African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2285

Full Length Research Paper

Potential impact of urocortin I on sperm count, motility and sex hormone profiles in normal adult rats

Hany A. El kattawy
  • Hany A. El kattawy
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
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Mahmoud A. Naga
  • Mahmoud A. Naga
  • Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, AL-Qunfudh Medical colloge, Umm Al-Qura university, Makka, Saudia Arabia.
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Ahmed Shata*
  • Ahmed Shata*
  • Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
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Mohamed A. Elbaky
  • Mohamed A. Elbaky
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt.
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  •  Received: 22 July 2016
  •  Accepted: 19 August 2016
  •  Published: 29 August 2016

Abstract

Urocortin I (Ucn I), Ucn II and Ucn III are corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) - like peptides. Ucn I has a high affinity for CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. The function of Ucn in male reproduction has not yet been elucidated. Ucn I is present in rat testis with lower levels of Ucn II and III mRNA gene expressions. Therefore, it is suggested that Ucn I may play a role in the regulation of male reproductive action. This study is designed to find out the endocrine and reproductive effects of Ucn I in normal adult male rats through investigation of exogenous Ucn I effects on epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, testicular weight and sex hormone profiles. 24 normal adult male albino rats of 175 to 200 gm initial body weight were implemented in this study. Randomly, the rats were subdivided into four equal groups. Group (I): Vehicle-treated group in which control rats received 0.1 mL of normal saline for 42 days as Ucn I-treated groups. Rats in group II were divided into three equal subgroups. Group (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC): Ucn I-treated groups in which rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of rat Ucn I at doses of 5, 10 and 20 μg/kg body weight respectively for 42 days. Rats were weighed. Serum testosterone and levels of

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, in addition to epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and testicular weight. Administration of Ucn I in dose dependant manner induced significant reducing effects upon body weight, testes weight, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone levels of normal adult rats.  Ucn I may possibly affect male infertility by induction of a significant decrease in epididymal sperm count, motility and serum testosterone levels that might be due to a direct effect of Ucn I on testicular tissue and the germ cells without direct involvement of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis.

Key words: Urocortin I, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, testosterone, male rat.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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