Evaluation Of Rat Testes Treated With Arctium Lappa L: Morphometric Study

Arctium lappa L. (burdock) is a plant brought from Japan and acclimated in Brazil, which is widely used in popular medicine all over the world. This study was carried out to assess the possible effects of A. lappa in testes of adult Wistar rats. They received the extract in water bottles at doses of 10 or 20 g/L daily for 40 days. There were no significant alterations in the biometric data including body and accessory sexual organs weight and in the histometric data such as volume density of the testis compartments and Leydig cell morphometry. Unaltered histometric and biometric data shows that A. lappa did not cause impairment of spermatogenesis.242112117Capasso, R., Izzo, A.A., Pinto, L., Bifulco, T., Vitobello, C., Mascolo, N., Phytotherapy and quality of herbal medicines (2000) Fitoterapia, 71, pp. 58-65Chen, F., Wu, A., Chen, C., The influence of different treatments on the free radical scavenging activity of burdock and variations of its active components (2004) Food Chem, 86, pp. 479-484Creasy, D.M., Pathogenesis of Male Reproductive Toxicity (2001) Toxicol. Pathol, 29, pp. 64-76França, L.R., Godinho, C.L., Testis morphometry, seminiferous epithelium cycle lengh, and daily sperm production in domestic cats (Felis catus) (2003) Biol. Reprod, 68, pp. 1556-1561França, L.R., Russell, L.D., The testes of domestic animals (1998) Male Reproduction. a Multidisciplinary Overview, pp. 197-219. , Regadera J, Martinez-Garcia, eds, Churchill Livingstone: MadridKim, I., Yang, H., Morphometric study of the testicular interstitium of rats during postnatal development. The korean (1999) J. Anat, 32, pp. 849-858Franco, I.F., Fontana, V.L., Ervas & Plantas (2002) A Medicina Dos Simples, p. 208. , Livraria Vida, EreximLeonard, S.S., Keil, D., Mehlman, T., Proper, S., Shi, X., Harris, G.K., Essiac tea: Scavenging of reactive oxygen species and effects on DNA damage (2006) J. Ethnopharmacol, 103, pp. 288-296Lin, C.C., Lu, J.M., Yang, J.J., Chuang, S.C., Ujiie, T., Anti-inflammatory and radical scavenge effects of Arctium lappa (1996) Am. J. Chin. Med, 24, pp. 127-137Lin, S.C., Chung, T.C., Lin, C.C., Ueng, T.H., Lin, Y.H., Lin, S.Y., Wang, L.Y., Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen- induced liver damage (2000) A. J. Chin. Med, 28, pp. 163-173Lin, S.C., Lin, C.H., Lin, C.C., Lin, Y.H., Chen, C.F., Chen, I.C., Wang, L.Y., Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by 10 carbon tetrachloride (2002) J. Biomed. Sci, 9, pp. 401-409Mori, H., Christensen, A.K., Morphometric analysis of Leydig cells in the normal rat testis (1980) J. Cell Biol, 84, pp. 340-354Russell, L.D., Ettlin, R.A., Sinha-Hikim, A.P., Clegg, (1990) Histological and Histopathological Evaluation of the Testis, , Cache River Press: ClearwaterPereira, J.V., Bergamo, D.C.B., Pereira, J.O., França, S.C., Pietro, R.C.L.R., Silva-Souza, Y.T.C., Antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa constituents against microorganisms commoly found in endodontic infections (2005) Braz. Dent. Journal, 16, pp. 192-196Russell, L.D., França, L.R., Building a testis (1995) Tissue Cell, 27, pp. 129-14

Testicular Histomorphometry And Ultrastructure Of Rats Treated With Cadmium And Ginkgo Biloba

