Dose-dependent effect of copper chloride on male reproductive function in immature rats.

BACKGROUND: Copper is essential as a trace element for metabolic processes. Exposure to copper in industries develops toxicity among the workers. Previous findings on adverse effects of copper on male reproductive function in adult albino rats led to investigate the effects of this metal on reproductive function of maturing male rats in the present experiment. METHODOLOGY: To study these effects, immature (30 to 35 days old) Wistar strain albino rats weighing about 50-60 g were treated intraperitoneally with copper chloride at doses of 1000, 2000 and 3000 microg/kg body weight/day for 26 days. RESULT: Significant fall in accessory sex organ weight and inhibition of testicular 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity along with degeneration of testicular growing spermatogenic cells and reduction in serum testosterone, FSH and LH level were observed at the doses of 2000 and 3000microg/kg/day. On the other hand, at the dose of 1000 microg/kg/day significant increase in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activity and stimulation of testicular spermatogenesis along with rise in serum testosterone and LH level were observed, though no significant change was observed in serum FSH level. This suggests that copper has got a dose-dependent effect on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis and serum testosterone and LH level in maturing male rats.

Protection of adrenocortical activity by dietary casein in ether anaesthetized rats.

Adrenal delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and serum corticosterone level were significantly higher in rats fed with 5% casein or 4% albumin diets after 1 hr of ether anaesthetic stress as compared to the controls, 5% casein and 20% casein (equivalent to 4% albumin) respectively. Ether anaesthesia to 20% casein fed rats caused no change in adrenal delta5-3beta-HSD activity and serum corticosterone level when compared with controls fed 20% casein diet. The results suggest that high milk protein diet may prevent acute stress effects by protecting adrenocortical activity. The present investigation opens up a new area of management of stress.

Effect of casein diet on gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist induced changes in adrenal gonadal functions in male rats.

Adult male rats received daily injections (sc) of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (0.2 mg/kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 21 days when they were sacrificed on day 22, adrenal weight, adrenal A5-3beta (delta 5-3beta) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and serum level of corticosterone were increased significantly while testicular 17beta (17beta) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) activity and serum level of testosterone and spermatogenesis were decreased in the rats fed on 5% casein diet. GnRH antagonist treated rats fed on 20% casein diet, resulted significant decrease in adrenal weight, serum corticosterone and adrenal A5-3beta-HSD activity while testicular 17beta-HSD activity serum testosterone levels and the weights of sex organs were increased with respect to anti GnRH treated rats fed on 5% casein diet. But the GnRH antagonist treated rats fed on 20% casein diet showed decreased spermatogenesis quantitatively and sperm count appeared similar to anti GnRH treated rats fed on 5% casein diet. These results indicate that high casein diet protects adrenocortical activity and stimulates testosterone synthesis without effecting spermatogenic arrest in GnRH antagonist treated rats. It may be concluded that GnRH antagonist in presence of high milk protein diet may be considered to be a suitable antihormone in the development of an ideal male contraceptive.

Prevention of adrenocortical hyperactivity by dietary casein in rats exposed to forced swimming stress.

Adrenal weight, adrenal hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and serum corticosterone level were significantly higher in rats fed with 5% casein diet after 7 days of swimming stress (45 min/day) as compared to their controls. All the parameters were similar to their control levels in rats receiving 20% casein diet and exposed to swimming stress. The results suggest that casein can play an important role in preventing adrenocortical hyperactivity in swimming stressed rats.

Effect of ascorbic acid on in vitro synthesis of testosterone in rat testis.

Effect of ascorbic acid on testicular steroid dehydrogenase activity and testosterone concentration, using in vitro preparation of rat testis, was studied. A significant stimulation of enzyme activity and rise in testosterone content were observed.

Effect of lithium chloride on adrenocortical activity in male rats: evidence of dose and duration dependent response.

Changes in the adrenal weight, adrenal 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (5-ene-3 beta-HSD) activity and serum levels of corticosterone were observed in male wistar rats after the treatment of lithium chloride in the doses of 100, 200 and 400 micrograms/100 g of body weight/day for 7, 14 and 21 days. The experiments indicate that 200 and 400 micrograms/100 g.b.w. administered for 14 and 21 days caused a significant stimulation in the activities of adrenal 5-ene-3 beta-HSD along with elevation of adrenal weights and serum levels of corticosterone. 100 micrograms of lithium chloride was not able to modulate the adrenal activity. Moreover, plasma levels of lithium remain in therapeutic range in this experiment at the doses of 200 and 400 micrograms/100 g body weight. Therefore, our data suggest that lithium can alter the adrenal activity within its therapeutic range according to the duration of treatment.

Effect of lithium chloride on spermatogenesis and testicular delta 5-3 beta, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in the 'antiserum to luteinizing hormone' treated toad (Bufo melanostictus).

Activities of delta 5-3 beta- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD), Leydig cell nuclear area (LCNA) and spermatogenesis in the testis were observed after injection of lithium chloride in the 'antiserum to luteinizing hormone (LH)' treated toad. A significant decrease in the activities of steroidogenic enzymes, LCNA and spermatogenesis were noticed after the injections of 'antiserum to LH' to toads. Further decrease in the activities of the above parameters was observed in the lithium chloride--'antiserum to LH' treated toad. It is suggested that lithium chloride may inhibits testicular function without modulating the pituitary activity.

Influence of pituitary on histology of Bidder's organ in castrated toad Bufo melanostictus.

Weight, number of follicles and corpora lutea of Bidder's organ increased significantly after castration of adult toad in breeding season. Removal of pituitary along with testes decreased both weight and number of follicles and corpora lutea. Administration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in castrated and hypophysectomized toad showed more or less similar result as that of control indicating that LH has an effect on the histology of Bidder's organ in the toad.

Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in lithium treated testis, prostate and seminal vesicles of adult albino rats: evidence of duration and dose dependent response.

Changes in the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase were observed in the testis, prostate and seminal vesicle after the injection of lithium chloride at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 micrograms/100 g body weight/day for 7, 14 and 21 days. The studies indicate that 200 and 400 micrograms/100 g body weight for 14 days and 21 days showed a significant inhibition in the activity of acid phosphatase in all the above reproductive organs. There is a significant stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity at the doses of 200 and 400 micrograms of lithium after 21 days of treatment in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle along with significant decrease in accessory sex organs weight in comparison to control animal. Therefore, it is evident that the effect of lithium on male reproductive organs mainly depends on the amount of the drug being injected and the duration of treatment to it.