ABSTRACT
Objective@#To learn the effects of Dendrobium officinale flowers on testivular tissue morphology and sperm quality in parent and offspring rats,so as to provide reference for safety evaluation of Dendrobium officinale flowers.@*Methods@#The 40 SD rats was randomly divided into the low-,middle-,high-dose and the control group,given 2.0,4.0,6.4 and 0 g/kgbw Dendrobium officinale flowers,respectively. After three months,the body weight,mass and organ/body coefficients of testis and epididymis of parent （P） and offspring （F1,F2） rats were measured;the number,activity and deformity of sperms were observed under microscope;the changes of testis and epididymis were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining. @* Results@#There were no significantly statistical differences in the body weight,mass and organ/body coefficients of testis and epididymis,sperm quantity,sperm motility rate among four groups of P、F1、F2 male rats （P>0.05）. There were no significantly statistical differences in sperm malformation rate between the high-dose group and the control group （P>0.05）. There was no significant change in testis and epididymis of P,F1 and F2 male rats. @*Conclusion@#Dendrobium officinale flowers did not show obviously adverse effects on testivular tissue morphology and sperm quality in parent and offsping rats.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of the volatile oil derived from Nigella sativa has shown pharmacological benefits against various diseases while nicotine is an active component in cigarette that is known to be detrimental. This study was conducted to assess the ameliorating effects of TQ on sperm count, membrane, mitochondria and testosterone of nicotine-treated rats. Rats were randomized into four groups: control, nicotine, TQ, and nicotine with TQ. Nicotine (5 mg/kg bwt/day) was subcutaneously injected for 30 days to induce damaging effects on sperm and testosterone level. Rats were force-fed with TQ (5 mg/kg bwt/day) for the following 30 days. Sperm count was reduced in the nicotine group (26.72 ± 1.64 106/mL) but showed a significantly higher number in the nicotine+TQ group (30.97 ± 0.88 106/mL; p<0.05). Results of sperm membrane integrity test and number of MitoTracker positive sperm also showed a significantly lower percentage in the nicotine group (47.34 ± 0.69 % and 75.68 ± 0.90 %, respectively) but a notable improvement in the nicotine+TQ group (52.58 ± 1.14 % and 79.08 ± 0.74 %, respectively). Testosterone concentration showed elevation in the nicotine+TQ group (7.61 ± 0.51 ng/mL) compared to the nicotine group (5.71 ± 0.15 ng/mL). TQ demonstrated ameliorative potential against the detrimental effects of nicotine towards sperm count, membrane, mitochondria and testosterone level.