Star anise extracts modulation of reproductive parameters, fertility potential and DNA fragmentation induced by growth promoter Equigan in rat testes

ABSTRACT

Equigan is an anabolic steroid that has been developed for veterinary use and derived from endogenous sex hormone testosterone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissue as well as in puberty and spermatogenesis. The current study is aimed to investigate the possible prophylactic effect of star anise extracts (SAE) on the toxicity of rat testes, sexual hormones alternations, sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular DNA damage by Equigan. Forty adult male rats were equally divided into four groups (1^st Control group, 2^nd SAE group, 3^rd Equigan and 4^th Equigan+SAE group). Food and fluid intakes, relative body weight, potassium, chloride, phosphorous, non-progressive and immotile sperms were significantly increased in Equigan group as compared to control group. In contrast; relative testes weight, sodium, magnesium, total calcium, testosterone, FSH, LH, PRL, sperm count, progressive motility, and viability showed a significant decrease in Equigan group as compared to control groups. The relative weight of epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostates and serum calcium ions didn’t change significantly in different studied groups. Co-administration of SAE with Equigan improved the sexual toxicity, electrolyte alternations, sperm count, abnormalities and DNA damage induced by Equigan.

Keywords: Anabolic steroid/Equigan; Testis/secretion; Spermatogenesis/drug effects; Sperm Marphometery; Anabolic Agents/pharmacology; Star anises/drug effects; Illicium verum/drug effects; Reproductive Control Agents/pharmacology; Fertility Agents, Male/analysis; DNA Fragmentation/drug effects.

INTRODUCTION

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are defined as synthetic derivatives of the endogenous sex hormone testosterone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissue (such as the testis and prostate) as well as in puberty, sexual behavior, spermatogenesis and plays promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle, bone mass and hair growth (Mitchell et al., 2009; Balthazart, Ball, 2010; Mohammed et al., 2016). Anabolic steroids are forbidden for meat production and human use in KAS, and most countries worldwide due to their undesirable effects included blood and cardiovascular disorders (Santos et al., 2006; Tousson et al., 2016; Waljee et al., 2016), liver dysfunction (Van Amsterdam et al., 2010; Barakat et al., 2015), kidney disease (Barakat et al., 2015), tendon damage (Battista, Combs, Warne, 2003), testicular problems (Tousson et al., 2012; 2016; El-Masry et al., 2017), psychiatric and behavioural disorders in both sexes (Salas-Ramirez, Montalto, Sisk, 2010), as well as other problems on the human body (Saleh, Waded, 2014).

Equigan is an anabolic steroid that is developed for veterinary use to improve the food-producing animal growth rate through promoting protein synthesis (Mottram, George, 2000; Zahran, Tousson, Shalapy, 2015) and also Equigan have been reclassified as Schedule III drugs and in addition, it is classified as class 2A (growth promoters-steroids according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer; ISRC), as a probable human carcinogen with a high carcinogenic index (WHO, 1987). Recently, in order to get a better physical performance and muscular appearance, many young people seek resources that, in most cases, can bring harm to health, such as the indiscriminate use of Equigan.

Star anise (Illicium verum) is an aromatic evergreen tree that grows in China and Vietnam and is traditionally used in the treatment of stomach aches, insomnia, vomiting, inflammation and rheumatic pain (Itoigawa et al., 2004; Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010).

Star anise crude extracts possess wide pharmacological properties, such as an antioxidant, by reducing free radical production and lipid peroxidation and antimicrobial; additionally, it is considered as the main source of shikimic acid, which is a primary ingredient of the Tamiflu drug (Singh et al., 2006; Wang et al., 2011). Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the possible prophylactic effect of star anise extracts (SAE) on the toxicity of the rat testes, sexual hormones alternations, sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular DNA damage by Equigan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical and reagent

Equigan® vial was obtained from Laboratorios Tornel Co., (S.A. Mexico). Each vial containing oily solution (50 mg/mL vehicle).

