Protection against Cyclosporine-Induced reprotoxicity by Satureja khuzestanica essential oil in male rats

Background: The effects of cyclosporine [Cs], a fungal cyclic polypeptide with potent immunosuppressive activity, on fertility have assumed greater signi.cance with the in-creasing numbers of transplantations being performed all over the world. Current study was undertaken to investigate the potential of Satureja khuzestanica Essential Oil [SEO] as an antioxidant to mitigate Cs-induced reprotoxicity

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study [April-July 2012], thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 animals each. Two groups of rats were administered Cs [40 mg/kg/day, per oral [p.o.]] for 45 days. One of these groups received SEO [225 mg/kg/day, p.o.] four hours after Cs administration. A vehicle-treated control group and a SEO control group were also included. Epididymal sperm characteristics, in vitro fertilizing capacity as well as embryo development were evaluated. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were used, and the value of P<0.05 was considered as the criterion for statistical significance

Results: Sperm count and viability along with fertilization and blastocyst development rates were significantly decreased by Cs treatment. Moreover, Cs-treated group showed significant increases in DNA damage, protamine deficiency of the sperm cells and proportion of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplet. Notably, aforementioned parameters were improved to near normal level by SEO co-administration

Conclusion: These results suggest that SEO has a protective action against Cs-induced reprotoxicity in a rat model

[Protective effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp hydroalcoholic extract against doxorubicin-induced alterations on fertilizing capacity of mouse epididymal sperms]

Background and Aim: Clinical efficacy of doxorubicin [DOX], a widely used antineoplastic drug, is limited by causing damage to normal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp hydroalcoholic extract [CCE] on reproductive toxicity induced by DOX treatment

Material and Methods: In this randomized controlled experimental study, 24 adult male mice were divided into groups of 6 animals. DOX was administered to two groups of the mice at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. One of these groups received CCE at a dose of 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally four hours after DOX treatment. This study also included two other groups: vehicle-treated control group and a group which received only CCE. Epididymal sperm fertilizing capacity of all animals were evaluated after 35 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test for post hoc comparisons

Results: DOX treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the fertilization rate and embryonic development along with increased rate of embryo growth arrest. Concomitant administration of CCE with DOX, restored all mentioned parameters to normal values

Conclusion: These findings suggested a possible potential role for CCE in the protection of DOX-induced reproductive toxicities

Attenuation of methotrexate-induced embryotoxicity and oxidative stress by ethyl pyruvate

Background: Methotrexate [MTX], as an anti-folate agent, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and malignant tumors, however it damages reproductive sys- tem in mice. The aim of this research was to study the effects of ethyl pyruvate [EP] on embryo development and oxidative stress changes in the testis of mice treated with MTX

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two adult male Naval Medical Research Institute mice, with average weight of 26 +/- 2 g, were divided into four groups. The first group [control] received distilled water [0.1 ml/mice/day], while the second group was intraperitoneally [IP] treated with 20 mg/kg MTX once per week. The third group was IP treated with 40 mg/kg/day EP, and the fourth group was IP treated with both 20 mg/kg MTX and 40 mg/kg/day EP for 30 days. At the end of treatment fertilization rate and embryonic development were evaluated. Differences between these groups were assessed by ANOVA using the SPSS software package for Windows with a Tukey-Kramer multiple post-hoc comparison test

Results: MTX treatment caused significant [P<0.05] increase in malondialdehyde [MDA] and reduced catalase [CAT], as well as leading to in vitro fertilization [IVF] and embryonic development. The improved effects of EP on the IVF were determined by the reduced level of MDA [index of oxidative stress] and significant increased level of CAT [a key antioxidant]. We observed significant increase in fertilization rate and embryonic development in the treated group with both MTX and EP

Conclusion: It is suggested that EP can be useful in ameliorating testicular damages and embryotoxicity induced by MTX. These effects could be attributed to its antioxidant properties

[Evaluation of histochemical changes of mice ovarian tissue after use of ruta graveolens aqueous extract]

Introduction and Aims: Ruta Graveolens [RG] has been used in various medical preparations for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, anti-androgenic and anti-fertility properties. More than 120 natural compounds mainly including acridone alkaloids, coumarines, essential oils, flavonoids, and furoquinolines have been found in the roots and aerial parts of this plant. The aim of this work is to study the anti-fertility propertiese of RG extract. Histochemical studies have been carried out in mouse ovary

