Sequential analysis of testicular lesions and serum hormone levels in rats treated with a Psoralea corylifolia extract.
In order to clarify pathogenetic targets for the testicular toxicity of a extract of Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), F344 rats were fed diet containing 3% P. corylifolia extract for up to 12 weeks and subjected to hormone assays and histopathological examination on the testis and epididymis at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 (Exp 1). Similar analyses were performed on 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after a single gavage administration of the P. corylifolia extract at a dose of 10 g/kg b.w. (Exp 2). In Exp 1, increase in the numbers of degenerated and exfoliated germ cells and loss of elongated spermatids beyond steps 7 or 8 were initially observed in the seminiferous tubules at week 1, followed by more pronounced degeneration of germ cells with depletion of post-meiotic populations from week 2. The tubular degeneration was associated with Leydig cell atrophy and persistent reduction of serum testosterone and FSH levels throughout the treatment period and a slight reduction of serum LH in later stages. In Exp 2, reduction of serum testosterone and FSH levels preceded degeneration of germ cells in stage VII and VIII tubules at 3 and 7 days after the administration. The results suggest that rapid androgen deprivation reflecting direct interference with Leydig cell function and simultaneous disturbance of the pituitary-testicular axis play pivotal roles in P. corylifolia extract-induced germ cell injury in seminiferous tubules.
Takizawa
T
T
Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1, Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan.
Mitsumori
K
K
Takagi
H
H
Nasu
M
M
Yasuhara
K
K
Onodera
H
H
Imai
T
T
Hirose
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D029907:Psoralea / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000473:pathology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006728:Hormones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone