scholarly journals 315 AN ATTEMPT AT INDUCING DIFFERENTIATION INTO ROUND SPERMATIDS OF RAT SPERMATOGONIA BY CO-CULTURING WITH SERTOLI CELLS

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Iwanami ◽  
T. Kobayashi ◽  
M. Kato ◽  
M. Hirabayashi ◽  
S. Hochi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Population ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Type A ◽  
Round Spermatid ◽  
Full Term ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process of germ cell development at the seminiferous tubules whereby diploid spermatogonia proliferate and differentiate into haploid spermatozoa via round and elongating spermatids in close association with somatic Sertoli cells. In the present study, the potential of rat spermatogonia to undergo meiosis during co-culture with Sertoli cells was assessed. The type-A spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were prepared from Day 7 heterozygous transgenic male rats carrying EGFP DNA, and co-cultured on the dishes (coated; BD Falcon™ 35-3801, or non-coated: BD Falcon™ 35-1008, 4 × 106 cells/4-mL dish) at 37°C for 3 days and at 34°C for a subsequent 7 days in 5% CO2 in air. The culture medium was DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, growth factors (10 ng/mL EGF and 10 ng/mL IGF) and various hormones (500 ng/mL FSH, 133 μIU/mL hGH, 5 μg/mL insulin, 0.1 μM testosterone and 0.1 μM dihydrotestosterone). During culture, appearance of round spermatid-like cells (ca. 15 μm in cellular diameter and 7–8 μm in nuclear diameter) was traced. The ploidy of the cells was also analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). At the end of culture, the proportion of EGFP DNA-bearing cells in the total cultured cell population was examined under UV light at 365 nm. Thereafter, continuation of the spermatid-like cells to full-term development was examined by ooplasmic microinjection (Kato et al. 2004 Contemp. Top. Lab. Anim. Sci. 43/2, 13). Briefly, oocytes from the Sprague-Dawley rats were denuded, activated with two direct-current pulses at 100 V/mm for 99 μs and held in 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 20 min. The nuclei of spermatid-like cells were microinjected into the oocytes by using a piezo impact driving unit, and the injected oocytes after 24 h culture were transferred into recipients. Round spermatid-like cells were first observed at the 5th day of culture on both dishes, but the proportion of spermatid-like cells on the coated dish was higher than that on the non-coated dish. The FCM analysis showed that a single peak of haploid cells was detected in the cell population cultured on the coated dish at the 5th day of culture, while no haploid peak was detected on the non-coated dish. The cultured cells exhibited two distinct patterns of EGFP fluorescence, with a proportion of EGFP-positive cells at 53.5% (total 1,000 counts). The microinsemination into 263 oocytes resulted in the production of 27 oocytes with two pronuclei (10.3%) and 15 cleaved oocytes (5.7%). However, the oviductal transfer of 143 microinseminated oocytes resulted in only 8 implantation sites without viable offspring (5.6%). These results indicated that rat type-A spermatogonial cells seemed to undergo meiosis, but the potential of the cultured spermatid-like cells to participate into full-term development was questionable.

scholarly journals Propagation of bovine spermatogonial stem cells in vitro

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro M Aponte ◽  
Takeshi Soda ◽  
Katja J Teerds ◽  
S Canan Mizrak ◽  
Henk J G van de Kant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Type A ◽  
Spermatogonial Stem Cells ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Type A Spermatogonia ◽  
Stimulation Of

The access to sufficient numbers of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is a prerequisite for the study of their regulation and further biomanipulation. A specialized medium and several growth factors were tested to study thein vitrobehavior of bovine type A spermatogonia, a cell population that includes the SSCs and can be specifically stained for the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin. During short-term culture (2 weeks), colonies appeared, the morphology of which varied with the specific growth factor(s) added. Whenever the stem cell medium was used, round structures reminiscent of sectioned seminiferous tubules appeared in the core of the colonies. Remarkably, these round structures always contained type A spermatogonia. When leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were added, specific effects on the numbers and arrangement of somatic cells were observed. However, the number of type A spermatogonia was significantly higher in cultures to which glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was added and highest when GDNF, LIF, EGF, and FGF2 were all present. The latter suggests that a proper stimulation of the somatic cells is necessary for optimal stimulation of the germ cells in culture. Somatic cells present in the colonies included Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and a few Leydig cells. A transplantation experiment, using nude mice, showed the presence of SSCs among the cultured cells and in addition strongly suggested a more than 10 000-fold increase in the number of SSCs after 30 days of culture. These results demonstrate that bovine SSC self-renew in our specialized bovine culture system and that this system can be used for the propagation of these cells.

STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE SEMINAL GLANDSIN THE DYNAMICS OF ACUTE INFECTIOUS INFLAMMATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 1486-1490
Author(s):  
Olga I. Zalyubovska ◽  
Tetiana I. Tiupka ◽  
Victor V. Zlenko ◽  
Yulia N. Avidzba ◽  
Mycola I. Lytvynenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Type A ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Reserve Capacity ◽  
Type B ◽  
Adaptive Processes ◽  
Spermatogenic Epithelium

Introduction: Negative demographic trends are often associated with high levels of infertility, including male. In the modern literature there are data on morphofunctional changes in various organs and tissues during inflammation of various origins, obtained in experiments on animals. At the same time, there are practically no studies on changes in the seminal glands in inflammation of different etiologies. The aim of this study is to identify the morphofunctional features of the seminal glands in the dynamics of acute infectious (staphylococcal) inflammation in rats. Materials and methods: Experimental studies were performed on 40 nonlinear male rats weighing 180-200 g. Microscopic and histochemical studies were performed on the 7th, 14th, and 28th day. Results: On the 7th day of staphylococcal inflammation, morphofunctional changes in the seminal glands were detected in rats in the form of a moderate rearrangement of the spermatogenic epithelium, which was manifested by a decrease in Sertoli cells and the number of type A light spermatogonia along with an increase in the number of type A dark spermatogonia and type B spermatogonia. The described changes were accompanied by a decrease in the metabolism of nucleoproteins in epithelial cells. On the 14th day, the morphological changes were characterized by a sharp decrease in Sertoli cells, the absence of type A light spermatogonia and an increase in the number of type A dark spermatogonia and type B spermatogonia. After 28 days, there is an increase in the number of tubules with the presence of type A light and dark spermatogonia, as well as single Sertoli cells, which indicates the restoration of the morphofunctional state of the seminal glands. Conclusions: More pronounced compensatory-adaptive processes in the seminal glands occur within a period of 28 days from the start of modeling of staphylococcal inflammation. The latter is confirmed by the appearance of various shapes and sizes of tubules with restored spermatogenic epithelium of various stages of development. The presence of type A light and dark spermatogonia indicates the reserve capacity of the seminal glands.

scholarly journals Duplicated insertion mutation in the microtubule-associated protein Spag5 (astrin/MAP126) and defective proliferation of immature Sertoli cells in rat hypogonadic (hgn/hgn) testes

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroetsu Suzuki ◽  
Mio Yagi ◽  
Katsushi Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Recessive Gene ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Abnormal Mitosis ◽  
Antigen 5

Male rats with hypogonadism (hgn/hgn) experience sterility from testicular dysplasia, which is controlled by a single recessive gene, hgn. The postnatal growth of the seminiferous tubules was severely affected. In this study, we localized thehgnlocus to a 320 kb region on rat chromosome 10 and detected the insertion of a 25 bp duplication into the sixth exon of the sperm-associated antigen 5 (Spag5/astrin/MAP126) gene, which codes for a microtubule-associated protein. This mutation results in a truncatedSpag5protein lacking the primary spindle-targeting domain at the C terminus. Immunological staining with antibodies to markers for Sertoli and germ cells during the early postnatal period indicated that the abnormal mitosis with dispersed chromosomes inhgn/hgntestes occurs in proliferating Sertoli cells. Therefore, apoptotic Sertoli cell death would result from the disorganization of the spindle apparatus caused by defectiveSpag5. These findings suggested that theSpag5is essential for testis development in rats and that thehgn/hgnrat is a unique animal model for studying the function ofSpag5.

Taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) increases testosterone levels and gametogenic epithelium of Wistar rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Ribeiro ◽  
L. R. Pessôa ◽  
M. D. C. de Abreu ◽  
L. B. N. S. Corrêa ◽  
A. D’Avila Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Taro Flour ◽  
Testicular Weight

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of diet containing taro flour on hormone levels and the seminiferous tubules morphology of rats. After weaning, the male rats were divided into two groups (n=12 each): control group (CG) treated with control diet and taro group (TG), fed with 25% taro flour for 90 days. Food, caloric intake, mass and body length were evaluated at experiment end. Testis followed the standard histological processing. Immunostaining was performed using an anti-vimentin antibody to identify Sertoli cells. In histomorphometry, total diameter, total area, epithelial height, luminal height and luminal area were analyzed. The testosterone levels were performed using the radioimmunoassay method. Group TG presented (P<0.05): increase in mass, body length, testicular weight, histomorphometric parameters and hormonal levels. Food intake, calorie and Sertoli cells not presented statistical differences. The taro promoted increase in the testicles parameters and hormones.

scholarly journals MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE TESTES AT CONDITIONS OF POSTRESECTION PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND POLYORGANIC FAILURE

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
M. S. Hnatjuk ◽  
S. O. Konovalenko ◽  
L. V. Tatarchuk
Keyword(s):  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Multiple Organ Failure ◽  
Organ Failure ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Number Of Cells

The testes of 50 white male rats were divided into 3 groups studied morphologically. Group 1 consisted of 15 intact animals, 2 – 25 rats with postresection portal hypertension, 3 – 10 animals with postresection portal hypertension and multiple organ failure. Euthanasia of rats was performed by bloodletting under thiopental anesthesia a month after the beginning of the experiment. Micropreparations from the testes were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, using the Weigert method, van Gieson, Mallory. Morphometrically, on the testicular micropreparations, the diameters of the testicles tubules, the thickness of their walls, the number of cells of the epithelial-spermatogenic layer in the tubule, the number of Sertoli cells per tubule, the tubulo-interstitial index, the stromal-parenchymal ratio, the Leydigas index, the sperm index, were determined. Quantitative morphological parameters were processed statistically. The investigated morphometric indices of the testes in the 2 and 3 groups of observations were found to vary markedly in comparison with the control values. Thus, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules in the conditions of postresection portal hypertension was statistically significantly (p˂0.001) decreased by 11.8 %, with the development of multiple organ failure – by 34.0 % (p<0.001), and the number of cells of the epithelialspermatogenic layer in tubules respectively by 11.3 % and 32.9 % (p˂0.001), which indicated the presence of atrophy of the studied structures. The wall thickness of the tubules in the 2 group increased by 8.8%, in the 3 group – by 26.9 % (р<0.001), and the Leydig index – by 22.9 % and 57.8 %, respectively (р<0.001). The number of Sertoli cells in one testicle tubule in the 2nd group decreased by 1.6 % and in the 3rd by 8.06 % (p<0.001). Stromal-parenchymal ratios in the testes with simulated pathology statistically significantly increased (р<0.001) by 11.3 % (р˂0.01) and 31.8 % (р˂0.001), while the tubular-interstitial index decreased respectively by 8.9 % (p<0.001) and 31.8 % (p<0.001). The revealed changes of the investigated morphometric parameters showed a pronounced increase in the number of stroma in the testes. The spermatogenesis intensity index also decreased by 2.9 % (p<0.05) and 38.8 % (p<0.001), respectively. Obtained morphometric parameters indicate that the simulated pathology leads to a decrease in the diameter of the tubules and the thickening of their walls. In the latter, optically sclerosis was observed. In the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, histologic examination found spermatocytes of the first order and spermatogonia, rarely observed spermatocytes of the second order. Protein detritus and rarely sperm were detected in the tubules. Thus, postresection portal hypertension and multiple organ failure lead to pronounced structural rebuilding of the vascular, interstitial and endocrine components of the testes, characterized by dilatation, plethora, varicose extensions, stasis, hemorrhage, perivasal swelling of the vessels of the gemomicrocirculatory bad and, hyperplasia, moderate hypertrophy, and Leydig cell dystrophy. The detected morphological changes dominate in case of multiple organ failure.

scholarly journals Study of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in rats with experimentally induced metabolic syndrome and after balneophysiotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 76-88
Author(s):  
O. L. Kolomiets ◽  
E. E. Bragina ◽  
A. A. Kashintsova ◽  
V. E. Spangenberg ◽  
L. A. Nikulina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Mineral Waters ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Prophase I ◽  
Experimentally Induced

