Augustave Kenfack

Effects of propoxur on the reproductive system of male rats.

The reproductive toxicity of propoxur (2-isopropoxy-phenyl-N-methylcarbamate), a carbamate pesticide, was investigated in adult male Wistar rats exposed to 0, 1.73, 2.6, and 5.2 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 successive days. Results obtained from this study showed a significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent increase in food consumption, relative weights of testis, epididymis and kidneys with maximum effects observed at the highest dose of propoxur (5.2 mg/kg) compared to the control. On the contrary, there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the body weight gain, sperm density, serum and intratesticular total cholesterol concentrations, and intratesticular total proteins in rats treated with propoxur at the dose of 5.2 mg/kg body weight. Propoxur had no significant effect on gestation, fertility and parturition indices, average birth weight, litter size and pups sex ratio of untreated female rats mated with treated males rats. These results suggested that propoxur increased food consumption, relative weight of reproductive and detoxication organs, decreased body weight gain and sperm density per gram of cauda epididymis without affecting the reproductive performances.

Effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavie (Cavia porcellus) and mitigation strategies using guava (Psidium guajava) leaves essential oil

Climate changes, particularly the increase of temperature are among the main causes behind the decline of fertility in humans as well as animals. In this study, the effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavies and mitigation strategies using guava leaves essential oil (GLEO) were studied. For this purpose, 40 male cavies aged 2.5-3 months and weighing between 348 and 446g were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each and subjected to the following temperatures: Ambient temperature (20-25°C) for the control group, 35°C for group 1, 45°C for group 2 and 45°C+100µl GLEO/kg body weight, administered by gavage to animals for group 3. Exposure time of heat was 7h per day for 60 days. Results reveal that the relative weights of testes, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles were hardly affected by the temperature levels considered (P>0.05). The mass and individual sperm motility was significantly lower (P<0.05) in cavies exposed to the temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with those which received GLEO and controls. The percentages of abnormal sperm and altered sperm DNA were higher in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with the controls. The activity of superoxide dismutase significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 45°C and in those of 45°C and orally treated with GLEO, compared with cavies exposed to temperature of 45°C without receiving GLEO. The level of malondialdehyde was significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C, whereas the level of nitric oxide was significantly lower (P<0.05) in exposed animals as compared with controls. It was concluded that the exposure of male cavies at 35 and 45°C for 60 days induce heat stress that causes deterioration of sperm characteristics. These effects that can be mitigated by the administration of guava leaves essential oil.

Parastar insecticide induced changes in reproductive parameters and testicular oxidative stress biomarkers in Wistar male rats

Parastar is an insecticide formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid, and it is largely used for crop production improvement in Santa, North West Region of Cameroon. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of Parastar on reproductive parameters and testicular oxidative stress in adult albino Wistar male rats. Twenty rats (154 g ± 28 g) were divided into four groups of five animals each and treated daily with either distilled water (10 mL/kg), 1.25, 2.49 or 6.23 mg/kg of Parastar, respectively, for 35 days. After treatment, animal reproductive function was evaluated through fertility tests, sperm characteristics, testosterone levels and organ weights, while oxidative stress biomarkers were determined on testicular homogenates. Parastar administration resulted into increased seminal vesicle and prostate weights, while body weight remained unaffected. Parastar dose-dependently reduced sperm density and mobility, and the highest dose decreased serum testosterone levels. Parastar also modulated stress biomarkers with increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, decreased glutathione levels and inhibition of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. In conclusion, Parastar negatively affected male reproductive function through alteration of testosterone levels, sperm parameters and induction of oxidative stress in rats.

Effects of ethanol extract of Bersama engleriana leaves on oxidative stress and reproductive parameters in male Guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) exposed to cypermethrin

Pesticides are used to improve agricultural yields; meanwhile they have detrimental effects on human and animal reproduction. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of ethanol extract of Bersama engleriana leaves against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity. Fifty male guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) of 10 animals each. During 90 days, animals of G1 were given distilled water orally, while other groups received 137.50 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin. In addition, G3, G4 and G5 received respectively 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of ethanol extract of Bersama engleriana leaves. The testicular concentration of malondialdehyde, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased significantly (P<0.05) in guinea pigs exposed to cypermethrin and ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves compared with those exposed to cypermethrin only (G2), while the reverse effect was observed concerning the activity of peroxidases. The time of reaction of male guinea pig in the presence of females and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa decreased significantly (P<0.05) in animals treated with the insecticide and the ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves with respect to G2 animals. The weight of testes, the serum level of testosterone, the sperm count, mobility and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal plasma membrane increased significantly (P<0.05) in guinea pigs treated with ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves compared with those submitted to cypermethrin only. The histological sections of testes in animals exposed to cypermethrin and ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves showed a normal structure compared with those exposed to cypermethrin only, of which sections of testes revealed the presence of immature germinal cells in the seminiferous tubules lumen. Hence, ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves prevent the induction of oxidative stress and reproductive parameters impairment by cypermethrin in male guinea pig.

Persistence of the reproductive toxicity of chlorpiryphos-ethyl in male Wistar rat

Abstract Objective To study the effects of chlorpiryphos-ethyl (CE) on male fertility. Methods Rats were gavaged daily from 30 to 120 days old with four doses of CE (10.50; 5.25; 3.50 and 0.00 mg/kg) and thereafter followed up for 90 additional days. Following this period of observation, each male rat was submitted to a fertility test with two virgin females. Male were then sacrificed and organs collected while females were followed up till delivery. Results The weights of the testis and epididymis were lower ( P P Conclusion The effects of CE on reproductive system were persistent 90 days after the end of exposure.

Performances zootechniques de tryonomys swinderianus en captivité en zone d'altitude

In order to improve on the reproductive performances of grasscutters (Tryonomys swinderianus) in captivity, a study was conducted in the grasscutter distribu...