Experimental animals

Healthy male albino rats (weighing 180-200 g and 12-14 weeks of age), supplied from the accredited breeding and experimental laboratory (Tanta Alpha Center, Egypt) were used for this study. The animals had free access to water. Rats were monitored closely during the treatment period (12 weeks). The food intake, fluid intake and body weight were recorded weekly throughout the experimental period. All the experiments were designed and conducted according to the ethical norms approved by the Ethical Committee of National Research Center. The experimental procedures were approved by the Committee of Ethics in the Use of Experimental Animals-ENRC (Protocol no. 039/2008).

Experimental design

After 2 weeks of acclimatization, rats were assigned to 4 groups (10 animals each) as follows:

Control group; in which rats will not receive any treatment.

Star anise group; in which rats will receive orally star anise extract (SAE) by stomach tube (100 mg/kg BW/ twice a week) for 12 weeks according to Wang et al. (2011).

Equigan group; in which rats will injected intramuscular with Equigan (5 mg/kg BW\ week) for 12 weeks according to Zahran et al. (2015) and El-Masry et al 2017.

Treated Equigan with SAE group; in which rats will receive intramuscular injections of Equigan at (5 mg/Kg body weight\week) with oral SAE (100 mg/kg body weight/ twice a week) together for 12 weeks according to El-Masry et al 2017.

At the end of the experimental period, rats from each group were euthanized with anesthetic ether and subjected to a complete necropsy after 10-12 h of fasting. Blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava of each rat in non-heparinized glass tubes. Blood serum was separated, collected and stored at -18 °C. Testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostates were removed, carefully cleaned in cold saline and weighed.

Clinical chemistry

Total calcium levels in serum were determined by using commercial kits (Bicon Co, Germany) according to the method of Schmidt et al. (2002) while magnesium levels in serum were determined by using commercial kits (BioMérieux Co, France) according to the method of Henry et al. (1974). Serum potassium, sodium, calcium and chloride ion levels were determined by using commercial kits (Sensa core electrolyte, India).

Hormone assay

Prolactin levels in rat serum were assayed by using the ADVIA Centaur XP system (two-site sandwich immunoassay using direct chemiluminometric technology; Vidas, France). The 1^st antibody, in the Lite Reagent, is a polyclonal goat anti-prolactin antibody labeled with acridinium ester. The second antibody, in the solid phase, is a monoclonal mouse anti-prolactin antibody, which is covalently coupled to paramagnetic particle.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rat serum were assayed by using the ADVIA Centaur XP system (two-site sandwich immunoassay using direct chemiluminometric technology; Vidas, France). The 1^st antibody is a monoclonal mouse anti-LH antibody labeled with acridinium ester. The second antibody, in the solid phase, is a monoclonal mouse anti-LH antibody, which is covalently coupled to paramagnetic particles.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in serum were assayed by using the ADVIA Centaur XP system (two-site sandwich immunoassay using direct chemiluminometric technology; Vidas, France). The 1^st antibody is a polyclonal sheep anti-FSH antibody bound to monoclonal mouse anti-FSH antibody, coupled to paramagnetic particles in the solid phase.

Total testosterone concentrations in serum were assayed by using the ADVIA Centaur XP system (two-site sandwich immunoassay using direct chemiluminometric technology; Vidas, France). Testosterone in the rats sample competes with acridinium ester-labeled testosterone in the reagent for a limited amount of polyclonal rabbit anti-testosterone antibody bound to monoclonal mouse anti-rabbit antibody, and coupled to paramagnetic particles in the solid phase.

Sperms morphometric analysis

The left caudal part of the epididymis was carefully separated from each testis, finely minced in 5 ml of Hanks’ buffered salt medium, and incubated at room temperature for 15 min to provide the migration of all spermatozoa from epididymal tissue to fluid. To evaluate sperm count, spermatozoa motility parameters and sperm morphology computer assisted semen analysis (CASA System; MiniTüb, Germany) with Olympus microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was used according to the method of Adamkovicova et al. (2016).

