Non Concurrent Multimodal Stress Decreases Sperm Quality and Motor Activity in Male Wister Albino Rats

A multi-modal approach to investigate Desmodium gangeticum's influence on stress-induced male infertility: In vivo, in vitro, and in silico assessments

Physical and psychological stress has an inverse relation with male libido and sperm quality. The present study investigates the potential fertility-enhancing properties of Desmodium gangeticum (DG) root extracts in male Wister rats subjected to immobilization-induced stress (SIMB). DG roots were extracted using n-hexane (HEDG), chloroform (CEDG), and water (AEDG). In the pilot study, aphrodisiac protentional was investigated at two doses (125 and 250 mg kg-1) of each extract. In the main study, the HEDG and AEDG at 125 and 250 mg kg-1 were challenged for the stress by immobilization (SIMB), for 6 h daily over 28 days. Parameters assessed included aphrodisiac effects, gonadosomatic index (GSI), semen quality, sperm quantity, fructose content, serum hormonal levels, testicular oxidative stress, and testicular histopathology. Additional in silico studies, including the lipid solubility index, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and SymMap studies were conducted for validation. HEDG demonstrated significant aphrodisiac activity, improved - GSI, sperm quality and quantity, and fructose content, serum testosterone levels, histological changes induced by SIMB in the testes. Swiss ADME studies indicated Gangetin (a pterocarpan) had a high brain permeation index (4.81), a superior docking score (-8.22), and higher glide energy (-42.60), compared with tadalafil (-7.17). The 'Lig fit Prot' plot in molecular dynamics simulations revealed a strong alignment between Gangetin and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). HEDG exerts aphrodisiac effects by increasing blood testosterone levels and affecting PDE5 activity. The protective effects on spermatozoa-related parameters and testicular histological changes are attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, of pterocarpan (gangetin).

Evidence of alterations in the learning and memory in offspring of stress-induced male rats

OBJECTIVES

There is extensive data pointing to offspring outcomes related to maternal life incidents, but there is less research concerning the association between paternal life events and progeny brain development and behaviour. As male gametogenesis is a continuous process, the incidences happening in life can modify the epigenetic regulation, altering the offspring's development and behaviour. The present study evaluates the effects of paternal stress during different life periods on their offspring's learning ability, memory, morphological and biochemical changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the rat model.

METHODS

Four weeks' old male rats were subjected to five variable stressors at the rate of one per day. Stress received male rats were bred with naive female rats for 1 to 3 nights. The offspring's learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze test and automated Y maze. Following behavioural studies, offspring were euthanized to examine global DNA methylation, neurotransmitter levels, namely acetylcholine, glutamate in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

RESULTS

The offspring of stress-induced animals exhibited a delay in acquiring learning and defect in memory and altered global DNA methylation in the hippocampus (p=0.000124). There was significant reduction of acetylcholine and glutamate levels in hippocampus (p=0.000018, p=0.00001, respectively) and in prefrontal cortex (p=0.00001, p=0.00001, respectively). HPA axis of offspring was altered considerably (p=0.00001). The histomorphometry of the prefrontal cortex and different hippocampal regions revealed a statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in neuronal numbers in the offspring of stressed animals compared to that of control. These impacts were markedly high in the offspring of fathers who received stress during both pubertal and adult periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study demonstrate that paternal stress can impact offspring learning and memory.

Effect of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) on the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats submitted or not to testicular heat shock

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular heat shock (HS). For this, 48 animals were treated according to the experimental groups (G1: not exposed to HS and untreated; G2: exposed to HS and untreated; G3: not exposed to HS and treated with GTE; G4: exposed to HS and treated with GTE). Subgroups of rats were euthanized on days 15, 30, and 60 to recover the spermatozoa. The total motility (TM), vigor, spermatic morphology and concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity (ACi) were analyzed. The TM was higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4 on day 30, and higher in G4 on day 60. The overall means of TM and vigor were higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as TM on day 60. For the morphology, G2 and G4 were lower than G1 and G3 on day 15, and G4 was lower than G1 and G3 on day 30. Moreover, in G1 and G3 morphology was higher on days 15 and 30, and in G4 it was lower on day 30, with the overall means being higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as on days 15 and 60 compared to day 30. The overall mean of ACi, on day 30, was lower than on days 15 and 60 for all the groups. Therefore, HS is shown to be widely deleterious to the gametes, and the daily administration of 100 mg/kg green tea extract does not improve the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular HS, although it leads to better recovery of spermatic motility and morphology at 60 days.