Effects of dietary energy level on reproductive characteristics in male African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus

Background: The study was conducted to assess the effects of the digestible dietary energy level on some reproductive characteristics in African giant rat.Methods: Sixteen young males were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 4 animals each. To each group was attributed randomly one of the 4 dietary energy levels (3600 Kcal/kg, 3800 Kcal/kg, 4000 Kcal/kg or 4200 Kcal/kg). The daily distribution of experimental diets last six months, ie ended when cricetoma were 8 months old. At the end of that period, all animals were sacrificed.Results: Results showed an increase in testes weight with the augmentation of dietary digestible energy level (0.79±0.13, 0.88±0.17, 1.02±0.28 and 1.02±0.16 respectively for 3600 Kcal/kg, 3800 Kcal/kg, 4000 Kcal/kg and 4200 Kcal/kg). The serum testosterone level, the sperm mobility (76.67, 62, 63 and 57%) and count per cauda epididymis (18.25±3.75, 16.38±4.19, 10.83±2.02 and 10.13±2.9) and per gram cauda epididymis (39.09±11.82, 27.01±4.23, 15.41±3.31 and 17.40±7.28) significantly (p<0.05) decreased with the increasing level of digestible energy in the feed.Conclusions: The dietary digestible energy level that gave the higher reproductive performances in male African giant rat was 3600 Kcal/kg DM

Effects of propoxur on male fertility in wistar rat exposed neonatally

Background: Propoxur is a carbamate pesticide widely used in crop and foodstuff protection. They are known to cause a wide variety of symptoms in animals.  Methods: Twenty four young male rats were exposed to 0.00, 1.73, 2.60 and 5.20 mg/kg body weight through oral intubation for 90 days.  Results: The testis weight increased significantly (P 0.05) but the percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly (P 0.05) change was observed between the control and treated males for the litter size, viability rate and sex-ratio.  Conclusions: Despite the impairment of seminal epithelia and sperm characteristics, male rats orally exposed to the studied doses of propoxur maintained their fertility at the 90th day of treatment

Effects of Breed, Age, Body Condition Score, and Nutritional Status on Follicular Population, Oocyte Yield, and Quality in Three Cameroonian Zebus Cattle Bos indicus

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of breed, age, body condition score, and nutritional status on follicular dynamics, quality, and oocyte yield in Cameroonian zebus cattle Bos indicus (Gudali and Red and White Fulani). A total of 95 cows were investigated for breed, age, body condition score, and nutritional status. Blood samples and ovaries of these cows were collected during slaughtering. Follicles on each ovary were counted and measured using electronic digital calipers and then classified into three categories: small ( 8 mm) diameter. The oocytes were retrieved by slicing each ovary into a Petri dish containing collected medium. The oocytes recovered were examined under a stereoscope (x 10) and classified into four groups based on the morphology of cumulus oophorus cells and cytoplasmic changes. From these ovaries, 3888 follicles were counted with an average population of 27.81 ± 6.88 follicles per cow. The average numbers of small, medium, and large follicles per cow were 17.26 ± 1.36 (62.06%), 9.64 ± 1.00 (34.66%), and 0.52 ± 0.32 (1.86%), respectively. A total of 1822 oocytes were harvested with an average of 19.11 ± 0.89 oocytes per cow. Oocytes graded I, II, III, and IV were 7.03 ± 2.30 (36.65%), 4.53± 2.01 (23.61%), 3.19 ± 0.85 (16.63%), and 4.43 ±1.62 (23.09%), respectively. This study also showed that ovarian weight, number of follicles, and oocytes’ yield of right ovary were higher than left ones (P < 0.05). Younger and normal cows (BCS = 3) presented higher (P < 0.05) number of follicles and oocytes. Urea and cholesterol levels were higher in Gudali and White Fulani cows (P < 0.05). This study indicated that ovaries of zebus harvested in slaughterhouse are an important source of follicular population, oocytes yield, and quality. Right ovaries are heavy and offer more numbers of follicles and oocytes than the left ones. BCS is the best indicator of nutritional status of cows. Important follicle populations are obtained from cows aging 6-9 years with BCS = 3

