Gibberellic acid acts as an agonist of steroidogenesis in male rats

Abstract

Testicular steroidogenesis has significant implication in male reproductive function. Although the effects of various signalling molecules on testicular functions have been studied earlier, the influence of the plant hormone gibberellic acid (GA3 ) on steroidogenesis has not been investigated. Acute (4 h) and subacute (15 days) studies using this compound through oral administration (150 μg day(-1) ) to groups of normal and diabetic Wistar male rats were therefore carried out. Results indicate that (i) enhanced activity of steroidogenic markers 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), elevated tissue testosterone (T) content, increased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and androgen binding protein (ABP) levels with reduced lipid peroxidation and improved antioxidant defence in this treatment group of normal and diabetic rat testis, and (ii) elevated lipid peroxidation and diminished antioxidant defence, with insignificant change in 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD activity and testosterone level in acute treatment group of normal and diabetic rats testis, were noted. The observed increase in the activity of testicular 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD along with elevated testosterone content established GA3 as an inducer of steroidogenesis in rat.

Impacts of n‐acetyl cysteine on gibberellic acid‐induced testicular dysfunction through regulation of inflammatory cytokines, steroid and antioxidant activity

“…Similarly, other reports stated that gibberellic acid raises lipid peroxidation in testes and declines testosterone, so it may affect fertility (Premalatha et al., 2014). Consequently, our histopathological finding revealed that testicular tissue specimens of the gibberellic acid‐treated rats exhibited various degrees of nonstage specific spermatogenic disturbances, including germ cell vacuolation, disorganisation and exfoliation.…”

“…Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a member plant growth regulator (PGRs) that was commonly used in agriculture with serious human health hazards (Hussein et al., 2015). Regulators for plant growth in Egypt are commonly used to increase plant size, production and accessibility over the course of the year (Premalatha et al., 2014). Gibberellic acid is one of the most important growth stimulating plant hormones used for the promotion of cell elongation, cell division and plant growth (Altuntaş, 2015).…”

“…Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a member plant growth regulator (PGRs) that was commonly used in agriculture with serious human health hazards (Hussein et al, 2015). Regulators for plant growth in Egypt are commonly used to increase plant size, production and accessibility over the course of the year (Premalatha et al, 2014).…”

Ameliorating Impact of Phoenix dactylifera L. Leaves Oil Extract on Testicular Toxicity Induced by Gibberellic Acid: Histomorphometric and Immunohistochemical Studies

“…In this context, several authors reported that GA administration induced an oxidative stress and generation of ROS [5,15,31,62,67,68] . In addition, GA caused a significant increase in testicular MDA content and a decrease in the activities of antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH [5,31,62,68] .…”

“…In this context, several authors reported that GA administration induced an oxidative stress and generation of ROS [5,15,31,62,67,68] . In addition, GA caused a significant increase in testicular MDA content and a decrease in the activities of antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH [5,31,62,68] . Bondy et al [69] attributed the GA induced oxidative stress mechanism to the activation of microsomal mono-oxygenase which converts GA to reactive metabolites, then inducing cytochrome-P450 for the generation of ROS [69] .…”