Implantation and pregnancy outcome of Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to pirimiphos-methyl.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the effect of sublethal doses (10, 60, and 120 mg/kg of pirimiphos-methyl on implantation and pregnancy in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pirimiphos-methyl is a pesticide widely used worldwide, especially in Africa to protect food against pests and has gained widespread acceptance. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats used for this study had access to food and water ad libitum and were divided into a control group and three experimental groups based on dose of chemical given. The pregnant rats were given pirimiphos-methyl orally on days 1-5, 1-7, 7-18th day of gestation and from day 1 to term. Implantation studies were carried out on days 6 and 8 of pregnancy, while the fetal parameters were ascertained on day 19 of pregnancy and at term. Serum levels of progesterone and estradiol were measured on days 6, 8 and 19 of pregnancy. RESULTS: Sublethal administration of pirimiphos-methyl showed decreased number of implantation sites on days 6 and 8, fetal weight, crown-to-rump length, length of umbilical cord and placenta weight (day 19), birth weight, litter size and total number (at term) in rats administered with pirimiphos-methyl when compared with control. CONCLUSION: Administration of pirimiphos-methyl resulted in a reduced implantation rate due to decreased uterine receptivity caused by an imbalance in the level of estradiol and progesterone and impaired reproductive outcome during pregnancy.

Glucometabolic effects of single and repeated exposure to forced-swimming stressor in Sprague-Dawley rats.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effects of a single (acute) and repeated (chronic) exposure to forced-swimming stressor on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and glycogen content in male rats. METHODS: Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (12 weeks old) were divided randomly into five groups: control group, single exposure (SE) to forced-swim stressor, repeated exposure to forced-swim stressor for 7 days (RE7), 14 days (RE14) and 28 days (RE28). Glucose tolerance test and Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were undertaken on fasting rats to obtain glucose and insulin profiles. ELISA was performed to assess plasma insulin and corticosterone levels. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoproteins, hepatic and skeletal glycogen content were also determined. RESULTS: Repeated exposure to stressor induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in the experimental rats. Results showed that all RE groups exhibited a significantly higher area under the curve compared with others (p=0.0001); similarly, HOMA-IR increased (p=0.0001) in all RE groups compared with control. Prolonged exposure to stressor significantly increased the plasma insulin and corticosterone levels but decreased the glycogen content in the liver and skeletal muscle when compared with the control group. Additionally, chronic stressor significantly increased the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, however, acute stressor produced significantly elevated high-density lipoproteins level. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, repeated exposure to forced-swimming stressor induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in rats by disrupting the insulin sensitivity as well as heightening the glycogenolysis in the liver and skeletal muscle. Acute stressor was unable to cause glucose intolerance and insulin resistance but it appears that may have a positive effect on the lipid metabolism.

Role of amygdala kisspeptin in pubertal timing in female rats.

To investigate the mechanism by which maternal obesity disrupts reproductive function in offspring, we examined Kiss1 expression in the hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nuclei, and posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) of pre-pubertal and young adult offspring. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a standard or energy-dense diet for six weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Male and female offspring were weaned onto normal diet on postnatal day (pnd) 21. Brains were collected on pnd 30 or 100 for qRT-PCR to determine Kiss1 mRNA levels. Maternal obesity increased Kiss1 mRNA expression in the MePD of pre-pubertal male and female offspring, whereas Kiss1 expression was not affected in the ARC or AVPV at this age. Maternal obesity reduced Kiss1 expression in all three brain regions of 3 month old female offspring, but only in MePD of males. The role of MePD kisspeptin on puberty, estrous cyclicity and preovulatory LH surges was assessed directly in a separate group of post-weanling and young adult female rats exposed to a normal diet throughout their life course. Bilateral intra-MePD cannulae connected to osmotic mini-pumps for delivery of kisspeptin receptor antagonist (Peptide 234 for 14 days) were chronically implanted on pnd 21 or 100. Antagonism of MePD kisspeptin delayed puberty onset, disrupted estrous cyclicity and reduced the incidence of LH surges. These data show that the MePD plays a key role in pubertal timing and ovulation and that maternal obesity may act via amygdala kisspeptin signaling to influence reproductive function in the offspring.

Experimental evaluation of the impact of maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus on pregnancy in Sprague Dawley rats.

