• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 1995

The pufferfish Takifugu obscurus (hwang-bok) was examined for toxicity. Forty-six specimens, which had Gaught at the Imjin River in 1992 and 1993, Korea, were collected and assayed for anatomical distribution of toxicity by the mouse assay method. Ovary and liver showed very strong toxicity, testis, intestine, gall bladder and spleen did moderate toxicity, muscles and skin did weak toxicity, and blood was non-toxic. The results of this study were different from those of Tani, who had examined the toxicity in 19 species of pufferfish, in terms of toxicity in testis, muscle, and skin. The toxicity of testis and muscle had been known to be non-toxic or weakly toxic previously, however, they were known to have weak or moderate toxicity. Therefore, careful attention should be taken to prevent food poisoning by pufferfish ingestion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to understand the possible mechanism of duck sperm toxicity induced by arsenic exposure in vivo, and to investigate the roles of the antioxidant L-ascorbic acid in ameliorating the arsenic-induced sperm impairment. To test the acute toxicity, the percentages of mortality of mature drakes treated with different concentrations of trivalent sodium arsenite, As (III), and pentavalent sodium arsenate, As (V) were measured. The LD50 value of As (III) for mature drakes was $4.89{\pm}1.49$ ppm. Although As (V) didn't cause any deaths even at a concentration of 40 ppm, the chronic toxicity of As (V) on sperm quality was shown by a decreased fertilization rate. When the concentrations of As (V) were above 0.4 ppm, fertilization rates were lower than those of 0.04 ppm and control. Drakes treated with 40 ppm of As (V) had the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the testis tissue, $3.100{\pm}0.218{\mu}mole/g$ testis. This showed that 40 ppm of As (V) significantly induced lipid peroxidation in testis tissue. For the 1.2 ppm As (III) treatment, several significant effects were observed: (1) sperm motility was decreased most dramatically by $52.0{\pm}9.1$% after three days of incubation; (2) fertilization rate of artificially inseminated semen was the lowest, $26.4{\pm}15.4$; (3) the MDA concentration in testis tissue, $7.846{\pm}0.246{\mu}mole/g$ testis, was significantly higher than the others (p<0.05); (4) the sperm number, $1.17{\pm}0.40({\times}10^9)$, was significantly lower than with the 60 ppb and control treatments (p<0.05); (5) a black appearance and soft texture was observed in the testis tissue. The antioxidant L-ascorbic acid administered along with 1.2 ppm As (III) decreased the toxicity of arsenic. The ameliorating effects included: improved sperm motility, increased sperm number and fertilization rate, and decreased MDA concentration in the testis tissue. This study suggests that the toxicity of the trivalent arsenic on sperm quality is partly from free radicals generated by its metabolic pathway, and the antioxidant ascorbic acid ameliorates arsenic-caused sperm impairment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2010

Objectives: Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is a liquid compound obtained by condensation of two molecules of epichlorohydrin with one molecule of bisphenol A. General and reproductive toxicity with BADGE has been reported higher than 1000 mg/kg/day. This study was performed to show the effects of acute exposure to BADGE below 1000 mg/kg/day on the testis in adult male rats. Methods: BADGE was administered by gastric lavage in a single dose of 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day in 8-week old male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats. The right testis was processed for light microscopic analysis. The left testis was homogenized and spermatids were counted to determine the daily sperm production and daily abnormal sperm production. The sperm count, sperm motility, and incidence of abnormal sperm were estimated in the epididymis. In testicular sections, the seminiferous tubules were observed for qualitative changes. The progression of spermatogenesis was arbitrarily classified as full-matured, maturing, and immature. The specimen slide was observed at 3 points and 10 seminiferous tubules were evaluated at each point. Results: The male rats exposed to single oral dose of BADGE at 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day were significantly increased the number of immature and maturing sperm on the testis. There were no significant differences with respect to sperm head count, sperm motility, and sperm abnormality in the BADGE treatment groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that single oral exposure of BADGE 750 mg/kg/day can affect adult male testis development.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 1997

