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Objective@#The present study investigated sperm chromatin quality and testosterone levels in acrylamide-treated mice and the possible protective effects of vitamin E on the fertility potential of spermatozoa. @*Methods@#Thirty-two adult male mice were divided equally into four groups. Group 1 was the control, group 2 received acrylamide (10 mg/kg, water solution), group 3 received vitamin E (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and group 4 received both acrylamide and vitamin E. After 35 days, spermatozoa from the right cauda epididymis were analyzed in terms of count, motility, morphology, and viability. Sperm DNA integrity and chromatin condensation were assessed by acridine orange (AO), aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. @*Results@#In acrylamide-treated mice, significantly lower sperm concentration, viability, motility, and testosterone levels were found in comparison with the control and acrylamide+vitamin E groups (p<0.05). In the vitamin E group, significantly more favorable sperm parameters and testosterone levels were found than in the other groups (p<0.05). There were also significantly more spermatozoa with less condensed chromatin in the acrylamide-treated mice than in the other groups. Moreover, significantly more spermatozoa with mature nuclei (assessed by AB, CMA3, AO, and TB staining) were present in the vitamin E group than in the control and acrylamide+vitamin E groups. @*Conclusion@#This study revealed the deleterious effects of acrylamide on sperm parameters and sperm chromatin quality. Vitamin E can not only compensate for the toxic effects of acrylamide, but also improve sperm chromatin quality in mice.
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Objective: Fast Free-of-Acrylamide Clearing Tissue [FACT] is a recently developed protocol for the whole tissue three-dimensional [3D] imaging. The FACT protocol clears lipids using sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS] to increase the penetration of light and reflection of fluorescent signals from the depth of cleared tissue. The aim of the present study was using FACT protocol in combination with imaging of auto-fluorescency of red blood cells in vessels to image the vasculature of a translucent mouse tissues
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, brain and other tissues of adult female mice or rats were dissected out without the perfusion. Mice brains were sliced for vasculature imaging before the clearing. Brain slices and other whole tissues of rodent were cleared by the FACT protocol and their clearing times were measured. After 1 mm of the brain slice clearing, the blood vessels containing auto-fluorescent red blood cells were imaged by a z-stack motorized epifluorescent microscope. The 3D structures of the brain vessels were reconstructed by Imaris software
Results: Auto-fluorescent blood vessels were 3D imaged by the FACT in mouse brain cortex. Clearing tissues of mice and rats were carried out by the FACT on the brain slices, spinal cord, heart, lung, adrenal gland, pancreas, liver, esophagus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, skeletal muscle, bladder, ovary, and uterus
Conclusion: The FACT protocol can be used for the murine whole tissue clearing. We highlighted that the 3D imaging of cortex vasculature can be done without antibody staining of non-perfused brain tissue, rather by a simple auto- fluorescence
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Background: Prescribing antidepressant drugs is becoming common. These drugs are known to affect sexual functions
Objective: The study is aimed to assess the effects of amitriptyline and venlafaxine on sperm parameters and evaluate Malondialdehyde [MDA] and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl values in BALB/ mice spermatozoa
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male BALB/c mice were separated into five groups. Group I [control] received distilled water; group II amitriptyline [4 mg/kg]; group III amitriptyline [4 mg/kg] +vitamin C [10 mg/kg]; group IV venlafaxine [2 mg/kg]; and group V received vitamin C [10 mg/kg] + venlafaxine [2 mg/kg]. All drugs were administered by oral gavage for 35 days. After excision of caudal epididymis, it was located in 1 mL Ham's F10 medium at 37 degree C for 15 min and then analysis of sperm parameters was performed. To examine lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity, the MDA and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl were measured, respectively
Results: The mean sperm parameters in the group treated with amitriptyline were significantly lower than in the other groups. MDA tests showed a significant difference between amitriptyline and control groups [p=0.007]
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that amitriptyline consumption can weaken sperm parameters, which can be attributed to the increased production of ROS and toxicity resulting from amitriptyline consumption. Moreover, venlafaxine improved sperm parameters in mice and the lipid peroxidation in this group did not change compared to the control group
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Methamphetamine [MA] is one of most common illicit drugs which were reported that nearly half of MA consumers are women. MA can cross through placenta and affects pregnancy and fetus development. Our aim was to evaluate effects of injected MA on crown-rump length, head and placental circumference, body weight, histological changes and apoptosis in fetus. Twenty-four NMRI pregnant mice were randomly divided into five groups. First, second and third groups were injected intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg/day MA during gestational days [GD]: GD1-7, GD8-14, and GD1-14, respectively. Forth group, as sham, was injected saline from GD1-14, and finally control which was received neither MA nor saline. On GD15 cervical dislocated pregnant mice, fetus and placenta were weighed and fetus crown-rump length was measured. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and TUNEL assay were applied to assess histological changes and apoptosis respectively. Fetus body weight and crown-rump length showed significant decrease in third compared to first and second groups [p
