ABSTRACT
Objective@#The present study assessed the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa at different time intervals (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 hours) after incubation at 37°C. @*Methods@#Twenty-five normozoospermic semen samples were incubated at 37°C. Incubation was performed at four time intervals of 0 (after liquefaction), 1, 1.5, and 2 hours. The samples were evaluated for sperm parameters at each time interval. @*Results@#The rate of sperm progressive motility decreased at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours as well as 2 hours compared to 1 hour and 0 hours. The rate of non-motile spermatozoa also decreased after 2 hours compared to after 0 hours. No significant changes were observed in sperm viability (p=0.98) and non- progressive motility (p=0.48) at any time intervals. Abnormal sperm morphology increased at 1.5 hours of incubation time (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in DNA fragmentation at 1 hour compared to 0 hours (median [interquartile range]: 19.5 [4] vs. 19 [4]), as well as at 1.5 hours compared to 1 hour (20 [5]). However, a significant increase in DNA fragmentation was observed at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased remarkably after 1 hour of incubation time. No significant differences were observed in the acrosome reaction or malonaldehyde levels at any time point (p=0.34 and p=0.98, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The incubation of normozoospermic samples before use in assisted reproductive technology should be less than 1.5 hours to minimize the destructive effects of prolonged incubation time on general and specific sperm parameters.
ABSTRACT
Background: The particles in the range of 1-100 run are called nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticle is one of the most important metal nanoparticles with wide usage
Objective: This study investigated the effects of gold nanoparticles on sperm parameters and chromatin structure in mice
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 male bulb-c mice were divided into 9 groups including: ;4 Sham groups [Sc 1-4], 4 experimental groups [Au 1-4], and 1 control group [C]. Experimental groups received 40 and 200 fig/kg/day soluble gold [Au] nano-particles for 7 and 35 days, by intra peritoneal injection, respectively. Sham groups were treated with 1.2 rnM sodium citrate solution with 40 and 200 jag/kg/day doses for same days and control group did not receive any materials. Motility and Morphology of spermatozoa were analyzed. Chromatin quality was also evaluated using AB [Aniline blue], TB [Toluidine blue] and CMA3 [Chromomycin A3] staining methods
Results: The sperm analysis results showed that motility and morphology of sperm in experimental groups [especially in groups that have been treated for 35 days with nano-particles] had significant decrease in comparison with control group. TB, AB and CM A3 results showed a significant increase in abnormal spermatozoa from all Au-treated groups
Conclusion: Gold nano-particles firstly can reduce the sperm parameters such as motility and normal morphology and secondly affect sperm chromatin remodeling and cause the increase instability of chromatin and also increase the rate of sperm DNA damage. These deleterious effects were more obvious in maximum dose and chronic phase
ABSTRACT
Saccharin is an artificial non-caloric sweetener that used to sweeten products such as drinks, candies, medicines, and toothpaste, but our bodies cannot metabolize it. Sodium saccharin is considered as an important factor in tumor promotion in male rats but not in humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of saccharin consumption on sperm parameters and apoptosis in adult mice. Totally 14 adult male mice were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 served as control fed on basal diet and group 2 or experimental animals received distilled water containing saccharin [0.2% w/v] for 35 days. After that, the left cauda epididymis of each mouse was cut and placed in Ham's F10. Swimmed-out spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology [Pap-staining] and viability [eosin-Y staining]. Sperm DNA integrity, as an indicator of apoptosis, was assessed by SCD [sperm chromatin dispersion] and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TUNEL] assay. Following saccharin consumption, we had a reduction in sperm motility with respect to control animals [p=0.000]. In addition, the sperm count diminished [17.70 +/- 1.11 in controls vs. 12.80 +/- 2.79 in case group, p=0.003] and the rate of sperm normal morphology decreased from 77.00 +/- 6.40 in control animals into 63.85 +/- 6.81 in saccharin-treated mice [p=0.001]. Also, we saw a statistically significant increase in rates of sperm DNA damage and apoptosis in experimental group when compared to control one [p=0.001, p=0.002 respectively]. Saccharin consumption may have negative effects on sperm parameters, and increases the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in mice
ABSTRACT
Taxol is one of the most important anti-cancer drugs, which is obtained from yew trees [Taxus sp.]. T+he first step in side chain assembly of taxol is catalyzed by phenylalanine aminomutase, which converts alpha-phenylalanine to beta-phenylalanine. In this study, for the first time, we report on the cloning, preliminary expression and characterization of a full-length gene and cDNA encoding phenylalanine aminomutase from Taxus baccata L. Comparison of the full-length gene with other ones identified from the Taxus species showed high similarity, particularly with Taxus x media. The results showed that the expression level of this gene in Taxus baccata is very low and therefore this enzymatic step could be a rate limiting step in the taxol biosynthesis pathway. Successful amplification of the cDNA was only obtained from RNA samples isolated from methyl jasmonate elicited suspension cells of Taxus baccata. The cloned cDNA contained a 2064 bp open reading frame encoding a protein composed of 687 amino acids. Sequence comparison analysis revealed that the gene is very similar [98 - 99%] with respect to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences in different Taxus species and also share the signature active site motif [175ASG177]. The predicted structure of TbPAM was analyzed using bioinformatic tools. The results indicated that the protein has similar overall folding to tyrosine aminomutase.
Subject(s)
Phenylalanine/genetics , Cloning, Molecular , ResearchABSTRACT
Background and Objective: At present two teaching methods of traditional and integration are used for the theoretical instruction of anatomical sciences including anatomy, histology and embryology. It is thought that the integration teaching method can help Medical students, especially in their clinical course of study. This study was designed to find the attitudes of Medical students of Yazd University of Medical Sciences toward this method in teaching anatomical sciences courses
Methods: This study was done on Medical students who had been educated by the integration method. Data collection was done by using a self administrated questionnaire in four domains of knowledge about the integration program of anatomical sciences courses, facilities of the integration process, order of course presentation and satisfaction of the integration plan. Data were analyzed through SPSS software package
Results: Most of the respondents had moderate familiarity with the integration method and asserted that this method had moderately facilitated their learning process in anatomical sciences courses. According to most participants, the rate of coordination between the organ system was moderate. Students' satisfaction of integration of embryology, histology and anatomy courses was high. In regard to the order of course presentation, participants preferred histology, embryology, anatomy, and physiology order
Conclusion: Attitudes of Medical students toward horizontal integration method of basic sciences courses was moderate and based on the obtained results, it seems that the best presentation order is respectively histology, embryology, anatomy, and physiology?