抗FSH自身抗体对大鼠睾丸生精功能影响的初步研究

目的:建立抗FSH自身抗体大鼠模型,同时研究抗FSH自身抗体对雄性大鼠生精功能的影响。方法:30只SD大鼠(21d龄),随机分为实验组、对照组,各15只。合成大鼠FSHβ亚基上一段特异性氨基酸序列(18肽),将合成多肽与钥孔戚血蓝素(keyholelimpethemocyanin,KLH)偶联,免疫SD大鼠,作为实验组。对照组大鼠用KLH免疫。初次免疫之后,每隔2周加强免疫1次,共7次,于第3次加强免疫后1周(即,免疫第49d)眼眶取血测定血清抗体效价,之后每隔两周测一次抗体效价,至实验结束。并于免疫第77d、91d和105d时,分别处死实验组和对照组大鼠各5只,用光镜和电镜观察大鼠睾丸生精小管结构和附睾精子结构的变化,计数附睾尾精子数量及肿胀精子百分率,并用ELISA法检测大鼠血清T水平。结果:免疫第49d后,实验组大鼠血清抗18肽-KLH抗体效价为1∶200,免疫第63d后,抗体效价达到1∶400,之后抗体效价一直维持在1∶400。免疫第91d后,实验组大鼠附睾尾肿胀精子百分率显著低于对照组(60.4±6.23vs50.60±3.05,P<0.05);免疫第105d后,实验组大鼠生精小管内生精细胞数量及管腔内精子数量均减少,且附睾尾精子数量(46.08±6.56vs32.53±3.41)和肿胀精子百分率(60.60±5.86vs48.60±3.85)均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而血清T水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:抗FSH自身抗体可能会引起睾丸生精障碍。     

氯化镉对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用

目的研究氯化镉对雄性小鼠生殖器官和生殖细胞的毒性作用以及对雄性小鼠生殖功能的影响。方法分别以每公斤体重0..5mg/kg、2mg/kg、8mg/kg体重腹腔染毒4周龄雄性小鼠,共10次。第50天以雌雄2:1同笼交配,观察雌鼠受孕率、生育子胎数、胎鼠重量。同时观察染毒雄鼠第50天时睾丸发育和睾丸指数、附睾精子数量、精子活动率和精子畸形率以及生殖细胞减数分裂。结果2mg/kg和8mg/kg组染毒小鼠睾丸发育受到影响,睾丸指数显著低于对照组和0.5mg/kg组(p<0.05,p<0.001)。2mg/kg组中部分小鼠(6/11)和8mg/kg组存活小鼠睾丸发育不良,无精子,不育。2mg/kg组小鼠1周受孕率和3周受孕率显著低于对照组和0.5mg/kg组(p<0.05),但染毒组异常妊娠率与对照组比差异无显著性。0.5mg/kg组雄鼠生育力、附睾精子数量、精子活动率和精子畸形率与对照组比较差异无显著性。结论2mg/kg浓度和更高浓度氯化镉致4周龄雄鼠睾丸发育不良,导致无精子症和不育,是造成生殖力降低的主要原因。     

吗啡耐受对雄性大鼠生精功能影响的初步探讨

目的:研究在吗啡耐受模型中吗啡治疗疼痛时,对雄性大鼠的生殖能力造成的影响,并探讨其机制。方法:20只SD雄性大鼠,体重200~250 g,随机分为2组,Ⅰ组对照组,Ⅱ组吗啡耐受组,第一天行行为学测试,测定大鼠基础热缩足潜伏期(PWTL),然后皮下注射吗啡10 mg/kg,计算30 min时各组大鼠吗啡的MPE值。第2天,Ⅰ组注射生理盐水,每天2次;Ⅱ组皮下注射吗啡10 mg/kg,每天2次;Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组连续注射7 d,皮下注射时间为每天8:00和17:00,第7天进行行为学测试,方法同第1天。行为学检测完毕立即处死大鼠,留取附睾,对附睾尾进行精子计数;睾丸,采用免疫组织化学检测Bax和Caspase-3的表达。结果:第1天两组大鼠基础热痛阈和MPE值无明显差异。第7天两组大鼠的基础热痛阈无明显差异,但与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组的MPE值降低(P0.05);说明吗啡耐受模型制作成功,精子计数显示,吗啡耐受组精子相对数目明显减少(P0.05),睾丸组织切片中,吗啡组Bax和Caspase-3的阳性表达都高于对照组。结论:吗啡耐受模型中,雄性SD大鼠的精子相对数目减少,吗啡组Bax和Caspase-3的阳性表达都高于对照组,由此推测,吗啡耐受可能通过上调Bax和Caspase-3增加雄性大鼠生殖系统的细胞凋亡,影响精子浓度。     

