Effects of EBN on embryo implantation, plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones, and uterine expressions of genes of PCNA, steroids, growth factors and their receptors in rats

This study was conducted to determine the effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on uterine function and embryo-implantation rate. A total of 24 adult female rats, divided equally into four groups, were treated with different doses of EBN for 8 weeks. In the last week of treatment, intact fertile male rats were introduced into each group (three per group) for overnight for mating. On day 7 post-mating (post-implantation), blood samples were collected from the hearts of anaesthetised rats that were later sacrificed. The uteri were removed for assessment of embryo implantation rate, histological and electron microscopic examination, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results showed that as the concentration of EBN supplemented increased, the pregnancy and embryo implantation rates were also increased in the treated groups; significantly at G3 and G4. Although histological evaluation did not show much difference among the groups, scanning electron microscopic examination showed enhanced development of elongated microvilli and pinopods in G4. Results also revealed up-regulated expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nulear antigen (PCNA), and progesterone and estrogen receptors (P4R, E2R) in the uteri of treated groups. Moreover, plasma E2, P4, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (P) levels were higher (p < 0.05) in G3 and G4. The EBN increased the antioxidant (AO) and total AO capacities (TAC) and reduced oxidative stress (OS) levels in pregnant rats. In conclusion, findings of this study revealed that EBN enhances fertility and embryo implantation rate via promoting proliferation and differentiation of uterine structures as evidenced by the upregulation of the expressions of steroid receptors, EGF, EGFR, VEGF, and PCNA in the uterus. Furthermore, observations of improved growth of ultrastructural pinopods that assist in embryo attachment with uterine epithelium, increased concentrations of E2, P4, GH and P levels, as well as increased AO capacities with reduced OS levels in the treated groups might reflect additional possible mechanisms by which EBN enhances embryo implantation rate and pregnancy success

Ovarian histomorphological changes in rats supplemented with edible bird's nest

Edible Bird’s Nest (EBN) is an animal product from the saliva secretion of male swiftlet birds (Aerodramus fuciphagus and Aerodramus maximus). It is traditionally consumed among Asians for its nutritional and medicinal values. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of EBN supplement on the ovarian activities of female rats through histomorphometric analysis. A total of 24 Sprague dawley rats, divided into 4 equal groups (G): G1 as untreated control group, G2, G3 and G4 as treated groups with EBN at graded concentrations of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg of body weight per day for 8 weeks, respectively were used. During the treatment period, body weight of each rats were recorded weekly. After sacrificing the rats under general anaesthesia at proestrus, the ovaries excised and weighed and measured in length. The samples at the level of the ovary of similar site fixed in 10% formalin for 24 hrs, sectioned and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain and observed under a microscope for histological changes. Results showed increased length and weight of ovary in G4 (P<.05) compared to other groups. A parallel increase in the number of all types of surviving follicles across treatment groups with increase in the dose of EBN supplemented were recorded. Similarly, thickness of the ovarian surface epithelium as well as the number of interstitial cells in G4, were higher (P< 0.05) than the other groups. In conclusion the study revealed that EBN supplement enhances proliferation of ovarian follicular structures and ovarian-body weight ratio in rats

Edible bird's nest impact on rats' uterine histomorphology, expressions of genes of growth factors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and oxidative stress level

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplementation on the uteri of rats based on analyses of the morphological and histomorphometric changes, and expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (REGF) genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and steroid receptors. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were equally distributed into the following four groups: G1 (control), G2, G3, and G4 represented the groups treated with EBN at graded concentrations of 0, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day for 8 weeks, respectively. During the experimental period, the BW of each rat was recorded weekly. At the proestrus stage of estrous cycle, blood samples were collected from the hearts of anesthetized rats that were later sacrificed. The uteri were removed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: The EBN-treated groups showed an increase in the weights and lengths of uteri as compared to the control. Results showed that relative to G1 and G2, G3 and G4 exhibited proliferation in their uterine luminal and glandular epithelia and uterine glands, and up-regulated expressions of EGF, REGF, VEGF, PCNA, and progesterone receptor, and estrogen receptor in their uteri. The EBN increased the antioxidant (AO) and total AO capacities and reduced the oxidative stress (OS) levels in non-pregnant rats. Conclusion: Findings of this study revealed that EBN promotes proliferation of the uterine structures as evidenced by the upregulation of the expressions of steroid receptors,EGF, REGF, VEGF, and PCNA in the uterus and increased in the plasma concentrations of AO and reduced levels of OS

Effect of edible bird’s nest supplement on hepato-renal histomorphology of rats exposed to lead acetate toxicity

Lead acetate (LA) has been shown to cause hepato-renal damages through induction of oxidative stress. Edible bird’s nest (EBN) has reportedly been shown to alleviate these damages, but no studies have been conducted on this area. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of EBN supplement on the liver and kidney of rats exposed to LA toxicity. Five groups of rats were used and grouped as follows: group 1 (positive control, C), was given distilled water; group 2 (positive control, T0), was administered with LA (10 mg/kg BW); and groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2), and 5 (T3), were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively. At day 35, blood was collected via cardiac puncture, serum was used for biochemical analysis, and rats were euthanized to collect liver and kidney for histomorphological study. Laboratory analysis revealed significantly elevated liver enzymes, urea and creatinine levels in the T0 and T1 compared to C and T3 (p<0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly lower in the T3 and C compared to T0 and T1 (p<0.05). Histo-morphological studies showed that exposed rats to LA without EBN supplement with portal and central vein dilatation and congestion evidenced by hepatocyte necrosis and degeneration as well as increased number of kupffer cells, while degree of damage was decreased in EBN treated groups. The animals in T3 showed ameliorating effects against LA toxicity, as well as decreased number of kupffer cells. In T0 and T1 rats, histopathological lesions of the kidneys were characterized by the degenerations of the tubular system, while T2 and T3 groups showed no such lesions. In conclusion, the findings showed that EBN can protect the hepatic and renal tissues from the damaging effects of LA toxicity and modulate biochemical alterations

The role of edible bird's nest and mechanism of averting lead acetate toxicity effect on rat uterus

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on the uteri of rats exposed to lead acetate (LA) toxicity. Materials and Methods: Five treatment groups were established as follows: Group 1 (C), which was given distilled water; Group 2 (T0), which was administered with LA (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]); and Groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2), and 5 (T3), which were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively, for days. Rats were euthanized at week 5 to collect blood for superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, and uterus for histomorphological study and expression analyses of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: Results revealed that LA causes destruction of uterine lining cells and necrosis of uterine glands of exposed rats without EBN supplement while the degree of damage decreased among EBN treated groups; T3 showed the highest ameliorating effect against LA toxicity, as well as an increased number of uterine glands. Increased levels of SOD were also achieved in EBN supplemented groups than the controls. Results of immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA levels (p<0.05) in T3 compared to other treatments. EBN maintained upregulation of antioxidant – reactive oxygen species balance. Conclusion: The findings showed that EBN could ameliorate the detrimental effects of LA toxicity on the uterus possibly by enhancing enzymatic antioxidant (SOD) activity as well as expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA with cell proliferation roles