We tested the effect of two different concentrations (150μg/l and 0.15μg/l) of mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) on the reproductive parameters and expression of testicular genes in male mice. In adult males, no reduction of body or reproductive organ weight was observed, and the seminiferous tubules were morphologically normal with ongoing spermatogenesis. However, we found decreased sperm concentration, increase of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa and increased binding of apoptotic marker annexin V. This study was also focused on the evaluation of gene expression profiles of 28 genes playing important roles during the processes occurring in the testicular tissue. We detected changes in the expression of genes important for proper spermatogenesis. Surprisingly, we observed a stronger effect after exposure to the lower dose of ZEA.

• MeSH
• Apoptosis drug effects   MeSH
• Gene Expression drug effects   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Estrogens, Non-Steroidal toxicity   MeSH
• Spermatogenesis drug effects   MeSH
• Spermatozoa drug effects   pathology   MeSH
• Testis drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Zearalenone toxicity   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The effect of a low dose of vinclozolin within the development of the reproductive tract during gestation (VIN-GD 15-22) and puberty (VIN-PND 23-44) in CD1 mice was tested. We found a decrease in the anogenital distance, prostate weight and pathology of testes in both experimental groups. Sperm counts decreased to 46% (VIN-GD) and to 81% (VIN-PND), and also the acrosomal state (evaluated by antiacrosomal antibody) decreased in both groups to 89% in comparison to the control group (100%). Sperm head abnormalities increased by approximately 18% and 13%, respectively. In this connection, the expression of some genes was changed (arosome-related gene (Acr), apoptosis related genes (p53, p21)). In conclusion, a low dose of vinclozolin affected the reproductive tract, sperm parameters and expression of selected genes in both experimental groups.

• MeSH
• Androgen Antagonists toxicity   MeSH
• Genitalia, Male embryology   drug effects   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred ICR MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Oxazoles toxicity   MeSH
• Fetus drug effects   MeSH
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Fungicides, Industrial toxicity   MeSH
• Spermatogenesis MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Body Weight drug effects   MeSH
• Testis metabolism   drug effects   MeSH
• Ubiquitin metabolism   MeSH
• Organ Size drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

This study aimed to investigate the effect of phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia on testicular functions and protective role of crocin in mice. Forty-nine adult male mice were studied in 7 groups. The control mice received normal saline, three groups were treated with 2, 4, and 6 mg/100 g of phenylhydrazine, and three other groups received 20 mg/100 g of crocin with phenylhydrazine for 35 days. Then, the blood samples were taken to examine oxidative stress of serum, sperm samples were obtained for IVF testing, and testicle tissue samples were taken for morphological studies. Morphometric results indicated a significant reduction in TDI (tubular differentiation index), RI (repopulation index or number of type B spermatogonia), and SI (spermiogenesis index) factors, number of Sertoli and Leydig cells, and diameter of germinal epithelium in the groups receiving phenylhydrazine. Histochemical results indicated some changes in the metabolic cycle of the testicle and results of serum tests showed variations in the peroxidation of lipids and antioxidant capacity of serum. Also, hemolytic anemia significantly reduced testicular parameters and crocin minimized the resulting injuries. It can be concluded that crocin is able to neutralize the complications which are resulting from the hemolytic anemia relating to testicular parameters.

• MeSH
• Cell Biology MeSH
• Animal Experimentation MeSH
• Phenylhydrazines administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Fertility * immunology   drug effects   MeSH
• Anemia, Hemolytic * drug therapy   chemically induced   prevention & control   MeSH
• Carotenoids * administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Leydig Cells drug effects   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Oxidative Stress genetics   immunology   drug effects   MeSH
• Reproduction genetics   immunology   drug effects   MeSH
• Sertoli Cells drug effects   MeSH
• Statistics as Topic MeSH
• Testis immunology   drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals throughout the world, including mice and humans. During infection, both, the parasite and the host, utilize various mechanisms to maximize their own reproductive success. Mice and humans are both the intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, which forms specialized vacuoles containing reproductive cysts in the formers' tissue. As half of the human population is infected, developing a disease called toxoplasmosis, along with an ever-growing number of couples suffering with idiopathic infertility, it is therefore surprising that there is a lack of research on how Toxoplasma gondii can alter reproductive parameters. In this study, a detailed histometric screening of the testicular function along with the levels of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed in infected mice. Data on relative testis and epididymis weight, and sperm count were also collected. Based on the results obtained, the level of LH in the urine of Toxoplasma gondii infected mice was lower compared to the control. In direct correlation with the hormone level, testicular function and sperm production was also significantly lower in Toxoplasma gondii positive group using sperm count and histometric analysis as a marker. Not only were the number of leptotene primary spermatocytes and spermatids lowered, but the number of Sertoli cells and the tubule diameter were elevated. In parallel, a pilot epigenetic study on global testicular methylation, and specific methylation of Crem, Creb1 and Hspa1genes essential for successfully ongoing spermatogenesis was performed. Global methylation was elevated in Toxoplasma infected mice, and differences in the DNA methylation of selected genes were detected between the Toxoplasma positive and control group. These findings demonstrate a direct relation between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the decrease of male reproductive fitness in mice, which may contribute to an increase of idiopathic infertility in humans.

