Evaluation of the Effects of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Cnestis ferruginea from Côte d’Ivoire on Male Rat Reproductive System

Against growing male infertility in the world, investigations are undertaken to find new bioactive molecules. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological effects of aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea on the reproductive parameters of male rats. Indeed, 36 male rats were divided into 2 groups of 18 each and treated for 30 days (set I) and 60 days (set II). Each set was subdivided into three groups. Group 1 (control) received distilled water. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with 50 (AECF50) and 100 (AECF100) mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea respectively. The results showed that extract induces significant increase in the wet weight of testis, seminal vesicles, epididymis, prostate and levator ani muscle as well as the dry weight of the latter. On the sperm parameters, the extract produced a significant increase in the number of motile spermatozoa, number of spermatozoa and number of normal spermatozoa. The extract also increased serum levels of pituitary gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and testosterone. Histological study showed that, Cnestis ferruginea induced significant increase in the seminiferous tubules diameter. In conclusion, the extract of Cnestis ferruginea could contain androgen-like substances capable of improving the fertility of male rats.

Comprehensive Review on Kisspeptin and Its Role in Reproductive Disorders

Kisspeptin has recently emerged as a key regulator of the mammalian reproductive axis. It is known that kisspeptin, acting centrally via the kisspeptin receptor, stimulates secretion of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Loss of kisspeptin signaling causes hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in humans and other mammals. Kisspeptin interacts with other neuropeptides such as neurokinin B and dynorphin, to regulate GnRH pulse generation. In addition, a growing body of evidence suggests that kisspeptin signaling be regulated by nutritional status and stress. Kisspeptin may also represent a novel potential therapeutic target in the treatment of fertility disorders. Early human studies suggest that peripheral exogenous kisspeptin administration stimulates gonadotrophin release in healthy adults and in patients with certain forms of infertility. This review aims to concisely summarize what is known about kisspeptin as a regulator of reproductive function, and provide an update on recent advances within this field.

Incontinência urinária após gonadectomia em fêmeas caninas / Urinary incontinence after gonadectomy in female dogs

A incontinência urinária adquirida é uma condição debilitante e, muitas vezes, incurável que acomete fêmeas castradas e raramente fêmeas inteiras ou machos. A manifestação clínica pode ocorrer em qualquer momento após a gonadectomia e resulta em graves problemas no manejo do paciente. Os mecanismos que desencadeiam a incontinência após ovariectomia envolvem decréscimo na pressão de fechamento uretral, alterações hormonais, aumento na deposição de colágeno na musculatura lisa da bexiga, diminuição na contratilidade do músculo detrusor e redução na resposta aos estímulos elétricos e ao carbachol. O diagnóstico é realizado pelo histórico do animal, pelo exame físico, pelos exames laboratoriais, pelo perfil de pressão uretral, pela ultrassonografia e pelas radiografias abdominais. O tratamento clínico envolve utilização de fármacos -adrenérgicos, estrógenos, análogos de GnRH e agentes antidepressivos. As técnicas cirúrgicas recomendadas correspondem à uretropexia, cistouretropexia, aplicação de colágeno na uretra e colpossuspensão. Melhor compreensão da etiologia, da fisiopatologia, dos métodos de diagnóstico e tratamentos é fundamental em razão do pouco conhecimento e da identificação dessa condição no Brasil.

Acquired urinary incontinence is a debilitating, incurable condition, prevalent in spayed bitches and rarely seen in entire bitches or males. In bitches, acquired urinary incontinence can occur anytime from one week after neutering and is associated with severe management problems. Incontinence in neutered bitches can be associated with a decrease in maximal urethral closure pressure, hormonal changes and increase in the percentage of collagen in the bladder wall. It's also associated to a reduced contractility of the detrusor muscle, decrease in the magnitude of response of the bladder wall to both carbachol and eletrical field stimulation, and there are risk factors involved. The diagnosis is established based on historical findings, physical examination, laboratorial exams, urethral pressure profilometry, ultrasonography and abdominal radiographs. The medical management involves the appliance of -adrenergics agonists, oestrogens, GnRH analogues and antidepressive agents. Surgical recommendation management corresponds to urethropexy, cistourethropexy, endoscopic periurethral injection and colposuspension. The better understanding A better comprehension of etiology, physiopathology, diagnosis methods and treatment could provide significant benefits considering the lack of knowledge and diagnoses of this clinical condition in Brazil.