To investigate the cadmium (Cd) toxicity on the testis, male rats were treated with 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg of Cd by IP. According to histochemical studies, Cd-treated testis tissue showed death of spermatozoa, death of Sertoli cells, death of all the spermatogenic cells, and finally disappearance of basal lamina of seminiferous tubules with increasing doses, and showed decreased ground substances and Leydig cells, increased inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, and fibroblasts, and finally disappearance of ground substances and all the cells except fibroblasts within interstitial tissues with increasing doses. According to biochemical studies, two kinds of proteins, 25 and 45 kDa, were dramatically disappeared from the total protein of rat testis treated with Cd comparing to normal testis. The result of electrophoresis of total protein suggests that actin (45 kDa), presumed on its mmolecular weight and amount, in the testis-cells is the primary target of Cd poisoning. Although its exact mechanism is not clear, the disappearance of two proteins when testis is exposed to Cd should give some clues to understnad the mechanism of necrosis of testis tissue crumbling by heavy metal pollutant such as Cd.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.269-275
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• 2007

The toxicity of two species of puffer fish, Takifugu pardalis and T. niphobles, collected from the coastal regions of Korea was determined using a mouse bioassay. In T. pardalis collected at Tongyeong, the proportion of toxic specimens containing ${\geq}10MU/g$ exceeded 90% for the skin, fins, liver, intestine, ovary, and gallbladder, 11.1% for the testis, and 6.9% for the muscle. In each of the organs, the highest toxin levels were several tens (14-39) of mouse units (MU) per gram in the muscle, testis, and eyeball, but thousands (1,444-5,755) of MU per gram in the skin, liver, intestine, ovary, and gallbladder. The organs of T. pardalis exhibited remarkable variation in toxicity. In T. niphobles, the proportion of toxic specimens exceeded 90% for the ovary and skin, 60-80% for the fins, liver, intestine, and gallbladder, and 4.5% for the muscle; no toxicity was detected in the testis or eyeball using the mouse bioassay. The highest toxin levels were thousands (2,291-7,777) of MU per gram in the liver, intestine, ovary, and gallbladder, hundreds(146-328) of MU per gram in the skin and fins, and 18 MU/g in the muscle. Takifugu niphobles toxicity also exhibited remarkable regional variation. The toxicity in the edible muscle of T. pardalis and T. niphobles was at acceptable levels for human consumption, while the toxicity of the skin of both species of puffer fish was very high, so that care must be taken when used for human consumption.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

This study aimed to examine the testis toxicities of metal compound, manganese (Mn), which may be generated as mist or fume in the industrial sites. As well as serum prolactin (PRL) concentration was analyzed because Mn accumulation in basal ganglia up-regulates serum PRL and hyperprolactinemia consecutively induces the testis toxicity. Male F344 rats were divided into the 4 groups (2 controls and 2 Mn treated groups, n=10) on the basis of the test condition (inhalation, Mn $1.5mg/m^3$ or not) and treatment period (for 4-weeks and 13-weeks). The treatment time was 6 hr. a day, 5 days a week for the whole body. Basic tests including changes in body weight, feed rate were observed. Blood and testis Mn concentration, and testis toxicity test such as the number and deformity test of sperm were also observed. Serum PRL level was analyzed by ELISA to certify the relationship between the Mn induced increase of the serum PRL level and sperm production. Blood and testis Mn concentrations were significantly and dose-dependently increased. Sperm count was decreased in Mn-treatment groups than control in a treatment time dependent manner. Morphological analysis of cauda epidydimal sperm showed that the frequencies of morphologically abnormal sperms such as bent tail and small head were increased in the both Mn-treatment groups than control. A significant increase in serum PRL levels was found in response to Mn treatment but it was not hyperprolactinemia range. These results suggest that treatment of Mn up-regulates the serum PRL concentration and induces the testis toxicity. The No Aversed Effect Level (NOAEL) of inhaled Mn on the male rat testis may be under the $1.5mg/m^3$.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.563-573
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• 1995

