Effects on rat testis of 1.95-GHz W-CDMA for IMT-2000 cellular phones

In recent years concern has arisen whether carrying a cellular phone near the reproductive organs such as the testes may cause dysfunction and particularly decrease in sperm development and production, and thus fertility in men. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of a 1.95 GHz electromagnetic field on testicular function in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Five week old animals were divided into 3 groups of 24 each and a 1.95-GHz wide-band code division multiple access (W-CDMA) signal, which is used for the freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA), was employed for whole body exposure for 5 hours per day, 7 days a week for 5 weeks (the period from the age of 5 to 10 weeks, corresponding to reproductive maturation in the rat). Whole-body average specific absorption rates (SAR) for individuals were designed to be 0.4 and 0.08 W/kg respectively. The control group received sham exposure. There were no differences in body weight gain or weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate among the groups. The number of sperm in the testis and epididymis were not decreased in the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposed groups, and, in fact, the testicular sperm count was significantly increased with the 0.4 SAR. Abnormalities of sperm motility or morphology and the histological appearance of seminiferous tubules, including the stage of the spermatogenic cycle, were not observed. Thus, under the present exposure conditions, no testicular toxicity was evident.     

Testicular damage induced by megadoses of pyridoxine

Pyridoxine hydrochloride, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg, daily, was intraperitoneally injected into Wistar male rats and its effects on weights and mature spermatid or sperm counts in the testis and the epididymis were investigated. After six weeks administration, weights of the testis and the epididymis in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg groups dramatically decreased and weights of the epididymis in the 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg groups also decreased significantly. Mature spermatid counts in the testis and sperm counts in the epididymis decreased in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg groups, and sperm counts in the tail plus body of the epididymis also decreased in the 250 mg/kg group. From these results, it was elucidated that megadoses of pyridoxine induced testicular damage in rats.     

城市地面交通现场暴露对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性

[目的]探讨交通污染对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用。[方法]将30只雄性昆明系小鼠随机分为重度污染暴露组、轻度污染暴露组和清洁环境空白对照组,每组10只,进行现场暴露染毒,每日持续暴露10h。持续暴露35d后,观察交通污染对各组实验小鼠生殖器官发育、精子数量和质量、睾丸和附睾组织病理学变化以及睾丸细胞DNA损伤情况。[结果]与空白对照组小鼠相比,重度暴露组小鼠体重、睾丸和附睾重、睾丸脏器系数下降,睾丸细胞DNA损伤率增加;与空白对照组相比,轻度和重度暴露组小鼠精子数量下降,精子畸形率上升,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。组织病理学结果显示,轻度和重度暴露组小鼠睾丸和附睾组织有不同程度损伤。[结论]交通污染对雄性小鼠生殖系统会造成一定程度损伤。     

吸烟对雄性大鼠睾丸组织结构及细胞凋亡的影响

目的通过测定吸烟雄鼠睾丸组织结构及细胞凋亡情况,探讨吸烟对雄性生殖系统的损伤机制。方法将清洁级SD雄性大鼠160只随机分为染毒2、4、6、8、12周的低、中、高剂量染毒组及对照组,每组10只。采用呼吸道静式染毒,每日染毒1次,染毒周期为2、4、6、8、12周。采用HE染色及末端转移酶标记技术(TUNEL法)测定大鼠睾丸组织病理学改变及细胞凋亡情况,用ELISA法检测大鼠血浆抑制素B的表达水平。结果吸烟组大鼠睾丸脏器系数从第8周起逐渐减小,与2周各剂量染毒组相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。吸烟组大鼠随着染毒时间的延长和剂量的增加,睾丸组织病理学改变逐渐明显,染毒12周后大鼠睾丸组织支持细胞呈现空泡化,管腔内观察不到游离精子。吸烟组大鼠睾丸细胞凋亡指数随染毒时间及剂量的增加而升高,染毒4周高剂量组、6周中及高剂量组、8周及12周各剂量组睾丸细胞凋亡指数均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随着染毒时间及剂量的增加,大鼠血浆抑制素B水平逐渐降低,染毒第8周起低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论香烟烟雾中的有害成分可致大鼠睾丸组织结构损伤及睾丸细胞凋亡率增加,并抑制血浆抑制素B分泌。     

