Improvement of fertility parameters with tribulus terrestris and anacyclus pyrethrum treatment in male rats

ABSTRACT Objective Anacyclus Pyrethrum (AP) and Tribulus Terrestris (TT) have been reported as male infertility treatment in several studies; however, in Iranian traditional medicine these two plants are prescribed simultaneously. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of AP and TT extracts both separately and simultaneously on the male Wistar rat fertility parameters. Materials and Methods 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, TT, AP, and AT treated groups. Treatment continued for 25 days and rats were weighed daily. Their testes were dissected for histological studies. Sperm analysis including sperm count, viability and motility were performed. Serum was obtained to evaluate testosterone, LH and FSH levels. Histological studies were conducted to study Leydig, and Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatid cell numbers, and to measure seminiferous diameter and epithelium thickness. Results Sperm count increased in all the treatment groups. Sperm viability and motility in AT and AP groups were elevated. TT and AT groups showed significantly increased testosterone level compared to control group (P=004, P=0.000, respectively) and TT, AP and AT treatment groups showed increased LH level (P=0.002, P=0.03 and P=0.000, respectively) compared to control, while only AT group showed increased FSH (p=0.006) compared to control. Histological studies showed significant increase of spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cell numbers and epithelial thickness in AT group compared to other groups. All the treatment groups had higher number of Leydig, spermatogonia and spermatid cells. Conclusion TT and AP improved sexual parameters; however, their simultaneous administration had higher improving effects on studied parameters.

The relationship between follice-stimulating hormone and its receptor in male reproduction / 中国医师杂志

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is the key endocrine hormone regulating the gonadal function of both sexes.FSH stimulates male testicular Sertoli differentiation,promotes testicular development,and mitosis of spermatogonia.FSH maintains adult Sertoli cell metabolism and plays an important role in spermatogenesis,germ cell survival and male fertility.FSH and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene mutation or gene polymorphism may affect the role of FSH on target organs.This article reviews the relationship between FSH and FSHR and male reproductive relationship.

Impact of body mass index, age and varicocele on reproductive hormone profile from elderly men

ABSTRACT Objectives: To study the impact of obesity, age and varicocele on sexual hormones fof adult and elderly men. Materials and Methods: 875 men who were screened for prostate cancer were enrolled in this study. Data recorded comprised age, body mass index (BMI), serum levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). Patients were divided in groups according to their BMI in underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese grades 1, 2 or 3. First, it was studied the association between age, BMI, and hormone profile. Then, clinical varicocele was evaluated in 298 patients to assess its correlation to the others parameters. Results: Obese patients had lower levels of TT, FT and SHBG (p<0.001) compared to underweight or normal weight patients. There were no differences in age (p=0.113), FSH serum levels (p=0.863) and LH serum levels (p=0.218) between obese and non-obese patients. Obese grade 3 had lower levels of TT and FT compared to obese grade 1 and 2 (p<0.05). There was no difference in the SHBG levels (p=0.120) among obese patients. There was no association between varicocele and BMI; and varicocele did not impact on testosterone or SHBG levels. Conclusions: Men with higher BMI have a lower serum level of TT, FT and SHBG. The presence of clinical varicocele as well as its grade has no impact on hormone profile in elderly men.

Preparation and in vitro targeting of follicle stimulating hormone polypeptide modified nanoparticles / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To prepare follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) polypeptide modified nanoparticles (NP) in order to achieve specific ovarian tumor targeting. Methods Expression of FSH receptor protein in human liver cancer and ovarian cancer cell lines BEL-7402, SKOV-3 and Caov-3 was detected by immunocytochemistry. The polypeptide fragment of FSH β 81 -95 amino acids (FSHL81-95)was synthesized and covalently coupled to NP. The specific binding of FSHL81-95 and FSHL81-95-NP was examined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Results BEL-7402 and SKOV-3 cells were negative for FSH receptor staining, while Caov-3 celia were positive. The diameters of NP were about 100 nm, with a Zeta potential of -25 mV or so. Caov-3 cells showed a more specific interaction with FSHL81-95-NP than SKOV-3 cells (4. 17 ± 0. 86 and 2. 30 ± 0. 21 ; P < 0. 05). The uptake of FSHL81-95-NP was more than NP in Caov-3 cells (4. 17 ± 0. 86 and 0. 41 ± 0. 32 ; P < 0. 05 ). FSHL81-95-NP showed a selective targeting at Caov-3 cells compared with control NP. Conclusion FSH polypeptide modified NP could selectively target ovarian cancer cells expressing FSH receptor, which might contribute to specific endocytosis mediated by FSH receptor.

Expression of FSH receptor in ovary tissue of rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the expressions of FSH receptor mRNA and protein in ovary tissue in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),and to provide experimental data for the model application. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into two groups(n=20),in PCOS model group letrozole was administered once daily during 21 d,and in control group without any treatment.The gonadal hormone concentrations in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay,the histologic changes in ovaries were observed by HE staining,the expression of FSH receptor gene in ovary tissue was detected by realtime -PCR,Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with control group,estradiol(E2) and progesterone in model group showed a considerable reduction(P0.05).Compared with control group,the ovaries from model group showed high incidence of subcapsular ovarian cyst and capsular thickening and decreased number of corpora lutea.The expressions of FSH receptor mRNA and protein were significantly higher in model group than those in control group(P

Ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation depends on the level of follicle stimulating hormone receptor on granulosa cells / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the role of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression on granulosa cells in ovarian response of women undergoing gonadotropin stimulation. Methods A total of 60 women were recruited and divided into poor, moderate and high responders according to the number of follicles. FSHR expression was detemined by Western blot on granulosa cells obtained by follicular aspiration. The peak levels of serum estradiol (E_2) were meassured by immunofluorescent assay. Results (1) The expression of FSHR was significantly different among the 3 groups, being 0.19?0.07, 0.34?0.16, and 0.45?0.18 for poor, moderate and high responders, respectively(P

Follicular stimulating hormone receptor gene C566T mutation in premature ovarian failure / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence of follicular stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene C566T mutation in Chinese women with premature ovarian failure (POF) and to explore the etiologies of POF. Methods This case-control study was carried out between 73 Chinese women with idiopathic POF (POF group) and 35 controls (control group), including 25 normal females with a regular menstrual history and 10 normal post-menopause women. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients and controls. The exon 7 of FSHR gene was amplified by PCR. PCR products were subsequently digested by the enzyme BsmI and then subjected to electrophoresis on agarose gels and stained with ethidium bromide to determine the C566T mutation. DNA samples of random sampling were further analysed by sequencing the PCR products to confirm the mutation. Results BsmI digestion resulting in two fragments of 51 and 27 base pairs was noted for all 73 POF patients and 35 controls. PCR sequencing confirmed that the 566 allele of FSHR gene is C, demonstrating normal FSHR allele. Conclusions No FSHR gene C566T mutation is present in POF patients and controls. FSHR C566T mutation may be rare in Chinese women with POF.