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Sperm membrane modulation by Sapindus mukorossi during sperm maturation
Manish Nivsarkar1, Neeta Shrivastava, Manoj Patel
1B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and Research Development (PERD) Centre, Thaltej-Gandhinagar Highway, Thaltej, Ahmedabad 380 054, Gujarat, India. neetashrivastava@hotmail.com
Aim:
To observe the alterations in the biochemical and biophysical changes in the sperm membrane during sperm maturation in male rats treated with the water extract of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi.
Methods:
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged the aqueous extract of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi at a dose of 50 mg/kg/d for 45 days. On day 46, the sperm parameters were observed in different sections of the epididymis and the sperm superoxide dismutase and the lipid peroxidation was determined and compared with the controls. The testis and epididymis were routinely prepared for histological examination under the light microscope.
Results:
No significant differences in the sperm number and morphology were observed between the control and treated groups. However, a significant inhibition (P<0.05-0.01) of sperm motility in the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis was seen in the treated group. No significant histopathological changes were found in the testis and epididymis. The important finding was that in the treated animals, the spermatozoa showed an abnormal distribution of the superoxide dismutase activity, being minimum in the caput and maximum in the corpus, which was just opposite to that of the controls.
Conclusion:
The study provides a unique observation where the plant extract alters the sperm membrane physiology without change the testicular and epididymal morphology.
Insights
The S. mukorossi fruit extract impacted sperm motility and superoxide dismutase distribution in male rats. This altered sperm membrane physiology without affecting testicular or epididymal structure.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sperm maturation involves complex biochemical and biophysical changes within the epididymis.
- Understanding how external agents affect these processes is crucial for reproductive health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of S. mukorossi fruit pericarp water extract on sperm membrane physiology during maturation.
- To assess biochemical and biophysical alterations in rat spermatozoa following treatment.
Main Methods:
- Adult male rats were administered S. mukorossi aqueous extract (50 mg/kg/day) for 45 days.
- Sperm parameters, motility, superoxide dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation were analyzed.
- Histopathological examination of testes and epididymides was performed.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in sperm count or morphology were observed.
- Sperm motility was significantly inhibited in all epididymal regions (caput, corpus, cauda) in treated rats.
- Spermatozoa exhibited an altered distribution of superoxide dismutase activity, contrasting with controls.
Conclusions:
- S. mukorossi extract modifies sperm membrane physiology, specifically affecting motility and enzyme distribution.
- The extract induces these functional changes without causing observable histopathological damage to the testes or epididymides.