Studies on methotrexate effects on testicular steroidogenesis in rats.

The effects of single dose, 4 consecutive days, 4 and 8 weekly doses of methotrexate (MTX) treatment (3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) with and without leucovorin (LCN) supplementation (0.3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) on serum testosterone titres, total, free and esterified cholesterol concentrations and steroidogenic enzymes, viz. 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities were studied in adult albino rats. MTX treatment caused a marked reduction in serum testosterone titres in all the treatment groups in a duration-dependent manner. LCN supplementation did not restore serum testosterone titres to normalcy. Total and free cholesterol concentrations remained unaltered in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. On the other hand, a marked increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was evident only in weekly dose treatment groups. The specific activities of 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase were markedly diminished in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. The results suggest the inhibitory effect of MTX on steroidogenesis.

Effect of short-term treatment of eugenol on the seminal vesicles of adult albino rats.

The structure and biochemical content of adult albino rat seminal vesicles, were studied, after administration of two different doses of eugenol for 10 days (0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg/day, i.m.). Marked decreases in the concentrations of nucleic acids, fructose and total protein as well as RNA/DNA ratio (61%) and protein/DNA ratio (27%) were observed. A remarkable increase in phospholipid concentration was noted with a corresponding decrease in neutral lipids. Histologically, eugenol treated animals showed degeneration of the secretory columnar cells and well developed myofibrillar connective tissues when compared to control animals.

Effect of short duration caffeine treatment on the jejunum of adult albino rats.

The effect of the short duration (21 days) of caffeine at two different doses (12 mg & 30 mg/kg body weight/day) on the activities of adenosine triphosphatases in jejunum was studied. The activity of Na+, K+ -dependent ATP-ase was reduced significantly in the upper jejunal mucosal and serosal layers of low an high dose groups. Such effect was observed only in the lower jejunal serosal layer while a marked reduction in the activity of Mg2+ATP -ase was seen in mucosal and serosal layers of the jejunum at both doses. There was a significant increase in the activities of Ca2+-dependent and HCO3-dependent ATP -ases in these regions of the lower jejunum.

Hepatotoxicity of eugenol.

EUGENOL a widely used pharmaceutical agent proceeds toxicity on inhalation in rats. Two different doses 20 & 30 µg/100g body weight/ day of eugenol were given intramuscularly to male albino rats for 10 days and the liver function was assessed by measuring the specific enzyme activities, and total and differential bilirubin concentration. There was an appreciable increase in total as well as differential bilirubin fractions and a dose dependent increase was noticed in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, transminases, lactate dehyrogenase with a decrease in the activity of glytamyl transferase activity, and suggesting eugenol to have a toxic effect on liver.

Effect of beta-sitosterol on uterine biochemistry: a comparative study with estradiol and progesterone.

Administration of estradiol/progesterone to ovariectomized animals significantly increased the uterine weight, RNA, DNA and protein concentrations. Similarly, administration of beta-sitosterol alone or in combination with estradiol caused a marked increase in the above parameters and the maximum influence was evident only after median and high dose treatments. However, administration of median/high dose of beta-sitosterol along with progesterone accentuated only the RNA and protein concentrations but exerted an inhibitory effect on sitosterol-induced increment in uterine weight and DNA concentrations.

Effects of combined extracts of dolichos biflorus seeds and amaranthus spinosus roots on the accessory sex organs of male rats.

Biological effects of extracts of Dolichos biflorus seeds and Amaranthus spinosus roots administered at two different doses (25 mg of D.biflorus seeds and 25 mg of A.spinosus roots; 50mg of D.biflorus seedsand 50 mg of A.spinosus roots) for 10 consecutive days were studied in the accessory sex organs of adult male rats. The observed adverse effect on organs weight, protein content and concentration as well as the enzymatic activities in the vas defers, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate indicates the probable antiandrogenic action of the drug in the male rats.

Biochemical changes in epididymis following treatment with combined extracts of amaranthus spinosus roots and dolichos biflorus seeds.

