Effect of Alstonia scholaris bark extract on testicular function of Wistar rats

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the antifertility effect ofAlstonia scholaris bark extract in male rats. Methods: In male Wistar rats Alstonia scholaris bark extract was given by oral route at a dose of 200 mg/day for 60 days. The fertility and testicular function were assessed by mating tests, sperm motility, sperm concentration, biochemical indices and testicular cell population dynamics. Results: Oral feeding with the extract at a dose of 200 mg/day for the period of 60 days did not cause body weight loss, while the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were significantly reduced. The production of step-19 spermatids was reduced by 79.6% in treated rats. The population of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes were decreased by 61.9% and 60.1%, respectively. Spermatogonia and Sertoli cell population were also affected. The seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclear area were reduced significantly (P<0.01) when compared to the controls. Reduced sperm count and motility res     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of the effect of ketoconazole on reproductive function in male rats

A single oral dose (300 mg kg-1) of ketoconazole induced reversible immobilization of rat epididymal spermatozoa at 8-24 h after dosing. This occurred when the drug concentrations in cauda epididymal fluid and seminal plasma were at their peak (18.0 +/- 7.3 and 13.5 +/- 3.0 micrograms ml-1, respectively), and which was preceded by a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 64.82 +/- 2.47 micrograms ml-1 at 5.15 +/- 0.68 h (Tmax). In contrast, rete testis fluid collected from the same animals contained only minute amounts of ketoconazole (0.47 +/- 0.34 micrograms ml-1). Plasma testosterone concentration showed a sharp decline within 4 h of dosing, followed by a recovery from suppression, even after administration of a low dose (100 mg kg-1) which did not affect sperm motility. These findings suggest that ketoconazole gains access to the post-testicular sex organs and affects the mature spermatozoa therein much more readily than it affects testicular spermatogenesis. Synthesis and screening of compounds with a related molecular structure but which exhibit more pronounced spermicidal and less pronounced anti-androgenic effects are thus suggested in the hope that rapidly acting and reversible male contraceptives might be identified and developed.     

Effect of vasectomy on sperm nuclear chromatin condensation in the rabbit

Histone-to-protamine exchange in haploid spermatids is known to play a central role for male fertility. The present study investigates, for the first time, the effects of vasectomy on the expression of protamines in the rabbit. During normal spermatogenesis, protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA were expressed from step 5 round spermatids to step 11 elongated spermatids. In unilaterally vasectomized animals, control testes revealed normal spermatogenesis with normal protamine expression, while vasectomized testes exhibited both normal spermatogenesis and spermatogenic arrest. Some testes with normal spermatogenesis revealed delayed expression of both protamine-1 and protamine-2. Furthermore, multinucleated round spermatids were a regular finding in these testes. In both treated and untreated animals, a higher percentage of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis had highly condensed chromatin when compared with those from the testis. The percentage of spermatozoa with highly condensed chromatin from testes and epididymides from the vasectomized side of treated animals remained unchanged from controls. As the integrity of nuclear chromatin is important for oocyte fertilization, especially in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where most of the natural selection mechanisms are bypassed, our data add valuable information for the treatment of infertility by ICSI, showing that vasectomy may affect nuclear chromatin integrity of testicular spermatids but not epididymal spermatozoa. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), therefore, may be superior to testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in vasectomized patients.     

Major differences between the testis and epididymis in the induction of granulomas in response to extravasated germ cells. I. A light microscopical study in mice

A spermatic granuloma is a chronic inflammatory lesion which surrounds extravasated spermatozoa. Clinically, the lesion develops in the interstitial spaces of the epididymis and vas deferens, and only exceptionally in the testis itself. In the present study, murine testes and epididymides were injured using a needle and the histological appearances of these organs was then compared. Traumatic injury induced extravasation of germ cells in both testes and epididymides. A few days later, spermatic granulomas consistently formed in the epididymides, however, such lesions were not induced in the testes. To examine the possibility that epididymal spermatozoa have inherently greater ability to form spermatic granulomas than do testicular germ cells, isolated epididymal spermatozoa or testicular germ cells were locally injected into the testes and epididymides of recipient mice. Spermatic granulomas readily formed in the epididymides after local injection of either epididymal spermatozoa or testicular germ cells. In contrast, such lesions did not form in the testes even when epididymal spermatozoa were injected. Therefore, this study suggests that the microenvironment of the testicular interstitium, rather than the extravasated components from the ruptured seminiferous tubules, is the main factor determining the limited formation of spermatic granulomas in the testis.     