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。     

营养性肥胖对青春期雄性大鼠睾丸发育过程的影响

目的:探讨以高脂饲料配方建立的营养性肥胖大鼠模型对青春期雄性大鼠睾丸发育过程的影响。方法:21日龄雄性清洁级SD大鼠80只,断奶适应性饲养3 d后,随机分为对照组(n=32)和实验组(n=48)。以高脂饲料建立营养性肥胖动物模型。观察喂养后第3、4、5、6周末(即鼠龄为6、7、8、9周)大鼠体重、Lee's指数、睾丸重量、附睾重量的变化;全自动生化分析仪检测外周血甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(TC);全自动微粒子化学发光免疫分析系统检测血清T、E2;HE染色观察睾丸发育的形态学改变。结果:高脂喂养的实验组大鼠在第3周末平均体重已明显增加(P<0.05),至第6周末,实验组大鼠较对照组超重达26.6%(P<0.01),Lee's指数也明显大于对照组(P<0.01);实验组大鼠第5、6周末的睾丸系数下降明显(P<0.05);实验组每周龄大鼠血清TG,TC水平均比对照组明显升高;实验组每周龄大鼠的T水平均明显低于对照组(P<0.05),E2水平在第3、4、5周虽低于对照组,而在第6周则呈现明显增加趋势,且显著高于对照组(P<0.01);光镜下可见实验组大鼠睾丸生精上皮细胞排列紊乱,细胞层次减少,成熟的精子数量较少。结论:高脂、高能量饮食可诱发青春期雄性大鼠营养性肥胖,随着肥胖程度的逐渐加重,可造成睾丸发育不全、睾丸生殖内分泌功能障碍。     

五子衍宗丸对实验性少弱精子症大鼠的保护作用与机制研究

目的:观察五子衍宗丸对实验性少弱精子症大鼠的保护作用与机制研究。方法:取60只雄性SD大鼠,随机分成正常组、模型组、阳性药组(生精胶囊1.6 g/kg),五子衍宗丸低、中、高剂量组(1、2、4 g/kg),除正常组外,其他各组灌服雷公藤多苷30 mg/(kg·d),连续6周,建立少弱精子症模型。从造模的第3周开始,各组按剂量灌胃给药,连续给药4周后计算睾丸和附睾脏器指数,检测附睾精子质量、精子凋亡率、精子线粒体通透性转换孔(MPTP)开放情况,HE染色观察大鼠睾丸病理组织学改变,Hochest染色观察大鼠睾丸细胞凋亡情况。结果:五子衍宗丸能提高少弱精子症大鼠睾丸和附睾脏器指数,增加附睾精子浓度、精子活力和精子活率,降低精子凋亡率,抑制MPTP异常开放;HE染色显示五子衍宗丸能增加少弱精子症大鼠睾丸生精小管内各级生精细胞层次和数量,Hochest染色显示五子衍宗丸明显抑制睾丸生精小管内生精细胞凋亡。结论:五子衍宗丸能明显提高少弱精子症大鼠精子质量,降低少弱精子症模型大鼠的各级生精细胞(包括精子)凋亡率,其机制可能与抑制大鼠精子线粒体MPTP开放有关。     

L-肉碱对奥硝唑所致弱精子症大鼠的治疗作用

目的:探讨L-肉碱(LC)对奥硝唑(ORN)所致的弱精子症雄性大鼠的治疗作用。方法:性成熟雄性SD大鼠(200～230g)40只,随机均分为5组,连续灌胃20d,1次/d,每次1ml。A组(对照组):0.5%的羧甲基纤维素钠(溶剂);B组:ORN[400mg/(kg.d)];C组:ORN[400mg/(kg.d)]+LC[100mg/(kg.d)];D组:ORN[800mg/(kg.d)];E组:ORN[800mg/(kg.d)]+LC[100mg/(kg.d)]。将各组半数大鼠末次给药24h后,麻醉处死,取附睾,进行精子活力检测,并对附睾尾精子进行计数,剩余大鼠进行交配实验。结果:①与A组相比,B组,D组附睾头和附睾尾精子活力显著降低(P<0.05);精子数目显著减少(P<0.05)。②与B组相比,C组精子活力明显升高(P<0.05),精子数目明显增多(P<0.05),与A组比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。③E组大鼠的精子活力没有显著的提高,精子数目无明显增多,并且与D组相比没有差别(P>0.05)。结论:LC治疗后能提高ORN所致弱精子症大鼠的精子活力,增加精子密度。     

