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Journal Article 2007; 28(3): 305-310 PubMed PMID: 17627267 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Female, Fertility:drug effects, Male, Peganum, Plant Extracts:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Spermatogenesis:drug effects, Spermatozoa:drug effects, Testis:drug effects,.   

BACKGROUND: The Peganum harmala is currently used by the Jordanian populations systemically for its antispasmodic, diuretic, sedative and analgesic effects and externally for its antirheumatic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of Peganum harmala on the reproductive system and fertility using adult male albino rats.

MATERIAL & METHOD: A total of 20 rats were involved in this study and were divided into two groups. Group (A) a vehicle-treated control and group (B) a treated group with aqueous extract of Peganum harmala at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for 60 days.

RESULTS: This dose induces a significant decrease in the weight of reproductive organs (p<0.01) when compared to controls. The sperm motility and density in cauda epidydimides and testicular ducts were significantly decreased (p<0.01). Furthermore treatments have remarkably altered the histoarchitecture of testes. Spermatogenesis was inhibited at both primary and secondary spermatocyte stages. Epididymides showed reduced number of spermatozoa. Lumen of vas deferentia were devoid of sperms. The secretary activities of seminal vesicle and ventricular prostate were also reduced. Spermatocytes parameters were altered which included a significant decrease count (p<0.001). In addition counts of developing spermatocytes in treated rats showed a decrease in number of spermatocytes and spermatids (p<0.001) when compared to controls. Serum hormonal assay indicated a decrease in Testosterone and Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels in treated rats. A decreased in number female rats impregnated by males receiving treatment was observed and demonstrated by a decrease in the implantation sites and viable fetuses number (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The aqueous extracts of Peganum harmala might have adverse effects on the processes of spermatogenesis due to direct or indirect effects on somniferous tubules and or the pituitary testicular axis....

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Evaluation Studies 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 108-111 PubMed PMID: 17159792 Citation  Keywords:  2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid:toxicity, Alanine Transaminase:blood, Alkaline Phosphatase:blood, Animals, Creatinine:blood, Dogs, Female, Herbicides:toxicity, Male, Organ Size:drug effects, Spermatogenesis:drug effects, Testis:anatomy & histology, To.   

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the toxicity of the herbicide MCPA after repeated treatment according to OECD No 409.

METHODS: The herbicide MCPA was administrated to dogs of both sexes in daily doses: 0, 1, 5 and 15 mg/kg per os during 90 days. Clinical observations were recorded, opthalmoscopic, haematological, clinical chemistry parameters were investigated. The morphological changes were examined using pathological and histological techniques.

RESULTS: An increase in the activity of the enzyme ALT and of urea concentration was observed in the middle- and high-dose groups. ALP and creatinine were decreased in dogs of all dose groups. After 60 days of MCPA administration, the concentration of glucose decreased in the high-dose group. The relative weight of both testes was decreased in the males from the high-dose group in comparison to controls. The decrease in testes weight was associated with focal testicular atrophy and loss of spermatogenic cells in the lobuli of testes. Focal hepatocellular necrosis, inflammatory changes and mononuclear nodules were observed in the liver, predominantly in males of the high-dose group.

CONCLUSIONS: Administration of MCPA did not cause mortality and had no adverse effects on hematological parameters of animals. The results of the study showed that MCPA treatment caused inflammatory lesions in the liver, moderate damage of the kidney, and had focal adverse effect on the development of spermiogenesis. The changes were reversible....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 487-492 PubMed PMID: 16892005 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Coumestrol:pharmacology, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Hormones:blood, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Organ Size:drug effects, Phytoestrogens:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Spermatogenesis:drug effects, Testis:drug effects, Testosteron.   

INTRODUCTION: Phytoestrogens are a wide variety of chemical compounds, mainly isoflavonoids, from a vegetable source. Their name makes reference to their ability to induce estrogenic responses in mammals. Coumestrol is a phytoestrogen that can be found in high concentrations in the dietary elements of cattle. Some endocrine alterations have been reported for cows and ewes after ingestion of vegetables with high concentrations of coumestrol. However, these studies have been made mainly in females.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze some features of the masculine endocrine response in rats after several doses of the phytoestrogen coumestrol.

DESIGN: Adult male rats were injected with several doses of coumestrol. Plasma gonadotrophins (LH/FSH) and testosterone levels were assessed. In addition, morphology of the testicles was analyzed.

SETTING: Experiments were done in the facilities of the neurosciences area at the University.

RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in gonadotrophin levels after the administration of coumestrol. Testosterone levels showed a significant decrease with the higher doses. Morphological analysis showed an inhibitory effect on spermatogenesis expressed mainly in the right testicle. Testicular volume decreased and the tubular area increased significantly after coumestrol treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the endocrine effect of coumestrol is mainly expressed in peripheral targets in male rats. In addition, the possible mediation of estrogen beta receptors is discussed....

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