草药雷公藤中的雄性抗生育有效成分

经雄性大鼠抗生育试验证明，无毒性剂量的雷公藤提取物可导致不育，停药后恢复；临床试用１／３～１／４常规量的雷公藤提取物可使男病人不育。进行了植化分离和动物筛选，获得了６个雄性抗生育有效环氧二萜类化合物：雷藤甲素、雷藤乙素、雷醇内酯、雷藤氯内酯醇，１６－羟雷藤甲素以及Ｔ７／Ｔ１９，均鉴定了结构。它们的结构和作用均类似，因而估计为某母物质的植物代谢产物。对雷藤氯内酯醇进行了较深入的研究，表明其作用部位为晚期精子细胞及附睾精子。几个化合物的不良反应主要是大剂量（５．５～１１．５倍抗生育有效量）时有一定的免疫抑制作用。优选对免疫影响最小的化合物及寻找更佳的类似物，为今后研究的重点。     

鹿藿根4种提取物抗雄性小鼠生育作用比较

目的:比较4种鹿藿根提取物(乙醇提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物、正丁醇提取物及水溶物)的抗生育作用。方法:60只雄性昆明种小鼠分为生理盐水对照组、雷公藤多苷对照组、乙醇提取物组、乙酸乙酯提取物组、正丁醇提取物组及水溶物组,每组10只。各组药物浓度均为1%,雷公藤多苷为0.1%水溶液。每次0.1ml/10g,灌胃,1次/d,连续给药,共11周。在用药10周后,一对一雌雄合笼交配1周。分笼10d后处死雌鼠,观察妊娠率、活胎数、死胎数。11周后处死雄性小鼠观察附睾精子、附睾及睾丸病理变化情况及血清睾酮含量测定。结果:连续用药11周,与生理盐水对照组相比,实验组小鼠妊娠率下降,其中水溶物组最为明显(P<0.05)。雷公藤多苷对照组和水溶组精子明显减少(P<0.05)。组织学观察鹿藿根提取物对精原细胞、初级精母细胞影响不显著。各提取物组血清睾酮差异无显著性(P>0.05)。生理盐水对照组、雷公藤多苷对照组、乙酸乙酯提取物组、正丁醇提取物组、乙醇提取物组及水溶物组的抗精子发生效应积分分别0、(5.3±1.5)、(2.6±1.7)、(2.9±1.2)、(2.2±0.9)、(2.1±1.0)分。结论:4种鹿藿根提取物均有抗生育作用,但水溶物作用更强且对睾丸组织及睾丸生精能力影响较小。     

L-肉碱在奥硝唑所致大鼠睾丸和附睾损伤中的保护作用

目的:探讨L-肉碱(LC)在奥硝唑(ORN)所致大鼠附睾和睾丸损伤中的的保护作用。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠(200～230g)随机均分为5组:①A组:给予0.5%的羧甲基纤维素钠(溶剂)灌胃;②B组:每天给予400mg/kgORN灌胃;③C组:每天给予800mg/kgORN灌胃;④D组:每天给予[ORN(400mg/kg)+LC(100mg/kg)]灌胃;⑤E组:每天给予[ORN(800mg/kg)+LC(100mg/kg)]灌胃。上述各组均连续灌胃20d,末次给药24h后,所有大鼠麻醉后处死,分别取睾丸、附睾,进行称重和HE染色,计算睾丸、附睾系数并观察睾丸和附睾病理组织学改变。结果:①与A组相比,B组睾丸、附睾系数明显降低(P<0.05);而C组睾丸、附睾系数为极显著性降低(P<0.01);D组与A组相比无差异,E组与A组相比有极显著性差异(P<0.01);②HE染色显示,与A组相比,B组睾丸生精小管内各级生精细胞排列基本整齐,部分生精小管管腔内有脱落的生精细胞,附睾管腔中精子数目下降,有时可见散在的生精细胞;C组大鼠睾丸生精小管管腔内均可见坏死脱落的生精细胞,附睾管腔中精子数目明显减少,且有较多的非精子细胞成分。D组睾丸生精小管无明显改变,附睾管腔中精子数目也未见明显下降;E组睾丸生精小管管腔内精子数目减少,可见坏死脱落的生精细胞,附睾腔中精子数目明显减少,并伴有较多的非精子细胞成分。结论:奥硝唑(ORN)可导致雄性大鼠附睾和睾丸病理组织学改变,LC对ORN引起大鼠附睾和睾丸损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

