• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2024

Objective: Testicular fat deposition has been reported to affect animal reproduction. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The present study explored whether sperm meiosis and testosterone synthesis contribute to mouse testicular fat deposition-induced reproductive performance. Methods: High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity CD1 mice (DIO) were used as a testicular fat deposition model. The serum hormone test was performed by agent kit. The quality of sperm was assessed using a Sperm Class Analyzer. Testicular tissue morphology was analyzed by histochemical methods. The expression of spermatocyte marker molecules was monitored by an immuno-fluorescence microscope during meiosis. Analysis of the synthesis of testosterone was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and reagent kit. Results: It was found that there was a significant increase in body weight among DIO mice, however, the food intake showed no difference compared to control mice fed a normal diet (CTR). The number of offspring in DIO mice decreased, but there was no significant difference from the CTR group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were lower in DIO mice and their luteinizing hormone levels were similar. The results showed a remarkable decrease in sperm density and motility among DIO mice. We also found that fat accumulation affected the meiosis process, mainly reflected in the cross-exchange of homologous chromosomes. In addition, overweight increased fat deposition in the testis and reduced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes, thereby affecting the synthesis and secretion of testosterone by testicular Leydig cells. Conclusion: Fat accumulation in the testes causes testicular cell dysfunction, which affects testosterone hormone synthesis and ultimately affects sperm formation.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.2995-3000
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• 2013

We investigated the effects of testosterone on the improvement of white adipose tissue explant and its molecular mechanism in adipose tissue of high fat diet-fed male castrated (CAST) mice. The CAST mice treated with testosterone had lower adipose tissue weights, the average size of adipocytes and mRNA levels of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ as well as adipocyte marker genes than the vehicle-treated CAST mice. These results suggest that testosterone prevent the expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$-mediated adipocyte marker genes, resulting in decreased adipose tissue mass and adipocyte metabolism in male CAST mice. Moreover, this study give a valuable molecular and biological knowledge on testosterone therapy in obese hypogonadal men.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.187-195
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• 2014

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are ubiquitous in the air, are present as volatile and particulate pollutants that result from incomplete combustion. Most PAHs have toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic properties. Among PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are suspected endocrine disruptors. The testis is an important target for PAHs, yet effects on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells are yet to be ascertained. Particularly, disruption of testosterone production by these chemicals can result in serious defects in male reproduction. Exposure to B[a]P reduced serum and intratesticular fluid testosterone levels in rats. Of note, the testosterone level reductions were accompanied by decreased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase ($3{\beta}$-HSD) expression in Leydig cells. B[a]P exposure can decrease epididymal sperm quality, possibly by disturbing the testosterone level. StAR may be a key steroidogenic protein that is targeted by B[a]P or other PAHs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.924-932
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• 2003

In middle-aged men, abdominal obesity has been an important risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as a predictor of hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Particularly, risks from abdominal obesity increase when adipose tissue accumulates in visceral compartment. Many studies showed that weight reduction by caloric restriction improves abdominal obesity and reduces lots of cardiovascular risk factors. Testosterone treatment also results in a significant decrease in visceral fat area and normalizes endocrine metabolism. However there is no study that compare the effect of caloric restriction with that of testosterone treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of caloric restriction and that of testosterone treatment on body fat distribution, serum lipids and glucose metabolism in male patients with CAD. Forty five middle-aged overweight-obese men with CAD participated in 12 weeks' program. They were matched with age, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and divided into three groups : control group (n = 15) , caloric restriction group (-300 kcal/day, n = 15) and testosterone treatment group (testosterone undecanoate tablets, n = 15) . After 12 weeks, control group did not have any changes in anthropometries, lipid profile, body fat distribution, glucose metabolism and hormonal status. Expectedly, caloric restriction group showed decreases in body weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio, ％ body fat. Ten percentage of total cholesterol and 23% of triglyceride in serum were also decreased. In body fat distribution, total fat areas at both L1 and L4 levels were significantly reduced in this group without reduction in muscle of thigh and calf. However, testosterone treatment group did not have any significant changes in body weight, ％ body fat, serum lipid profile and abdominal fat distribution. In conclusion, weight reduction by caloric restriction is more beneficial in body fat distribution and serum lipid level than testosterone treatment in overweight male patients with CAD. This result suggests that modest weight reduction is possible to help decrease risk factors of CAD.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to determine the changes of cytokines and immune cells in blood in castrated Hanwoo. The cytokine production and the number of immune cells were determined by collecting blood from jugular vein before castration and on 1, 7, and 28 days then after. Results of the hematological test showed that the number of leukocyte tend to increase after castration, and it significantly decreased on day 7 and day 28 (P<0.05). Lymphocytes decreased significantly on day 1 and 7 (P<0.05), and then recovered as in neutrophils on day 28. The levels of serum testosterone, TNF-a, IL-6, and anti-inflammatory IL-10 significantly decreased (P<0.05) after castration. There was also a decrease in IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and IL-4 but showed no significant difference when compared to intact ones. These results suggest that testosterone-deficiency does not affect the number of immune cells in blood, but has a close relationship with cytokine production.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2020

