Oral administration of Moringa oleifera oil but not coconut oil prevents mercury‐induced testicular toxicity in rats

This study was conducted to compare the effects of administration of coconut oil (CO) and Moringa oleifera oil (MO) on testicular oxidative stress, sperm quality and steroidogenesis parameters in rats treated with mercury chloride (HgCl₂). After 15 days of oral administration of CO (2 ml kg^?1 body weight) and MO (2 ml kg^?1 body weight) along with intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of HgCl₂ (5 mg kg^?1 body weight) alone or in combination, we found that CO treatment did not protect against HgCl₂‐induced poor sperm quality (motility, count) as well as decreased testosterone level and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD) activity. Treatment with CO alone decreased glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in rat's testis, whereas MO did not change these parameters. Cotreatment with MO prevented HgCl₂‐induced testicular catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, poor sperm quality and low testosterone level and also blocks the adverse effect of CO+HgCl₂ (2 ml kg^?1 body weight + 5 mg kg^?1 body weight) on the investigated endpoints. In conclusion, MO and not CO decreased the deleterious effects of HgCl₂ on sperm quality and steroidogenesis in rats and also strengthen the antioxidant defence of the testes. Therefore, MO is beneficial as an antioxidant in HgCl₂‐induced oxidative damage.     

睾丸组织Johnsen评分对非梗阻性无精子症患者取精成功率的预测

目的探讨睾丸组织病理学Johnsen评分是否可以作为非梗阻性无精子症患者取精成功的预测因素.方法选取2008年6月至2011年6月来院就诊的非梗阻性无精子症患者513例.所有患者均行详细的病史采集、体格检查、实验室检查、睾丸活检及活检组织病理学检查等.患者随访1~3年,其主要包括患者是否进一步行睾丸取精术以及取精的结果.结果总计有399例患者接受了活检同侧的睾丸取精术,其中睾丸穿刺取精成功112例,而穿刺取精失败的患者通过进一步接受睾丸显微取精术,成功取精44例.通过分析睾丸取精成功的预测因素后发现,当Johnsen评分≥7时,非梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸取精的成功率将显著提升.结论睾丸组织病理学Johnsen评分≥7可能是睾丸取精成功的预测因素.     

Protective effect of Feijoa sellowianan fruit on testicular toxicity-induced by cadmium chloride

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective potential of Feijoa fruit extract on cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced testicular injury and pituitary–gonadal axis. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) control (normal saline, orally), (b) cadmium chloride (0.1 mg/kg, single dose, intraperitoneally), (c) Feijoa fruit extract (400 mg/kg, orally for 30 consecutive days) and (d) CdCl₂ + Feijoa fruit extract. One day after receiving the last medicine, the LH, FSH, prolactin and testosterone concentration were assayed. Also, sperm parameters and tissue structure of the testis were evaluated. Administration of Feijoa fruit extract after CdCl₂ injection in rats ameliorated sperm parameters such as sperm count, morphology, motility and sperm viability, increased levels of LH, FSH, prolactin and testosterone and improved testicular histology. According to the results of this study, it was shown that Feijoa can reduce the destructive side effects of CdCl₂ on testicular tissue and sex hormones of the pituitary–gonadal pathway.     

禁欲2天对于精子质量的影响

目的 通过对71名人工受精的男性禁欲2d和3～7d的精子质量的分析，探讨禁欲不同天数对于精子质量的影响。方法 第一次人工受精的精液为禁欲3～7d(Ⅰ组)，第二次为禁欲2t(Ⅱ组)，分析2组精液的差异及其精子培养液处理后的差异。结果 Ⅰ组精液的精子密度和A级精子百分比明显高于Ⅱ组，但是按照正常与异常分类，无论是培养液处理前还是处理后均无差异。结论 禁欲2d与3～7d相比，按正常与异常精液划分没有差异，禁欲2d做人工受精，精子质量不受影响。     

Rose oil inhalation protects against formaldehyde-induced testicular damage in rats

In this experimental study, harmful effects of formaldehyde (FA) inhalation on sperm concentration, sperm quality, serum testosterone levels and the rat testes were investigated. In addition, the possible protective effects of rose oil against to these harmful effects were evaluated. For this purpose, 21 albino-Wistar rats were used. The rats in Group I were used as control group. When the rats of Group II were exposed FA (10 ppm/1 h) for 35 days, the rats of Group III inhalated rose oil (1 ml/1 h) after FA. The epididymal tissues were taken for sperm analysing and the testes were removed for histological examination. In addition, testosterone levels were determined from the blood samples. Although the testosterone levels, the epididymal sperm concentration, and the progressive sperm motility significantly decreased, the abnormal sperm rate significantly increased in the Group II when compared to Group I. In the Group III, these damages were seen less. When the rats in the Group II compared with the control group, there were serious histological damages. In the Group III, it was determined that the histological changes were less than group II. It can be expressed that serious damages occurred via formaldehyde exposure in male reproductive system and that the rose oil had protective effects against these damages.     