Introduction. Metabolic syndrome (MS) can cause impaired spermatogenesis and a decrease in sperm counts. However, the details of the effect of MS on developing spermatogenic cells remain unclear. Difficulties in solving this problem, the inconsistency of published clinical data, indicate the advisability of using experimental models to solve this urgent problem of andrology and reproductology.The study objective is to describe to investigate the specifics of the course of meiotic prophase I and the activity of the processes of phagocytosis and autophagy in Sertoli cells of rats with experimentally induced MS and in the course of therapeutic and prophylactic procedures during the development of experimental MS.Materials and methods. The animals were divided into three groups, each of which included four sexually mature male rats: 1st group – males fed a standard diet; 2nd group – males receiving a diet high in fat and fructose for 60 days; 3rd group – males with MS receiving sulphate mineral waters therapy, low-intensity ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic radiation therapy. Testicular cells were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. For the first time in animals with MS, an immunocytochemical study of the peculiarities of chromosome synapsis in prophase I of meiosis was carried out on the basis of analysis of spread synaptonemal complexes of meiotic chromosomes and immunocytochemical analysis of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in squashed preparations of seminiferous tubules. The parametric Student’s t-test and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test were used for statistical data processing.Results. As a result of a histological study of the structure of the seminiferous tubules of animals of three groups, a statistically significant decrease in the indices of the spermatogenesis index in 2nd and 3rd groups compared to the control was revealed. Immunomorphologically, in the spread nuclei of primary spermatocytes of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, violations of the architectonics of nuclei, the formation of synaptonemal complexes fragments and circular synaptonemal complexes, numerous atypical inclusions were found. Signs of pachytene arrest were found in 40–50 % of spermatocyte nuclei. In the study of squashed cells preparations of the seminiferous tubules of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, signs of phagocytosed synaptonemal complexes were found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, which were confirmed using antibodies to the SCP3 protein. Thus, evidence for the phagocytosis of degenerating primary spermatocytes by Sertoli cells has been obtained. In Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, many autophagosomes are found, using LC3B protein marker. The presence of autophagosomes in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in animals of these two groups was also confirmed by electron microscopy. In male rats of the 2nd group, significant disturbances in the structure of the pachytene nuclei were revealed. In the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and spermatids of rats of the 2nd group, lipid droplets, numerous phagolysosomes containing cell detritus were revealed. Structural damage and phagocytosis of mitochondria were found in Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. Аutophagy in Sertoli cells were most distinctive in animals of the 3rd group.Conclusion. In male rats with experimental MS, significant disturbances in the structure of the nuclei of meiotic cells, a high content of primary spermatocytes with signs of pachytene arrest were revealed. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data of other authors, who revealed a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in the epididymis of rats and mice when modeling MS. It is assumed that the activation of autophagy is an important factor in supporting the viability of Sertoli cells and supporting the viability of germ cells in stressful situations, including MS. Apparently, autophagy is an adaptive mechanism that removes the remnants of apoptotic spermatogenic cells that are selected as a result of MS development.

A switch in the cellular localization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the rat testis after ethane dimethane sulfonate treatment

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (9) ◽  
pp. 1337-1344
Author(s):  
A. Meinhardt ◽  
M. Bacher ◽  
M.K. O'Bryan ◽  
J.R. McFarlane ◽  
C. Mallidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Leydig Cell ◽  
Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Macrophage Migration

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), one of the first cytokines to be discovered, has recently been localized to the Leydig cells in adult rat testes. In the following study, the response of MIF to Leydig cell ablation by the Leydig cell-specific toxin ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) was examined in adult male rats. Testicular MIF mRNA and protein in testicular interstitial fluid measured by ELISA and western blot were only marginally reduced by EDS treatment, in spite of the fact that the Leydig cells were completely destroyed within 7 days. Immunohistochemistry using an affinity-purified anti-mouse MIF antibody localized MIF exclusively to the Leydig cells in control testes. At 7 days post-EDS treatment, there were no MIF immunopositive Leydig cells in the interstitium, although distinct MIF immunostaining was observed in the seminiferous tubules, principally in Sertoli cells and residual cytoplasm, and some spermatogonia. A few peritubular and perivascular cells were also labelled at this time, which possibly represented mesenchymal Leydig cell precursors. At 14 and 21 days, Sertoli cell MIF immunoreactivity was observed in only a few tubule cross-sections, while some peritubular and perivascular mesenchymal cells and the re-populating immature Leydig cells were intensely labeled. At 28 days after EDS-treatment, the MIF immunostaining pattern was identical to that of untreated and control testes. The switch in the compartmentalization of MIF protein at 7 days after EDS-treatment was confirmed by western blot analysis of interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules separated by mechanical dissection. These data establish that Leydig cell-depleted testes continue to produce MIF, and suggest the existence of a mechanism of compensatory cytokine production involving the Sertoli cells. This represents the first demonstration of a hitherto unsuspected pattern of cellular interaction between the Leydig cells and the seminiferous tubules which is consistent with an essential role for MIF in male testicular function.