Post Exposure Effects of Propoxur (Agricultural Pesticide) on Male Fertility in Wistar Rat

Background: Pesticide toxicity is one of the major environmental health problems for the modern societies, as some of the effects may last long time after exposure. Propoxur is one of the Carbamate pesticide largely used in agriculture in the Western region of Cameroon. Methods: In order to evaluate the post-exposure effects of propoxur, 48 male rats (12 animals per group) aged 30 d were orally gavaged with 0.00, 1.73, 2.60 and 5.20 mg.kg-1 body weight of propoxur for 90 d. At the end of treatment, 6 rats per group were sacrificed and others were followed up for 90 additional days and submitted to a fertility test before sacrifice. Results: At the end of exposure propoxur significantly increased (P<0.05) the testis weight while it decreased (P<0.05) the cauda epididymal sperm motility in rat. Propoxur treatment and post-treatment exposure showed variable effect on the fertility rate with an increase and decrease at 2.60 and 5.20 mg.kg-1, respectively. At the 90th day post treatment, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in epididymis weight and sperm count and motility (P<0.05). In addition, post-exposure treatment with propoxur reduced (P<0.05) the pup litter size and the sex ratio at all doses. Histopathological examination revealed a high vacuity of germinal epithelia in treated rats that persisted after post-exposure time. Conclusion: Propoxur negatively affected male rats’ reproductive parameters with more significant adverse effects observed 90 d after the end of exposure

Oxidative Effects of Potassium Dichromate on Biochemical, Hematological Characteristics, and Hormonal Levels in Rabbit Doe (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity induced by the increasing doses of potassium dichromate in rabbit doe. Twenty-eight adult does of 6 months of age were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D; n = 7), with comparable average body weight (bw). Group A rabbits received only distilled water daily and served as a control, while groups B, C, and D received, respectively, 10 mg/kg bw, 20 mg/ kg bw, and 40 mg/kg bw of potassium dichromate via gavage for 28 days, after which animals were anesthetized with ether vapor and sacrificed. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture and collected without anticoagulant for biochemical dosages and with anticoagulant (EDTA) for complete blood count. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) were dosed in serum and in homogenates of ovary with the help of AccuDiagTM ELISA kits from OMEGA DIAGNOSTICS LTD (Scotland, England) while respecting the immuno-enzymatic method. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, kidney, ovary and uterus were measured. Hematology revealed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in mean values of hemoglobin and platelets while white blood cells and lymphocytes showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in exposed groups. No significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference was registered in monocytes, red blood cells, hematocrits, and plaquetocrits values with respect to the control. No matter the organ considered, no significant (p &gt; 0.05) change was recorded in weight and volume. Nephrotoxicity analysis registered a significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in urea and creatinine, unlike renal tissue protein, which decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05). However, hepatotoxicity registered no significant (p &gt; 0.05) variation in aspartate aminotransferase but total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), while hepatic tissue protein revealed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease. Analysis on reproductive parameters showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in ovarian and uterine tissue proteins, as well as in follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. Oxidative stress markers recorded no significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference in glutathione reductase except in ovary where a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease was seen when compared with the control, while catalase revealed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease, except in liver where there was no significant (p &gt; 0.05) change. Superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde recorded a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease and increase respectively, with respect to the control. Results obtained from this study showed that the reduction process of chromium in tissues may cause the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are involved in hematoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and reproductive toxicity effects

