The impact of mercury exposure on male reproduction: Mechanistic insights.

Mercury is a pervasive environmental toxin with significant negative effects on human health. In occupational settings, incidents such as the Minamata and Niigata disease in Japan and the large-scale methylmercury poisoning in Iraq have highlighted the severe health impacts of mercury exposure. It is widely accepted that all forms of mercury including methylmercury and mercuric chloride have the potential to induce toxic effects in mammals, and there is increasing concern about the impact of environmentally relevant levels of mercury on reproductive functions.

Lead and calcium crosstalk tempted acrosome damage and hyperpolarization of spermatozoa: signaling and ultra-structural evidences.

Background: Exposure of humans and animals to heavy metals is increasing day-by-day; thus, lead even today remains of significant public health concern. According to CDC, blood lead reference value (BLRV) ranges from 3.5 µg/dl to 5 μg/dl in adults.

Calcium signaling cascades differentially regulate PGF-induced myometrial contractions in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

This study unravels the differential involvement of calcium signaling pathway(s) in PGF-induced contractions in myometrium of nonpregnant (NP) and pregnant buffaloes. Compared to the myometrium of pregnant animals, myometrium of NP buffaloes was more sensitive to PGF as manifested by changes in mean integral tension (MIT) and tonicity. In the presence of nifedipine, myometrial contraction to PGF was significantly attenuated in both NP and pregnant uteri; however, mibefradil and NNC 55-0396 produced inhibitory effects only in uterus of pregnant animals, thus suggesting the role of extracellular Ca influx through nifedipine-sensitive L-type Ca-channels both in NP and pregnant, but T-type Ca channels seem to play a role only during pregnancy.

Collapsed mitochondrial cristae in goat spermatozoa due to mercury result in lethality and compromised motility along with altered kinematic patterns.

Earlier we have reported mercury-induced alterations in functional dynamics of buck spermatozoa through free radicals-mediated oxidative stress and spontaneous acrosome reaction. Based on our earlier findings, we aimed to investigate the effect of mercury exposure on motility, kinematic patterns, DNA damage, apoptosis and ultra-structural alterations in goat spermatozoa following in vitro exposure to different concentrations (0.031-1.

Chitosan and gelatin biopolymer supplemented with mesenchymal stem cells (Velgraft®) enhanced wound healing in goats (Capra hircus): Involvement of VEGF, TGF and CD31.

Aim: Cell-based therapy has emerged as promising strategy for chronic and impaired wounds treatment. Current research is focused on developing biomaterial systems that act as a niche for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to promote wound healing through paracrine molecular cascading. This study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of Velgraft, a ready-to-use biodegradable artificial skin substitute, on excision wound in goats.

In vitro and in vivo effects of flubendiamide and copper on cyto-genotoxicity, oxidative stress and spleen histology of rats and its modulation by resveratrol, catechin, curcumin and α-tocopherol.

Background: Living organisms are frequently exposed to more than one xenobiotic at a time either by ingestion of contaminated food/fodder or due to house-hold practices, occupational hazards or through environment. These xenobiotics interact individually or in combination with biological systems and act as carcinogen or produce other toxic effects including reproductive and degenerative diseases. Present study was aimed to investigate the cyto-genotoxic effects of flubendiamide and copper and ameliorative potential of certain natural phyotconstituent antioxidants.

Mercury-Induced Inhibition of Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Sperm Proteins and Altered Functional Dynamics of Buck Spermatozoa: an In Vitro Study.

Present study was undertaken on buck spermatozoa to investigate the effect of mercuric chloride on functional dynamics of buck spermatozoa. Four different concentrations (0.031, 0.

Myometrial Calcium and Potassium Channels Play a Pivotal Role in Chromium-Induced Relaxation in Rat Uterus: an In Vitro Study.

Hexavalent chromium, a well-known environmental toxicant, adversely affects female reproduction and results in abnormal implantation, fetal resorption, and reduction in litter size. Uterine myogenic activity is under control of number of receptors and ion channels, and it regulates fetal-implantation and feto-maternal communication. Despite several known adverse effects of chromium on female reproduction, direct action of chromium on myometrial activity is yet to be understood.

