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Effects of Long-term Treatment of Butea superba on Sperm Motility and Concentration
Abstract
Butea superba has been used to enhance sexual performance in men with unknown long-term effects on spermatozoa. This study aimed to investigate effects of chronic treatment of B. superba on sperm motility and concentration in rats and mice in correlation with testicular damage. Adult male rats and mice were orally administered distilled water or B. superba alcoholic extract (0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg BW/day) for 6 months. At the end of the treatment the animals were sacrificed and the spermatozoa recovered from the distal cauda epididymis were analyzed for sperm concentration and motility in vitro. The testes were processed for histological examination. The results show that long-term treatment with B. superba extract significantly increased the sperm concentration and delayed the decreased motility with time. None of signs of sperm anomalies and testicular damages were observed. This suggests that chronic use of B. superba increases the number of sperm, prolongs sperm motility in vitro while produces no changes on sperm morphology. Therefore, chronic use of B. superba alcoholic extract may be useful in fertilization.
... In addition to the peripheral effects of sildenafil, the localization of PDE-5 to the brain enables sildenafil to affect central nervous system functions such as cognitive, motivational and emotional processes (17,18,19). A recent study showed that chronic sildenafil (10 mg/kg) exposure over three weeks produced an increase in aggressive behavior in mice following but not during drug administration (20,21). ...
... In the present study we investigated the effect of long term administration of sildenafil citrate on sperm count, sperm malformations and testicular histopathological changes of male rats. Sildenafil citrate caused sperm abnormality (decrease number of sperms and increase of sperm's malformations ) which supported by the histopathological changes in testis (hypertrophy cells, necrosis of seminiferous tubules, destruction of testis and presence of inflammatory cells ), these effects may be according to the changes in the expression of various receptors associated with cGMP or in the responsiveness of these receptors in the brain, and then this will caused damage in tissue of testis and failure in spermatogenesis (23,21). Alternatively, the inhibition of cGMP breakdown may produce changes in nitric oxide (NO) production via negative feedback mechanisms (24). ...
... Alternatively, the inhibition of cGMP breakdown may produce changes in nitric oxide (NO) production via negative feedback mechanisms (24). NO may be able to affect neurotransmitter activity differentially across brain systems (21,25). showed a significant decrease in total sperm out put and sperm concentration in both insulin dependent (IDDM) and non insulin dependent (NIDDM) diabetic neuropathy patients after the oral administration of sildenafil when compared with the same values obtained before the administration of drug. ...
... In the current study, PAS stains showed no significant changes between prostate tissue sections from the control and sildenafil-treated groups. The effects of SIL may be attributed to aberrations in the expression of various cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) receptors or to the responsiveness of these receptors in the brain, which may lead to damage to testicular tissue, resulting in spermatogenesis failure [67]. Alternatively, blocking the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) may alter the generation of nitric oxide (NO) through negative feedback mechanism [68]. ...
... Alternatively, blocking the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) may alter the generation of nitric oxide (NO) through negative feedback mechanism [68]. NO may have various effects on neurotransmitter activity across the brain [67], In accordance with the previous study reported the involvement of NO in erectile function, our study demonstrated a significant increase in NO in the testes of the SIL-treated group compared with both the control and HP-treated groups. The better histological patterns observed in the HP groups could reflect the enhancement effect of HP. ...
Background
The clinical use of sildenafil citrate (Viagra), a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, is limited because of its many side effects on tissues. In this context, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, on hepatic and testicular damage induced by a high dose of sildenafil citrate in male rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group was used as the control group. The second group was orally administered sildenafil citrate at a high dose of 75 mg/kg thrice a week. In the third group, hesperidin was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day. The fourth group was administered 75 mg/kg sildenafil citrate three times a week with 50 mg/kg hesperidin daily. The experiment lasted for 28 days.
