Quantitative analysis of spermatogenesis in rats made azoospermic with compound CDRI 84/35

Dose-dependent effects of Asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract on the anabolic, reproductive, and sexual behavioral activity in rats

CONTEXT

Asparagus adscendens Roxb (Liliaceae) has a promising role in modulation of various disorders such as leucorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, senile pruritus, asthma, fatigue antifilarial, antifungal, spermatorrhea, and sexual debility/seminal weakness.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate dose-dependent effects of Asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract on anabolic, reproductive, and sexual behavioral activities with a view to emphasize the pharmacological basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into five groups: Group I (control), Groups II-IV (AARR treated, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, orally for 30 d) and Group V (standard control treated with sildenafil citrate, 5 mg/kg body weight). On day 31, copulatory and potency tests were carried out and an autopsy was done to study the reproductive function, namely, organ weights, spermatogenesis, daily sperm production rate (DSP), and epididymal sperm counts (ESC).

RESULTS

AARR extract (200 and 300 mg/kg doses) caused a significant increase in body (p < 0.02 and p < 0.001) and testes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, control versus treated) weights. Reproductive activity showed significant a increase in testicular tubular diameter (p < 0.005-0.001), the number of round/elongated spermatids (p < 0.02-0.001), DSP, and ESC (p < 0.05-0.001). The sexual behavioral parameters including mounting/intromission frequency (13.0 ± 0.32/11.8 ± 0.37 and 18.2 ± 2.12/14.8 ± 1.15 versus 11.2 ± 0.66/8.2 ± 1.16), ejaculation latency (187.4 ± 1.91 and 191.4 ± 1.72 versus 180.0 ± 3.47), and penile erections (13.5 ± 0.3 and 14.5 ± 0.5 versus 8.5 ± 0.2) showed a significant increase at 200 and 300 mg/kg doses (ED50 300 mg/kg), but less than a standard control. In contrast, 100 mg/kg dose caused an increase (p < 0.005) in mounting latency only.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate increased anabolic, reproductive, and sexual activities by AARR treatment. Thus, the data provide scientific rationale for its traditional use as an aphrodisiac or for sexual disorders.

Rat testicular germ cell type(s) targeted by anti-spermatogenic agents in vivo and their recovery on withdrawal of treatment—A flow cytometric study

Spermatogenesis goes through very critically and precisely balanced ratios of germ cells with diverse DNA ploidies (1C, 2C and 4C). Antispermatogenic agents that reversibly interrupt spermatogenesis may have a contraceptive relevance. With a view to study the precise mechanism of action of antispermatogenic agents and identify the germ cell type(s) targeted by various agents in vivo, spermatogenic cells with diverse DNA ploidies were measured in rat testis during treatment and recovery with compounds CDRI-84/35, gossypol and estradiol, using Flow Cytometry. Rats were treated with either CDRI-84/35 (100mg/(kg day) for 15 days followed by 25mg/(kg day) for 55 days) or gossypol (20mg/(kg day) for 70 days) or estradiol benzoate (2.5microg/(rat day) for 70 days) and 3 rats from each group were sacrificed after 22, 41, 53 and 70 days of treatment to monitor the changes in population of 1C, 2C, S-phase and 4C germ cell types. Treatment with CDRI-84/35 resulted in a significant and rapid drop in 1C population with a concomitant and parallel rise in 2C population. In gossypol-treated animals 1C peak disappeared gradually and the arrest was seen predominantly at 2C stage and partially at 4C stage. At the end of the treatment most of the germ cells were arrested at 2C stage. Estradiol affected spermatogenesis differently with 1C population falling in complement to rise in both 2C and 4C peaks. Germ cells were mainly arrested at the 4C stage after the treatment. The data suggest that germ cells fail to enter meiosis in CDRI-84/35-treated rats. Few cells entering meiosis do not complete the cell division and remain arrested at 4C stage. However in case of estradiol and gossypol the meiotic 4C cells become incapable of further differentiation into haploid cells. After receiving 70 days of treatment a few rats were allowed to recover for 60, 90 and 120 days. The population of various germ cell types in the testis of recovery-group animals indicated that spermatogenesis resumes substantially in case of estradiol treatment and partially in case of treatment with the other two agents.

Seasonal changes in the seminiferous epithelium of rhesus and bonnet monkeys

With a view to elucidate seasonal variations in testicular spermatogenesis, quantitative analysis of spermatogenic cells was carried out in non-human primate species viz. rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and bonnet (M. radiata) monkeys during breeding (October-December) and non-breeding (May-June) seasons. The results revealed significant inhibition of testicular germ cell population during non-breeding compared with the breeding period in both the species. Quantitative determination of Sertoli cell-germ cell ratio showed a marked decrease in the number of type A-spermatogonia, spermatocytes (non-pachytene and pachytene) and spermatids (in steps 1-12 of spermiogenesis) in rhesus monkey during the non-breeding period. Bonnet monkeys exhibited the significant decline in the number of primary spermatocytes and spermatids during the non-breeding phase. In addition, average diameter of round seminiferous tubules and nuclear diameter of Leydig cells also decreased significantly in rhesus monkeys. However, bonnet monkeys did not show any significant change in nuclear diameter/morphology of Leydig cells, testicular tubular diameter and number of type A-spermatogoniae. Sertoli cell number did not show any significant change during both breeding and non-breeding periods in both the species. The results of this study indicate a prominent seasonal variation in testicular spermatogenic/Leydig cells in rhesus monkeys than those observed in bonnet monkeys.

Effect of compound CDRI 84/35 and synthetic estrogen on the seminiferous epithelium of immature rat

Compound CDRI 84/35 (a piperazine derivative--a potent antispermatogenic agent) has been shown to cause significant inhibition in testicular spermatogenesis without affecting Leydig cell and accessory sex organ function in adult rats. The present study was conducted to determine its effect on the germ cell population and Leydig cell morphology in immature rats (40-50 gm) administered CDRI 84/35 (100 mg/kg/day p.o.), synthetic estradiol benzoate (EB; 5 microg/rat/day) and vehicle at the age of 21 days. Animals were killed 24 h later following 7 and 14 days' treatments. Bouin's fixed testes were sectioned (at 5 microm) and stained with PAS-hematoxylin. Quantitative determination of Sertoli Cell-Germ Cell ratio was carried out in 150 round seminiferous tubules in each group of 5 rats. Results revealed a significant decrease in number of the spermatocytes (non-pachytene and pachytene) and early (round) spermatids in step 1-8 of spermiogenesis without affecting Leydig cell morphology in rats administered CDRI 84/35 for 7 and 14 days as compared to corresponding controls. In contrast, the testes of rats injected with synthetic EB, caused a marked inhibition in these meiotic and post-meiotic germ cell types, as well as in the diameters of round seminiferous tubules, and Leydig cells nuclei (only in 14 days treatment), and testicular weight on autopsy days 8 and 15 as compared to CDRI 84/35-treated rats. While the number of pre-meiotic spermatogoniae was observed to be slightly decreased after only 14 days treatment in both CDRI 84/35 and EB treatment groups, the Sertoli cell number did not show any significant change as compared to controls. The present investigation confirms the antispermatogenic effect of compound CDRI 84/35 in immature rats similar to that reported in adult rats. Marked inhibition in pachytene spermatocytes and other testicular parameters following synthetic estrogen treatment might be due to its antiandrogenic action, contrasting with the non-hormonal profile of CDRI compound.

Changes in daily sperm production rate in rats under the influence of a potent antispermatogenic agent, CDRI 84/35

CDRI 84/35, a potent nonsteroidal antispermatogenic agent, causes total sterility in rats by directly acting on germ cells while having no effect on Sertoli/Leydig cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the compound on gametogenic activity of testes and to identify stages of spermatogenesis that were affected. Adult male rats administered either compound 84/35 at minimum effective dose or estradiol (5 micrograms) or water only were killed on days 22, 41, and 64 of the treatment period to evaluate the effect on spermatid, spermatocyte, and spermatogonial stages, respectively. Daily sperm production (DSP) was measured employing a homogenization technique. Results showed a decline in testis weight and DSP with a drastic reduction (approximately 95%) in DSP in 84/35-treated rats on day 41 of the treatment period. Estradiol was more potent in reducing the testis weight; however, 84/35 had an edge over estradiol in reducing the DSP. After withdrawal of treatment for 120 days, a phenomenal recovery (> 90%) in DSP per gram parenchyma was noted in 84/35-treated animals. Results indicate a direct effect of estradiol on spermatogonia, whereas 84/35 seems to affect the spermatocyte stage.