Cypermethrin induced pathological and biochemical changes in reproductive organs of female rats.

Cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, has broad spectrum use in domestic agriculture, and veterinary applications due to its high bioefficacy, enhanced stability and low mammalian toxicity. The present investigation was performed to investigate the sub acute effects of cypermethrin (25EC) in female rats. Cypermethrin (25EC) at a dose of 50mg kg-1 body weight (1/5th LD50) was orally given to female rats for 4 weeks. Control rats received similar amount of ground nut oil. Significant decrease in ovarian weight (15.4%) was observed after four weeks of cypermethrin administration while the uterine weight (68.2%) and thickness of myometrium increased at 2 and 4 weeks. Cypermethrin caused degenerative changes in ovary as evidenced by increased follicular atresia and decreased concentration of proteins (38%), lipids (20%), phospholipids (18%) and cholesterol (37%). Acid (49.2%) and alkaline phosphatase (41%) activities were increased while lactate dehydrogenase (37.9%) and 3b–HSDH (31.3%) decreased in treated rat ovary.

Biochemical status of ovaries after induction of superovulation on different days of estrus cycle in mice.

To investigate the role of ovarian status and to find out a suitable hormonal dose for induction of superovulation and its effect on biochemical status of the ovaries, the mice were injected with PMSG in doses of 5, 7.5, and 10 IU on different days of the estrous cycle i.e. proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus followed by hCG injection 48 hr later. All these treatments increased the mean ovarian weight and ovulation rate when compared with that of control animals. Maximum response was observed by treatment with 7.5 IU PMSG on the day of estrus. This treatment resulted in a non-significant decrease in total proteins but a significant increase in the lipid concentrations while no change in cholesterol content of the ovaries of superovulated mice. The activity of acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase significantly increased and alanine aminotranseferase significantly decreased in the ovaries of mice after superovulatory treatment when compared with that of control animals. This reveals that treatment with PMSG and hCG results in metabolic alterations in the ovaries which may perhaps be inducing biosynthetic deficiencies in oocytes as indicated by increased prenatal mortality in superovulated pregnant mice when compared with that of controls in the present studies.

Epichlorohydrin induced biochemical changes in the rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri Scopoli.

Intraperitoneal administration of epichlorohydrin (ECH) at the dose level of 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight inhibited spermatogenesis in the testis of parakeet during breeding season. A total load of 60 mg/kg body weight of ECH given on 3 consecutive days proved to be lethal. Testicular proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), phospholipids and acid phosphatase activity were decreased, while the lipids, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity increased after ECH administration. The results suggest that the testicular atrophy caused by ECH was associated with an alteration in the activities of macromolecules and enzymes related to specific events of spermatogenesis.

Role of estradiol in the capacitation and acrosome reaction of hamster epididymal spermatozoa in the isolated uterus of mice incubated in vitro.

The site of sperm capacitation, the agents and mechanisms causing capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR) in vivo are not well understood. The female reproductive tract has been reported to play a key role during capacitation and AR. Some experiments were carried out on the capacitation and AR of hamster epididymal spermatozoa in the estrogen and progesterone dominated uterus (estrous and diestrous respectively) albino mice, incubated in TALP without calcium and BSA. Also the effect of estradiol (200 micrograms/ml) supplemented to TALP, on capacitation and AR was examined. Capacitation and AR of hamster spermatozoa incubated in the isolated uterus of both estrous and diestrous mice were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the presence of exogenous estradiol than that in its absence. Acrosome shedding occurred earlier i.e. at 3rd hour as compared to the in vitro studies where it occurred at 5th hour. The present study thus reveals that uterus of both estrogen and progesterone dominated mice play an important role in the induction of capacitation and AR. The addition of estradiol might have the influence on the synthesis of uterine proteins of mice which might be important for capacitation and AR.

Danazol-induced biochemical changes in the rat ovary.

Effect of varying doses of danazol, a synthetic steroid derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyl testosterone has been observed on the biochemistry of the rat ovary. Biochemically total proteins decreased and total lipids increased with the danazol treatment. Triglycerides, the stored form of lipids formed the major components of lipids in the treated ovaries. The amount of phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids decreased in the ovaries with increased danazol treatment. The functional significance of these changes have been discussed with ovarian physiology especially in relation to follicular growth and atresia.

Cyclophosphamide-induced structural and biochemical changes in testis and epididymidis of rats.

Effect of cyclophosphamide administration (100 mg/kg body weight, ip, for 5 consecutive days) was studied on albino rat testis and epididymidis after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment. Cyclophosphamide decreased testis and cauda epididymidal weights, sperm count, motile and viable spermatozoa and increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. The biochemical changes observed in the testis include increase in acid and alkaline phosphatase activities and decrease in proteins and activity of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of lipids and total cholesterol were not affected. In the epididymidis cyclophosphamide caused decrease in the tubular diameter and increase in its epithelial height. It is concluded that cyclophosphamide brings about structural and biochemical changes in the testis and epididymidis.

Biochemical changes in lipids during follicular growth and corpora lutea formation and regression in rat ovary.

A biochemical study has been made on quantitative and qualitative changes in lipids of small (less than 300 microns), medium (300 to 550 microns) and large (less than 550 microns) follicles and in the fully developed and regressing corpora lutea. The total lipid content increased in the growing follicles and corpora lutea. Phospholipids formed the major component of total lipids in small sized follicles and developed corpus luteum. The cholesterol amount increased with the growth of follicles but decreased in the developed and regressing corpora lutea. Glycerides were the main fraction of total lipids in regressing corpora lutea. Free fatty acids were present in minor quantities in the growing follicles and corpora lutea. The physiological significance of these lipid changes is discussed.