The Effect of Propranolol on Sperm Parameters, CatSper 2 Gene and Protein Expression, and Oxidative Stress in Adult Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propranolol on sperms, histopathology of testes, andCatSper 2 gene and protein expression in adult mice.18 adult male mice were randomly divided into control, propranolol 1 (receiving 10 mg/kg dose) and propranolol 2 group (receiving 15 mg/kg dose for 35 days). The mean amount of sperm parameters in the propranolol 1 and propranolol 2 groups was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). CatSper2 gene and protein expression have significantly decreased in propranolol 1 and propranolol 2 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Reduction of CatSper2 gene and protein expression in low dose of propranolol was more severe than high dose. In testicular tissues of the propranolol 1 group, vacuoles and necrosis in the germinal epithelium were observed, and in testicular tissues of propranolol 2 group decrease in the thickness of the germinal epithelium, some vacuoles and necrosis were observed in germinal epithelium as well as congestion in the interstitial space. The mean value of thiol and catalase enzyme in the propranolol 1 and propranolol 2 groups, and the mean value of superoxide dismutase in propranolol 1 group, were significantly different compared to the control group (P<0.05)

Age and Gender as Determinants of Learning Style among Medical Students.

Background: An awareness of learning styles may help teachers modify their teaching methods to improve the educational outcomes of their students. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the learning styles of medical students during their basic science training at Mashhad University Medical School (MUMS). Methods: The VARK (Visual, aural, read/write and kinesthetic learning styles) questionnaire was used to gather information on learning styles in 245 medical students during their basic science training at MUMS in 2014. The questionnaire was previously assessed for its validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Overall, 245 students (115 male/130 female) with a mean age of 22.17±2.27 years completed the questionnaire. Of these students 91.84% preferred a single- modal learning style and 8.16% of students preferred a multi-modal learning style. Of the students with a preference for a single modal learning style, 20% (45 students) had a preference for visual, and 53.33% (100 students) for auditory learning styles respectively; 22.22% (50 students) of students were categorized as single read-write and 4.44% (10 students) were classified as having a kinesthetic learning style preference respectively. Among the multi-modal group, 25% (5 students) of students preferred a bimodal and 75% (15 students) preferred a quad-modal learning style. There was a significant association between learning styles with age and gender (P<0.05), but there was no significant association between the preferred learning styles with marital status or place of residence (P>0.05). Conclusions: The key finding of our study was that learning style is age and gender dependent. Different teaching methods may be appropriate for men and women.