纳米二氧化钛对雄性小鼠生殖系统的影响

目的:研究纳米二氧化钛(TiO2)对雄性小鼠的在体作用,主要观察其对雄性小鼠生殖系统的影响。方法:45只6周龄的雄性ICR小鼠随机均分3组,实验组隔日腹腔注射纳米TiO2(200mg/kg或500mg/kg),对照组注射等体积生理盐水,共给药5次。停药1周后,测量心脏、肝、肾、脾、睾丸和附睾的脏器系数,血清生化指标、睾酮和雌二醇水平;显微镜下观察附睾精子数量、活率、畸形率和睾丸内精子计数;主要脏器作病理切片和HE染色,TUNEL法检测睾丸生殖细胞凋亡。结果:与对照组相比,给药200mg/kg纳米TiO2组上述指标均无明显改变(P>0.05);给药500mg/kg组小鼠的心、肝和肾质量系数显著降低(P<0.05);丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶/天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT/AST)、尿素氮(BUN)均显著升高(P均<0.05);附睾精子数、精子活率以及睾丸内精子计数均显著降低,精子畸形率增高,睾丸生殖细胞凋亡明显增多(P均<0.05)。肝、肾、脾、睾丸和附睾的病理切片观察未见明显改变。结论:小剂量的纳米TiO2对雄性小鼠无明显影响,较大剂量的纳米TiO2对雄性小鼠肝、肾功能有轻度影响,对小鼠精子生成和精子功能有明显影响,并诱导睾丸生殖细胞凋亡。     

戊酸雌二醇对子代大鼠性成熟期睾丸功能的影响

目的从睾丸组织发育、附睾精子质量、内分泌激素等方面评估睾丸功能在早孕期给予SD大鼠戊酸雌二醇对其雄性子代性成熟期的影响。方法孕鼠随机分对照组及低、中、高剂量组，孕6～15d灌胃给予戊酸雌二醇0．2～0．8mg／（kg·d），分娩后对其雄性子代性成熟期测定附睾精子密度、活率，睾丸组织学切片观察生精小管的形态学变化，测定血清卵泡刺激素（FSH）、黄体生成素（LH）、睾酮（T）水平。结果对照组及各给药组子代性成熟期的睾丸生精小管直径及上皮高度比较，血清FSH、LH、T比较，无显著差异（P〉0．05）。子代出生60d附睾精子密度低、中、高给药组比较，无显著差异（P〉0．05），但各给药组与对照组比较均显著下降（P〈0．01）。对照组及各给药组子代出生60d的附睾精子活率比较，无显著差异（P〉0．05）。结论早孕期大鼠补充戊酸雌二醇0．2～0．8mg／（kg·d），出生的雄性子代在性成熟期的睾丸功能未见明显缺陷，但可导致精子密度下降，未见剂量依赖关系，提示为避免子代生殖缺陷，仍需在用药剂量上加以限制。     

早孕期补充戊酸雌二醇对雄性子代大鼠生殖系统发育的影响

目的:建立大鼠早孕期戊酸雌二醇用药模型,从肛门生殖器距离(AGD)、附睾、睾丸组织发育等方面评估戊酸雌二醇对雄性子代生殖系统发育的影响。方法:妊娠SD大鼠随机分对照组及低、中、高剂量组,孕6～15d每天分别给予戊酸雌二醇0、0.2、0.5、0.8mg/kg灌胃,分娩后正常喂养其雄性子代,出生3d、出生21d分别测量雄性子代AGD,出生60d测量附睾、睾丸的脏器系数(附睾、睾丸重量g/大鼠体重100g),进行睾丸组织学切片观察生精小管的形态学变化,测量生精小管直径和上皮高度。结果:对照组及各给药组雄性子代出生3d、出生21d的AGD比较,无明显差异(P>0.05);对照组及各给药组子代出生60d的附睾、睾丸脏器系数比较、睾丸生精小管直径及上皮高度比较,均无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:早孕期大鼠补充一定剂量(0.2～0.8mg/kg)戊酸雌二醇,出生的雄性子代在生殖系统发育上未受明显影响,性成熟期的睾丸组织学未见明显改变。     

Effect of a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, flutamide on intraluminal acidification in rat testis and epididymis

