微波长期辐射对雄性生殖的影响研究

目的:探讨微波长期辐射对雄性大鼠生殖的影响。方法:100只二级雄性Wistar大鼠经平均功率密度为0、2.5、5和10 mW/cm2微波辐射4周(5次/周、6 min/次),于辐射后6 h、7 d、14 d、28 d和60 d,动态观测血清睾酮,睾丸指数、组织学和超微结构及附睾精子畸形率的变化。结果:2.5、5 mW/cm2微波辐射28 d[(10.20±4.31))ng/ml,(5.56±3.47)ng/ml]和10 mW/cm2辐射后28 d[(7.53±4.54)ng/ml]及60 d[(15.95±9.54)ng/ml]血清睾酮浓度较对照组[(23.35±8.06)ng/ml,(31.40±9.56)ng/ml]明显降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);3种剂量微波辐射后6 h～60 d,睾丸指数未见明显变化,但均出现不同程度生精细胞变性坏死脱落、生精上皮变薄、精子减少或缺失等改变,以辐射后28 d及60 d明显;5 mW/cm2辐射后7 d和60 d,超微结构见各级生精细胞线粒体肿胀、空化,精原细胞和Leydig细胞染色质凝集边移;附睾精子畸形率均呈增加趋势,其中2.5 mW/cm2辐射后7 d,5 mW/cm2辐射后60 d,10 mW/cm2辐射7 d、28 d、60 d附睾精子畸形率明显增加(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论:微波长期辐射可引起雄性大鼠生殖损伤,与辐射剂量呈正相关,并具有明显的远后效应。     

金匮肾气丸对环磷酰胺所致睾丸损伤小鼠睾丸组织Nrf2信号通路基因表达的影响

目的:探究金匮肾气丸对环磷酰胺致小鼠睾丸损伤保护作用及其抗氧化机制。方法:将30只雄性小鼠均分为空白组、模型组和金匮肾气丸治疗组。治疗组小鼠给予1.2 g/kg体重剂量的金匮肾气丸进行灌胃,空白组和模型组小鼠给予相同体积的生理盐水灌胃,每天1次;在治疗的第7天,模型组和治疗组小鼠给予50 mg/kg体重剂量环磷酰胺进行腹腔注射,每周1次,连续用药35 d。实验结束后对所有小鼠称重(体重和睾丸重量)并采集血液进行睾酮含量检测,取附睾头用于精子质量检测,取睾丸进行组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA),病理组织学及核因子E2相关因子2 (Nrf2)信号通路相关基因PCR检测。结果:实验结束时,模型组小鼠体重[(34.63±1.92) g vs(48.32±1.64) g]、睾丸质量[(80.0±3.9) mg vs(140.0±6.1) mg]、睾丸脏器系数[(0.22±0.01)%vs(0.31±0.03)%]、精子活率[(48.66±8.08)%vs(89.33±4.04)%]、精子浓度[(28.42±5.26)×10~6/ml vs(77.67±8.73)×10~6/ml]、SOD [(140.82±10.08) U/mg prot vs(358.52±40.41) U/mg prot]和血清睾酮[(8.75±0.96) pg/ml vs(21.75±1.71) pg/ml]水平较空白组显著降低(P<0.05),畸形精子百分率[(37.33±2.08)vs(15.33±1.53)%]和MDA[(54.89±6.09) nmol/ng prot vs(30.21±2.17) nmol/ng prot]水平显著升高(P<0.05);金匮肾气丸治疗组小鼠体重[(39.80±2.89) g vs(34.63±1.92) g]、睾丸质量[(130.00±11.00) mg vs(80.00±3.90) mg]、睾丸脏器系数[(0.28±0.01)%vs(0.22±0.01)%]、精子活率[(76.00±5.29)%vs(48.66±8.08)%]、精子浓度[(56.08±4.29)×10~6/ml vs(28.42±5.26)×10~6/ml]、SOD[(206.59±16.38) U/mg prot vs(140.82±10.08) U/mg prot]和血清睾酮[(15.50±1.29) pg/ml vs(8.75±0.96) pg/ml]水平较模型组显著升高(P<0.05),畸形精子百分率[(25.01±2.99)%vs(37.33±2.08)%]和MDA[(35.84±3.61) nmol/ng prot vs(54.89±6.09) nmol/ng prot]水平显著降低(P<0.05)。模型组依赖还原型辅酶Ⅰ/Ⅱ醌氧化还原酶1(NOQ-1)、Nrf2、血红素氧合酶1(HO-1)mRNA的表达水平较空白组显著降低(P<0.05),半胱天冬酶3(Caspase 3)mRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.05);金匮肾气丸治疗组小鼠Nrf2和HO-1 mRNA的表达水平较模型组显著升高(P<0.05),Caspase 3 mRNA表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。病理组织学结果发现,模型组小鼠生精小管管腔内各级生精细胞层数减少,部分生精小管细胞完全脱落,精子数量减少;治疗组小鼠生精小管恢复趋于正常。结论:金匮肾气丸可有效抑制环磷酰胺造成的睾丸损伤,其机制可能与金匮肾气丸能调控Nrf2信号通路基因表达,增强抗氧化酶的活性有关。     