Assessing the spermatozoa morphological abnormalities, after semen collection, samples were fixed with Hancock’s solution, smears were prepared on a slide, and air-dried and made permanent as smeared slide was stained with 1% eosin Y and 5% nigrosin. Morphological sperm defects were evaluated and examined on Olympus microscope using 400 × magnification. A total of 200 spermatozoa from each rat were examined and individually scored normal or abnormal, according to the strict sperm morphology criteria by Wang et al. (2016).

DNA fragmentation

DNA damage in testis from different groups was tested by using the diphenylamine (Saggu et al., 2014). The percentage of DNA fragmentation in each sample was expressed by the following formula:

% DNA fragmentation = (O.D. Supernatant /O.D. Supernatant + O.D. pellet) × 100. (O.D. is optical density).

Statistical analysis

Data were expressed as mean values ± SE and statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA to assess significant differences among treatment groups. The criterion for statistical significance was set atp<0.01 for the biochemical data. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical version 21 software package (SPSS^®Inc., USA).

RESULTS

Table I showed that food, fluid intakes and relative body weight (RBW) showed a significant increase in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. Meanwhile, relative testes weight showed a significant decrease in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. On the other hand, the relative weight of epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostates did not change significantly in different studied groups (Table I).

TABLE I
Changes in the water intake, Food intake, relative body weights (RBW) and relative organ weights (g/100 g body weight) of sex organs in different groups

	Control	SAE	Equigan	Equigan+SAE
Water intake (ml/rat/day)	35.5#±1.98	35.9#±2.50	42.4*±1.44	39.8*±2.62
Food intake (g/rat/day)	13.4# ± 0.57	13.8# ± 0.95	19.0* ± 0.58	16.9*# ± 0.44
RBW (g/100 g)	26.5# ± 1.03	29.8# ± 0.89	47.2* ± 2.21	36.8*#±1.25
RTW (g/100 g)	1.34#±0.045	1.37# ± 0.029	1.09*±0.032	1.26*#±0.081
REW (g/100 g)	0.332±0.046	0.335±0.022	0.330±0.018	0.335±0.048
RPW (g/100 g)	0.310±0.018	0.316±0.015	0.309± 0.011	0.311±0.027
RSVW (g/100 g)	0.44±0.076	0.43±0.061	0.42±0.045	0.42±0.07

• Value represents mean ± SE of 10 rats. Significant difference from the control group at *p<0.05. Significant difference from Equigan group at ^# p<0.05. Relative testes weights (RTW), relative Epididymis weights (REW), relative seminal vesicles weights (RSVW) and relative prostates weights (RPW).

Effect of Equigan and SAE on electrolytes alterations

Table II showed the changes in the serum sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium and phosphorous levels in different groups under study. Serum sodium, magnesium and total calcium levels were significantly decreased in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. In contrast, serum potassium, chloride and phosphorous were significantly increased in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in serum sodium, magnesium and total calcium levels in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group, while there was a significant decrease in serum potassium, chloride and phosphorous levels in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group (Table II). In addition, serum calcium ions didn’t change significantly in different studied groups (Table II).

TABLE II
Changes in electrolyte levels in different groups

	Control	SAE	Equigan	Equigan+SAE
Na+ (mmol/L)	135.4 ± 8.435b	136.9 ± 5.266b	127.1 ± 4.519a	143.0 ± 7.025c
K+ (mmol/L)	4.365 ± 0.198b	4.410 ± 0.124b	5.633 ± 0.138a	3.20 ± 0.119b
Ca++ (mmol/L)	1.261± 0.094	1.248± 0.055b	1.211± 0.032	1.239± 0.106
Ca total (mg/dL)	10.54± 0.329b	10.61 ± 0.541b	9.46 ± 0.187a	10.13 ± 0.615ab
Cl- (mmol/L)	100.3±4.35b	102.0±8.81b	119.1±5.55a	116.5±8.46 a
Mg (mg/dL)	2.17 ± 0.055b	2.31 ± 0.028b	1.13 ± 0.019a	1.65 ± 0.053ab
Ph (mg/dL)	4.94 ± 0.18b	4.87 ± 0. 24b	7.43± 0.41a	6.13 ± 0.155ab

• Value represents mean ± SE of 10 rats, Significant difference from the control group at *p<0.05. Significant difference from Equigan group at ^# p<0.05.