Materials and Methods: In this study 36 female mice were used in two groups as control and RG. Control group received the saline normal 0.2 ml and the RG group received 300mg/kg of the aqueous extract of RG per day orally for 14 days. Ovaries were studied after staining ALP, PAS and sudan Black

Results: It was found that in RG group of first week most follicle were atretic. Results indicate that the staining intensity in ALP, PAS and Sudan Black were sever in RG group when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference between the control and RG group after 2 and 3 weeks treatment

Conclusion: RG extract caused metabolic disorder and reduced fertility. This may be due to the increase in the intensity of reaction due to the accumulation of lidids and carbohydrates and damage of intracytoplasmic organels

Royal Jelly alleviates sperm toxicity and improves in vitro fertilization outcome in Stanozolol-treated mice

Stanozolol [ST] is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid often abused by athletes. An increasing body of evidence points towards the role of ST misuses in the pathogenesis of a wide range of adverse effects including reprotoxicity. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible reproprotective effect of royal jelly [RJ] as an efficient antioxidant in ST-treated mice. Adult male mice were divided into four groups [n=5]. Two groups of mice received ST [4.6 mg/kg/day] via gavage for 35 days. RJ was given orally to one of these groups at the dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight per day synchronously. Untreated control group and RJ-only treated group were also included. Epididymal sperm characteristics and in vitro fertilizing capacity were evaluated after 35 days. ST treatment caused a significant [p < 0.05] decrease in sperm count and motility and fertilization rate along with poor blastocyst formation and increased sperm DNA damage. Moreover, the incidence of apoptosis and abnormality in spermatozoa was significantly [p < 0.05] higher in ST-exposed mice than those of control. The above-mentioned parameters were restored to near normal level by RJ co-administration. Data from the current study suggest that RJ has a potential repro-protective action against ST-induced reproductive toxicity in mice. However, clinical studies are warranted to investigate such an effect in human subjects

Effects of unilateral iatrogenic vas deferens trauma on fertility: an experimental in vitro fertilization mice model study

Objective: To determine bilateral effects of unilateral iatrogenic vas deferens trauma [UIT] on epididymal sperm characteristics and in vitro fertilizing capacity in an experimental mouse model

Methods: Experiments were performed on three equal groups each comprising six adult male mice. Following anaesthesia, UIT was induced by clamping left vas deferens with a mosquito clamp in fully locked fashion for 2 minutes in UIT group. Control-sham mice only had exposure of the left vas deferens through a groin incision. Control animals only received ceftriaxone [100 mg/kg] intraperitoneally at the day of experimental UIT induction. Ipsilateral and contralateral epididymal sperm characteristics and in vitro fertilizing capacity were evaluated after 35 days

Results: UIT significantly decreased sperm concentration, motility and viability as well as fertilization, two-cell embryos, blastocysts and hatched blastocysts rates. Moreover, incidence of DNA damage and abnormality in spermatozoa was significantly higher in UIT group

Conclusion: The findings suggest that a non-recognized iatrogenic vas deferens trauma may have detrimental effects on spermatozoa leading to infertility

Protective effect of royal jelly on In Vitro Fertilization [IVF] in male mice treated with Oxymetholone

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of royal jelly [RJ] on catalase, total antioxidant capacity and embryo development in adult mice treated with oxymetholone [OXM]

Materials and Methods: In this exprimental study, 32 male and 96 female adult Naval Medical Research Institute [NMRI] mice [7-9 weeks of age] with a ratio of 1:3 for fertilization purposes were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: i. Control group [n=8] receiving 0.1 ml/mice saline daily by gavage for 30 day, ii. RJ group [n=8] treated with RJ at a dose of 100 mg/kg daily by gavage for 30 days, iii. OXM group [n=8] receiving OXM at the dose of 5 mg/kg daily by gavage for 30 days and iv. RJ+OXM group [n=8] receiving RJ at the dose of 100 mg/kg daily by gavage concomitant with 100 mg/kg OXM administration for 30 days

Results: Analysis revealed a significant reduction in catalase, total antioxidant, as well as embryo development in OXM group [P<0.05]. However, RJ group showed a salient recovery in the all of the above mentioned parameters and embryo toxicity

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated a partially protective effect of RJ against OXM-induced embryo toxicity