Results
In the sildenafil-treated groups, blood indices were altered, liver function tests were deranged, and serum testosterone levels were reduced. In the liver and testicular tissue, sildenafil citrate treatment resulted in significant reductions in catalase and total antioxidant capacity; as well as increased malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and nitrous oxide levels. In addition, sildenafil citrate treatment caused abnormal histopathological patterns in both the liver and the testes. Liver vascular endothelial growth factor and testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression were upregulated.
Conclusions
Hesperidin attenuated the harmful effects of intensive sildenafil citrate treatment on liver and testicular functions, alleviated oxidative stress and normalized blood indices. Therefore, hesperidin could be protective against sildenafil citrate-induced oxidative damage that may develop over the long term.
... This observation is similar to the study of El-Kerdasy and Mohamed, 2019 who reported a comparable outcome. Furthermore, these consequences could result from modifications in the expression of different cGMP receptors or in the responsiveness of these receptors in the brain, damaging testicular tissue and impairing spermatogenesis (El-Kerdasy and Mohamed, 2019; Tocharus, 2005). Nitric oxide (NO) production may also vary as a result of the suppression of cGMP breakdown via negative feedback mechanisms (Kretschmann, 1999). ...
Background: In recent times, attention has been shifted from synthetic drugs to the use of
medicinal plants and this has greatly improved reproductive functions. Abrus precatorious plant
has different parts which are used as diverse sources of naturally occurring chemicals that have
a variety of therapeutic effects on the body. However, in this present study, we consolidated
the reproductive property of Abrus precatorius in paroxetine-induced male reproductive
dysfunction. Methods: Twenty four (24) male rats were divided into four (4) groups each
containing six animals was used for this experiment following paroxetine-induced erectile
dysfunction. Group one, received 1ml of distilled water, Group two received 20mg/kg of
Paroxetine and 50mg/kg of sildenafil, Group three received 20mg/kg of Paroxetine and
300mg/kg of A. precatorius extract, Group four received 20mg/kg of Paroxetine and 900mg/kg
of A. precatorius extract for 21 days. Results: Results from the studies reveal that there was
significant decrease in the sperm motility of the rats administered with Abrus precatorius when
compared with control. Interestingly, the high dose extract increased the serum testosterone
levels significantly while the low dose extract significantly reduce the level of testosterone when
compared with the control. Histological examination of the testes of treated rats displayed
noticeable atrophy, which was characterized by disruption of the seminiferous epithelium and
reduction in cell population of the Leydig cells. Conclusion: It appears that very high dose of
Abrus precatorius may induce infertility by increasing serum testosterone levels.
Keywords: Abrus precatorius, Fertility, Sildenafil, paroxetine, Testosterone, reproduction
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aja.v12i2.6
... Many plants have been used for this purpose, with some being more popular than others in certain countries. Among them are Microstylis wallichi (Jeevak) and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in India [2], Butea superba in Thailand [3], Cynomorium coccineum (Desert Thumb), Prunus amygdalus (almond) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) in Arab nations [4], and Epimedium koreanum (Epimedium leaf), Dioscorea polystachya (Chinese potato), Ophiocordyceps sinensis (catepillar fungus), Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba and Ganoderma lingzhi in China and other pan-Asian countries [5]. In Malaysia, many plants have also been claimed to be aphrodisiacs, with some popularly used traditionally by the Malays and the indigenous people residing in the forest. ...
Objective: To study the aphrodisiac potential of Polyalthia (P.) bullata in fowl.
Methods: In this study, testosterone, as an indicator of the aphrodisiac potential of P. bullata, was investigated for its release from TM3 Leydig cells grown in vitro and in 4 fowls given capsules containing P. bullata at a dose of 10 mg in each capsule twice a day, for 50 days. In the latter in vivo evaluation, mating behaviours were additionally determined after the treated fowls were released to the individual hens, and their testes and liver were dissected for histological examinations. Blood drawn from the fowls was assessed for any changes in diagnostic parameters.
