Factores de riesgo asociados a estancia hospitalaria prolongada en cuidados intensivos neonatales: un estudio de casos y controles

Abstract

Introduction: Tropaeolum tuberosum, known as mashua is an Andean tuber that has 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 fertilizing capacity. Studies done on rats fed 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 bind covalently 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. Methods: The in vivo morphofunctional parameters of mouse sperm (spermatogram) were evaluated and the expression of: Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, protein that regulates acute steroidogenesis, cyclin and protamine, related to spermatogenesis, was quantified. Results: At 7, 14 and 21 days of dosing, the sperm count is affected, as well as their progressive motility (PM); on the other hand, a delay in their maturation was observed. Regarding gene expression, no significant differences were found between the expression of the two genes studied (cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, cyclin). Conclusion: The effect of mashua does not occur at the level of the expression of the genes involved in spermatogenesis, but at the level of its functions as a protein.