Prolonged deleterious effects of neonatal handling on reproductive parameters of pubertal male rats

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Mazaro ◽  
Teresa Lúcia Lamano-Carvalho

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-lasting effects of neonatal handling on reproductive parameters of male rats. Neonatal handling (pups separated from their mothers, kept isolated at environmental temperature for 20 min and submitted to 1 min of tactile stimulation) was applied from post partum Days 1 to 14 (a stress-hyporesponsive period, SHRP) and the animals were killed at puberty (61 days of age). The number of mature spermatids and the daily sperm production were estimated in homogenates from the right testes and cauda epididymidis. Histometric parameters (diameter of seminiferous tubule, germinal epithelium thickness and number of Sertoli cells) were evaluated in paraplast sections of the left testes. The association of the slightly aversive stimuli applied during the SHRP proved to have lasting deleterious effects on male reproduction, causing lower testicular weight and reduced values of seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium thickness at puberty, which resulted in a 25% reduction in the daily sperm production and in the number of mature spermatids. Similarly, the number of Sertoli cells per tubular cross section was 20% smaller and the weight and number of spermatozoa were reduced more than 40% in the cauda epididymidis of animals handled.

Reproduction ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. E. Okwun ◽  
G. Igboeli ◽  
J. J. Ford ◽  
D. D. Lunstra ◽  
L. Johnson

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia A.C. da Luz ◽  
Cristiana Andrighetto ◽  
Paulo R.S. Santos ◽  
André Jorge ◽  
Maria Vitória P. Constantino ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarwat Jahan ◽  
Saima Rehman ◽  
Hizb Ullah ◽  
Asma Munawar ◽  
Qurat Ul Ain ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 096032712095000
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umar Ijaz ◽  
Arfa Tahir ◽  
Abdul Samad ◽  
Haseeb Anwar

Nonylphenol (NP) is an environmental contaminant, which adversely affects the male fertility due to endocrine disruption and generation of oxidative stress. The current research was planned to assess the effects of nobiletin (NOB), a polymethoxyflavone, on NP-induced testicular damages. Twenty-four male rats were divided into 4 groups: control (0.1% DMSO), NP group (50 mg/kg), NP+NOB group (50 mg/kg + 25 mg/kg), and NOB group (25 mg/kg). Our results revealed that NP brought down the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GSR), while elevated the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Additionally, NP decreased the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), plasma testosterone, daily sperm production (DSP), epididymal sperm count, viability, motility, gene expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) and anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2), as well as number of spermatogenic cells belonging to various stages. Whereas, sperm (head, mid-piece/neck and tail) abnormalities, expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax and caspase-3), and histopathological damages were increased. However, NOB remarkably reversed all the damages caused by NP. Therefore, it is deduced that NOB could be used as a potential therapeutic to counter the NP-prompted oxidative stress and apoptotic damages in testes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1529-1538
Author(s):  
R.A.C. Leão ◽  
F.L.S. Castro ◽  
P.R. Xavier ◽  
D.P. Vaz ◽  
J.G.V. Grázia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In broiler breeder roosters, the weight of the testes is positively associated with daily sperm production and fertility. In birds, the testes are located in the coelomic cavity, not being accessible to reproductive evaluation as mammalian testes. The reproductive evaluation of roosters is based on phenotypic traits. Any changes on testes will be reflected on fertility levels. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the potential of association of phenotypic traits as body weight (BW), comb scores (COS), cloaca scores (CLS) and feet scores (FS) with testicular morphometric parameters in adult Cobb® Mx roosters in two ages (25 and 45 weeks of age). The low BW roosters had lower testes weight (TW), smaller seminiferous tubule diameter (STD) and lower comb and cloaca scores than the medium and high BW roosters (P≤0.05). Heavy roosters had the highest COS and bigger seminiferous epithelium height (SEH). There was no statistical difference between the BW categories in FS and volumetric proportion of seminiferous tubule (ST) and interstitial tissue (IT). Considering the age effect, roosters with 45 weeks of age had lower TW and ST than 25-week roosters. Positive, moderate and significant correlation was found between testes weight and phenotypic characteristics as BW, COS and CLS in 45week roosters. A positive, moderate and significant correlation was found between body weight and histologic testicular characteristics as STD and SHE in both evaluated ages. In conclusion, there is a regression in the testes weight with age and it is more intense in Cobb® Mx roosters with lower BW. Furthermore, it is concluded that the BW positively influences the testes weight and histological quality of the testes. COS and CLS can be used with moderate potential prediction to identify roosters with low testes weight at 45 weeks of age.


