Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Kausiki Chakrabarti ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Charuchandra College, 22-Lake Road, Kolkata-700 029, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

To elucidate the nature and the probable mode of action of the partially purified in vitro human sperm immobilizing fraction of Allium sativum L., with a view to develop a herbal intravaginal spermicidal agent partial purification was carried out using different types of chromatography. After each step of purification, the purified fractions were tested on human ejaculated sperm to verify the instant immobilization activity and thus the most active fraction underwent further purification. For characterization of its nature, Nuclear magnetic spin resonance (NMR), Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) and Electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) were carried out. In order to understand the mechanism of action, several sperm functional parameters such as viability, Hypo-Osmotic Swelling (HOS), 5´ nucleotidase, acrosin and acrosome intactness were estimated when the sperm cells were incubated with the partially purified extract. Characterization showed that the partially purified fraction contained β-linked heptasaccharide consisting of glucose molecule as aglycone part, whose approximate molecular weight was 1152. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Effective Concentration 50 (EC50) of this fraction was 50 mg/ml and 16 mg/ml, respectively. When treated sperm was compared with the control, there was a loss of more than 65% in the activity of plasma membrane marker enzyme 5’ nucleotidase, 55% loss in sperm viability, 78% reduction in HOS 80% decrease in the activity of acrosin and acrosome intactness. Results revealed the in vitro sperm immobilization activity of the partially purified extract, consisting of glucose molecules as one of the major constituents, which exert its effect mainly on plasma and acrosomal membrane architecture.

Keywords

Aqueous Extract, Partial Purification, Characterization, Human Sperm, Sperm Immobilization, Intra Vaginal Contraceptive.

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Tapasi Roy ¹, Kausiki Chakrabarti ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Charuchandra College, 22-Lake Road, Kolkata 700 029, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Urban morphology of Kolkata has been changed considerably in last three to four decades. This change is more vivid in newly developed zones like East Kolkata and New Town areas. The town planning, buildings and land use tremendously altered the basic characters of the land, water bodies and vegetation. Consequently, the flora and fauna of the area have been adversely affected. In this background an assessment of the richness of the butterfly fauna was undertaken by periodical surveys for 13 months during 2021-2022. Altogether fifty species belonging to five families were recorded and that indicated no major biodiversity loss from a dataset of about twenty five years back. Some species of earlier study were unnoticed, indicating partial loss of habitat condition. As the butterflies are good environmental indicators and benefactors some suggestions are made for their better survival and conservation.

Keywords

Kolkata Metropolitan Area, Urbanisation, Habitat Change, Butterfly, Faunal Status, Conservation Need.

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