The protective effect of vitamin C on phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia on sperm quality and in-vitro embryo development in mice

Elevated Levels of Gonadotrophic Hormones and Antioxidant Biomarker in Male Rats Following Administration of Hydromethanol Leaf Extract of Justicia secunda in Response to 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine Induction

Background

2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine induces testicular toxicity and can result in reproductive dysfunction in male rats.

Aim

This study investigated the effects of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Justicia secunda on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced reproductive dysfunction in male Wistar rats.

Settings and Design

Twenty rats (90-170 g) were grouped into five (A-E) (n = 4) with the approval of the research ethics committee.

Materials and Methods

Group A (control) received 0.5 mL of normal saline, Groups B to E received PHZ, PHZ + Astymin (0.5 mL), PHZ + J. secunda (0.2 mg/kg) and PHZ + J. secunda (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. All animals in Groups B to E received 2 mg/kg PHZ intraperitoneally for 2 days, and thereafter, administration of Astymin and J. secunda commenced in Groups C, D and E for 14 days using gavage.

Statistical Analysis Used

The data were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test.

Results

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased significantly in PHZ, PHZ + Astymin and PHZ + J. secunda (0.2 mg/kg) and increased significantly in PHZ + J. secunda (0.5 mg/kg) than control. Luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in treated groups than control. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly reduced in the treated groups than the control. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) significantly (P < 0.001) increased in treated groups than in control. Testicular glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase, catalase and malondialdehyde significantly increased in extract-treated groups compared to control. Superoxide dismutase significantly decreased in PHZ-treated group than in the control.

Conclusion

PHZ administration caused testicular toxicity and altered biochemical markers, astymin treatment reduced male reproductive hormones, while J. secunda (0.5 mg/kg) increased FSH and LH, decreased TNFα levels and altered the concentration of testicular antioxidant markers. These alterations may be linked to the toxic effect of PHZ and could negatively affect spermatogenesis.

Preservation of Simmental bull sperm at 0°C in Tris dilution: effect of dilution ratio and long-distance transport

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0°C, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen.

METHODS

In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0°C for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution.

RESULTS

The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0°C gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0°C for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0°C conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally.

Detrimental effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on testis, sperm parameters quality, and in vitro fertilization in mice: An experimental study

Background

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) as an important nanomaterial have a wide range of applications in many fields and human beings' exposure to this nanomaterial is unavoidable. The effects of CeO2 NPs on the male reproductive system are controversial.

Objective

To determine the effects of the administration of CeO2 NPs on the testis tissue, sperm parameters, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-four male mice were divided into three groups (n = 8/each): one control and two experimental groups receiving CeO2 NPs at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 35 days. At the end of the experiment, the diameter of seminiferous tubules (SNTs), epithelial height of SNTs, spermiogenesis index in testes, sperm parameters (count, motility, viability, and morphology), sperm chromatin condensation, DNA integrity, and IVF assays were analyzed.

Results

Histological results showed that the tubular diameter, the epithelial height of the SNTs, and the spermiogenesis index were significantly decreased in the experimental groups receiving CeO2 NPs. All sperm parameters in the experimental groups were significantly reduced and, additionally, the percentages of immature sperms and sperms with DNA damage were significantly increased in groups treated with CeO2 NPs compared to the control. Furthermore, the rates of IVF and in vitro embryo development were decreased.

Conclusion

Collectively, the current study showed that oral administration of CeO2 NPs in mice had detrimental effects on the male reproductive system through inducing testicular tissue alterations, decreasing sperm parameters quality, and also diminishing the IVF rate and in vitro embryonic development.