Effect of Equigan and SAE on reproductive hormones

Figures 1 and 2 showed the changes in total testosterone, FSH, LH and PRL hormone levels in different groups under study. Testosterone, FSH, LH and PRL levels were significantly decreased in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. In contrast, there was a significant increase in total testosterone, FSH, LH and PRL in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group (Figures 1 and 2).

$\text{Relative organ weight}=\frac{\text{Organ weight}}{\text{Body weight}}\times 100$

FIGURE 1
Changes in the total testosterone and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the different groups. (Significant difference from the control group at * p<0.05; Significant difference from Equigan group at ^# p<0.05).

FIGURE 2
Changes in the Luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) hormone levels in the different groups. (Significant difference from the control group at * p<0.05; Significant difference from Equigan group at ^# p<0.05).

Sperm characteristics

Semen characteristics were affected after Equigan injection, and were significantly depressed in the sperm count, motility and viability in Equigan group as compared to control group (Tables III and IV). In contrast, there was a significant increase in sperm count, motility and viability in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group (Tables III and IV).

TABLE III
Changes in the epididymal sperm count and vitality in the different groups under study

	Control	SAE	Equigan	Equigan+SAE
Sperm count (million/ml)	81.9# ± 8.52	86.1# ± 7.35	53.66* ± 4.21	74.98#* ± 8.45
Vitality (%)	79.85# ± 3.74	72.05# ± 3.11	54.19* ± 3.46	71.55#* ± 5.65

• Each reading represents Mean ± SEM of 10 rats. The significance of difference was checked by t test and multiple comparison Dunnett test (compare all vs control) using a computer program graph pad (Instat software Inc). Significant difference from the control group at *p< 0.05. Significant difference from Equigan group at #p< 0.05.

TABLE IV
Changes in the epididymal sperm total motility (PR+NP), progressive motility (PR), non-progressive (NP) and immotile (IM) (%) in the different groups under study

	Control	SAE	Equigan	Equigan+SAE
Total motility (PR+NP)	70.05# ± 2.69	71.35# ± 2.45	58.28* ± 3.48	66.09# * ± 3.39
Progressive motility (PR)	47.65# ± 2.35	51.23# ± 4.37	33.36* ± 1.75	44.55# ± 2.15
Non Progressive (NP)	22.40# ± 1.15	20.12# ± 1.07	24.92* ± 1.33	21.54# ± 1.62
Immotile (IM)	29.95# ± 0.97	28.65# ± 1.91	41.72* ± 2.27	33.91# * ± 2.29

• Each reading represents Mean ± SEM of 10 rats. The significance of difference was checked by t test and multiple comparison Dunnett test (compare all vs control) using a computer program graph pad (Instat software Inc). Significant difference from the control group at *p< 0.05. Significant difference from Equigan group at #p< 0.05.

Table IV showed the changes in the epididymal sperm total motility (PR+NP), progressive motility (PR), non-progressive (NP) and immotile (IM) (%) in the different groups under study. Progressive motility was significantly decreased in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups. In contrast, non-progressive and immotile sperms were significantly increased in Equigan group as compared to control and SAE groups (Table IV). In contrast, non-progressive and immotile sperms showed a significant decrease in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group (Table IV).

