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This study was designed to investigate the reproductive toxicity of aluminium sulphate and the therapeutic effects of administration of zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination against the toxic effect caused by aluminium (Al) in male albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups: group 1 received distilled water and served as control; group 2 received only aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)); group 3 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) plus zinc sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.); group 4 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) and vitamin E (15 mg/kg b.w.); group 5 received aluminium sulphate plus a combination of zinc sulphate and vitamin E in similar doses as above. Doses were administered orally once daily for 45 consecutive days. The results revealed that aluminium sulphate induced significant decrease in body weight gain and testis weight and significant increase in Al level in both serum and testes of male rats. Biochemical analysis showed significant decrease in serum total protein and phospholipids levels, while serum total lipid was significantly elevated post Al treatment. In addition, significant decrease in total protein, phospholipids and cholesterol levels in the testes of Al-treated rats was recorded. The data also showed significant decrease in the levels of serum testosterone, leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and significant increase in the level of serum prolactin in Al-intoxicated rats. Moreover, histological examination showed that aluminium sulphate caused apparent alterations in the testicular structure of the treated animals. Treatment with zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination ameliorated the harmful effects of Al, which was proved histopathologically by the noticeable improvement in the testicular tissues. We can conclude that the tested dose of aluminium sulphate induced toxic effect on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the treatment with zinc sulphate and/or vitamin E alleviated these toxic effects. In some cases, vitamin E exerted a more potent effect, while in other cases, the more potent effect is related to zinc sulphate and the combination of both at most of the recorded data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Methanolic extract of Euphorbia prostrata when administered orally at the dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 60 days to male rats did not cause any significant loss in their body weights, but the weights of their reproductive organs, i.e., testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate, decreased in a significant manner when compared to the controls. The production of round spermatids was reduced by 73.04% in E. prostrata-treated rats. The population of preleptotene spermatocytes and spermatogonia were reduced by 65.07% and 47.48% and secondary spermatocytes by 73.41%, respectively. The cross-sectional surface area of Sertoli cells, as well as the cell counts, was found to have been depleted significantly. Leydig cell nuclear area and the number of mature Leydig cells decreased by 57.47% and 54.42%, respectively. Sperm motility, as well as sperm density, reduced significantly. E. prostrata reduced the fertility of male rats by 100%. The protein, glycogen, and cholesterol contents of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle, and protein in the epididymides significantly decreased. Histoarchitecture of the testes showed vacuolization at the primary spermatocyte stage. Highly reduced seminiferous tubular diameter and increased intertubular space were also observed when compared to the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]