The aim of this study is to investigate the association of a single low dose of Cd and daily doses of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the testis and accessory glands of rats. The animals were treated with a single dose of 3 μmol/kg body weight of cadmium chloride (CdCl 2) and/or 100 mg/kg body weight of GbE. The plasma testosterone levels; corporal, testicular, and accessory glands weight; gonadosomatic index, volumetric proportion; and absolute volume of testicular components did not change after the treatments. CdCl 2 caused significant reduction in Leydig cells volume and altered Leydig cell morphology, as well as vacuolated Sertoli cells cytoplasm, irregular chromatin condensation of late spermatids, and modified acrosome formation. However, animals that received GbE did not show these alterations. The reversal of Cd-induced alterations by the extract is a strong indication that G. biloba is helpful in diminishing the effect of Cd toxicity. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.1403330341Çavuşoǧlu, K., Yapar, K., Yalçin, E., Royal Jelly (Honey Bee) Is a potential antioxidant against cadmium-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino mice (2009) J Med Food, 12, pp. 1286-1292. , 20041783 10.1089/jmf.2008.0203Ren, X.-Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, J.-P., Feng, W.-H., Jiao, B.-H., Metallothionein gene expression under different time in testicular Sertoli and spermatogenic cells of rats treated with cadmium (2003) Reproductive Toxicology, 17 (2), pp. 219-227. , DOI 10.1016/S0890-6238(02)00151-XBlanco, A., Moyano, R., Vivo, J., Flores-Acuna, R., Molina, A., Blanco, C., Aguera, E., Monterde, J.G., Quantitative changes in the testicular structure in mice exposed to low doses of cadmium (2007) Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 23 (1), pp. 96-101. , DOI 10.1016/j.etap.2006.07.008, PII S1382668906001141Bizarro, P., Acevedo, S., Nino-Cabrera, G., Mussali-Galante, P., Pasos, F., Avila-Costa, M.R., Fortoul, T.I., Ultrastructural modifications in the mitochondrion of mouse Sertoli cells after inhalation of lead, cadmium or lead-cadmium mixture (2003) Reproductive Toxicology, 17 (5), pp. 561-566. , DOI 10.1016/S0890-6238(03)00096-0Wong, C.-H., Mruk, D.D., Lui, W.-Y., Cheng, C.Y., Regulation of blood-testis barrier dynamics: An in vivo study (2004) Journal of Cell Science, 117 (5), pp. 783-798. , DOI 10.1242/jcs.00900Hew, K.-W., Heath, G.L., Jiwa, A.H., Welsh, M.J., Cadmium in vivo causes disruption of tight junction-associated microfilaments in rat Sertoli cells (1993) Biology of Reproduction, 49 (4), pp. 840-849Wong, C.-H., Mruk, D.D., Siu, M.K.Y., Cheng, C.Y., Blood-testis barrier dynamics are regulated by α 2- macroglobulin via the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway (2005) Endocrinology, 146 (4), pp. 1893-1908. , DOI 10.1210/en.2004-1464Hew, K.-W., Ericson, W.A., Welsh, M.J., A single low cadmium dose causes failure of spermiation in the rat (1993) Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 121 (1), pp. 15-21. , DOI 10.1006/taap.1993.1123El-Demerdash, F.M., Yousef, M.I., Kedwany, F.S., Baghdadi, H.H., Cadmium-induced changes in lipid peroxidation, blood hematology, biochemical parameters and semen quality of male rats: Protective role of vitamin E and β-carotene (2004) Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42 (10), pp. 1563-1571. , DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2004.05.001, PII S0278691504001565Gupta, R.S., Kim, J., Gomes, C., Oh, S., Park, J., Im, W.