Study on the effect of royal jelly on reproductive parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus has a variety of structural and functional effects on the male reproductive system. Diabetes results in reduced sperm parameters and libido. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly [RJ] on reproductive parameters of testosterone and malondialdehyde [MDA] production in diabetic rats. This experimental study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups [n=8 per group]: control, RJ, diabetic and diabetic treated with RJ. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight [BW] of streptozotocin [STZ]. RJ, at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW was given by gavage. The duration of treatment was six weeks. After the treatment period the rats were sacrificed. The testes were weighed and changes in sperm count, motility, viability, deformity, DNA integrity and chromatin quality were analyzed. Serum testosterone and MDA concentrations of testicular tissue were determined. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with p<0.05 as the significant level. STZ-induced diabetes decreased numerous reproductive parameters in rats. Testicular weight, sperm count, motility, viability and serum testosterone levels increased in the diabetic group treated with RJ. There was a significant decrease observed in sperm deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, and tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats treated with RJ compared to the diabetic group [p<0.05]. RJ improved reproductive parameters such as testicular weight, sperm count, viability, motility, deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, serum testosterone and testicular tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats

[ protective effect of royal jelly on liver tissue of adult female rats with experimental polycystic ovarian syndrome]

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is one of the common Clinical disorders, which is observed in 5-10% of women in their reproductive age. Its Clinical characteristics include anovulation, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, and resistance to insulin. This study was carried out aiming at determining the protective effect of royal jelly on liver tissue in polycystic rats. In this experimental study, 32 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four 8-rat groups: 1] control group, which received just normal food and water; 2] experimental polycystic ovary syndrome [PCO] group, in them the syndrome was induced through intramuscular injection of a single dose of estradiol valerate, 4mg [0/4mL] per rat; 3] control royal Jell group, which orally received 90mg/kg royal Jelly daily, and 4] PCOS-royal Jelly group, in them PCOS was induced similar to the second group, and treated with royal Jelly similar to the third group. The treatment period was 63 days [9 weeks]. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected from all rats for biochemical analysis, then, their liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and sudan black stains. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Significance level was considered p<0.05. In this study, royal jelly decreased lipid reserves of liver cells and decreased the destructive effects of oxidative stress due to PCOS in liver tissue in the group of rats treated with royal jelly. According to the findings of this study, royal jelly has a protective effect on liver tissue of polysictic rats

Effect of leptin on in vitro nuclear maturation and apoptosis of buffalo [bubalus bubalis] oocyte

Leptin, as a 16 kDa adipokine, is a pleiotropic cytokine-like hormone that primarily secreted from adipose tissue. It also involves in the regulation of energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, immunity, lipid and glucose homeostasis, fatty acid oxidation, angiogenesis, puberty and reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in vitro addition of leptin to in vitro maturation [IVM] medium on buffalo oocyte maturation and apoptosis. In this experimental study, Ovaries from apparently normal reproductive organs of slaughtered adult buffaloes [Bubalus bubalis] with unknown breeding history were collected from Urmia Abattoir, Urmia, Iran, and were transported immediately to the laboratory in a thermos flask containing sterile normal saline with added antibiotics. Oocytes were aspirated from 2-8 mm visible follicles of the ovaries using an 18-G needle attached to a 10 ml syringe. IVM medium included tissue culture medium-199 [TCM-199], 10% fetal bovine serum [FBS], 22 microg/ml sodium pyruvate, 0.5 IU/ml ovine follicle-stimulating hormone [oFSH], 0.5 IU/ml ovine luteinizing hormone [oLH], 1 microg/ml oestradiol, 50 microg/ml gentamycin, and leptin [0 [control], 10, 50, and 100 ng/ml]. The good quality buffalo oocytes [batches of 10 oocytes] were placed in a culture plate containing six 50 microl droplets of maturation medium, covered with sterilized mineral oil, and then incubated at 38.5?C with 5% CO2 in air for 24 hours. The maturation of oocytes was evaluated under a stereomicroscope by detecting the first polar body extrusion of oocytes. FITC-Annexin V - propidium iodide [PI] staining method was used to detect oocyte apoptosis. From a total of 115 collected ovaries, 1100 oocytes were recovered among which 283 oocyte were suitable for IVM. In the groups of leptin treated with 0 [control], 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml, the percentage of oocytes maturation was 74.65, 83.81, 77.85, and 75.40%, while the percentage of oocytes apoptosis was 9.83, 9.54, 9.93, and 10.42%, respectively. Our results showed that addition of 10 ng/ml leptin to buffalo IVM medium increased oocyte maturation, significantly, as compared with that in control group. However, addition of leptin to IVM medium had no significant influence on buffalo oocyte apoptosis. Our findings suggested that addition of 10 ng/ml leptin to IVM medium of buffalo oocyte can improve oocyte nuclear maturation. Furthermore, we showed that there is no relation between in vitro addition of leptin to buffalo oocyte IVM medium and oocyte apoptosis

