Yinusa Raji

Antifertility activity of Quassia amara in male rats-in vivo study

The crude methanol extract of the stem wood of Quassia amara. L. (A-1) significantly caused a reduction in the weight of the testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle, but an increase in that of the anterior pituitary gland. Epididymal sperm counts, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly reduced when the rats were treated with the extract. Furthermore the basal and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion of Leydig cells isolated from rats pretreated with the extract was inhibited. These changes seemed to be restored eight weeks after the withdrawal from extract treatments. Two compounds - quassin and 2-methoxycanthin-6-one were isolated after fractionation of A-1. Quassin produced similar biological actions as the crude extract while the effects of 2-methoxycanthin-6-one did not seem to differ from those of the control. Quassin appears to be the antifertility principle of Quassia amara.

Nicotine alters male reproductive hormones in male albino rats: The role of cessation

OBJECTIVES: The use of nicotine through smoking remains a serious health problem. It has been associated with reduced fertility, although the mechanism responsible is still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate whether nicotine-induced infertility is associated with altered male reproductive hormones in male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male rats were divided equally into five groups and treated orally for thirty days. Group I, which served as the control received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline, Group II and III received 0.5 mg/kg (low dose) and 1.0 mg/kg (high dose) body weight of nicotine, respectively. The fourth and fifth groups were gavaged with 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg body weight of nicotine but were left untreated for another 30 days. These groups served as the recovery groups. Serum was analyzed for testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), and prolactin using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Results showed that nicotine administration significantly decreased (P < 0.05) testosterone in the low and high treated groups and FSH in the high dose treated group when compared with the control group. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in mean LH and prolactin level in the high dose treated group when compared with the control. However, the values of the recovery groups were comparable with the control. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study suggest that nicotine administration is associated with distorted reproductive hormones in male rats although ameliorated by nicotine cessation. It is plausible that the decreased testosterone level is associated with testicular dysfunction rather than a pituitary disorder.

Comprehensive assessment of the effect of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root extract on male reproductive activity in albino rats

AimTo evaluate the effect of methanol extract from the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root on male reproductive activity.MethodsMale albino rats were treated orally with distilled water (vehicle for the extract; control) and 50, 100 and 150 mg kg-1 body weight of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root extract for 8 weeks. Each group had its own recovery. Rats were killed 24 h after the last treatment. Caudal epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, morphology and organ weights were determined. Hematological indices, serum proteins, enzymes, testicular Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and testicular and epididymal histology were determined.ResultsCompared with the control, the extract caused a dose dependent significant (P< 0.05) reduction in progressive motility of spermatozoa, viability and total sperm counts. The number of abnormal spermatozoa and epididymal volume were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase (P< 0.05) in serum testosterone levels in rats treated with 50 (P< 0.01) and l00 mg kg−1 (P< 0.05) of Sphenocentrum jollyanum. There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase in red blood cell count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration, whereas there was no change in white blood cell count, mean total serum protein, albumin and globulin in the sera of Sphenocentrum jollyanum treated rats when compared with the control. The extract caused a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in testicular SOD activity at a dose of 50 mg kg−1 bodyweight. Testicular cytoarchitecture of the extract treated rats showed degeneration of seminiferous tubules, whereas regeneration of germinal epithelium and restructuring of the germinal interstitium occurred in the recovery rats. No lesions were observed in the epididymis of the rats.ConclusionThe results suggest that methanol extract of the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root could produce harmful effects on reproductive functions in male albino rats which can be attributed to poor sperm quantity (epididymal sperm count), quality (sperm motility, viability and morphology) and testicular degeneration. The steroidogenic potential of the plant could explain its use as an aphrodisiac agent.