Results: In the in vitro test (TM3 Leydig cells), P. bullata was able to increase testosterone to 0.48 nmol/L within 72 h of incubation, compared to the untreated control with only 0.18 nmol/L, i.e., an increase of 170%. In the in vivo test, outcomes in the fowls dosed with P. bullata showed similar positive elevations of testosterone to (9.72±1.10) nmol/L in comparison to the controls that showed a level of only (4.05±0.84) nmol/L. Total frequencies of mating behaviours were observed (wing flapping, body shakes, crowing and beak pecking) to be 23 counts for the test compared to only 15 for the control fowls. Histological examination of the male reproductive organs provided evidence of testosterone boosting based on an observable increase in the activity at the seminiferous tubules of testis tissues without any damaging effects, compared to the controls. In the nine diagnostic blood parameters assessed, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase, none was remarkably elevated compared to the controls. The histological changes in the liver were not severe and mainly consisted of only localized moderate but recoverable obstructions and swellings of the vessels and tubules.
Conclusions: P. bullata is able to boost testosterone both in vitro and in vivo, with no acute toxicities.
... Flavonoids also promote erectile function of the penile muscle through up-regulation of cAMP and inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity (196). ...
Male reproductive health is characterized by infertility, premature ejaculation, lack of sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. Management of the aforementioned involves use of pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals and surgery among others. These management approaches are expensive and not well tolerated. As such, men worldwide resort to use of herbal aphrodisiacs as they are cheap, easy to access and with no side effects. Secondary metabolites have been suggested to protect the testicular cell hierarchy, positively modulate the hormonal profile, increase sperm motility and concentration. Unfortunately, scientific data in support of these aphrodisiac claims and their mechanisms of action is scanty. The aim of this study was to identify secondary metabolites and establish the mechanisms of action of three Malawi herbal aphrodisiacs Cassia abbreviata, Dioscorea bulbifera and Newtonia hildebrandtti on male reproductive system. This study, fingerprinted and quantified secondary metabolites using calorimetric methods. The atomic absorption spectroscopy of the three herbs showed the presence of magnesium, zinc chromium, arsenic, copper and manganese. After 56 days of treatment, the rat model showed positively modulated sexual hormonal profile, high progressive and total motility, high mean body and testis weight, increased seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelial height compared to the untreated male albino rats. In vitro studies of human semen showed high sperm survival rate, high progressive and total motility of the human sperm. In conclusion, the three herbal aphrodisiacs appear to be strongly associated with high antioxidant capacity, presence of trace elements and secondary metabolites which elsewhere have been implicated in the reversal of male infertility through improved hormonal levels, positive structural changes in the testis, high sperm concentration, high progressive and total motility. The observed parameters are provocative and warrant further research.
... Furthermore, Ezz-Eldin, Gebaly, Abd-Elghany, and Ibrahim (2012) stated that the morphological alterations of the basement membrane are generally accepted to be associated with impaired spermatogenesis. These effects may be according to the changes in the expression of various receptors associated cGMP or responsive effect of these receptors in the brain and this will cause damage of testicular tissues and failure in spermatogenesis as reported by Canteros (1998) and Tocharus, Jeenapongsa, Teakthong, and Smitasiri (2005). The side effects of sildenafil citrate have been reported in the therapeutic dose in different regimes by E-Abdalla, Gebaly, Mostafa, and Amr (2012). ...
Background
Sildenafil (Viagra) is widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction under various etiologies. Unfortunately, chronic administration of sildenafil negatively affects fertility. The aim of the present study is to investigate the improvement role of sesame on the testis alterations caused by long-term administration of sildenafil on albino rats.
Results
Light microscopically observations showed that overdoses of sildenafil had provoked tubular and interstitial histological alterations. Tubular degeneration and abnormality in the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules included spermatocyte degeneration and arrest of spermatogenesis. Sperm count and motility were negatively affected by sildenafil. These alterations were improved by sesame feeding.
