Effects of combined magnetic fields on human sperm parameters

In previous investigations, it has been clarified that electromagnetic fields [ELF] can cause some changes in cellular behavior. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of magnetic field [MF] on human sperm parameters of motility, morphology, and viability. Semen samples were collected from 12 fertile men, and were allowed to liquefy for 15-30 min. Each sample was then divided into two aliquots. The experimental samples were placed in the ELF, while the control one was left intact. The applied fields were pulsed with distance of 6 m/sec and effective intensity of 1mT and different frequencies of 10, 25 and 45 Hz at different time intervals. The constant field intensity was 1mT in all experiments. In frequency of 10Hz, an increase in quick motility of sperm [1.8 times] occurred after 4h; however, slow motility was decreased by 40% after 2h. Also, the quick motility increased by 1.6 times in frequency 25 Hz after 4 h, while the MF had no effect on other sperm parameters. MF had no effect on any of sperm parameters in frequency of 40 Hz in 4 h. The stimulation ratio on the sperm viability was only significant at frequency of 10 Hz after 2 h after incubation. The sperm morphology was not influenced in any of the fields. This study reports the existence of certain frequency windows for the resonance of the effects of the MF on human spermatozoa. Rapid motility was significantly affected by the exposure of spermatozoa to MF, but sperm structural parameter had remained intact

[ effect of thyme [zataria multiflora boiss.] decoction on pregnancy in rats]

Thyme is a plant in Labiata family which different species of this herb affects the menstrual cycle and therefore is avoided in high doses especially during the gestational period. Assessing the effect of thyme Decoction consumption in 2nd gestational week on placenta and fetus in rats. In this study 10 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Animals in test group received thyme Decoction in 2nd week of gestation. On 20th day of pregnancy, the placenta was removed and weighed. The number of live, dead or reabsorbed fetuses were recorded. All fetuses were weighed and stereomicroscopically examined for any morphological abnormalities in limbs, vertebral column, or hear. Fetal height, fetal biparietal and placental diameters were also precisely measured. There were no significant differences in the number of live fetuses, between 2 groups. No dead or reabsorbed fetuses and no morphological abnormalities were observed in live fetuses. The live fetuses in both groups showed the same weight, height, and biparietal diameter but the length of tail in test group was longer than control group [p<0.05]. The placental weight was approximately identical in 2 groups, but its diameter in test group was smaller than the control group [p<0.05]. According to our findings, although the thyme Decoction consumption in 2nd gestational week did not lead to any abortion, due to its adverse effect on tail length and placental diameter, it is recommended that the thyme consumption be with precaution especially during the pregnancy

[ study on the effect of cinnamon on the structure of the ovary in diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus influences the reproductive system. Since investigations have showed that cinnamon may have an improving effect on diabetes, this study was designed to investigate the effect of cinnamon extract on the ovary structure in diabetic rats. A total of 24 female wistar rats [186 +/- 15gr] were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of control, control + cinnamon extract, diabetic and diabetic + cinnamon extract. Streptozotocin [60 mg/kg] was injected to induce diabetes and cinnamon extract [80 mg/kg/day] was administered orally through gavage. After 14 weeks, blood sugar and body weight were determined then rats were anesthetized and the right ovaries were taken out, weighed and underwent the process of slice preparation and staining by H and E method. The total volume of ovary, cortex and medulla, diameter of Graafian follicle and oocyte and thickness of zona pellucida were estimated by stereological methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey test. Blood sugar was reduced significantly in diabetic + extract group compared with diabetic rats. Mean total volume of ovary, cortex and medulla were increased significantly in diabetic group compared with other groups. Mean total volume of ovary, cortex and medulla were the same in diabetic + extract, control and control + extract groups. Body weight in both diabetic groups was reduced significantly compared with control groups. Ovary weight in diabetic group showed a significant increase in comparison to that in the diabetic + extract group. Based on the results, water-alcohol extract of cinnamon causes reduction in blood glucose level and prevents increase in ovary weight and volume of ovary, cortex and medulla in diabetic rats

Effect of light deprivation and sex on the strategy selection of rats in radial maze

During the early postnatal age environmental signals underlie development of sensory systems. The visual system is considered as an appropriate system for evaluation of the role of sensory experience in postnatal development of sensory systems Light [LR-control] and dark reared [DR] 40 days old rats were used for adjacent arms tasks. The animals were subjected to two trials each day on a radial arm maze. The experiments were performed in 3 stages. In the first stage, the rats had to search the maze with while all arms were baited. During the second and third stages, only 4 adjacent arms were baited, however, in the third stage the place of the adjacent arms was changed between the daily trials. The findings were considered for 1- the number of correct entries and 2- selection of the adjacent arms. Our results indicated that both the LR and DR animals equally entered correct arms. In the adjacent arms task, however, the control group significantly outperformed the DR animals. Concerning sex dependency of the tasks while, at least partly, the LR males and females differently searched the maze the DR group represented no sex differences in their performances These findings suggest that the lack of visual experience is likely to influence the strategy selection and sex differences as well. Also the difference between performances of the LR and DR animals is probably due to the males rather than females behavior