title: Effects on spermatogenesis in swiss mice of a protein isolated from the roots of Ricinus communis (Linn.) (Euphorbiaceae).
abstract: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect on spermatogenesis of a 62 kDa protein (Rp) isolated from 50% ethanolic extract of the root of Ricinus communis in mice. A dose response study in mice revealed that 25mg/kg body weight/day was the most effective dose. Swiss strain mature male mice of 30 days old were divided into two group namely control and Rp treated (25mg/kg body weight/day). The study showed that sperm motility and count were decreased significantly in the treated group as compared to the control. The fertility index of the treated groups was reduced by 100%. The activity of HMG Co A reductase and cholesterol were increased significantly in the treated group. The testicular activities of 3βHSD, 17βHSD, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme and the level of serum testosterone were decreased significantly in the treated group. The expression of 3βHSD and 17βHSD were decreased and the expression of StAR increased significantly in the treated group as compared to the control. Proteolytic digestion of the native protein with trypsin and chymotrypsin showed that the proteolytic cleavage did not affect the spermicidal action of Rp. Hence this study can be concluded that Rp impaired spermatogenesis in vivo by suppressing the production of testosterone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram 695 581, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nithya
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Anuja
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Swathy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rajamanickam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Indira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D012278:Ricinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins