1-DNJ Alleviates Obesity-Induced Testicular Inflammation in Mice Model by Inhibiting IKKβ/ NF-kB Pathway

Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation that affects various organs in the body, including the reproductive system, which is a key factor in male infertility. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) is a natural alkaloid in mulberry leaves, which has anti-inflammatory capabilities, yet, it's effects on obesity-induced inflammation-related male infertility remain unclear. Therefore, this research investigates the underlying mechanism by which 1-DNJ may mitigate fertility impairment in male mice caused by obesity-related inflammation. Male mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity were treated with 1-DNJ or metformin for 8 weeks. Metabolic profiles were evaluated by enzyme method. Reproductive capacity was assessed by sperm viability, motility and counts, immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the testicular damage caused by obesity and inflammation. The inflammation was assessed by measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The activation of IκB kinase β (IKKβ) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was examined using western blot and immunohistochemistry. HFD induced obesity in mice with obvious lipid metabolism disorder. The obese male mice had a decreased testosterone level, impaired sperm motility, and increased inflammatory factors. 1-DNJ treatment improved the testosterone level in the obese mice, ameliorated the testicular structure damage and improve sperm viability. In addition, 1-DNJ treatment inhibited IKKβ/NF-kB signaling pathway and reduced inflammation in obese mice. 1-DNJ can improve the fertility of obese men by reducing obesity as well as obesity-induced inflammation. These findings provide new insights for 1-DNJ to alleviate inflammation caused by obesity and provide future possibilities for treating male infertility.

Effect of the defoliant tribufos on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

As a cotton defoliator, tribufos (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) is widespread in the environment. It can cause neurotoxicity in chickens, reproductive toxicity in rats, and can also cause headaches and nausea in humans. However, little is known about its impact on the reproduction of birds. Here, by analyzing the differences in reproductive indexs and histopathological characteristics, we investigated the chronic effects of 32 mg a.i./kg, 160 mg a.i./kg and 800 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The results indicated that 32 mg a.i./kg and 160 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment significantly reduced the food intake of quails, significantly increased the broken egg rate, and had adverse effects on gonads and liver tissue. The 160 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment also significantly reduced the average egg production. Moreover, 800 mg a.i./kg treatment had significant negative effects on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), eggshell thickness, egg production (EP), fertilization rate, hatchability and progeny 14-d survival rate, and it also significantly increased the broken egg rate. In addition, tribufos exposure caused lesions in quail gonads and liver tissue. Overall, our results revealed that tribufos had adverse effects on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail, especially at high concentrations.

Clinical and self-reported markers of reproductive function in female survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) on clinical reproductive markers and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

This study was embedded within the DCOG LATER-VEVO study; a Dutch, multicenter, retrospective cohort study between 2004 and 2014. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin B, antral follicle count (AFC), and self-reported (first) pregnancy outcomes were evaluated in female childhood HL survivors and controls.

RESULTS

84 HL survivors and 798 controls were included, aged 29.6 and 32.7 years old at time of assessment. Median age at HL diagnosis was 13.4 years. Cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED-score) exceeded 6000 mg/m2 in 56 women and 14 survivors received pelvic irradiation. All clinical markers were significantly deteriorated in survivors (odds-ratio for low AMH (< p10) 10.1 [95% CI 4.9; 20.6]; low AFC (< p10) 4.6 [95% CI 2.1; 9.9]; elevated FSH (> 10 IU/l) 15.3 [95% CI 5.7; 41.1], low Inhibin B (< 20 ng/l) 3.6 [ 95% CI 1.7; 7.7], p < 0.001). Pregnancy outcomes were comparable between survivors and controls (± 80% live birth, ± 20% miscarriage). However, survivors were significantly younger at first pregnancy (27.0 years vs 29.0 years, P = 0.04). Adjusted odds-ratio for time to pregnancy > 12 months was 2.5 [95% CI 1.1; 5.6] in survivors, p = 0.031. Adverse outcomes were specifically present after treatment with procarbazine and higher CED-score.

CONCLUSION

HL survivors appear to have an impaired ovarian reserve. However, chance to achieve pregnancy seems reassuring at a young age. Additional follow-up studies are needed to assess fertile life span and reproductive potential of HL survivors, in particular for current HL treatments that are hypothesized to be less gonadotoxic.

Inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway affects gonadal differentiation and leads to male bias in Paramisgurnus dabryanus

In recent years, sex-controlled breeding has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the yields of economic animals with different growth characteristics, while increasing the economic benefits of aquaculture. It is known that the NF-κB pathway participates in gonadal differentiation and reproduction. Therefore, we used the large-scale loach as a research model for the present study and selected an effective inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway (QNZ). This, to investigates the impacts of the NF-κB signaling pathway on gonadal differentiation during a critical period of gonad development and after maturation. Simultaneously, the sex ratio bias and the reproductive capacities of adult fish were analyzed. Our results indicated that the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway influenced the expression of genes related to gonad development, regulated the gene expression related to the brain-gonad-liver axis of juvenile loaches, and finally impacted the gonadal differentiation of the large-scale loach and promoted a male-biased sex ratio. Meanwhile, high QNZ concentrations affected the reproductive abilities of adult loaches and inhibited the growth performance of offspring. Thus, our results deepened the exploration of sex control in fish and provided a certain research basis for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.

Scots pine as a promising indicator organism for biomonitoring of the polluted environment: A case study on chronically irradiated populations

In this paper the main results of long-term (2003-2016) observations on Scots pine populations inhabiting sites affected by the Chernobyl accident are presented. Populations growing for many years under chronic radiation exposure are characterized by the enhanced mutation rates, increased genetic diversity, changes in the gene expression and in the level of genome-wide methylation, alterations in the temporal dynamics of cytogenetic abnormalities and genetic structure of populations. However, significant changes at the genetic level had no effects on enzymatic activity, morphological abnormalities, and reproductive ability of pine trees. The results presented increase our understanding of the long-term effects of chronic radiation exposure on plant populations in the wild nature and provide important information for the management and monitoring of radioactively contaminated territories.

Effects of long-term 4-nonylphenol dietary exposure on reproductive ability of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

As an endocrine disruptor, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) is widespread in the environment. Here, we investigated the effect of long-term 4-NP dietary exposure on Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 72 quails were evenly divided into 24 cages (12 cages for the reproductive toxicity study and 12 cages for the histopathology study, with one male quail and two female quails in each cage) and fed with various doses of 4-NP in diet. The body weight in quails administered with 4-NP was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The egg fertilization rate significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all treated groups, which was 91.4%, 86.5%, 85.4%, and 86.2% in the control group, 10 mg·kg^-1, 20 mg·kg^-1, and 50 mg·kg^-1 treatment groups, respectively. Moreover, the hatching rate was also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the 50 mg·kg^-1 treatment group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the 14-day survival rate of young quails was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all treated groups, which was 98.0%, 91.1%, 89.8%, and 86.8% in the control group, 10 mg·kg^-1, 20 mg·kg^-1, and 50 mg·kg^-1 treatment groups, respectively. Damaged spermatogenesis in male quails was found in all treated groups. In conclusion, oral administration of 4-NP impaired the gonads of male quails, leading to reproduction performance damage of Japanese quails.

Effects of 4-nonylphenol in drinking water on the reproductive capacity of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

4-nonylphenol (4-NP), a major degradation product of Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), is widespread in environment. In this study, the effects of long-term 4-NP exposure in drinking water on Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were investigated. A total of 45 quails were evenly divided into 15 groups and administrated with various doses (0.1 μg L^-1, 1.0 μg L^-1, 10 μg L^-1 and 100 μg L^-1, which reflected the environmental concentrations of 4-NP) of 4-NP in drinking water. The results showed that 4-NP in drinking water had no effect on quails' food intake, but significantly decreased the quails' body weights (P < 0.05) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The egg fertilization rates were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all treatment groups. Moreover, the hatchability was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in 10 μg L^-1 and 100 μg L^-1 groups, and the 14 d survival rates of young quails were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in 1.0 μg L^-1, 10 μg L^-1 and 100 μg L^-1 groups. Damaged spermatogenesis in male quails was observed in all treatment groups. Therefore, administration of 4-NP in drinking water impaired the reproductive ability of Japanese quails, and led to pathological lesions in the male gonads.

Influence of long-term chronic exposure and weather conditions on Scots pine populations

Over a period of 8 years (2007-2014), we were evaluating seed quality and morphological abnormalities in Scots pine trees affected as a result of the Chernobyl accident. The calculated dose rates for the trees at the study sites varied from background values at the reference sites to 40 mGy/year at the most contaminated site. We investigated whether radioactive contamination and/or weather factors could decrease the reproductive capacity or increase the frequency of morphological abnormalities of needles in pine trees. Scots pine seeds are characterized by high interannual variability of viability, which is largely determined by weather conditions. No consistent differences in reproductive capacity were detected between the impacted and reference populations. Brachyblasts with three needles were found only in the affected populations; however, their frequency was very low and only at the very border of significance at the p < 0.10 level.