Reversible antifertility effect of Opuntia elatior Mill. fruit extract

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the male antifertility potential of the fruit extract of O. elatior and its reversibility.  Methods: The methanol fruit extract was administered orally (300, 900 mg/kg bw) to male rats for 60 days, and fertility was assessed by analysing spermatogenesis, epididymal sperm count, serum testosterone levels and testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Fertility was assessed by mating treated rats with normally cycling virgin females. Reversibility of fertility suppression was studied by withdrawal of treatment for two weeks.Results: Epididymal sperm count and motility was markedly reduced up to 75-80% in rats treated for 60 days, without commensurate decline in serum testosterone levels. Testicular steroidogenesis was not affected as evident by the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Fertility of the treated rats was suppressed when mated with normally cycling virgin female rats without affecting libido. The fertility suppression was dose-dependent being 100% in the highest dose. Withdrawal of the treatment for two weeks led to recovery of the epididymal sperm count, testicular HSDH activity, serum testosterone levels and the fertility.Conclusions: The methanol extract of the fruit of O. elatior shows reversible male antifertility activity without affecting the serum testosterone levels and libido

Experimental demonstration of androgen regulation of hemipenis in the lizard, Calotes versicolor

The androgen regulation of hemipenis, an intromittent organ in the lizards was studied by castration and administration of androgen during the breeding season. Castration causes reduction in size, weight and histochemical activity of steroidogenic enzymes and administration of androgen restores these parameters

Assessment of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) effects on the reproductive system, liver, pancreas and kidney of male rats

Nitrate (NO3) toxicity is a serious global issue that results in impairment of physiological systems of our body. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentration of NaNO3 (10, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw) on the male reproductive system, liver, kidney and pancreas. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five animals each (n = 5). The first group served as controls. The second, third, fourth and fifth groups of rat were orally intubated with 10, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw of NaNO3 for 52 days. After the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and NO3 induced alterations on selected organs were assessed. There was a dose dependent decrease in sperm motility, serum concentration of testosterone, body weight and organ weight, and increase in abnormal sperm morphology in the NaNO3 treated groups compared with the controls. Further, histological analysis confirmed that NO3 induced toxicity. Shrunken seminiferous tubules and loss of spermatids in testes, shrinkage of acinar cells of the pancreas, sinusoidal congestion and necrosis in the liver, atrophy of glomeruli and congestion of renal tubules of the kidney were the histological alterations observed in rats treated with100 and 500 mg/kg NaNO3. However, 100% mortality was observed in rats treated with 1000 mg/kg NaNO3. The present study clearly demonstrated the toxic effects of NaNO3 on both the reproductive system and other organs of the body. The study might inform human studies; where in the chances of male infertility may be more a problem for individuals in areas with NO3-rich ground water

Sodium Fluoride and Fluoride Contaminated Ground Water Induced Altered Reproductive Performances in Male Rats

Present study was undertaken to investigate the toxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF)- and fluoride (F)-contaminated ground water on reproductive performances of male rats. Healthy adult male rats were categorised into three groups, first group of rats were served as control, whereas second group of rats were orally intubated with NaF (10 mg/kgbw/1 ml/rat) and third group of rats were allowed to drink F-contaminated ground water (5 mg/L) through drinking water bottles for 52 days. Exposure of NaF- and F-contaminated ground water caused significant decline in sperm motility, serum concentration of testosterone, and increase in sperm abnormality compared with controls. Further, significant histological alterations characterized with shrunken seminiferous tubules and degeneration of different stages of spermatogonial cells were observed in rats treated with NaF- and F-contaminated ground water. After the confirmation of toxic effect of F, these NaF- and F-contaminated ground water-treated male rats were allowed to mate with proven fertile untreated female rats to study the reproductive performances of male rats. There was a decline in parturition index, fertility index of male and female, gestation index and number of pups delivered in NaF-treated male rats compared with controls. However, gestation index and number of pups delivered were declined in F-contaminated ground water-treated male rats compared with controls. These results clearly indicate that F exposure affected the reproductive performances of male rats. The present study further revealed the fact that F-induced decline in testosterone levels, reduced sperm motility, and loss of spermatogonial cells affected the reproductive performances of male rats

A Comparative Analysis of Fluoride-Contaminated Groundwater and Sodium Fluoride-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and Its Reversibility in Male Rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate the toxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF)- and fluoride (F)-contaminated groundwater on male reproduction and it's reversibility in male rats. Adult male rats were orally treated with different concentrations of NaF- (1 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg/kg/bw/rat) and F-contaminated groundwater for 52 days and after the confirmation of F-induced damage, the rats were allowed for recovery studies for 52 days. Exposure of NaF- and F-contaminated groundwater caused significant decline in total sperm count, sperm motility, serum concentration of testosterone, activities of testicular 3 beta-HSDH, counts of type A spermatogonia, preleptotene spermatocytes, midpachytene spermatocytes, elongated spermatids and round spermatids, activities of testicular and spermatozoa SOD and CAT, and increase in sperm abnormality and concentration of MDA of testis and spermatozoa compared to controls. Further, significant histological alterations characterized by shrunken seminiferous tubules and degeneration of different stages of spermatogonial cells were observed in rats treated with NaF of 10 mg/kg/bw and F-contaminated groundwater Majority of parameter studied showed severe damage in 10 mg/kg/bw of NaF-treated rats compared to that of F-contaminated groundwater. Further, dose-dependent alterations were observed with increase in concentration of NaF in most of the parameters. In recovery group rats of NaF- and F-contaminated groundwater, all the parameters were restored to control levels. The present study revealed the toxic effect of NaF and F-contaminated groundwater on male reproductive system of rats and the effects induced by NaF were dose-dependent. In addition, the study clearly revealed that F-induced toxicity on male reproduction is reversible in short-term exposure

