Publications by authors named "Rafaela P Erthal"

There is a growing regulatory and scientific interest in the studies of environmental substances that are capable of interfering with the reproductive system. Among them, parabens stand out due to their widespread use and frequent detection as contaminants in human tissues and biological fluids. Therefore, we evaluated the toxic effects of butylparaben on the viability and follicular staging of bovine ovarian follicles in vitro.

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  • Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), a drug for ADHD, hasn't been studied for its potential toxic effects on kidneys, which is the focus of this research.
  • The study involved male Wistar rats treated with LDX to assess kidney health through various parameters including cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
  • Findings revealed increased cell death and inflammation in the kidneys of LDX-treated rats, but a normal functioning antioxidant system, indicating significant renal changes during the peripubertal period.
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  • Protein restriction during the peripubertal period (ages 30-60 days in rats) was studied to see if it leads to endothelial dysfunction later in adulthood.
  • Male Wistar rats were fed either a normal protein diet (23%) or a low protein diet (4%) and then their aorta responses were tested when they reached maturity (age 120 days).
  • Results indicated that low protein intake was linked to increased sensitivity to phenylephrine (a vasoconstrictor) and higher oxidative stress markers, suggesting that early protein restriction can negatively affect vascular health in adulthood.
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Context: Sulfasalazine (SAS) is a drug prescribed for pregnant and breastfeeding women with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. SAS treatment induces transitory infertility in both adult men and male rats. Although SAS crosses the placenta and passes into maternal milk, the consequences of maternal SAS exposure on the reproductive development of male offspring needs further study.

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Malathion is an insecticide that is used to control arboviruses and agricultural pests. Adolescents that are exposed to this insecticide are the most vulnerable as they are in the critical period of postnatal sexual development. This study aimed to evaluate whether malathion damage can affect sperm function and its respective mechanisms when adolescents are exposed during postnatal sexual development.

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Parabens and phthalates are commonly found as contaminants in human fluids and are able to provoke reproductive toxicity, being considered endocrine disruptors. To evaluate the effects of phthalate and paraben, alone or in combination, on reproductive development of the offspring, female pregnant Wistar rats were allocated in six experimental groups: Three control groups (gavage [CG], subcutaneous [CS], and gavage + subcutaneous) received corn oil as vehicle, and the remaining groups were exposed to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) (500 mg/kg, gavage), butyl paraben (BP) (100 mg/kg, subcutaneously), or MIX (DEHP + BP), from Gestational Day 12 until Postnatal Day (PND) 21. The following parameters were assessed on the offspring: anogenital distance and weight at PND 1, nipple counting at PND 13, puberty onset, estrous cycle, weights of reproductive and detoxifying organs, histological evaluation of reproductive organs, and sperm evaluations (counts, morphology, and motility).

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The hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is toxic to the cells and associated with several diseases. Clinical studies have shown changes in plasma concentrations of Hcy after physical exercise. This study aimed to assess the effect of HHcy on testis, epididymis and sperm quality and to investigate whether voluntary exercise training protects this system against damage caused by HHcy in Swiss mice.

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This study evaluated whether pulmonary emphysema affects sperm quality, male reproductive organs, and testosterone levels in adult male hamsters. Mesocricetus auratus males (130-150 g) were subdivided into a control group (C group) and an emphysema group (E group). The C group received an intratracheal instillation of saline solution (0.

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Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide used in agriculture and for controlling vector-borne diseases such as Zika. Humans can be exposed to malathion by means of ingestion of contaminated food. The juvenile and peripubertal periods are a large window of vulnerability to the action of toxic agents.

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An interaction between obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and sperm function in adults has been observed but it is not known whether exposure to a diet high in fat during the peri-pubertal period can have longstanding programmed effects on reproductive function and gonadal structure. This study examined metabolic and reproductive function in obese rats programmed by exposure to a high fat (HF) diet during adolescence. The effect of physical training (Ex) in ameliorating this phenotype was also assessed.

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2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is considered one of the most toxic dioxins. The effects of TCDD are exerted via binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of resveratrol, an AhR antagonist, against testicular damage caused by TCDD exposure during pregnancy.

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