Summary. Flutamide, a pure antiandrogen was administered to intact adult male rats to study the effect of altered availability of hormones on in situ pH, PCO₂ and bicarbonate concentration ([HCO⁻₃]) of seminiferous tubules, proximal caput, middle caput, middle corpus, and proximal cauda epididymidis. The weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate as well as the plasma testosterone level showed antiandrogenic effects of flutamide. Relative to controls, flutamide elevated significantly in situ pH in proximal caput, middle caput, middle corpus and proximal cauda epididymidis but not in seminiferous tubules. In situ PCO₂ values in the above segments, after flutamide, were indistinguishable from controls and from each other but all values remained significantly higher than systemic arterial blood PCO₂. Flutamide treatment did not change the [HCO⁻₃] in systemic arterial blood or seminiferous tubules but increased markedly the values in proximal caput and middle caput. The results of the present studies support the view that luminal acidification in the rat epididymis is under androgen control and may be important for sperm maturation and storage.     

Effect of the ethanolic extract from Fagara tessmannii on testicular function, sex reproductive organs and hormone level in adult male rats

The effect of ethanolic extract of Fagara tessmannii, wide medicinal plants used on reproductive function in South Cameroon, was investigated in male rats. Twenty male sexually experienced rats (four groups) were orally treated with vehicle, 0.01, 0.1, 1 g kg(-1) BW per day of F. tessmannii (equivalent to 16.67 g, 33.33 g, 50 g, 66.66 g kg(-1) dry raw material) for 14 days, the upper limit dose without any clinical sign of toxicity was 2 g kg(-1). Fagara tessmannii extract negatively affected weight of accessory organs and significantly affected body weight gain at dose 1 g kg(-1) (P < 0.05) in treated rats. The weight of epididymis and seminal vesicle significantly decreased at low doses (0.01 g kg(-1)) while the prostate weight decreased at all doses (P < 0.05). The transit of spermatozoa in cauda epididymidis significantly increased at lower dose of 0.01 g kg(-1) (P < 0.05). In addition, F. tessmannii extract affected neither daily sperm production (DSP) and DSP per g nor sperm count in vas deferens and epididymis. The length of stages IX-I of the seminiferous tubule and serum testosterone level increased dose-dependently following 14 days of treatment (P < 0.05). The results suggest that F. tessmannii, 14 days after treatment, may improve spermatogenesis, testosterone level and sperm transit in cauda epididymidis but negatively impair reproductive organ activities.     

Effect of piperine on the epididymis of adult male rats

Aim： To study the effect of piperine on the epididymal antioxidant system of adult male rats. Methods： Adult male rats were orally administered piperine at doses of 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight each day for 30 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the rats were weighed and killed with ether and the epididymis was dissected from the bodies. Sperm collected from the cauda region of the epididymis was used for the assessment of its count, motility and viability. Caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis were separated and homogenized separately to obtain 10 % homogenates. The supernatants were used for the assays of sialic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation. Results： Body weight of the piperine-treated rats remained unchanged. The weights of the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis significantly decreased at dose of 100 mg/kg. Epididymal sperm count and motility decreased at 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, and sperm viability decreased significantly at 100 mg/kg. Sialic acid levels in the epididymis decreased significantly at 100 mg/kg while significant decrease in the cauda region alone was observed at 10 mg/kg. A significant decline in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, along with an increase in hydrogen peroxide generation and lipid peroxidation were observed at 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Conclusion： Piperine caused a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and sialic acid levels in the epididymis and thereby increased reactive oxygen species levels that could damage the epididymal environment and sperm function.     

Effects of cyclosporin A on male reproduction in rats

Effects of cyclosporin (Cs) on male reproduction in rats were examined. A dose-dependent decrease of the sperm counts in the cauda epididymis was observed 6 weeks after Cs was administered. A significant decrease of sperm motility was also observed in the each Cs-treated group in any observational period after Cs injection, which suggested an injury to epididymis by Cs. A slight damage of the seminiferous tubules was demonstrated 6 weeks after administration of 40 or 60 mg/kg of Cs. No change in serum levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone was demonstrated throughout the experiment. But serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were significant high in any observational period except 6 weeks after Cs injection. It was concluded that Cs gave injuries to both spermatogonia and epididymal function in rat.     

