Tocopherols and Antioxidants Assay to Understand the Mechanism of Soybean Seed Longevity

Background: Soybean, an important oilseed crop of India, is rich in protein, oil, vitamins, isoflavones and minerals. Being an oilseed crop and the inherent physiological and biochemical properties, soybean seeds looses itsviability andvigour rapidly during storage, resultinginto poor stand establishment and productivity, upon subsequent planting. The current study aimed to understand the mechanism of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes in soybean seed longevity.Methods: Ten good storer and ten poor storer, identified after storing for 8 months in ambient laboratory condition, were phenotyped biochemically to understand the mechanism of antioxidants [tocopherols (4 isomers) and isoflavones (12 isomers)] and antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), peroxidise (POX), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR)]in seed longevity. Result: Good and poor storer genotypes recorded a mean initial germination of 99 and 96%, decreased to 91 and 67%, respectively upon eight months of laboratory ambient storage. Significant differences were observed in the activities of SOD, CAT, GR, alpha (α-T) and delta (δ-T) tocopherol between good and poor storer genotypes. Isomers of tocopherols ie. α-T and δ-T were found to beeither negatively (r= -0.55) or positively (r= 0.60) associated with seed longevity, indicated the role of individual tocopherol isomer than those to total tocopherols in seed longevity.

EFFECT OF VITAMIN E (α-TOCOPHEROL) ADMINISTRATION ON SPERM MOTILITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF SPRAGUE DAWLEY STRAIN RATS AFTER CISPLATIN TREATMENT

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E α-tocopherol isomer against the toxicity of cisplatin on sperm motility and morphology in Sprague Dawley rats. Material & Methods: Twenty-four rats were grouped into four groups (n=6). The control group (CN) was injected with normal saline, second group (CP) was injected with cisplatin, the third group (P1) was injected with cisplatin and vitamin E 50 mg/kgBW for 7 weeks P.O, the fourth group (P2) was injected with cisplatin and vitamin E 200 mg/kgBW for 7 weeks P.O. Vitamin E was given from 3 weeks before cisplatin injection and 4 weeks following cisplatin injection. At 7th week, all the samples were undergoing bilateral orchidectomy. Vitamin E that being used in this study was α-tocopherol isomer. Results: Cisplatin decreased motility and morphology of spermatozoa significantly against controls. Vitamin E 50 mg/kgBW and 200 mg/kgBW significantly increased motility of spermatozoa (p<0.05) compared to those in the cisplatin group only. Vitamin E 50 mg/kgBW, and 200 mg/kgBW did not have a significant difference in spermatozoa motility compare to control groups. Vitamin E 50 mg/kgBW and 200 mg/kgBW could increase the spermatozoa morphology significantly compare to those cisplatin only group. Vitamin E 50 mg/kgBW, and 200 mg/kgBW did not have a significant difference in spermatozoa morphology compared to control groups. Conclusion: α-tocopherol 50 mg/kgBW and 200 mg/kgBW provided a same protective effect against spermatozoa damage especially in motility and morphology aspect due to cisplatin exposure. Therefore, in this study it was more recommended to use α-tocopherol in 50 mg/kgBW dose than 200 mg/kgBW.

Time course of vitamin E repletion in the premature infant

Plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) tocopherol-isomer concentrations were determined serially in forty-two premature infants (25–35 weeks gestation) from birth to 8 weeks of age. For comparison purposes vitamin E status was also determined in six term infants over the first 8 d following birth and in a group of thirteen adult volunteers. Vitamin E intakes in term and preterm infants were calculated from recorded food intakes and blood transfusions. In term infants plasma vitamin E concentration rose from 1.9 mg/l (day 1) to 8 2 mg/l by day 8. In comparison preterm plasma vitamin E concentration, 0.3 mg/l (day I), did not change appreciably by day 8 (0.7mg/l). Likewise RBC vitamin E concentration increased in term infants from 1.3 mg/l (day 1) to 2.7 mg/l (day 8), while in preterm infants it remained unchanged, 1.5 mg/l (day 1) v. 1.3 mg/l (day 8). Over the 3 weeks following birth, RBC vitamin E concentrations in the premature infants increased to adult values, while plasma vitamin E concentration did not reach the adult range until 8 weeks post-term. These slow changes in plasma vitamin E status occurred even though the vitamin E intake of these infants was similar to that proving adequate for term infants.