Objective: The strong antioxidant activity of Commiphora mukul prompted us to conduct the present study to explore whether treatment with C. mukul extract (CME) would have any protective influence on sperm parameters, testosterone levels, and plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, control animals treated with CME, diabetic animals, and diabetic animals treated with CME. CME extract (300 mg/kg) was administered for 60 days by daily gavage. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ. The epididymal sperm count, weight, motility, morphology, viability, and serum testosterone and glucose levels were determined. Results: In the diabetic animals, CME decreased blood glucose levels (p< 0.05), increased the total sperm count (p< 0.05), and decreased the proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology (p< 0.05). Diabetes reduced sperm motility (p< 0.001), and CME supplementation partially reversed this effect of diabetes (p= 0.003). Furthermore, in diabetic animals, CME decreased the proportion of immotile sperm (p< 0.001). In rats, diabetes caused a significant decrease (p< 0.05) in serum testosterone levels (F[3, 28] = 3.283, p= 0.035), but treatment of diabetic animals with CME increased serum testosterone levels. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that C. mukul possesses proandrogenic activity and exerts a beneficial effect on sperm parameters in diabetic rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 1992

Secretory patterns of serum tri-iodothyronine, thyroxin and testosterone were analysed by specific radioimmunoassay in Kaghani (n = 42), Rambouilet (n = 42) and Kaghani ${\times}$ Rambouillet (n = 42) male sheep to determine age and breed related changes. Animals were examined at 1-2 wk, 8, 10, 12, 20, 22 and 24 months of age (n = 6/age group). All animals were maintained under standard conditions of feeding and management. $T_3$ and $T_4$ concentrations were maximal (p < 0.01) in 1-2 wk old lambs of all breeds studied ($207.4{\pm}14.9-276.8{\pm}20.4ng/dl$ and $5.76{\pm}0.3-7.23{\pm}0.9{\mu}g/dl$, respectively). For all the breeds, concentrations of $T_3$ declined markedly (p < 0.01) at 8 month of age and then varied in a narrow range ($44.5{\pm}14.0-87.0{\pm}4.8ng/dl$) up to the age of 24 month. While, serum $T_4$ concentrations decreased (p < 0.01) to nadir ($0.97{\pm}0.1-1.43{\pm}0.3{\mu}g/dl$) at 10 months of age in all the 3 breeds. Afterwards, $T_4$ levels increased gradually and attained a small peak at 20 months before declining again at 22 and 24 months of age. Serum $T_3$ and $T_4$ concentrations were correlated significantly (p < 0.05) and their ratio was constant at all ages in the different breeds. Age significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the secretion of testosterone in the breeds examined but the breed differences were comparable. Mean serum concentrations of testosterone were low from 1-2 wk to 10 months of age in the Kaghani, Rambouillet and Kaghani ${\times}$ Rambouillet animals. Peak testosterone levels were noted in the 12 months old Kaghani ($1.75{\pm}0.4ng/ml$), Rambouillet ($1.30{\pm}0.2ng/ml$) and their $T_3$ cross animals ($1.16{\pm}0.08ng/ml$). Mean testosterone levels, thereafter, decreased at 20 months and then at 22 and 24 months remained variable but higher than observed at 1-2 wk -10 months of age. The findings of the present study indicate a significant influence of age but not of breed on the peripheral concentrations of thyroid hormones and testosterone. Serum concentrations of $T_3$ and $T_4$ were not related to testosterone levels. High thyroid secretory activity observed at prenatal phase of development may play an important role in preparing the lambs to extrauterine environments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.947-951
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• 2008

Zinc is an essential trace element participating in many physiological functions and notably an important function for sperm physiology. Zinc-enriched yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolated from tropical fruit rambutan. This strain contained 306 ppm zinc concentration and other components contained by K 28,640 ppm, Mg 2,342 ppm, Na 1,048 ppm, Ca 366 ppm, Fe 236 ppm and Mn 4 ppm. The serum concentration of testosterone was decreased in ethanol treatment rats. As compared with ethanol treated control rats, the zinc-enriched yeast strain supplementation showed significantly increased the testosterone concentration in serum. In addition, zinc concentration in serum was decreased in alcohol treatment, but this reduction was significantly increased by zinc-enriched yeast strain supplementation in ethanol feeding rats. These results indicate that zinc-enriched yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain could play an important role in the sperm physiology by the marked elevation of serum testosterone concentration.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 1995

A male patient with subnormal intelligence and schizoaffective symptoms was confirmed to have Klinefelter's syndrome with the karyotype of 47,XXY by the chromosomal analysis. He was shown to have a peculiar appearance of tall height, long extremities, gynecomastia and small ears. The hormonal study revealed decreased testosterone and increased FSH concentrations in the serum of the patient. He was also found to have small testes by the ultrasonography, which seemed to be sterile by the semen analysis. We reported this rare case and reviewed related articles.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.149-152
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• 2001

Effect of topical application with 10, 20 and 30 ${\mu}g$/ml testosterone propionate and estradiol -17${\beta}$ on the fourth and fifth instar bivoltine NB18 silkworm larvae Bombyx mori, on the glycogen and protein contents of the Fat body and trehalose and protein contents of the haemolymph has been studied. Glycogen content of the fat body was significantly decreased in both testosterone propionate and estradiol -17${\beta}$ treatment groups except in the group treated with 30 ${\mu}g$ testosterone propionate where the increase was not significant when compared with those of carrier controls. The increase/decrease in haemolymph trehalose content did not show any significant difference in all the treated groups. Protein content of the fat body significantly increased in 10 and 20 mg testosterone propionate and estradiol -l7${\beta}$ treated groups but in 30 mg treated groups the increase was not significant when compared with those of carrier controls. There was no significant change in the haemolymph protein content in all the testosterone propionate and estradiol -17${\beta}$ treated groups except in group treated with 10 ${\mu}g$ estradiol -17${\beta}$ where it showed a significant decrease when compared with that of carrier control.