• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2008

The authors screened the pharmacological effects of 50% ethanol extracts of Yacon on spermatogenesis in rats. Numbers of sperm in animals treated with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks of Yacon tuber extracts (YTE) were approximately 1.51, 1.61 and 1.78 times higher, respectively, than in the untreated control group. Moreover, the spermatogenic effect of Yacon leaf extract was found to be $1.03{\sim}1.38$ times higher than that of YTE. The ameliorative effect of Yacon tuber extracts on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced toxicities in the rat were also investigated. Rats were assigned to three groups (6 rats/group), a control group, a TCDD exposed group, and a group treated with Yacon tuber extract (YTE) after TCDD exposure (TCDD/YTE group). 40 ${\mu}g/kg$ of TCDD was injected i.p., and 200 mg/kg/day of YTE was also administered for 4 weeks by oral gavage. The TCDD/YTE group showed a significant increase in sperm number as compared with the TCDD exposed group. In conclusion, TCDD induced testicular toxicity was significantly ameliorated by YTE. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of spermatogenic disorder.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.171-177
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• 2003

Previously we have reported that administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) plays both preventive and therapeutic roles in testicular toxicity of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Further study was carried out to verify the beneficial role of Korean red ginseng in TCDD-induced testicular toxicity with different animal species by different route of administration. Korean red ginseng crude saponin (KRG-CS) was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. One hundred twenty rats (Sprauge Dawley, 200${\pm}$10 g) were divided into 6 groups. The normal control group (NC) received vehicle (i.p.) and saline (p.o.). Predetermined dosage of TCDD (40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg b.w., i.p.) was administered to single TCDD-treated (TT) and test (CS) groups. KRG-CS was admin-istered (p.o.) at daily doses of 5 (CS5), 10 (CS10),20 (CS2O) and/or 40 mg/kg b.w. (CS40) for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the TCDD-exposure. Body weight gain, organ weights, and sperm quality were investigated. Decrease in body weight gain induced by TCDD was greatly attenuated by KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular weight, sperm head counts and ratio of sperm with progressive movement in TT group decreased significantly but those parameters were improved by the treatment of KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. This result led us to conclude that crude saponin might be the active ingredient of Korean red ginseng that attenuates the testicular toxicity induced by TCDD.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.69-75
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• 1995

The present study was carried out to establish several spermatotoxicity test methods. For this purpose we investigated following parameters in the fertility study of DA-125, a new anticancer agent, in rats: testicular spermatid counts, epididymal sperm counts, daily sperm production rate, sperm morphology, and serum testosterone concentration. Motility and velocity of sperms were also measured using non-treated rats. At 0.3 mg DA-125/kg, spermatids per 1g testis and daily sperm production rate per 1g testis were significantly decreased, when compared with those of control group. Several types of abnormal sperms, such as no head, pin head, double head, hook at wrong angle, no tail, and small sperm, were found in both treated and control groups at a low frequency. Serum testosterone concentration at 0.3 mg DA-125/kg was close to the control value. Sperm motility and velocity measured with non-treated rats were in a good agreement with the results of other investigators. In our study established spermatotoxicity test methods can be used as a tool not only for the close examination of the cause of drug- or chemical-induced infertility, but also for the effective evaluation of reproductive toxicity.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.224-234
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• 2007

This study aimed to examine the harmful effects of Mn and Fe, which may be generated as dust or fume in the industrial sites, on the body and genital organs by their inhalation. It is intended to find the characteristics and differences of the hazardousness by inhaling a single and the mixed materials of Mn and Fe. Male F344 rats were divided into the control group and 3 exposed groups on the basis of the test material compound (Mn $1.5mg/m^3$, Mn 1.5 and Fe $3.0mg/m^3$, Fe $3.0mg/m^3$). The 4 groups were divided into 4 subgroups again on the basis of the exposure period (4 and 13 weeks) and the recovery period (4 and 13 weeks). The exposure condition was 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for the whole body. Clinical tests including changes in weight and feed rate, blood biochemical test, motility change, changes in the number and the amount of spermatozoon (sperm count), daily sperm production (DSP), deformity test of spermatozoon and changes in the accumulation of Mn and Fe in blood and internal organs were performed. Motility was reduced by Mn exposure. Especially, the effect of Mn was exposure period responsible. By mixing with Fe, no significant change in motility Mn and Fe accumulation in organs was observed. Sperm count and daily sperm production (DSP) were decreased by Mn. Additional effect like the reduction of sperm count and DSP, and delayed restoration of sperm count and DSP during the recovery period were observed in the mixed exposure group. These results indicate that Mn and Fe may affect the motility reduced and has male reproductive toxicity. Mixed exposure of Mn and Fe lead to synergic effects on the male reproductive toxicity.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.193-203
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• 1998

