ABSTRACT
Because of a paucity of information on the effect of Satureja khuzistanica in male chickens, this study was undertaken to determine the influence of dietary S. khuzistanica powder [SKP] on seminal characteristics and testes thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] content in Iranian native breeder rooster. Thirty-six 40-week-old roosters were randomly allotted to 3 equal groups and received either a basal diet without SKP [T1 or control], or a diet containing 20 g/kg [T2] and 40 g/kg [T3] of SKP for 8- week-long experimental period. Semen samples were obtained weekly by abdominal massage to evaluate the seminal characteristics. At the end of the eighth week 18 birds [6 birds per each group] were randomly slaughtered, and sample was taken from right testes for TBARS evaluation. Administration of SKP improved all semen traits, except for sperm concentration. Likewise, TBARS content in SKP treatments did not significantly differ from the control [P>0.05]. Seminal volume, live sperm percentage and plasma membrane integrity percentage in SKP-treated groups were higher than the control. Conversely, abnormal sperm percentages reduced in SKP-treated groups [P<0.05]. Plasma membrane integrity in experimental treatments was significantly higher than the control in 2nd, 3rd and 7th weeks. However, at 6th and 8th weeks only T3 treatment was significantly different from the control. Notably, there was an increase in total sperm concentration in SKP-treated groups in compared to the control birds. In conclusion, this study indicated that addition of SKP in rooster diet improves sperm quality and also reduces their sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, which may lead to higher fertilization rate.
ABSTRACT
Psychological factors have been suggested to play a role in the maintenance and etiology of temporomandibular disorders [TMDs], but its exact cause is complicated and multifactorial. This study aimed to compare anxiety and depression between patients with TMD and matched healthy individuals. A total of 150 individuals including 75 TMD patients and 75 healthy volunteers were included in this case-control investigation. The participants were matched according to age, sex, occupation and socio-economic status. In order to collect demographic and general health information, all subjects were asked to fill-out questionnaires. Symptoms of anxiety were measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] scale and symptoms of depression with the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] scale. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent sample T-test and two-way ANOVA with SPSS software. The mean score for BDI was 15.2 in the case and 8.36 in the control groups, which showed a significant difference. BDI was not significantly different between males and females. State and Trait scores were significantly higher in the TMD patients as compared to the controls. A significant difference was not observed in Trait anxiety between the two sexes but men revealed significantly higher State anxiety scores than women. These findings indicate that depression and anxiety were more prevalent among TMD patients in comparison to the normal population. Therefore psychological consultation for both men and women with TMD should be considered in the treatment plan