-B., Seong, J.Y., Soh, J., Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular steroidogenesis and germ cell death in cadmium-treated male rats (2004) Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 221 (1-2), pp. 57-66. , DOI 10.1016/j.mce.2004.03.012, PII S0303720704001820Asagba, S.O., Adaikpoh, M.A., Kadiri, H., Obi, F.O., Influence of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. petal on cadmium toxicity in rats (2007) Biological Trace Element Research, 115 (1), pp. 47-57. , DOI 10.1385/BTER:115:1:47, PII BTER115147Jahangir, T., Khan, T.H., Prasad, L., Sultana, S., Pluchea lanceolata attenuates cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice (2005) Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 57 (9), pp. 1199-1204. , DOI 10.1211/jpp.57.9.0015Ola-Mudathir, K.F., Suru, S.M., Fafunso, M.A., Protective roles of onion and garlic extracts on cadmium-induced changes in sperm characteristics and testicular oxidative damage in rats (2008) Food Chem Toxicol, 46, pp. 3604-3611. , 18824205 10.1016/j.fct.2008.09.004 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVajtL3KEl-Shahat, A.E., Gabr, A., Meki, A., Altered testicular morphology and oxidative stress induced by cadmium in experimental rats and protective effect of simultaneous green tea extract (2009) Int J Morphol, 27, pp. 757-764. , 10.4067/S0717-95022009000300020Bridi, R., Crossetti, F.P., Steffen, V.M., Henriques, A.T., The antioxidant activity of standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in rats (2001) Phytotherapy Research, 15 (5), pp. 449-451. , DOI 10.1002/ptr.814He, S.-X., Luo, J.-Y., Wang, Y.-P., Wang, Y.-L., Fu, H., Xu, J.-L., Zhao, G., Liu, E.-Q., Effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats (2006) World Journal of Gastroenterology, 12 (24), pp. 3924-3928Huang, S.-Z., Luo, Y.-J., Wang, L., Cai, K.-Y., Effect of ginkgo biloba extract on livers in aged rats (2005) World Journal of Gastroenterology, 11 (1), pp. 132-135Wang, W., Zhong, X., Ma, A., Effects of Ginkgo biloba on testicle injury induced by diethylstilbestrol in mice (2008) Am J Chin Med, 36, pp. 1135-1144. , 19051341 10.1142/S0192415X08006478 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVGlurbOSener, G., Sehirli, O., Tozan, A., Velioglu-Ovunc, A., Gedik, N., Omurtag, G.Z., Ginkgo biloba extract protects against mercury(II)-induced oxidative tissue damage in rats (2007) Food and Chemical Toxicology, 45 (4), pp. 543-550. , DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2006.07.024, PII S0278691506002195Yeh, K.-Y., Pu, H.-F., Kaphle, K., Lin, S.-F., Wu, L.-S., Lin, J.-H., Tsai, Y.-F., Ginkgo biloba extract enhances male copulatory behavior and reduces serum prolactin levels in rats (2008) Hormones and Behavior, 53 (1), pp. 225-231. , DOI 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.10.001, PII S0018506X07002413Al-Yahya, A.A., Al-Majed, A.A., Al-Bekairi, A.M., Al-Shabanah, O.A., Qureshi, S., Studies on the reproductive, cytological and biochemical toxicity of Ginkgo Biloba in Swiss albino mice (2006) Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 107 (2), pp. 222-228. , DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.014, PII S0378874106001589Yano, C.L., (2001) Aspectos Estruturais e Ultra-estruturais de Testículos de Ratos Submetidos Ao Tratamento Com Cádmio e Paracetamol, , Campinas, SP: State University of Campinas. ThesisRussell, L.D., Ettlin, R.A., Hikim, A.P.S., (1990) Histological and Histopathological Evaluation of the Testis, , 1 Cache River Press ClearwaterMori, H., Christensen, A.K., Morphometric analysis of Leydig cells in the normal rat testis (1980) Journal of Cell Biology, 84 (2), pp. 340-354França, L.R., Godinho, C.L., Testis morphometry, seminiferous epithelium cycle length, and daily sperm production in domestic cats (Felis catus) (2003) Biol Reprod, 68, pp. 1556-1561Cabral, F.H.C., (1996) Alterações Morfológicas Testiculares Provocadas Pelo Cádmio, Paracetamol e Cádmio Associado Ao Paracetamol em Ratos, , ThesisBeek, T.A.V., Morazzoni, P., Bombardelii, E., Peterlongo, F., Ginkgo