Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a role in the homeostasis, apoptosis regulation and the maintenance of the various other physiological processes. Aging is accompanied by a decrease in the resistance to environmental stress, while mitochondria are primary targets in the process of aging, their expression decreasing with age. Mitochondrion also plays a significant role in the process of spermatogenesis. HSPs have been shown to be involved in apoptosis with some of acting as apoptotic inhibitors and are involved in cytoprotection. In this review we discuss the roles of Hsp 27, 60, 70, and 90 in aging and male infertility and have concluded that these particular HSPs can be used as a molecular markers for mitochondrially- mediated apoptosis, aging and male infertility.

Boric acid administration has a detrimental effect on reproductive organs, livers, and kidneys in rats. In the present study, male Wistar rats were orally fed with boric acid at a dose regimen of 350 mg/kg bodyweight for a period of 30 days, followed by oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Eclipta alba at a dose regimen of 500 mg/kg body weight orally for 60 days. The boric acid treated group showed signs of toxicity, such as liver damage, nephropathy, and complete damage to the testis, as early as 15 days which became aggravated by 30 days of the boric acid study period. Oxidative stress in all of the vital organs showed a significant increase. Following the plant extract treatment, complete reversal in reproductive toxicity was observed. The hormonal levels viz., testosterone, estrogen, and FSH returned to normal ranges after the 60 days of plant extract treatment. Significant reversal comparable to the control groups was observed in oxidative stress in the vital tissues. The fertility of the rats was found to be restored. The altered tissue morphology showed significant signs or recovery as observed under light microscopic examination. Thus, overall recovery was observed in the boric acid treated rats which received treatment with the plant extract. It can be concluded that Boric acid definitely has detrimental effects on the male reproductive system and the plant extract showed promising results. However, the mode of action and the active components for the same needs to be further investigated.

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