Annexin5对雄性SD大鼠生殖相关指标和睾酮分泌的影响

目的 探讨膜联蚩白5(annexin5)对雄性SD大鼠体重、睾丸系数、附睾系数、精子相对计数和睾酮水平的影响.方法 给雄性SD大鼠腹腔注射3个不同剂量(7.5μg/kg、15μg/kg、30μg/kg)的annexin5,对照组腹腔汴射等晕的pH 8.0 Tris-HCI,1次/d,连续20d.分别称重对照组和实验组SD大鼠体重、睾丸、附睾,并对附睾尾进行精子计数.HE染色观察睾丸组织结构.运用化学发光法检测对照组和各实验组SD大鼠血清中睾酮浓度.结果 与对照组相比,15 μg/kg实验组大鼠附睾系数与精子相对计数均显著提高,分别提高了12.5%(131.8±9.6vs 117.2±5.9)(P<0.01)和31.4%(36.8±5.6vs 31.7±5.3)(P<0.05);其它剂量组与对照纰相比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).HE染色显示各剂量实验组与对照组相比,睾丸的形态结构没有发牛明显改变.7.5 μg/kg组和15 μg/kg组大鼠血清睾酮含量显著高十对照组,分别提高了35.5%(36.33±3.89vs26.82±3.75)(P<0.01)和82.8%(49.04±5.17vs26.82±3.75)(P<0.01),30 μg/kg组大鼠睾酮含量虽也有升高,但与对照组比较,结果无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 腹腔注射annexin5能影响大鼠睾丸生精、附睾功能及睾酮水平,并与剂量有关.     

通精灵对实验性精索静脉曲张大鼠精子DNA完整性与睾丸组织氧化应激的影响

目的:探讨通精灵对实验性精索精索静脉曲张大鼠精子DNA完整性与睾丸组织氧化应激的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠75只随机分为假手术组、模型组、高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组,每组15只。参照文献制备大鼠精索静脉曲张模型,"夹尾激怒法"建立合并中医肝气郁结证模型。造模完成后4周开始给药,持续8周。观察大鼠的一般情况,精子染色质结构分析法(SCSA)检测附睾精子DFI。化学比色法测睾丸过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果:与假手术组相比较,模型组大鼠附睾精子DFI[(8.36±2.49)%]显著升高(P0.01),睾丸组织H_2O_2含量[(431.22±97.01)mmol/g prot]显著升高(P0.01),CAT[(10.53±2.69)U/ml]、SOD[(87.30±25.33)U/ml]活性显著升高(P0.01)。与模型组相比较,通精灵各组附睾精子DFI显著降低,睾丸组织H_2O_2的含量显著降低。结论:精索静脉曲张模型大鼠附睾精子DNA完整性降低,睾丸组织呈氧化应激状态,精子DNA完整性与氧化应激有相关性,通精灵可能通过增加CAT、SOD活性,降低H_2O_2含量减轻了睾丸组织氧化应激状态,从而提高精子DNA完整性。     