• MeSH
• CpG Islands MeSH
• Epididymis metabolism   parasitology   pathology   MeSH
• Epigenesis, Genetic MeSH
• Gene Expression MeSH
• Genetic Fitness genetics   MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Luteinizing Hormone genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• DNA Methylation MeSH
• Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Oligospermia MeSH
• Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Seminiferous Tubules metabolism   parasitology   pathology   MeSH
• Sertoli Cells metabolism   parasitology   pathology   MeSH
• Spermatozoa metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Toxoplasma pathogenicity   physiology   MeSH
• Toxoplasmosis, Animal genetics   metabolism   parasitology   pathology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Pits of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) have numerous nutritional benefits that could have wide-ranging applications. This study aimed to examine the effects of administering three extracts from powdered date pits on some basic physiological parameters, plasma constituents, reproductive hormones, and testicular histology in CD1 male mice. Three groups received doses of 100 mg/kg/day of lyophilized extract, a nonpolar fraction, and a polar fraction of date pits by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days. For the control, one group was administered a 1 mL/kg concentration of distilled water. The three different extracts significantly increased the plasma testosterone level but showed no significant effect on estradiol or luteinizing hormone levels, except for estradiol reduction in the polar extract group. The measured physiological or biochemical parameters or testicular histology also demonstrated no significant differences between the control mice and those mice treated with the three extracts, except for reductions in plasma urea in all extracts and in total protein in the nonpolar extract. Therefore, date pit extracts may potentially be used as a safe and effective dietary supplement. However, further investigation is needed.

• MeSH
• Estradiol pharmacology   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Phoeniceae * MeSH
• Plant Extracts * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Testis MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Tetracycline and doxycycline are commonly used antibiotics in acne treatment during puberty in humans. The long-term effect of these antibiotics on male reproductive tract development has not been fully elucidated. For this reason we tested the effect of antibiotics on the reproductive parameters of mice males during puberty with the therapeutic dose used in humans, and with lower and higher doses. The outbred mouse strain CD1 with higher heterozygosity was exposed for 14 days at puberty. Adult males at the age of 70 days were used for the measurements. We observed a significant decrease in anogenital distance and thickness of the seminiferous epithelium in the treated animals. Pathological changes in the testes had an impact on sperm quality; a higher number of sperm positively stained with Annexin V and TUNEL and a lower number of acrosome-intact sperm was detected. In conclusion, the treatment of male mice with antibiotics in puberty led to long-lasting effects on reproductive organs and spermatozoa in adult males.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Apoptosis drug effects   MeSH
• Doxycycline administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals, Outbred Strains MeSH
• Flow Cytometry MeSH
• Spermatozoa drug effects   pathology   MeSH
• Aging drug effects   pathology   MeSH
• Body Weight drug effects   MeSH
• Testis drug effects   growth & development   pathology   MeSH
• Tetracycline administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Organ Size drug effects   MeSH
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Seminal vesicle secretion is important for increasing the stability of sperm chromatin, inhibition of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract and so on. Metronidazole (MTZ), a drug used for treatment of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, may have negative effects on the genital gland including the seminal vesicles. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aims to evaluate the negative effects of MTZ on the seminal vesicle structure and ameliorative effects of curcumin using stereological methods. Thirty balb/c mice were divided into six groups. The control group was received distilled water. The second and the third received higher doses of MTZ (500 mg/kg body weight/day) and MTZ (500 mg/kg/day) + 100 mg/kg/day curcumin, respectively. The fourth and the fifth were treated with lower doses of MTZ (165 mg/kg body weight/day) and MTZ (165 mg/kg body weight/day) + curcumin (100 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively. The sixth group received 100 mg/kg body weight/day curcumin. All the administrations were done by oral gavages for 14 days. After 30 days, seminal vesicles were removed. Stereological study of the seminal vesicle structure revealed a significant reduction in gland and vesicular fluid volume in MTZ-treated (higher or lower doses) animals. Curcumin protected the reduction of both parameters in therapeutic-dose treated animals. Metronidazole treatment does not induce structural changes in the seminal gland; however, it can have a significant impact on its secretion ability. Importantly, these deteriorations might be preventable by curcumin co-treatment.

