Efficacy of exogenous gonadotropins on the maintenance of spermatogenesis in pethidine treated albino rats.

An attempt is made to induce the pethidine suppressed gonadal activities by the administration of exogenous gonadotropins (hCG, PMSG, hCG + PMSG). Administration of 5 IU gonadotropins either separately or in combination to the rats treated with pethidine for 30 days resulted in the significant increase in the weight of testis, diameter of testis and seminiferous tubules. Gonadotropin(s) treatment stimulated the spermatogenic activity which was inhibited by pethidine. Therefore the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids in the seminiferous tubules and spermatozoa in cauda epididymis is increased significantly. Decreased testicular cholesterol, increased protein content and weight of accessory sex organs indicate the rejuvenation of steroidogenesis. Combination of both the gonadotropins is more effective in bringing all these activities.

Nicotine induced ovarian and uterine changes in albino mice.

Nicotine at the dose level of 0.3 mg/100 g body weight was administered to normal cycling mice for 15 days through oral and intraperitoneal routes. At autopsy on 16th day significant reduction in the ovarian and uterine weight was observed. Histological observations showed decrease in the number and size of Graafian follicles, corpora lutea and increase in the atretic follicles in the ovary. The uterus showed absence of endometrial glands, decrease in the height of myometrium, endometrium and its epithelial cells. The total cholesterol content of the ovary and uterus is increased whereas the protein content is decreased. This antagonistic action of nicotine to gonadotrophins is discussed.

Testicular changes due to graded doses of nicotine in albino mice.

Administration of graded doses of nicotine (0.2 mg, 0.4 mg and 0.6 mg/100 g body weight) for 15 days to the adult mice reduced the weight of testis, number of spermatocytes and spermatids, but increased the number of spermatogonia which may be due to reduced conversion to subsequent stages. There is a high cholesterol content and Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in the treated testis. The weight of accessory sex organs which is dependent on androgens produced by the testis is also reduced. These changes are brought because of the non-availability of pituitary gonadotrophins essential for initiation and completion of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in the testis due to the administration of nicotine, which being CNS depressor might have caused inhibition in the neural stimulus essential for release of pituitary gonadotrophins.