Niloufer J. Chinoy

Effects of fluoride on the histoarchitecture of reproductive organs of the male mouse

The effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) ingestion in two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days on histology and histocytometry of reproductive organs of the adult male mouse were investigated. In order to study reversibility, treatment was withdrawn for one and two months. The testes, epididymides, vas deferens, prostate, and seminal vesicle were utilized for the study by standard hematoxylin-eosin staining and an ocular eye piece and micrometer scale. NaF treatment caused severe disorganization and denudation of germinal epithelial cells of seminiferous tubules with absence of sperm in the lumina. The Leydig cell and nucleus diameters were not affected. The caput epididymis showed fewer changes than the cauda. However, epithelial cell nuclear pyknosis and absence of luminal sperm were observed. A reduction in epithelial cell height, nuclear pyknosis, denudation of cells, and absence of sperm occurred in the cauda epididymis. The vas deferens epithelium showed nuclear pyknosis, clumped stereocilia, and cell debris but no sperm in the lumen and an increase in the lamina propria. The prostate and seminal vesicles were not affected by treatment. Withdrawal of treatment caused marked recovery in the histoarchitecture of these organs. The effects of NaF treatment are therefore transient and reversible.

In vitro fluoride toxicity in human spermatozoa.

Effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on washed, ejaculated human spermatozoa at doses of 25, 50, and 250 mM were investigated in vitro at intervals of 5, 10, and 20 min. Sodium fluoride (NaF) did not affect the extracellular pH of sperm, except that a slight acidification was caused by the 250 mM dose only. The treatment caused a significant enhancement in acid phosphatase (ACPase) and hyaluronidase activities after 5 and 10 min. However, the decrease in the lysosomal enzyme activity after 20 min treatment could have been due to the gradual increase in fluoride accumulation by spermatozoa leading to membrane damage. Silver nitrate staining of sperm revealed elongated heads, deflagellation, and loss of the acrosome together with coiling of the tail. Sperm glutathione levels also showed a time-dependent decrease with complete depletion after 20 min indicating rapid glutathione oxidation in detoxification of the NaF. The altered lysosomal enzyme activity and glutathione levels together with morphologic anomalies resulted in a significant decline in sperm motility with an effective dose of 250 mM.

Effects of crude aqueous extract of Carica papaya seeds in male albino mice

The effect of an aqueous extract of Carica papaya seeds (5 mg/kg body/day im and 20 mg/kg body wt/day oral) were investigated in male mice treated for 60 days. Reversibility studies were also carried out to elucidate if any induced effects were transient. The aqueous extract did not manifest any estrogenic effects in male mice, and LD50 studies indicated its nontoxic nature. The body weight or the weights of reproductive organs, kidney, and adrenal were not affected, indicating that the extract did not promote body weight gain through obesity or water retention. The serum SGOT, SGPT, protein, and cholesterol levels were also within the normal range in the extract-treated mice, suggesting that the extract does not influence liver function or cholesterol and protein metabolism. These data suggest that the aqueous extracts of papaya seeds is safe and could serve as an effective male contraceptive in rodents.

Microdose vasal injection of sodium fluoride in the rat

A single microdose (50 micrograms/50 microL) injection of sodium fluoride (NaF) into the vasa deferentia of adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) caused arrest of spermatogenesis and absence of spermatozoa in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules of the testes, which consequently led to a decline in the sperm count in the caudae epididymides. Scanning electron microscopy of cauda and vas deferens sperm revealed deflagellation and tail abnormalities. This is probably related to the alterations in the internal milieu of these organs which rendered the spermatozoa immotile and consequently caused fertility impairment in the experimental animals. Thus microdoses of sodium fluoride were found to affect reproductive function and fertility rate.

Reversible Antifertility Effects of Benzene Extract of Papaya Seed on Female Rats

The effects of benzene extract from papaya seeds and those of withdrawal (30 days each) were investigated on the physiology of ovaries and uterus of rats and their fertility. The results revealed that the treatment did not affect ovarian steroidogenesis. On the other hand, uterine glycogen, protein and enzymes were altered which rendered the internal milieu hostile for implantation. The extract manifested an antifertility effect in treated animals. The withdrawal of treatment resulted in recovery of all the induced effects of the extract and restored fertility. Hence, the antifertility effects of the extract were transient and reversible. This is the first report of its kind using the benzene extract of the seed.

Three siblings with Harlequin Ichthyosis in an Indian family

The Harlequin fetus is a distinct genetic entity with a strikingly grotesque appearance. Three siblings (two males, one female) with Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare form of congenital disorder, born to the same parents are presented. The genetic aspects are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Incomplete Gonadal Dysgenesis

A 21-year-old phenotypic male with ambiguous external genitalia and hypospadias was referred for cytogenetic studies. Exploratory laparotomy revealed presence of a small atropic uterus, unilateral gonadal dysgenesis with fallopian tubes on both sides and a cryptorchid testis on the left side. No gonad could be traced on the right side. Chromosomal analysis from peripheral whole blood culture revealed a 46,XY cell line. No mosaicism was detected. Endocrine studies showed elevated levels of serum FSH and LH with low borderline testosterone level and failure to respond to HCG stimulation. The presence of fallopian tube next to testis suggests absence of anti-Mullerian hormone secretion by Sertoli cells. The absence of Wolffian duct derivatives indicates insufficient secretion of testosterone by Leydig cells.

Unilateral gonadal dysgenesis with both testis and fallopian tube on the same side in a 45,X/46,X INV (Y) mosaic male

SummaryA 5-year-old male with ambiguous external genitalia, hypospadias and microphallus without an urethral orifice was referred for cytogenetic studies. Exploratory laparotomy revealed presence of an infantile uterus and unilateral gonadal dysgenesis with both testes and fallopian tube on the right side. The metaphase cells from peripheral blood culture showed both 45,X/46,X inverted Y (p11.2q11.23) cell-lines (98:2). The inverted Y was found to be of paternal origin. Maternal chromosomal pattern was normal 46,XX. The presence of a fallopian tube next to testis suggest absence of secretion of anti-Mullerian hormone by Sertoli cells. The absence of Wolffian duct derivatives suggest insufficient secretion of testosterone by Leydig cells.