Figure 1 shows the sperm head abnormalities of rats treated with Equigan, and the percentage of sperm with head defect (no head) has been increased significantly in the Equigan group as compared with control group; in addition, there was a significant increase in other head defects like amorphous, banana shape, hook less head, pin head sperms in Equigan group as compared with control group. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in sperm head abnormalities in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group (Figure 3). The percentage of sperms with bent mid piece was significantly increased in control rats group as compared with Equigan group while curved mid-piece was significantly increased in Equigan rats group as compared with control group. Also, Figure 3 shows the sperm tail abnormalities or tail defect (as headless, bent, curved, coiled and looped tails) of rats treated with Equigan, which were significantly increased as compared with control group. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in sperm tail abnormalities in co-treatment Equigan with SAE group when compared with Equigan group.

FIGURE 3
Microphotographs illustrating morphologically normal sperm (a) and various sperm defects (b-K).{b, Sperm agglutination; c, Fused sperm; d, bent head; e, double head; f, hook less head (white arrow) and hook head (black arrow); g, amorphous head (white arrow) and banana head (black arrow); h, tailless head; I, sperms with bent mid piece; j, coiled tail; k, looped tail}.

DNA fragmentation

In the present study, we found that, intramuscular injections of Equigan to rats resulted in a significant increase in testicular DNA fragmentation (P < 0.001 vs. control group). Treatment with star anise extract inhibited the cellular damage significantly (P<0.001) (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4
DNA fragmentation in testicular tissues in the different groups under study. (Significant difference from the control group at *p<0.05; Significant difference from Equigan group at #p<0.05).

DISCUSSION

Anabolic steroid has dual effects on humans (directly and indirectly); directly as intramuscular injection to build muscles and indirectly as through consuming meat of animals that were treated with Equigan (Scarth et al., 2012). The present results revealed that intramuscular injection of the anabolic steroid Equigan to male rats evoked a significant elevation in the food intake, fluid intake and relative body weight rate and a significant depletion in the relative testes weight in Equigan group as compared to control group while the relative weights of epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostates did not reveal any changes between the different groups under study.

Similar findings were reported by Saleh and Waded (2014), El-Moghazy, Tousson, Sakeran (2012) and Mohammed et al. (2016) who reported that the body weight and total protein concentrations in male rabbits were significantly increased after boldenone injections. Also, Silcox, Keeton, Johnson (1986) reported a significant increase in weight gain of lambs after trenbolone acetate injections. In contrast, Cannizzo et al. (2007) found no statistically relevant difference between different groups of veal calves treated with boldenone. The results are not in agreement with Oda and El-Ashmawy (2012) who reported that boldenone had no significant effect on the body weight and body weight gain while the testes and epididymis weights were decreased significantly after boldenone injections in male rabbits. This effect could be attributed to Equigan acting upon the androgen receptors in anabolic-responsive tissues by promoting the body tissue building processes due to increased protein synthesis.

Magnesium ions regulate over 300 biochemical reactions in the body through their role as enzyme co-factors. Chloride ion is an essential electrolyte located in all body fluids responsible for maintaining acid/base balance and transmitting nerve impulses. Also, chloride ion is a chlorine anion that forms the negatively charged part of certain salts, including sodium and hydrogen chloride salts. The present work showed a significant decrease in sodium, magnesium and total calcium levels in Equigan as compared to control groups while there was a significant increase in potassium, chloride and phosphorous in Equigan as compared to control groups. In contrast, Treatment with SAE improved this alteration in electrolytes. These results agree with Pitts and Davis (2007) who reported that an evidence- based analysis of anabolic steroids also enhances performance in horses. Also, the current results agree with Barakat et al. (2015) and El-Masry et al. (2017).

The current results revealed that the level of total testosterone, FSH, LH and PRL hormone dramatically dropped (P<0.05) in Equigan treated rats group compared with the control group. But rats treated with Equigan and star anise extract (Equigan + SAE) significantly (p< 0.05) increased the level of total testosterone, FSH, LH and PRL hormone compared with Equigan treated rats. This remarkable reduction of sexual hormones which were found in the current study might be explained by severe damages, in which Equigan exerted on Leydig and Sertoli cells by increasing the generation of free radicals, is one of the possible mechanisms involved in anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced Leydig cell degeneration.