biloba L (1998) Fitoterapia, 69, pp. 195-244Biswas, N.M., Gupta, R.S., Chattopadhyay, A., Choudhury, G.R., Sarkar, M., Effect of atenolol on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male rats (2001) Reproductive Toxicology, 15 (6), pp. 699-704. , DOI 10.1016/S0890-6238(01)00184-8, PII S0890623801001848Laskey, J.W., Rehnberg, G.L., Laws, S.C., Reproductive effects of low acute doses of cadmium chloride in adult male rats (1984) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 154, pp. 256-263Gupta, R.S., Sharma, R., Chaudhary, R., Yadav, R.K., Khan, T.I., Effect of textile waste water on the spermatogenesis of male albino rats (2003) Journal of Applied Toxicology, 23 (3), pp. 171-175. , DOI 10.1002/jat.862Zeng, X., Jin, T., Zhou, Y., Nordberg, G.F., Changes of serum sex hormone levels and MT mRNA expression in rats orally exposed to cadmium (2003) Toxicology, 186 (1-2), pp. 109-118. , DOI 10.1016/S0300-483X(02)00725-4Castro, A.P., Mello, F.B., Mello, J.B., Avaliação toxicológica do Ginkgo biloba sobre a fertilidade e reprodução de ratos Wistar (2005) Acta Scient Veterin, 33, pp. 265-269Creasy, D.M., Pathogenesis of male reproductive toxicity (2001) Toxicologic Pathology, 29 (1), pp. 64-76. , DOI 10.1080/019262301301418865Blottner, S., Frolich, K., Roelants, H., Streich, J., Tataruch, F., Influence of environmental cadmium on testicular proliferation in roe deer (1999) Reproductive Toxicology, 13 (4), pp. 261-267. , DOI 10.1016/S0890-6238(99)00014-3, PII S0890623899000143Russell, L.D., França, L.R., Building a testis (1995) Tissue Cell, 2, pp. 129-147. , 10.1016/S0040-8166(95)80016-6Kim, I., Yang, H., Morphometric study of the testicular interstitium of the rat during postnatal development (1999) Korean J Anat, 32, pp. 849-858Blanco, A., Moyano, M.R., Molina, A.M., Quantitative study of Leydig cell populations in mice exposed to low doses of cadmium (2009) Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 82, pp. 756-760. , 19290450 10.1007/s00128-009-9700-1 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjvV2huro%3DYang, J.-M., Arnush, M., Chen, Q.-Y., Wu, X.-D., Pang, B., Jiang, X.-Z., Cadmium-induced damage to primary cultures of rat Leydig cells (2003) Reproductive Toxicology, 17 (5), pp. 553-560. , DOI 10.1016/S0890-6238(03)00100-XKeeney, D.S., Ewing, L.L., Effects of hypophysectomy and alterations in spermatogenic function on Leydig cell volume, number, and proliferation in adult rats (1990) Journal of Andrology, 11 (4), pp. 367-378Ichihara, I., Kawamura, H., Nakano, T., Pelliniemi, L.J., Ultrastructural, morphometric, and hormonal analysis of the effects of testosterone treatment on Leydig cells and other interstitial cells in young adult rats (2001) Annals of Anatomy, 183 (5), pp. 413-426Retto De Queiroz, E.K., Waissmann, W., Occupational exposure and effects on the male reproductive system (2006) Cadernos de Saude Publica, 22 (3), pp. 485-493. , http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v22n3/03.pdfFiorini, C., Tilloy-Ellul, A., Chevalier, S., Charuel, C., Pointis, G., Sertoli cell junctional proteins as early targets for different classes of reproductive toxicants (2004) Reproductive Toxicology, 18 (3), pp. 413-421. , DOI 10.1016/j.reprotox.2004.01.002, PII S0890623804000164Morales, E., Horn, R., Pastor, L.M., Santamaria, L., Pallares, J., Zuasti, A., Ferrer, C., Canteras, M., Involution of seminiferous tubules in aged hamsters: An ultrastructural, immunohistochemical and quantitative morphological study (2004) Histology and Histopathology, 19 (2), pp. 445-455Npy, C., Cheng, C.Y., (2001) Is Cadmium Chloride-induced Inter-Sertoli Tight Junction Permeability Barrier Disruption A Suitable in Vitro Model to Study the Events of Junction Disassembly during Spermatogenesis in the Rat Testis?, 142, pp. 1878-188