Antioxidant profile changes in reproductive tissues of rats treated with nicotine

OBJECTIVES: Nicotine intake has been associated with reduced fertility, although the mechanisms responsible are still unclear. However, oxidative stress has been repeatedly implicated as the leading cause of male infertility. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of nicotine administration on testicular oxidant and antioxidant system in male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male rats weighing between 150 and 180 g were divided into five groups and treated orally for 30 days. Group I, which served as the control received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline, Groups II and III received 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) of nicotine respectively. The fourth and fifth groups were administered with 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg BW of nicotine, but were left untreated for another 30 days. Homogenate of testis and epididymis were assayed for lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant enzyme. RESULTS: The results show a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in testicular glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and superoxide dismutase while a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in testicular lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide level in both groups when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: This experiment established that nicotine administration is associated with decreased testicular antioxidant and increase testicular lipid peroxidation, which might be a mechanism by which nicotine induce infertility.

Nicotine alters serum antioxidant profile in male albino Rats

Background: Oxidative stress has repeatedly been implicated as the leading cause of several disease conditions. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effects of nicotine administration on serum antioxidant levels in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats (150-180 g) were divided into five groups and treated orally for 30 days. Group I (control) received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline and Groups II and III received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) of nicotine, respectively for 30 days. The fourth and fifth groups were administered with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg BW of nicotine for 30 days, but were left untreated for another 30 days. Serum was assayed for nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme. Results: The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg nicotine treated groups. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 1.0 mg/kg treated group when compared with the control. Conclusion: The present study shows that nicotine administration is associated with decreased serum antioxidant and increase lipid peroxidation ameliorated by nicotine withdrawal in male rat.

Antiulcerogenic effects of Tylophora conspicua in male rats.

Studies were undertaken on the effect of a crude (TC) and an alkaloid fraction (TA) of the leaf extracts of Tylophora conspicua on indomethacin‐induced gastric ulceration and gastric acid secretion in male albino rats. Both the TC and TA produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of gastric ulceration. At a dose level of 40 mg/kg TC and TA were more effective (TA being more potent) than propranolol in inhibiting gastric ulceration. The highest dose of the extracts used (80 mg/kg) completely inhibited gastric ulceration. Intravenous administration of the TC and TA significantly decreased acid output at low dose (20 mg/kg), medium dose (40 mg/kg) and high dose (80 mg/kg) from the peak basal of 0.54 ± 0.02 mEq/L/min to 0.49 ± 0.02 mEq/L/min, 0.35 ± 0.01 mEq/L/min and 0.21 ± 0.02 Meq/L/min respectively. 80 mg/kg of TC and TA significantly reduced the histamine (1 mg/kg) induced gastric acid secretion. The results suggest that the antiulcer activity of Tylophora conspicua might be produced by gastric acid inhibition. Copyright

Implication of caffeine consumption and recovery on the reproductive functions of adult male Wistar rats.

Abstract Background: This study assessed the impact of caffeine consumption and recovery on reproductive functions and fertility of Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each. Group A (control) received distilled water (vehicle), while groups B, C, and D were treated orally with 10 mg/kg body weight (BW), 20 mg/kg BW, and 40 mg/kg BW caffeine, respectively, for 30 days. Groups E, F, and G were treated orally with 10 mg/kg BW, 20 mg/kg BW, and 40 mg/kg BW caffeine, respectively, for 30 days and then allowed to recover for another 30 days. Results: Caffeine caused a decrease in body weight, while recovery groups showed appreciable increase in body weight during recovery. Relative weight of seminal vesicle, prostate, and epididymis decreased dose dependently during treatment but increased during recovery. The liver and kidney weight increased during treatment but reduced during recovery. Sperm count was significantly decreased in both treated and recovery groups. Initial decrease in sperm viability and volume was appreciably reversed during recovery period. Serum level of testosterone increased at high doses, while serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) showed significant decrease. Histological sections of testis in treated groups showed mild congestion of the interstitial blood vessel and subcapsular congestion. However, there was no subcapsular congestion in the recovery groups. All rats in both treated and recovery groups had 100% fertilization success from fertility study. Conclusions: Suggestively, caffeine treatment for 4 weeks could impair body, reproductive organs weight, sperm characteristics, LH/FSH level, and also testicular cyto-architecture. Effects appeared, however, reversible after caffeine withdrawal.

Maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation delays male puberty and disrupts reproductive functions via hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis alterations

The effects of maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation on pubertal timing, serum hormonal profile and sperm indices in the male offspring were assessed. Twenty lactating dams were divided into 4 groups (n=5). Group 1 was administered subcutaneously 0.02ml/100g/day normal saline at lactation days 1-21. Groups 2-4 were administered subcutaneously 100μg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dex) at lactation days 1-7, 1-14, and 1-21 respectively. Results showed that there was significant reduction in serum testosterone in the DexLD 1-7 (p<0.05), DexLD 1-14 (p<0.01) and DexLD 1-21 (p<0.001) relative to control. In addition there was a significant reduction in serum FSH and LH in the DexLD 1-7 (p<0.01), DexLD 1-14 (p<0.001) and DexLD 1-21 (p<0.001) when compared with the control. Treatment with dexamethasone during lactation significantly increased the days of preputial separation in the DexLD 1-7 (p<0.05), DexLD 1-14 (p<0.05) and DexLD 1-21 (p<0.001) relative to control. Maternal treatment with dexamethasone throughout lactation period also significantly reduced sperm counts (p<0.001), motility (p<0.01) and increased percentage abnormal sperm (p<0.001) in the offspring when compared with the control. In conclusion, maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation may induce delayed puberty and disrupt reproductive functions by altering activities at hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male offspring.

Impact of the malaria parasite on reproductive indices of male mice

AimTo investigate the impact and possible mechanism of action of the rodent malarial parasite on reproduction.MethodsMale albino mice were infected with 15, 30 and 45% Plasmodium berghei berghei through inoculation with 107 parasitized red blood cells. Each experiment had its own control that was not infected with P. berghei berghei. Mice infected with 15% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 0, 5, 10 and 15; those infected with 30% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 0, 3, 6 and 10; and those infected with 45% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 1–7 after infection. Caudal epididymal sperm motility counts and morphology body and wet organ weights and hematological indices were determined.ResultsThe results showed a progressive duration dependent decrease in sperm motility sperm count and viability (P < 0.01) in parasitized mice. There were significant decreases in serum testosterone and increases in cortisol levels (P < 0.05) in the infected mice compared with the controls. There was also a progressive decrease (P < 0.05) in red blood cell count and packed cell volume. However, there was a progressive increase (P < 0.01) in white blood cell count and weight of the spleen and liver. There was no significant change in weight of the testis and epididymides.ConclusionThe results suggest that the malaria parasite could depress male fertility indices.

Experimental maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation induces neonatal testicular and epididymal oxidative stress; Implications for early postnatal exposure

Maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation alters reproductive functions and increases serum corticosterone in the male offspring. Excess corticosterone may induce oxidative stress. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of maternal treatment with dexamethasone during lactation on oxidative stress indices in the testis and epididymis of a male offspring. Twenty lactating dams were divided into 4 groups (n=5). Group 1 was administered 0.02ml/100g/day normal saline subcutaneously at lactation days 1-21. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered 100μg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dex) subcutaneously at lactation days (LD) 1-7, 1-14, and 1-21 respectively. Testis and epididymis malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured as markers of oxidative stress. The mean testis and epididymis MDA were significantly raised (p<0.05) in the dexamethasone-treated groups when compared with control. This was accompanied with a significant reduction (p<0.05) in SOD and catalase activities in these tissues in the DexLD 1-21, when compared with control. The mean total protein level of the epididymis was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in all the dexamethasone treated groups when compared with control. In conclusion, maternal treatment with dexamethasone during the first two weeks of lactation and throughout lactation may lead to increase in oxidative stress in the testis and epididymis of the male offspring of Wistar rats.