Suggestively, caffeine treatment for 4 weeks could impair body, reproductive organs weight, sperm characteristics, LH/FSH level, and also testicular cyto-architecture. Effects appeared, however, reversible after caffeine withdrawal.

Aim:To evaluate the effect of methanol extract from the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root on male reproductive activity.Methods: Male albino rats were treated orally with distilled water (vehicle for the extract; control) and 50, 100 and 150 mg kg −1 body weight of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root extract for 8 weeks. Each group had its own recovery. Rats were killed 24 h after the last treatment. Caudal epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, morphology and organ weights were determined. Hematological indices, serum proteins, enzymes, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and testicular and epididymal histology were determined.Results: Compared with the control, the extract caused a dose dependent significant (P < 0.05) reduction in progressive motility of spermatozoa, viability and total sperm counts. The number of abnormal spermatozoa and epididymal volume were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum testosterone levels in rats treated with 50 (P < 0.01) and 100 mg kg −1 (P < 0.05) of Sphenocentrum jollyanum. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in red blood cell count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration, whereas there was no change in white blood cell count, mean total serum protein, albumin and globulin in the sera of Sphenocentrum jollyanum treated rats when compared with the control. The extract caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in testicular SOD activity at a dose of 50 mg kg −1 bodyweight. Testicular cytoarchitecture of the extract treated rats showed degeneration of seminiferous tubules, whereas regeneration of germinal epithelium and restructuring of the germinal interstitium occurred in the recovery rats. No lesions were observed in the epididymis of the rats. Conclusion:The results suggest that methanol extract of the Sphenocentrum jollyanum root could produce harmful effects on reproductive functions in male albino rats which can be attributed to poor sperm quantity (epididymal sperm count), quality (sperm motility, viability and morphology) and testicular degeneration. The steroidogenic potential of the plant could explain its use as an aphrodisiac agent. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 283-292)

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Background: Humans are exposed to identifiable multiple environmental stressors. However, there is paucity of studies assessing chronic variable stress (CVS) exposure together with antioxidant supplementation on reproductive function. This study investigates impact of vitamin C supplementation, during CVS exposure on contractile functions of testicular artery and sperm parameters. Twenty pubertal male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were grouped into four of five rats each consisting of control (normal saline), vitamin C treated (7 mg/kg bwt), chronic variable stress (CVS) + vitamin C, and CVS only. Animals were treated respectively for 8 weeks. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) activity, testosterone, and cortisol were assayed. Contractile responses of excised testicular artery to phenylephrine, potassium chloride, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside were determined using Ugo Basile data acquisition system. Sperm parameters and histopathology of the testis were also determined. Statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05 Result: MDA activity was significantly increased in group exposed to chronic variable stress. However, groups supplemented with vitamin C during CVS exposure showed no significant increase. Serum SOD and catalase were enhanced in group exposed to CVS with vitamin C supplementation when compared to group exposed to chronic variable stress only. Chronic variable stress exposure increased serum cortisol level and this was attenuated with vitamin C supplementation. Vitamin C supplementation significantly increased serum testosterone level when compared to CVS only exposed group. Contraction responses of testicular arterial strips to phenylephrine and potassium chloride were attenuated in vitamin C supplemented groups when compared to CVS only exposed group. Vitamin C supplementation during CVS exposure also enhanced relaxation of testicular artery strip to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. Sperm count and percentage motility were significantly reduced in CVS only exposed group when compared vitamin C supplemented group. Sperms cells with abnormal morphology were also significantly increased in chronic variable stress only exposed group when compared to control and vitamin C supplemented groups. Conclusion: Chronic variable stress adversely impacts contractility of testicular artery, sperm parameters, cortisol, and testosterone level. Vitamin C supplementation modulated these by suppressing MDA and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.

Aims:In spite of the folkloric use of the root of Carpolobia lutea as a sexual stimulant in man, there has been limited scientific proof of its efficacy. This study compares the efficacy of methanol extract of C. lutea root (MECLR) and sildenafil on the sexual activity of male rabbits.Methods:20 adult male rabbits were grouped into four of five rabbits each. Groups 1-4 were treated orally for 28 days with 2 ml/kg 1% Tween-20 (vehicle), 40 mg/kg MECLR, 80 mg/kg MECLR, and 0.5 mg/kg sildenafil citrate (SC), respectively. Sexual activities of males from each group were assessed by cohabiting them with sexually receptive female at estrus on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 using digital camera mounted on mating arena. Serum testosterone and nitric oxide concentration of the corpora cavernosa homogenates were also determined.Results:MECLR caused a dose-dependent significant increase in mount frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculatory latency (EL) while it reduced mount latency, intromission latency and post EL (similar to SC) when compared with the control. MECLR also caused significant increase in nitric oxide concentration in corpora cavernosa but no change in serum testosterone concentration.Conclusions:Results suggest that MECLR enhances male sexual activity possibly by augmenting nitric oxide concentration. This study thus provides a novel scientific rationale for the use of C. lutea in the management of penile erectile dysfunction and impaired libido.