scholarly journals The Effects of Chronic Ingestion of Mercuric Chloride on Fertility and Testosterone Levels in Male Sprague Dawley Rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Heath ◽  
Y. Abdelmageed ◽  
Tim D. Braden ◽  
Hari O. Goyal

Although male infertility is well researched, the effects of inorganic mercury on male reproduction and fertility are less well known. Studies pertaining to mercury and male fertility identified reduced concentration of testosterone in the serum of male workers, a toxic influence on fertility of organic mercury compounds within concentrations at the workplace, and increased days to pregnancy. We evaluated the effect of chronic mercuric chloride (HgCl2) exposure in male rats on reproductive endpoints. Thirty-day old male Sprague Dawley rats (n=31) were exposed to 0.0, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg/day of HgCl2via gavage. After 60 days exposure, they were housed with nonexposed females for 21 days. A survivor analysis revealed the exposed animals took longer to impregnate the females and had a lower rate of impregnation. Further statistical analysis revealed a lower correlation between testicular testosterone levels and days to impregnate, and also lower sperm counts in the epididymis head and body of the exposed males. The results indicate that HgCl2exposure had significant adverse effects on male rat reproduction endpoints including fertility at a dose that was not clinically toxic.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1677-1681
Author(s):  
Pudji Astuti ◽  
Claude Mona Airin ◽  
Sarmin Sarmin ◽  
Alfarisa Nururrozi ◽  
Sri Harimurti

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of shell supplementation on the regulation of male reproduction in rats. Materials and Methods: The zinc (Zn) level of shell from blood clam (Anadara granosa), green mussel (Perna viridis), and conch shell (Telescopium telescopium) was analyzed. The highest Zn content shell was fed to male Sprague Dawley rats for 0, 9, 30, and 50 days at the dose of either 0.09 mg/200 g BW or 0.18 mg/200 g BW. To determine the testosterone levels, blood was collected through the infraorbitalis sinus just before the rat was sacrificed. Testicular and brain were also collected for Cyp19 aromatase receptor analysis. Results: The Zn level in the shell of blood clam, green mussel, and conch shell 61.55 mg/kg, 2.78 mg/kg, and 3.93 mg/kg, respectively. The testosterone level of T1 group receiving 0.18 mg/200 g BW for 0, 9, 30, and 50 days was 1.42±0.59, 2.15±1.58, 2.98±2.53, and 8.11±2.03 ng/mL, respectively. The testosterone level of T2 group receiving 0.09 mg/200 g BW for 0, 9, 30, and 50 days was 2.50±0.32, 1.25±0.60, 3.87±3.27, and 3.54±0.23 ng/mL, respectively. The T3 group receiving Na-CMC showed the level of testosterone at days 0, 9, 30, and 50 days was 0.77±0.22, 1.99±1.65, 4.12±0.07, and 2.19±1.30 ng/mL, respectively. Finally, the T4 group receiving Zn showed testosterone levels at days 0, 9, 30, and 50 days was 0.51±0.58, 2.24±3.16, 4.58±1.97, and 2.89±0.20 ng/mL, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the T1 group compared to the other groups. However, the absence of expression of Cyp19 aromatase both in Leydig cells and the brain indicated no conversion of testosterone to estradiol. To add, this finding showed the potential use of the shell to boost the testosterone level in male rats. Conclusion: Shell acted as an aromatase blocker to boost the testosterone level in male rats. This also indicates its promising application in birds to manipulate the quality of song and feather.


1977 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. MOGER ◽  
P. R. MURPHY

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4H7 (Received 22 April 1977) The concentration of testosterone in the serum of the adult rat varies significantly over a 24 h period (Kinson & Lui, 1973; Howland, 1975; Wilson, McMillan, Seal & Ahmed, 1976). However, studies on circadian variations in serum testosterone concentrations in immature male rats have yielded conflicting results. Grotjan & Johnson (1976) reported significant changes with time in 25–26-day-old Holtzman rats, whereas Döhler & Wuttke (1976) did not observe significant changes in 13–18 or 25–30-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats maintained on the same lighting schedule (14 h light: 10 h darkness). Recently we reported that from 20–35 days of age, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (androstanediol) is the predominant androgen in the circulation of male rats (Moger, 1977). This study was undertaken to determine temporal variations in the concentrations of androstanediol, androsterone and testosterone. Forty-nine male Sprague