PREPUBERTAL EXPOSURE TO 4-TERT-OCTYLPHENOL INDUCES APOPTOSIS OF TESTICULAR GERM CELLS IN ADULT RAT

The effects of chronic exposure of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) on the testicular development of prepubertal male rats were evaluated. 4 weeks old rats were injected with 0.8?µg of estradiol valerate (EV) or 20, 40, or 80?mg of OP three times a week for one month. A marked reduction of the size and weight of the testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle was observed in all the three dosages. Serum testosterone concentration was dramatically decreased while serum LH concentration was increased. Seminiferous tubules were reduced in size and showed no mature spermatozoa or late-stage developing spermatids. In addition, testicular germ cells undergoing apoptosis were obviously increased in all the treated groups. The expression of bcl-xL mRNA was significantly decreased in the OP treated groups, whereas the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA were not significantly changed. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that OP severely reduce the size and/or function of the male reproductive organs due to increased apoptosis of testicular germ cells and the decreased biosynthesis of testosterone.     

5-Aza-2＇-deoxycytidine暴露对新生大鼠精子发生的影响

[目的]探讨暴露于DNA甲基化抑制剂5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine（5-Aza-CdR）对新生SD大鼠生长发育和成年精子发生的影响。[方法]新生大鼠随机分为3组,每组24只雄鼠。自出生第3天（postnatal day3,PND3）开始经口给予5-Aza-CdR 25、250μg／kg,对照组给予等量的溶剂。连续暴露5d,最后一次暴露结束后24h,处死半数雄鼠（幼鼠。剩余部分继续喂养至12周龄（成鼠）,乙醚麻醉。取睾丸组织做病理学检查、精子头计数等,附睾做精子畸形检查。[结果]随着剂量的增加,幼鼠体重出现下降趋势,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。组织病理学发现幼鼠睾丸组织中出现空泡变性。检查发现染毒结束后继续喂养至12周的成鼠睾丸组织无明显形态和组织学变化;但每克睾丸组织精子头计数及每日精子生成量随幼年时暴露剂量增加呈现下降趋势（P〈0.05）,而精子畸形率随剂量增加呈现上升趋势（P〈0.05）。[结论]新生大鼠对DNA甲基化抑制制5-Aza-CdR生殖毒性作用敏感,低剂量短时间的暴露即可引起成年期生殖功能的异常。     

三氧化二砷亚急性染毒对雄性小鼠生殖与免疫毒性的研究

目的探讨As2O3亚急性染毒对雄性小鼠生殖与免疫毒性作用。方法24只清洁级KM雄性小鼠,分为对照组、低、中及高剂量染砷组。分别给予去离子水,As2.0、4.0、8.0mg/kg体重灌胃染毒7天。实验结束后剖杀动物取睾丸、附睾称重、计算器官指数并测定附睾精子数,摘取免疫器官胸腺、脾脏称重、计算免疫器官指数。结果(1)高剂量组睾丸及附睾重量低于正常对照组(P<0.05),但各组睾丸指数与对照组没有差异;各染砷组精子数均低于对照组(P>0.05),且中、高剂量组精子畸形率上升显著(P<0.05);(2)中、高剂量组免疫器官重量及指数降低,且高剂量组脾脏重量及指数显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论As2O3可致小鼠某些生殖和免疫毒性指标改变。     