Functional and molecular characterization of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxant pathways in uterine artery of non-pregnant buffaloes.

Present study was undertaken to unravel the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxant pathways in uterine artery of non-pregnant buffaloes. Isometric tension of arterial rings was recorded using data acquisition system based polyphysiograph. Acetylcholine (ACh) produced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by releasing nitric oxide (NO), and inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by L-NAME (300 μM) significantly (P < 0.

Functional insights into voltage gated proton channel (Hv1) in bull spermatozoa.

Acid extrusion and intracellular alkalisation are the key events during sperm capacitation and these are mediated through proton gated channels (Hv1). Role of Hv1 in regulating sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction has been documented in human spermatozoa; but no such data is available in bull spermatozoa; therefore, the present study was undertaken in Hariana bull spermatozoa. Sixty four ejaculates were collected from four Hariana bulls to investigate the functional involvement of Hv1 in regulation of sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction in bull spermatozoa.

Oleic Acid Prevents Isoprenaline-Induced Cardiac Injury: Effects on Cellular Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Histopathological Alterations.

The present study was designed to assess the cardio-protective role of oleic acid in myocardial injury (MI) induced by intra-peritoneal injection of isoprenaline (ISO) in rats for 2 consecutive days. Oleic acid (OA) was administered orally (@ 5 mg/kg b.wt and 10 mg/kg b.

Molecular and functional insights into Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in bull spermatozoa.

In view of the limited information available on functional significance of TRPV1 in regulating sperm functions, present study was undertaken on bull spermatozoa. Sixty four ejaculates were collected from four Hariana bulls and were used for molecular and functional characterisation of TRPV1. Immunoblotting using TRPV1 specific antibody revealed the presence of a single band of 104 kDa corresponding to TRPV1 in Hariana bull spermatozoa.

Endocannabinoid-mediated modulation of Gq protein-coupled receptor mediates vascular hyporeactivity to nor-adrenaline during polymicrobial sepsis.

Background: Endocannabinoids level are reported to increase in sepsis, however, the role of vascular cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1R) in sepsis-induced vascular hyporeactivity is yet to be unravelled.

Methods: Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture in mice. Isometric tension in isolated aortic rings during early (6 h) and late (20 h) phases of sepsis was recorded and expression of mRNA of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1R) was investigated.

Molecular characterization of voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) and its importance in functional dynamics in bull spermatozoa.

Present study was undertaken to characterize the voltage gated potassium channel (K 1.1) in bull spermatozoa using sixty four ejaculates collected from four Hariana bulls. Functional characterization was undertaken using a selective blocker of Kv channel, 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) while molecular presence of Kv on bull spermatozoa by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence.

Modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels induces capacitation in bull spermatozoa through phosphorylation of tyrosine containing proteins.

In our previous study, we have reported the molecular presence of Na 1.8 in bull spermatozoa and its potential involvement in regulation of sperm functions. With the selective blocking of Nav 1.

The functional and molecular studies on involvement of hydrogen sulphide in myometrial activity of non-pregnant buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Background: Hydrogen sulphide (HS), a member of the gasotransmitters family, is known to play patho-physiological role in different body systems including during pregnancy. But its involvement in myometrial spontaneity and associated signalling pathways in uterus in non-pregnant animals is yet to be studied. Present study describes the effect of L-cysteine, an endogenous HS donor, on isolated myometrial strips of non-pregnant buffaloes and the underlying signaling mechanism(s).

ATP-sensitive and maxi potassium channels regulate BRL 37344-induced tocolysis in buffaloes-an in vitro study.

Cellular coupling of beta-adrenoceptors (β-ADR) to potassium channels in myometrium is largely unknown. In vitro study was undertaken to unravel the presence of β-adrenergic receptors (ADR) and the role of K-channels in mediating β-ADR-induced relaxation in isolated myometrial strips from cyclic non-pregnant water buffaloes. Isometric tension was recorded in isolated myometrial strips using data acquisition system based physiograph.

