ABSTRACT
Background: Sildenafil is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is helping millions of men around the world to achieve and maintain a long lasting erection. The histological alterations in the genital system epithelial lining due to sildenafil overdoses intoxication has not yet been well documented. Aim: The present study was carried out to investigate the histological alterations induced by sildenafil overdoses in the epididymal epithelial lining. Methodology: Fifty adult male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were subjected to sildenafil (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 mg/kg/day) for 5 days per week for 7 weeks. Samples from left and right proximal epididymis were applied to conventional histological techniques and subjected to histological examination. Results: Exposure to overdoses of sildenafil had provoked histological alterations in the epididymal tissue in the form of epididymal hyperplasia and dilated lumina. Mature spermatozoa were less frequent in the lumen of the epididymis than the control ones while spermatogenic cells, cellular debris and spermatid giant cell were seen in the lumen of the epididymis. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirms that sildenafil provoked alterations in the epididymal epithelial lining together with partial arresting spermatogenesis and impairing the spermatic cells differentiation towards maturation. The findings together might indicate an affect on male fertility induced by sildenafil overdoses.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the total anti-oxidation capacity(T-AOC), superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and nitric oxide(NO) in testis homogenate of the rats’ with chronic fluorosis induced by drinking NaF solutions with different concentration. Methods 24 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (8 rats per group) including control group, low-fluoride(LF) group, high-fluoride(HF) group, which were exposed to fluoride by means of freely drinking tap water containing NaF with 0, 100 and 200 mg/L respectively for 20 weeks. T-AOC, NOS activities and SOD activity of the testis tissue were determined by colorimetry , xanthine oxidase method and nitrate reductase method respectively. Results Compared with the control group, the T-AOC of the testis tissue increased significantly in LF group and decreased significantly in HF group. SOD activity of the testis tissue showed on significant difference among the control group, LF group and HF group . Compared with the control group, the levels of NOS and NO decreased significantly in LF group and increased significantly in HF group. Conclusion The T-AOC of the testis tissue exposed to low level of fluoride presents a compensatory increase induced by the inhibited activity of NOS and synthesis of NO. Higher level of fluoride may increase reactive oxygen species(ROS), and cause abnormal expression of induce nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and increased synthesis of NO in the testis tissue.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the toxicity of organic extract from river water on the male reproductive system in rats.Methods Organic pollutants were extracted from river water with XAD-2 resin and the extract from 2,16 and 80 L river water was administered daily into 30 male SD rats by gavage for consecutive 28 days.Corn oil served as the solvent control in another ten rats.After the last intake of water extract,all rats were killed,and the sections of testis were prepared according to routine procedure.The TUNEL assay for in situ detection of apoptosis and quantitation of apoptotic germ were performed on testicular sections.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to examine the changes of scf,fas,fasL and c-kit expressions in rat testis.Results The percentage of apoptotic spermatid cells significantly increased in rats receiving organic extract from 80 L water daily,as compared with the control rats.The spermatocytes in rats receiving organic extract from 80 L water daily overexpressed fas,fasL and c-kit.Conclusion The organic pollutants from river water result in spermatid apoptosis and spermatogenesis arrest.