Conclusion
Sesame intake improve the side effects of prolonged treatment with sildenafil significantly. These results demonstrate the pivotal role of sesame that may improve male infertility.
... It also results in histopathological changes in the testis as vacuolations, necrosis of seminiferous tubules and increases inflammatory cells. These effects Diameter of the nucleus of spermatogonia (mean ± SD) may be due to changes in the expression of various receptors associated cGMP or responsive effect of these receptors in the brain and this will cause damage of testicular tissues and failure in spermatogenesis [19] . ...
... Contraceptives an effective birth control measure, which uses in recent time as high rate. But male contraceptives are less successful than that of female ones [1]. However, when one looks at the contraceptive choices available in the market, the balance is tilted in favor of women. ...
... Buteasuperba Roxb (Leguminosae) or the 'Red KwaoKrua', has long been consumed as a stimulant of male sexual vigor. Its alcoholic extract (0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg BW/day) for 6 months significantly elevted the sperm concentration and enhanced sperm motility with no disruptive signs to sperm or testis [36]. Powdered crude extract of this herb at the doses of 2, 25, 250, and 1250 mg/kg body weight in male rats for 8 weeks increased testis weight and sperm counts [37]. ...
Male infertility can range from neurohormonal imbalances, reproductive tissue disruptions, qualitative and quantitative deterioration of semen to sexual behavioral problems. The global deterioration of male reproductive health is a major concern and the modern therapeutic approaches to combat male infertility are expensive, less accessible, have long term treatment tenure and possess various side effects. Whereas, the herbal therapies, are better positioned to offer more holistic approaches to improve male reproductive health. In Ayurvedic pharmacology, there exists a special group of herbs, classified as vajikarana or aphrodisiacs, which nourishes and stimulates the sexual tissues. This review concentrates on the Ayurvedic approach to ameliorate male reproductive health referring to some of the most important scientifically tested herbs which have been reported to accentuate male fertility by imposing either stimulating or nourishing effects on the male reproductive organs.
... This is released by the breakdown of fructose secreted by the seminal vesicles. Reduced ATP production and/or reduced ATP levels via ATPase hydrolysis results in insufficient energy and poor sperm motility (Tocharus et al., 2005;Yakubu et al., 2007). In this study, the dose dependent decrease in the sperm motility of the male Wistar rats might be associated with the hypoglycaemic effect of the extract causing decreases in the level of the fructose in the seminal vesicles (Chude et al., 2001). ...
The effect of aqueous leaf extract of Boerhavia diffusa plant on the semen and testicular morphology of male Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty five rats were divided into seven groups of five animals each (Groups I-VII) with group I serving as the control. Distilled water (0.5 mls) was administered orally to rats in Group I (Control), while rats in the remaining six experimental groups (II-VII) were dosed orally with 50, 100 and 150mg/kg of 2.4% aqueous extract of B. diffusa for 60 days and then euthanized immediately (Grps II, IV & VI) or allowed to recover for one week before euthanasia (Grps III, V & VII). The serum testosterone level, weights and histopathology of the testes, epididymes and seminal vesicles were determined, and the spermatozoa from the cauda epididymes of the groups were studied. Data were compared using Man-whitney's test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no significant difference in the serum testosterone level between treated rats and control. The weights of the testes, epididymes and seminal vesicles were however significantly (P<0.05) decreased in treated rats compared with the control. Sperm motility and sperm count decreased significantly (P<0.05) also in the treated rats compared with the control. In addition, the sperm live-dead ratio decreased significantly (P<0.05) in rats treated with 100 and 150mg/kg of the extract (Grps IV-VII) compared with the control. Histopathology of the testes of treated rats revealed marked degeneration of germinal epithelia with spermiostasis. This result suggests that aqueous extract of B. diffusa produced adverse effects in semen and testicular morphology of the rats.
