• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.91-101
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• 1996

Exposure indices are important tools which enable scientists to reliably predict and detect exposures to xenobiotics and resultant cell injury. Since the de novo synthesis of stress proteins can be detected early after exposure to some agents, analysis of toxicant-induced changes in gene expression, i.e. alterations in patterns of protein synthesis, may be useful to develop as biomarkers of exposure and toxicity. The acute and chronic effects of cadmium(Cd, $CdCl_2$ 20 mg/kg) on Wistar male rats were evaluated concerning cadmium contents, tissues enzyme activity, HSP expression. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Less cadmium was absorbed through the digestive tracts, but the ratio of contents in renal to hepatic cadmium was higher at 8 weeks after treatment. 2. ALT(alanine aminotransferase), AST(aspartate aminotransferase), glucose, BUN(blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, the key indices of the clinical changes in hepatic and renal function were significantly changed by the cadmium treatment after 1 week in liver, after 4 weeks in kidney. 3. Enhanced synthesis of 70 KDa relative molecular mass proteins were detected in 2 hours after cadmium exposure, with maximum activity occurring at 8~48 hours. Induction of $HSP_{70}$ was evident at proximal tubules and glomeruli in kidney. Testicular cells produced enough HSP to be detected normally. From the above results, it could be concluded that $HSP_{70}$ induction by the cadmium treatment was a rapid reaction to indicate the exposure of xenobiotics.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.93-99
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• 1996

The effect of KTC-1, a new semisynthetic rifamycin antituberculous drug, on general toxicity, reproductive capability and fetal development was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were administered KTC-1 with mashed feed from 63 days before mating to the end of mating period, and female rats were given from 14 days before mating to day 7 of gestation at dose levels of 0, 375, 750, and 1,500 ppm. The females were sacrificed on day 21 of gestation for examination of their fetuses. At 1,500 ppm, a reduction in body weight gain and testis atrophy were observed in male rats. Histological examination revealed testicular atrophy, absence or decrease of germinal cells, and vacuolization of Sertoli cells in testis. A reduction in body weight gain, a decrease in food consumption were found in female rats. In addition, decreases in the number of corpora lutea, iraplantations, and the litter size of live fetuses were seen. Mating, fertility, and pregnancy performances were also affected. There were no external abnormalities observed by examination of fetuses. At 750 ppm, a reduction in the body weight gain of male and female rats and decreases in the number of implantations and litter size were found. At 375 ppm, no treatment-related effects were observed. The results suggest that the no-effect dose levels (NOELs) of KTC-1 are 375 ppm for males and females on general toxicity, 750 ppm for males and females on reproductive capability, and 375 ppm for fetuses on embryonic development.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.69-75
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• 1995

The present study was carried out to establish several spermatotoxicity test methods. For this purpose we investigated following parameters in the fertility study of DA-125, a new anticancer agent, in rats: testicular spermatid counts, epididymal sperm counts, daily sperm production rate, sperm morphology, and serum testosterone concentration. Motility and velocity of sperms were also measured using non-treated rats. At 0.3 mg DA-125/kg, spermatids per 1g testis and daily sperm production rate per 1g testis were significantly decreased, when compared with those of control group. Several types of abnormal sperms, such as no head, pin head, double head, hook at wrong angle, no tail, and small sperm, were found in both treated and control groups at a low frequency. Serum testosterone concentration at 0.3 mg DA-125/kg was close to the control value. Sperm motility and velocity measured with non-treated rats were in a good agreement with the results of other investigators. In our study established spermatotoxicity test methods can be used as a tool not only for the close examination of the cause of drug- or chemical-induced infertility, but also for the effective evaluation of reproductive toxicity.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine $LD_{50}$ of benzo[a]pyrene to decide the possibility to designate them as toxic substance on the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances, and to suggest that they should be managed in what level on the Chemical Control Act. Methods: Based on the result of a preliminary study, 300 mg/kg was set as the middle dose. A highest dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a lowest dose of 50 mg/kg were selected based on the OECD TG 423. Benzo[a]pyrene was orally administered once to female and male SD rats at dose levels of 50, 300, 2,000 mg/kg (body weight). All animals were monitored daily for clinical signs and mortality over 14 days. Also testicular spermatid count, motility and etc. were examined as well. Results: Under the condition of this experiment, $LD_{50}$ of benzo[a]pyrene was assumed to be >2,000 mg/kg. In the lesion according to autopsy, there were no specific symptoms in the control and experimental groups. At 2,000 mg/kg, a decrease in the sperm motility was observed. Benzo[a]pyrene should be designated to be toxic substance as the material assumed to be reproduction-toxicity on the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemicals. Therefore we should abide by legal procedures determined by Chemicals Control Act in treating it. Conclusion: Considering the significant result that sperm motility in the experimental group was inferior to that in the reference group, we suggest that benzo[a]pyrene be designated as a toxic substance.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.131-137
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• 2010

