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Abarikwu SO, Benjamin S, Ebah SG, Obilor G, Agbam G. Oral administration of Moringa oleifera oil but not coconut oil prevents mercury-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Andrologia 2016; 49. [PMID: 27071754 DOI: 10.1111/and.12597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to compare the effects of administration of coconut oil (CO) and Moringa oleifera oil (MO) on testicular oxidative stress, sperm quality and steroidogenesis parameters in rats treated with mercury chloride (HgCl2 ). After 15 days of oral administration of CO (2 ml kg-1 body weight) and MO (2 ml kg-1 body weight) along with intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of HgCl2 (5 mg kg-1 body weight) alone or in combination, we found that CO treatment did not protect against HgCl2 -induced poor sperm quality (motility, count) as well as decreased testosterone level and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activity. Treatment with CO alone decreased glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in rat's testis, whereas MO did not change these parameters. Cotreatment with MO prevented HgCl2 -induced testicular catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, poor sperm quality and low testosterone level and also blocks the adverse effect of CO+HgCl2 (2 ml kg-1 body weight + 5 mg kg-1 body weight) on the investigated endpoints. In conclusion, MO and not CO decreased the deleterious effects of HgCl2 on sperm quality and steroidogenesis in rats and also strengthen the antioxidant defence of the testes. Therefore, MO is beneficial as an antioxidant in HgCl2 -induced oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Abarikwu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - S Benjamin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - S G Ebah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - G Obilor
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - G Agbam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
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Abarikwu SO. Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury: Occurrence, Toxicity and Diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-02387-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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da Silva DAF, Barbosa F, Scarano WR. Oral exposure to methylmercury modifies the prostatic microenvironment in adult rats. Int J Exp Pathol 2012; 93:354-60. [PMID: 22974216 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00825.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant that is highly toxic to the central nervous system. As its effects on male reproductive system are poorly understood, this study was carried out to analyse the effects of MeHg on the rat prostate. To evaluate the MeHg toxicity on ventral prostate, three groups of adult male Wistar rats received oral doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg MeHg, respectively, on a daily basis for 14 days. A fourth group was used as a control. The prostate weight was decreased in rats treated orally with 0.5 mg/kg MeHg compared to controls. Also, Hg concentration increased significantly in the prostate after treatments. There were reductions in serum testosterone levels and androgen receptor immunoreactivity in animals receiving 3.0 mg MeHg/kg. The stereological data showed changes in the prostatic epithelial, stromal and luminal compartments which varied according to the different doses. Histopathological alterations, such as chronic inflammation, stratified epithelial hyperplasia and epithelial inflammatory reactive atypia, were observed in the 0.5 mg/kg MeHg-treated group. Epithelial atrophy was observed in the 3.0 mg/kg MeHg-treated group. In conclusion, the MeHg affects prostatic homoeostasis resulting in histopathological changes that may be relevant in the pathogenesis of prostatic disease.
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Effects of methylmercury on male reproductive functions in Wistar rats. Reprod Toxicol 2011; 31:431-9. [PMID: 21262343 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the effects of subacute exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) on male reproductive functions in rats by means of determination of alterations in structural and functional parameters. Adult male Wistar rats received 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg/body weight/day orally, daily MeHg for 14 days. Sperm motility, the relative sperm count and transit time in the caput/corpus epididymis, were all reduced at all doses. The lowest dose increased the number of sperm head abnormalities; daily sperm production was elevated at the intermediate dose; while at the highest dose there was a decrease in serum testosterone levels and a rise in mercury (Hg) content in reproductive organs, liver and kidneys. In conclusion, MeHg exposure produced damages on male reproductive functions which may be attributed, at least in part, to the reduction in serum testosterone levels. These consequences could potentially result in infertility in rats.
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Al-Attar AM. Antioxidant effect of vitamin E treatment on some heavy metals-induced renal and testicular injuries in male mice. Saudi J Biol Sci 2011; 18:63-72. [PMID: 23961105 PMCID: PMC3730955 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2010.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2010] [Accepted: 10/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxic heavy metals in water, air and soil are global problems that are a growing threat to humanity. Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment and some of them occur in food, water, air and tissues even in the absence of occupational exposure. The antioxidant and protective influences of vitamin E on a mixture of some heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu)-induced oxidative stress and renal and testicular injuries were evaluated in male mice. Exposure of mice to these heavy metals in drinking water for seven weeks resulted in statistical increases of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) in kidney and testis tissues were significantly declined. Moreover, the histopathological evaluation of kidney and testis showed severe changes in mice treated with these heavy metals. Administration of vitamin E protected the kidney and testis of mice exposed to heavy metals as evidenced by appearance of normal histological structures, insignificant changes in the values of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid, and the levels of kidney GSH and SOD, while the levels of testis GSH and SOD were notably decreased. These data suggest that the administration of vitamin E protects against heavy metals-induced renal and testicular oxidative stress and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atef M. Al-Attar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdul Aziz University, P.O. Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia
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Moussa H, Hachfi L, Trimèche M, Najjar MF, Sakly R. Accumulation of mercury and its effects on testicular functions in rats intoxicated orally by methylmercury. Andrologia 2010; 43:23-7. [PMID: 21219378 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.01003.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
