Účinok kaempferolu a naringenínu môže zlepšiť in vitro kvalitu uchovávaných kančích spermií

Determination of the effect of pure bioactive substances on male reproductive cells is a current theme amongst veterinary andrologists. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of various concentrations of kaempferol and naringenin on boar male gametes in different time periods (0, 24, 48 and 72h). The computer-assisted semen analysis was used to measure the sperm motility. Mitochondrial activity was determined by the mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT). The formation of the superoxide radical, as a marker of oxidative stress, was analysed by the nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) test. The results showed that every selected concentration of both substances came along with beneficial effect on the structure and function of spermatozoa. Particularly, naringenin at concentrations of 10-50 µmol/L and kaempferol at concentrations of 5-25 µmol/L may provide beneficial effects on spermatozoa, thus prolong the storage period and improve the quality of preserved boar spermatozoa.Determinácia účinku čistých bioaktívnych látok na samčie reprodukčné bunky je aktuálnou témou medzi veterinárnymi andrológmi. Cieľom tejto štúdie bolo vyšetriť in vitro účinok rôznych koncentrácií kaempferolu a naringenínu na samčie gaméty kancov v rozličných časových periódach (0, 24, 48 a 72h). Počítačomasistovaná analýza spermií bola použitá na meranie motility spermií. Mitochondriálnu aktivitu sme určili mitochondriálnym testom toxicity (MTT). Tvorenie superoxidového radikálu, ako markera oxidatívneho stresu, sme analyzovali nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) testom. Výsledky ukázali, že každá vybratá koncentrácia oboch substancií má prospešný účinok na štruktúru a funkciu spermií. Obzvlášť naringenín o koncentráciách 10-50 µmol.l-1 a kaempferol o koncentráciách 5-25 µmol*l-1 môžu poskytnúť prospešné účinky na spermie, čím sa predĺži čas uchovávania a zlepší sa kvalita prezervovaných kančích spermií

Vitamin E: Recommended Intake

Data of vitamin E intake and status are controversial. Vitamin E is an essential micronutrient for humans and achieving an optimal status is assumed to produce beneficial health outcomes. Dietary intake recommendations for vitamin E vary considerably by different countries and organizations. It appears to be still a challenge to define these despite the wealth of data published. Vitamin E requirements have been proposed to depend on other nutritional factors, such as the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Although several foods contain naturally occurring sources of vitamin E, it is frequently the case that the intake recommendations are not achieved. Several other dietary factors affect the need for vitamin E. In this regard, significant challenges to be considered include the efficiency of other tocopherol variants and their properties that could affect the revision of the nutritional recommendations for vitamin E. Particularly, an ever-increasing evidence indicates that other vitamin E homologs may potentially present with a higher biological activity. Low dietary consumption of vitamin E, coupled with compelling evidence that increased intake of vitamin E above current recommendations for the general population may benefit older individuals

Male Reproductive Cancers and Infertility: A Mutual Relationship

Reproductive dysfunction and malignancies related to the male gender represent a serious health concern, whose incidence has significantly risen over the past years. Prior to treatment, testicular or prostate cancer patients often display poor semen characteristics similar to subfertile or infertile patients. This fact is underscored by cases where the malignancy is often diagnosed in males who undergo a general fertility screening. This review aims to examine the associations between male infertility and reproductive cancers focusing on common etiologies and biological mechanisms underlining these pathologies. Furthermore, we discuss compelling epidemiological data hypothesizing that male reproductive failure may act as a precursor of future andrological malignancies, including testicular or prostate cancer, thus providing a stimulus for a more specific research in male reproductive health and emphasizing the importance of this relation for physicians taking care of male patients with a reproductive disease

Male Reproductive Cancers and Infertility: A Mutual Relationship

Reproductive dysfunction and malignancies related to the male gender represent a serious health concern, whose incidence has significantly risen over the past years. Prior to treatment, testicular or prostate cancer patients often display poor semen characteristics similar to subfertile or infertile patients. This fact is underscored by cases where the malignancy is often diagnosed in males who undergo a general fertility screening. This review aims to examine the associations between male infertility and reproductive cancers focusing on common etiologies and biological mechanisms underlining these pathologies. Furthermore, we discuss compelling epidemiological data hypothesizing that male reproductive failure may act as a precursor of future andrological malignancies, including testicular or prostate cancer, thus providing a stimulus for a more specific research in male reproductive health and emphasizing the importance of this relation for physicians taking care of male patients with a reproductive disease

Assessment of rabbit spermatozoa characteristics after amygdalin and apricot seeds exposure in vivo

This study evaluates rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters after in vivo administration of amygdalin and apricot seeds during a 28-day period. Apricot seeds are potentially useful in human nutrition and amygdalin is the major cyanogenic glycoside present therein. The rabbits were randomly divided into the five groups (Ctrl-Control, P1, P2, P3, P4) with 4 males in each group. Control group received no amygdalin/apricot seeds while the experimental groups P1 and P2 received a daily intramuscular injection of amygdalin at a dose 0.6 and 3.0 mg/kg b.w. respectively during 28 days. P3 and P4 received a daily dose 60 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of crushed apricot seeds mixed with feed during 28 days, respectively. CASA system was used to evaluate for motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement and beat cross frequency. Intramuscular application of amygdalin resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent decrease of spermatozoa motility as well as progressive motility. On the other hand, oral consumption of apricot seeds had no significant effect either on the rabbit spermatozoa motility or progressive motility over the entire course of the study. The analysis of the other motion characteristics revealed a similar trend depicting a continuous, time- and dose-dependent decrease of all parameters following intramuscular AMG administration, with significant differences particularly for the dose 3.0 mg AMG/kg b.w. On the other hand, oral administration of apricot seeds had no significant impact on spermatozoa motility parameters. The present study suggests that short-term intramuscular application of amygdalin decreased rabbit spermatozoa motility in vivo. Whereas, consumption of apricot seeds did not induce any change in rabbit spermatozoa in vivo. Our findings suggest dose-dependent negative effect of pure amygdalin, but not apricot seeds on the rabbit spermatozoa parameters. Keywords: Amygdalin, Apricot seeds, Spermatozoa, Rabbi

Bibliometrics: tracking research impact by selecting the appropriate metrics

Traditionally, the success of a researcher is assessed by the number of publications he or she publishes in peer-reviewed, indexed, high impact journals. This essential yardstick, often referred to as the impact of a specific researcher, is assessed through the use of various metrics. While researchers may be acquainted with such matrices, many do not know how to use them to enhance their careers. In addition to these metrics, a number of other factors should be taken into consideration to objectively evaluate a scientist′s profile as a researcher and academician. Moreover, each metric has its own limitations that need to be considered when selecting an appropriate metric for evaluation. This paper provides a broad overview of the wide array of metrics currently in use in academia and research. Popular metrics are discussed and defined, including traditional metrics and article-level metrics, some of which are applied to researchers for a greater understanding of a particular concept, including varicocele that is the thematic area of this Special Issue of Asian Journal of Andrology. We recommend the combined use of quantitative and qualitative evaluation using judiciously selected metrics for a more objective assessment of scholarly output and research impact