Effects of an indigenous contraceptive herbal formulation on gonadotrophs of the pituitary gland of the rat

An indigenous contraceptive herbal formulation consisting of a mixture of Lepidagathis longifolia, Palaquium sp and Phyllagathis rotundifolia is being used by the Temuan Aborigins of Malaysia. Although the previous studies demonstrated that this contraceptive herbal formulation causes anovulatory estrous cycle, altered circulating hormone levels and fetal resorption in rats, but the effects of this formulation on the gonadotrphs of the pituitary gland are yet to be evaluated. The present study was designed to observe the morphometric changes of the gonadotrophs and the plasma concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and leutinizing hormone. Thirty five Sprague-Dawley adult female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Experimental animals were given a combined herbal extract or individual herbal extract at a dose of 540 mg/kg/day subcutaneously for 7 days. Immunostained gonadotrophs were studied by using image analyzer. FSH and LH serum concentrations were determined using RIA. The FSH and LH concentrations were low in animals that received combined herbal extract (p<0.01). FSH concentration was noted to be significantly low in animals that received P. rotundifolia (p<0.05). The mean cell area and cell density of gonadotrophs of animals that received combined herbal extract were significantly low compared to control group (p<0.05). It was concluded that the herbal extracts do suppress the production of gonaotrophins along with the demonstrable suppresive effect on the FSH cells.

Effect of différente gonadotrophins on the follicular development and ovulation in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) / Efeito de diferentes gonadotrofinas sobre o crescimento folicular e a ovulação na cobaia (Cavia porcellus)

Superovulatory response in guinea pigs submitted to various gonadotrophins was studied in 60 females, equally divided in 10 groups with 6 animals each. In a first phase, each one of 6 groups received PMSG, FSH-p in a single dosis, FSH-p in 3 doses, FSH-h, HMG and NaCI 0.9% (control group), respectively. In a second phase, 4 groups received each one, 22 IU FSH-h, 15 IU FSH-h, HMG and NaCI 0.9% (control group), respectively. Three experimental groups of 2nd. phase also received PGF2alfa. Except for the 2 controls, all groups also received HCG. The 3 first groups of 1st phase presented blocked ovulation. The PMSG-treated group showed generalized luteinization of the ovaries, and the others hadearly folicular luteinization with entrapment of ova. In 2nd phase, a group showed an average number of ovulations - considered as normal for the species - and 2 animals had superovulations. It may be concluded that PGF2alfa takes part in the ovulation mechanism of guinea pigs and that it is possible to increase multiple follicular development by using FSH-h + HCG and HMG + HCG associated or not with PGF2alfa.

Para estudar a resposta superovulatória em cobaias, frente a vários esquemas de tratamentos com diferentes gonadotrofinas, foram utilizadas 60 fêmeas, divididas em 10 grupos de 6 animais cada um. Em uma 1a fase, formada por 6 grupos, cada grupo recebeu um dos seguintes tratamentos: PMSG; FSH-p em dose única; FSH-p em 3 doses; FSH-h; HMG e solução de NaCI 0,9% (grupo controle), respectivamente. Numa 2ã fase, constituída por 4 grupos, cada um recebeu 22 Ul de FSH-h, 15 Ul de FSH-h; HMG e solução de NaCI 0,9% (grupo controie), respectivamente. Nos 3 grupos experimentais da 2a fase foi aplicada também PGF2alfa. Todos os grupos, com exceção dos 2 controles, receberam também HCG. Os 3 primeiros grupos da 1a fase tiveram ovulação bloqueada, sendo que a PMSG causou luteinização generalizada dos folículos e as demais gonadotrofinas induziram luteinização folicular precoce com aprisionamento dos óvulos. Na 2a fase, obteve-se um número médio de ovulações em um grupo e a superovulação de 2 animais. Concluiu-se que a PGF2alfa particpa dos mecanismos de ovulação na cobaia e que é possível obter aumento do crescimento folicular múltiplo com o emprego de FSH-h + HCG e HMG + HCG, associados ou não à PGFsalfa.