• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2011

The study aim is to investigate the free radicals scavenging and spermatogenic potentials, as well as to analyze any reproductive toxicity of ethanolic extract of Mucuna prureins (M. pruriens) Linn. in spermatozoa, under different dosages in normal male rat. Normal rats were randomly selected and suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dosages of 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the different groups of male rats (n=6) once in a day for 60 days and grouped as group II, III and IV respectively. Saline treated rats served as control -group I. On the $60^{th}$ day the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm were subjected to various analyses like level of ROS production, LPO, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant, morphology, morphometry, chromosomal integrity and DNA damage. Results showed significant reduction in ROS production and peroxidation and significant increase in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in all concentration treated groups when compared with control. Results from all the drug treated groups showed good sperm morphology, increased sperm count and motility. There was no DNA damage and showed normal chromosomal integrity even in 250 mg/kg dose. When compared with control all the three extract treated groups showed increased ROS scavenging activity. However, group II (200 mg/kg) showed significant changes in all the parameters. From the present study it was confirmed that the M. pruriens has potential to improve the sperm qualitatively and quantitatively through scavenging the excess ROS with any adverse side effects. These observations suggest that ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens may serve as anti-oxidant that can exploit to treat the oxidative stress mediated male factor infertility.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2006

We treated KunYangDan (KYK) in SD rats in order toexamine the protective effect against cell damage induced by diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). KYD reduced DEHP toxicity by increasing the function of immune cell numbers weight increase of spleen.red blood cells,HB,and HCT content,sperm number and mobility,resulting in improving reproductive function by judging from the recovery of testosterone content. Interestingly the hormone change of testosterone by KYD significantly recovered the decreased its leve. Taken together,these results suggest that KYD specifically affect the reproductive function induced by DEHP,an endocrine disruptor.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-56
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• 2003

Selenium(Se) is an essential trace element in the human body. Main function of this element is a catalytic part of antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against the attacks of free radicals that are produced during normal metabolism of the body. Se is also essential for normal function of the immune system and thyroid gland. It also appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV(human immunodeficiency virus) progression to AIDS. It is also required for sperm motility and reduces the depression. Therefore, it is very meaningful that livestock producers generate Se-fortified animal products, such as Se-egg, Se-milk, Se-pork, Se-chicken and Se-beef from the point of producers as well as human heath. However, regulation on Se usage and Se-fortified food/feed is far from being clear in Korea even though Se should be carefully monitored because of its toxicity. Thus, one has to be aware of Se properties when designing Se-fortified animal products.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2000

In this study, we examined the number and motility of sperms, and also observed the changes in testes weight, and histological changes of several organs after 5 days of a continuous administration of dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) of per oral administration of a herb drug extracts, which were administerated altermate days, to elucidate the effects of the a herb drug extracts on reproductive toxicity of dioxin. 1. The sperm numbers of dioxin-administered groups were 90.7$\pm$3.6~l18.5$\pm$3.6$\times$10/suup 6/$m\ell$ and 67.3$\pm$4.1~88.2$\pm$3.3$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$ for 10~20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg and 30~40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg dosages of dioxin-administerated groups, respectively. Each dioxin-administered group showed prominently lower value than that of control group's which was 119.3$\pm$3.4~120.2$\pm$4.7 $\times$ 10$^{6.}$$m\ell$. 2. The sperm motility of each dioxin-administered group's also showed lower value than that of control group's which was 93.6$\pm$3.8~94.9$\pm$3.4%. The sperm motility of each dioxin-administerated group were 77.0$\pm$4.7~89.5$\pm$3.6% and 66.5$\pm$3.3 ~79.9$\pm$3.8% for 10~20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg and 30~40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg dosages of dioxin-administerated groups, respectively. 3. The sperm numbers of each group, which was administered a herb drug extracts, were 77.4$\pm$3.2~90.9$\pm$3.4$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 78.0$\pm$3.3~105.0$\pm$4.2$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 76.2$\pm$2.8~84.4$\pm$3.5$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$ and 75.4$\pm$3.3~80.2$\pm$3.3$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$ for extracts of green leaf, red ginseng, Kugija and Oume-administered groups respectively. And the sperm motility of each group were 63.4$\pm$3.8~77.0$\pm$4.0%, 65.5$\pm$4.1~87.4$\pm$3.8%, 64.3$\pm$4.2~69.8$\pm$4.2%, 66.3$\pm$3.9~66.0$\pm$4.0% for extracts of green leaf, red ginseng, Kugija and Oume extracts-administered groups, respectively. 4. The number and motility of sperm of control group were 119.3$\pm$3.4~120.2$\pm$4.7$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$ and 93.0$\pm$3.5~96.1$\pm$3.5%, respectively. Red ginseng extracts- administered group seemed to be recovered than my other groups, and the green leaf extracts-administered group was shown to be the next. The Kugija and Oume extracts-administered groups didn't show to be recovered much. 5. Most a herb drug extracts-administered group except the red ginseng-administered group displayed prominently lower values of testes weights than that of control group's which was 0.15$\pm$0.01~0.16$\pm$0.01g. The red ginseng extracts-administered group seemed to be recovered conspicuously. 6. After 5 days of a continuous administration of 30 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg dosage of dioxin followed by 3 weeks of per oral administration of green leaf, red ginseng, Kugija, or Oume extracts, histological findings showed that the liver, spleen, and testis of most a herb drug extracts-administered groups were damaged severely. By the way, the testes of red ginseng extracts-administered group seemed to recover compared to the other group's.ompared to the other group's.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.564-565
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• 2002

