The effect of green tea extract on the sperm parameters and histological changes of testis in rats exposed to para-nonylphenol

Background: Para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental contaminant, can generate free radicals that disturbs the reproductive properties. Green tea extract (GTE) is an antioxidant which may prevent the adverse effects of free radicals. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of GTE on sperm parameters and testis tissue in p-NP-treated rats. Materials and Methods: 24 adult male Wistar rats (215 ± 20 gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/each) – including control, p-NP (200 mg/kg/day), GTE (200 mg/kg/day), and p-NP + GTE – and orally treated for 56 days. The right testes and left caudal epididymis were used to evaluate selected parameters. In addition, the concentration of serum malondialdehyde was calculated. Results: A significant decrease in the sperm number, motility, viability and morphology (p < 0.001) was observed in the rats treated with p-NP compared to the control ones. The diameter of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001), thickness of germinal epithelium (p = 0.018), total volume of testis (p = 0.009), volume of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001), and testis weight (p = 0.017) decreased in the p-NP group in contrast with the other groups. Moreover, a significant increase of the malondialdehyde concentration was seen in the p-NP group when compared with the controls (p = 0.043). The majority of adverse effects of p-NP could be recovered following the administration of GTE. Conclusion: It seems GTE can be used as a potent antioxidant in the case of p-NP toxication. Key words: Green tea extract, Para-nonylphenol, Sperm, Testis, Rat

The effects of sodium arsenite on the testis structure and sex hormones in vasectomised rats

Background: Sodium arsenite and/ or vasectomy may cause variation in sex hormones which affect pathophysiology of reproductive organs. Objective: The aim was to investigate the morphological changes in structure of testis and hormonal imbalance in bilateral Vasectomised rats treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats: bilateral vasectomy + sodium arsenite, bilateral vasectomy, sham operated + sodium arsenite and sham operated only were considered, and 8 mg/kg/ day of sodium arsenite was given for 8 weeks to the rats. The total volume of testis, volume of interstitial tissue, volume of seminiferous tubules, diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium thickness were evaluated using stereological methods. Hormones were also measured and the results were analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: A significant reduction of total volume of testis (p<0.01), mean volume of seminiferous tubules (p<0.002) as well as germinal epithelium thickness (p<0.05) in both vasectomy + sodium arsenite and vasectomy rats was seen compared to sham operated only. In addition a significant reduction of testosterone was observed in vasectomy + sodium arsenite group when compared to the other groups (p<0.001). LH level decreased significantly in vasectomy + sodium arsenite when compared to sham operated ones (p<0.05). Conclusion: Vasectomy and treatment with sodium arsenite affect the structure of testis with respect to its volume, volume of seminiferous tubules and thickness of germinal epithelium, which may be due to variation of LH and testosterone level in the rats

Stereological study on the effect of vitamin C in preventing the adverse effects of bisphenol A on rat ovary

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental pollutant, can generate free radicals which damages the reproductive system. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which may prevent the adverse effects of free radicals. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of vitamin C on the ovary tissue in rats treated with BPA. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female Wistar rats (200±20 gr) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6): control, BPA (60 μg/Kg/day), vitamin C (150 mg/Kg/day) and BPA + vitamin C and orally treated for 20 days. The left ovaries were taken out, fixed for tissue processing and studied using stereological methods. Data were analyzed with SPSS using one-way ANOVA, and the means were considered significantly different at (p<0.05). Results: The total volume of ovary and cortex (p<0.01), medulla (p<0.05), the volume of corpus luteum (p<0.001) and the mean number of antral follicles (p<0.001) significantly reduced in BPA group compared with control, while the number of atretic follicles increased (p<0.05). The volume of oocyte (p<0.01) and its nucleus (p<0.001) in the antral follicles and the thickness of zona pellucida (ZP) in the secondary (p<0.05) and antral (p<0.001) follicles significantly decreased in BPA group compared with controls. The above parameters in the BPA + vitamin C group were compensated to control level. Conclusion: Vitamin C can be used as a potential antioxidant in the case of BPA toxicatio

The protective role of vitamin E on the testicular tissue in rats exposed to sodium arsenite during the prenatal stage till sex maturity: A stereological analysis