Teratozoospermia and its effect on male fertility potential

Teratozoospermia and its significance for male fertility problems is discussed. Different points of view and available information concerning the phenomenon of teratozoospermia have been presented. Ongoing debate about the influence of sperm morphology on male infertility and IVF results emphasizes the fact that when sperm morphology is evaluated using strict criteria, this parameter is thought to have an excellent predictive value and shows a significant positive correlation with successful fertilization. Selective abilities of zona pellucida to differentiate between morphologically normal and abnormal spermatozoa, the superior role of acrosomal morphology assessment in the prediction of IVF outcome, and the involvement of cell surface molecules in the adhesion of spermatozoa to oocytes are described. The usefulness of the hamster oocyte penetration assay (HOPA), which is important not only because of its predictive value of sperm function, but also because of its role as a tool for visualizing sperm chromosomes, was found to be questionable in cases of teratozoospermia. Cytogenetic findings related to teratozoospermia are controversial as classical methodology of visualizing sperm chromosomes (through HOPA) may cause selection of sperm metaphases which can be obtained only from good-penetrating spermatozoa. There are few reports presenting chromosome complements of abnormal sperm visualized with the help of micromanipulation. There is clear evidence that a variety of genetic defects can affect spermatogenesis. The possible genetic background of teratozoospermia is discussed.     

睾丸微结石症对睾丸功能的影响分析

目的了解睾丸微结石症(TM)对睾丸功能的影响,评估TM患者精液质量和血浆性激素水平。方法生育年龄要求生殖健康体检者为对象,通过物理检查,精液分析、生殖系统超声和性激素检查评估睾丸功能,其中诊断TM患者43例,精索静脉曲张(VC)45例和健康人(NC)45例作为对照组。结果本研究TM、VC和NC3组平均年龄分别为(33.25±5.81)岁、(31.85±7.26)岁和(30.13±6.09)岁,3组年龄比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。TM组睾丸体积、精子密度、活力、活率和血清游离睾酮水平均显著低于NC组(P<0.05),但与VC组比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论TM显著影响睾丸功能包括生精功能和睾酮分泌功能,其机制有待于进一步研究。     

Effect of exogenous testosterone on oxidative status of the testes in adult male rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the testosterone‐induced changes in the oxidative status of testes in adult male rats treated either with testosterone or after blockade of androgen receptors with cyproterone acetate. A total of 40 intact rats were divided into four groups: a control group receiving sterile oil, the testosterone group receiving testosterone isobutyras, the cyproterone group receiving cyproterone acetate and the combination group receiving both testosterone isobutyras and cyproterone acetate. Treatments were carried out for 2 days by intramuscular application. Parameters of oxidative stress and the expression levels of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene were measured in testes. Significantly increased TBARS and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels were found in the testosterone group when compared to the control group. The °1 ferric‐reducing ability of the tissue and total antioxidative capacity were lower in the testosterone group in comparison with the control group. Gene expression analysis revealed significant downregulation of the StAR gene in the testes of rats in the testosterone and combination groups with respect to control animals. In conclusion, administration of exogenous testosterone influences the lipid peroxidation and carbonyl stress and decreases the antioxidant defence in the testes. These data might have implications for male fertility in humans.     

Pregabalin administration and withdrawal affect testicular structure and functions in rats

The aim of this prospective experimental study was to investigate the effects of pregabalin (PG) administration and withdrawal on testicular structures and functions in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 12 each): a control group received normal saline, and PG-treated group received 62 mg kg^-1 day^-1 PG for 2 months. Half the animals of each group were sacrificed for the collection of blood and testicular samples. The remaining animals were bred for another 2 months without treatment before collection of blood and testicular samples. PG administration decreased testosterone and increased luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels versus controls. PG withdrawal led to a decrease in both FSH and LH and an increase in testosterone levels versus saline withdrawal. Compared to controls, PG administration caused degeneration of seminiferous tubules and decreased the number of spermatogenic but increased the number of Leydig cells. After PG withdrawal, these cells showed a rebound reverse. Reduced glutathione levels increased with PG administration while PG withdrawal increased malondialdehyde levels. Conclusion: PG administration affected testicular morphometry, gonadotrophic and sex hormones; however, there was a rebound reversal in all these parameters and a significant oxidative stress in PG withdrawal.     

