• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2017

Background: Men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have reduced endogenous testosterone levels, but the relationship between pulmonary function and endogenous testosterone levels, is inconsistent. Testicular volume is a known indicator of endogenous testosterone levels, male fertility, and male potency. In the present study, the authors investigated the relationship, between testicular volume and lung function. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one South Korean men age 40-70, hospitalized for urological surgery, were retrospectively enrolled, irrespective of the presence of respiratory disease. Study subjects underwent pulmonary function testing, prior to procedures, and testicular volumes were measured by orchidometry. Testosterone levels of patients in blood samples collected between $7{\small{AM}}$ and $11{\small{AM}}$, were measured by a direct chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The 181 study subjects were divided into two groups, by testicular volume (${\geq}35mL$ vs. <35 mL), the larger testes group, had better lung functions (forced vital capacity [FVC]: $3.87{\pm}0.65L$ vs. $3.66{\pm}0.65L$, p=0.037; forced expiratory volume in 1 second [$FEV_1$]: $2.92{\pm}0.57L$ vs. $2.65{\pm}0.61L$, p=0.002; FVC % predicted: $98.2{\pm}15.2%$ vs. $93.8{\pm}13.1%$, p=0.040; $FEV_1$ % predicted: $105.4{\pm}19.5%$ vs. $95.9{\pm}21.2%$, p=0.002). In addition, the proportion of patients with a $FEV_1/FVC$ of <70%, was lower in the larger testes group. Univariate analysis conducted using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was correlated with FVC (r=0.162, p=0.029), $FEV_1$ (r=0.218, p=0.003), $FEV_1/FVC$ (r=0.149, p=0.046), and $FEV_1$ % predicted (r=0.178, p=0.017), and multivariate analysis using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was a significant predictive factor for $FEV_1$ % predicted (${\beta}=0.159$, p=0.041). Conclusion: Larger testicular volume was independently associated, with favorable indices of lung function. These results suggest that androgens, may contribute to better lung function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.168-179
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated testicular oxidative stress status and physiomorphological function in Wistar rats fed with yaji and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). Methods: Sixty male albino Wistar rats (12 per group) were randomly assigned to five groups: group I (control), group II (300 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group III (500 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group IV (2.5 mg/kg.bw of CdCl₂), and group V (2.5 mg/kg.bw of yaji+4 mg/kg.bw omega-3). Each group was evenly subdivided into two subgroups and treatment was administered for 14 days and 42 days, respectively. Semen quality (sperm count, progressive motility, normal morphology, and gonadosomatic index), hormones (testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone), testicular oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malonaldehyde) and testicular histomorphological features were examined. Results: Yaji caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent reductions in semen quality, the gonadosomatic index, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Yaji also caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as increased testicular malonaldehyde levels. Yaji induced distortions in the testicular histological architecture. CdCl₂ damaged testicular function by significantly (p< 0.05) reducing semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and oxidative stress markers in albino Wistar rats. CdCl₂ also altered the histology of the testis. Conclusion: This study shows that yaji sauce has similar anti-fertility effects to those of CdCl₂, as it adversely interferes with male reproduction by impairing oxidative stress markers and the function and morphological features of the testis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 1991

The testicular volume measured by a Prader orchidometer was compared with sperm count in semen, the levels of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone in 59 nonobstructive infertile men. 1. The causes of infertility were primary hypogonadisms in 50 patients (35 unknown, 9 Klinefelter syndromes, 6 varicocels) and secondary hypogonadism in 9 (5 isolated FSH deficiencies, 1 hyperprolactinerriia, 3 pituitary hypogonadisms). 2. Decreased levels of serum FSH (less than 4 mIU/ml) did not correlate with testis volume but increased level of serum FSH (more than 20 mIU/ml) were mostly noted in the testis less than 10ml. 3. Decreased level of serum testosterone (less than 3 ng/ml) were distinguishably noted in the atrophied testis less than 5 ml. 4. There was no correlation between the testicular volume and the levels of serum prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone. Coclusively, testicular volume less than 11 ml suggests poor spermatogenesis, but normal testicular volume dose not nessarily rule out poor spermatogenesis. Function of Leydig cell is relatively well preserved in atrophied testis of 5 to 10 ml comparing with that of seminiferous tubule.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the effects of Shingi-whan(SG) on the male reproductive and sexual function, so we measured the spermatogenesis and the testicular toxicity in mice and the vasorelaxation in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Methods : To evaluate effect on the spermatogenesis in mice, we prepared two groups, control group and SG group that was orally administered SG(1,000mg/kg) for 20 days, and compared. To analyze testicular toxicity in mice, we also prepared two groups, doxo group that was injected with doxorubicin (3mg/kg) on three times and doxo + SG group that was injected with doxorubicin and SG for 20 days, and compared. To investigate sexual function of SG in mice, we prepared three groups, normal group and aging elicited group consisting of 18-month-old mice, SG treated aging group that was orally administered SG for 60 days, and compared using histochemical staining on mice corpus cavernous tissues. In order to define the relaxation effects of SG, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. Then the dose-dependent relaxation responses of SG at 0.01-3.0 mg/ml in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine were measured. Results : The sperm density in dutus epididymis and the diameter of seminiferous tubules of SG group was significantly increased when compared to control group. The testicular weight and the diameter and height of epithelial layer of seminiferous tubules of doxo + SG group was significantly increased when compared to doxo group. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by SG extract In SG treated aging group, ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and red blood cell count in venous sinus was increased as compared to aging elicited group. Conclusions : Our findings have shown that SG extract have effect on spermatogenesis and mitigating effect on doxo-induced testicular toxicity. Further, it also have the vasorelaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.2 s.138
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• pp.167-169
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• 2006