有机磷阻燃剂TDCIPP诱导的m6A修饰引发雄性小鼠生殖毒性

目的 探讨TDCIPP染毒致雄性C57BL/6小鼠生殖毒性的机制。 方法 将24只4周龄C57BL/6小鼠根据体重随机分为四组,即5、25、125 mg/(kg·d) TDCIPP暴露组和玉米油对照组,灌胃染毒28 d后,HE染色观察小鼠睾丸组织形态学结构、附睾尾精子形态,并计算精子数量和畸形率;评估m6A修饰水平及m6A甲基转移酶（Mettl3、Mettl14、Wtap基因）、去甲基化酶（Alkbh5、Fto基因）mRNA水平;采用m6A - seq测序技术分析125mg/(kg·d) TDCIPP暴露后睾丸组织发生了m6A甲基化的基因差异表达情况;Western blot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Caspase - 3、Bax、Bcl - 2的表达。 结果 与对照组相比,TDCIPP暴露组小鼠睾丸组织结构均发生破坏;25和125 mg/(kg·d) TDCIPP暴露组附睾尾精子数量下降（P＜0.01）、精子畸形率上升（P＜0.01）,存在剂量 - 效应关系。125 mg/(kg·d) TDCIPP暴露组小鼠睾丸组织的RNA m6A修饰水平和Mettl14基因mRNA表达水平显著增加（P＜0.01）;m6A - seq测序发现差异表达基因主要富集在凋亡、RAP1、PI3K/AKT、MAPK等信号通路;Caspase - 3蛋白水平在各暴露组均上升（P＜0.001）,Bax/Bcl - 2比值在25和125 mg/(kg·d) TDCIPP暴露组上升（P＜0.001）,均存在剂量 - 效应关系。 结论 TDCIPP暴露可诱导小鼠睾丸组织内甲基转移酶METTL14介导的m6A甲基化修饰异常,进而引发雄性小鼠生殖毒性。     

十溴联苯醚对青春期雄性小鼠精子数及睾酮的影响

目的探讨十溴联苯醚（decabromodiphenylether,BDE-209）对青春期雄性ICR小鼠的生殖毒性。方法青春期雄性ICR小鼠随机分为6组：对照组（生理盐水）,DMSO组,BDE-209处理组（100,200,300,500 mg/kg BW）。小鼠经口染毒7周后处死,称量小鼠睾丸、附睾重量并计算脏器系数。采用放射免疫法检测小鼠血清中睾酮水平,采用ELISA法检测小鼠血清中cAMP水平。结果与对照组相比,DMSO组未见明显生殖损害（均有P〉0.05）,而BDE-209处理组睾丸重和附睾重、睾丸脏器系数和附睾脏器系数均显著降低（均有P〈0.05）;与对照组相比,BDE-209处理组小鼠精子数目亦减少（均有P〈0.05）。进一步研究发现,BDE-209处理后,小鼠血清cAMP浓度和睾酮浓度低于对照组（均有P〈0.05）。结论 BDE-209暴露青春期雄性小鼠导致小鼠睾酮合成降低,精子合成减少,损伤青春期雄性小鼠生殖功能。     

Reproductive toxic potential of panmasala in male Swiss albino mice

Some ingredients of panmasala have the ability to penetrate the blood-testis barrier but the reproductive toxic potential of panmasala has not been studied. This study is aimed to assess the possible damage caused by panmasala to male reproductive system in mice. Swiss albino male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups receiving either standard control diet or panmasala-containing diet. Three doses (0.5%, 1.5% and 3%) of panmasala plain (PMP) as well as panmasala with tobacco (PMT)-gutkha were given for a period of 6 months. Assessment of organ weight, sperm count and morphology, spermatid count, sperm production, testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activity and histology were conducted. A nonsignificant decrease in absolute and relative weight of testis and epididymis was observed. Spermatid count, sperm count and production were significantly decreased and 17β-HSD activity was found considerably declined at 3% of both PMP- and PMT-treated groups as compared to control. The histological observations revealed panmasala induced testicular damage. Abnormal morphology of sperm head shape was significantly elevated in higher doses of both types of panmasala-treated groups than control. The results suggests that panmasala has reproductive toxic potential and more alteration is seen with gutkha as compared to panmasala plain, indicating that similar effects might also be possible in humans.     