... B. superba alcoholic extract (0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg BW/day) for 6 months treatment significantly increased the sperm concentration and delayed the decreased motility with time. None of signs of sperm anomalies and testicular damages were observed [36]. Subchronic treatment of B. superba tuberous powder suspension at high doses (200 mg/kg) in male rats exhibited adverse effects to blood chemistry, haematology, and blood testosterone level. ...
The use of plant or plant-based products to stimulate sexual desire and to enhance performance and enjoyment is almost as old as the human race itself. The present paper reviews the active, natural principles, and crude extracts of plants, which have been useful in sexual disorders, have potential for improving sexual behaviour and performance, and are helpful in spermatogenesis and reproduction. Review of refereed journals and scientific literature available in electronic databases and traditional literature available in India was extensively performed. The work reviews correlation of the evidence with traditional claims, elucidation, and evaluation of a plausible concept governing the usage of plants as aphrodisiac in total. Phytoconstituents with known structures have been classified in appropriate chemical groups and the active crude extracts have been tabulated. Data on their pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, and toxicity are reported. The present review provides an overview of the herbs and their active molecule with claims for improvement of sexual behaviour. A number of herbal drugs have been validated for their effect on sexual behavior and fertility and can therefore serve as basis for the identification of new chemical leads useful in sexual and erectile dysfunction.
Infertility and obstetric complications have become global health issues in the past few years. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even after twelve months or more of regular and unprotected intercourse. According to WHO data published in the year 2020, 186 million people have infertility globally. Factors leading to infertility are variable in both males and females. But some common factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress. Various synthetic drugs and treatment options are available that are effective in treating infertility, but their prolonged usage produces various unwanted adverse effects like hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and weight gain. In extreme cases, these may also lead to the development of anxiety and depression. Herbal remedies have gained a lot of popularity over the years, and people’s inclination toward them has increased all over the world. The prime reason is that these show significant therapeutic efficacy and have fewer side effects. The therapeutic efficacy of plants can be attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemical classes of constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils. These secondary metabolites, or phytomolecules, can be used to develop herbal formulations. The review highlights the applications and mechanisms of action of various phytochemicals for treating infertility. Also, it focuses on the various future prospects associated with it.
Infertility is a major reproductive health problem today, affecting 10 to 15 percent of couples seeking to have children. Male infertility problems may be contributory to 30 to 40 percent of infertile couples. The infertile male partner has qualitative or quantitative abnormalities of sperm production and other sexual disorders as major factors responsible for infertility. There have been no drugs available from western medicine system (Allopathic system of Medicine), evaluated clinically to improve the sperm count or to improve libido so as to be used as aphrodisiac. The therapies adopted to improve sperm count or to improve libido are accompanied by serious side effects. The importance of sexuality in human life is well recognized in Ayurveda as 'Vajikarana adhikara' or virilification therapy. "Vajikarana" is the branch of Ayurveda, which deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems like impotence, libido, poor erection, and early ejaculation in males. "Vajikarana" includes the utilization of plants and other substances from natural sources as aphrodisiacs for erectile dysfunction, infertility, impaired spermatogenesis, methods of correcting defective semen and sexual satisfaction. Ayurveda describes the aphrodisiac substances as "Vajikara". There is a list of the plant drugs used as Vajikarana Aushadhi in Ayurveda. Some of the examples of the class are Butea monosperma (Palash), Curculigo orchiodes (Kali musli), Pedalium murex (Bada Gokhru), Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Panax ginseng (man root), Nigella sativa (Kalijiri), Chlorophytum borivilianum (safed musli), Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), Tribulus terrestris (Chhota Gokhru), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Mucuna pruriens (atmagupta) etc. These herbs are reported in the scientific literature for their aphrodisiac and spermatogenic activity.
