Sperm maturation in the epididymis may involve differences between mature and immature spermatozoa in their volume regulatory osmolyte response. Spermatozoa obtained from the rat caput and cauda epididymidis were exam...Sperm maturation in the epididymis may involve differences between mature and immature spermatozoa in their volume regulatory osmolyte response. Spermatozoa obtained from the rat caput and cauda epididymidis were examined for their ability to regulate volume after transfer from in situ epididymal osmolality (measured to be 343 ± 13 and 365 ± 19 mmol kg^-1, respectively) to that of the female tract in single- and multiple-step protocols. Cells withstood the single-step treatment better than the multistep protocol. Sperm volume estimates by flow cytometric measure- ments of forward scatter of cells with intact head membranes was more sensitive than those by assessing cell coiling microscopically. At osmolalites below 210 mmol kg l both caput and cauda cells ruptured, limiting the use of flow cytometry. Above this critical value, the use of quinine showed that both caput and cauda cells could regulate volume, but cauda cells were the more effective. Of several organic osmolytes studied, myo-inositol, glutamate and KCl caused only temporary and slight swelling of spermatozoa cells in hypotonic medium. Spermatozoa of both maturities seemed to use potassium as the preferred osmolyte for regulating volume.展开更多
Aim: To investigate the reversibility of the effect of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on sperm parameters after discontinuing the drug. Methods: Three groups of rats received peanut oil (control), low and high doses ...Aim: To investigate the reversibility of the effect of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on sperm parameters after discontinuing the drug. Methods: Three groups of rats received peanut oil (control), low and high doses of ND for 14 weeks, respectively. Each group was divided into subgroups A and B, in which rats were killed 14 and 28 weeks after initiating the injection, respectively. Results: Sperm count and motile sperm fraction were decreased in the subgroups A and B that received low and high doses of ND in comparison with the controls A and B, respectively. The sperm count and motile sperm fraction increased in the subgroups B that received low and high doses of ND in comparison with their corresponding subgroups A. The number of normal morphology sperm was decreased significantly in subgroups A receiving low and high doses of ND in comparison with the control subgroup A. However, this parameter was not decreased in subgroups B receiving low and high doses in comparison with the control subgroup B. The normal sperm morphology did not show any significant differences in the subgroups B in comparison with their corresponding subgroups A. Conclusion: The 14-week injection of low and high doses of ND decreases sperm quality and quantity in rats. These parameters were improved after discontinuing ND, but not recovered completely even when they are left untreated for 14 weeks.展开更多
Approximately 40-50 β-defensins are predominantly expressed in the male reproductive system of mammals. This selective expression raises the question as to the roles of these molecules in innate immunity and fertilit...Approximately 40-50 β-defensins are predominantly expressed in the male reproductive system of mammals. This selective expression raises the question as to the roles of these molecules in innate immunity and fertility in the male reproductive tract. Rat β-defensin 22 is an epididymis-specific β-defensin expressed in segments 12-14 of the epididymis. This protein contains both β-defensin and lectin signature sequences, yet its antimicrobial activity and carbohydrate-binding ability have not been shown. We herein demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of recombinant rat β-defensin 22 against Escherichia coliand Candida albicans. Its lectinJike activity was also investigated by demonstrating its binding ability with heparin beads. This heparin-binding activity implies some potential roles for this defensin in determining the fertilisation capabilities of sperm.展开更多
The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function...The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function in men, but its direct evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tender and mature coconut water consumption on nicotine induced changes in sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, activity of testicular marker enzymes for spermatogenesis and testosterone level of male healthy rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with tender and mature coconut water intragastrically and nicotine subcutaneously for 15 days. The findings indicated that the coconut water supplementation improves epididymal spermatogenic cell density (p ≤ 0.05), sperm motility and morphology which were altered by nicotine. The activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was increased (p ≤ 0.05), which indicates that treatment with coconut water provides significant protection of germinal epithelium from nicotine toxicity. Coconut water also shows a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in testosterone levels in nicotine treated rats. Coconut water ameliorates the reproductive toxicity caused by nicotine due to presence on nutrients L-arginine, ascorbic acid, minerals like calcium and magnesium.展开更多