荧光酶法测定大鼠附睾精子ATP含量

参照ＬＫＢ公司新的ＡＴＰ测定法，测定了大鼠附睾精子ＡＴＰ含量，并比较了大鼠附睾头、尾部精子ＡＴＰ含量的差别及活动精子百分率的关系。结果表明，附睾尾部活动精子百分率和ＡＴＰ含量均明显高于附睾头部的精子     

Male factors determining the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa

During a period of 8 years, 1,079 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures with aspirated epididymal or testicular spermatozoa were performed. Epididymal spermatozoa were used in 172 cycles and testicular spermatozoa or spermatids in 907 cycles. Multiple biopsies were obtained from at least two different locations in the testes. Retrieved spermatozoa were used after cryopreservation (frozen) or immediately after aspiration (fresh). Three hundred patients had obstructive azoospermia (OA) or ejaculation failure. In 414 cases, azoospermia was caused by impaired spermatogenesis resulting from maldescended testes, chemotherapy/radiotherapy, or by Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, genetic disorders or unknown aetiology. Transfer rates, pregnancy rates and birth rates per ICSI cycle showed no statistically significant differences between testicular and epididymal spermatozoa in men with OA (28% average birth rates in both cases). However, birth rates differed significantly with regard to the status of spermatogenesis. Treatment of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) resulted in a birth rate of 19% per cycle. In all patient groups, there was no difference in the birth rates achieved with fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. While testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone level and age of the male patient are no statistically significant prognostic factors, the underlying cause of azoospermia is the most important factor determining the outcome of ICSI with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa. The pregnancy rate is lower in NOA patients than in those with OA.     

Physiological significance of nitrergic transmission in human penile erection

The corpora cavemosa (CC) muscles of the human penis and their structural arrangements are essential for the physiology of erection. Contraction of this muscle causes detumescence, and relaxation, tumescence. The motor excitatory neurotransmission is adrenergic, acting through the alpha adrenoceptors. Continuous adrenergic transmitter (noradrenaline) release is necessary for the maintenance of non-erectile (contractile) state of the penis. The inhibitory neurotransmitter that relaxes CC muscle to produce erection is nitrergic i.e., the chemical messenger being nitric oxide (NO). The latter can also be released from cavernous endothelium. Presence of NO increases intracellular cGMP through activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This causes relaxation of CC muscle. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) is responsible for the degradation of cGMP and regulation of CC muscle tone. Specific PDE inhibitors such as sildenafil enhance the intracellular cGMP to improve erection. Increase in intracellular cAMP can also bring about pharmacological erection in man (eg. PGE1, papaverine and histamine). Inhibition of excessive adrenergic tone with appropriate alpha - adrenergic blocking agents (eg. phentolamine) can also contribute to the onset of pharmacological erection. ( Asian J Androl 2000 ; 2 : 51 - 56 )     

Protein profiles in various epididymal segments of normal and castrated rats

Aim: Epididymal proteins are known to play an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa. We ought to determine if there are regional differences in androgen-dependent epididymal proteins. Methods: A group of adult rats was castrated and epididymides were removed three days following castration. The epididymides were dissected into caput,corpus and cauda segments, homogenized, and proteins were fractionated by anion exchange HPLC. Proteins in selected fractions were resolved by SDS-PAGE and visualized by silver staining. Results: It was observed that the levels of multiple proteins drastically reduced in the various regions of epididymis of the orchiectomized rats. Conclusion: The epididymal proteins appear to be useful markers to study androgenic action in the epididymis. ( Asian J Androl 2000 ;2: 57-64)     

Attractin蛋白和mRNA在不同日龄大鼠睾丸中的表达

目的:已知成熟大鼠睾丸组织中有Attractin蛋白的广泛表达,本文旨在进一步探讨Attractin蛋白和AttractinmRNA在各年龄段大鼠睾丸组织中的分布。方法:取出生第1d(新生鼠)、第5d(青春前期)、第20d(青春中期)、第50d(青春后期)及第70d(成年期)大鼠睾丸和附睾组织固定,采用酶免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法检测Attractin和AttractinmRNA在大鼠睾丸组织中的表达。结果:免疫组化显示各年龄段大鼠睾丸生精小管和间质细胞、管周肌样细胞上均有Attractin蛋白的表达,分布于胞膜和胞质,精子和附睾上未见表达。随着日龄的增加,间质细胞的表达逐渐增强。原位杂交显示各年龄段大鼠睾丸生精小管和间质细胞、管周肌样细胞、支持细胞上也均有AttractinmRNA阳性棕色颗粒杂交信号,主要表达于胞核及胞质。且随着日龄的增加,睾丸生精细胞表达略强于间质细胞。精子和附睾上未见表达。结论:AttractinmRNA和Attractin蛋白在各日龄大鼠睾丸组织中均有广泛的分布,且分布一致。提示各日龄大鼠睾丸组织都具有合成Attractin蛋白的能力。其生理功能和机制尚有待进一步探讨。     

Ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus in the rat: alteration of sperm storage in the epididymis and vas deferens

The involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the transport and storage of spermatozoa in the male reproductive tract was examined by surgically ablating the inferior mesenteric plexus (IMP). One to eight weeks after ablation of the IMP, epididymal weight and the total number of spermatozoa present in the cauda epididymidis were significantly greater in IMP-ablated rats than in sham-operated rats. By contrast, the number of spermatozoa present in the initial segment of the vas deferens was significantly greater than in sham operated controls one week after IMP ablation but returned to control levels at two, four, six and eight weeks. Throughout the experiment, no differences were observed between IMP-ablated and control rats in the percentage of motile cauda epididymal spermatozoa, testicular weight, testicular sperm number or serum testosterone. These data demonstrate that the sympathetic nervous system differentially regulates sperm transport and storage in the male reproductive tract and suggest that the IMP may influence the epididymal maturation of spermatozoa.     

雷公藤对豚鼠睾丸附睾结构及功能的影响

本实验采用市售雷公藤多甙(GTW)灌喂豚鼠,6周后观察豚鼠睾丸和附睾的光镜结构及组织化学的变化,并应用Leitz显微分光光度计MPV-3扫描测定曲细精管初级精母细胞内DNA的相对含量,同时对附睾尾部精子作常规分析。结果表明:服药后曲细精管萎缩,管壁上皮变薄,细胞层次减少,精子细胞和精子极少或消失;曲细精管上皮细胞SDH及ACP酶活性减弱,ATP酶无明显变化;初级精母细胞核内DNA含量明显下降(P<0.01)。服药后附睾上皮细胞SDH活性减弱。ATP酶活性略为减弱,AKP无明显变化;附睾尾部精子的密度、活率及活力均显著下降(P<0.001)。结果提示:GTW对睾丸、附睾均有影响,对睾丸的作用更明显。     

大鼠睾丸扭转复位后附睾上皮细胞凋亡及肉碱变化

目的:探讨大鼠睾丸扭转复位后,附睾上皮细胞凋亡与肉碱分泌的关系。方法:24只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机均分为:对照(扭转0 h)、A组(扭转2 h)和B组(扭转5 h),建立左侧睾丸扭转复位模型。TUNEL法检测附睾上皮细胞凋亡,DTNB法检测扭转侧附睾肉碱的含量。结果:睾丸扭转2 h复位后24 h,扭转侧附睾上皮细胞凋亡指数与对照组相比,上升不明显(P>0.05),肉碱含量改变不明显(P>0.05);扭转5 h复位后24 h,扭转侧附睾上皮细胞凋亡指数与对照组相比,上升极显著(P<0.01),肉碱含量明显下降(P<0.05)。结论:睾丸扭转2 h复位后24 h,附睾上皮细胞凋亡增加无显著性,其浓缩分泌肉碱的功能不受影响;扭转5 h复位后24 h,附睾上皮细胞凋亡严重,其浓缩分泌肉碱的功能下降。     

Lack of correlation between fertility and sperm numbers in male rats treated with histrelin, a potent LHRH agonist

Adult male rats were treated daily for up to 8 weeks with histrelin, [(ImBzl)-D-His6, Pro9-NEt]LHRH, to study the antifertility effects of this LHRH agonist. Although serum testosterone concentrations and testicular sperm numbers were significantly decreased by weeks 2 and 4 respectively, a reduction in fertility, as judged by the mean number of fetuses per mated female, was not observed until the sixth week of treatment. Furthermore, the number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis of treated rats did not decrease below initial control levels at any time during the study and full fertility returned within 4 weeks after histrelin treatment was stopped. Thus, the lack of correlation between fertility and testicular and epididymal sperm numbers suggests that the antifertility effects of LHRH agonists are not due solely to reduced sperm numbers, but also result from androgen deficiency.     