Effect of gallium-arsenide laser, gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser and healing ointment on cutaneous wound healing in Wistar rats

This study determined the effects of gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs), gallium-arsenide laser (GaAs) and Dersani® healing ointment on skin wounds in Wistar rats. The parameters analyzed were: type I and III collagen fiber concentrations as well as the rate of wound closure. Five wounds, 12 mm in diameter, were made on the animals’ backs. The depth of the surgical incision was controlled by removing the epithelial tissue until the dorsal muscular fascia was exposed. The animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine via intraperitoneal injection. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of 6 animals each, according to the treatment received. Group 1 (L4): GaAs laser (4 J/cm2); group 2 (L30): GaAlAs laser (30 J/cm2); group 3 (L60): GaAlAs laser (60 J/cm2); group 4 (D): Dersani® ointment; group 5 (control): 0.9% saline. The applications were made daily over a period of 20 days. Tissue fragments were stained with picrosirius to distinguish type I collagen from type III collagen. The collagen fibers were photo-documented and analyzed using the Quantum software based on the primary color spectrum (red, yellow and blue). Significant results for wound closing rate were obtained for group 1 (L4), 7.37 mm/day. The highest concentration of type III collagen fibers was observed in group 2 (L30; 37.80 ± 7.10%), which differed from control (29.86 ± 5.15%) on the 20th day of treatment. The type I collagen fibers of group 1 (L4; 2.67 ± 2.23%) and group 2 (L30; 2.87 ± 2.40%) differed significantly from control (1.77 ± 2.97%) on the 20th day of the experiment