Author(s):  
Ronaldo Panggabean ◽  
Nofita ◽  
Ade Maria Ulfa

Basil leaf have antioxidants such as flavonoids, so it is thought to have a hepatoprotective effect. This study aims to investigate the effect of basil leaf extract on SGOT and SGPT levels in male rats induced by paracetamol. Basil leaf extract was carried out by the percolation method using ethyl acetate solvent, Some 20 male sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Basil leaf extract (400 mg/kgBB and 600 mg/kgBB) and sylimarin (100 mg/kgBB) were carried out every day for 28 days, paracetamol was induced 24 hours after giving the last day of basil leaf extract. The parameters measured were SGOT and SGPT level to assess the effect of basil leaf extract on liver damage caused by paracetamol. The results showed that basil leaf extract (400 mg/kgBB dan 600 mg/kgBB) showed that the activities of SGOT and SGPT levels were statistically significant (p<0,05) to negative control. Basil leaf extract shows the effect of hepatoprotector on liver induced by paracetamol, however the effect given was not able to equate with positive control.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 451-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond G. York ◽  
John Barnett ◽  
Michael F. Girard ◽  
David R. Mattie ◽  
Marni V. K. Bekkedal ◽  
...  

A developmental neurotoxicity study was conducted to generate additional data on the potential functional and morphological hazard to the central nervous system caused by ammonium perchlorate in offspring from in utero and lactation exposure. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (23 to 25/group) were given continuous access to 0 (carrier), 0.1, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 mg/kg-day perchlorate in the drinking water beginning 2 weeks prior to mating and continuing through day 10 of lactation for the behavioral function assessment or given continuous access to 0 (carrier), 0.1, 1.0, 3.0, and 30.0 mg/kg-day beginning on gestation day 0 and continuing through day 10 of lactation for neurodevelopment assessments. Motor activity was conducted on postpartum days 14, 18, and 22 and juvenile brain weights, neurohistopathological examinations, and regional brain morphometry were conducted on postpartum days 10 and 22. This research revealed a sexually dimorphic response, with some brain regions being larger in perchlorate-treated male rats than in comparable controls. Even so, there was no evidence of any obvious exposure-related effects on male rat brain weights or neuropathology. The most consistent exposure-related effect in the male pups was on the thickness of the corpus callosum, with both the right- and left-sided measures of the thickness of this white matter tract being significantly greater for the male pups in the 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg-day exposure groups. The behavioral testing suggests prenatal exposure to ammonium perchlorate does not affect the development of gross motor movements in the pups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Arias-Reyes ◽  
Sofien Laouafa ◽  
Natalia Zubieta-DeUrioste ◽  
Vincent Joseph ◽  
Aida Bairam ◽  
...  

Erythropoietin (EPO) regulates respiration under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia through interaction with the respiratory centers of the brainstem. Here we investigate the dose-dependent impact of EPO in the CB response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. We show, in isolated “en bloc” carotid body (CB) preparations containing the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) from adult male Sprague Dawley rats, that EPO acts as a stimulator of CSN activity in response to hypoxia at concentrations below 0.5 IU/ml. Under hypercapnic conditions, EPO did not influence the CSN response. EPO concentrations above 0.5 IU/ml decreased the response of the CSN to both hypoxia and hypercapnia, reaching complete inhibition at 2 IU/ml. The inhibitory action of high-dose EPO on the CSN activity might result from an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. Accordingly, CB preparations were incubated with 2 IU/ml EPO and the unspecific NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), or the neuronal-specific NO synthase inhibitor (7NI). Both NO inhibitors fully restored the CSN activity in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in presence of EPO. Our results show that EPO activates the CB response to hypoxia when its concentration does not exceed the threshold at which NO inhibitors masks EPO’s action.


1990 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Om P. Sharma ◽  
Shafiq A. Khan ◽  
Gerhard F. Weinbauer ◽  
Mohammed Arslan ◽  
Eberhard Nieschlag