杜仲补天素胶囊剂对腺嘌呤诱导的雄性大鼠生殖功能损伤的影响

目的:研究杜仲补天素胶囊对腺嘌呤诱导的雄性大鼠生殖功能损伤的影响。方法:80只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组、溶剂对照组、模型组、生精胶囊组、杜仲补天素胶囊低剂量组和高剂量组,正常组和溶剂对照组每组8只,其余每组16只。连续5周各组按10 ml/kg体重灌胃给药,正常组给予等体积生理盐水,溶剂对照组给予等体积0.5%羟甲基纤维素钠,其余各组以200 mg/kg体重腺嘌呤灌胃,生精胶囊组同时灌服生精胶囊0.560 g/kg体重,杜仲补天素低剂量、高剂量组同时分别灌服杜仲补天素0.242、0.968 g/kg体重。第4周末,各组大鼠按1∶1比例与雌鼠交配,1周后处死雄鼠,取右侧附睾以检测大鼠精子浓度、活率,雌鼠继续饲养2周后处死,记录雌鼠妊娠率及仔鼠数。HE染色观察睾丸、附睾及肾脏病理结构变化;ELLSA检测血清T、E2、FSH、LH水平;生化分析血清中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)的含量;免疫组化检测肾脏组织中Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白的表达水平。结果:正常组与溶剂对照组相比,各项指标均无显著差异(P>0.05)。与模型组相比,正常组精子活率[(54.75±3.92)%vs(25.60±4.83)%,P<0.01]、精子浓度[(40.67±7.37)×10~6/ml vs(27.10±2.72)×10~6/ml,P<0.01]以及受孕率(85.7%vs 43.8%,P<0.01)均显著高于模型组;杜仲补天素胶囊低、高剂量组的精子活率[(53.50±8.83)%、(54.33±7.92)%,P<0.01]、精子浓度[(53.00±4.55)×10~6/ml、(65.63±12.47)×10~6/ml,P<0.01]显著升高,杜仲补天素胶囊高剂量组受孕率(54.5%,P<0.01)显著升高。给予杜仲补天素胶囊后,各组体重、睾丸、附睾及精囊腺系数显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),附睾、睾丸及肾脏形态结构明显恢复;血清Scr、BUN水平显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);血清T水平升高,FSH、LH水平降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);SOD、GSH-PX显著升高,MDA下降(P<0.05或P<0.01);肾脏中Bax、Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白表达水平下降,Bcl-2升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:杜仲补天素胶囊对腺嘌呤诱导的雄性大鼠的生殖损伤具有改善作用,可能与调节凋亡蛋白,改善机体氧化应激水平及恢复生殖激素水平紊乱有关。     

肥胖对雄性大鼠生殖功能影响的机制研究

目的研究肥胖对雄性大鼠生殖功能的影响,初步探讨其氧化损伤的相关机制。方法 6周龄SD雄性大鼠随机分成对照组(普通饮食,15只)和肥胖组(高脂饮食,30只)。喂养16周后,处死,测定体重、脏器系数、代谢参数和生殖内分泌激素(GnRH、FSH、LH、TT、E_2)和SHBG,检测睾丸生精细胞凋亡、氧化应激和附睾精子参数,比较两组各指标差异。结果与对照组大鼠相比,肥胖组大鼠体重和Lee指数明显增加,血清瘦素(Lep)[(3.17±0.23)ng/ml vs.(2.33±0.21)ng/ml]、胰岛素(INS)[(28.99±2.43)μU/ml vs.(20.62±1.72)μU/ml]和甘油三酯(TG)[(0.55±0.03)mmol/L vs.(0.36±0.04)mmol/L]显著升高,血清GnRH[(36.46±1.95)pg/ml vs.(45.51±2.75)pg/ml]、LH[(3.06±0.37)U/L vs.(4.67±0.70)U/L]、总睾酮(TT)[(0.81±0.13)ng/ml vs.(1.98±0.32)ng/ml]、SHBG[(55.31±3.80)nmol/L vs.(71.69±4.65)nmol/L]显著降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);TUNEL结果显示,肥胖组大鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡指数显著高于对照组[(4.26±0.35)%vs.(3.09±0.28)%,P0.05];氧化应激结果表明,肥胖组大鼠的MDA上升、SOD降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);附睾精子分析发现,与对照组相比,肥胖组大鼠的精子活力显著下降[(14.36±7.67)%vs.(36.40±9.17)%,P0.01],而精子浓度无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论高脂饮食诱导雄性大鼠的肥胖,代谢和生殖内分泌紊乱,氧化损伤增加,导致生精细胞凋亡增加,并最终使精子活力下降。     

