Potential Changes in Rat Spermatogenesis and Sperm Parameters after Inhalation of Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii Incense

Abstract

In this study the effect of Boswellia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) and Boswellia carterii (B. carterii) smoke exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in male albino rats was investigated. Rats (n = 11) were exposed daily in smoking chambers to smoke emanated by burning 4 g each of either B. papyrifera or B. carterii for 48 days. At the end of exposure duration rats were killed, and the testes were excised and analysed for histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Sperm analysis including total sperm count, motility, velocity and relative percentage of abnormal sperms were recorded. Rats exposed to B. papyrifera and B. carterii showed significant disturbances in spermatogenetic patterns and changes in sperm kinetics compared to unexposed rats. Atrophied seminiferous tubules with dynamic changes were also noticed. The boundaries of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles were seen in the Sertoli cells. Furthermore, in spermatids acrosomal vesicles were not fully formed. Degenerating spermatids were devoid of their nuclear membrane with electron dense matrix and vacuolization. Structural changes in Leydig cells were observed. Sperm analysis in exposed rats exhibited significant decrease in the sperm count, motility, speed and an increase in sperm anomalies when compare to controls. These findings demonstrate that the B. papyrifera and B. carterii smoke affects the process of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters and indicate the detrimental effects of these incense materials on human reproductive system.

Fine particle matter disrupts the blood–testis barrier by activating TGF‐β3/p38 MAPK pathway and decreasing testosterone secretion in rat

“…3,4 Numerous toxicological and epidemiological studies have shown that PM 2.5 is connected with increased risk of cardiopulmonary disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and even disadvantageous birth outcomes. [5][6][7][8] Recently, toxicological research have noted that PM 2.5 exposure could affect the process of spermatogenesis, 9,10 thus cause the reductions of sperm quality and quantity. 10,11 Study of Radwan et al showed that PM exposure could decrease the level of testosterone in human.…”

Deleterious effects of incense smoke exposure on kidney function and architecture in male albino rats

“…We have previously shown that long term Arabian incense smoke exposure contributes to increased oxidative stress and inflammation in lung, liver and heart tissues of rats (Al-Attas et al, 2015;Hussain et al, 2014). We have also found that incense smoke exposure results in insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, altered spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in male Wister rats (Ahmed et al, 2013;Alokail et al, 2011). Considering the high susceptibility nature of kidney to oxidative stress, we suspected that chronic exposure to incense smoke may have deleterious effects on kidney functions and architecture.…”

“…Considering the high susceptibility nature of kidney to oxidative stress, we suspected that chronic exposure to incense smoke may have deleterious effects on kidney functions and architecture. To test this possibility we exposed male albino rats to bakhour or oudh, the two commonly used well characterized types of incense used in Middle Eastern region (Ahmed et al, 2013;Al-Attas et al, 2015;Alokail et al, 2011;Al-Rawas et al, 2009;Dalibalta et al, 2015;Hussain et al, 2014;Yeatts et al, 2012), for extended durations and measured the kidney functional markers and tissue ultrastructural changes. Further, we examined the oxidative stress, inflammation and the genetic expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes including CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in kidney tissue to understand the possible underlying mechanism.…”

Protective effect of ethanolic extract ofHygrophila auriculataseeds in cyproterone acetate‐induced sexual dysfunction in male albino rats

“…Here, serum testosterone level was decreased but testicular cholesterol level increased in CPA‐treated rat as cholesterol is the main precursor of the male androgens (Turcu et al, ). Seminal vesicular fructose level was elevated in CPA‐treated condition may be due to the decreased fructose metabolic enzymes activities that lead to unavailability of fructose to spermatozoon for using as bio‐fuel, resulted in diminution of the sperm count, motility and viability (Ahmed, Al‐Daghri, Alokail, & Hussain, ). Accessory sex organs weight lessened in CPA‐treated rat as testosterone level decreased significantly (Al‐Harbi, Hadi, & Abbas, ).…”