Aim: Epididymal proteins are known to play an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa, we ougnt to deter-mine if there are regional differences in androgen-dependent epididymal proteins. Methods: A group of ad...Aim: Epididymal proteins are known to play an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa, we ougnt to deter-mine if there are regional differences in androgen-dependent epididymal proteins. Methods: A group of adult rats wascastrated and epididymides were removed three days following castration. The epididymides were dissected into caput,corpus and cauda segments, homogenized, and proteins were fractionated by anion exchange HPLC. Proteins in select-ed fractions were resolved by SDS-PAGE and visualized by silver staining. Results: It was observed that the levels ofmultiple proteins drastically reduced in the various regions of epididymis of the orchiectomized rats. Conclusion: Theepididymal proteins appear to be useful markers to study androgenic action in the epididymis.展开更多
One of the main health problems with high and markedly increased complications is diabetes. Despite several projects with preventative strategies and armories of medication, the arrangement of diabetes remains grossly...One of the main health problems with high and markedly increased complications is diabetes. Despite several projects with preventative strategies and armories of medication, the arrangement of diabetes remains grossly unsatisfactory. Thus, it is vital to identify unfamiliar drugs or novel nutraceuticals for treating and preventing diabetes without side effects. The present study deals with scientific information on mushrooms with regards to its potential use as anti-diabetic active food. In addition to the anti-hyperglycemic action of mushrooms, the present study presents its effect on DNA damage, chromosome aberrations and sperm alternations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These animals have been treated, for 30 days, with amaryl (as control treatment) (0.03 mg/kg·b·wt/dl), low-dose mushroom (100 mg/kg·b·wt/dl) and high-dose mushroom (200 mg/ kg·b·wt/dl). The glucose level GL of streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals has been markedly improved by mushroom treatment;for example GL has decreases from 167.6 mg/dl down to 116.0 mg/dl for treatment with high-dose mushroom and 128.9 mg/dl for treatment with low-dose mushroom, comparing with amaryl treatment that decreases GL down to 92.6 mg/dl. But, the experimental results show that treatment with mushroom is better than treatment with amaryl in case of genetic changes (DNA fragmentation, disappear of some base pairs and chromosome aberrations. So, it is proposed that more close scientific attention be paid to precede more research of functional mushrooms for preventive and curative treatments for diabetes.展开更多
文摘Sperm maturation in the epididymis may involve differences between mature and immature spermatozoa in their volume regulatory osmolyte response. Spermatozoa obtained from the rat caput and cauda epididymidis were examined for their ability to regulate volume after transfer from in situ epididymal osmolality (measured to be 343 ± 13 and 365 ± 19 mmol kg^-1, respectively) to that of the female tract in single- and multiple-step protocols. Cells withstood the single-step treatment better than the multistep protocol. Sperm volume estimates by flow cytometric measure- ments of forward scatter of cells with intact head membranes was more sensitive than those by assessing cell coiling microscopically. At osmolalites below 210 mmol kg l both caput and cauda cells ruptured, limiting the use of flow cytometry. Above this critical value, the use of quinine showed that both caput and cauda cells could regulate volume, but cauda cells were the more effective. Of several organic osmolytes studied, myo-inositol, glutamate and KCl caused only temporary and slight swelling of spermatozoa cells in hypotonic medium. Spermatozoa of both maturities seemed to use potassium as the preferred osmolyte for regulating volume.
文摘Aim: To investigate the reversibility of the effect of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on sperm parameters after discontinuing the drug. Methods: Three groups of rats received peanut oil (control), low and high doses of ND for 14 weeks, respectively. Each group was divided into subgroups A and B, in which rats were killed 14 and 28 weeks after initiating the injection, respectively. Results: Sperm count and motile sperm fraction were decreased in the subgroups A and B that received low and high doses of ND in comparison with the controls A and B, respectively. The sperm count and motile sperm fraction increased in the subgroups B that received low and high doses of ND in comparison with their corresponding subgroups A. The number of normal morphology sperm was decreased significantly in subgroups A receiving low and high doses of ND in comparison with the control subgroup A. However, this parameter was not decreased in subgroups B receiving low and high doses in comparison with the control subgroup B. The normal sperm morphology did not show any significant differences in the subgroups B in comparison with their corresponding subgroups A. Conclusion: The 14-week injection of low and high doses of ND decreases sperm quality and quantity in rats. These parameters were improved after discontinuing ND, but not recovered completely even when they are left untreated for 14 weeks.