Objectives: Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is a liquid compound obtained by condensation of two molecules of epichlorohydrin with one molecule of bisphenol A. General and reproductive toxicity with BADGE has been reported higher than 1000 mg/kg/day. This study was performed to show the effects of acute exposure to BADGE below 1000 mg/kg/day on the testis in adult male rats. Methods: BADGE was administered by gastric lavage in a single dose of 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day in 8-week old male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats. The right testis was processed for light microscopic analysis. The left testis was homogenized and spermatids were counted to determine the daily sperm production and daily abnormal sperm production. The sperm count, sperm motility, and incidence of abnormal sperm were estimated in the epididymis. In testicular sections, the seminiferous tubules were observed for qualitative changes. The progression of spermatogenesis was arbitrarily classified as full-matured, maturing, and immature. The specimen slide was observed at 3 points and 10 seminiferous tubules were evaluated at each point. Results: The male rats exposed to single oral dose of BADGE at 750, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day were significantly increased the number of immature and maturing sperm on the testis. There were no significant differences with respect to sperm head count, sperm motility, and sperm abnormality in the BADGE treatment groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that single oral exposure of BADGE 750 mg/kg/day can affect adult male testis development.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.849-856
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• 2011

This study was investigated the protective effect of Cultivated Wild Ginseng(WG) on the toxicities induced by cyclophosphamide(CP) in mice. Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into non-treated normal group(n=6), CP treated control group(n=6), CP+WG treated CP+WG group(n=6), WG treated WG group(n=6). CP(100 mg/kg of b.w., i.p) was injected at 0, 7 th, 14 th, 21 th, and 28 th day of the experiment respectively. WG(4.4 g/kg, i.p.) was administrated for 35days. Body and organ(heart, liver, kidney, testis) weight were measured. Histopathological examination on the organ(heart, liver, kidney, testis), morphometric analysis, and BrdU immunohistochemistry on the testis were performed. Body weight was decreased following CP administration. In contrast, such a decrease was significantly attenuated by WG administration. CPK and AST of CP+WG group were significantly decreased compared with CP group. Histopathologically, cross sectional area of testis and diameter of seminiferous tubule were significantly increased in CP+WG group compared with CP group. BrdU labelled cells in the seminiferous tubules were remarkably decreased in CP group. Whereas the number of seminiferous tubules labelled with BrdU in spermatogonia was increased by CP+WG administration. The obtained results suggest that WG has protective effect on CP-induced toxicity. This effect might be mediated through the supplementation of vital energy.