Congenital anomalies of the mesonephric duct and fertility

Agenesia of deferential duct and the others congenital malformations of mesonephronical duct are often encountering condition in andrological practice. This study presents the possibilities of reproductive medicine to restore the male fertility and concentrates on biological and clinical aspects of malformations of mesonephronic duct like factors for excretory male infertility. The investigations including 104 patients (mean age 30.25+/-1.91 years old) with congenital anomalies of mesonephronical duct with: Agenesia of mesonephronical derivates - case with unilateral agenesia of the deferent duct, kidney and left urether (n=1); Dysgenesia of the epididymis (n=5); Cysts of the epididymis (n=47); Agenesia of the deferential duct (n=48); Aplasia of the eja-culatorial duct (n=3). The following methods were used: open testicular biopsy by Vilar; objective findings in situ operation; bilateral epididymo - and deferentovesiculography; morphological specimens of the testicular and epididymal tissues; enzymohistochemical analysis of testicular specimens; the ejaculates and morphological analysis of spermatozoa were assessed for quality parameters by the standard protocol; enzymocytological research of spermatozoa in seminal fluid; biochemical analysis of seminal fluid fructose and citric acid concentrations; radioimmunoassay for measurements of blood FSH and testosterone concentration. RESULTS: Most often observed localization of the malformations of mesonephronic canal is bilateral at 54.81%. The testicular specimens proved preserved testicular architecture and spermatogenesis, and the epididymal slides showed dilatation of the epididymal tubules, which were overfilled with a lot of spermatozoa. The strongest expression of the enzymichistochemical NADH-TR reactions is in the Sertoli cells. We observed spermatozoa with disrup-ted configuration among which the abnormalities in sperm head and acrosome were predominated. The biochemical analysis of seminal fluid proves normal citric acid and low or lack of fructose concentration in seminal fluid. There were no breaches in endocrine regulation of the reproductive process. Patients with congenital anomalies of mesonephronic canal have preserving fertility in 31.73%. There are morpho-functional disorders of the testes, epididymis and seminal ducts in 68.27%. CONCLUSION: There are normal spermatogenesis but definite sterility. These results necessitate an application of plastic reconstructive operation for recovery of fertilizing ability of the patients, or their involvement in ICSI programme.     

Antispermatogenic/antiandrogenic properties of solasodine (C27H43O2N) obtained from solanum xanthocarpum berries on the male genital tract of dog (Canis-familiaris). A Histophysiological approach

Chronic administration of solasodine (20 mg/kg alt. day for 30 days) caused testicular lesions resulting in a severe impairment of spermatogenic elements. The epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa. Total protein, sialic acid and glycogen contents of the testis and epididymis were reduced significantly whereas the testicular cholesterol was elevated. Acid Phosphatase enzyme activity of the testes was low after solasodine treatment. Serum enzymes (SGPT, alkaline phosphatase) serum protein, triglycerides, non esterified fatty acid levels were in normal range when compared with their own controls. Cholesterol and phospholipid levels were elevated after solasodine treatment to intact dogs. Reduced androgen production was reflected in low levels of sialic acid in the testes and epididymides and reduced Leydig cell nuclei. Castration alone brought about reduction in size of the epididymis. Castration followed by solasodine treatment caused epididymal degeneration. Simultaneous administration of TP to solasodine treated castrated dogs failed to stimulate the epididymal growth. Antispermatogenic/antiandrogenic activity of the compound solasodine is discussed. Solasodine administration in dogs definitely rendered the male infertile as evidenced by the absence of sperms in the cauda epididymis and ductus deferens.     

Androgenic effect of Mondia whitei roots in male rats

Aim: To determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Four treated groups were administered orally a single dose of Mondia whitei (400 mg/kg) and the controls received a similar amount of distilled water. One group of animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 1,2,4 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. The controls were sacrificed at 6 h. Testicular testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. In the chronic study, 28 rats were divided at random into 4 groups of 7 animals each: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were given orally the plant extract (400 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 2, 4 and 8 days, respectively. The animals of Groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dosing. The controls (Group 4) received the same amount of distilled water for 8 days. The fertility was assessed only in Grou     

Evaluation of androgenic activity of Zingiber officinale and Pentadiplandra brazzeana in male rats

AIM: Aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale and Pentadiplandra brazzeana were tested for their possible androgenic activity in male Wistar rats. METHODS: The aqueous extracts of the two plants were gavaged separately to 2 groups of rats at a similar dose of 600 mg middot kg(-1) middot day(-1) for 8 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were killed and the blood, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were collected for biochemical analysis. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Z. officinale significantly increased in the relative weight of the testis, the serum testosterone level, testicular cholesterol level and epididymal a-glucosidase activity. The aqueous extract of P. brazzeana significantly increased the weights of the testis, seminal vesicles and prostate. It also significantly increased the serum and testicular testosterone level. The fructose, alpha-glucosidase and cholesterol levels in P. brazzeana-treated rats were increased by 28 %, 35 % and 114 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extracts of both P. brazzeana and Z. officinale have an androgenic activity, which seems to be more potent with P. brazzeana than with Z. officinale.