Morphometry and development of gonad in (Oreochromis niloticus) with supplementation of vitamin E.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation in the morphometry and gonadal development of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Considering the weight of the gonad, gonadossomatic index, testes thickness and lumen percentage, significant differences were observed for the treatment with 150 mg/kg of vitamin E. There were observed significant differences for percentage of germinative epithelium to 150 mg/kg of vitamin E and for percentage of Leydig cells in treatment with 50 mg/kg of vitamin E. The percentage of blood vessels was higher in both treatments with 50 and 150 mg. The vitamin E requirement for gonadal development of tilápia is 150 mg/kg.Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da suplementação de vitamina E na morfometria e no desenvolvimento gonadal de tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus). Para peso da gônada, índice gonadossomático (IGS), espessura do testículo e porcentagem de lúmen foram observadas diferenças para tratamento 150 mg/kg de vitamina E. Para epitélio germinativo foi observada diferença para o tratamento com 150 mg e para porcentagem de células de Leydig do tratamento com 50 mg de vitamina E por kg. Para vasos sanguíneos foi maior com 50 e 150 mg. A exigência de vitamina E para desenvolvimento gonadal da tilápia é de 150 mg/kg

Microscopia e morfometria de componentes tubulares de testículos de coelhos suplementados com geleia real

Estudaram-se os efeitos da geleia real sobre a espermatogênese de coelhos tratados com diferentes concentrações de geleia real. Os tratamentos foram formados por três grupos: grupo-controle; grupo que recebeu 0,5mg/dia de geleia real; e grupo que recebeu 1,0mg/dia de geleia real. O estudo envolveu a morfometria testicular. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos quanto aos pesos corporal (T1=3,20±0,19kg, T2=2,96±0,30kg e T3=3,21±0,37kg) e gonadal (T1=2,36±0,33g, T2=2,53±0,33g e T3=2,64±0,39g) e quanto aos índices gonadossomático (T1=0,15±0,02%, T2=0,17±0,03% e T3=0,16±0,02%) e tubulossomático (T1=0,06±0,01%; T2=0,07±0,01% e T3=0,06±0,01%). O diâmetro médio dos túbulos seminíferos (T1=225,95±13,27µm, T2=239,68±21,50µm e T3=231,57±15,94µm), a altura do epitélio seminífero (T1=66,05±5,37µm, T2= 73,47±9,11µm e T3=63,34±4,79µm) e o comprimento de túbulos seminíferos por testículo (T1=46,63±13,44m, T2=43,58±12,17m e T3=46,96±9,54m) e por grama de testículo (T1=19,50±2,68m, T2=17,12±3,91m e T3=17,78±1,98m) não diferiram entre tratamentos. Conclui-se que a suplementação com geleia real, nas doses utilizadas, não altera as características testiculares avaliadas.This study aimed to investigate the effects of royal jelly on spermatogenesis in rabbits treated with different concentrations of RJ (Control; 0,5mg/day; and 1,0mg/day) using testicular morphometry. There was no significant difference between the body weight (T1= 3.20±0.19kg; T2= 2.96±0.30kg; T3=3.21±0.37kg) and gonadal weight (T1= 2.36±0.33g; T2= 2.53±0.33g; T3= 2.64±0.39g), gonadossomatic index (T1= 0.15±0.02%; T2= 0.17±0.03%. T3= 0.16±0.02%) and tubulossomatic index (T1= 0.06±0.01%; T2= 0.07±0.01%. T3= 0.06±0.01%) between treatments, showing that the percentage of body mass, and the percentage of seminiferous tubules allocated in testis were similar in the 3 experimental groups. Similarly, the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules (T1= 225.95±13.27µm; T2=239.68±21.50µm; T3= 231.57±15,94µm), the height of the seminiferous epithelium (T1=66,05±5,37µm; T2=73.47±9.11µm; T3=63.34±4.79 µm) and length of seminiferous tubule for testis (T1=46.63±13.44m; T2=43.58±12.17m; T3=46.96±9.54m) and per gram of testis (T1=19.50±2.68m; T2=17.12±3.91m; T3=17.78±1.98m) did not differ statistically. It was concluded that supplementation with royal jelly, at the doses used, did not alter the testicular parameters evaluated here

Effect of gallium-arsenide laser, gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser and healing ointment on cutaneous wound healing in Wistar rats

This study determined the effects of gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs), gallium-arsenide laser (GaAs) and Dersani® healing ointment on skin wounds in Wistar rats. The parameters analyzed were: type I and III collagen fiber concentrations as well as the rate of wound closure. Five wounds, 12 mm in diameter, were made on the animals’ backs. The depth of the surgical incision was controlled by removing the epithelial tissue until the dorsal muscular fascia was exposed. The animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine via intraperitoneal injection. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of 6 animals each, according to the treatment received. Group 1 (L4): GaAs laser (4 J/cm²); group 2 (L30): GaAlAs laser (30 J/cm²); group 3 (L60): GaAlAs laser (60 J/cm²); group 4 (D): Dersani® ointment; group 5 (control): 0.9% saline. The applications were made daily over a period of 20 days. Tissue fragments were stained with picrosirius to distinguish type I collagen from type III collagen. The collagen fibers were photo-documented and analyzed using the Quantum software based on the primary color spectrum (red, yellow and blue). Significant results for wound closing rate were obtained for group 1 (L4), 7.37 mm/day. The highest concentration of type III collagen fibers was observed in group 2 (L30; 37.80 ± 7.10%), which differed from control (29.86 ± 5.15%) on the 20th day of treatment. The type I collagen fibers of group 1 (L4; 2.67 ± 2.23%) and group 2 (L30; 2.87 ± 2.40%) differed significantly from control (1.77 ± 2.97%) on the 20th day of the experiment

How bad is brazilian ginseng extract for reproductive parameters in mice?