Dose dependent effects of inhaled ethylene oxide on spermatogenesis in rats

Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) at concentrations of 50, 100, or 250 ppm for six hours a day, on five days a week for 13 weeks. Dose effect relations of inhaled EO on spermatogenesis were evaluated from testicular and epididymal weights, histopathological changes and lactate dehydrogenase X (LDH X) activity in the testis, and sperm counts and sperm head abnormalities in the epididymis. At 250 ppm, a decrease in epididymal weights, slight degenerations in the seminiferous tubules, decreased sperm counts, and increased numbers of abnormal sperm heads in the tail of the epididymis were found; these were not seen at lower doses. When the abnormal sperm heads were classified into immature types and teratic types, the number of immature heads increased only at 250 ppm. On the other hand, the teratic type had increased at doses of 50 and 100 ppm EO when compared with the control group. Hence, subchronic inhalation of EO at low concentrations affects spermatogenesis in rats.     

Dose dependent effects of inhaled ethylene oxide on spermatogenesis in rats.

Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) at concentrations of 50, 100, or 250 ppm for six hours a day, on five days a week for 13 weeks. Dose effect relations of inhaled EO on spermatogenesis were evaluated from testicular and epididymal weights, histopathological changes and lactate dehydrogenase X (LDH X) activity in the testis, and sperm counts and sperm head abnormalities in the epididymis. At 250 ppm, a decrease in epididymal weights, slight degenerations in the seminiferous tubules, decreased sperm counts, and increased numbers of abnormal sperm heads in the tail of the epididymis were found; these were not seen at lower doses. When the abnormal sperm heads were classified into immature types and teratic types, the number of immature heads increased only at 250 ppm. On the other hand, the teratic type had increased at doses of 50 and 100 ppm EO when compared with the control group. Hence, subchronic inhalation of EO at low concentrations affects spermatogenesis in rats.     

Effects of Cinnamon (C. zeylanicum) Bark Oil Against Taxanes-Induced Damages in Sperm Quality,Testicular and Epididymal Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance,Testicular Apoptosis,and Sperm DNA Integrity

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cinnamon bark oil (CBO) has protective effect on taxanes-induced adverse changes in sperm quality, testicular and epididymal oxidant/antioxidant balance, testicular apoptosis, and sperm DNA integrity. For this purpose, 88 adult male rats were equally divided into 8 groups: control, CBO, docetaxel (DTX), paclitaxel (PTX), DTX+PTX, DTX+CBO, PTX+CBO, and DTX+PTX+CBO. CBO was given by gavage daily for 10 weeks at the dose of 100 mg/kg. DTX and PTX were administered by intraperitoneal injection at the doses of 5 and 4 mg/kg/week, respectively, for 10 weeks. DTX+PTX and DTX+PTX+CBO groups were treated with DTX during first 5 weeks and PTX during next 5 weeks. DTX, PTX, and their mixed administrations caused significant decreases in absolute and relative weights of all reproductive organs, testosterone level, sperm motility, concentration, glutathione level, and catalase activity in testicular and epididymal tissues. They also significantly increased abnormal sperm rate, testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde level, apoptotic germ cell number, and sperm DNA fragmentation and significantly damaged the histological structure of testes. CBO consumption by DTX-, PTX-, and DTX+PTX-treated rats provided significant ameliorations in decreased relative weights of reproductive organs, decreased testosterone, decreased sperm quality, imbalanced oxidant/antioxidant system, increased apoptotic germ cell number, rate of sperm with fragmented DNA, and severity of testicular histopathological lesions induced by taxanes. In conclusion, taxanes cause impairments in sperm quality, testicular and epididymal oxidant/antioxidant balance, testicular histopathological structure, and sperm DNA integrity, and long-term CBO consumption protects male reproductive system of rats.     

