• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2024

Objective: Given the noteworthy implications of alcohol consumption and its association with male infertility, there has been a notable focus on investigating natural alternatives to mitigate its adverse effects. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the potential protective effect of phycocyanin extract derived from the blue algae Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis against ethanol-induced oxidative stress, disturbances in testicular morphology, and alterations in sperm production. Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (five rats each): the control group received a saline solution, the ethanol exposed group (EtOH) was subjected to intraperitoneal injections of 10 mL/kg of ethanol solution at a concentration of 38% (v/v), the phycocyanin alone treated group (P) received oral administration of phycocyanin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg, and the phycocyanin-cotreated group (PE) was given oral phycocyanin followed by ethanol injections. All treatments were administered over a period of 14 days. Results: Our findings demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced reproductive toxicity, characterized by reduced sperm production and viability, alterations in testicular weight and morphology, increased lipid peroxidation levels, and elevated oxidative enzyme activity. In addition, the ethanol-intoxicated group showed perturbations in serum biochemical parameters. However, the simultaneous exposure to ethanol and phycocyanin exhibited a counteractive effect against ethanol toxicity. Conclusion: The results showed that supplementation of phycocyanin prevented oxidative and testicular morphological damage-induced by ethanol and maintained normal sperm production, and viability.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.6
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• pp.9-17
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• 1966

The ratio of form and character in the text generation of silkworms which were double copulated between home race copulation and hetero race copulation in crossing with two males of different races for female(double crossing) are different according to the copulating time, copulating order and sperm activities. But the general tendencies are as follows; 1. During two hour's double copulation, sufficiently ejaculating time, the fertilization percentage of hetero lace copulation are higher than that of homo race, but in case of double copulation with plain and normal marked silkworms showed opposite results. The fertilization percentage of homo race copulation are equal or higher compare with that of hetero race copulation. 2. The form and character of the next generation were largely effected by copulating order, so the primary copulating moths are more effected in the next generation than the secondary moths. 3. The active sperms were more fertilized than non-active sperms in the double copulation.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 1999

The utility of RSV-LTR and carp beta-actin promoters was evaluated in a marine flatfish species, Limanda Yokohamae by examining successful expression of transgenic DNA in muscles (transfected by direct injection) and in early embryos (transformed by lipofected sperm). The expressed pattern of injected DNA in skeletal muscles was dependent on the DNA amount injected. The activity reached to maximal level at 48 hours post injection, and persisted up ot 1 month transiently. Gene transfer into early embryo of this species was successfully achieved using lipofected sperm with the efficiency ranging 36.8% to 48.1%. The expression of transgene during embryonic development was shown as stage-specific and transient.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2001

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of catalase using xanthine (X) - xanthine oxidase (XO) system on in vitro maturation and fertilization in pig. When follicular oocytes were cultured in maturation medium with X and/or XO, the maturation rates were not significantly different between in medium with and without catalase despite of different culture periods. However, significantly (P<0.05) higher maturation rates were obrained in culture with X-XO system. The rates of degenerated oocytes were increased with culture periods prolonged, and were significantly (P<0.05) higher in medium without than with catalase at 120 h of culture. On the other hand, the parthenogenetic oocytes were observed with high proportions at 72 h of culture, hut were not different in medium with and without catalase at various times of culture. In another experiment, the frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa treated with X-XO system for in vitro fertilization. The penetration rates were higher in medium with that than without catalase during the in vitro fertilization with, none (P<0.05), XO and X＋XO. On the other hand, when sperm were treated with none, X, XO and X＋XO, lipid peroxidation were higher in medium without that than with catalase. However, the changes in sperm penetration and lipid peroxidation showed opposite patterns. The sperm suspensions were also treated with X and/or XO for assay of sulfhydryl (-SH) group content. Under the above all conditions, sperm-SH group were higher detected In medium with that than without catalase. The activity of sperm binding to zona pellucida was also evaluated through binding to salt-stored porcine oocytes. In control group, sperm binding to zona pellucida were higher than in medium with X, XO and X＋XO groups. No significant differences, however, were observed between medium with and without catalase. In conclusion, the exposure of follicular oocytes and spermatozoa to X-XO system may be caused stimulating in vitro maturation and fertilization in pig. This work was supported by grant No. 2000-1-22200-001-3 from the Basic Research Program of the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2007

