Impairment of male reproduction in adult rats exposed to hydroxyprogesterone caproate in utero

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is one of the most effective and widely used drugs for the treatment of uterine bleeding and threatened miscarriage in women. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate was administered to pregnant rats in order to assess the effect of intraperitoneal exposure to supranormal levels of hydroxyprogesterone caproate on the male reproductive potential in the first generation. The cauda epididymal sperm count and motility decreased significantly in rats exposed to hydroxyprogesterone caproate during embryonic development, when compared with control rats. The levels of serum testosterone decreased with an increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in adult rats exposed to hydroxyprogesterone caproate during the embryonic stage. It was suggested that the impairment of male reproductive performance could be mediated through the inhibition of testosterone production.     

Effect of prenatal exposure to hydroxyprogesterone on steroidogenic enzymes in male rats

Pregnant Wistar strain albino rats were administered hydroxyprogesterone and the steroidogenic potential of the testis was analysed in the next generation adult male rats. In utero exposure to supranormal levels (10 mg/kg body weight or 25 mg/kg body weight) of hydroxyprogesterone decreased the activity levels of marker steroidogenic enzymes (3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) of adult (mature) rat testis. Hydroxyprogesterone mediation in the suppression of rat testicular steroidogenesis is suggested, which can be correlated to the observed decrease in male reproductive potential in mammals exposed to female hormones during embryonic development.     

Suppression of male reproduction in rats after exposure to sodium fluoride during early stages of development

Sodium fluoride (NaF), a widespread natural pollutant was given to sperm-positive female rats throughout gestation and lactation at a dose of 4.5 and 9.0 ppm via drinking water. The neonates were allowed to grow up to 90 days on tap water, and then sperm parameters, testicular steroidogenic marker enzyme activity levels, and circulatory hormone levels were studied. The sperm count, sperm motility, sperm coiling (hypoosmotic swelling test), and sperm viability were decreased in experimental rats when compared with controls. The activity levels of testicular steroidogenic marker enzymes (3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were significantly decreased in experimental animals indicating decreased steroidogenesis. The serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were also significantly altered in experimental animals. Our data indicate that exposure to NaF during gestation and lactation affects male reproduction in adult rats by decreasing spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.     

铅暴露对雄性黑斑蛙精子毒性和血清性激素水平的影响

在实验条件下,将健康性成熟雄性黑斑蛙暴露于0.1、0.2、0.4、0.8和1.6 mg·L-1浓度的铅溶液中30d,观察和分析黑斑蛙的精子数量、精子活动度和精子畸形率,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清中睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)的水平,以探讨铅对雄性黑斑蛙的生殖内分泌毒性.结果表明,随铅染毒剂量的升高,精子数量下降,精子畸形率呈剂鼍依赖性增加,精子活动率呈剂鼍依赖性降低;随铅染毒剂量的升高,血清中T水平明显下降,E2水平则明显升高,且均呈剂量-效应关系,结果提示,铅对雄性黑斑蛙有明显的生殖毒性,可改变血清睾酮和雌激素水平,干扰生殖内分泌调节平衡.     

低剂量长期铅暴露对雄性黑斑蛙精巢组织关键酶活性的影响

在实验条件下,将健康的性成熟雄性黑斑蛙暴露于0.1、0.2、0.4、0.8和1.6mg·L-1的Pb2+溶液中30d,以Ca2+-ATP酶、Na+-K+-ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶(β-DG)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性为指标,进行了长期铅暴露对雄性黑斑蛙生殖毒性的研究.结果表明:随着铅染毒剂量的增加,Ca2+-ATP酶和Na+-K+-ATP酶活性被诱导,Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性被抑制,当Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶的抑制程度超过Ca2+-ATP酶和Na+-K+-ATP酶的代偿机制时,会抑制精子的发生,进而导致雄性生殖毒性;在1.6mg·L-1Pb2+处理下,ACP酶被显著抑制,提示支持细胞受损,精子总数受到影响;在0.4mg·L-1Pb2+处理下,LDH酶被显著抑制,提示生精细胞受损,精子质量受到影响.     