Combined extracts of Amaranthus spinosus roots and Dolichos biflorus seeds at two different doses were administered to adult male rats to assess the structural and functional activity of epididymis. Biochemical studies were made throughout the experiment. Sperm motility was decreased markedly in the cauda epididymal fluid and the sperm counts were reduced in both caput and caudal segments. Epididymal weights, activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and total LDH were decreased after high dose treatment in both the segments after 10 days of treatment. Protein concentrations were appreciably increased at both doses in the caput and at low dose only in the cauda segment. A reduction in sperm concentration was observed at both doses in cauda but only at high doses in caput. Thus, the herbal extracts impaired the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.

Comparative study of the effects of beta-sitosterol, estradiol and progesterone on selected biochemical parameters of the uterus of ovariectomised rats.

A comparative study was made of the effects of beta-sitosterol, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone, individually and in combinations, on certain biochemical parameters important to carbohydrate metabolism in the uteri of adult ovariectomised rats. beta-Sitosterol (SITO), estradiol (E2) and combined treatment (SITO + E2) induced significant increases in glycogen concentration and the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), phosphohexose isomerase (PHI) and total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Progesterone (P) administration however, raised only the uterine PHI and LDH activities. Co-administration of P with beta-sitosterol (P + SITO) suppressed the SITO-induced increase in glycogen concentration and G6PDH activity. On the other hand, combined treatment (P + SITO) augmented total LDH activity.

Antifertility effects of beta-sitosterol in male albino rats.

The effects of beta-sitosterol on fertility, epididymal sperm counts and testicular and accessory reproductive organ weights were evaluated in male albino rats. The effects were studied at two dosages (0.5 and 5 mg/kg per day rat subcutaneously) for 16, 32 and 48 days. The antifertility effect of beta-sitosterol was pronounced only at the high dose level, but there was a significant decrease in testicular weight and sperm concentrations after long-term treatment with the low dose of beta-sitosterol. The weights of all accessory sex tissues except caput epididymis increased following low dose sitosterol treatment. High dose treatment reduced the sperm concentrations as well as the weights of testis and accessory sex tissues in a time-dependent manner. Withdrawal of treatment for 30 days restored only the weights of accessory sex tissues to near normal conditions.

Effects of anethole on seminal vesicle of albino rats.

Administration of anethole at 10 and 50 mg doses caused significant reduction in seminal vesicle weight, RNA and protein concentrations and contents and acid phosphates activity. However, there was significant increase in DNA concentrations and in the activities of alkaline phosphates and lactate dehydrogenase. The effects were more pronounced in the group receiving 50 mg of anethole.

Rat toxicity studies with beta-sitosterol.

Chronic administration of beta-sitosterol subcutaneously to rats for 60 days was well tolerated and there was no clear cut evidence of any gross or microscopic lesions either in the liver or kidney. Liver and kidney function tests were assessed by determining the blood/serum parameters like haemoglobin, blood glucose, serum protein, serum bilirubin, serum cholesterol, serum GPT and serum GOT. All the parameters were in the normal range except serum protein and serum cholesterol. Serum cholesterol was the only variable which depleted markedly in both sexes in a dose-dependent manner suggesting intrinsic hypocholesterolemic effect of the sterol.

Antifertility effect of Bambusa arundinacea shoot extracts in male rats.

An ethanolic extract of Bambusa arundinacea tender shoots (BASE) caused a reduction in fertility of male rats. After administration of 300 mg/kg per day of BASE for 7 days, the fertility index decreased to 15% for control rats and to 23% after a 7-day recovery period, respectively. The number of cohabited females being successfully inseminated was reduced especially after 4 days of treatment. Complete recovery of mating behaviour was evident 8 days after BASE withdrawal. The number of spermatozoa in the caput and cauda epididymis were decreased concomitant with a decrease in the motility of spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymis. The weights of testes, epididymides, vas deferens and prostate were also significantly decreased. The serum profile of protein and oxaloacetic/pyruvic transaminase activity show the extract to be relatively non-toxic.