巴戟天对手机辐射致雄性大鼠LH及LHR紊乱的修复作用

目的:探讨巴戟天对手机辐射致成年雄性大鼠血清黄体生成素(LH)及睾丸组织中黄体生成素受体(LHR)水平紊乱的修复作用。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠50只均分为5组:假辐射组(假辐射,不给药)、辐射组(辐射,不给药)、阴性对照组(辐射,灌胃等体积双蒸水)、巴戟天醇提物给药组(辐射,灌胃巴戟天醇提物)、巴戟天水提物给药组(辐射,灌胃巴戟天水提物)。经手机辐射后,给以巴戟天水、醇提取物灌胃治疗2周。检测血清LH和睾丸组织中LHR表达水平。结果:经巴戟天水、醇提物治疗2周后给药组LH水平分别为(30.15±8.71)ng/L和(33.28±6.61)ng/L,LHR的相对表达分别为(0.96±0.06)和(0.94±0.08)。两个给药组LH及LHR表达水平显著降低(P0.05),两个给药组间未出现统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:巴戟天对手机辐射致成年雄性大鼠LH及LHR水平紊乱有修复作用。     

还少胶囊对奥硝唑诱导的弱精子症模型大鼠生殖功能损伤的保护机制研究

目的:探讨还少胶囊对奥硝唑(ORN)诱导的弱精子症模型大鼠生殖功能损伤可能的保护机制。方法:将SD雄性大鼠随机分为4组,每组10只,分别是空白对照组、模型组、还少胶囊组和左卡尼汀组,除空白对照组外,其余3组采用ORN 400 mg/(kg·d)灌胃大鼠28 d,制成弱精子症大鼠模型。并同时连续给药28 d后,处死大鼠,检测大鼠附睾中左卡尼汀的含量,精子浓度、活率,附睾组织中有机阳离子转运子2(OCTN2)mRNA的表达,并观察大鼠睾丸组织病理结构。结果:还少胶囊组、阳性对照药左卡尼汀组与模型组相比,附睾左卡尼汀的含量均可明显提高(6 366.5、6 934.7 mg/L vs 2 880.3 mg/L,P<0.01);改善精子浓度[(46.19±14.23)、(42.25±6.11)×10~6/ml vs(34.58±10.25)×10~6/ml,P<0.01]、活率[(61.34±7.98)%、(61.34±7.98)%vs(42.59±7.54)%,P<0.01];上调附睾OCTN2 mRNA的表达量(27.26、27.15 vs 26.07,P<0.01);同时还少胶囊组能保护ORN造模导致的睾丸生精细胞的病理损伤,使生精细胞在生精小管形态、排列方式、生精细胞的活跃程度上与空白对照组更加接近。结论:还少胶囊对ORN诱导的弱精子症大鼠模型生殖功能损伤具有保护作用,能提高模型大鼠的精子浓度与活率,其机制可能与上调附睾OCTN2 mRNA的表达量、提高附睾左卡尼汀的含量有关。     