内质网应激在氟暴露致小鼠睾丸损伤中的作用

探讨了内质网应激在亚慢性氟暴露致小鼠睾丸损伤中的作用及分子机制.选用健康初断乳ICR雄性小鼠30只,随机分为对照组（C）、低氟组（LF）和高氟组（HF）,分别饮用自来水、5、30 mg·L^-1氟化钠水溶液90 d.亚慢性氟暴露结束后,以睾丸脏器系数、睾丸组织氧化/抗氧化酶和形态结构、精子质量、睾丸细胞凋亡、葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）、CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白（CHOP）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶12（CASPASE-12）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（CASPASE-3）为观测点.结果表明,与对照组比,LF组和HF组LDH、SOD、T-AOC活性下降,MDA含量上升,HF组GSH-PX活性下降,差异有统计学意义（p<0.05或p<0.01）;LF组可见细胞层次减少、间隙变大,成熟精子数量减少,HF组细胞溶解、层次紊乱,空泡化严重,少见成熟精子;LF组和HF组小鼠的精子活力降低,HF组小鼠精子数量下降,畸形率上升,差异有统计学意义（p<0.05或p<0.01）;LF组和HF组睾丸细胞凋亡指数上升,差异有统计学意义（p<0.01）;LF组和HF组Grp78、Caspase-12、Caspase-3基因表达水平上升,差异有统计学意义（p<0.05或p<0.01）.结果提示,除氧化应激以外,Caspase-12和Caspase-3基因表达异常可能是氟暴露致小鼠睾丸细胞凋亡异常的分子机制之一.     

Antioxidant and modulatory role of Chlorophytum borivilianum against arsenic induced testicular impairment

Arsenic has a suppressive influence on spermatogenesis and induces impairment in male reproductive system due to oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to test the arsenic induced toxicity and protection by Chlorophytum borivilianum. The effect of sodium arsenite (4 mg/(kg body weight (bw). day)) via double distilled water without or with C. borivilianum (800 mg/(kg bw. day)) was evaluated in Swiss albino mice for 30 days. The radical scavenging activity of the aqueous C. borivilianum root extract was measured using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrayzyl) radical. Qualitative assessment of various cell types in the testis, sperm count and motility, testicular activity of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and serum testosterone were monitored. Arsenic treatment showed a significant increase in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Combined treatment showed significant decrease in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and elevation in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Testicular histopathology showed that C. borivilianum had reduced degeneration of germ cell in the seminiferous tubules and loss of sperms induced by arsenic intoxication. The results thus led us to conclude that administration of C. borivilianum root extract is found to be protective against arsenic induced toxicity.     

Sperm competition promotes diversity of sperm bundles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ohomopterus</Emphasis> ground beetles

Diversification of sperm morphology has been investigated in the context of sperm competition, but the adaptive significance of sperm bundles is still unclear. In analyzing 10 taxa of the genus Carabus subgenus Ohomopterus and one related Carabus ground beetles, we found that dimorphic sperm bundles occurred in most species with varied degrees of bimodality, whereas sperm were generally monomorphic. Comparative analyses with phylogenetically independent contrasts revealed that the sizes of large and small sperm bundles evolved more rapidly than, and were not correlated with, the length of sperm, suggesting more intense selection on sperm bundle sizes and their independent responses to different evolutionary forces. The size of large sperm bundles was positively correlated with male genital morphology (pertinent to displacement of rival spermatophores) and postcopulatory guarding duration as well as male body length, suggesting that larger sperm bundles have been favored when the risk of spermatophore displacement is high. Larger sperm bundles may be advantageous because of their ability to migrate more rapidly into the spermatheca. In contrast, no clear association was detected between the small sperm bundle size and mating traits despite its rapid diversification. The present study provides the first record of heteromorphic sperm bundles, the diversity of which may be promoted by sperm competition.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯暴露对雄性大鼠生精细胞功能影响

观察不同剂量的邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)对成年大鼠生精细胞损伤、端粒酶和端粒酶逆转录酶(TERT)表达影响.对40只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分成4组,分别为500mg·kg-1·d-1、250mg·kg-1·d-1、50mg·kg-1·d-1 3个染毒组和1个对照组,灌胃量为5mL·kg-1体重,灌胃法连续给药6周.对体重...     