Effects of bamboo buds: structural and functional changes in the epididymis of rats.

An ethanolic extract of the tender shoots of Bambusa arundinaceae was administered at 300 mg/kg per rat per day for 7 days to adult male rats to assess epididymal structural and functional activity. Sperm motility decreased markedly in the cauda epididymal fluid and sperm count decreased significantly in both caput and caudal segments of the epididymis. Histologically, a reduction in epithelial and stereocilia height (in both segments) and lumen diameter (in cauda) was noted. An increase in intertubular stroma was also evident. Epididymal weights, activities of acid phosphatase and total LDH were reduced in both epididymal segments. Protein concentration was appreciably increased only in the caudal segment. Extract therapy impaired the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.

Adenosine triphosphatase systems in genital tract of testosterone treated male adult monkeys.

Studies on the distribution of Na+, K+-dependent, Mg2+ dependent and Ca2+ dependent Adenosine Triphosphatase (ATP-ases) in the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate glands of mature bonnet monkeys were carried out with and without Testosterone propionate (TP) treatment. Comparatively, the Ca2+ dependent ATP-ase was very active in the testes, caput and cauda epididymis and prostate of control animals. However, the Mg2+-dependent ATP-ase activity was predominant in the seminal vesicles. In all the genital tissues the Na+, K+ dependent ATP-ase exhibited low activity compared to other ATP-ase systems. On TP treatment at 1 mg/kg body wt. dose for 30 consecutive days to the second group of animals, all classes of ATP-ases drastically decreased in the testes, cauda epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. While in caput epididymis the Mg2+-dependent ATP-ase was stimulated, the Na+, K+-dependent ATP-ase was decreased both in the caput and corpus epididymis by the hormone treatment. The present study reveals the general inhibitory influence on the ATP-ase systems and thereby ionic transport after long term TP administration.

Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. seed extract on the genital organs of male and female rats.

Following the oral administration of acetone extract of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seeds for 15 days is male rats, total protein concentration was found to be significantly decreased in testes and vas deferens and increased in seminal vesicles and prostate gland. There was a decrease in activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase in all these regions, except that alkaline phosphatase was unchanged in vasa. In female rats, oral administration of the extract for 10 days led to vaginal cornification and oestrus cycle. While moderate doses caused increase in weight of mammary glands, higher doses increased the weight of oviduct, endometrium, myometrium, cervix and vagina also. The results confirm the oestrogenic activity of the seed extract.

Effect of foeniculum vulgare seed extract on mammary glands and oviducts of ovariectomised rats.

The effect of acetone extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., seeds at different dose levels (50/ug, 150/ug and 250/ug/100gm body wt.) on mammary glands and oviducts of castrated rats was investigated. The extract was found to increase nucleic acids and protein concentration as well as the organ weights in both the tissues. The medium and high doses were very effective. The results confirm the estrogenic nature of the seed extract.

Hormonal influences on the oviducal lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes.

Changes in the specific activities and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes have been studied in the oviduct of intact, ovariectomized and ovariectomized-hormone treated rats. Total LDH and M-subunits were higher in the oviduct during estrus compared to early diestrus phase. Ovariectomy lowered the total activity as well as the proportion of H and M-subunits of LDH, with a total loss of LDH. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with progesterone (2 mg/100 g. body wt/rat/day) and estradiol-17 beta (0.5 microgram/100 g body wt/rat/day) for 7 consecutive days induced marked augmentations in the total activities of this oviducal enzyme. Further, there was a shift in the isoenzyme patterns towards M-type, especially LDH5. Prolactin (400 microgram/100 g body wt/rat/day) depressed the total LDH activity and the distribution of isoenzymes. While LDH4 and LDH5 were very low, LDH1--LDH3, were inclusive, were absent in the oviduct of prolactin-treated group. None of the hormonal replacements could stimulate the LDH4 - subunit. The significance of these changes has been discussed in relation to metabolic activities in the tissue and hormonal influences.