201 Spermatogonia Transplantation in the Chicken

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
A. N. Vetokh ◽  
N. A. Volkova ◽  
T. O. Kotova ◽  
E. N. Antonova ◽  
A. V. Dotsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Population ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Male Chicken

Spermatogonia are the precursors of male germ cells. They are a valuable genetic material for the production of transgenic poultry. This technology includes isolation of the spermatogonia from male donor’s testes, transformation, and transplantation of donor cells into the sterilized recipient’s testes. The transplanted spermatogonia subsequently differentiate into male sex cells (sperm). The aim of this study was to optimize the individual stages of donor spermatogonia transplantation into the recipient’s testes to increase the effectiveness of spermatogenesis recovery. In the first stage, the spermatogenesis in male chicken was examined to determine the optimal age for isolation of spermatogonia from testes. Histological examinations of male chicken testes (n = 80 birds) were done for 8 age categories, from 1 week to 3 months. It was found that under the age of 4 weeks, the cell population in the seminiferous tubules of male chickens was represented mainly by Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. Maximum percentage of spermatogonia was 69 ± 3% at 4 weeks. At the next stage, a culture of spermatogonia was obtained. Testes of 3-week-old male chickens were used. Separation of the spermatogonia from other types of cells was based on a differential adhesive capacity. The maximum homogeneity of the cell population was established by transfer (3 times) of the supernatant containing unattached cells after 24 h of cultivation into a new culture dish for further cultivation. The cell population is represented mainly by the spermatogonia (89 ± 3%). The lentiviral transduction (pHAGE vector, ZsGreen under CMV promotor) was used to transform the resulting culture of the spermatogonia. The efficiency of spermatogonia infection with lentiviral particles (TU/mL = 2.5 × 108) was 65 ± 2%. After transformation, spermatogonia were introduced into the testes of busulfan-sterilized recipients. The optimal concentration of busulfan treatment after series of experiments from 40 to 100 mg/kg was determined. The effective dose for the removal of own spermatogenic cells was revealed at a concentration of 80 mg/kg of live weight. With complete elimination of other types of spermatogenic cells, the number of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia in the testicle tubules decreased by 39 ± 2% and 98 ± 1%, respectively, compared with the control group. The efficiency of spermatogenesis recovery was assessed based on sperm analysis that was obtained from male recipients (n = 5 birds) 4 months after the introduction of donor cells using PCR. The presence of recombinant DNA (ZsGreen) in recipients’ sperm was shown. Thus, our results indicate the prospect of using spermatogonia as a genetic material for the production of transgenic poultry. Study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project no.16-16-10059).

Effect of oral administration of carbofuran on male reproductive system of rat

1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 889-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Pant ◽  
AK Prasad ◽  
SC Srivastava ◽  
R. Shankar ◽  
SP Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Reproductive Toxicity ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ventral Prostate ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Effect Level ◽  
Dose Dependent Decrease

1 Carbofuran was administered orally to adult male rats at dose levels of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mg kg -1 body weight, 5 d wk-1 for 60 days. A dose dependent decrease was observed in body weight of rats treated with 0.2-0.8 mg carbofuran kg -1 body weight 2 A significant decrease in the weight of epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate and coagulating glands was observed at various test doses of carbofuran except at the lowest dose. 3 Decreased sperm motility, reduced epididymal sperm count along with increased morphological abnormali ties in head, neck and tail regions of spermatozoa were observed in rats exposed to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg carbo furan kg-1 body weight. 4 In addition, significant alterations were observed in the activities of marker testicular enzymes viz. sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-P-dehydrogenase (G6PDH) (decreased), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) (increased) depending on dose. 5 Histologically, the results indicated the toxicity of carbo furan on testes depending on dose. The changes pre dominantly consisted of moderate oedema, congestion, damage to Sertoli cells and germ cells, along with the accumulation of cellular debris and presence of giant cells in the lumen of a few seminiferous tubules which showed disturbed spermatogenesis with the higher doses of carbofuran. 6 These observations determined a no effect level dose of 0.1 mg kg-1 body weight of carbofuran on the biochemi cal and morphological indices studied for male repro ductive toxicity assessment in the rat model. The results of the present study provide first hand information on the reproductive toxicity of carbofuran in male rats.

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