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Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria. LPS challenging allows switching transcription of proinflammatory cytokines on via over stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling pathway with subsequent pathogenic inflammatory response. We investigated the possible reproductive toxicity of LPS in male Wister albino rats. Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant status and caspase-3 activity were analyzed in testicular tissues of rats exposed to either saline or LPS (4 mg/kg BW, ip; 0.18 of the LD50). The samples were collected at 6 h and 72 h after injection of LPS. A significant reduction in testicular reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed at 72 h compared to control group. Total antioxidant capacity was decreased at 6 h with additional significant reduction at 72 h. Catalase activity was reduced significantly at both 6 and 72 h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased (P ≤ 0.05) in LPS injected rats without variation between 6 and 72 h. A significant increase in nitric oxide (NO) was observed at 72 h after injection. A time-dependent increase in LPS-treated groups was observed in the concentration of caspase-3.Histopathological analysis revealed degenerative changes and necrosis of seminiferous tubules after 6 h with further accumulation of eosinophilic edematous transudate in its lumen after 72 h. In conclusion, by increasing time of exposure, LPS induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, reduced testicular antioxidant capacity and encouraged testicular apoptosis which could be possible mechanisms for impairment of testicular function.
Introduction: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an anticancer drug .Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) essential oil is a traditional medicine used against many diseases. Aim. The present work studied the effect of fennel oil against testicular damage and oxidative stress induced by the anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide (CPA) in albino rats. Methods. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group1, control, group2, orally given fennel oil, group3 treated with CPA and group4 treated with CPA and fennel oil. The testes were removed for histological and immune histochemical preparation. Blood was collected and sera were prepared for hormonal and biochemical analysis. Results. The results revealed that CPA caused histological alterations in the testis including decrease in diameter and germinal epithelial height of the seminiferous tubules, degeneration of germ cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation and congestion of blood vessels. Cell proliferation marker was decreased and apoptotic marker caspase-3 was decreased. Biochemical results revealed decrease in the hormones LH and testosterone. Moreover, the serum activity of the antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT was decreased and the lipid peroxidation marker, DMA was increased. Treating rats with CPA and fennel oil caused an improvement in the histological structure of the testis. There was an increase in LH ,testosterone,SOD and CAT, while MDA level decreased. Conclusion. It is concluded that administration of fennel oil exhibited protective effects against CPA-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. The protective effect of fennel oil might be due to induction of antioxidant defense systems by one or more of its constituents.