Butea superba Roxb. (BS) has been used in Thai men as an aphrodisiac, and prevent erectile dysfunction. Nevertheless, the active ingredients, dosages, have not been cleared. Hence, this study was to investigate the effect of compounds from the BS on the reproductive parameters of male mice. The results revealed that BS was extracted to afford biochanin A and genistein, which were first reported on BS, and daidzein. The mice were treated by daidzein and genistein alone and in combination. The results showed that the sperm number and motility, cholesterol and testosterone level of all isoflavones-treated groups were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.01). Obviously, daidzein plus genistein exhibited a synergistic effect, which is also the first report, and resulted in significantly displayed higher levels of these parameters compared to others. So, the synergistic activity of these isoflavones may be useful in improving libido, erectile capacity and assist infertility of poor spermatozoa in men.
Objective
To investigate the age-long claim by the locales that the food thickener, M. urens seed, has antispermatogenic, hence, antifertility effects in man.Methods
Eight-week old male Albino rats were used as the mammalian model for this study. They were assigned to four groups of 6 rats each and treatment with the ethanol extract was for a period of 14 d. The treatment regimes were 70 mg/kg, 140 mg/kg, 210 mg/kg and 0 mg/kg BW in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using 80% ethanol as the extracting solvent. The stock solution was prepared by dissolving 1 g of the paste extract in 10 ml corn oil (vehicle) to make up 100 mg/ml concentration. At the end of the treatment, sperm from the distal caudal epididymis was collected and analyzed for sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology.ResultsSignificant reduction was observed in sperm count and sperm motility (P<0.05). The mean sperm count for group A was 6.27 ± 0.02 × 106, for group B was 6.16 ± 0.02 × 106 and group C had 6.0 ± 0.0 × 106 sperm cells The control (group D) had a mean sperm count of 6.50 ± 0.09 × 106 which was higher than that of any treated group. Results of the sperm motility test gave the following mean rates for motile sperm cells after treatment: group A, 57.6 ± 2.1; group B, 50.0 ± 4.0; group C, 45.0 ± 4.0. The control had the highest mean motility rate of 72.3 ± 2.1. The observed sperm abnormalities included unusual head with large acrosome, looped tailpiece, mid piece with distal droplet, pin head, pyriform head and long hook.Conclusion
The anti-spermatogenic effects of the extract on the sperm in the Albino rat may lead to reduction of fertility.
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by human spermatozoa. Immunoreactivity was examined using a polyclonal antibody raised against porcine cerebellar nitric oxide synthase and monoclonal endothelial (eNOS) and brain (bNOS) antibodies. Using each antibody, NOS was observed localized in the head and midpiece regions of the spermatozoon. Immunofluorescence observed for eNOS and bNOS was more intense in normozoospermic samples. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) in the presence and absence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-5)M), and NO synthesis inhibitor or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (20 IU/ml), a superoxide inducer. In the presence of L-NAME, percentage progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly reduced after 30 min. Sperm viability was not decreased by TNF alpha or L-NAME. The accumulation of nitrite (the stable end-product of the NOS/NO pathway) by spermatozoa was measured using the Griess reaction. After 8 h, nitrite concentrations were lower in asthenozoospermic compared to normozoospermic samples. In the presence of TNF alpha, nitrite accumulation was significantly reduced in normozoospermic samples. We conclude that NOS is present in human spermatozoa and that eNOS and bNOS are abundant in normozoospermic samples. Nitric oxide (at endogenous concentrations) appears to be necessary for adequate sperm motility.
To develop a reliable sperm test that would predict pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive technologies.
Blind prospective cohort study.
Tertiary-care, university hospital-affiliated IVF program.
One hundred nineteen sperm samples were obtained from 110 males from couples undergoing IVF or GIFT (ART). Sperm samples were washed by Percoll, incubated at 24 degrees C for 4 hours, and an aliquot of the same sperm suspension was used for ART incubated at 40 degrees C for 4 hours (stress test). Stress test scores are expressed as the ratio of final to initial motility.
