Spermatotoxic Effects of Some Medicinal Plants (Carica papaya, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Ipomoea batatas) on Sperm Quality and Testicular Weight in Male African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds, hibiscus plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) leaves andsweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leavesextractson sperm quality (sperm motility, sperm density, semen volume) and weight of testes of male Clarias gariepinus.One hundred and twenty (120) juveniles of C. gariepinuswere collected from the University of Calabar fish farm. The 120 fish were randomly divided into 12 experimental tanks measuring 80x80x80cm (L x W x H), with three tanks for each treatment, using a completely randomized design (CRD). Three grams (3g) of each test plant were incorporated into 1kg of Coppens feed (3g/kg) and reformulated into four experimental diets; Treatment A-Control, B-Pawpaw seed meal (PSM), C-Hibiscus leaf meal (HLM) and D-sweet potato leaf meal (SPLM). The experiment was done in three replications. The fish were fed twice daily for 6 months. Data obtained were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that fish fed with HLM had significantly (p =.05) higher testicular weight when compared with the control and other test plants. Moreover, sperm volume and density significantly (p =.05) reduced in fish samples treated with PSM and SPLM when compared with the control and fish fed with HLM. The highest mean sperm volume and density were obtained in fish samples fed with HLM. No significant difference was observed in the sperm motility of the fish in all the treatment groups. Conclusively, this study reveals the pro-fertility potential ofH. rosa-sinensisin maleC. gariepinuswhile C. papaya and I. batatas possess anti-fertility properties. Therefore, HLM can be utilized as feed additive to minimize the dependence on synthetic drugs as fertility enhancing agents.

Effect of electromagnetic irradiation produced by 3G mobile phone on male rat reproductive system in a simulated scenario.

Reports of declining male fertility have renewed interest in assessing the role of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Testicular function is particularly susceptible to the radiation emitted by EMFs. Significant decrease in sperm count, increase in the lipid peroxidation damage in sperm cells, reduction in seminiferous tubules and testicular weight and DNA damage were observed following exposure to EMF in male albino rats. The results suggest that mobile phone exposure adversely affects male fertility.

Changes in Some Testicular Biometric Parameters and Testicular Function in Cadmium Chloride Administered Wistar Rats.

Introduction: Recently there has been an increased association between environmental factors and male infertility. Aims: In the present study, the effect of changes in testicular biometric parameters (weight and volume) and testicular function (Sperm count, morphology, testosterone level) in Cadmium chloride administered Wistar rats was studied. Methodology: Twenty male albino Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=5). Group A (control) received rat chow and water, while Group B, C and D received 15mg/L, 20mg/L and 25mg/L of Cadmium chloride respectively for 6 weeks. Result: There was a significant (P=.05) and dose dependent decrease in testicular function parameters in the rats and a significant (P=.05) and positive correlation between the biometric parameters and testicular function. Conclusion: The findings showed that Cadmium chloride has a deleterious effect on testicular function and biometric parameters of the testes may be important in the assessment of testicular function.

Índice gonadossomático e correlações entre dimensões e peso testiculares na codorna japonesa (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aos 60 dias de idade / Gonadosomatic index and correlations between testicular dimensions and weight in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 60 days old

As dimensões e o peso testicular foram avaliados em 25 machos adultos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) e correlacionados entre si, a fim de se buscar obter informações que possibilitem a criação de um parâmetro preditivo da capacidade de produção espermática. As aves foram abatidas e os testículos removidos para mensuração e pesagem. As dimensões e o peso entre os testículos esquerdo e direito foram comparados. Os parâmetros testiculares foram correlacionados entre si por meio da determinação do coeficiente de correlação linear. O índice gonadossomático também foi determinado, indicando alocação de 3,68% do peso corporal em testículos nos machos avaliados, resultado maior do que os descritos na literatura. Apesar da diferença de formato entre os testículos esquerdo e direito, o peso foi semelhante, sugerindo que não há diferença na capacidade de produção espermática entre eles. Diferença estatística entre os valores biométricos indica que o testículo esquerdo é mais curto e mais arredondado, enquanto o direito é mais longo e estreito. O peso corporal apresentou baixa correlação com o peso testicular, 0,14 e 0,12 para os testículos esquerdo e direito, respectivamente. Os parâmetros que melhor se correlacionaram com o peso testicular foram a largura e a espessura. Considerando-se a identificação de um parâmetro único para comparação entre machos, a espessura do testículo esquerdo apresentou coeficiente de correlação linear de 0,89 com o somatório do peso dos dois testículos. Com base nessa informação, métodos não invasivos, como a ultrassonografia, poderiam ser utilizados para estimar o potencial reprodutivo e auxiliar na comparação de machos de codornas japonesas em núcleos de seleção de aves elite, contribuindo para melhoramento genético da espécie.

The size and testis weight were evaluated and correlated in 25 adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), seeking information to enable the development of a predictive parameter of sperm production capacity. The birds were slaughtered and testes removed for measuring and weighing. The size and testis weight were compared between the left and right. The testicular parameters were correlated by determining the linear correlation coefficient. The gonadosomatic index was also determined, indicating the allocation of 3.68% of body weight in the testes, greater than described in literature. Despite the difference in shape between the left and right testis, weight was similar, suggesting that there is no difference in the capacity of sperm production amongst them. A statistical difference between the biometric values indicates that the left testicle is shorter and more rounded, while the right is longer and narrower. Body weight showed a low correlation with the testicular weight, 0.14 and 0.12 for the left and right testes, respectively. The parameters that best correlated with testicular weight were the width and thickness. Given the identification of a single parameter for comparison of males, the thickness of the left testis showed linear correlation coefficient of 0.89 with the sum of the weight of both testicles. From this information, noninvasive methods such as ultrasound could be used to estimate the reproductive potential and ease the comparison of male Japanese quail in elite selection nuclei, contributing to the genetic improvement of the species.

Determinação da circunferência escrotal em touros de corte no Rio Grande do Sul / Measurement of scrotal circumference in beef bulls in Rio Grande do Sul

The variability of scrotal circumference and the effects of age and breed as well as the relationship between testicular weight (TW), scrotal circumference (SC), and live weight (BW) were investigated in bulls. Devon, Polled Hereford, and Red Angus breeds showed higher SC values than the other British, Continental, Synthetic, and Zebu studied breeds. The percentage of culled bulls because of low SC ranged from 7.01 to 24.25 percent. The increase of SC was proportional to the increase in TW and they were highly correlated (r²= 0.90). The results suggest that SC in young bulls is the best way to predict TW and, therefore, a useful tool for their selection.

A variabilidade da circunferência escrotal e os efeitos de idade e raça,assim como, as relações existentes entre o peso testicular (PT), a circunferência escrotal (CE) e o peso vivo (PV) foram investigados em touros. As raças Devon, Polled Hereford e Red Angus apresentaram valores de CE mais altos que as demais raças avaliadas, tanto inglesas, como continentais, sintéticas e zebuínas. O percentual descartado de touros devido à baixa CE variou de 7,0 a 24,2 por cento. O aumento da CE acompanhou o aumento do PT dos animais, e estes foram altamente relacionados, r² = 0,90. Os resultados sugerem que, em touros jovens, a CE é a melhor forma de predizer o PT e, portanto, uma ferramenta útil para selecionar touros.