Antifertility effect of ethanolic extract of Amalakyadi churna in male albino mice

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of the ethanolic extract of Amalakyadi churna by oral administra-tion in male albino mice. Methods: The ethanol extract of Amalakyadi churna at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight was administered orally for 30 days to adult male mice. On day 31, the mice were sacrificed and the testis and accessory reproductive organs were removed and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical estimation and histological work. Results: Treatment with Amalakyadi chuma resulted in decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of testis, seminiferous tubules and Leydig cell nucleus were decreased. The spermatogenic elements, like spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis were re-duced significantly as well as the sperm count in cauda epididymis. There was a significant reduction in the protein,glycogen, DNA and RNA contents and the activity of acid phosphatase in the testis of extract treated mice compared with the control. The cholesterol content and the alkaline phophatase activity were increased significantly in treated mice. Conclusion: Amalakyadi churna extract arrests spermatogenesis in male mice without noticeable side effects.(Asian J Andro12003 Sep; 5: 247-250)     

Antispermatogenic and hormonal effects of Crotalaria juncea Linn. seed extracts in male mice

Aim: To evaluate the antifertility activity of various extracts of Crotalaria juncea seeds in male mice. Methods: Adult male mice were gavaged the petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts of C. juncea seeds, 25 mg·(100g)-1·day-1 for 30 days. On day 31 the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and levator ani were dissected out and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical and histological examination. Results: In petroleum ether, benzene and ethanol extracts treated rats, there was a decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of the testis and seminiferous tubules were decreased. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis and the sperm count in cauda epididymis were also decreased. There was a significant reduction in the protein and glycogen contents and an increase in the cholesterol content in the testis, epididymis and vas def     

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.     

Effects of chronic tadalafil use on the testes and sperm parameters of old albino rats

The use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors has become the first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction nowadays. The daily application of tadalafil has become a line of treatment of other diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and cardiomyopathy. This study aimed at exploring whether the chronic use of tadalafil has an adverse effect on the testes and semen of old albino rats. Sixty male albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1: given 2 ml saline orally for 90 days. Group 2: received tadalafil orally (1.8 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 3 months equivalent to 20 mg day(-1) for 3 months as in human dose) and Group 3: received tadalafil orally (1.8 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 6 months equivalent to 20 mg day(-1) for 6 months as in human dose). Animals were observed daily for signs of toxicity and mortality. Body weight and food consumption were recorded once a week. After sacrificing the animals, gross examination of the testes was performed in situ and then the epididymis was processed for the evaluation of sperm parameters and testes with other organs relative weight was calculated. Testicular histopathological examination was performed to evaluate microscopic changes in the seminiferous tubules. The mean testicular weight was significantly lower in animals of Group 3, and no significant changes were observed in Group 2. Sperm count showed a significant time-dependent decrease. Sperm motility decreased significantly in both groups with higher effect in Group 3. Incidence of abnormal forms increased in both groups (about 5 and 7 times in Group 2 and 3 respectively). Histological examination revealed mild changes in Group 2 and moderate changes in Group 3 in the form of loosely packed connective stroma around seminiferous tubules, reduction in number of spermatogenic cells with sloughing of many spermatocytes within the lumen of some tubules. Large vacuoles appeared in the tubules which contained a fewer number of sperm. Sperm bundles were degenerated in most tubules and completely absent in others. It is concluded that chronic daily use of tadalafil produces detrimental effects on the structure and function of the testes of old male albino rats which are duration dependent.     

Protection of spermatogenesis against gamma ray-induced damage by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in mice

The radioprotective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) were further investigated with respect to the testicular system. Recombinant human GCSF (100 μg kg(-1) body weight/day) was administrated to male C3H/HeN mice by subcutaneous injection for three consecutive days before pelvic irradiation (5 Gy) and histopathological parameters were assessed at 12 h and 21 days post-irradiation (pi). The GCSF protected the germ cells from radiation induced- apoptosis (P < 0.01 vs. irradiated group at 12 h pi). GCSF remarkably attenuated radiation-induced reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelial depth and sperm head count in the testes (P < 0.05 versus irradiated group at 21 days pi). Repopulation index and stem cell survival index of the seminiferous tubules were increased in the GCSF-treated group when compared with the radiation group (P < 0.01). The frequency of abnormal sperm in the GCSF group was lower than that in the irradiated group at 21 days pi (P < 0.01). The decrease in the sperm count and in sperm liability in the epididymis caused by irradiation was counteracted by GCSF. The present study suggests that GCSF protects from radiation-induced testicular dysfunction via an anti-apoptotic effect and recovery of spermatogenesis.