In agreement with our findings, Purkayastha and Mahanta (2012) reported a significant decrease in the FSH, LH and testosterone levels after nandrolone decanoate injections in mice. These results agree also with Mohammed et al. (2016), Oda and El-Ashmawy (2012) and Thabet et al. (2010) who reported a significant reduction in the total testosterone after boldenone injections. In contrast, administration of testosterone alone to bull calves did not induce any variation in testosterone (Simontacchi et al., 2004). Also, Shimomura et al. (2005) showed a significant decrease in testosterone levels after ethinylestradiol alone treatment. Not similar findings were reported by Takahashi, Tatsugi, Kohno (2004) and Gabr et al. (2009) who reported that there was a significant increase in serum testosterone levels in treated groups with anabolic-androgenic steroid when compared with control group.

The obtained results indicate that intramuscular injection of rats with Equigan adversely affects spermatogenesis, sperm motility and sperm count suggesting that anabolic-androgenic steroid hormone might play an important role not only in controlling normal testicular development, but also in maintaining normal testicular function and spermatogenesis. This could explain decreased sperm concentration, motility and abnormal morphology induced by Equigan administration to rats. The decrease in the sperm count after Equigan intramuscular injection may be due to decreased level of intratesticular testosterone, because testosterone levels are directly linked to spermatogenesis.

Our results agree with Tousson et al. (2012) who reported that boldenone undecylenate affects spermatogenesis by inhibiting the nucleic acid synthesis of germ cells, and reduction in gonadotropin secretion causes atrophy of the testes. Our results were similar to those reported by Ciocca (2005) in athletes and Cannizzo et al. (2007) in veal calves. Also, our results agree with Oda and El-Ashmawy (2012) and Thabet et al. (2010) who reported that there was a significant reduction in the sperm motility and count after boldenone injections while no abnormalities were detected in the sperm morphology after boldenone injections. According to results from the CASA analysis, different motility patterns were identified after Equigan injection. The decrease in normal sperm morphology after Equigan injection was linked to significantly increased sperm with abnormal heads. The decrease in sperm count, the increase in dead and abnormal sperm of rats may occur due to increased free radical formation initiating germ cell apoptosis and subsequent male infertility. On the other hand, the presence of star anise with Equigan improved the sperm motility. However, the incidence and severity of testicular and epididymal lesions in rats pretreated with star anise was considerably ameliorated when compared to that in the Equigan group. Therefore, star anise attenuated the Equigan-induced testis and epididymis damages.

Two main mechanisms are known by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause infertility. In the 1^st mechanism, ROS can damage the sperm membrane, which in turn, reduces sperm motility and their ability to fuse with the oocyte, while in the 2^nd mechanism, ROS directly damage sperm DNA. The current results revealed that rat injections with Equigan increased testicular DNA fragmentation, and indicated that Equigan is able to induce testicular apoptosis. Our results were in agreement with Meseguer et al. (2008) who reported that DNA damage of sperm cell decrease the quality of the sperm, increase the abnormalities and cause fertilization problems since spermatozoa requires intact DNA during fertilization process. In contrast, SAE improved the testicular DNA damage and this result agree with Dinesha et al. (2014) who studied the antioxidant and DNA protectant activities of star anise aqueous extracts. So, it is therefore possible that SAE could scavenge free radicals and produce beneficial effects against Equigan damage in testis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under grant No.37-K-189. The authors therefore, gratefully acknowledge the DSR technical and financial support.

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• ABBREVIATIONS
  SAE, Star anise extracts; PR, Progressive motility of epididymal sperm; NP, non-progressive of epididymal sperm; IM, Immotile sperm; ROS, reactive oxygen species; LH, Luteinizing hormone; FSH, Follicle stimulating hormone; CASA, Computer assisted semen analysis.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2018

History

• Received
  05 June 2017
• Accepted
  30 Aug 2017