Journal of Andrology Cross-Journal Searching
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Published-Ahead-of-Print August 23, 2006, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.106.000265

This Article
Right arrow Author Manuscript (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
28/1/77    most recent
Author Manuscript (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Rajeshkumar, T. R.
Right arrow Articles by Muralidhara, -
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Rajeshkumar, T. R.
Right arrow Articles by Muralidhara, -

Induction of oxidative stress by organic hydroperoxides in testis and epididymal sperm of rats in vivo

Thimappa R. Rajeshkumar and - Muralidhara *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mura16{at}yahoo.com.

Abstract The present study describes the extent and pattern of oxidative stress induction in testis and epididymal sperm of rats following in vivo exposure to repeated sub-lethal doses of two model prooxidants viz., t-butyl hydroperoxide (tbHP) and cumene hydroperoxide (cHP). Single sub-lethal (1/40, 1/20 and 1/10 LD50) doses of hydroperoxides (HP) administered intraperitoneally to male rats (CFT- Wistar strain) failed to induce any significant increase in malondialdehyde or reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in testis or epididymal sperm. However, repeated doses for 1 or 2 weeks induced a marked dose-related enhancement of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and ROS levels in both testis and epididymal sperm. Further evidences such as significant perturbations in both enzymic/ non-enzymic antioxidants and enhanced levels of protein carbonyls in testis suggested induction of oxidative stress. In testis, moderate depletion in reduced glutathione levels and marked diminution in ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol content were accompanied by increased activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione peroxidase, glutathione- S-transferse and catalase in both the HP treatments. Furthermore, significant alterations in the specific activities of testicular enzymes such as LDH-X, G-6-PDH, and SDH indicated altered testicular physiology. Both HP at higher doses induced a significant DNA damage (determined by FADU assay) in testis and epididymal sperm. Increased total iron levels in testis of HP treated rats are indicative of the possible involvement of iron-mediated free radical reactions in this model. These findings provide an account of early oxidative damage in testis and epididymal sperm following short-term exposure to HP in vivo and this model is being further exploited for understanding the consequences of chronic oxidative stress-mediated alterations on the physiology of male reproductive system and its implications on fertility.


Key words: Epididymis • Sperm • Testis • DNA damage • Lipid peroxidation • Organic hdroperoxides • Oxidative stress • ROS levels






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Andrology.