected subjects tested in parallel. RESULTS: In febrile illness, such as influenza, there was a significant rise in s-ferritin that could take more than a month to normalise. S-ferritin increased significantly when CRP rose above 20 mg/L, but a normal CRP could not preclude falsely high s-ferritin values due to infection. S-iron and transferrin saturation fell below normal range in a substantial proportion of cases in the symptomatic stage, even in infections without a febrile response, such as the common cold, but was normalised within a week after onset of infection. CONCLUSION: For more than a month after febrile illness such as influenza, s-ferritin is not a reliable measure for ruling out iron deficiency in women of reproductive age.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Collaborative project to establish the optimal period and parameters for detection of reproductive toxicity in male rats--effects of compound T on male fertility.

To assess the optimal dosing period and parameters for measurement of effects on male fertility, Compound T was administered to male Jcl:Wistar rats at dosage levels of 0, 2, 10 and/or 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks (Experiment 1) or for 9 weeks (Experiment 2). Experiment 1: In the 50 mg/kg group, the ventral prostate weight was low when compared to the control value, and desquamation of round spermatids was observed in the testes. Experiment 2: When treated males were mated with untreated females after dosing for 9 weeks (the first mating), the fertility index was slightly lowered and preimplantation loss was significantly elevated in the 50 mg/kg group as compared to the control values. In this treatment group, serum testosterone level at 2.5 hours after dosing was significantly decreased after dosing for 12 weeks, and degeneration of spermatids/spermatocytes in the testis and epididymis was observed after dosing for 13 weeks. After a recovery period of for 6 weeks, remating resulted in copulatory and fertility indices and cesarean section data which were comparable in all groups. In conclusion, there were no differences in toxicity relevant to male fertility between 4 and 9 weeks of dosing, and it is considered that the observed changes resulted from decreased function of Sertoli cells due to depressed production/secretion of testosterone.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of far-infrared ray on reproduction, growth, behaviour and some physiological parameters in mice.

The effects of chronic exposure to far-infrared ray (FIR) on reproduction, growth, behaviour, survival time and some related parameters were examined in SHN mice. The reproductive parameters differed slightly between the females on the normal racks and those on the FIR racks, which emitted FIR from the ceiling. The age and body weight on the day of vaginal opening was lower in the experimental mice born and maintained on the FIR rack than in the control on the normal rack. In both sexes, the levels of urinary components in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control at 6-7 months of age. Spontaneous motor activity of females during the light and dark phases were higher and lower, respectively, in the experimental group than the control. The survival rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control. These findings suggest that FIR has 'normalization effects' on the organisms.

Animals↗