Properties attributed to the Panax ginseng are also attributed to the Brazilian ginseng, such as adaptogenic and aphrodisiac effects. There are studies demonstrating that the Brazilian ginseng (BGE) possibly increases the serum levels of testosterone and nitric oxide in mice and rats. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of its extract on male fertility and sperm quality. Male Swiss mice (n=60) were divided into six groups. The control animals were provided 0.5 mL of water, and 0.5 mL of water containing 7 mg/kg per day (d) sildenafil citrate. Other animals were treated with BGE at 100 mg/kg/d, 200 mg/kg/d, and 400 mg/kg/d by gavage for 42 days. Finally, animals from the last group received 200 mg/kg BGE every 3 days (3- 3d) by gavage for 42 days. The results showed a reduction in the number of resistant spermatids in the testis and damage to daily sperm production, culminating in a reduction in the number of epididymal spermatozoa. Although the sperm quality decreased in all experimental animals, only males treated with BGE 100 mg/kg/d showed pre and post implantation embryo losses. We concluded that BGE alters sperm viability compromising the embryonic development after implantatio

Morphometric evaluation of the spermatogenesis in trahira Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch) (Characiformes, Erythrinidae)

The Erythrinidae trahira, Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), is widespread throughout South America river basins. We determined Sertoli cell supporting capacity (ratio of primary spermatocytes: Sertoli cells and spermatids: Sertoli cells), meiotic index (ratio of spermatids: primary spermatocytes) and the number of spermatogonial mitotic generations of this fish. The fish were captured in the Igarapava reservoir, Grande River, Alto Paraná River basin, Brazil. Testis fragments of three sexually mature trahiras were fixed in 5% buffered glutaraldehyde solution and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Serial sections of 2 and 3 µm in thickness were stained with 0.5% toluidine blue. Histological counts from cysts of primary spermatocytes and spermatids revealed, respectively, 326 ± 99 and 468 ± 73 nuclei of these cells. Sertoli cell supporting capacity was considerably higher for spermatids (113.3 ± 16:1) when compared to primary spermatocytes (71 ± 5:1). Between eight and ten spermatogonial generations were formed to give rise to primary spermatocytes. These values were within the generation range of those already found in freshwater teleosts of external fertilization. Correlation between the number of Sertoli cells and primary spermatocytes per cyst, and Sertoli cells and spermatids per cyst were statistically significant (p < 0.05).<br>A traíra, Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), da família Erythrinidae, encontra-se espalhada pelas bacias fluviais da América do Sul. Determinou-se a capacidade de suporte das células de Sertoli (espermatócitos primários: células de Sertoli e espermátides: células de Sertoli), índice meiótico (espermátides: espermatócitos primário) e o número de gerações mitóticas de espermatogônias desse peixe. Os indivíduos foram capturados no reservatório de Igarapava, rio Grande, bacia do Alto Paraná, Brasil. Fragmentos dos testículos de três traíras sexualmente maduras foram fixados em glutaraldeído a 5%, e incluídos em metacrilato. Cortes seriados de 2 e 3 µm de espessura foram corados em azul de toluidina a 5%. Contagens histológicas feitas em cistos de espermatócitos primários e espermátides revelaram, respectivamente, 326 ± 99 e 468 ± 73 núcleos destas células. A capacidade de suporte das células de Sertoli foi consideravelmente mais alta para espermátides (113,3 ± 16:1) do que para espermatócitos primários (71 ± 5:1). Ocorreram entre oito e dez gerações de espermatogonias antes de darem origem aos espermatócitos primários. Esses valores encontravam-se dentro da amplitude de gerações já registrada para teleósteos de água doce de fertilização externa. Correlações entre o número de células de Sertoli por cisto e de espermatócitos primários e entre células de Sertoli e espermátides por cisto foram estatísticamente signficativas (p < 0,05)