• MeSH
• Anti-Infective Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Curcumin pharmacology   MeSH
• Metronidazole pharmacology   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Seminal Vesicles secretion   drug effects   MeSH
• Organ Size drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The goal of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of one of the essential metals, copper (Cu) on the reproductive system. The development of past four decades addressing effects of Cu on reproductive organs is reviewed. The most relevant data obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments performed on humans and other mammals, including effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the reproductive functions are presented. Short term Cu administration has been found to exert deleterious effect on intracellular organelles of rat ovarian cells in vivo. In vitro administration in porcine ovarian granulosa cells releases insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), steroid hormone progesterone (P(4)), and induces expression of peptides related to proliferation and apoptosis. Adverse effect of Cu on male reproductive functions has been indicated by the decrease in spermatozoa parameters such as concentration, viability and motility. Copper nanoparticles are capable of generating oxidative stress in vitro thereby leading to reproductive toxicity. Toxic effect of CuNPs has been evident more in male mice than in females. Even though further investigations are necessary to arrive at a definitive conclusion, Cu notably influences the reproductive functions by interfering with both male and female reproductive systems and also hampers embryo development in dose-dependent manner.

• MeSH
• Apoptosis drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Metal Nanoparticles administration & dosage   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Copper administration & dosage   toxicity   MeSH
• Ovary drug effects   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Cell Proliferation drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Reproduction drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Testis drug effects   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is a compound widely used as a plasticizer, which can leach from plastics into the environment and thus influence human health. The aim of this study was to analyze whether exposure to an environmentally relevant dose of DEHP during mice fetal development or puberty can cause long-lasting changes detectable month/s after the last exposure. We used a DEHP concentration relevant to a daily human intake of 2.4-3 μg/kg of body weight/day. CD1 outbred mice were treated either in utero or postnatally during puberty and analyzed in adulthood. Analyzing fertility parameters using morphometric, histologic, genomic and proteomic methods we showed that DEHP exposure leads to decreased sperm concentration and quality, in both experimental groups. Moreover, the changes in anogenital distance, seminal vesicle weight, and testicular gene expression suggest a disturbance of androgen signaling in exposed animals. In conclusion, we hereby present, that the prenatal and pubertal exposure to a low dose of DEHP negatively influenced reproductive endpoints in male mice, and some of the effects were persistent until adulthood.

• MeSH
• Anal Canal anatomy & histology   drug effects   MeSH
• Diethylhexyl Phthalate toxicity   MeSH
• Endocrine Disruptors toxicity   MeSH
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange MeSH
• Genitalia, Male anatomy & histology   drug effects   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred ICR MeSH
• Sexual Maturation drug effects   MeSH
• Spermatozoa drug effects   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Testis anatomy & histology   drug effects   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental drug effects   MeSH
• Plasticizers toxicity   MeSH
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects chemically induced   genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a substance widely used in industry as a flame retardant. TBBPA was found in the environment and was detected even in the human body. The effect of this chemical was observed in different cell lines in vitro and it is supposed that TBBPA may affect various hormonal systems in vivo. In this study we examined the effect of TBBPA on the reproductive parameters of two generations of outbred mice in vivo. Experimental and control animals of F1 generation were bred in various conditions to enable evaluation of the possible trans-generational effect. An increased incidence of apoptosis in the testes and changes in the morphometry of seminiferous tubules was detected in the experimental animals. In addition, changes in the expression pattern of selected genes encoding proteins that play an important role during spermatogenesis were observed. In contrast, sperm quality and reproduction were not affected by TBBPA.

• MeSH
• Apoptosis drug effects   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Polybrominated Biphenyls toxicity   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation drug effects   MeSH
• Flame Retardants toxicity   MeSH
• Spermatozoa drug effects   MeSH
• Testis anatomy & histology   drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH