title: Testicular effects of monensin, a golgi interfering agent in male rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to explore the effects of monensin, a potent Golgi disturbing agent on male fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were administered monensin at the dose levels of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg b wt. Animals were sacrificed after 67 days of the treatment. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ATPase, acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) were measured in the testis. Cytochemical assay of Golgi body marker enzyme, thiamine pyrophosphatase was also performed. Ultrastructural changes in testis were studied by Transmission electron microscopy. Sperm number and motility were also examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alterations in the activities of above mentioned enzymes indicate the pronounced effect of the drug on the functioning of spermatogenic cells. The findings from electron microscopy such as membrane disruption, swelling and disintegration of Golgi apparatus strongly suggest the interference of monensin with the functioning of Golgi apparatus in the spermatogenic cells. Data from the sperm number and motility as well as the fertility studies and the resulted litter size further points towards the antifertility effects of monensin in male rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from the present study strongly indicated the effects of monensin on the testis, involving alterations in key enzyme activities and changes at the ultrastructural level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Panjab University , Chandigarh , India.
authors.forename: Malti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kalla
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sanyal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008985:Monensin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013834:Thiamine Pyrophosphatase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008985:Monensin; D013834:Thiamine Pyrophosphatase
keywords: Golgi apparatus; monensin; rat testis; spermatogenesis