Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) seeds induce male reproductive toxicity by suppressing the pituitary-gonadal axis in Wistar rats

The methanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seeds (MEBC) has been reported to induce male reproductive toxicity by decreasing sperm parameters and fertility index. To elucidate the possible mechanism(s), the effects of graded doses of MEBC on sex hormones and sperm profile were investigated in this study. The MEBC (e.g., 50, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) was administered daily (p.o.) to male Wistar rats for 6 weeks, while a concurrent control group received distilled water (vehicle). Then, the animals were sacrificed under sodium pentobarbital anaesthesia. Weights of organs were recorded, and the sperm profile was determined microscopically. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were assayed from the obtained serum using the ELISA technique. Sperm motility was significantly reduced by MEBC (i.e., 50 and 200 mg/kg), and sperm count reduced in all treated groups in a dose-dependent manner compared with that of the control. Serum testosterone, LH, and FSH decreased in treated rats. A histopathological examination of testes showed a considerable depletion and necrosis of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules. The result suggests that Buchholzia coriacea seeds induce male reproductive toxicity by suppressing the pituitary-gonadal axis.

Fertility Enhancing Potency of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Male Rats

Abstract Cases of some grave side effects of some allopathic medicines used in treatment of infertility has caused a global need for alternatives with minimal or no side effect, hence the demand to evaluate the fertility enhancing potential of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in male rats. This study evaluated the fertility enhancing potential of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in male rats. Seventy-two sexually mature male albino rats 11-13 weeks of age, weighing between 171 - 180 g were assigned into six groups (I - VI) fed graded doses of O3FA. Administration of O3FA lasted twenty-eight days at 48 hour intervals. At the end of the treatment, organosomatic index of testes, testicular and epididymis sperm cells counts and testicular histology were assessed following standard methods. The actual and relative testicular weights, testicular and epididymis sperm counts of all O3FA treated rats were significantly increased (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group rats. The photomicrographs of testes in O3FA treated rats showed normal spermatogonial cell layers and active spermatogenesis with appearance of spermatids in the lumen of some tubules. The findings of this study depicts that O3FA possesses the potency of enhancing various fertility indices in male rats with regards to absolute and relative testicular weights as well as sperm counts.

Aggravation of cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity in mice by aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos (L. )

ABSTRACT Aegle marmelos (L.) (Rutaceae) commonly known as bael is an important medicinal fruit tree. The present study focused on the effects of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos (AEAM) on the testis and sperm characteristics induced by cyclophosphamide (CPA) in mice. Thirty six adult Parke's strain mice were divided into six groups: group I given only distilled water (control); group II administered with AEAM alone once in a week for five weeks; group III administered with CPA (200 mg/kg b.w., intraperitoneally) once in a week for five weeks and group IV-VI CPA along with AEAM (400, 500 and 600 mg/kg b.w., orally). CPA was found to reduce gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm counts, motility, viability, antioxidant activities and induced histopathological changes of testis. In the group administered AEAM with CPA an exacerbation of sperm count, motility and viability of the cauda epididymis, GSI, antioxidant activities and architecture of testis was observed. The results suggest that the administration of AEAM may aggravate CPA-induced reproductive toxicity. It may be helpful in preparation of natural male contraceptives.

Espermograma: indicaciones e interpretación

La evaluación y tratamiento integral del varón infértil es requisito indispensable para el logro de embarazos, No siempre se consigue conocer la cuasa de la infertilidad masculina. La evaluación convencional y funcional del semen según los criterios actualizados de la Organización Mundial de la Salud nos premite dar un diagnóstico y tratamiento más adecuado y científicos a la pareja infértil. Estos criterios se han constituido en la referencia estándar para todos los laboratorios que analizan muestras de semen humano. Las técnicas de reproducción asistida permiten a los hombres infértiles, en un procentaje muy alto, realizar sus deseos de paternidad biológica. En este módulo se definen las características normales y anormales del semen y se describen los diferentes procedimientos que componen un espermograma completo; además, se presentanlas indicaciones y la interpretacion de sus resultados.

A comparison of Makler counting chamber and improved Neubauer hemocytometer in sperm concentration measurement.

Evaluation of male fertility is based predominantly on results from semen analysis and determination of the sperm concentration is one of the main parameters of the analysis. To assess the accuracy of sperm concentration measurements by Makler counting chamber, manual sperm counting of 55 semen samples were made using a Makler counting chamber, and compared with concentration values measured using an improved Neubauer hemocytometer according to the World Health Organization guideline (standard procedure). Results were classified according to the standard procedure before statistical analyses. Both values correlated well. Sperm concentration obtained with Makler counting chamber was not statistically different from those determined by improved Neubauer hemocytometer in semen samples with concentrations over 40 x 10(6)/ml. But using Makler counting chambers caused a shift concentrations, which were overestimated significantly (p less than 0.0001) in semen samples with concentrations less than 40 x 10(6)/ml. Overall, Makler chamber counts were 11.2 per cent higher. Although less complicated than the improved Neubauer hemocytometer method, measurement of sperm concentration by Makler counting chamber is an inaccurate method, especially in semen samples with concentrations less than 40 x 10(6).