Effect of soybean (Glycine max L.) on the hormonal milieu of male rats.

Effect of soybean (Glycine max) on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats was investigated. Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and treatment with soybean meal at 100, 200 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight, respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. There were dose-dependent effects of the soybean meal on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. The results show that soybean (Glycine max) had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use could increase the risk of infertility in males.

Effect of caricapryl-99 seed alkaloid extract on the serum levels of sex hormones and pituitary gonadotrophins in male albino rats.

Activity of alkaloid extract of caricapryl-99 seeds [Carica papaya Linn seeds] on the serum levels of steroid hormones was studied in adult male albino rats. Three tolerated doses obtained from the graph of percentage toxicity [10, 50 and 150 mg/kg] were separately administered orally, daily for three days to three groups of male rats [n=5] while group four of 5 rats received the vehicle [corn oil] as control. The results showed that 10 mg/kg/d caused increase serum levels of FSH and estrogen but decrease in the serum levels of LH and testosterone compared to control; 50 mg/kg/d elevated the serum levels of FSH, estrogen but inhibited testosterone; while 150 mg/kg/d pretreatments caused a significant decrease [p<0.01] in the serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone. The results suggest that caricapryl-99 treatment inhibited the serum level of the androgen, testosterone which might result in a male infertility.

The comparative effects of chronic consumption of kola nut (Cola nitida) and caffeine diets on locomotor behaviour and body weights in mice.

The comparative effects of chronic [28 days] consumption of kola nut and its active constituent, caffeine diets on locomotor behaviour and body weights in mice were investigated. Thirty adult Swiss white mice [15-30 g body weight], were used for the study. The open field-maze was employed for the evaluation of locomotor behaviour. Mice in the control group [n=10] were fed normal rodent chow, mice in the kola nut-fed group [n=10] were fed kola diet [25 % wt/wt of rodent chow] while those in the caffeine-fed group [n=10] were fed caffeine diet [0.66% wt/wt of rodent chow] for 4 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water. Daily food intake, water intake and body weight change were also measured. Daily food intake in the kola nut and caffeine-fed group of mice was significantly [P<0.001 respectively] lower than the control. There was also a significant [P<0.001] decrease in daily water intake in the caffeine-fed group compared to the control whereas, the apparent decrease of water intake in the kola nut-fed group was not significantly different from the control. Body weight change was also significantly [P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively] lower in the kola nut and caffeine-fed groups of mice when compared to the control. The frequency of rearing in the open field was significantly [P<0.01] lower in the caffeine-fed group of mice when compared to the control. The frequency of grooming was also significantly [P<0.05] lower in the caffeine-fed group of mice when compared to the control. There was also a significant [P<0.05] decrease in the frequency of light-dark transitions in the light/dark transition box for the caffeine-fed group when compared to the control. The results showed that chronic consumption of kola nut and caffeine diets caused decrease in food intake and body weight. Consumption of caffeine-diet also significantly decreased water intake and locomotor activity. The effect of kola nut-diets on water intake and locomotor activity was not significant. Hence, the effect of kola nut on locomotor behaviour and water intake may not be due to caffeine only.

Effect of Mucuna urens (horse eye bean) on the gonads of male guinea-pigs.

The effect of Mucuna urens (seeds) on the gonads and sex accessory glands of male guinea-pigs was investigated. Sexually mature guinea-pigs of proven fertility were administered orally with 70 mg/kg and 140 mg/kg body weight of crude extract daily for 8 weeks respectively. Phytochemical screening of the seeds revealed the presence of alkaloids. No death or weight loss were observed during the duration of treatment. No pregnancy occurred in females mated with the treated males. Histological observations at high dose (140 mg/kg) showed complete degeneration of sperm in the testicular tubules. In some tubules, the acrosomal cap of the sperm cells was separated from the nuclei which underwent colour changes. In some tubules only the tails were left in the lumen. The spermatids, primary and secondary spermatocytes showed pycnosis while the morphology of spermatogonia and germinal epithelium appeared normal. Some epididymides were devoid of sperm while others contained degenerated spermatozoa and cell debris. In the prostate gland there was collapse of the villi and reduction of secretion in both the prostate and seminal vesicles. At low doses (70 mg/kg), there was spermatogenic arrest at spermatid stage. These observations have shown that M. urens is a potential male antifertility agent.

Studies on antifertility effect of pawpaw seeds (Carica papaya) on the gonads of male albino rats.

Preliminary studies on the antifertility effect of pawpaw seeds (Carica papaya) on the gonads of male albino (Wistar) rats was investigated. An oral dose of crude ripe pawpaw seeds at 100 mg/kg body weight and 50 mg/kg body weight were administered orally for 8 weeks. Histological observations at a high dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed degeneration of the germinal epithelium and germ cells, a reduction in the number of Leydig cells and the presence of vacuoles in the tubules. At a low dose of 50 mg/kg body weight little effect was observed. However, there was disorganization in some of the seminiferous tubules while others appeared normal. Leydig cells also appeared normal compared with the controls. At a high dose the epididymis showed many empty tubules containing degenerated spermatozoa and cell debris in the lumen. The epithelium appeared normal compared with the controls. At a low dose a milder effect was observed. The epithelial tissue appeared normal. A possible mechanism of action is discussed.

Histopathological and biochemical effects of gossypol acetate on pituitary-gonadal axis of male albino rats.

Histopathological and biochemical effects of gossypol acetate (GA) on pituitary-gonadal axis were investigated. 10 and 25 mg GA/kg were administered orally to sexually mature adult male Wistar rats for 4 and 5 weeks, respectively. STH and LTH/PRL cells showed no significant changes as compared to those of controls while TSH cells showed hypertrophy, hyperplasia and degranulation in both experimental groups. Pituitary FSH, LH/ICSH cells showed progressive regression. Gonosomatic indices of sex accessory glands at 25 mg showed significant reduction in the experimental animals as compared to those of controls. The diameter of seminiferous tubules reduced and azoospermia developed. Sertoli and Leydig cells also regressed. At 10 and 25 mg GA treatment, spermatogenesis ceased at secondary spermatocytes and spermatogonia stages, respectively. Epididymis and prostate regressed. Seminal vesicle showed no significant histological variations as compared to that of control except reduction in secretion. Biochemical observations revealed increased levels of acid phosphatase, fructose and citric acid and significant reduction in glycerylphosphoryl choline in reproductive glands of both experimental groups as compared to those of controls. Possible mechanism of antifertility action of GA is discussed.

Effects of gossypol acetate on pituitary-adrenal axis in male albino rats.

Histopathological effects of gossypol acetate (GA) on pituitary-adrenal axis in male Wistar rats were investigated. Sexually mature rats of proven fertility were administered orally with 10 and 25 mg/kg for 4 and 5 weeks, respectively. In both experimental groups, corticotrophs (ACTH cells) of anterior pituitary showed progressive regression. At the 10 mg low-dose treatment for 4 weeks, no significant changes were observed in all the zones of the adrenal gland, while at the same dose for 5 weeks of treatment, cells of zona glomerulosa showed hypertrophy and degranulation as compared to that of control. Cells of zona fasciculata and reticularis showed no significant changes. In the medulla, the thickly granulated cells were degranulated and reduced in number. At the 25 mg treatment, the cells of the zona fasciculata showed hypertrophy and degranulation. The possible mechanism of action of GA is discussed.