Protective effect of royal jelly on fertility and biochemical parameters in bleomycin-induced male rats

Bleomycin [BL] is a glycopeptide antibiotic obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces verticillus which is routinely used for treatment of human cancers. Royal jelly [RJ] is a production from the hypo pharyngeal, mandibular and post cerebral glands of nurse bees. RJ consists of 66% water, 15% sugars, 5% lipids, and 13% proteins, essential amino acids and vitamins. The aim of present study was to evaluate protective effect of royal jelly on sperm parameters and malondialdehyde [MDA] production in rat. Forty adult male wistar rats [220 +/- 20gr] were randomly divided into 4 groups [n=10]. Control group [CG] received normal saline 10 ml/kg twice a week with Intraperitoneal [I.P] for 48 days [0.3 ml/rat]. Royal Jelly group [RJG] received jelly [100 mg/kg daily] for 48 days orally. Bleomycin group [BLG] received BL [10 mg/kg twice a week] with I.P for 48 days. Royal Jelly+ Bleomycin group [RJ+BLG] received royal Jelly [100 mg/kg /day] orally concomitant with BL administration. Sperm count, motility, and viability were investigated and chromatin quality and DNA integrity were also analyzed. Serum testosterone and MDA concentrations were measured as well. BL caused decline significantly [p<0.05] sperm count, sperm viability, motility as well as testosterone concentration compared to control group while significant [p<0.05] increases in immature sperm, sperm with damaged DNA and MDA concentration were announced in BL in comparison with CG and RJ+BLG. Royal jelly improved Bleomycin-induced toxicity on sperm parameters and testosterone and MDA concentrations. The present results support the idea that BL adversely affects sperm parameters and MDA and the RJ with antioxidant properties has positive effects on these parameters

Attenuation of cyclosporine-induced sperm impairment and embryotoxicity by crataegus monogyna fruit aqueous extract

Cyclosporine [Cs], a cyclic undecapeptide with potent immunosuppressive activity, causes several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity. This study aims to examine the ability of Crataegus monogyna aqueous fruit extract as an antioxidant to protect against Cs-induced reproductive toxicity. In this experimental study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. Rats in two groups received 40 mg/kg/day Cs for 45 days by oral gavage. In addition, one of the two groups received Crataegus monogyna aqueous extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day orally four hours after Cs administration. The remaining two groups consisted of a vehicle treated control [Cont] group and a Crataegus monogyna control [Cr] group. Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance [ANOVA] using the SPSS software package for Windows. Cs treatment caused a significant decrease in sperm count and viability with an increase in DNA damage and protamine deficiency of the sperm cells. We observed significant decreases in fertilization rate and embryonic development, in addition to an increased rate of embryo arrest in Cs-treated rats. Crataegus monogyna co-administration attenuated all Cs-induced negative changes in the above-mentioned parameters. Supplementation with Crataegus monogyna a queous fruit extract could be useful against reproductive toxicity during Cs treatment in a rat model

Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on epididymal sperm characteristics, oxidative stress and testosterone level in methotrexate treated mice

Methotrexate [MTX] is an anti-metabolite drug widely used in treatment of neoplastic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The ester derivative, ethyl pyruvate [EP] is stable in solution and should function as an antioxidant and energy precursor. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of EP on sperm parameters, testosterone level and malondialdehyde [MDA] production in mice treated with MTX.32 adult male NMRI mice weighing 26 +/- 2 g were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received 0.1 ml/mice/day of distilled water intraperitoneally for 30 days [ip]. Group 2 was treated with methotrexate at a dose of 20 mg/kg once a week [ip] for 30 days. Group 3 was treated with ethyl pyruvate at a dose of 40 mg/kg/daily [ip] for 30 days. Group 4 was treated with methotrexate [20 mg/kg] once a week simultaneously with ethyl pyruvate 40 mg/kg for 30 days. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered to be significant. The results showed significant [p<0.05] decrease in sperm count and sperm motility as well as testosterone concentration while sperm with damaged DNA and MDA concentration in mice treated with MTX in comparison with control and MX+EP groups increased significantly [p<0.05]. Instead, MTX+EP group caused partial amelioration in all parameters mentioned above. Based on the present study, it can be concluded that MTX induced toxicity in sperm parameters and serum level of testosterone and increased MDA level. EP with its antioxidant properties could be administrated during treatment with MTX due to its protective effects on sperm parameters, plasma testosterone levels and lipid peroxidation