• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.49-61
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution 0.3mg/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solutions in the mice. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 90 days group respectively. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. but the activity of hyaluronidase was not significantly increased in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups Conclusion : This study shows that Ginseng Radix Alba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.24-35
• /
• 2005

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cynomorii Herba (鎖陽) on　the reproductive competence in male mice.　Methods ：　We used 8-week-old Spraque-Dawley rats and administered the extract powder of Cynomorii Herba to 5 rats and normal saline to control group once in a day for 28 days. Then we observed the changes of body weight before and after administration of Cynomorii Herba extracts and normal saline. We isolated their testis surgically and observed the weight of testis, epididymis, vascular gland and prostate. Also we examined the total, normal and motile sperm concentration, the concentration of testicular catalase, peroxidase and configuration of testicular tissue before and after administration of Cynomorii Herba extracts and normal saline. Results : We found that the concentration of total, normal, motile sperm in testis of Cynomorii Herba treated group shows significant difference compared with the control group. The body weight, the weight of testis, epididymis and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase were higher in the Cynomorii Herba treated group, on the other hand the weight of vascular gland was lower in the Cynomorii Herba. But the contents of above statement showed no significant difference. The weight of　prostate showed lower in the control group statistically than that of the Cynomorii Herba treated group. We observed the seminiferous tubules taken shape minutely and the number of normal sperm increased in Cynomorii Herba treated group's testicular tissue. Conclusion This study shows that Cynomorii Herba may have an effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the important factor in male fertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.142-155
• /
• 2005

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the dose dependent effects of Epimedii Herba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis, and the activities of spermhyaluronidase and antioxidants. Materials and Method: We choose the 2-month-old mice, and administered the extract powder of Epimedii Herba in the different concentration once in a day for 60 days. The control group was administerde to normal water in the isolated testis tissue. Also we observed changes of isolated testis at the before and after administration of Epimedii Herba extracts in the mice. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results: The significant dose dependent differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups compared than that of control group, respectively. In the histological analysis of the testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedii Herbaextract administered groups than control group, respectively. Also, the activity hyluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups than that of the control group. In case of antioxidant activity analysis, the activity of peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased in the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups than that of control group, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that Epimedii Herba can effect the count and motility of sperm, the important ractor in male fertility and also promote the activity of antioxidants, catalase and peroxidase, which is the important factor in spermatogenesis.

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

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.160-169
• /
• 2023

Objective: Cryptorchidism is one of the main causes of infertility and can result in testicular cancer. This study aimed to present quantitative data on the damage caused by cryptorchidism using stereological analysis. Methods: Thirty newborn rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent surgery to induce unilateral cryptorchidism in the left testis, whereas the control group underwent a sham surgical procedure 18 days after birth. The testes were removed at designated time points (40, 63, and 90 days after birth) for stereological evaluation and sperm analysis. Total testicular volume, interstitial tissue volume, seminiferous tubule volume and length, and seminiferous epithelium volume and surface area were measured. Other parameters, such as sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm tail length, were also examined. Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the experimental and the control groups at different ages regarding the volumes of various parameters, including the surface area of the germinal layer, the length of the seminiferous tubules, sperm count, and sperm morphology. However, no significant differences were observed in the epithelial volume and the sperm tail length of the groups. Conclusion: Given the substantial effect of cryptorchidism on different testicular parameters, as well as the irreversible damage it causes in the testes, it is important to take this abnormality seriously to prevent these consequences.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.171-177
• /
• 2003

Previously we have reported that administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) plays both preventive and therapeutic roles in testicular toxicity of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Further study was carried out to verify the beneficial role of Korean red ginseng in TCDD-induced testicular toxicity with different animal species by different route of administration. Korean red ginseng crude saponin (KRG-CS) was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. One hundred twenty rats (Sprauge Dawley, 200${\pm}$10 g) were divided into 6 groups. The normal control group (NC) received vehicle (i.p.) and saline (p.o.). Predetermined dosage of TCDD (40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg b.w., i.p.) was administered to single TCDD-treated (TT) and test (CS) groups. KRG-CS was admin-istered (p.o.) at daily doses of 5 (CS5), 10 (CS10),20 (CS2O) and/or 40 mg/kg b.w. (CS40) for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the TCDD-exposure. Body weight gain, organ weights, and sperm quality were investigated. Decrease in body weight gain induced by TCDD was greatly attenuated by KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular weight, sperm head counts and ratio of sperm with progressive movement in TT group decreased significantly but those parameters were improved by the treatment of KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. This result led us to conclude that crude saponin might be the active ingredient of Korean red ginseng that attenuates the testicular toxicity induced by TCDD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.55-68
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Epimedium Herb extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered the extract solution of Epimedium Herb 0.3 ml/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline as the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Epimedium Herb extract solutions in the mice. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules with the control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120 days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 days group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. And the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Epimedium Herb has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the testicular tissues and the activities of sperm hyaluronidse in 60 days administration group. We can suggest that Epimedium Herb extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2010

The decrease in sperm quality under heat stress causes a great loss in animal husbandry production. In order to reveal the mechanism underlying the sperm quality decrease caused by heat stress, we first established a mild heat-treated mouse model. Then, the sperm quality was identified. Further, the testicular proteome profile was mapped and compared with the control using 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Finally, the differential expressed proteins involved in the heat stress response were identified by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that heat stress caused a significant reduction in mouse sperm quality (P<0.05). Further, 52 protein spots on the 2D gel were found to differ between the heat-shocked tissues and the control. Of these spots, some repair proteins which might provide some explanation for the influence on sperm quality were found. We then focused on Bag-1, Hsp40, Hsp60 and Hsp70, which were found to be differently expressed after heat shock (P<0.05). Further analysis in this heat-shocked model suggests numerous potential mechanisms for heat shock-induced spermatogenic disorders.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.255-263
• /
• 2017

Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the $14^{th}$ day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.203-207
• /
• 2009

Present study was conducted to investigate potential effects of epichlorohydrin on testicular and epididymal function in male rats. The test chemical was administered to adult male rats by gavage at dose levels of 0, 3.125, 12.5, and 50 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Testicular and epididymal function were assessed by measurement of reproductive organ weight, testicular spermatid count, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, and histopathology in rats. At 50 mg/kg, a decrease in the sperm motility and an increase in the incidence of sperm abnormalities were observed. Histopathological examinations revealed an increase in the incidence of histopathological changes including cell debris in the ducts, vacuolization of the epithelial cells, oligospermia, and epithelial disruption in the proximal caput epididymidis. At 12.5 mg/kg, an increase in the incidence of histopathological changes of the epididymidis was found. There were no treatment-related effects at 3.125 mg/kg. These results show that 7-day repeated oral administration of epichlorohydrin to male rats results in adverse effects on sperm motility, sperm morphology, and epididymal histology at $\geq$ 12.5 mg/kg/day.