Post-finasteride syndrome

Abstract Finasteride is a 5α-reductase enzyme inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of male androgenic alopecia since 1997. Over time, it has been considered a safe and well-tolerated drug with rare and reversible side effects. Recently there have been reports of adverse drug-related reactions that persisted for at least three months after discontinuation of this drug, and the term post-finasteride syndrome arose. It includes persistent sexual, neuropsychiatric, and physical symptoms. Studies to date cannot refute or confirm this syndrome as a nosological entity. If it actually exists, it seems to occur in susceptible people, even if exposed to small doses and for short periods, and symptoms may persist for long periods. Based on currently available data, the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors in patients with a history of depression, sexual dysfunction, or infertility should be carefully and individually assessed.

Occupational Reproductive Function Abnormalities and Bladder Cancer in Korea

The purpose of this study was to review occupational reproductive abnormalities and occupational bladder cancer in Korea and to discuss their toxicological implications. Reproductive dysfunction as a result of 2-bromopropane poisoning was first reported in Korean workers. In 1995, 23 of the 33 workers (25 female and 8 male workers) who were exposed to 2-bromopropane during the assembly of tactile switch parts developed reproductive and/or hematopoietic disorders. A total of 17 (68%) workers were diagnosed with ovarian failure. Two of the eight male workers experienced azoospermia and four workers experienced some degree of oligospermia or reduced sperm motility. In summary, 2-bromopropane poisoning caused severe reproductive effects in Korean workers. The prognosis was poor for reproductive dysfunction. A few cases of occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea, whereas other cancers of the urinary tract have not been reported after occupational exposure. A few cases of benzidine-induced cancer have been reported in Korea and 592 workers in Japan have received compensation for benzidine and beta-naphthylamine-induced cancer. In conclusion, a few cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea. However, benzidine-induced bladder cancer will likely be an important occupational health issue in Korea in the coming years.

Toxic effects of different doses of cyclophosphamide on the reproductive parameters of male mice / Os efeitos tóxicos de diferentes doses de ciclofosfamida nos parâmetros reprodutivos de camundongos machos

The cyclophosphamide is used in cancer treatment. The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of different doses of this drug on male mice reproductive parameters. The cyclophosphamide was administered in the doses 100, 150, 200 e 250 mg.kg-1, intraperitoneal route, for six weeks. As a result, it was observed a decrease in body mass and a decrease in testicles and kidney's weight, in all animals treated with cyclophosphamide. Only the groups that received the doses 100, 150 mg.kg-1 of cyclophosphamide were able to fertilize their females. There was higher incidence of post- implantation losses, reabsorptions and decrease in fetal viability in the group that received the dose of 150 mg.kg-1. It was observed a reduction in epididymis and liver's weight of the animals treated with the doses 150, 200 e 250 mg.kg-1. Abnormal spermatozoa were found in the doses 200 e 250 mg.kg-1. Based on the methodology used and results obtained, it was concluded that the cyclophosphamide was toxic, considering the decrease in animal's body mass and testicle's weight; promoted hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxic effect; influenced in the animals spermatogenesis taking them to infertility and/or subfertility; decreased fetal viability, despite it didn't cause significant malformations in the offspring.

A ciclofosfamida é utilizada no tratamento de câncer. Este estudo visa avaliar os efeitos das diferentes doses do fármaco nos parâmetros reprodutivos de camundongos machos. A ciclofosfamida foi administrada nas doses de 100, 150, 200 e 250 mg kg-1, via intraperitoneal por seis semanas. Como resultado observou-se diminuição de massa corporal, redução no peso de testículos e rins em todos os animais tratados com a ciclofosfamida. Apenas os grupos que receberam as doses de 100 e 150 mg kg-1 do quimioterápico foram capazes de fertilizar as fêmeas. Houve maior incidência de perdas pós-implantação, reabsorção e diminuição da viabilidade fetal no grupo que recebeu a dose de 150 mg kg-1. Observou-se redução nos pesos dos epidídimos e fígado dos animais tratados com as doses de 150, 200 e 250 mg kg-1. Espermatozóides anômalos foram encontrados nas doses de 200 e 250mg kg-1. Com base na metodologia empregada e nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a ciclofosfamida foi tóxica considerando-se a redução de massa corporal e o peso dos testículos dos animais; promoveu hepatotoxicidade e efeito nefrotóxico; influenciou na espermatogênese dos animais de forma a levá-los a um estado de infertilidade e/ou subfertilidade; diminuiu viabilidade fetal, entretanto não causou malformações significativas na prole.

[ study of the effects of formaldehyde injection on testicular tissue structure of mouse]

Formaldehyde is one of the chemicals which are widely used in different places. Considering the fact that the usage of this chemical can induce a reduction on the motility and viability of spermatozoa and/or make them abnormal, a precise study on testicular tissue structure, producing spermatozoa, seems to be necessary because no accurate study has previously been carried out on this issue. In this experimental-quantitative investigation, a total number of 30 mice were divided into four experimental and one control groups. In this study, formaldehyde has been injected intraperitoneally at different doses for a period of time of 40 days. In order to provide the tissue specimens, the mice were initially anesthetized and after removing the testes and tissue preparing processes, the hematoxylin and eosin staining method was used and the sections of testicular tissue were studied under light microscope. Comparison to the control group, disorganization in some seminiferous tubules, cellular irregularity and reduction in density of genital cells, increasing of intertubular spaces, and confusion of interstitial tissue, discoloration and vacuolization of leydig cell cytoplasm and also a thickness in basement membrane of spernatogenic epithelium were observed in the experimental groups. The results of this study revealed that injective formaldehyde could induce some changes in testicular tissue and also it could increase the risk of infertility

Sterility effects of Neem [Azadirachta indica] extract on male rat

Nowadays uses of synthetic pesticides has caused a lot of environmental problems. For this reason there is an effort to replace them with biopesticides. One of these ways is the use of plant bioproducts. Various studies on Azadirachta indica [Neem] have proven that the seed extract of this plant has reversible infertility and spontaneous abortion properties. In this study we are trying to determine the effective dose of its seed extract for sterility of rodent pests. In this survey, 24 male wistar rats with 4-5 months old [weighing about 150-200 grams] were selected randomly. They were divided into 4 subgroups each containing 6 rats. The Neem extract [Neem Azal 1%] was fed to 3 groups by gavage for six days. The first group was fed with water and others were fed with Neem extract [5mg/kg, 15mg/kg and 25mg/kg respectively]. Hematological parameters were determined on 4th and 9th day of the experiment. On the 10th day two animals from each group were dissected for histological study of testes. Remaining animals were tested for fertility with fertile female rats. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups. After observing reproduction in female rats, these groups were excluded from study. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups in their hematological parameters except for MCH and hemoglobin on 4th [P<0.001, P<0.01 respectively] and 9th day [p<0.05] and WBC on 9th day [p<0.05] in third group, which showed an increase. There were no significant differences between serum testosterone levels. In group which received 15 mg/kg extract, reproduction occurred after 60 days [reproduction cycle in rats is 20-23 days]. In group which received 25mg/kg extract, half of the animals died due to high doses of Neem extract and in the remaining half, reproduction occurred after 3 months. Histological results of testes indicated abnormality in spermatogenesis and sperms production in some of the semniferous tubules. Therefore after 60-90 days and repair of injured cells, reproduction is observed again. Base on the results of this study it seems that we can use Neem seed extract as an anti-fertility agent, considering its cost benefit ratio and suitable formulation, we can use it as rodent baits to control harmful agricultural rodents. In this way we have a new method of controlling deleterious rodents