Dose and time-dependent effects of sodium fluoride on sperm motility: An in vitro study

The present study was undertaken to investigate the toxic effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on sperm motility and abnormality. Treatment of epididymal sperm suspensions with different doses of NaF (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/ml) significantly reduced sperm motility at 15- and 30-min time intervals. Further, incubation at the same concentrations of NaF for 5-, 10-, and 15-min time intervals decreased sperm motility in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The present investigation revealed for the first time the adverse effect of lower doses of NaF (0.1 mg/ml) on sperm motility. Further, higher doses of NaF (10 and 100 mg/ml) caused a complete loss of sperm motility with a concomitant increase in sperm abnormality, which reflected the toxic effect of NaF on spermatozoa and its capability in fertilization

Reversible antifertility effect of opuntia elatior mill fruit extract

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the male antifertility potential of the fruit extract of O. elatior and its reversibility. Methods: The methanol fruit extract was administered orally (300, 900 mg/kg bw) to male rats for 60 days, and fertility was assessed by analysing spermatogenesis, epididymal sperm count, serum testosterone levels and testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Fertility was assessed by mating treated rats with normally cycling virgin females. Reversibility of fertility suppression was studied by withdrawal of treatment for two weeks. Results: Epididymal sperm count and motility was markedly reduced up to 75-80% in rats treated for 60 days, without commensurate decline in serum testosterone levels. Testicular steroidogenesis was not affected as evident by the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Fertility of the treated rats was suppressed when mated with normally cycling virgin female rats without affecting libido. The fertility suppression was dose-dependent being 100% in the highest dose. Withdrawal of the treatment for two weeks led to recovery of the epididymal sperm count, testicular HSDH activity, serum testosterone levels and the fertility. Conclusions: The methanol extract of the fruit of O. elatior shows reversible male antifertility activity without affecting the serum testosterone levels and libido

Ameliorative action of eugenol on nitrate induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

There is a great concern for studies to prevent nitrate (NO3) induced male reproductive toxicity as it might lead to infertility. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of eugenol on NO3 induced male reproductive toxicity in wistar rats. Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). The first group was served as control, the second and third group of rats were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The fourth and fifth group of rats were orally intubated with eugenol (100 mg/kg bw) and then exposed to NaNO3 and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The treatment was continued for 52 days. Nitrate exposure significantly decreased the sperm motility, testicular 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, serum concentration of testosterone, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in testis and spermatozoa and different categories of germ cells in stage VII of spermatogenesis. Further, there was significant increase in sperm abnormality and levels of nitrite (NO2) and malondialdehyde in testis and spermatozoa of NO3 treated rats. In addition, NO3 exposure distorted the histological architecture of seminiferous tubules of testis. It was established that NO3 induced high production of NO2 affected spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and sperm motility. However, in the present study, pretreatment of eugenol prevented NO3 induced reproductive alterations by decreasing the level of NO2. These findings clearly showed the protective action of eugenol against NO3 induced oxidative stress in male reproductive system

Reversible antifertility effect of Cyamposis psoralioides in male swiss albino mice

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the reversible antifertility effect of Cyamposis psoralioides (Guar gum) pod on male Swiss albino mice. The mice were orally administered the ethanol crude extract (200mg/Kg body weight and 400mg/Kg body weight) for 40 days. Effect of the treatment on reproductive organs and fertility was investigated and the testosterone level was determined by RIA. The results revealed that the low dose of 200mg/Kg body weight treatment caused 50% reduction in the fertility of male mice, whereas in high dose 400mg/Kg body weight caused 100% reduction in the fertility of male mice. The treatment caused reduction in the number of spermatozoa in cauda epididymis (P<0.001, P<0.001). The weight of reproductive organs viz., testis (P<0.001, P<0.001), epididymis (P<0.01, P<0.01), seminal vesicle (P<0.05, P<0.001), vas deferens (P<0.001) and ventral prostate (P<0.001, P<0.001) decreased significantly. Serum testosterone level reduced significantly (P<0.001, P<0.001) when compared to the control group. Histometry showed reduction in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (P<0.001, P<0.001) and diameter of the Leydig cells (P<0.001, P<0.001). Biochemical parameters of testis like total protein (P<0.05, P<0.05), Cholesterol (P<0.05, P<0.05), ascorbic acid (P<0.01, P<0.05) and glycogen (P<0.01, P<0.001) showed statistical significant differences when compared to the control group. Both the groups of animals were maintained for 30 days without any treatment to check the reversibility. All the animals after the recovery period showed normal fertility rate. From this we can conclude that guar gum can be used as a potent antifertility agent