Of 119 ART cycles, 24 resulted in pregnancy. Of 24 pregnancies, 23 occurred in cycles that used sperm samples with stress test scores > or = 0.75 and only one with a stress test score < 0.75. The negative predictive value of the test, defined as the absence of pregnancy with scores < 0.75, was 98% and the positive predictive value, defined as the occurrence of pregnancy with scores > or = 0.75, was 36%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the stress test score alone was correlated significantly with pregnancy after ART.
These results indicate that stress test scores < 0.75 are predictive of poor pregnancy outcome in ART.
This study aimed to demonstrate nitric oxide production by human spermatozoa and to characterize the interaction between nitric oxide and cAMP-related pathway in the control of human sperm capacitation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Spermatozoa were incubated in Tyrode's medium with or without bovine serum albumin (BSA), and nitric oxide was measured with the spin trap sodium N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate. Under noncapacitating conditions, spermatozoa produced low levels of nitric oxide. However, under capacitating conditions, prominent nitric oxide adduct signals were obtained and a time-dependent increase of nitric oxide production was observed. When spermatozoa were incubated in Tyrode+BSA medium with nitric oxide-releasing compounds, intracellular cAMP concentrations increased to levels higher than those of spermatozoa incubated in Tyrode+BSA alone. In contrast, incubation with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or N(G)-monomethyl L-arginine) decreased intracellular sperm cAMP concentrations. The inhibitory effect observed with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on capacitation and tyrosine phosphorylation of two sperm proteins (105, 81 kDa) was overcome by the presence of cAMP analogs or of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. These results indicate that nitric oxide is produced by capacitating human spermatozoa and that it may act as a cellular messenger by modulating the cAMP pathway involved in capacitation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation.
Capacitation is the series of transformations that spermatozoa undergo in the female genital tract in order to bind to the zona pellucida, initiate the acrosome reaction, and fertilize an egg. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays an important role in this process and its levels are regulated by 2 key enzymes, adenylyl cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE), the latter being involved in cAMP degradation. Evidence was provided for the involvement of PDE in sperm motility and capacitation. Of the 10 gene families of PDE that exist in mammalian tissues, the calcium-calmodulin-dependent (type 1) and the cAMP-specific (type 4) have been found in human spermatozoa. Using sildenafil, we investigated a highly potent cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific PDE (type 5) inhibitor and whether this PDE is present in human spermatozoa and is involved in sperm functions. Sildenafil inhibited PDE activity of Percoll-washed spermatozoa with an IC50 of 97+/-3 and 33+/-3 microM when cAMP and cGMP, respectively, were used as substrates. Because the IC50 of sildenafil obtained for PDE type 5 is much lower (2 to 6 nM) than that obtained with sperm PDE, the data suggest that PDE type 5 represents only a small fraction of the whole PDE activity of spermatozoa. Sildenafil causes dose-dependent increases in sperm cAMP levels and capacitation, which are associated with an increase in the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of 2 fibrous sheath proteins (p105/81). Sperm velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, and hyperactivation were increased at 30-180 minutes. Sildenafil did not trigger the acrosome reaction in capacitated spermatozoa. These results suggest that under our experimental conditions, sildenafil triggers human sperm motility and capacitation, probably via its inhibitory action on PDE activity other than type 5 with a resultant rise in cAMP levels.
To study the effect of Butea superba on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Thai males.
A 3-month randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried out in volunteers with ED, aged 30 years approximately 70 years, to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the crude preparation of Butea superba tubers on ED.
There was a significant upgrading in 4 of the 5 descriptive evaluations of the IIEF-5 questionnaire. Estimation of the sexual record indicated that 82.4% of the patients exhibited noticeable improvement. Haematology and blood chemistry analysis revealed no apparent change.
The plant preparation appears to improve the erectile function in ED patients without apparent toxicity.