Trade-off between feed efficiency and immunity in specialized high-performing chickens.

Based on resource allocation theory, ignoring importance of immunity, and focus on growth and feed efficiency (FE) traits in breeding plans may lead to serious weakness in immune system performance. However, in poultry the adverse effects of selection for FE on the immune system are unclear. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the trade-off between FE and immunity using a total of 180 high-performing specialized male chickens from a commercial broiler line which were selected over 30 generations for growth (body weight gain, BWG) and FE (residual feed intake, RFI). Birds were reared for 42 d and 5 FE-related traits of the birds in the last week were considered including daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), residual BW gain (RG), and residual intake and gain (RIG). For all 180 chickens, immune system performance including humoral immune response, cell-mediated immunity (CMI), and the activity of lysozyme enzyme (L. activity) as innate immunity was measured. After ascending sort of each FE records, 10% of higher records (H-FE: N = 18) and 10% of lower records (L-FE: N = 18) were determined, and immunity between L-FE and H-FE groups were compared. Moreover, L-BWG and H-BWG were analyzed because BWG is one of components in the FE formula. Performance of the immune system was not statistically different for CMI in none of the studied FE groups. Moreover, high and low groups for DFI and BWG were not different regarding the immunity of the birds. Antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were different between low and high groups of FCR, RG, and RIG. Likewise, SRBC-derived antibodies were significantly different between RFI groups. Rather than humoral immunity, RIG had adversely effect on the innate immunity. Results of the present study showed that although RIG is a more appropriate indicator for FE, choosing for high RIG can weaken the performance of the both humoral and innate immune systems, while RFI had fewer adverse effects.

Comparison of colony formation of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) with and without collagen.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of collagen and growth factors on in vitro proliferation of human spermatogonial stem cells obtained from patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. METHODS: The experimental cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2013 to April 2015 after obtaining approval from the ethics committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Testicular sperm extractions of non-obstructive azoospermic patients were obtained from the Clinical Urology and Embryology, In Vitro Fertilization Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital. Spermatogonial stem cells and Sertoli cells, obtained from human testis biopsies by a two-step enzymatic digestion method, were purified using fluorescence- activated cell-sorting and daturastramonium-lectin, and were cultured separately. To investigate a more direct influential factor on colony formation, one control and two experimental groups were formed. Group 1 acted as the control in which spermatogonial stem cells were co-cultured with Sertoli cells alone. In group 2 they were co-cultured with Sertoli cells and growth factors such as leukaemia inhibitory factor, epidermal growth factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and in group 3 with Sertoli cells along with growth factors in the presence of collagen-coated dishes. Number and diameter of the colonies were evaluated after 7 weeks. RESULTS: Specimens obtained related to 21 patients. Number and diameter of the colonies in group 3 (18±2.6 and 276.6±45.5) were significantly more than both groups 1 (3.5±1 and D1:81.6±12) and group 2(11±2.2 and 165.2±32.5) (p<0.05 each). Also, the number and diameter of colony in group 2 were significantly better than the control group (p<0.05).Expression profile of the VASA, promyelocytic leukaemia zinc-finger (PLZF), Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and integrin a6 (INTGa6) were detected in all groups. Based on cytochemical findings, OCT4 was expressed in the colonies of all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to positive effects of collagen and growth factors on the colonisation of spermatogonial stem cells, it seems that using the cells may lead to better colonisation of this type of stem cells.

Salvage use of citalopram for treatment of fluoxetine-resistant premature ejaculation in recently married men: a prospective clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: A wide variety of therapeutic modalities have been tried for treatment of premature ejaculation. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are from the latest and most effective medical agents. Among these drugs, fluoxetine hydrochloride has been used for some years in our institutions with considerable drug untoward effects and significant failure rates. We tried to salvage treatment process by using citalopram in fluoxetine-resistant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective clinical trial, we used citalopram hydrobromide as a salvage agent in 16 newly married men with premature ejaculation who experienced a history of unsuccessful treatment with fluoxetine hydrochloride. Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IVELT) was recorded by a stopwatch before and after the treatment, and a 5-stage visual scale was designed and used to compare patients' sexual satisfaction levels during the 1-month treatment period. RESULTS: The IVELT and sexual satisfaction levels both significantly improved after citalopram prescription. The mean measured IVELT was 0.388 +/- 0.212 minutes before the treatment, which increased to 4.313 +/- 2.886 minutes after the treatment. The reported drug untoward effects were mild. Citalopram was ineffective only in 1 patient, which was discontinued after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that citalopram is effective and safe in the treatment of premature ejaculation in newly married men after failed treatment with fluoxetine.

Accidental salinomycin intoxication in calves.

Twenty-four 10- to 16-week-old calves in a dairy herd in Birjand, Iran, inadvertently received an excessive dose of salinomycin mixed with barley grain. There was 58% mortality within 10 d. The calves had high serum AST, LDH, and CK activities; histopathologic lesions in myocardium, liver, and kidneys; and clinical signs associated with acute and congestive heart failure.

Orchidopexy for retractile testes in infertile men: a prospective clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Retractile testis may affect testicular parenchyma and spermatogenesis, and surgical treatment has been recommended for infertile men with retractile testes. We evaluated outcomes of orchidopexy in men with idiopathic infertility who suffered from bilateral retractile testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed dartos pouch orchidopexy on 22 men with idiopathic infertility and bilateral retractile testes. The patients were subsequently followed up for 1 year and sperm parameters were assessed at 3-month intervals. Testicular volume was determined by ultrasonography 1 year postoperatively and compared with that before orchidopexy. Satisfaction with the appearance of the external genitalia, sexual desire, and the ability to have successful intercourse were assessed through a Likert-scale questionnaire. RESULTS: Before the operation, the mean testicular volume was 12.2 +/- 5.0% lower than the lower normal limit of the testis volume in adults, and no clinically significant change was observed 1 year after the operation. Sperm density showed no significant changes postoperatively, but the mean proportion of sperms with high-grade motility witnessed a significant increase 1 year after the operation (P = .007). The mean percentage of sperms with normal morphology had a significant decrease at 1 postoperative year. Significant improvements were reported in satisfaction with the appearance of the external genitalia, sexual desire, and successful intercourse 1 year after the operation. CONCLUSION: Retractile testes might be at risk of growth retardation. We found that orchidopexy in retractile testes may improve sperm motility and increase fertility potential of the patients. We recommend orchidopexy in infertile men with bilateral retractile testes.