Pathological observation on lamina propria of seminiferous tubules in infertile men

In this paper the authors observed the pathological alterationsin lamina propria of seminiferous tubules from 41 patients witholigospermia and azoospermia by using morphometry and immuno-histochemistry. Morphological alterations in seminiferous tubules ofthese patients were classified into three types; hypospermato-genesis, spermatogenic arrest and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Thelimiting membrane of the seminiferous tubules was found thicker invarious degrees. Morphometrically, there were significant differ-ences between the three types of alterations in terms of thickness ofthe lamina propria and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules.Immunohistochemically, the inner and outer layers of the laminapropria were positive for type Ⅳ collagen and laminin, while theintermediate layer, the hyperplastic zone, was negative, but thiszone was positive for type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen. The results indicatedthat the basic component of the altered lamina propria was of colla-gen fibers but not of type Ⅳ collagen, and     

Telfairia occidentalis‐supplemented diet induces changes in sperm parameters and testosterone level in rats

The growing patronage on herbal remedies and formulations from natural products in most developing countries has warranted research into certain health challenges including their antifertility effects. This study assessed the effects of boiled Telfairia occidentalis (TO) seed‐supplemented diets on the level of testosterone and semen quality in Wistar rats. Boiled TO seed diets at 10%, 15% and 30% were given to rats for 60 days. Our study showed that sperm quality was impaired as evidenced by the decreased number of motile spermatozoa, epididymal sperm numbers, percentage live/dead ratio and increased numbers of abnormal spermatozoa comparable to control values (p < .05). Feeding of rats with 10% and 15% TO seed‐supplemented diets increased testosterone levels nonsignificantly, while in the 30% TO seed diet animals, the level of serum testosterone was found to decrease significantly compared to control values. Furthermore, TO diet caused a nonsignificant increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and the concentrations of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde except for the significant increase in malondialdehyde level in the testes of the 10% TO diet group. A nonsignificant decrease in myeloperoxidase activity was also observed in the 10% and 15% but not 30% TO diet group. Histological damages characterised by severe loss of germ cells were more pronounced in the 10% TO diet group. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of boiled TO seeds revealed the presence of esters, alkenes, hydroxyl and alcohol functional groups. Thus, boiled TO seed‐supplemented diet evoked antifertility effects in rats, and the effects on the toxicity end points investigated were not dose‐dependent.     

不育症患者睾丸曲细精管界膜的病理学观察

应用形态计量学和免疫组织化学方法观察４１例少精子症和无精子症患者的睾丸活检曲细精管界膜的病理学变化。曲细精管生精上皮的病理变化主要有三种类型：生精功能低下、生精阻滞和唯支持细胞综合征。三种病变的曲细精管均表现有不同程度的界膜增厚。形态计量学结果显示三种病变的曲细精管界膜厚度、管内径与正常对照相比均有显著性差异，管内径与界膜厚度呈负相关。免疫组化层粘连蛋白Ⅳ型胶原染色显示界膜的内外层呈阳性反应，而中间增厚带为阴性，Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原免疫组化染色界膜增厚的中间带为阳性。提示：病变界膜的成分为胶原纤维，但与正常成分－Ⅳ型胶原不同，表现为Ⅰ型及Ⅲ型胶原增生。     

Probability to retrieve testicular spermatozoa in azoospermic patients

Aim: The degree of probability to retrieve spermatozoa from testicular tissue for intracytoplasmic sperm injection intooocytes is of interest for counselling of infertility patients. We investigated the relation of sperm retrieval to clinical dataand histological pattern in testicular biopsies from azoospermic patients. Methods: In 264 testicular biopsies from142 azoospermic patients, the testicular tissue was shredded to separate the spermatozoa, histological semi-thin sec-tions of which were then evaluated using Johnsen score. Results: The retrieval of spermatozoa correlated signifi-cantly (P < 0.001) with the testicular volume (r = 0.49), the FSH concentration ( r = -0.66), the maximum score(r = 0.85) and the mean Johnsen score (r = 0.81). In the multivariate regression analysis the successful testicularsperm extraction showed the closest relationship to the maximum score. The testicular volume correlated significantlywith the mean Johnsen score ( r = 0.64, P < 0. 001), and the basal serum FSH concen     

