Effects of tripchlorolide on the epididymides and testes of rats.
OBJECTIVE
To further evaluate the antifertility effects of tripchlorolide, a derivative of triptolide produced at the extraction procedure of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., in male rats and to investigate its sites and possible mechanisms of action.


METHODS
In male rats, tripchlorolide was given by oral garage at a dose of 50 micrograms.kg-1.d-1 for 5 weeks, fertility was assessed by mating tests, and biochemical indices and light microscopic observation of the epididymides and testes were also performed.


RESULTS
Administration of tripchlorolide at 50 micrograms.kg-1.d-1 for 3 weeks did not influence the fertility of male rats, but 5-week treatment rendered the rats infertile. The density and motility of spermatozoa collected from cauda epididymides were reduced significantly. The epididymal weights, as well as the L-carnitine concentration and alpha-glucosidase content in the epididymal fluid were decreased. There were no significant differences in alpha-glucosidase and acid phosphatase (ACP) in caput epididymal homogenates between the control and the experimental rats. Obvious morphological changes were observed in the epididymal spermatozoa, mainly including head and tail separation or acrosome curving. Sloughed spermatids were found in the seminifeous and epididymal tubules. In testicular homogenates, tripchlorolide had no influence on the lactate dehydrogenase-C4 (LDH-C4) and hyaluronidase activities. No apparent lesions were observed in the seminiferous and epididymal epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
At the dose level employed, tripchlorolide has a significant effect on the fertility in male rats and the primary sites of action may be spermatids and testicular and epididymal spermatozoa.
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Z P
ZP
Wang
Z P
ZP
Gu
L
L
Cao
Y
Y
Xu
G D
GD
You
B Y
BY
Mao
S Z
SZ
Qian
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D004224:Diterpenes; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C068051:tripchlorolide