Effect ofMucuna prurienson oxidative stress mediated damage in aged rat sperm

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens Linn., a leguminous plant, has been recognized as an aphrodisiac and spermatogenic agent. Protective efficacy of M. pruriens on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced pathophysiological alterations in structural and functional integrity of epididymal sperm in aged Wister albino rat was analysed. Animals were grouped as groups I, II, III and IV, i.e. young (control), aged, aged treated with ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg b.w.) of M. pruriens and young rats treated with M. pruriens, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, i.e. after 60 days animals were sacrificed, epididymal sperm were collected and subjected to count, viability, motility, morphology and morphometric analysis. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, ROS, lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage, chromosomal integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential were estimated. Results obtained from the aged animals showed significant reduction in sperm count, viability and motility, increased morphological damage and an increase in the number of sperm with cytoplasmic remnant, and these alterations were significantly reversed in M. pruriens treated group. Significant increase in LPO, HO and H(2)O(2) production and significant decline in the levels of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in the aged animals. Supplementation of M. pruriens significantly reduced ROS and LPO production and significant increase in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels. There were significant DNA damage, loss of chromosomal integrity and increase in mitochondrial membrane permeability in aged rat sperm. This was significantly reduced in group III. Present observation indicates the antioxidant enhancing property, free radical quenching ability and spermatogenic efficacy of the M. pruriens. Collectively, sperm damage in ageing was significantly reduced by quenching ROS, improving antioxidant defence system and mitochondrial function.

Antioxidative activity and protective effect of probiotics against high-fat diet-induced sperm damage in rats

“…Preparation of sperm suspensions Sperm collection and preparation of suspension was carried out according to the procedure described by Suresh et al, (2010). In brief, the caudal portion of the right epididymides of rats was placed in 30-mm dishes containing 2 ml physiological saline and minced with a fine scissors to allow spermatozoa to swim out for 10 to 15 min at 378C.…”

Long-term study of vasectomy inMacaca radiata– histological and ultrasonographic analysis of testis and duct system

“…Accumulation of sperm in the epididymis following vasectomy may lead to deregulation of ROS generation, causing oxidative stress and epididymal dysfunction [McVicar et al 2005], and lead to functional and structural damage in the sperm [Suresh et al 2010]. Similarly, the observed increase in apoptotic cells in testis of vasectomized animals could be ROS mediated [Wang et al 2012] and thus reduce sperm yields during biopsy after vasectomy with increasing years [O'Neill et al 2007].…”

Medicinal herbs in the management of male infertility

“…Alkaloids derived from M. pruriens seeds were found to stimulate spermatogenesis and overall weight of the testicles and accessory glands in the male albino rat [28]. M. pruriens is capable of stimulating sexual activities in male rats as inferred by increased mounting frequency, ejaculation latency and also enhanced intromission frequency [29,30]. In a study, M. pruriens has been shown to efficiently recover the spermatogenic loss which was induced in male rats by ethinyl estradiol administration and the herb's beneficial effects were mediated by mitigation of ROS, apoptosis regulation, and increase in the number of germ cells.…”