1999 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
P R Dalsenter ◽  
E Dallegrave ◽  
J Rb Mello ◽  
A Langeloh ◽  
R T Oliveira ◽  
...  

1 The reproductive effects of endosulfan on the male offspring of rats were examined. Dams were treated orally with 0, 1.5 or 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg from day 15 of pregnancy to postnatal day (PND) 21 of lactation. The male offspring rats were investigated at PND 65 or 140, corresponding to the pubertal and adulthood stage of development. 2 The dose of 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg induced a decrease in maternal body weight during pregnancy, but litter size and mean birth weight were not affected. Similarly, the age at testis descent and preputial separation was not affected on the male offspring. 3 The daily sperm production (6106) was permanently decreased in the highest dose group when investigated at puberty and at adulthood. At the lowest dose, however, the daily sperm production was significantly reduced only at puberty. 4 Histologically, the percentage of seminiferous tubules showing complete spermatogenesis was significantly decreased at puberty. This finding may explain the decrease in daily sperm production observed in the endosulfan-exposed male rats. 5 The results of this study show that low doses of endosulfan have no apparent effect on developmental landmarks or on the weight of reproductive and accessory sex organ. Daily sperm production was the most susceptible endpoint in the male offspring exposed to endosulfan during pregnancy and lactation. To further understand the reproductive effects of endosulfan on male rat offspring, additional reproductive and toxicokinetic studies should be carried out to determine the extent of endosulfan exposure in male rat offspring in utero and during lactation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hizb Ullah ◽  
Faizan Ullah ◽  
Owais Rehman ◽  
Sarwat Jahan ◽  
Tayyaba Afsar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The industrial revolution has resulted in increased synthesis and the introduction of a variety of compounds into the environment and their potentially hazardous effects have been observed in the biota. The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of chronic exposure to the low concentrations of bisphenol S (BPS) in male rats. Methods Weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats (22 days old) were either exposed to water containing 0.1% ethanol for control or different concentrations of BPS (0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) in drinking water for 48 weeks in the chronic exposure study. After completion of the experimental period, animals were dissected and different parameters (hormone concentrations, histology of testis and epididymis, oxidative stress and level of antioxidant enzymes in the testis, daily sperm production (DSP), and sperm parameters) were determined. Results Results of the present study showed a significant alteration in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and relative reproductive organ weights. Oxidative stress in the testis was significantly elevated while sperm motility, daily sperm production, and the number of sperm in epididymis were reduced. Plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were reduced and estradiol levels were high in the 50 μg/L-exposed group. Histological observations involved a significant reduction in the epithelial height of the testis along with disrupted spermatogenesis, an empty lumen of the seminiferous tubules, and the caput region of the epididymis. Conclusion These results suggest that exposure to 5 and 50 μg/L of BPS for the chronic duration started from an early age can induce structural changes in testicular tissue architecture and endocrine alterations in the male reproductive system which may lead to infertility in males.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-110
Author(s):  
A. G. Ezekwe