Fas凋亡相关基因在双酚A诱导成年雄性大鼠生殖毒性中的作用

目的探讨Fas凋亡途径相关基因在双酚A（BPA）诱导成年雄性大鼠生殖毒性中的作用。方法 40只成年Wistar雄性大鼠随机等分为4组：溶媒对照组（玉米油）和低、中、高剂量BPA喂养组（10、50、250μg/kg·bw/d）。大鼠在喂养35周后处死,称量睾丸、附睾、肝、肾及心脏重量并计算脏器系数;观察精子形态及计算精子畸形率。采用荧光实时定量PCR（RT-PCR）测定睾丸组织中自杀相关因子（Fas/Fas-L）、天冬氨酸特异酶切的半胱氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase-3）mRNA含量。结果高剂量BPA喂养大鼠精子畸形率以及睾丸组织中Fas-L mRNA及Caspase-3 mRNA含量高于对照组,差异均有显著性（P!0.05）。结论在BPA的人体每日容许摄入量水平下（TDI=50μg/kg·bw/d）,未观察到生殖细胞损伤的效应;但长期经膳食暴露高剂量BPA（250μg/kg·bw/d）可致成年雄性大鼠生殖细胞损伤,其机制可能与BPA上调Fas-L mRNA和Caspase-3的表达有关。     

Prevention of cadmium-induced sterility by zinc in the male rat

The potential of zinc (Zn) to antagonize the adverse effects of cadmium (Cd) on the male reproductive processes was studied. A significant reduction in the weights of the testis and epididymis, the testicular sperm population and oligospermia to azoospermia in the epididymis was recorded in rats treated once s.c. with 2 mg/kg Cd and sacrificed 20 days later. This was accompanied by a significantly reduced serum T and a loss of fertility. Administration of a single s.c. injection of Zn (80 mg/kg) did not alter significantly any of the reproductive parameters studied. On the other hand, Zn given $\text{1}\text{2}$ to 2 h after Cd resulted in partial recovery. Organ weights and sperm population in these groups were maintained and the fertility rate was 67% and 50% at 5 and 20 days as compared to 67% and 0% at corresponding period in Cd-exposed males. The protective effect diminished when Zn was given more than 2 h after Cd exposure. The most effective regimen of Zn therapy was an administration of a total dose of 80 mg/kg Zn given in 3 injections (15 mg/kg before, 50 mg/kg at the time and 15 mg/kg 2 h after Cd). The results provide evidence that Zn, if given before or within 2 h of Cd exposure, is capable of at least partially reversing its deleterious effects on spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and fertility of the male rat.     

电磁辐射对雄性生殖的影响

电磁辐射广泛存存于人类生活与工作环境中,雄性生殖系统对电磁辐射具有高度敏感性。电磁辐射可致睾丸结构和功能损伤,附睾精子密度降低、活力下降、畸形率增加、超微结构改变。氧化应激、能量代谢异常、细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达水平变化等在睾丸和附睾精子损伤发生过程中发挥重要作用。流行病调查研究提示,电磁辐射能引起精液参数变化,造成性功能和生育力下降。     

Changes in Sperm Characteristics and Induction of Oxidative Stress in the Testis and Epididymis of Experimental Rats by a Herbicide, Atrazine

To study the effects of atrazine on reproductive functions and testicular and epididymal antioxidant defense, rats were exposed to 0, 120, or 200 mg/kg body weight atrazine orally for 7 and 16 days. Animals exposed to the high-dose atrazine had their body weights, feed intake, and reproductive organs weights significantly reduced, whereas testicular weights remain unaffected independent of the dose used. In comparison to control, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were elevated in the high-dose group, whereas the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT); ascorbate (AA), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and hydrogen peroxide production were unchanged in the testis during the 7-day-exposure protocol. When atrazine treatment was increased to 16 days, GSH levels remained unchanged, but lipid peroxidation levels were significantly increased in both the testes and epididymides. This corresponded to the significant diminution in the activities of GST and SOD. CAT activities were unaffected in the testes and then dropped in the epididymides. γ-Glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) activities increased during both studies, whereas AA levels remained unaffected (p < 0.05). Atrazine exposure has a dose-dependent adverse effect on the testicular and epididymal sperm numbers, motility, viability, morphology, and daily sperm production. Although the testes of the atrazine-treated animals appear normal, few tubules had mild degeneration with the presence of defoliated cells. Likewise, no perceptible morphological changes were observed in the epididymis. The results suggest that atrazine impairs reproductive function and elicits a depletion of the antioxidant defense system in the testis and epididymis, indicating the induction of oxidative stress.     