文摘Approximately 40-50 β-defensins are predominantly expressed in the male reproductive system of mammals. This selective expression raises the question as to the roles of these molecules in innate immunity and fertility in the male reproductive tract. Rat β-defensin 22 is an epididymis-specific β-defensin expressed in segments 12-14 of the epididymis. This protein contains both β-defensin and lectin signature sequences, yet its antimicrobial activity and carbohydrate-binding ability have not been shown. We herein demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of recombinant rat β-defensin 22 against Escherichia coliand Candida albicans. Its lectinJike activity was also investigated by demonstrating its binding ability with heparin beads. This heparin-binding activity implies some potential roles for this defensin in determining the fertilisation capabilities of sperm.
文摘The coconut water is the most nutritious wholesome beverage in all coconut producing countries. Folk medicine describes the use of coconut water to reduce toxic effects of nicotine and alcohol in reproductive function in men, but its direct evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tender and mature coconut water consumption on nicotine induced changes in sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, activity of testicular marker enzymes for spermatogenesis and testosterone level of male healthy rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with tender and mature coconut water intragastrically and nicotine subcutaneously for 15 days. The findings indicated that the coconut water supplementation improves epididymal spermatogenic cell density (p ≤ 0.05), sperm motility and morphology which were altered by nicotine. The activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was increased (p ≤ 0.05), which indicates that treatment with coconut water provides significant protection of germinal epithelium from nicotine toxicity. Coconut water also shows a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in testosterone levels in nicotine treated rats. Coconut water ameliorates the reproductive toxicity caused by nicotine due to presence on nutrients L-arginine, ascorbic acid, minerals like calcium and magnesium.
文摘Aim: Epididymal proteins are known to play an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa, we ougnt to deter-mine if there are regional differences in androgen-dependent epididymal proteins. Methods: A group of adult rats wascastrated and epididymides were removed three days following castration. The epididymides were dissected into caput,corpus and cauda segments, homogenized, and proteins were fractionated by anion exchange HPLC. Proteins in select-ed fractions were resolved by SDS-PAGE and visualized by silver staining. Results: It was observed that the levels ofmultiple proteins drastically reduced in the various regions of epididymis of the orchiectomized rats. Conclusion: Theepididymal proteins appear to be useful markers to study androgenic action in the epididymis.
文摘One of the main health problems with high and markedly increased complications is diabetes. Despite several projects with preventative strategies and armories of medication, the arrangement of diabetes remains grossly unsatisfactory. Thus, it is vital to identify unfamiliar drugs or novel nutraceuticals for treating and preventing diabetes without side effects. The present study deals with scientific information on mushrooms with regards to its potential use as anti-diabetic active food. In addition to the anti-hyperglycemic action of mushrooms, the present study presents its effect on DNA damage, chromosome aberrations and sperm alternations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These animals have been treated, for 30 days, with amaryl (as control treatment) (0.03 mg/kg·b·wt/dl), low-dose mushroom (100 mg/kg·b·wt/dl) and high-dose mushroom (200 mg/ kg·b·wt/dl). The glucose level GL of streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals has been markedly improved by mushroom treatment;for example GL has decreases from 167.6 mg/dl down to 116.0 mg/dl for treatment with high-dose mushroom and 128.9 mg/dl for treatment with low-dose mushroom, comparing with amaryl treatment that decreases GL down to 92.6 mg/dl. But, the experimental results show that treatment with mushroom is better than treatment with amaryl in case of genetic changes (DNA fragmentation, disappear of some base pairs and chromosome aberrations. So, it is proposed that more close scientific attention be paid to precede more research of functional mushrooms for preventive and curative treatments for diabetes.