水通道蛋白抑制剂对大鼠精子成熟和生育影响的研究

目的通过水通道蛋白抑制剂对大鼠附睾精子成熟的影响，探索睾丸后抗生育作用靶点。方法不同剂量乙酰唑胺大鼠灌胃给药，连续10d。结束时将受试雄鼠与雌鼠合笼，计算交配指数、受孕指数、生育指数。采用计算机辅助分析系统分析精子活力形态。使用酶联免疫吸附法测定大鼠血清睾酮（T）和双氢睾酮（DHT）的浓度。睾丸附睾称重后进行HE染色和电镜分析。结果乙酰唑胺各剂量组大鼠精子活力明显降低，同时畸形率显著增加，导致雌鼠受孕率下降，而T、DHT和交配指数均无明显变化，睾丸和附睾亦无明显病理学改变。结论水通道蛋白抑制剂乙酰唑胺可以通过影响大鼠附睾精子成熟来抑制雄鼠生育，同时不影响睾丸和生殖内分泌系统。     

烟雾暴露大鼠氧化应激生精损害的中医药治疗实验研究

目的 研究补肾填精中药麒麟丸对烟雾暴露造成氧化应激所致大鼠睾丸、附睾与精子的抗氧化作用。方法 随机将60只雄性成年大鼠均分6组:空白组、模型组、五子衍宗丸组、麒麟丸低剂量组、麒麟丸中剂量组、麒麟丸高剂量组。除空白组外,每天上午烟雾暴露制备大鼠睾丸生殖毒性模型,下午灌胃给药,每周测量体质量,调整给药剂量,连续56d后,处死大鼠取样检测,取血清测定睾酮(T)水平;分别称取大鼠精囊腺、附睾、睾丸的质量并计算相应器官指数;留取附睾内精液,进行计算机辅助的精液分析(CASA)及精子DNA完整率分析;酶联法测定睾丸谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)水平;睾丸附睾病理组织学检查。结果 模型组大鼠精子总活力[前向运动(PR)%+非前向运动(NP)%]显著下降,睾丸附睾匀浆MDA水平(28.0±3.2)显著升高,而SOD(13.2±2.0)、GSH-Px(21.1±8.3)明显降低,与空白组相比均有显著差异(P0.05);麒麟丸各剂量组大鼠精子浓度及总活力比空白组下降,但仍显著高于模型组(P0.05),MDA显著低于模型组(P0.05),SOD及GSH-Px显著高于模型组(P0.05);麒麟丸中、高剂量组大鼠精子正常形态率及各剂量组DNA完整率显著高于模型组(P0.05)。病理检查:与空白组相比,模型组呈生精功能减低改变。表现为睾丸生精小管萎缩,排列变稀疏,生精上皮变薄,生精细胞减少;附睾管腔内成熟精子变少;精囊腺管腔内分泌物减少,上皮乳头萎缩、数量减少。麒麟丸组与模型组相比,随着剂量增加,生精功能减低的例数逐渐减少,疗效与剂量间有依从关系。结论 补肾填精中药麒麟丸可通过提高抗氧化酶活性,抑制氧化应激的发生,起到抗氧化作用,同时可以修复烟雾暴露对睾丸、附睾、精囊腺造成的病理损伤,最终可以保护生精功能,提高精子浓度、总活力与正常形态率,降低精子DNA碎片率。     

Antispermatogenic activity of Morinda lucida extract in male rats

Aim： To investigate the effect of Morinda lucida Benth （Rubiaceae） on the reproductive activity of male albino rats. Methods： Two groups of rats were treated with 400 mg/（kg.d） of Morinda lucida leaf extract for 4 and 13 weeks, respectively. The control rats received the vehicle. All the treated rats had corresponding recovery groups. At the end of each experimental period, animals were killed and organ weights, sperm characteristics, serum testosterone levels, histology of the testes and fertility were assessed. Results： Morinda lucida leaf extract did not cause any changes in body and somatic organ weights, but significantly increased the testis weight （P 〈 0.05）. The sperm motility and viability, and the epididymal sperm counts of rats treated for 13 weeks were significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05）. Sperm morphological abnormalities and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）. There were various degrees of damage to the seminiferous tubules. The extract reduced the fertility of the treated rats by reducing the litter size. Reversal of these changes, however, occurred after a period of time. Conclusion： The extract of Morinda lucida has reversible antispermatogenic properties.     

