Understanding the molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A action in spermatozoa / 대한생식의학회지

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that is capable of interfering with the normal function of the endocrine system in the body. Exposure to this chemical from BPA-containing materials and the environment is associated with deleterious health effects, including male reproductive abnormalities. A search of the literature demonstrated that BPA, as a toxicant, directly affects the cellular oxidative stress response machinery. Because of its hormone-like properties, it can also bind with specific receptors in target cells. Therefore, the tissue-specific effects of BPA mostly depend on its endocrine-disrupting capabilities and the expression of those particular receptors in target cells. Although studies have shown the possible mechanisms of BPA action in various cell types, a clear consensus has yet to be established. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of BPA action in spermatozoa by compiling existing information in the literature.

Clinical assessment of the male fertility

The evaluation of infertility in males consists of physical examination and semen analyses. Standardized semen analyses depend on the descriptive analysis of sperm motility, morphology, and concentration, with a threshold level that must be surpassed to be considered a fertile spermatozoon. Nonetheless, these conventional parameters are not satisfactory for clinicians since 25% of infertility cases worldwide remain unexplained. Therefore, newer tests methods have been established to investigate sperm physiology and functions by monitoring characteristics such as motility, capacitation, the acrosome reaction, reactive oxygen species, sperm DNA damage, chromatin structure, zona pellucida binding, and sperm-oocyte fusion. After the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique, sperm maturity, morphology, and aneuploidy conditions have gotten more attention for investigating unexplained male infertility. In the present article, recent advancements in research regarding the utilization of male fertility prediction tests and their role and accuracy are reviewed.

Antidiabetic and antidiarrhoeal potentials of ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of Cynodon dactylon Pers

Objective: To explore the antidiabetic and the antidiarrhoeal effects of ethanolic extracts of Cynodon dactylon Pers. aerial parts (EECA) in Wistar rats. Methods: To assess the antidiabetic activity of EECA, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) model and alloxan induced diabetic test (AIDT) model were performed. The EECA was used at the doses of 2 g/kg, 1 g/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight in OGTT model and 1.5 g/kg was used for AIDT model. Castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model and gastrointestinal motility test with barium sulphate milk model were performed for evaluating the antidiarrhoeal effects at doses of 1 g/kg, 750 mg/kg respectively. Results: The dose 2 g/kg in OGTT and 1.5 g/kg in AIDT model blood glucose levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in Wistar rats that showed antidiabetic effect of EECA. After administration of EECA at the dose of 1 g/kg, the extract showed significant (P < 0.05) antidiarrhoeal activity in castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model. The results were also significant (P < 0.05) in barium sulphate milk model for the same dose by using above mentioned animals. Conclusions: It is concluded that EECA contains both antidiabetic and the antidiarrhoeal properties.