[Effects of caffeine consumption during pregnancy on postnatal development of testis in wistar rats offspring]

In recent years there are growing concerns about the decrease of male reproductive health by different factors. So, present study was aimed to determine the effects of caffeine consumption during gestation on development of histomorphometric structure of testis in Wistar rats offspring. Pregnant female Wistar rats in treatment groups received low and high doses [26 and 45 mg/kg] of caffeine during gestation via drinking water. At 1, 30, 60 and 90 days after birth, body weight of male offsprings were measured, serum testosterone levels analyzed and the testis were removed, their weights recorded and were fixed in Bouin's solution. Following tissue processing, 5-6microm sections were prepared, then, at different stages of postnatal development the volumes of testis were estimated by Cavellieri method and structure of seminiferous tubules analyzed quantitatively. The results showed significant [p<0.05] decreases in mean weight of pups, weight and absolute volume of testis in high dose treatment group in comparison with control group. Also, loss of spermatogenesis as increase of spermatogenic cells distribution, decreases of spermatgenic cell layers and germinal epithelium height and vacuolated germinal epithelium were seen in treatment groups. Mean diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased significantly [p<0.05] at 30 and 90 days of age in high dose treatment group. Moreover, serum testosterone levels at 60 and 90 days of age decreased significantly [p<0.05] in high dose treatment group. Present study indicates that caffeine consumption during gestation can reduce testicular parameters during postnatal development in male offspring Wistar rats

Macroscopic and microscopic studies of annual ovarian maturation cycle of Shirbot Barbus grypus in Karoon river of Iran

The aim of this investigation was to study macroscopic and microscopic structures of ovaries in Barbus grypus of Karoon river and their changes during annual maturation cycle. For this purpose, 120 adult B. grypus with a mean weight of 835.0 to 1012.0 g, were caught from Karoon river and transferred alive to the laboratory. After biometrical studies, the weights and morphological appearances of gonads were recorded. Then, tissue samples from the anterior, middle and posterior portions of the gonad were excised and fixed in Bouin's solution. For microscopical studies, 5 micro m paraffin sections were prepared and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff [PAS]. Gonado-somatic indices, macroscopical and microscopical changes of ovaries were studied during different months of the year. The results showed that gonado-somatic index ranged from 0.35 +/- 0.080% in September to 2.25 +/- 0.321% in June, and the maximum values were seen in June. Cyclic changes of ovarian maturation were divided into seven stages histologically. Ovarian maturation cycle in B. grypus began in late summer. Spawning period of B. grypus continued approximately from late April to early August, which indicated that B. grypus has a prolonged spawning season. Ovarian type of B. grypus was group synchronous with a capacity for multiple ovulations within a reproductive season

Stereological study of Arabian ram testis during different seasons

Quantitative microscopic structure of testis in adult Arabian rams, raised under closed grazing system in Khuzestan province of Iran, was studied in four seasons over a one year period. For this purpose, thirty adult rams were randomly selected and the live weight and scrotal circumference of rams were recorded. At the beginning of each season, among the study group, four rams were randomly selected, slaughtered and their left testes were removed and weighed. For microscopic studies, tissue samples were excised from the left testes, fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin. Cross-sections [5 micro m thickness] were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and evaluated with quantitative techniques. The results showed that scrotal circumferences, weight and volume of testis varied significantly throughout the year, with the lowest values in early summer [P<0.05]. Seminiferous tubule diameter was highest in early winter [220.97 +/- 12.15 micro m]. Also, relative and total volumes of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium gradually increased during the summer and autumn, with highest values in early winter. Higher relative volume of seminiferuos tubuli lumina [P<0.05] was found in early summer [%12.15 +/- 0.35]. Lower relative volume of interstitial tissue [P<0.05] was found in early winter [%15.70 +/- 0.49]. Scrotal circumference was significantly correlated with the seminiferous tubule diameter and the total volume of seminiferous tubules [r = 0.70, P<0.01]. The results indicated that the stereological structure of testis in Arabian rams raised under closed grazing system in the Khuzestan province of Iran is highly affected by season