1. Evaluation of the testis function of mice exposed in utero and during lactation to Pfaffia glomerata (Brazilian ginseng).
- Author
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Auharek SA, Carollo CA, Oliveira RJ, Cunha-Laura AL, Monreal ACD, Siqueira JM, Costa DS, de Paiva Condé TR, Wollf DIL, and Aloysio Amaral E
- Subjects
- Androgens biosynthesis, Animals, Animals, Suckling, Body Weight drug effects, Brazil, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Gonadal Dysgenesis etiology, Gonadal Dysgenesis pathology, Humans, Lactation, Male, Maternal Exposure adverse effects, Mice, Nitric Oxide metabolism, Organ Size drug effects, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Plant Extracts administration & dosage, Plant Roots chemistry, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects etiology, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects pathology, Testis pathology, Gonadal Dysgenesis diagnosis, Panax chemistry, Plant Extracts toxicity, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects diagnosis, Testis drug effects
- Abstract
Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, popularly known as "Brazilian ginseng," is used as medicinal plant in Brazil to treat inflammatory diseases in general. Previous studies showed that its extract increases the nitric oxide (NO) levels. Knowing that NO downregulates steroidogenesis and that alterations in the action/production of androgens during perinatal life could alter testis development, the present studies sought to investigate the reproductive toxicity of Pfaffia glomerata on male mice exposed to hydroalcoholic extract in utero and during lactation. The present study shows that P. glomerata extract does not alter body weight, tubular diameter and testis function in male mice. Although a reduction in the testis weight was observed in the animals that received the highest dose directly in early post-natal life, our findings show clearly that P. glomerata may not act as an endocrine disruptor, and it is not an "antiandrogenic" compound that could lead to testicular dysgenesis syndrome., (© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)
- Published
- 2019
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