WITHDRAWN: Differential involvement of L- and T-type Ca channels, store-operated calcium channel (TRPC) and Rho-kinase signaling pathway(s) in PGF-induced contractions in myometrium of non-pregnant and pregnant buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

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Functional involvement of protein kinase C, Rho-kinase and TRPC3 decreases while PLC increases with advancement of pregnancy in mediating oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Present study unravels the involvement of different calcium signaling pathways in oxytocin-induced contractions in myometrium of non-pregnant and pregnant buffaloes during early and mid-pregnancy stages. Uteri of pregnant animals were more sensitive than of non-pregnant buffaloes. Phasic contractions and frequency of contraction significantly increased with advancement of pregnancy, while tonic contractions non-significantly and amplitude significantly decreased from six months pregnancy onward.

Extra and intracellular calcium signaling pathway(s) differentially regulate histamine-induced myometrial contractions during early and mid-pregnancy stages in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

This study examines the differential role of calcium signaling pathway(s) in histamine-induced uterotonic action during early and mid-pregnancy stages in buffaloes. Compared to mid pregnancy, tonic contraction, amplitude and mean-integral tension were significantly increased by histamine to produce myometrial contraction during early pregnancy with small effects on phasic contraction and frequency. Although uterotonic action of histamine during both stages of pregnancy is sensitive to nifedipine (a L-type Ca channels blocker) and NNC55-0396 (T-type Ca channels blocker), the role of extracellular calcium seems to be more significant during mid-pregnancy as in this stage histamine produced only 9.

Functional and molecular characterization of voltage gated sodium channel Na 1.8 in bull spermatozoa.

The aim of our study was to characterize the voltage gated sodium channel Na 1.8 in bull spermatozoa. Forty ejaculates were collected from four Hariana bulls and semen samples were pooled in view of the nonsignificant variations between different ejaculates.

Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of flowers with particular reference to splenocytes proliferation and cytokines induction.

Objectives: To investigate the immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of flowers (NAFE) with particular reference to splenocytes proliferation and induction of cytokines.

Materials And Methods: Antibody titer was determined by tube agglutination and indirect ELISA assay in four groups of mice-control, antigen alone, and NAFE-treated (400 and 800 mg/kg for 21 days) after immunization with antigen while cellular immunity was studied in three groups of rats (control and NAFE-treated - 400 and 800 mg/kg) following DNCB application. Splenocytes from untreated and NAFE-treated rats were stimulated using concanavalin-A (Con-A) and optical density (OD) and stimulation index were determined.

Lead Modulates Calcium Entry and Beta-Adrenoceptors Signaling to Produce Myometrial Relaxation in Rats.

Modulation of myometrial spontaneity by lead acetate trihydrate (Pb) and its regulatory pathways were studied in estrogenized rats. Isometric tension in myometrial strips under a resting tension of 1 g was measured using data acquisition system-based physiograph and Lab Chart Pro v7.3.

Lead-induced adverse effects on the reproductive system of rats with particular reference to histopathological changes in uterus.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to elucidate the adverse effect of lead on female reproductive system following in vivo exposure in rats.

Materials And Methods: Animals of Group II, III and IV received lead acetate in drinking water (30, 100 and 300 ppm, respectively) for 28 days whereas Group I served as control. Lead levels in digested blood and bone samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Calcium influx and release mechanism(s) in histamine-induced myometrial contraction in buffaloes.

The present study was undertaken to characterize the presence of histamine H1R using molecular biology tools and unravel the influx and release mechanism(s) involved in calcium signalling cascades in histamine-induced myometrial contraction in buffaloes. The presence of H1R mRNA transcript and immunoreactive membrane protein in buffalo myometrium was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Further, histamine produced concentration-dependent (1nM-10μM) contraction in buffalo myometrium with a potency of 7.