The toxicity of DA-125. a new anthracycline anticancer agent, on the male reproductive system was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty male rats were rando$m\ell$y assigned to Jour groups with ten rats in each group and given single intraveneous doses of DA-125 at dose levels of 0. 12.5. 25. and 50 mg/kg body weight. On day 56 after treatment the animals were allowed to mate. and their male reproductive Junctions and organs were examined in detail. Copulated females were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation for examination of embryo-fetal development. One out of ten rats in the 50 mg/kg group died on day 12 after treatment. Clinical signs such as emaciation. sedation, anorexia. swelling. dark material around eye. alopecia. and diarrhea were observed in the 25 and/or 50 mg/kg groups. Reduction in the body weight gain. decrease in the absolute weights of testes. epididymis and seminal vesicles. and/or decrease in the number of testicular sperm heads were also found. Although histopathological changes such as atrophy of seminiferous tubules. loss or decrease of spermatogenic cells. exfoliation of spermatogenic cells. vacuolization of Sertoli cells. decrease of sperm. and/or increase of necrotic spermatogenic cells in epididymal ducts were observed. no adverse effects on the motility and morphology of epididymal sperm. copulation index. fertility index. and embryo-fetal development were detected in the 25 and 50 mg/kg groups. There were no evidences of male reproductive toxicity in the 12.5 mg/kg group. These results show that single intravenouse doses of DA-125 produce significant dose-related testicular atrophy. histopathological changes. and oligozoospermia in rats and $LD_{10}$ for DA-125 appears to be 50 mg/kg body weight.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.131-136
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• 2004

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol(3-MCPD) is a toxic compound, often present in different foods containing acid hydrolyzed(AH) protein, like seasonings and savory food products. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3-MCPD on male fertility, sperm and testosterone secretion. In vivo male fertility test was performed for observing the adverse effects of 3-MCPD on the function of male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome. 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 1 and 5 mg/kg b.w. of 3-MCPD was given daily by gavage to groups of 15 adult male SD rats for 4 weeks. At the end of pre-treatment period, males were mated overnight with normal females. Following morning, males demonstrating successful induction of pregnancy were sacrificed on that day to assess sperm parameters and histopathology of reproductive organs. The resulting pregnant females were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation to evaluate pregnancy outcome. As a result, four-week paternal administration with 3-MCPD resulted in adverse effects on male fertility and pregnancy outcome without remarkable histopathological changes in testes and epididymides; sperm motility, copulation index and fertility index were markedly decreased in the treated group and numbers of live fetuses showed steep dose-response curves. Also, spermatogenesis was investigated in this experiment. However, no effect was observed on production of sperm in testes treated with 3-MCPD for 4 weeks. Hormone assay was performed for observing the effects of 3-MCPD on testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood and testes of male SD rats and cultured primary Leydig cell. In result, significant changes of related hormones did not observed by treatment of 3-MCPD. These results indicated that paternal treatment with 3-MCPD induced spermatotoxic effect, which caused an antifertility on male.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2014

Arecoline is a major alkaloid of areca nuts which are widely chewed by southeast Asian and it manifests various toxic effects in different organs of human and animals. In this work, mature mice were treated by vitamins C plus E, arecoline, or both daily for four weeks. The results showed that arecoline significantly increased the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and significantly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissues. Additionally, the body weight, testis weight, sperm counts, motility and normal sperms also were significantly decreased. The supplement of vitamins C and E can bring the activities of ALP and GPT to normal levels and partially restore the sperm counts compared to the arecoline-treated group but have no other positive effects. In conclusion, the vitamins C and E partially attenuated the arecoline-induced hepatotoxiciy but basically had on protective effects against the arecoline-induced testicular toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.192-204
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• 2024