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Nano-particles are extensively employed in most industries. Several studies have been started to explore the probable detrimental effects of nano-particles on human reproduction. However, there is insufficient and controversially evident of effects of silver nano-particles on sperm parameters and other reproductive indices. Investigation of the effects of silver nano-particles on sperm parameters, sex hormones and Leydig cells in rat as an experimental model. In this experimental study, 75 male prepubertal Wistar rats were categorized in five groups including control group and 4 experimental groups [n=15 in each group]. The rats in the experimental groups were fed silver nano-particles [60 nm in dimension] with concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day. After 45 days [about one duration of spermatogenesis in rat], samples of blood were taken from the rats for testosterone, leuteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] assessments. Afterwards, the epididymis and the testis of each rat were dissected for analyzing sperm parameters and Leydig cells. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in number of Leydig cells in experimental groups compared to control one. In addition, the data showed a reduction in testosterone and a rise in LH level which was more obvious in high doses [p<0.05]; however, FSH level showed a reduction but it was not statistically significant. A significant decrease was also found in sperm motility and normal sperm morphology in the experimental groups compared to the control one. Our results demonstrated that silver nano-particles, in addition to interruption in functions of sex hormones, can diminish the number of Leydig cells and sperm parameter indices. It should be noted that the effects of nano-particles on reproductive indices are dose-dependent
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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
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Acrylamide [AA] is an important industrial chemical primarily. AA is also found in carbohydrate-rich foods that are prepared at high temperatures, such as French fries and potato chips. It is demonstrated that AA is a carcinogen and reproductive toxin and has ability to induce sperm damage. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of AA on sperm parameters and evaluation of sperm chromatin quality and testosterone hormone in mice. Totally, 16 adult male mice were divided into two groups. Mice of group A fed on basal diet; group B received basal diet and AA [10 mg/kg, water solution] for 35 days. The right cauda epididymis was incised and then placed in Ham's F10 culture media at 37°C for 15 min. Released spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology and viability. To determine the sperm DNA integrity and chromatin condensation, the cytochemical techniques including Aniline blue, Acridine orange and Chromomycin A3 staining were used. AA-treated mice had poor parameters in comparison with control animals. In sperm chromatin assessments, except TB [p=0.16], significant differences were found in all of the tests between two groups. It was also seen a significant decrease in concentration of blood testosterone in AA-treated animals when compared to controls [p<0.001]. According to our results, AA can affect sperm parameters as well as sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity in mice. These abnormalities may be related to the reduction in blood testosterone
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes widespread disruption in the cerebral architecture.The process of SAH is complicated and many people lose their lives or become disabled after injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as good candidate for repair of cerebral damage. The aim was to assess the ultrastructural changes in the rat cerebral tissue after intravenous transplantation of MSCs. Female Wistar rats (8 per group) weighing 275~300 g were assigned to control (SAH+PBS) and experimental groups (SAH+MSCs).The samples from middle cerebral arterial wall and parietal cerebral tissue were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) according to standard protocol. Fine architectures of the vessel wall, including the contraction of the inner layer, smooth muscle layer,as well as neural cells were observed after SAH. Cerebral arterial wall and cortex, including neuronal and glial cells were injured post SAH. But, administration of MSCs improved the structural integrity of cerebral tissues. Changes were much more balanced with their relative improvement in some areas. The role of MSCs for repairing the injured cerebral tissues post experimental SAH was approved by electron microscopy.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Rats , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Muscle, Smooth , Neuroglia , Neurons , Rabeprazole , Rats, Wistar , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage , TransplantationABSTRACT
Background: diabetes mellitus [DM], primary or idiopathic is a chronic disorder of the carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. DM may impact male reproductive function at several levels. It is shown that DM has detrimental effects on sperm parameters in human and experimental animals
Objective: the aim of this study was to observe the effects of diabetes on sperm parameters [viability, count, morphology and motility] and evaluation of sperm chromatin quality in mice
Materials and Methods: totally twenty adult male Syrian mice were divided randomly into 2 groups [n=10]. The animals of group A were considered as controls while group B mice were diabetic that received a single dose [200 mg/kg] streptozotocin [STZ] intra peritoneally. After 35 days, the cauda epididymis of each diabetic mouse was dissected and placed in culture medium for 30 min. The swim-out spermatozoa were analyzed for count, motility, morphology and viability. The sperm chromatin quality and DNA integrity, was evaluated with Aniline Blue [AB], Toluidine blue [TB], Acridine orange [AO] and Chromomycin A3 [CMA3] staining
Results: in sperm analysis, the diabetic mice had poor parameters in comparison with control animals [p=0.000]. Regarding sperm chromatin quality, the results of TB and AO tests showed statically significant differences between two groups, but in AB and CMA3 staining, we didn't see any differences between them
Conclusion: the results showed that STZ-induced diabetes mellitus may influence the male fertility potential via affecting sperm parameters and DNA integrity in mice. However, according to our data, the diabetes doesn't have any detrimental effects on histone-protamines replacement during the testicular phase of sperm chromatin packaging
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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?