The impact of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) on pregnancy factors and litter survival was investigated in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2g/kg body weight of HEaq orally. Blood samples were collected on days one and twenty of pregnancy for total blood count, serum thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) assay. Half the number of rats in each group was sacrificed on day nineteen of pregnancy and the placenta and foetus were removed and weighed. The second half carried their pregnancy to term. Number and weights of litter were recorded at birth and the litter were also subjected to righting reflex test. Post-natal survival rate was determined for each group while effect of HEaq was also examined in-vivo on the activities of pregnant myometrial muscle. HEaq significantly decreased (p<0.05) foetal weight, placenta weight, foetal growth and survival, number and weights of litter at birth, maternal serum triiodotyroxine T3 and TSH level. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count and lipid profile were significantly increased (P<0.05). HEaq increased the frequency and percentage contraction of gravid myometrial muscle in a dose dependent manner. Maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus adversely affected pregnancy and development of the foetus, as it precipitated resorption of developing foetus and reduced size and weight of litter at term.

Reproductive parameters and oxidative stress status of male rats fed with low and high salt diet.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of minerals and micronutrients has been reported to impair the process of spermatogenesis. Historically, salt has been used by women on their husbands to increase their libido, however, the role of salt diet on sperm parameters are yet to be ascertained. AIM: The present study was designed to determine the effect of low and high salt diet on sperm parameters, oxidative status and reproductive hormone levels of male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 rats were divided into three groups: Group I: (control) received 0.3% salt diet, Group II: low salt (received 0.14% salt diet) and Group III: high salt (received 8% salt diet). All animals were treated for 6 weeks; after which epididymal sperm parameters; oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in the testes and epididymal tissues, as well as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels were determined. RESULTS: The results showed decreased sperm count in the low salt diet rats while increased sperm count was observed in the high salt diet treated rats. Both low salt and high salt diet fed rats exhibited increased abnormal sperm cells and increased epididymal oxidative stress when compared with their respective control. FSH and testosterone levels were increased in the high salt fed rats while LH level was decreased when compared with the control values. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that both low and high salt diet play a negative role in the fertility of male rats.

Calcium antagonists modulate oxidative stress and acrosomal reaction in rat spermatozoa.

INTRODUCTION: Calcium ions are vital in many biological processes and qualify as an almost ubiquitous intracellular second messenger. This indicates the multiplicity of the effects associated with drug actions aimed at interfering with calcium ions. To examine the cellular process involved in the induction of infertility in males by calcium antagonist (CA) even in the presence of normal semen parameters, we studied the effects of different CA namely; nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem on oxidative balance and acrosome reaction in the sperm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this purpose, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione, and acrosomal reaction were determined in sperm samples of rats. RESULTS: Calcium antagonist causes significant oxidative stress in the epididymal sperm with increased malondialdehyde level and a concomitant decrease in antioxidant activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. The percentage value of acrosomal-reacted sperm in the nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem-treated rats were 41 ±2.45, 39 ±2.92 and 42 ±1.22 respectively, compared with the control group value of 86 ±2.92. CONCLUSIONS: It appears CA oxidatively modify the sperm resulting in functional inhibition of acrosomal reaction. Suppression of the sperm acrosomal reaction is known to have serious adverse implications for fertilization.

Antireproductive effect of calcium channel blockers on male rats.

INTRODUCTION: Drugs have been shown to adversely affect male fertility and recently anti-hypertensive drugs were added to the list. The anti-fertility effects of nifedipine and similar calcium channel blockers are well-illustrated in in vitro experiments but not in vivo. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to experimentally elucidate the sub-chronic effect of nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem on sperm functions and reproductive hormone levels in vivo. METHODS: Male rats (150-200 g) were divided into four groups of ten rats each. Group 1 (control) received distilled water; Group 2 received nifedipine 0.57 mg/kg BW; Group 3 were given verapamil 3.40 mg/kg BW and Group 4 were given diltiazem 2.57 mg/kg BW. Each drug-treated group had its own recovery group from which treatment was discontinued for 30 days before the animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay of FSH, LH and testosterone. Semen evaluation was done and the testes, seminal vesicle, epididymis and prostate were removed, and weighed immediately. RESULTS: Nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem significantly decreased (P < 0.05) sperm count and motility in drug treated groups. The weight of the epididymis was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the drug treated rats. Semen parameters and other associated changes were restored after 30 days of drug withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers appear to have a reversible anti-fertility effect on male rats which does not occur through inhibition of the pituitary-gonadal axis.