Abstract The effects of androgens on the bioactivity and molecular composition of pituitary FSH were examined in intact and GnRH antagonist-suppressed male rats. Eight groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the following treatments: antagonist (75 μg/day by osmotic minipumps; sc), testosterone-filled Silastic implants (3×5 cm, sc), dihydrotestosterone-filled Silastic implants (3×5 cm, sc), E2 benzoate (15 μg/day, sc), and combined administration of antagonist with either steroid for 3 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, pituitaries were dissected out and homogenised. FSH content was determined in the pituitary extracts by an in vitro bioassay and a radioimmunoassay. Individual pituitary extracts from rats treated with vehicle, testosterone and testosterone + antagonist were subjected to isoelectric-focusing on sucrose density gradients performed in the pH range from 3.5 to 7.0. Individual isoelectric-focusing fractions (100-120) were analysed for bioactive and immunoreactive FSH. Treatment with antagonist, E2 or antagonist + E2 caused a significant decrease in pituitary FSH, whereas testosterone and dihydrotesterone alone or in combination with antagonist prevented the decrease in pituitary FSH. The effects of all treatments on both bioactive and immunoreactive FSH were similar. Testosterone treatment not only maintained FSH synthesis but also altered the molecular composition of pituitary FSH. Following treatment with testosterone there was a shift of maximal FSH bioactivity to the more acidic pH range. On the other hand, less bioactivity was recovered than corresponding immunoreactivity in the higher pH region, resulting in significantly reduced ratios of bioactivity to immunoreactivity of FSH. No significant differences were found in the isoelectric-focusing profiles or bioactivity to immunoreactivity ratios of pituitary FSH in animals treated with testosterone alone or in combination with antagonist. The results demonstrate that testosterone not only maintained the synthesis of both bioactive and immunoreactive FSH in male rats, but also influences the molecular composition of pituitary FSH. These effects of testosterone on pituitary FSH appear not to be mediated through hypothalamic GnRH.


1974 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. PURVIS ◽  
N. B. HAYNES

SUMMARY Peripheral plasma testosterone levels in the male rat were increased above control levels 5 min after the first intromission with an oestrous female, or 8–10 min after first contact with the female. The levels remained raised for at least 30 min if copulation was allowed to continue. Intravenous injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin resulted in an increased peripheral concentration of plasma testosterone after 10–15 min and an increase of testosterone content of the testis 5–10 min after injection, indicating that the rat testis has a potential to respond rapidly to gonadotrophin. The results suggested that if the testosterone surge during copulation was gonadotrophin-dependent, it was initiated before the first intromission. Indeed, plasma testosterone levels were raised in male rats 5 min after being placed in the proximity of oestrous females but not allowed physical contact.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-273
Author(s):  
Rajiv Balyan ◽  
Ma Cai ◽  
Wenhong Zhao ◽  
Zhao Dai ◽  
Yujia Zhai ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundSulfotransferases (SULTs) are phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. SULTs also regulate the biological activities of biological signaling molecules, such as various hormones, bile acids, and monoamine neurotransmitters; therefore, they play critical roles in the endocrine and nervous systems. People are subject to various kinds of physical, chemical, toxicological, physiological, and psychological stresses at one time or another. The study of the effects produced by stress may lead to finding novel remedies for many disease conditions. The effect of repeated restraint stress on rat SULT expression has not been studied. MethodsThis study involves the effect of repeated restraint stress on SULT1A1 expressions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=4) were subjected to repeated restraint stress 2 h/day for 7 days. Protein and RNA expression of SULT1A1 were analyzed by western blot and quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively, in important tissues. ResultsWe observed that repeated restraint stress increased the expression of SULT1A1 in the liver, adrenal glands, cerebellum, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex in male rats. Patterns of enhanced expression were observed at both mRNA and protein level, indicating that repeated restraint stress stimulates enzyme expression at the transcriptional level. ConclusionsChanges of SULT1A1 expression in important tissues caused by repeated restraint stress will have a significant effect on drug metabolism and xenobiotics detoxification. The significant changes in endocrine glands and brain sections may also cause disturbances in hormone homeostasis, therefore leading to disease conditions. This report provides clues for the understanding of the effect of stresses on health.


Author(s):  
Kristiana Nugraheni ◽  
Fadlina Chany Saputri

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the cardioprotective effect of secang extract on the heart cells of rats who suffered from myocardialinfarction induced by isoproterenol.Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups: Normal control, negative control, control extract (200 mg/kg), and threedifferent dose extract groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) that were given treatment for 30 days, and then, induced with isoproterenol.Observations were made for changes in the macroscopic appearance, cardiac weight, and histology of the cardiac organ.Results: The results showed a decrease in the incidence of myocardial infarction in rats given secang extract. The infarction area decreased withincreasing doses of extract. The weight of the heart in the control extract group was smaller than in the negative control group.Conclusions: Damage to heart cells, seen in the microscope, decreased with increasing doses.


2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1600-1605 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Heath ◽  
Y. Abdelmageed ◽  
T.D. Braden ◽  
A.C. Nichols ◽  
D.A. Steffy

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