Testes and epididymides were obtained from three pubertial Muturu bulls aged 11 months and 12 post pubertal bulls aged between 13 and 17 months and weighed between 91 and 148kg. Samples of each testis and epididymal segments namely, caput, corpus and cauda, were processed for histology while samples for gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves were processed using the homogenisation technique. Paired testes weight increased from 78.99+8.74g at 11months of age to 90.10+10.86g. 110.30+5.67g and 106.34-6.52g at 13, 15 and 17 months of age, respectively. Paired testes sperm numbers were 3.00+1.50 X 10', 5.25 0.51 x 10', 10.44+2.55 x 10° and 9.14+3.08 x 10°, during the corresponding periods. Similarly, daily sperm production (DSP) increased by 77%, 250% and 207% at 13, 15 and 17 months of age, respectively. There was a 22% increase in the seminiferous tubule diameter from the time of puberty at 11 months to the time bulls were 15 months old, but the histological characteristics of the different epididymal segments did not follow any definite trend during these periods. Correlations between paired testes weight and other testicular and epididymal parameters were positive and significant (P<0.01). These results suggest that Muturu bulls may be used for breeding from the age of 15 months.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline L. de Barros ◽  
Julie H. Bae ◽  
Cibele S. Borges ◽  
Josiane L. Rosa ◽  
Marilia M. Cavariani ◽  
...  

Fipronil is an insecticide widely used in agriculture, veterinary medicine and public health that has recently been listed as a potential endocrine disrupter. In the present study we evaluated the effects of perinatal exposure to fipronil during the period of sexual brain differentiation and its later repercussions on reproductive parameters in male rats. Pregnant rats were exposed (via gavage) to fipronil (0.03, 0.3 or 3 mg kg–1) from Gestational Day 15 until Postnatal Day 7. Fipronil exposure did not compromise the onset of puberty. In adulthood, there was no effect on organ weight or sperm production. Furthermore, there were no adverse effects on the number of Sertoli cells per seminiferous tubule, testicular and epididymal histomorphometry or histopathology or expression patterns of androgen receptor in the testis. Similarly, no changes were observed in the sexual behaviour or hormone levels. However, in rats exposed to fipronil, changes in sperm motility were observed, with a decrease in motile spermatozoa and an increase in non-mobile spermatozoa, which can compromise sperm quality in these rats. Perinatal exposure to fipronil has long-term effects on sperm parameters, and the epididymis can be a target organ. Additional studies should be undertaken to identify the mechanisms by which fipronil affects sperm motility.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agostina Gorga ◽  
Gustavo Marcelo Rindone ◽  
Cecilia Lucía Centola ◽  
Cristian M. Sobarzo ◽  
Eliana Herminia Pellizzari ◽  
...  

It has been postulated that glyphosate (G) or its commercial formulation Roundup (R) might lead to male fertility impairment. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of G or R treatment of juvenile male rats on blood-testis barrier function and on adult male sperm production. Pups were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group (C), receiving water; G2 and G50 groups, receiving 2 and 50 mg/kg/day G respectively; and R2 and R50 groups receiving 2 and 50 mg/kg/day R respectively. Treatments were performed orally from postnatal day (PND) 14 to 30, period of life that is essential to complete a functional blood-testis barrier. Evaluation was done on PND 31. No differences in body and testis weight were observed between groups. Testis histological analysis showed disorganized seminiferous epithelium, with apparent low cellular adhesion in treated animals. Blood-testis barrier permeability to a biotin tracer was examined. A significant increase in permeable tubules was observed in treated groups. To evaluate possible mechanisms that could explain the effects on blood-testis barrier permeability, intratesticular testosterone levels, androgen receptor expression, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the expression of intercellular junction proteins (claudin11, occludin, ZO-1, connexin43, 46, and 50 which are components of the blood-testis barrier) were examined. No modifications in the above-mentioned parameters were detected. To evaluate whether juvenile exposure to G and R could have consequences during adulthood, a set of animals of the R50 group was allowed to grow up until PND 90. Histological analysis showed that control and R50 groups had normal cellular associations and complete spermatogenesis. Also, blood-testis barrier function was recovered and testicular weight, daily sperm production, and epididymal sperm motility and morphology did not seem to be modified by juvenile treatment. In conclusion, the results presented herein show that continuous exposure to low doses of G or R alters blood-testis barrier permeability in juvenile rats. However, considering that adult animals treated during the juvenile stage showed no differences in daily sperm production compared with control animals, it is feasible to think that blood-testis barrier impairment is a reversible phenomenon. More studies are needed to determine possible damage in the reproductive function of human juvenile populations exposed to low doses of G or R.


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