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2002

Historical control data have been shown to be valuable in the proper interpretation and validation of reproductive toxicology studies. The present data were compiled from rat fertility and early embryonic development studies conducted at Korea Institute of Toxicology during the 1994∼2001 period. These data were assembled in order to provide background information for the general and reproductive data collected in 11 fertility and early embryonic development studies using Sprague-Dawley rats obtain-ing from the Breeding Facility, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Korea. A total of 274 males and 274 females were used in these studies during the eight-year period. Parameters of fertility and early embryonic development included clinical sign, body weights, food consumption, organ weights, estrus cycle, copulation index, precoital time, fertility index, pregnancy index, sperm parameters, and early embryonic development parameters. Most of the values were comparable to the previous historical control data reported by other investigators. These data can be wed not only as a historical data base for the meaningful interpretation of data from reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, but also as a contribution to biological characterization of Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2016

Objective: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. G6PD plays a key role in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is a major source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). NADPH provides the reducing equivalents for oxidation-reduction reductions involved in protecting against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species such as $H_2O_2$. We hypothesized that G6PD deficiency may reduce the amount of NADPH in sperms, thereby inhibiting the detoxification of $H_2O_2$, which could potentially affect their motility and viability, resulting in an increased susceptibility to infertility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from four males with G6PD deficiency and eight healthy males as a control. In both groups, motile sperms were isolated from the seminal fluid and incubated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and $120{\mu}M$ concentrations of $H_2O_2$. After 1 hour incubation at $37^{\circ}C$, sperms were evaluated for motility and viability. Results: Incubation of sperms with 10 and $20{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$ led to very little decrease in motility and viability, but motility decreased notably in both groups in 40, 60, and $80{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$, and viability decreased in both groups in 40, 60, 80, and $120{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the G6PD-deficient group and controls. Conclusion: G6PD deficiency does not increase the susceptibility of sperm to oxidative stress induced by $H_2O_2$, and the reducing equivalents necessary for protection against $H_2O_2$ are most likely produced by other pathways. Therefore, G6PD deficiency cannot be considered as major risk factor for male infertility.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.123-130
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• 2000

2-Bromopropane, important industrial chemical, specially in electronic industry at Yangsan in Korea has been reported to cause amenorrhea for female and azoospermia, oligozoospermia or reduced sperm motility for male. 2-BP was investigated through 21 days of repeated dose in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The dose levels per body weight were 0 (control), 250,500 and 1,000 mg/kg. 2-BP dissolved in vehicle olive oil was injected into the intraperitoneum 6 times per week for 3 weeks, but 1,000 mg/kg dose group was 2 weeks because of serious illness. Male rats showed significant decreases in body weight and right and left testis showed typical weight losses depending on the 2-BP. The number of white blood cell and red blood cell , percentage of monocytes, and hemoglobin decreased significantly in high dose (P< 0.05). Red cell volume distribution width increased significantly in the high dose (P< 0.05). Histopathological findings of testes showed a decrease of spermatogenic cells, exfoliation of spermatid and spermatocyte, vacuolization of Sertoli cells and hyperplasia of Leydig cells. Protein band density between 113,000 dalton ($\beta$-galactosidase) and 53,900 dalton (ovalbumin) has decreased in 250 mg/kg dose group, but it has gradually increased to the higher density in 1,000 mg/kg dose group than in control group.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1997

Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) was fed to Drosophila melnogaster in order to investigate its toxic capability at developmental and adult stages, and the hereditary effect of toxicity and the potency for induction of sex-linked lethal mutation during the slyer-matogenesis by the means of an attached-X method. In the control group, the egg to adult viability of D. melnogaster was 95.2%, while 3. 5mM and 5.0mM treated groups were 90.0% and 84.1%, respectively. In the case of their progenies (Fl), the viability was 96.9% in the control group, while 3.5mM and 5.0mM treated groups were 54.5% and 1.6%, respectively. Therefore, these differences between two generations show significant physiological toxic effects in the next generation. In the parental generation, the developmental time was calculated 11.05 days in the control group, 12.43 days In 3.5%mM treated group, and 13.23 days in 5.0mM. In the case of Fl it was estimated 10.35 days in the control group, and 11.43 days In 3.5mM treated group. Compared with the control groups In two generations, the developmental time generally delayed as the dose of MMS increased. As to the sex-ratio, there was no differences between the control and MMS treated groups. The toxic values of adult stage showed which increased the frequency of mortality with MMS concentrations. The mortality at 120hr In the control group was 1.67% and it in 0.5mM MMS treated group 3.33%. In 2.5mM MMS treated group, it was 33.3% at 72hr, and it 95% at 120hr The increase of the morality was shown from 72hr in 4.0mM treated group which was 100% at 96hr. There was the concentration-dependent induction of sex-linked lethal mutation during the spermatogenesis by means of an attached-X method, MMS had more pronounced effect in sperm and spermaid stages in D. melnogaster.