Effect of human follicular fluid on implantation of mouse embryo

Prevention of implantation is considered as one of the suitable methods for contraception or interception. Therefore during this study the effect of human follicular fluid [FF] on mouse implantation was evaluated. The results obtained during this study show that FF contains enzymes and upon incubation with mouse uterine tissue, results in delimitation of epithelium. This effect was inhibited by heat inactivation or addition of EDTA to FF. In vivo uterine wash with follicular fluid on days 3,4,5 and 6-post mating prevents implantation and therefore significantly reduces implantation and pregnancy rate. However uterine wash on day 7 post mating with FF had no effect on implantation and pregnancy rate. On day 3,4,5,6 and 7 with Ham's 10 as control had no effect on implantation or pregnancy rate. Addition of EDTA also prevented the in vivo effect of FF, suggesting that the active agent present in FF is likely to be a metalloprotoinase which inactivates with heat and addition of EDTA. Taking into consideration the fact that FF does not affect the pregnancy of the next cycles, thus the FF or its active agent can be considered as good interceptive agent for prevention of pregnancy rate

Effect of certain oral hypoglycemic drugs on central monoamines contents with relation to behavioral activities in adult diabetic male albino mice

The effect of glibenclamide, glipizide and gliclazide on brain norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin contents in different brain regions of diabetic mice with correlation to behavioral activities were investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes produced a significant decrease in norepinephrine contents in medulla, pons and cerebellum, with a decrease in dopamine contents in all tested brain regions, while serotonin contents was increased in cerebral cortex and thalamus hypothalamus. These effects were accompanied by reduction in behavioral activities of mice [sniffing, rearing, grooming, chewing, stillness, time of immobility, and pain threshold]. Sulphonylureas significantly increased brain norepinephrine and dopamine contents in different brain regions and antagonized the behavioral activities of diabetic mice. On the other h and, these drugs produced a significant decrease in serotonin contents, an action accompanied by an increase in time of immobility and pain threshold

Bupropion-induced climbing through D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptor activation

Intraperitoneal [IP] injection of bupropion [3,6,12 mg kg] and also amphetamine [4,16 mg kg] induced dose-dependent climbing in mice. The climbing response induced by both drugs were decreased in animals pretreated either with the D- 1 antagonist SCH 23390 or the D-2 antagonist sulpiride. The alpha-adrenoceptor blocker phenoxybenzarnine decreased the climbing induced by both bupropion and amphetamine, but the Beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol and the antimuscarinic agent atropine had no effect. Reserpine pretreatment abolished the climbing induced by bupropion but not that of amphetamine. However, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine combined with reserpine treatment reduced the amphetamine-induced climbing. It is concluded that both bupropion and amphetamine-induced climbing through release of dopamine and subsequent activation of D-1/D-2 receptors; however, the mechanisms by which dopamine is released by these drugs may differ

Effect of Nigella sativa on ingestion ability of mice peritoneal macrophages

This study was designed to examine the potential effect of Nigella sativa [the black seed or kammoun aswed] on ingestion of yeast cells by macrophages. The authentic Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah on the Black seed my give a clue of the possible effect on the immune system. Therefore, the design of our study was based on this hint. A total of 84 white albino mice were used; 42 mice were tested by feeding with the black seed enriched food while another group of 42 mice were used as controls and were fed only normal food. Both groups of animals were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of dead candida albicans. There was a significant enhancement of ingestion in the tested mice with a mean +/- SD of 82.43 +/- 18.62 as compared to 60.81 +/- 11.59 in the control mice [P < 0.01] as shown by the higher percentage of peritoneal macrophages ingesting the organism. Electron microscopical studies showed no differences between macrophages of the two groups apart from the degree of ingestion ability