Introduction: Maytenus macrocarpa (MM) "Chuchuhuasi" is a native plant from the Amazon region of South America, widely used in traditional medicine due its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-tumor properties. However, its effects on reproductive physiology and male fertility have not been elucidated. Methods: Preclinical experimental study of cases and controls.  Male mice with eight weeks from birth were administered orally for 70 days (two spermatogenic cycles) an aqueous extract MM: GC (n = 8) 0 mg / kg body weight (bw) control group and treated group GT (n = 8) 1000 mg / kg bw. Later the animals were euthanized, the reproductive organs were weighted, also motility and sperm count were recorded. During the days 60 or 65 of treatment, males were mated and pregnant females were sacrificed in the fourth day of pregnancy for evaluating development, quality and degree of blastulati...

Introduction: Myrciaria dubia known as “camu camu” is a fruit that grows in the Amazon and its main characteristic is its high content of vitamin C. Ascorbic acid has a protective role in spermatogenesis as it is a compound that has excellent reducing action. The purpose of this research was to evaluate in vivo the cytoprotective capacity of the aqueous extract of the fruit of Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh “camu-camu” against the mutagenic damage produced by the antineoplastic drug cyclophosphamide (CP) on the male germ line. Methodology: Mice (n= 60) were divided into five treatment groups: T1= negative control (without treatment); T2 ingested the aqueous extract (10mgkg-1), T3 ingested the aqueous extract (50mgkg-1), T4 ingested the aqueous extract (100mgkg-1); T5 is the positive control. All of them were injected with a single dose of CP (50 mgkg-1) intraperitoneally. Treatm...

Introduction: Tropaeolum tuberosum, known as "mashua" is an Andean tuber that holds both economic and nutritional value for low-income populations. It is believed that it affects male fertility because Andean men associate it with impotence and decreased fertility. Studies conducted on rats fed with "mashua" showed that there was a 45% decrease in the testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio. The effect of this plant on reproduction is related to its content of isothiocyanates, compounds that covalently bind to proteins, which may be directly or indirectly involved in the spermatogenic process. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of "mashua" on spermatogenesis and reproductive physiology of mice. Methodology: In vivo morphofunctional parameters of mouse sperm (spermatogram) were evaluated and the expression of Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,2...

Introduction: Lead toxicity has been linked to different diseases in humans and several evidences suggest a strong relationship with the observed damage on reproductive function in humans and rodents. Method: Mice were given a single dose of lead nitrate (NP) (50mg/kg/bw), which were euthanized seven days post-injection with the aim of evaluating sperm to come out from the seminiferous tubules and are in transit through the epididymis. Also, the TUNEL test was done to evaluate the sperm DNA fragmentation.  Results: The decrease in body weight in mice treated with LN (p <0.05), suggest a toxic systemic effect. However, the same did’n happen on the reproductive system because the weights of the testes, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles were not altered (p>0.05), in the same way physiological values such as sperm concentration and motility didn´t decrease with the treatmen...