人羊膜间充质干细胞改善高龄小鼠睾丸功能的实验研究

目的: 探讨人羊膜间充质干细胞（hAMSC）改善高龄雄性小鼠睾丸功能的作用。方法: 以36周龄雄性小鼠为高龄模型组,10周龄小鼠为年轻对照组。31只高龄模型组小鼠随机分为5组,分别为生理盐水对照组、1%人血清白蛋白对照组和治疗组,其中生理盐水对照组3只,其余各组每组7只。治疗组小鼠尾静脉注射hAMSC,剂量分别为3.4×10⁶细胞/kg（低剂量组）、6.7×10⁶细胞/kg（中剂量组）、1.4×10⁷细胞/kg（高剂量组）。每周注射1次,治疗4次后小鼠继续饲养,5周后取血检测小鼠血清睾酮水平;行附睾内精子的分析;免疫荧光检测睾丸组织内STEM121和CD105的表达和定位,观察睾丸组织病理学改变,检测类固醇激素生成急性调节蛋白（StAR）、17β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶（17β-HSD）的表达水平。结果: 与年轻雄鼠比较,治疗前高龄雄鼠体质量增加、睾丸体质比下降、睾周脂肪质量增加（均P<0.01）,血清睾酮水平下降（P<0.05）,精子活动率降低、正常形态精子率下降（均P<0.05）。治疗前高龄雄鼠的精子计数、睾丸组织StAR和17β-HSD蛋白表达水平与年轻雄鼠比较差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。hAMSC治疗后,睾丸间质区可见STEM121和CD105表达的细胞;高剂量组血清睾酮水平升高（P<0.05）;睾丸组织StAR蛋白表达无显著差异（P>0.05）,但高剂量组17β-HSD蛋白表达上调（P<0.05）。中剂量组和高剂量组睾丸组织的生精小管细胞层数较人血清白蛋白对照组增多（P<0.05）。结论: 初步实验结果表明,hAMSC对睾丸衰老具有保护作用,并促进雄激素合成。     

电磁辐射对雄性生殖的影响

电磁辐射广泛存在于人类生活与工作环境中,雄性生殖系统对电磁辐射具有高度敏感性。电磁辐射可致睾丸结构和功能损伤,附睾精子密度降低、活力下降、畸形率增加、超微结构改变。氧化应激、能量代谢异常、细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达水平变化等在睾丸和附睾精子损伤发生过程中发挥重要作用。流行病调查研究提示,电磁辐射能引起精液参数变化,造成性功能和生育力下降。     

睾丸附件扭转的超声诊断

目的探讨睾丸附件扭转的超声诊断价值。方法回顾性总结近5年睾丸附件扭转22例超声声像图表现。结果睾丸附件扭转1周内声像图表现为睾丸与附睾间出现圆形、类圆形或棒状结节,较正常明显增大,回声减低,结节内部呈网状,可伴同侧睾丸及附睾肿大、阴囊壁增厚、睾丸鞘膜积液。CDFI示结节内无血流信号,同侧附睾头和睾丸血流信号较丰富。1周后声像图表现为睾丸附件体积明显缩小,回声增高,同侧附睾及睾丸体积逐渐恢复正常,鞘膜积液渐渐消失,阴囊壁接近正常。结论超声对睾丸附件扭转具有较高的诊断价值。