This study aimed to examine the harmful effects of Mn and Fe, which may be generated as dust or fume in the industrial sites, on the body and genital organs by their inhalation. It is intended to find the characteristics and differences of the hazardousness by inhaling a single and the mixed materials of Mn and Fe. Male F344 rats were divided into the control group and 3 exposed groups on the basis of the test material compound (Mn $1.5mg/m^3$, Mn 1.5 and Fe $3.0mg/m^3$, Fe $3.0mg/m^3$). The 4 groups were divided into 4 subgroups again on the basis of the exposure period (4 and 13 weeks) and the recovery period (4 and 13 weeks). The exposure condition was 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for the whole body. Clinical tests including changes in weight and feed rate, blood biochemical test, motility change, changes in the number and the amount of spermatozoon (sperm count), daily sperm production (DSP), deformity test of spermatozoon and changes in the accumulation of Mn and Fe in blood and internal organs were performed. Motility was reduced by Mn exposure. Especially, the effect of Mn was exposure period responsible. By mixing with Fe, no significant change in motility Mn and Fe accumulation in organs was observed. Sperm count and daily sperm production (DSP) were decreased by Mn. Additional effect like the reduction of sperm count and DSP, and delayed restoration of sperm count and DSP during the recovery period were observed in the mixed exposure group. These results indicate that Mn and Fe may affect the motility reduced and has male reproductive toxicity. Mixed exposure of Mn and Fe lead to synergic effects on the male reproductive toxicity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2009

The antifertility activity of methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem (MECR) and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed (MECO) were studied on male Swiss albino mice. The extracts were found to decrease sperm count, percentage of motile sperm and testosterone level in treated mice when compared with vehicle control after 17 days of treatment. The weight of gonads, epididymis were decreased whereas no significant changes of the body weight of mice were observed after methanol extract treatments. The fertility test showed 100% negative result in MECR and MECO treated mice at medium and high dose level of treatment. MECR and MECO in low (25 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively), medium (50 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively) and high (75 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively) dose level caused a simultaneous fall in testicular ${\Delta}5$-$3{\beta}$-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities which are involved in testicular steroidogenesis. Total cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in testis were increased significantly in gonads. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase and ascorbic acid oxidase were reduced whereas that of carbonic anhydrase was increased significantly in the testis of MECR and MECO treated mice. All these observations indicate that the methanol extract of C. reflexa stem and C. olitorius seed produced antifertility activity in sexually matured male mice, which may be due to inhibition of gonadal steroidogenesis. This activity may be attributed due to the presence of flavonoids and steroids, respectively.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.335-354
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate biological activity of antler extract added medical plants. The scavenging activity of DPPH radical was low scavenging activity at 0.01% concentration. But in the 0.05% and higher concentration, electron donating ability(EDA) is above 50% except Kongindangagam(48.5%) and significantly good above 70% in the 4 extracts. Superoxide dismutase(SOD)-like activity was 44.3% and 45.1% extracts of Ohjayenjongwhangami and M(market sample), Inhibition of xanthine oxidase were above 50% at 0.5% concentration except Boshingiwhangwhangami and from 62.4% to 84.9% in the 4 extracts. Inhibition rate of boshingiwhangwhangami was hasty increased from 33.5% to 77.5% at 1.0% concentration and others the higher concentration, the more increasing inhibition. Angiotension I-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitory activities were high activity all of extracts. In the 0.5% concentration, ACE inhibition was above 80%. Especially 0.01% concentration of M was presented 81.8%. The study which conducted to investigate the effect of feeding antler extract group for 50 days on sperm concentration, Ca contents of serum, kidney and femur in rats was higher than that saline group.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2001