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     

Effect of papaya seed extract on microenvironment of cauda epididymis

Aim: To evaluate the effect of aqueous Carica papaya seed extract on microenvironment of cauda epididymis. Methods: Adult male albino rats were intramuscularly administered with 0 (control) or 0.5 mg papaya seed extract/kg body weight for 7 days. Cauda epididymal tubular content was collected by micropuncture technique; epididymal luminal fluid and sperm pellets were separately analyzed. Results: The results revealed that the extract treatment caused significant reduction, as compared with control, in total protein and sialic acid contents in both epididymal fluid and sperm pellet. As compared with control, significantly lowered acid phosphatase activity was recorded in sperm pellet but was higher in epididymal fluid after the treatment. The extract treatment also caused significant reduction in level of inorganic phosphorus in the epididymal fluid. Conclusion: It is concluded that the aqueous papaya seed extract alters cauda epididymal microenvironment.     

大剂量5α还原酶抑制剂对雄性大鼠生精功能的影响

目的:研究高选择性5α还原酶抑制剂(爱普列特)在较大剂量时对雄性SD大鼠生精功能的影响。方法:32只8周龄雄性SD大鼠随机分为喂服淀粉的空白对照(C)组、喂服爱普列特1 mg/d(EL)组、喂服爱普列特5mg/d(EH)组及喂服非那甾胺(F)组,每组8只。观察大鼠睾丸重量、血清睾酮和双氢睾酮水平、附睾精子计数和配对雌性大鼠妊娠阳性数等变化情况。结果:与C组相比,F组或EH组均有①抑制前列腺生长和减轻睾丸重量的作用(P<0.05);②降低血清双氢睾酮而升高睾酮水平;③抑制大鼠精子数量,同时影响雄性大鼠生育能力。结论:大剂量高选择性5α还原酶抑制剂(爱普列特)可抑制雄性SD大鼠前列腺、睾丸重量,抑制精子生成并降低雄性大鼠生育力。     

Effects of ethanol ingestion on epididymal glycosidases and fertility in the rat

Epididymal glycosidases play a role in sperm maturation by modifying sperm surface glycoproteins. To study the effects of ethanol on epididymal sperm maturation, ethanol (3 g/kg body weight as 25%, v/v) was administered to a group of rats by gastric-intubation twice daily for 30 days. In another group, rats were also treated with alcohol for 30 days but were then withdrawn from treatment for 30 days to assess the reversibility of ethanol-induced effects. Ethanol-induced changes in epididymal tissue and sperm glycosidases, cauda epididymal sperm motility and the fertility of rats were assessed. Ethanol treatment caused a marked decrease in the specific activities of glycosidases in both tissues and spermatozoa from epididymal segments. Cauda epididymal sperm motility and the fertility of ethanol-treated rats were significantly impaired compared to control rats fed an isocaloric diet. These changes are likely to be the consequence of direct and indirect effects of ethanol mediated through subnormal testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Most of these changes were found to be reversible. The present study suggests that impaired activity of sperm glycosidases may be one of the factors responsible for defective sperm motility and fertilizing potential in ethanol-treated rats.     

Effect of Bombax ceiba L. on spermatogenesis, sexual behaviour and erectile function in male rats

A number of herbal drugs are advocated in the traditional Ayurvedic literature for the improvement of overall sexual function. Young roots of Bombax ceiba Linn. (Fam. Bombacaceae) [correction added after online publication 1 August 2011: the family of Bombax ceiba was incorrectly mentioned as Orchidaceae. It has been corrected to Bombacaceae] also known as Semal Musli are used traditionally in Indian subcontinent as sexual stimulant. Its juice is considered nutritive and restorative tonic. Lyophilised aqueous extract of roots was studied for effect on sexual behaviour and spermatogenesis in male albino rats. Administration of 100 mg Kg(-1) body weight of aqueous extract influenced the five parameters evaluated in vivo. Sexual behaviour analysis in the presence of a female rate, serum testosterone level, anabolic effects, epididymal sperm count and seminal fructose level were the parameters evaluated. In B. ceiba extract-treated animals, a gain in body and sexual organ weights was observed. Mount, intromission and ejaculation frequencies were significantly improved (P < 0.05). An increase in serum testosterone levels was also observed, but it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Seminal fructose content and epididymal sperm count were significantly improved as well. Penile erection index was also higher compared to control group animals. Hesitation time was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and copulatory rate was doubled in treated animals compared with control group animals.     

