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Excessive dietary calcium in the disruption of structural and functional status of adult male reproductive system in rat with possible mechanism

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Abstract

Calcium is essential for functioning of different systems including male reproduction. However, it has also been reported as chemo-castrative agent. The study has been undertaken to elucidate the effect of excessive dietary calcium on male reproductive system in animals with possible action. Adult male healthy rats fed CaCl2 at different doses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g%) in diet for 13 and 26 days to investigate reproductive parameters as well as the markers of oxidative stress. Significant alteration was found (P < 0.05) in testicular and accessory sex organs weight, epididymal sperm count, testicular steroidogenic enzyme (Δ5 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) activities, serum testosterone, LH, FSH, LPO, activities of antioxidant enzymes, testicular histoarchitecture along with adrenal Δ5 3β-HSD activity with corticosterone level in dose- and time-dependent manner. Overall observations suggest that excessive dietary calcium enhances the generation of free-radicals resulting in structural and functional disruption of male reproduction.

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Abbreviations

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

ASg:

Type A spermatogonia

pLSc:

Preleptotene spermatocytes

mPSc:

Mid-pachytene spermatocytes

7Sd:

Step 7 spermatids

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

FSH:

Follicle stimulating hormone

HSD:

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

NAD:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

LPO:

Lipid peroxidation

TBARS:

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

CAT:

Catalase

EDTA:

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

TMB:

Tetramethylbenzidine

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

HPG:

Hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis

HPA:

Hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis

PVN:

Paraventricular nucleus

CRH:

Corticotrophin releasing hormone

ACTH:

Adreno-corticotropic hormone

PUFA:

Poly unsaturated fatty acid

IP3 :

Inositol tri-phosphate

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment is due to the Project of University Potential for Excellence (UPE), University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India for providing scholarship to second author for conducting this work. The authors are thankful to Dr. Syed N. Kabir, Scientist, Cell Biology & Physiology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India for his help in conducting RIA of FSH and LH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University College of Science & Technology, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata, 700 009, West Bengal, India

    Amar K Chandra, Pallav Sengupta & Haimanti Goswami

  2. Department of Physiology, Gurunanak Institute of Dental Science & Research, Kolkata, India

    Mahitosh Sarkar

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  1. Amar K Chandra
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  2. Pallav Sengupta
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Correspondence to Amar K Chandra.

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K Chandra, A., Sengupta, P., Goswami, H. et al. Excessive dietary calcium in the disruption of structural and functional status of adult male reproductive system in rat with possible mechanism. Mol Cell Biochem 364, 181–191 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-011-1217-3

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