Objective: Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its severe side effects impact testicular function. We investigated the potential protective effects of bilberry extract against CP-induced testicular toxicity. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Control animals received a single oral dose of 0.9% saline. Bilberry-treated rats received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg body weight [BW] dissolved in 1 mL of saline) daily for 10 consecutive days. CP-treated animals were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (7.5 mg/kg BW). Finally, a bilberry+CP group received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg BW) daily for 10 consecutive days, with one intraperitoneal dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg BW) on day 2. We assessed sperm count, motility, viability, and abnormalities, along with testis weight, testis weight-to-BW ratio, antioxidant activity, levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂]), sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and testosterone), and apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, and DNA damage. Testicular tissue underwent histopathological examination. Results: Among CP-treated rats, significantly lower values were observed for testis weight; testis weight-to-BW ratio; levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and B-cell lymphoma 2; and sperm count, motility, and proportion of normal sperm. CP administration was associated with higher MDA, H₂O₂, p53, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 levels, along with elevated tail moment. However, bilberry extract administration significantly improved all altered parameters. Conclusion: Bilberry treatment demonstrated protective effects and reduced CP-induced testicular toxicity via antioxidant activity and cytoprotection.

• 약학회지
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.250-258
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• 2009

Male reproductive function seems to have deteriorated considerably in the past 4 to 5 decades. It was observed a significant decline in mean sperm counts from $113{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1940 to $66{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1990; a fall of $0.94{\times}10^6/ml/year$. We reported that Yacon tuber extracts have spermatogenic effects in rat. In the present study, we tested the spermatogenic effect of Yacon tuber extracts in healthy male volunteers. Subjects were assigned randomly to the control group and the Yacon ethanol extracts administered group (each 12 subjects). And, placebo or Yacon tuber extracts (100 ml) were administered two times daily, by oral for 3 months. Sperm numbers, biochemical parameters and hormone levels were recorded before starting administration, then every month. The Yacon tuber extracts administered group showed significant time dependant increases in according to administration period. Especially, the numbers of sperm increased by 54% after 3 months of administration. And, in Yacon tuber extracts administered group, testosterone and estradiol level were significantly higher than placebo group. On the other hands, Yacon tuber extracts didn't show any toxicity in glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon tuber extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of sperm deficiency.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

망간은 정소 독성을 나타내며, 뇌기저핵에 작용하여 혈청 프로락틴의 농도를 증가시킨다. 그리고 혈청 프로락틴 농도 상승에 의한 과프로락틴혈증(hyperprolactinemia)은 정소의 정자 생성을 억제한다. 본 연구에서는 망간의 전신 노출이 흰쥐 정소의 정자 생산과 혈청 프로락틴 농도에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 실험동물을 대조군 $(0.0mg/m^3)$과 망간 노출군 (Mn $1.5mg/m^3$)으로 나누고, 노출군은 다시 노출 기간에 따라 4주와 13주 노출군 등 4군으로 분류하였다(n=10). 노출 기간에 따라 실험동물의 체중 변화와 사료 섭취량 등 일반적 소견 관찰, 혈액과 정소의 망간 농도, 정자의 수와 기형 등을 관찰하였다. 그리고 망간 노출에 따른 혈청 프로락틴 농도를 조사하여 망간 노출 조건에 따른 혈청 프로락틴 농도 변화 및 정소 독성을 조사하였다. 망간 노출 4주 및 13주군에서 노출기간에 따라 혈액 및 정소의 망간 농도가 유의하게 증가되었다. 대조군에 비하여 망간 노출군에서 노출기간에 따라 정자의 수가 감소되었으며, small head와 bent tail 등 기형 정자의 빈도는 증가하였다. 혈청 프로락틴의 농도는 망간 투여군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가하였다. 그러나 실험동물의 체중 변화 및 사료 섭취량은 실험군간에 차이가 없었다. 이러한 결과들로 보아 $1.5mg/m^3$ 농도의 아만성 망간 노출은 흰쥐의 혈청 프로락틴 농도를 증가시키고, 정소 독성의 원인으로 추정된다. 그리고 전신 노출에 의한 망간의 흰쥐 정소 독성의 무유해영향농도(NOAEL)는 $1.5mg/m^3$ 이하로 예측된다.