To know the effect of Ivermectin(IVM) toxicity in testis, histopathologic changes as well as clinical signs were observed in experimental animals including dogs by the subcutaneous injection with 3-50mg/kg of IVM. Clinically, it was observed to have depression and ataxia in all groups whereas tremor and coma in mice, rats and guinea pigs, coma in hamsters and rabbits, and tremor and salivation in dogs were shown. The clinical signs were different by the dosage of IVM, species and individuals in all animals. Susceptibility to IVM was most sensitive in dogs, especially in a Tosa dog and this was susceptible in mice, hamsters and rabbits, guinea pigs and rats in order. Microscopical observation revealed that the seminiferous tubules of testis had decreased thickness of germinal epithelium due to the necrosis and desquamation of the spermatids and spermatocytes. The progressive pattern by the times of administration showed vacuolar formation between the layer of spermatids and spermatogonia due to the marked necrosis of spermatocytes and the presence of multinucleated giant cells derived from spermatid throughout the seminiferous tubules of testis. Only a layer of spermatogonia, a few spermatogonia, and Sertoli cells wore observed with atrophied wavelike basement membrane in the seminiferous tubules of testis. Necrotic germinal cells, sloughed immature spermatids and spermatocytes were present in the lumen of epididymis and ductus deferens. Microscopical observation showed different susceptibility to IVM with clinical observation in which it was also most sensitive in dogs, especially in a Tosa dog and this was susceptible in rabbits and guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice in order. It was considered that IVM affects mainly spermatocyte or spermatid stage in the spermatogenesis and disturbs their developing beyond these stage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.849-856
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• 2011

This study was investigated the protective effect of Cultivated Wild Ginseng(WG) on the toxicities induced by cyclophosphamide(CP) in mice. Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into non-treated normal group(n=6), CP treated control group(n=6), CP+WG treated CP+WG group(n=6), WG treated WG group(n=6). CP(100 mg/kg of b.w., i.p) was injected at 0, 7 th, 14 th, 21 th, and 28 th day of the experiment respectively. WG(4.4 g/kg, i.p.) was administrated for 35days. Body and organ(heart, liver, kidney, testis) weight were measured. Histopathological examination on the organ(heart, liver, kidney, testis), morphometric analysis, and BrdU immunohistochemistry on the testis were performed. Body weight was decreased following CP administration. In contrast, such a decrease was significantly attenuated by WG administration. CPK and AST of CP+WG group were significantly decreased compared with CP group. Histopathologically, cross sectional area of testis and diameter of seminiferous tubule were significantly increased in CP+WG group compared with CP group. BrdU labelled cells in the seminiferous tubules were remarkably decreased in CP group. Whereas the number of seminiferous tubules labelled with BrdU in spermatogonia was increased by CP+WG administration. The obtained results suggest that WG has protective effect on CP-induced toxicity. This effect might be mediated through the supplementation of vital energy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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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.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-43
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to investigate the vairous change in the toxicity of cadmium by the simultaneous administration of selenium and zinc, which have been reported to change -the toxicity of cadmium through the interaction with cadmium, to rat. For the experiment, 42 rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups: a control group, a cadmium (100ppm) alone treatment group, a cadmium (100ppm) and zinc (100ppm) combined treatment group, and three cadmium (100ppm), zinc (100ppm) and selenium (1, 4, and 8ppm) combined treatment groups. The rats were allocated seven to each group and observed for seven weeks. The results of experiment are as follows: 1. The food consumptions of each group were reduced, compared with a control group, especially, in a cadmium and zinc combined treatment group and a cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium(1ppm) combined treatment group to the significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.05). The water consumptions of each group were reduced to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). The feed efficiencies of each group were lower than a control group, and among them the highest group was cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group as 90% of a control group. 2. In all groups, the weight gains were highest in the second week and the total weight gains were reduced to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). 3. In all groups, the relative weights of liver were reduced, compared with a control group, especially, a cadmium alone treatment group was reduced to the significant level (p < 0.05). The relative weight of kidney was high to the significant level in a cadmium alone treatment group (p < 0.05) compared with a control group. In all groups, the relative weights of testis were reduced, compared with a control group, but the levels were not significant. 4. The accumulation of cadmium was highest in the kidney and the order of height was in liver, testis and blood, respectively. In all groups, the amount of cadmium accumulation was high to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). In liver, the amount of acdmium accumulation in. a cadmium alone treatment group was high to the significant level compared with a cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group (p < 0.05), and in kidney, the amount of cadmium accumulation in a cadmium alone tretment group was high to the very significant level compared with the cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (4, 8ppm) combined treatment groups (p < 0.01). However, in testis, among the treatment groups the level was not significant and in blood, a cadmium alone treatment group was low to the significant level compared with the cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (4, 8ppm) combined treatment groups (p < 0.05). 5. According to the histopathological finding on the testis, some of the seminiferous tubules of a group treated with cadmium alone showed severe necrosis and atrophy. But the testis of cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group was similar to that of a control group. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the repeated simultaneous oral administration of large doses of selenium with the cadmium produces the partial amelioration of cadmium toxicity, whereas zinc does not.