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Para-Nonylphenol [p-NP] is one of the environmental pollutants which cause reproductive system disorders. The effects of vitamin E on ovary structure during its development in rats treated with p-NP. 32 Wistar female rats after mating were divided into 4 groups; control, vitamin E [100mg/kg/day], p-NP [250mg/kg/day] and p-NP + vitamin E. The rats were treated from the day 7 of pregnancy till 21st day of postnatal through sucking period. After weaning, the female pups were treated by gavages for 120 days. The total volume of ovary, number of follicles, volume of oocyte, follicular cells and their nuclei and the thickness of zona pellucida were estimated stereologically. The results were analyzed using one way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered significant. The ovary weight, mean total volume of ovary and cortex, number of antral and graafian follicles and body weight were decreased significantly [p<0.05] in the p-NP treated rats compared to control and other groups, while the number of atretic follicles was increased significantly [p<0.05]. A significant reduction [p<0.05] in volume of oocyte, follicular cells and their nuclei in antral and graafian follicles was found in p-NP group. In addition, treatment with only vitamin E showed an improving effect on folliculogenesis due to a highly significant increase [p<0.01] in the number of primordial follicles. Vitamin E could compensate the adverse effects of p-NP on the ovary structure during its development
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Ovary/drug effects , Rats, Wistar , Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects , Serology , Phenols/adverse effects , Oxidative Stress , Environmental Pollution/adverse effectsABSTRACT
According to the World Health Organization [WHO] criteria, men with sperm counts 106 / ml are referred to as polyzoospermics. Some studies more than 250 suggest that these individuals might have reduced sperm motility and infertility. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess macroscopic as well as microscopic parameters of semen samples and outcomes of in vitro fertilization [IVF] or intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] in men with polyzoospermia. Participants of this retrospective study were 121 polyzoospermic men referring to Yazd Infertility Center, from September 2003 to June 2007. The macroscopic and microscopic parameters of semen samples were evaluated regarding the WHO guideline in 94 of the cases [Group I]. The remaining 27 cases [Group II] with polyzoospermia underwent IVF or ICSI. The data on the clinical conditions of cases in group II, including sperm parameters, quality and number of ova, quality of the developed embryos, fertility and pregnancy rates were collected. Results of semen analyses in the two groups were within normal ranges according to WHO guidelines. The 15.56 +/- mean values for sperm progressive motility [Rapid and slow] were 15.05% 35.66 in group II, +/- 16.51 and 14.92% +/- 15.45 in group I and 16.37% +/- and 39.67% respectively. Out of 234 retrieved oocytes, 144 oocytes were fertilized [61.5%] and 112 embryos were developed [77.7%], which from these only 73 embryos were transferred [65.1%]. Out of 27 cases undergoing ICSI, 22 failed to conceive but five succeeded [18.5%]. The infertility etiologies were related to female, male and unexplained causes in five, eight and 14 cases respectively. Of the five pregnant cases, three were conceived with sperm morphologies less than 30%. According to the results, men with polyzoospermia have semen parameters within normal ranges. It seems that excessive sperm concentration [Polyzoospermia] has no significant effects on the likelihood of fertilization and pregnancy rates in assisted reproductive technique [ART] cycles
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , Fertilization in Vitro , Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic , Retrospective Studies , Infertility, Male , Pregnancy Rate , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Our aim was to compare the nuclear DNA integrity of the spermatozoa from infertile men with abnormal semen parameters with that from normospermic fertile men, and to evaluate the relationship between the sperm DNA integrity and semen parameters. Thirty ejaculate samples with abnormal semen analysis and 30 ejaculates with normal semen parameters were randomly collected from infertile and fertile men, respectively. The acridine orange test was used to assess the integrity of sperm DNA. The number of ejaculates with a DNA Fragmentation Index [DFI] above 30% were 16 [53.3%] and 22 [73.3%] in fertile and infertile subjects, respectively [P = .10]. The mean DFI was 37.7 +/- 19.6% and 46.1 +/- 16.7% in the fertile and infertile subjects, respectively [P = .24]. The DFI of the fertile men with normal sperm morphology [12 patients] ranged from 1% to 80%. In the samples with oligoasthenospermia, mean DFI was 52.7 +/- 17.9%. There were 2 samples with severe teratospermia [normal morphology less than 4%] and DFIs of 70% and 87%. There were no significant correlations between the DNA integrity and the 3 parameters of semen quality in our 60 subjects. Our results failed to show any significant difference in the DNA integrity of the spermatozoa between infertile and fertile men. Also, no correlation was noticed between the DNA abnormality and the semen parameters in the studied samples