AZFc deletion detected in a newborn with prenatally diagnosed Yq deletion

A case of prenatally diagnosed Yq deletion is described. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) was used to identify the abnormal chromosome and to exclude mosaicism. Based on the cytogenetic result and the ultrasound investigation the pregnancy was continued. A newborn with normal male genitalia was delivered. Microdeletion analysis of the Yq showed the absence of the AZFc region. This type of deletion has been described as being associated with azoospermia or oligozoospermia with a progressive decrease of sperm number over time. Long-term andrological follow-up of the newborn will be necessary with eventual cryoconservation of sperm at early adulthood. The present report proposes that AZF analysis combined with FISH has an important role in accurate genetic counselling in sex chromosome anomalies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of prenatal caffeine exposure on glucose homeostasis of adult offspring rats

Epidemiological evidences show that prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) could induce intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The IUGR offspring also present glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus after maturity. We have previously demonstrated that PCE induced IUGR and increased susceptibility to adult metabolic syndrome in rats. This study aimed to further investigate the effects of PCE on glucose homeostasis in adult offspring rats. Pregnant rats were administered caffeine (120 mg/kg/day, intragastrically) from gestational days 11 to 20. PCE offspring presented partial catch-up growth pattern after birth, characterizing by the increased body weight gain rates. Meanwhile, PCE had no significant influences on the basal blood glucose and insulin phenotypes of adult offspring but increased the glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin section and β cell sensitivity to glucose in female progeny. The insulin sensitivity of both male and female PCE offspring were enhanced accompanied with reduced β cell fraction and mass. Western blotting results revealed that significant augmentation in protein expression of hepatic insulin signaling elements of PCE females, including insulin receptor (INSR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and the phosphorylation of serine–threonine protein kinase (Akt), was also potentiated. In conclusion, we demonstrated that PCE reduced the pancreatic β mass but increased the glucose tolerance in adult offspring rats, especially for females. The adaptive compensatory enhancement of β cell responsiveness to glucose and elevated insulin sensitivity mainly mediated by upregulated hepatic insulin signaling might coordinately contribute to the increased glucose tolerance.     

Distal partial trisomy 1q: report of two cases and a review of the literature

We report on two cases with partial trisomy 1q syndrome. One case was a mid-trimester fetus with multiple malformations that was prenatally diagnosed with a de novo distal partial trisomy 1q. Prenatal ultrasound at 24th gestational week demonstrated the presence of cleft lip and palate, increased biparietal diameter and decreased abdominal circumference. Cytogenetic analysis (GTG banding) and subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome paint 1 and multicolor banding (MCB) demonstrated an aberrant karyotype 46,XY,dup(1)(q31q43∼44). The second case was a newborn male infant with multiple congenital malformations. He had a derivative chromosome 18 as a result of a maternal insertion involving chromosomes 1 and 18. Further analyses including MCB showed his karyotype as 46,XY,ins(18;1)(q22;q23q31.1∼32). The present cases and a review of the literature suggest that partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 1 is a distinct clinical entity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Early prenatal diagnosis of A lethal syndrome of multiple congenital contractures

An ultrasonic diagnosis of a lethal, autosomally recessive syndrome of multiple congenital contractures was made in seven high-risk pregnancies on the 13rd to 17th gestational weeks. The diagnostic findings were the development of progressive subcutaneous oedema from the 13th gestational week on and the decrease of fetal limb movements.     

兽药阿苯达唑的蚯蚓繁殖毒性研究

阿苯达唑是目前应用广泛的高效抗寄生虫兽药,其残留对蚯蚓等土壤动物的繁殖毒性鲜见报道.本研究选择了阿苯达唑的5个染毒剂量(1、3、6、9和12 mg·kg-1),检测染毒56 d阿苯达唑对蚯蚓产茧、孵化及其幼蚓产生的影响,以及染毒14 d蚯蚓精子畸形率和精子细胞超微结构的变化.结果表明,染毒28 d时,卵茧数量比其他繁殖参数(卵茧重和孵化率)对低剂量阿苯达唑敏感,随着染毒剂量(3~12 mg·kg-1)增加,卵茧数量显著降低(p0.01),呈现明显的剂量-效应关系;染毒56 d时,幼蚓重量比其他繁殖参数(幼蚓数量和孵化率)敏感,产生有毒作用的最低染毒剂量为3 mg·kg-1(p0.01).短期染毒14 d时,精子细胞的超微结构在染毒剂量为3~12 mg·kg-1时发生明显变化,尤其是线粒体,而精子畸形率发生明显变化的最低剂量为6 mg·kg-1,可见,短期染毒时精子细胞的超微结构比光镜下的精子畸形率敏感.该研究结果可为阿苯达唑残留的土壤生态毒理及早期监测提供依据.     