This study investigated the effect of ferrous sulfate (Fe$^{2+}$) and/or ascorbic acid (Asc) on fertilizing ability in vitro of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. Using chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence, the spermatozoa was treated in preincubation medium with control, Fe$^{2+}$(1 mM), Asc (0.5 mM) and Fe$^{2+}$Asc to assessed for acrosome reaction, and the oocyte penetration test to determine whether the Fe$^{2+}$ and/or Asc can promote the penetration ability in vitro. When frozen-thawed spermatozoa was washed with preincubation medium, there were significantly (P ＜ 0.05) more acrosome-reacted in medium with Fe$^{2+}$Asc (38%) than control (27%). The penetration rates were also significantly (P ＜ 0.05) higher in medium with Fe$^{2+}$Asc (76%) than control (55%). Next, the lipid peroxidation of sperm was evaluated on the basis of malondialdehyde production following same treatments. The addition of Fe$^{2+}$Asc to sperm suspension increases the formation of malondialdehyde. However, there were not significantly different under the all conditions. The sperm suspension were also treated with control, Fe$^{2+}$, Asc and Fe$^{2+}$/Asc and assayed for sulfhydry1(-SH) group content. In the Fe$^{2+}$/Asc group, sperm-SH group were higher than another groups. In spermatozoa treated with Fe$^{2+}$ and/or Asc, however, no changes in sperm -SH-groups were detected when compared to controls. In another experiment, the activity of sperm binding to zona pellucida was evaluated through binding to salt-stored porcine oocytes. In control and Asc treatment groups, sperm binding to zona pellucida were significantly (P ＜ 0.05) higher than in medium with Fe$^{2+}$. On the other hand, there is not a significant increase in binding to zona pellucida with spermatozoa treated by Fe$^{2+}$/Asc. In summary, the present study suggests that Fe$^{2+}$/Asc causes an enhancement in fertilizing ability that is associated with penetration rate increased without change of spermatozoa binding capacity to homologous zona pellucida.o homologous zona pellucida.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2001

The testis of Neoditrema ransonneti is testicular tubule type, each testicular tubule consists of numerous testicular cysts which contain numerous germ cells showing the same developmental stage. During spermatogenesis, well developed rough endoplasmic reticula and the Golgi complex are observed in the cyst cell. Secretory activity of cyst cell was the highest in the late spermiogenesis. Sperm binding materials of spermatozeugmata are secreted by testicular cyst cell. One spermatozeugmata is produced by a testicular cyst during spermatogenesis. The capsular structure was not found in the spermatozeugmata discharged from male. According to observations under transmission electron microscopy approximately 1,500 to 1,700 of sperm tails were observed in the cross sectioned spermatozeugmata.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

To evaluate the effect of spermatozoa culture on glycosidase activity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa in human, the spermatozoa were treated experimentally and assayed for activities of ${\alpha}$-L-fucosidase, ${\alpha}$-D-mannosidase, ${\beta}$-D-galactosidase and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (${\beta}$-GlcNAc'ase). The ${\beta}$-GlcNAc'ase activity was at least two-folds higher than other glycosidases regardless of spermatozoa incubation (p<0.05). The spermatozoa motility was decreased with incubation periods, but no effects by different glycosidases on the changes of spermatozoa motility during the various periods of incubation. In all glycosidases, the spermatozoa-zona binding rates in spermatozoa without incubation were higher than in spermatozoa incubated for 2 h (p<0.05). ${\beta}$-GlcNAc'ase is present mainly in the plasma membrane of spermatozoa frozen-thawed in human. It was also shown that the glycosidase activity was increased in all glycosidases in spite of lower sperm-zona binding by spermatozoa incubation.