Attenuation of sodium arsenite mediated ovarian DNA damage, follicular atresia, and oxidative injury by combined application of vitamin E and C in post pubertal Wistar rats.

Arsenic being a toxic metalloid ubiquitously persists in environment and causes several health complications including female reproductive anomalies. Epidemiological studies documented birth anomalies due to arsenic exposure. Augmented reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and quenched antioxidant pool are foremost consequences of arsenic threat. On the contrary, Vitamin E (VE) and C (VC) are persuasive antioxidants and conventionally used in toxicity management. Present study was designed to explore the extent of efficacy of combined VE and VC (VEC) against Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) mediated ovarian damage. Thirty-six female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (Grs) and treated for consecutive 30 days; Gr I (control) was vehicle fed, Gr II (treated) was gavaged with NaAsO2 (3 mg/kg/day), Gr III (supplement) was provided with VE (400 mg/kg/day) & VC (200 mg/kg/day) along with NaAsO2. Marked histological alterations were evidenced by disorganization in oocyte, granulosa cells and zona pellucida layers in treated group. Considerable reduction of different growing follicles along with increased atretic follicles was noted in treated group. Altered activities ofΔ5 3ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase accompanied by reduced luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels were observed in treated animals. Irregular estrous cyclicity pattern was also observed due to NaAsO2 threat. Surplus ROS production affected ovarian antioxidant strata as evidenced by altered oxidative stress markers. Provoked oxidative strain further affects DNA status of ovary. However, supplementation with VEC caused notable restoration from such disparaging effects of NaAsO2 toxicities. Antioxidant and antiapoptotic attributes of those vitamins might be liable for such restoration.

Terminalia arjuna induced testicular assault through Leydig cell derangement: an in vitro approach.

OBJECTIVES: Terminalia arjuna (TA) has been widely used as folk medicine since ancient times. Apart from its therapeutic properties it also has anti-spermatogenic activity, but its effectiveness and mode of action on male gonadal activity remains to be revealed. METHODS: TA bark extract was dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide and applied in primary Leydig cell culture from rat testis in dose dependent manner. After 24 h of treatment cellular toxicity marker, cytokines, steroid 5-alpha-reductase 1 (SRD5A1) and androgen receptor (AR) were measured. RESULTS: Present study first proposed the cytotoxic impacts of TA on Leydig cells via leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and inflammatory responses by altering the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in dose-dependent-manner. Furthermore, down regulation of SRD5A1 and AR indicated inhibition of normal steroidogenesis which well corroborated with cytotoxity and inflammation related parameters to promote damage of Leydig cell function. Nevertheless, it can be speculated that the inhibition of normal steroidogenesis and thereby spermatogenesis induced by TA is possibly due to the presence of ß-sitosterol. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the dose and duration of treatment should be carefully monitored in cases of its medicinal uses and longer duration should be avoided to protect reproductive health and fertility.

Effect of gold on stimulation of reproductive function in immature female albino rats.

Significant increase in ovarian and uterine weight and stimulation of ovarian delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and elevation of serum estradiol level were observed following gold chloride (0.2 mg/kg body weight/day), s.c. administration in immature female albino rats. Moreover, normal cyclic changes of estrus were found in vaginal smears of these rats whereas the rats of other groups showed diestrus phase throughout the period of experiment. Histological study of ovary also showed Graafian follicle with ovum in rats treated with 0.2 mg/kg/day of gold proving stimulation of reproductive function, which was not found in the ovarian histological study of other groups including controls. Thus, the results suggest a significant stimulatory effect of gold chloride on female reproductive activity in immature rats. Further, since the above-mentioned changes were evident at a specific dose of gold chloride, the data may have some clinical implications on stimulation and enhancement of fertility in immature female rats.

Hormonal contraceptive like effect of estrogen in milk protein-fed male rats.

Adult male rats received daily injections (sc) of estradiol-17 beta (50 microg/100 g body wt per day) for 7 days. When they were sacrificed 14 days after the last injection, serum levels of gonadotropins and testosterone and weights of accessory sex organs were decreased significantly, testicular 17-hydroxysteroid dehydroganase activity was suppressed and spermatogenesis was inhibited in 5.0% casein-fed estrogen-treated rats. Feeding of 20.0% casein diet to estrogen-treated rats resulted in increased serum concentration of gonadotropins and testosterone. LH and testosterone appeared to be normal in 20.0% casein-fed estrogen-treated rats while serum FSH levels remained subnormal. The estrogen-treated rats fed on 20.0% casein diet showed decreased spermatogenesis in comparison with control rats fed on 20.0% casein diet. Together, these results indicate that high casein diet stimulates synthesis of testicular testosterone and increases serum LH levels more than FSH in estrogen-treated rats. It is concluded that estrogen in the presence of high milk protein diet may be considered to be a suitable steroid hormone in the development of a male contraceptive.

Effect of copper chloride on adrenocortical activities in adult and immature male rats.

Although copper is an important biological trace element required for normal metabolism, occupational exposure to copper in different industrial workers may result in abnormal rise in plasma copper level which can bring about adverse effects. Intraperitoneal injection of copper chloride at the dose of 2000 µg/kg per day and higher doses for 26 days resulted in significant rise in adrenal weight, adrenal Δ(5)-3ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activity and serum corticosterone level in both adult and immature male rats, while 1000 µg/kg per day dose for 26 days duration did not significantly alter the adrenocortical activities and adrenal weight in adult rats. On the contrary, the latter lower dose caused a significant decrease in adrenal Δ(5) 3ß HSD activity and serum corticosterone level in immature male rats.