Oxidative stress-induced by different stressors alters kidney tissue antioxidant markers and levels of creatinine and urea: the fate of renal membrane integrity.

The cellular integrity of the kidney in homeostatic regulation has constantly been compromised by oxidative stress following exposure to varying nature of stressor present within the environment. The objective of the work was to evaluate the renal effect of the different stressor stimuli applied. Twenty-four adult female rats weighing averagely 160-200 g and within the ages of 12-14 weeks were used for experiment-1, while 12 offspring were utilized for experiment-2. Three stress models namely; restraint, mirror chamber and cat intruder stressors were used. Tissues were isolated from the animal and homogenized for tissue antioxidant assay. Serum was collected for assays of urea and creatinine for the kidney function test using ELISA. Data collected were analyzed for Mean ± SEM using One Way ANOVA. The present study revealed that exposure of rats to different stressors reduced relative kidney weights but did not significantly alter serum creatinine concentration in the Wistar rats, although the concentrations were slightly increased compared to controls. Urea concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in rats exposed to restraint and intruder stressors. Exposure to a mirror chamber stressor did not significantly alter urea concentration. Offspring from parents of stressed female rats exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum urea level, minimal increase in serum creatinine levels. GSH and GST levels showed no significant difference when compared to control group, whereas, GPx were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased irrespective of the stressor applied. SOD activity were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the group exposed to restraint or cat intruder stressor. CAT activities were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the rats exposed to restraint or cat intruder stressor. In all, the different stress model altered the antioxidant capacity of the kidney tissues. Exposure of rats to a stressful condition of the different nature of stressor has the tendency of compromising the functional integrity of the kidney, thus, with the potency of complicating female renal function.

Down regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced rats supplemented with clomifene citrate: The fate of infertility.

This study was designed to physiologically investigate the fate of stress related infertility conditions to focus on the regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced female Wistar rats supplemented with clomifene citrate. 42 apparently healthy female Wistar rats weighing about 120-160 g were used in the study. The animals were randomly distributed into 3 groups after acclimatization for 2 weeks. Group 1 served as the control pregnant rats not induced by restraint, mirrored and intruder stressors, group 2 consisted of rats treated with 0.013 mg/g of clomifene citrate drug and exposed to three different stressors while group 3 represented pregnant rats exposed to different stressors but not treated with clomifene citrate. At the end of 3weeks, the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation. The uterus and ovary organs were carefully isolated, weighed and examined for histological changes. The reproductive capacities studied were gestation period, mean pup weight, litter size and survival rate respectively. Data collected is expressed in Mean±SEM and one way ANOVA statistics was used for comparison of means while Fisher's LSD was employed for post hoc test and the level of significance is determined at p-value < 0.05. Results from our study revealed that restraint and intruder stressors following supplementation with clomifene citrate produced similar stress response in the gestation length, pub-weights, litter size and percentage of survival. Stress of different nature altered the histoarchitecture of the ovary and the uteri of rats exposed to restraint or intruder stressor. Meanwhile, Clomifene citrate administration produced effect on ovulation and pregnancy outcome of stressed pregnant rats and the survival ratio of the offspring.

Maternal Gestation Induced-stress Alters Reproductive Outcome in Adult Female Rats, Offspring Survival Rate and Sex–ratio

@#Introduction: Investigations relating to the effect of stress on reproductive outcome, offspring survival rate and chances of still births are currently attracting global concern. The present study evaluated the effect of maternal gestation induced-stress in the altered reproductive outcome of adult female Wistar rats, offspring sex – ratio and survival following exposure to different stress models. Methods: The study protocol involved two parts. Seventy-eight adult healthy female Wistar rats aged between 12 – 14 weeks and weighing between 150-180g were procured and utilized for part 1 study. The rats were exposed to three stressors; restraint, mirror and intruder, respectively, for three hours per day for three weeks. For part 2 experiment twenty-four female offspring rats from the part 1 study were used. Results: Exposure of rats to the varying stressors increased gestate on length, decreased mean pup weights and litter size at birth especially when the rats were stressed by exposure to restraint or intruder stressor. The effect of stress on gestation period, pup weights and litter size were largely variable and dependent on the nature of stressor applied. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in the survival rates of offspring of rats exposed to the different nature of stressors especially when stressed with restraint or intruder stressors. The stressors’ impact was greatest when the rats were exposed to the varying stressors up to the end of the 2nd trimester and beyond. Furthermore, the male sex ratio of offspring of stressed rats was significantly (p<0.05) reduced than the females. Conclusion: Stressful maternal condition tends to compromise the fetal outcome, sex ratio specificity and the survival rate of offspring.