Background: Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant, protecting cells against oxidative stress. Objective: In this investigation the protective effect of vitamin E on the testis during development and spermatogenesis in rats exposed to sodium arsenite was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8) control, sodium arsenite (8 mg/kg/day), sodium arsenite+vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day) and vitamin E. Treatment was carried out from day seven of pregnancy till 90 days. Finally the right testis was stereologically studied. The obtained data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey's test and the means difference was considered significant at p<0.05. Results: The weight and volume of testis, volume of seminiferous tubules and its diameter, volume of interstitial tissue, height of germinal epithelium and the total number of types A and B spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid and sertoli cells reduced significantly in sodium arsenite group compared to the control. Co-administration of vitamin E and sodium arsenite compensated the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on the above parameters. Conclusion: We concluded co-treatment of rats with sodium arsenite and vitamin E could prevent the adverse effects of sodium arsenite exposure on the testicular tissue during the prenatal stage till sex maturit

Cysteine: A Novel Neural Inducer for Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various cell types. Since cysteine has structural similarities to neuronal inducers β-mercaptoethanol and glutathione, we examined its effect on neural induction of rat bone marrow MSCs. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, cells were treated in a medium containing 1mM cysteine for 24 hours prior to treatment with neuron inducing medium containing 10 mM cysteine for 1, 2 and 3 hours. Cell viability and morphology were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and, Hoechst, propidium iodide and acridine orange staining respectively. Expression of nestin and β-Tubulin III genes, as neural cell-specific markers, was studied reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data was statistically analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s test and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: After 3 hours of treatment, neuron like morphology with a considerable expression of nestin and β-Tubulin III genes was apparent. The mean cell viability was not significantly different at 1, 2 and 3 hours following induction, compared with the control cells. Conclusion: Cysteine can induce neural features in rat bone marrow MSCs without reducing cell viability. Therefore, it can be considered as a safer alternative to toxic neural inducer agents such as β-mercaptoethanol

The Protective Effect of Quercetin on Sperm Parameters and Serum Biochemical Factors in Adult Mice Treated with Dexamethasone

Background and Objectives: Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, which causes oxidative stress in the testicular tissue. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of quercetin as a powerful antioxidant on sperm parameters and serum biochemical factors in mature adult mice following the treatment with dexamethasone.   Methods: In this experimental study, 24 mature adult male NMRI mice, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6), including control group, group received dexamethasone (dose, 7mg/kg/day), group received quercetin (dose, 50mg/kg/day) and group received Dexamethasone+quercetin. Seven days after the treatment and intraperitoneal injection, the serum samples were collected to measure the testosterone level, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde level. The left testis was used to measure daily sperm production (DSP) and left caudal epididymis was cut in the Ham’s F10 medium, then the released spermatozoa were used to analyze the sperm parameters and chromatin quality. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test at a significance level of p<0.05.   Results: In this experimental study, a significant decrease was observed in the mean sperm count, viability, normal morphology, motility, and daily sperm production, serum testosterone level and total antioxidant capacity and a significant increase was seen in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the dexamethasone group compared to the control group. In the dexamethasone+quercetin group, the mentioned parameters were compensated to the extent of the control level.   Conclusion: The results of this study showed that quercetin, as a strong antioxidant, could ameliorate the adverse effects of dexamethasone on sperm parameters and serum biochemical factors in mice

Study The Protective Effect of Quercetin on Testis Histological Changes and Spermatogenesis Indexes in Adult Mice Following Treatment with Dexamethasone

Introdution: Dexamethasone is used in inflammatory disease, leukemia and nausea, which increases the oxygen free radicals in the testis as a consequence. The aim of this study was to study the protective effect of Quercetin as a plant flavonoid and strong antioxidant on testis histological changes and Spermatogenesis indexes in adult mice following treatment with Dexamethasone. Methods: 24 adult male mice (NMRI) were divided into 4 groups (n=6): control, Dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), Quercetin (50mg/kg/day) and Dexamethasone + Quercetin. 7 days after intra peritoneal treatment, the right testis were removed, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained with Heidenhain’s Azan method, testis histological changes and spermatogenesis indexes were studied by stereological techniques. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the means were considered significantly different (P<0.05). Results: A significant decrease was considered in the mean volume and diameter of the seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium height, spermatogenesis indexes, the number of spermatocytes, long spermatids, round spermatid and Leydig cells, and also a significant increase in the volume of interstitial tissue were found in the Dexamethasone group compared to the control (P0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that Quercetin as a strong antioxidant can reduce the destructive effects of dexamethasone on the histology of testis tissue and Spermatogenesis indexes in mice. Therefore, Quercetin is suggested as a therapeutic supplement in regimens containing Dexamethason