Tropaeolum tuberosum (Mashua) reduces testicular function: effect of different treatment times

Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pavon, along with other several species, is an edible-tuber crop that grows in the Andean region. Folk medicine describes the use of mashua to reduce reproductive function in men. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mashua (1 g kg⁻¹) on sperm production in rats during 7, 12, 21 and 42 days of treatment. The following parameters were assessed: reproductive organ weights, spermatid count and daily sperm production (DSP), sperm count in epididymis and sperm transit and serum testosterone levels. Freeze-dried extract of mashua had 3.7 g 100 g⁻¹ of benzyl glucosinolate. Mashua-treated rats showed a reduction in testicular spermatid number and DSP from day 12 to day 42; meanwhile, the effect of mashua was noted in epididymal sperm count after 12 and 42 days of treatment. In addition, epididymal sperm transit time was delayed at day 7 and it was accelerated on days 12 and 21 of treatment. No differences in serum testosterone levels were found between rats treated with vehicle and mashua after 42 days of treatment. Finally, mashua reduces testicular function after one spermatogenic cycle by reducing spermatid and sperm number, DSP and epididymal sperm transit time.     

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.     

Effect of Kaempferia parviflora on sexual performance in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic male rats

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex.Baker or Krachidum (KP) has been used locally in medicine and food. It has been claimed that KP has aphrodisia properties; however, no scientific data in support of this function in diabetic model have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of KP on sexual behaviour and sperm parameter in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic male rats. Diabetes was induced in twenty male rats by STZ and divided into four groups: diabetic control group, and 3 treatment groups where KP was dose at 140, 280 and 420 mg/kg orally once a day for 6 weeks. Five normal control rats were treated with vehicle. The body weight, blood glucose, food intake, epididymal sperm parameter, sexual behaviour and serum testosterone level were evaluated. The results showed that KP treatment has no effect on the body weight, blood glucose and food intake in diabetic rats. A significant increase in sperm density in diabetic rats was observed (p < .05) at highest dose of KP. Furthermore, KP treatment demonstrated a significant recovery of sexual behaviour and serum testosterone levels in diabetic rats. These results confirm that KP exhibits aphrodisiac properties that improve the sperm density, testosterone level and sexual performance of STZ‐induced diabetic rats.     

Effects of Boesenbergia rotunda （L.） Mansf. on sexual behaviour of male rats

Aim： To study the effects of Boesenbergia rotunda （Krachai） on sexual behaviour in male albino rats. Methods： Thirty-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups： experimental groups were gavaged with the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of B. rotunda at doses of 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg and a control group received distilled water, for 60 days. Sexual behaviour, reproductive organs, diameter of seminiferous tubule, epididymal sperm density, and androgenic hormones were evaluated. Results： Within 30-min observation, there was no significant difference of courtship behaviour, mount frequency （MF）, intromission frequency （IF）, mount latency （ML）, intromission latency （IL）, copulatory efficiency or intercopulatory interval in male rats. In three 10-min intervals over a 30-min period, courtship behaviour and MF during the first 10-min were significantly higher than those in the second and third i0-min observation in all groups, whereas IF had no significant difference. All doses of B. rotunda extract significantly increased the relative testicular weight and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The dose of 60 mg/kg also significantly increased the relative weight of the seminal vesicle. Nevertheless, the sperm density, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels were not affected by the B. rotunda extract. Conclusion： B. rotunda does not affect sexual behaviour nor serum androgenic levels.