After infection of male mice with the plerocercoids (spargana) of Spirometra mansoni, serum levels of estrogen and testicular weight were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and weighing machine, respectively. The serum level of estrogen increased progressively in infected mice compared with normal controls, whereas the testicular weight of infected mice decreased significantly (P < 0.05). These results suggest that certain substances from spargana change the steroid hormone metabolisms in the host by unknown pathways, and chronic infection may contribute to change of the function of steroid hormone target organ, i.e., testis, in male mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2021

Objective: In this study, the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on testosterone (TES), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), androgen-binding protein (ABP), factor-associated apoptosis (FAS), and total cholesterol (TC), as well as histopathological changes, were investigated in male rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: The study included three groups. The control (C) group was fed standard-diet for 8 weeks. The hypercholesterolemia (HC) group was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks. The therapeutic group (HCL) was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks and administered L. acidophilus for the last 4 weeks. FSH, TES, and FAS levels in testicular tissue were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while another sample was examined histopathologically. LH and ABP levels were determined using ELISA, and serum TC levels were assessed via an autoanalyzer. Results: In the HC group, the TC levels were significantly higher and the LH levels were lower (p<0.05) than in the C group. The ABP levels were lower (p>0.05). In the HCL group, the LH and ABP levels were higher (p>0.05) and the TC level significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the HC group. The TES and FSH levels were lower, and the FAS levels were higher, in the HC than in the C group (p<0.05). In the HCL group, levels of all three resembled control levels. Histologically, in the testicular tissue of the HC group, the cells in the tubular wall exhibited atrophy, vacuolization, and reduced wall structure integrity. However, in the HCL group, these deteriorations were largely reversed. Conclusion: Supplementary dietary administration of an L. acidophilus to hypercholesterolemic male rats positively impacted testicular tissue and male fertility hormone levels.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2014

The flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) have been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of male sexual disorders in Asian countries. Recently, there are some reports about the effects of the clove on reproductive activities in mammals. Therefore, its effect on testicular function was examined in male golden hamsters whose reproductive activity is inhibited by photoperiod such as winter climate. The male animals were given by daily oral administrations (56 consecutive days) in three doses (4 mg, 20 mg, and 100 mg/kg BW) of the alcoholic extract of the clove. Generally lower dose (4 mg) of the extract continued to keep the reproductive activities of testes. The both middle and high doses (20 mg and 100 mg) of the extract completely inhibited the testicular activity in some animals. Taken together, these results suggest a possible biphasic action of alcoholic extract of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud on testicular function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.348-353
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• 1999

Ten Australian Stock Horses colts (five yearling and five 3-year old colts) of which 2 yearlings and 2 three year old colts served as control animals while 3 yearlings and 3 three year old colts received two GnRH immunizations within 4 weeks interval were used in this study. By the 5th to 6th week after immunization, the GnRH antibody titres in the plasma rose above 1:1000 and attained peak levels of 1:6500 by the 8th week and gradually declined to about 1:3000 by the 10th week in both the age groups. The testosterone and androstenedione concentrations of the control colts in both age groups were significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of the vaccinated groups. During the immunosuppression period, the vaccinated colts behaved like geldings. Semen could not be collected from 2 of the 3 three-year old vaccinated colts. The testicular dimensions, testicular weight, parenchymal weight, seminiferous tubule volumes, interstitial space volumes, Leydig cell volume, seminiferous tubule % of the control colts were significantly greater than those of the vaccinated colts in both the age groups. The 3-year old control colts had a significantly (p<0.05) greater % of Leydig cells than the control and vaccinated 1-year old colts. There was arrest of spermatogenesis with complete absence of sperm in the testes of the vaccinated colts while there was various stages of spermatogenesis in those of the control colts. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the 3-year old colts had significantly (p<0.05) greater DSP/gm of testis and DSP/testis than those of the 1-year old control colts. This study elucidated that the GnRH immunization could suppress the testicular function of the 3-year old and yearling colts.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.171.1-171.1
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• 2001

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.327-333
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• 2017

Gonadotropins are heterodimers consisting an alpha chain ($Cg{\alpha}$) and a beta chain. Interestingly, presence of complicated $LH-{\beta}$ transcripts in rat testis was accidently found; testicular $LH-{\beta}$ transcripts were confined in seminiferous tubules to spermatids, and the translated products were localized in the elongated spermatids. We hypothesized that mouse testis has potential to produce the tissue specific $LH-{\beta}$ with similar structure to the rat testicular forms. To verify our hypothesis, we examined the adult mouse (ICR) testis using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The PCR revealed the presence of the identical products in the reactions for three LH subunit types. The expected product sizes for mouse $Cg{\alpha}$ and $LH-{\beta}$ known as pituitary type were 224 bp and 503 bp, respectively. The testicular type $LH-{\beta}$ products were produced by a primer set based on the rat sequences, with unexpected size of 800 bp. Sequencing revealed that the proximal and distal parts (2-82 and 661- 773 bp, respectively) were homologous to rat testicular $LH-{\beta}$ cDNA, and middle part (83-660 bp) was a unique mouse-specific region. Both $Cg{\alpha}$ and $LH-{\beta}$ positive signals were in the round and elongated spermatids and mature sperms, and the $LH-{\beta}$ signals were more intense. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the presence and localization of the LH subunits in mouse testis. Further studies will be needed to understand the precise structure and function of mouse testicular LH.