Protective Effect of Pentoxifylline on Sperm and Biochemical Parameters against Dexamethasone-Induced Toxicity in Mice

Background and purpose: Nowadays, the side effects of chemical drugs such as dexamethasone, as a steroidal anti-inflammatory factor, is considered on reducing male reproductive potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on sperm parameters and biochemical factors in mice treated with dexamethasone. Materials and methods: In this study, 24 adult male NMRI mice (35±2gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 per group): control, dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), pentoxifylline (200mg/kg/day), and dexamethasone + pentoxifylline. After 7 days of intraperitoneal treatments, sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. Results: Compared to the control group, sperm count, progressive motility percentage, viability, sperm tail length (STL), daily sperm production (DSP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly decreased in dexamethasone group (P 0.05). Assessment of DNA integrity showed that dexamethasone had no effect on denaturation of the sperm DNA double-stranded structure. Conclusion: According to this study, pentoxifylline could prevent the adverse effects of dexamethasone on sperm parameters, biochemical factors, and daily sperm production by reducing oxidative stress

Effect of Staurosporine on Neural Differentiation of CD133+ Umbilical Cord Blood Cells

Objective: CD133+ umbilical cord blood cells were identified as a hematopoieticstem cell which has the capacity for extensive self-renewal and differentiation.The aim of this study was to identify the effect of staurosporine (STS), a wellknownprotein kinase inhibitor on differentiation of CD133+ cells into neuralcells.Materials and Methods: CD133+ cells were enriched by immunomagneticbeads from human mononuclear cells of umbilical cord blood and the purityof higher than 94% was achieved by flowcytometry. Induction of differentiationwas performed by addition of STS (12.5, 25, and 50 nΜ). The differentiatedcells were evaluated by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR for neuron-specificproteins and transcripts.Results: STS-treated CD133+ cells expressed mRNA transcripts for neuronspecificneurofilament protein (NFM), and several basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH) transcription factors important for early neurogenesis, including Otx2,Wnt1, and Hash1. The structural proteins characteristics of neurons includingβ-tubulinIII and Microtubule-Associated Protein-2 (MAP-2), were shown byimmunocytochemistry. STS-treated CD133+ cells also expressed the astrocytespecificmarker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by immunofluorescence.Conclusion: The human cord blood-derived CD133+ hematopoietic stem cellscould differentiate into neural cell types of neuron-like cells and astrocytes bySTS treatment

Ovary stereological features and serum biochemical factors following induction of polycystic ovary syndrome with testosterone enanthate in mice: An experimental study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder featured by insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. Testosterone enanthate can induce PCOS in mice models. Objective: We investigated the ovary stereological features along with the oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in mice following PCOS induction using testosterone enanthate. Materials and Methods: Twelve female NMRI mice (3 wk old) were divided into 2 groups (n=6/each): Control and PCOS. PCOS was induced through daily injections of testosterone enanthate (1 mg/100g subcutaneous s.c for 5 wk). Finally, ovaries were studied stereologically. The serum levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; were measured using ELISA kit. Serum levels of Malondialdehyde and the antioxidant capacity were measured relatively using thiobarbituric acid and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Results: The mean total volume of ovary and the mean volume of cortex (p<0.001), volume of oocyte in the preantral (p=0.011) and antral follicle (p=0.015), thickness of zona pellucida (p=0.016), the number of antral follicles (p=0.012), the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (p<0.001) and the antioxidant capacity (p=0.020) reduced significantly in the PCOS group compared to the control. The number of primary (p=0.017) and preantral (p=0.006) follicles and the serum levels of testosterone (p<0.001), Luteinizing hormone (p=0.002), Malondialdehyde, Interleukin 6 and Tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; (p<0.001) showed a significant increase in the PCOS group compared to the control. Conclusion: Testosterone enanthate induced PCOS causes stereological features in the ovary, increases the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in mice