Acute effect of microdissection testicular sperm extraction on blood total testosterone and luteinising hormone levels

Testicular sperm extraction is a common surgical procedure to retrieve spermatozoa from men with azoospermia which may affect the tissue and cause hypogonadism (Human Reproduction Update, 24 , 2018, 442). We aimed to evaluate the acute effect of micro-TESE on blood total testosterone (TT) and luteinising hormone (LH) levels. Between April 2018 and September 2019, 60 selected NOA (i.e. with normal TT and LH) patients were included in the study. After procedure, blood samples were collected to evaluate the levels of TT and LH at 1st and 24th hour and first week. Values were compared. In addition, patients were divided into two groups according to their body mass index. Mean age of patients was 27.37 ± 4.52 years, and mean of body mass index was 24.49 ± 3.78 kg/m². Mean TT levels at the 1st hour, 24th hour and the 1st week were 3.81, 3.50 and 3.05 ng/ml respectively. Mean LH levels at the 1st hour, 24th hour and the 1st week were 5.03, 5.15 and 5.46 IU/L respectively. Statistically significant differences between pre- and post-operative 24th hour and 1st week values were detected (p = .001, p < .001 respectively). No statistical differences were found between two BMI's groups. TT decreased in acute period after the procedure, whereas the increase of LH levels was observed after 24th hour.     

Protective effects of Fumaria parviflora L. on lead‐induced testicular toxicity in male rats

In recent years, the clinical importance of herbal drugs has received considerable attention in reducing free radical‐induced tissue injury. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity that causes reproductive system failure in both human and animals. Fumaria parviflora L., a traditional herb, has been used to cure various ailments in Persian folk medicine. This study was carried out to investigate whether ethanolic extract of F. parviflora leaves could protect the male rats against lead‐induced testicular oxidative stress. Adult Wistar rats were treated with 0.1% lead acetate in drinking water with or without 200 mg kg day^?1 F. parviflora extract via gavage for 70 days. Lead acetate treatment resulted in significant reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubules diameter, epididymal sperm count, serum testosterone level, testicular content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, significant elevation was observed in content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in lead‐treated rats. However, co‐administration of F. parviflora extract showed a significant increase in selected reproductive parameters in lead‐treated rats. The results indicated that ethanolic extract of F. parviflora leaves has a potential to restore the suppressed reproduction associated with lead exposure and prevented lead‐induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats.     

Serum Prolactin in Male Infertility

Hyperprolactinemia was found only in two out of 71 patients with male infertility and in none of 53 patients with impotentia coeundi indicating that hyperprolactinemia is of minor significance in these patients. There was only a weak negative correlation between hPRL and testosterone in oligozoospermic men. No correlation was found between hPRL and hLH, hFSH, sperm count and sperm motility. Nevertheless measurement of hPRL should be performed in all cases with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, loss of libido or impotence since these symptoms may be signs of a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma.     

Gonadoprotective ability of Vincetoxicum arnottianum extract against bisphenol A-induced testicular toxicity and hormonal imbalance in male Sprague Dawley rats

Vincetoxicum arnottianum (Wight) of family Apocynaceae is a rich source of therapeutic alkaloids, phenolics and flavonoids. Study aims to evaluate the protective potential of methanol extract of Vincetoxicum arnottianum (VAM) on bisphenol A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in male Sprague Dawley rat. Quantitative analysis of VAM for total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total alkaloid content (TAC) along with HPLC analysis for polyphenolics was carried out. BPA-induced testicular toxicity was determined through analysis of antioxidant enzymes, DNA damages and testicular histopathology along with reproductive hormones in serum of rat. VAM was constituted of TFC (382.50 ± 1.67 μg GAE/mg), TPC (291.17 ± 0.82 μg RE/mg), TAC (16.5 ± 0.5%), ferulic acid (2.2433 μg/mg) and vanillic acid (2.1249 μg/mg). VAM co-administration to BPA-treated rats attenuated the toxic effects of BPA and restored the body and testis weights. Altered level of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum, and level of antioxidants (GSH, POD, CAT and SOD) and nitric oxide in testis tissues of BPA-induced toxicity were significantly restored by VAM. Histological and comet assay studies also sanctioned the protective potential of VAM in BPA-intoxicated rats. The presence of polyphenols and alkaloids might contribute towards the scavenging and ameliorative potential of VAM in testicular toxicity induced by BPA.