Sperm, increased motility

In rats orally administered 100 mg neem leaf powder daily (average rat weight 185 g) for 24 days, a decrease in the total sperm count, sperm motility, and forward velocity in vas deferens fluid was observed. The percentage of abnormal sperm increased and the fructose content decreased (Ghosesawar et al. 2003). 

In mice (average animal weight 187 g) intramuscularly administered 1 ml of a chloroform extract of quassia daily for 15 days, a reduction in the weight of testis and epididymis was observed, along with marked decreases in the sperm count, motility, and viability and an increase in sperm abnormalities (Parveen et al. 2003). 

Anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions, aggravation of existing infections, malaise, increase or decrease in sperm motility and number... 

Mouse 25 wk (Swiss CD-1) (F) 250 (reduced number and proportion of live pups per litter and decreased fertility index) 250 M (decreased sperm motility and concentration, increased percentage of abnormal sperm, atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, decreased fertility index) Chapin et al. 1988 TCP... 

Chowdhury et al. (1986) reported that occupational exposure of 10 men to lead caused a significant decrease in sperm count and motility and an increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. The average PbB concentration in the lead-exposed group was higher (42.5 pg/dL) compared to controls (14.8 pg/dL). Assennato et al. (1987) reported decreased sperm production in 39 battery factory workers with high PbB levels ranging from 50 to 61 pg/dL, compared to 39 nonexposed workers. Lerda (1992)... 

Decreases in sperm motility and increased acid phosphatase activity were reported to result from oral administration of 0.05 mg/kg lead in drinking water to male rats for 20-30 days in a study from the former U.S.S.R. (Krasovskii et al. 1979). Dystrophic changes of the Leydig cells were reported in gonadal tissues of rats exposed to doses as low as 0.005 mg lead/kg/day. The weaknesses of the study include absence of data on the strain and number of rats used, and the fact that PbB levels were not reported. 

Increased concentrations of copper in ejaculates (16 mg/kg DW vs. 2 in controls) and liver (1435 mg/kg DW vs. 63). Sperm motility in test rams was significantly decreased, abnormalities were increased, and testes copper was elevated (96-101 mg/kg DW vs. 60-69 in controls)... 

Sperm counts can be performed with sperm from either the testis or the epididymis. Sperm motility is commonly being treated as a measure of sperm viability. The addition of sperm evaluation greatly increases the sensitivity of the study to detect effects on sperm maturation and the current study design will likely detect more male effects than previous designs even though the treatment period has been shortened. 

As would be expected, khat overuse produces symptoms similar to those of other monoamine stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamine, including signs of sympathetic overarousal. In the extreme this can involve a toxic psychosis. Disorders more frequently associated with chronic khat use in males are headaches, anorexia, insomnia, constipation, and respiratory illnesses (Kennedy et al. 1983). Females report higher incidences of acute gastritis, jaundice, bronchitis and hepatic diseases. Also, cathinone has toxic reproductive effects in humans and experimental animals (Islam et al. 1990). It decreases sperm count and motility, and increases the number of abnormal sperm cells. It also decreases plasma testosterone in rats. 

Signiflcant developmental toxicity as determined by increased incidences of resorptions occurred in mice at levels of 6600 ppm, which also caused maternal toxicity. Depressed sperm motility and epididymal weight and elevated evidence of abnormal sperm were observed in male rats receiving... 

Testicular atrophy was reported in rats exposed to 19 mg cobalt/m (as cobalt sulfate) for 16 days." Male mice exposed for 13 weeks at 1.14 mg cobalt/m had a decrease in sperm motility, and at 11.4 mg cobalt/m there was testicular atrophy at the high dose female mice had a significant increase in length of the estrous cycle."... 

Adverse reproductive effects have also been reported in humans. Fumigators chronically exposed to EDB showed statistically significant decreases in sperm count and percentages of viable and motile sperm and increases in sperm with specific abnormalities compared with controls. Decrease in sperm velocity and semen volume has been reported in another group of fumigators who were exposed to EDB seasonally." No adverse effects were found on sperm counts of 50 workers exposed to less than 5.0ppm. ... 

Administered in the drinking water to male rats for 60 days, 0.7 mg thallium/day, as thallium sulfate, caused abnormalities in testicular morphology, function, and biochemistry. Effects included increased epididymal sperm with increased numbers of immature cells, decreased sperm motility, and reduced testicular P-glucuronidase. 

Lead exposure can produce a number of other effects. One of the most common effects is on the red blood cells, which results in anemia. The red blood cells become fragile and hemoglobin synthesis is impaired. Changes in the red blood cells and some enzymatic changes were used as a marker for lead exposure. Similar to other metals, lead adversely affects kidney function, but this is now rare with reductions in occupational exposure. Several studies have demonstrated that elevated lead exposure is related to elevated blood pressure levels, particularly in men. There appears to be a weak association between lead exposure and increased incidence of lung and brain cancer. Lead exposure is a reproductive hazard for both males and females. In males, lead affects sperm count and sperm motility, resulting in decreased offspring. 

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