PM2.5暴露对肺AQP1表达的影响研究

为研究肺水通道蛋白1（AQP1）在PM_2.5暴露引起肺损伤中的作用,本文首先在细胞水平上检测了PM_2.5暴露对肺上皮细胞A549的细胞存活率、细胞AQP1的mRNA和蛋白表达变化,以及AQP1在细胞内的表达定位的影响.另外,将10只雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组：对照组和PM _2.5染毒组（1.5 mg·kg^-1体重）,每组5只,采用气管滴注法染毒,每隔1 d染毒1次,共2周,制备PM_2.5暴露大鼠模型,进一步观察PM_2.5暴露对大鼠肺AQP1表达及肺组织损伤的影响情况.结果显示,PM_2.5暴露可引起肺上皮细胞A549形态异常和存活率降低.PM_2.5暴露后的24 h内A549细胞的AQP1 mRNA及蛋白相对表达水平先升高,并在暴露后的12 h内达到最高水平,然后有所下降;免疫荧光结果也证实AQP1蛋白在PM_2.5暴露后表达水平升高,并呈现从细胞质向细胞膜定位的过程;用PM_2.5暴露处理SD大鼠肺组织中AQP1表达亦显著增加,并且肺组织出现肺泡隔增厚,并有广泛的水肿充血及炎症细胞浸润.总之,PM_2.5暴露可诱导A549细胞及大鼠肺组织内AQP1的表达升高,可能参与PM_2.5暴露引起的肺病理性损伤过程.     

紫云英还田与化肥减量配施对稻田土壤细菌群落组成和功能的影响

紫云英是豫南稻区土壤培肥的重要有机肥资源,探究紫云英还田与化肥减量配施对稻田土壤理化性质和细菌群落特性的影响,旨在为该区域的土壤培肥和化肥减量提供依据.开展连续12 a田间定位试验,设置了6个施肥处理(空白对照,CK;单施化肥,F100;80%化肥和22.5t·hm^-2紫云英还田量配施,MV1F80;80%化肥和45 t·hm^-2紫云英还田量配施,MV2F80;60%化肥和22.5 t·hm^-2紫云英还田量配施,MV1F60;60%化肥和45 t·hm^-2紫云英还田量配施,MV2F60).通过采用高通量测序方法比较不同施肥处理对土壤细菌群落多样性、组成和结构特性的影响;采用FAPROTAX功能预测的方法分析不同施肥处理间功能类群的丰度差异,并结合土壤理化性质,探究改变土壤细菌群落结构与功能特性的关键土壤环境因子.结果表明,紫云英还田与化肥减量配施降低了土壤容重,提高了土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和全钾(TK)含量,较CK提高的范围分别为12.7%～35.5%、38.2%～65.7...     

Association between fetal nuchal translucency thickness in first trimester and subsequent gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Increased fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Whether the increased NT is also associated with an increased frequency of pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH) is not known. Seven hundred and seventy-nine pregnant women who received NT-based Down syndrome screening and delivered their babies at our hospital by September 2000 were enrolled into this study. Among these women, there are 46 cases of preeclampsia, 68 cases of gestational hypertension (GH); 665 women without any adverse pregnancy outcomes served as controls. Correlation analysis demonstrated that NT MoM (multiples of median) level had a positive association with maternal diastolic blood pressure at the time of admission for delivery (r = 0.104; p < 0.01). The severity of PAH was concordant with the stepwise increase of mean NT MoM level, which was 0.88 in control, 1.07 in gestational hypertension, and 1.13 in preeclampsia (p < 0.001). Using the 95th (1.52 MoM) and 90th (1.31 MoM) percentiles of NT thickness as cut-offs, the sensitivities and odds ratios of the women at risk for developing GH after 20 weeks of gestation were 8.8%, 19.1% and 1.98, 2.15 respectively, while for preeclampsia were 10.9%, 28.3% and 2.49, 3.58 respectively. It is concluded that the pathological changes in the placenta responsible for the development of PAH may also influence the physiological decrease of NT thickness in late first trimester. However, the sensitivity of fetal NT measurement in first trimester is not sufficient as a single marker for predicting the pregnant women at risk for subsequent PAH. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DEHP与OVA联合染毒对小鼠肺功能和肺部IL-17表达的作用