• 한국수의병리학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.97-106
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the testicular toxicity of environmental toxicant, 2-bromopropane(2-BP) recently caused occupational intoxication in Korea by light microscopy and electron microscopy. To evaluate the effect on spermatogenesis and find target germ cell 10 weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 5g/10m ℓ/kg/day of 2-bromopropane for 3 consecutive days orally and observed on day 1 or day 7 after treatment. 2-BP induced depletion of spermatogonia and early spermatocytes on stages I-IX or extensive degeneration of germ cells on the other stages on day 1. But extensive degeneration of germ cells without stage specificity was observed and round spermatid formed multinucleated giant cells in the lumen of seminiferous tubules on day 7. Electron microscopically Sertoli cells showed irregular shape of nucleus and cytoplasmic vauolation. And spermatocyte showed a extensive heterochromatin and cytoplasmic vacuolation. But there was no histopathological changes in the interstial cells. On the base of the results the target germ cell was spermatogonia in the early of the study but Srtoli cells also effected by high-dosed 2-BP in the late of the study.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.123-130
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• 2000

택트 스위치 제조공정 침지액의 주성분인 2-bromopropane독성에 대한 연구로 최단기의 폭로로 농도를 달리하여 3주간 반복 투여 시험을 시행하여, 흰쥐의 혈액 및 세정관의 변화를 관찰하기 위해 투여기간 동안의 체중의 변화, 고환, 간, 신장 등의 장기무게, 혈액화학과 혈액학적 분석 및 고환의 병리조직의 변화 등을 관찰하여 2-bromopropane의 급성투여 조건에서의 중독현상을 비교.분석하였다. 농도를 달리하여 투여에 따른 체중변동은 통계적으로 유의한(P<0.05)체중의 감소를 나타내었다. 1.000 mg/kg 투여군에서 백혈구수, 적혈구수, 혈구용적과 혈색소 농도에서 유의한 변화(p<0.05)를 보였다. 조직병리학적 소견으로 정 소에서는 세정관의 정조세포와 정모세포의 괴사를 볼 수 있었고, 기저막의 비후, 세정관의 Sertoli세포는 광범위하게 세포질성 공포현상을 보여주고 있다. 또한 간질조직에서는 Leydig 세포의 증식을 볼 수 있었다. 2-bromopropane의 손상부위는 조혈과 생식계가 표적으로 생각되며, 고농도 투여가 저농도 투여에 비해 독성이 심하며 독성물질의 양-반응 관계를 보여주고 있다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.281-286
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• 2000

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes a variety of adverse effects on the male reproductive system in rats. The effect of green tea extract (GTE) was investigated on the testicular function in Spragure-Dawley rats after a single exposure of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$ TCDD/kg body weight. The exposure of rat to TCDD significantly increased the weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate, yet significantly decresed the weight of the seminal vesicle when compared to the controls (p<0.05). In a combined treatment of TCDD with GTE, the organ weight changes caused by TCDD treatment disappeared. Significant decreases in sperm motility and sperm numbers were observed in the TCDD-treated rats, when compared to the control (p<0.05). GTE treatment reversed the decrease of sperm motility and sperm numbers caused by TCDD. There were no differences in sperm morphology, histological changes of the reproductive organs, and spermatogenesis between all the treated groups. In the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, TCDD increased the CYP1A1 mRNA level, however, it did not affect the estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER-$\beta$) mRNA level. GTE treatment did not influence the effect of TCDD on the levels of CYP1A1 and Er-$\beta$ mRNA. These results seem to indicate that green tea protects the testicular function against TCDD-induced reproductive toxicity, not because of a receptor-mediated mechanism but rather due to a secondary change of testes or accessory sex organs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.294-300
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• 2011

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a phenolic resorcylic acid lactone compound produced by several species of Fusarium. ZEA has toxic effects in the testes of domestic and laboratory animals. Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has multiple pharmacological effects such as vasorelaxation, anti-thrombosis, anti-hypertension, etc. In this study, we investigated the effects of KRG extract on testicular toxicity induced by ZEA. Rats were treated with 300 mg/kg oral doses of KRG for 4 weeks every other day. The rats were then treated with a single dose of 5 mg/kg ZEA delivered intraperitoneally, whereas control rats received only doses of the vehicle. As a result, germ cell apoptosis induced by ZEA was decreased by KRG pre-treatment. In addition, Fas and Fas-L expression was reduced in rats that received KRG pre-treatment compared to ones treated with ZEA alone. In conclusion, impaired spermatogenesis resulting from ZEA treatment was prevented by KRG through Fas-Fas L modulating.