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HERO ID
5921905
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Theobromine toxicity on Sertoli cells and comparison with cocoa extract in male rats
Author(s)
Wang, Y; Waller, DP
Year
1994
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Toxicology Letters
ISSN:
0378-4274
EISSN:
1879-3169
Volume
70
Issue
2
Page Numbers
155-164
Language
English
PMID
8296320
DOI
10.1016/0378-4274(94)90159-7
Abstract
The target cell(s) of theobromine toxicity on rat testes and reproductive toxicity induced by pure theobromine and cocoa extract are evaluated in the present studies. Theobromine (500 mg/kg x 7 days) inhibited body weight gain in treated rats. Decreased cauda epididymal sperm reserve (38%), seminiferous tubule fluid (STF) volume (33%), lactate concentration in STF (22%), inhibition of binding activity of androgen binding protein (ABP, 21%) and reduced ABP content in STF were also observed in theobromine-treated animals. Cocoa extract containing an equivalent amount of theobromine did not produce significant toxicity in treated rats. Theobromine concentrations in serum and testes from pure theobromine-treated rats were 1.8- and 1.6-fold higher, respectively, than that in rats treated with cocoa extract. The results support Sertoli cells as the primary target cells of theobromine toxicity. The lower theobromine concentrations in serum and testes of cocoa extract-treated rats could account for the lower toxicity in these animals.
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