为探讨邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(di-(2-ehtylhexyl)phthalate,DEHP)在单独染毒和与卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)联合染毒条件下对小鼠气道的影响及其相关机制,将Balb/c小鼠随机分为:未处理对照组(生理盐水组)、DEHP染毒组、OVA染毒组、DEHP+ OVA联合染毒组(DEHP+ OVA),每组雄性Balb/c小鼠6只.用OVA致敏加激发的方式制作小鼠哮喘模型.DEHP染毒组每天给予10 mg·kg-1 DEHP灌胃,连续54 d.OVA染毒组、DEHP+ OVA染毒组小鼠均在第54～60 d(共计1周)进行1％ OVA雾化(30 min·d-1),每日1次,诱发哮喘.第60 d进行以下操作:肺功能测试,肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)样品收集和肺组织中的Interleukin-17A(IL-17A)含量的测定.结果显示,与DEHP染毒组相比,DEHP与OVA联合染毒组小鼠BALF的IL-17A显著增加(p＜0.05),肺功能降低(p＜0.05),气道重塑,肺部细胞浸润明显.提示DEHP对小鼠哮喘模型佐剂作用的分子机制可能涉及IL-17的介导作用.     

No evidence for sperm priming responses under varying sperm competition risk or intensity in guppies

Sperm competition theory predicts that males should tailor their investment in ejaculates according to the number of rival males competing to fertilize a female’s eggs. Research spanning several taxa supports this prediction by showing that males are often sensitive to the level of sperm competition and adjust their investment in sperm numbers accordingly. More recent work has revealed that males may also tailor the quality of sperm according to the number of males competing for fertilization. Here I test for both effects in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in an experiment that simultaneously evaluates the risk and intensity models of sperm competition. The experiment determined whether male guppies adjust the number (stripped ejaculate size) and quality (sperm velocity and viability) of sperm that are primed over a 3-day period according to experimental changes in the perceived level of sperm competition. A total of 136 focal males were initially stripped of all retrievable sperm and assayed for these sperm traits before being allocated at random to one of four treatments simulating different levels of sperm competition risk and intensity. During the 3-day treatment phase, focal males had visual and olfactory access to a sexually receptive (initially virgin) female maintained with different numbers of stimulus males to simulate variation in the risk and intensity of sperm competition. Following this, males were assayed again for the sperm traits. Contrary to predictions, there was no significant change in any of the measured variables among treatments, although qualitatively the patterns for sperm velocity and viability did conform to expectation. The lack of any trend for the number of sperm primed was unequivocal and future work examining the effects of sperm competition on sperm production should focus on whether males differentially allocate sperm numbers among matings that differ in the level of sperm competition.     

Endosulfan is toxic to the reproductive health of male freshwater fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinion watsoni</Emphasis>

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide that is toxic to aquatic life. Endosulfan might hamper the reproductive health of indigenous fish in agricultural areas of Pakistan where this pesticide is sprayed widely. The aim of the current study is to investigate the toxic effects of endosulfan on selected reproductive parameters of male freshwater fish, Cyprinion watsoni. Two concentrations of endosulfan (0.5 and 1 ppb for 30 days exposure) were tested for their effects on body weight, body length, and testicular weight, length, and width. Testicular testosterone was assayed from tissue extracts using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A significant increase in the mortality rate was observed in both treated groups during both spawning and quiescent seasons. The overall behavior of fish in the aquarium was normal in all control and treated groups. However, the treated fish exhibited anxiety after treatment with endosulfan. The body weight and length, and testicular weight, length and width were not significantly different to the control group. The testicular testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in both endosulfan-treated groups compared to the control. The decrease was dose-dependent, with a significant difference between the two treated groups. The histomorphological results demonstrated various testicular alterations in the treated groups. These alterations included an increase in interlobular areas and clumping patterns in spermatocytes/spermatids. Because spermatids eventually differentiate into sperms, their low count will directly result in lower sperm count. Taken together, these results suggest that endosulfan is a toxicant that at least disturbs testosterone levels (possibly others) and negatively impacts the reproductive health of male freshwater fish.