All forms of mercury are considered poisonous. Methylmercury, one organic form, is highly toxic to many organs. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of this form on the reproductive system in the rat. For this, 20 male rats were divided into two groups. One, which is considered as reference, received tap water. The second group received tap water containing methylmercury at the rate of 20 mg l⁻¹ for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the determination of total mercury and plasma testosterone. The left testes were used for the determination of total mercury and histological examination. Appropriate centrifugation was applied on right testes to extract interstitial and seminiferous tubular fluids. The epididymides were homogenised for the sperm count. Our results showed a dramatic fall in the plasma testosterone in the contaminated animals. The fall in plasmatic testosterone seems to be in relation with the decrease in the secretion of testosterone. In association with this, the concentration of testosterone in seminiferous tubules fluid dropped about 55% in the poisoned animals in comparison with the controls. Despite this, no decrease in the epididymal sperm count in contaminated rats was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Moussa
- Laboratoire de Physiologie, E.S.S.T.S, Monastir, Tunisia
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Tan SW, Meiller JC, Mahaffey KR. The endocrine effects of mercury in humans and wildlife. Crit Rev Toxicol 2009; 39:228-69. [DOI: 10.1080/10408440802233259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Homma-Takeda S, Kugenuma Y, Iwamuro T, Kumagai Y, Shimojo N. Impairment of spermatogenesis in rats by methylmercury: involvement of stage- and cell- specific germ cell apoptosis. Toxicology 2001; 169:25-35. [PMID: 11696407 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-483x(01)00487-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury has been shown to affect the male reproductive organs. However, the specific mode of impairment of spermatogenesis during methylmercury exposure remains unknown. In this study, we characterized the induction of germ cell apoptosis and reproductive toxicity in Wistar male rats that had been exposed to methylmercuric chloride (MMC). Subcutaneous injection of MMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day for 8 days resulted in a 28% testicular weight loss at 14 days after the first injection. In addition, the ventral and dorso-lateral prostatic lobes showed a 65 and 52% decrease, respectively, at 14 days, although no effects were observed in the epididymis. Sperm production also was suppressed by the administration of MMC. After exposure to MMC, fragmentation of testicular DNA was found to be increased at 3 days after the first injection, with a 20-fold increase over control levels at 14 days. In situ detection of apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining revealed that spermatocytes and spermatids at stages VII-VIII and IX-XI, respectively, steps which are considered to be highly sensitive to testosterone, were the major cell types affected. Consequently, a marked cell loss in elongated spermatids at stages XII-XIV and I was observed at 14 days. In addition, plasma testosterone levels were reduced at 6 days after exposure to MMC, and remained at approximately 20% of control levels during the 14-day observation period. Our results suggest that methylmercury impairs spermatogenesis by germ cell deletion via cell- and stage- specific apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Homma-Takeda
- Graduate School Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of nicotine exposure on the ultrastructure of the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty rats were injected with nicotine at a dose of 0.4 mg/100 g body weight daily for 3 months; a group of 20 control rats matched for weight and age were injected with saline only for the same duration. The testes were then harvested and examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Rats given nicotine showed: thickening of the tunica propria, caused by an increase in the collagen fibres under the irregular basal lamina; degeneration of junctional specializations between the Sertoli cells, with malformed nuclei showing condensed chromatin; Sertoli cells with numerous polymorphic mitochondria with irregular cristae and an electron-dense matrix. The germ cells were degenerated, spermatids retained excess cytoplasm and accumulated electron-dense lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. The acrosomes were irregular and abnormally configured. CONCLUSION There were ultrastructural alterations in rats exposed to nicotine that could be attributed to the detrimental effects of nicotine on germ cells, peritubular structures and Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Aydos
- Department of Urology, Histology and Embryology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Ankara, Turkey.
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Abstract
The etiology of male infertilities is largely undetermined, and our knowledge of exogenous factors affecting the male reproductive system is still limited. In particular, the role of specific environmental and occupational factors is incompletely elucidated. Various occupational (physical and chemical) agents have been shown to affect male reproductive functions in animals, but large differences in reproductive function and/or xenobiotic handling between species limit extrapolation to humans. When available, human data are often conflicting and, except in a few instances, usually refer to broad and heterogenous occupational categories or to groups of agents (e.g., solvents). It is often difficult to elucidate the role of a single agent because occupational exposure conditions are often complex and various confounding factors related to lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, and diet) or socioeconomic state may also affect sperm quality, fertility, or pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this work is to summarize the main epidemiological and, where relevant, experimental findings pertaining to agents (physical and chemical) encountered in the occupational environment that might affect the male reproductive system (sperm count, motility and morphology, libido, and fertility) and/or related pregnancy outcomes (spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and birth defects and childhood malignancy in offspring). Some methodological issues related to research on the reproductive effects of toxicants are also discussed briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tas
- Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Vachhrajani KD, Sahu AP, Dutta KK. Excess choline availability: a transient effect on spermatogenesis in the rat. Reprod Toxicol 1993; 7:477-81. [PMID: 8274824 DOI: 10.1016/0890-6238(93)90093-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive effects of choline (trimethyl-beta-hydroxyethylammonium) are unknown. Excess dietary intake of choline may occur in humans. Adult male rats were administered i.p. aqueous choline chloride (25 mg/rat, daily for 12 or 24 days). Administration of excess choline for 12 days did not significantly alter spermatogenesis. Administration for 24 days depleted pachytene spermatocytes until posttreatment day 5, while slight proliferation of spermatogonia was noted from day 5 onwards. By day 12, the tubules showed almost normal cellular associations. It is suggested that perhaps a prolonged administration of excess choline may prove to be toxic to male reproduction.
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