Antouka Super® induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity in male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Background: Antouka Super® (AS), a combination of insecticide (Pirimiphos-methyl 16% and Permethrin 3%), is one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, public health, home and garden, with high potential for human and animal exposure. Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of AS on the serum testosterone, oxidative stress biomarkers, testis histology and fertility of male Japanese quail. Methods: Thirty-two (32) male Japanese quails twenty-eight (28) days were randomly divided into four groups: C0 (control), T1, T2 and T3, exposed daily (gavage) to 0, 37.5, 56.25 and 75 mg of AS/kg body weight (b.w), respectively, for 49 consecutive days and were analysed for fertility. Control and experimental male quails were cohabited, for two days, with untreated female quails and sperm positive female quail were analysed for paternal-mediated toxicity. After completion of fertility studies quails were sacrificed and analysed for reproductive endpoints. Results: There was a dose dependent decrease of the relative weight of testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Additionally, testis total proteins and serum testosterone levels were decreased in AS treated quails (p < 0.05). A decrease of sperm motility, viability and concentration per vas deferens, and an increase of sperm anomalies were recorded in AS exposed quails with respect to the controls. The embryonic and post-embryonic mortality rate were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in group T3 (25.00 ± 3.40% and 31.66 ± 10.22% respectively) than in control group (6.25 ± 3.98% and 9.54 ± 3.72% respectively). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), total peroxidase (POD) and catalase activity (CAT) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower treated than control quails, while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in groups T1, T2 and T3 (13.00 ± 0.96, 23.50 ± 1.35 and 29.08 ± 1.58 nmol/mg tissues respectively) compared to the control one (9.32 ± 0.67nmol/mg tissues). Histopathological examination of the testes of AS treated quails revealed testicular lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules, incomplete spermatogenesis and depletion in the germ layers of seminiferous tubules in which immature spermatozoa were hardly seen. Conclusion: From the above study, it can be inferred that AS (56.25 and 75) mg/kg b.w decrease body and relative organ weights and induces testicular lesions. Also, AS increases the level of MDA while it reduces the levels of enzymatic antioxidant biomarkers, serum testosterone and reproductive indices of intoxicated quails and their offspring. However, further work is needed to establish the genetic toxicology and immunohistochemistry of caspase-3 and claudin-1

Toxicity and Reproductive Parameters Impairment of Cypermethrin in Male Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

Cypermethrin is a large spectrum action insecticide, globally employed to control pests in agriculture and some human and domestic animals ectoparasites. This study aimed to evaluate its toxicity and reproduction impairment in male guinea pig. Forty adult male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and orally submitted to 0, 92, 137.5 and 275 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. The weight of the liver increased significantly, while that of kidneys decreased significantly in treated animals compared to controls. Serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALAT, ASAT, total cholesterol, prostatic acid phosphatase increased significantly, while the testicular total protein level decreased significantly in groups given the insecticide relatively to the control. The testes weight, libido, serum level of testosterone, mobility, sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane decreased significantly in animals exposed to cypermethrin with reference to controls. The percentages of abnormal spermatozoa increased significantly in animals submitted to 137.5 or 275 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin compared to control ones. On the testis histological sections of pesticide-treated animals, immature germinal cells were observed in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin was toxic in male guinea pig and damaged reproductive parameters

Persistence of the reproductive toxicity of chlorpiryphos-ethyl in male Wistar rat

Objective: To study the effects of chlorpiryphos-ethyl (CE) on male fertility. Methods: Rats were gavaged daily from 30 to 120 days old with four doses of CE (10.50; 5.25; 3.50 and 0.00 mg/kg) and thereafter followed up for 90 additional days. Following this period of observation, each male rat was submitted to a fertility test with two virgin females. Male were then sacrificed and organs collected while females were followed up till delivery. Results: The weights of the testis and epididymis were lower (P<0.05) in rats treated with 10.50 mg/kg CE dose compared to controls. A decrease in the number of sperm per cauda epididymis was recorded in rat given the highest dose of CE with respect to the control value. The sperm motility was lower (P<0.05) in all CE-treated groups compared to the controls. Severe histological abnormalities were observed in testes of treated rats. The males exposed to the highest dose of CE did not produce any offspring. Conclusion: The effects of CE on reproductive system were persistent 90 days after the end of exposure