Molecular approach of gossypol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rabbits. Changes in seminal plasma amino acids and fatty acids

Abstract

This study was done to evaluate the effects of two sublethal doses of gossypol (4 and 20 mg/kg of BW, every other day) on some amino and fatty acid concentrations in male rabbit seminal plasma. Rabbits were chosen as an experimental animal owing to the fact that they are excellent model for reproductive toxicological effects. The experiment lasted 16 weeks and included two periods: a treatment period (first 8 weeks) where the animals were given the tested product, and a recovery period (second 8 weeks) where all drugs were withdrawn. Results showed that total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (EAA), total non-essential amino acids (non-EAA) and EAA/non-EAA ratio were decreased in a dose-dependent manner during gossypol treatment. The deleterious effect on TAA concentrations was mainly due to the reduction in total EAA. However, these concentrations regained their normal values after gossypol cessation. Basic, acidic, neutral amino acids and basic/acidic amino acids ratio decreased in a dose-dependent manner by gossypol treatment. Additionally, gossypol administration caused decreases in total unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) and increases in total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the SFA/USFA ratio in a dose-dependent manner. During the recovery period, total SFA and USFA showed significant reduction and significant increase, respectively, after gossypol withdrawal. In conclusion, gossypol administration affected rabbit seminal plasma concentrations of amino and fatty acids in a dose-dependant manner. Gossypol reduced TAA, total EAA and total non-EAA. Additionally, gossypol caused decreases in total USFA and increases in total SFA. These deleterious effects were associated with poor-quality semen observed in our previous studies.

Can the Genetic Origin Affect Rabbit Seminal Plasma Protein Profile along the Year?

“…Annexin 5 (32 kDa) was found to be one of the most abundant seminal plasma proteins in rabbit, which agrees with previous works (Taha et al. ; Arruda‐Alencar et al. ).…”

“…Annexin 5 (32 kDa) was found to be one of the most abundant seminal plasma proteins in rabbit, which agrees with previous works (Taha et al 2011;Arruda-Alencar et al 2012). This protein is an anticoagulant that appears to have a beneficial effect in maintaining rabbit sperm viability, given its positive correlation with several semen parameters such as sperm vigour, concentration and percentage of morphologically normal sperm (Arruda-Alencar et al 2012).…”

Effects of Organic Selenium on the Physiological Response, Blood Metabolites, Redox Status, Semen Quality, and Fertility of Rabbit Bucks Kept Under Natural Heat Stress Conditions

“…Casares-Crespo et al (34) isolated a 19 kDa protein band, corresponding to the lipocalin allergen Ory c 4 precursor, from seminal plasma of rabbits, which was suggested to be related to improved fertility. Additionally, Taha et al (35) found a positive association between the seminal plasma level of the 21.5 kDa protein band and sperm membrane integrity and intact acrosomes. Furthermore, the 30 kDa protein band is closely related to a family of proteins called binder sperm proteins (BSPs) in the seminal plasma of many mammals, including rabbits, rats, bulls, goats, and rams (36,37).…”

Effects of sublethal doses of gossypol on haematological properties and biochemical metabolites of male rabbit

“…Accordingly, this discussion focuses on some free amino acids of interest and offers some insight into their possible biological effect and their possible imbalance resulting from GOS administration. Taha et al, (2008) reported that GOS administration reduced rabbit seminal plasma concentrations of TAA, total EAA and total non-EAA in a dose-dependent manner, and this was associated with poor-quality semen.…”

“…The endogenous respiration of spermatozoa depends largely on oxidation of the hydrolysed acyl groups of plasmalogens (Hartree and Mann, 1961); endogenous fatty acids may also be utilised and are readily incorporated into the lipid of spermatozoa (Mills and Scott, 1969). Taha et al (2008) reported that rabbit GOS administration caused decreases in total USFA and increases in SFA and SFA/USFA ratio in a dose-dependent manner and was also associated with poor-quality semen. To our knowledge, no other studies dealing with the effect of GOS on blood plasma concentration of TFA are available.…”