Histopathological, Histomorphometrical, and Radiographical Evaluation of Injectable Glass-Ceramic-Chitosan Nanocomposite in Bone Reconstruction of Rat

Background. Bone defects following tumor resection and osteolysis due to bone lesions, periodontal tissue disorders, and bone reconstruction are challenges that surgeons face. Gass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite contains chitosan, a derivative of crustaceans’ exoskeleton. Methods. Thirty-two 6–8-week-old male Wistar rats were chosen. One hole on each right and left tibia was made. The right tibia holes were filled with injectable glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite, and the left tibia holes were left empty. After 7, 14, 28, and 60 days, histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments were performed. Results. Radiographic density on days 7 and 14 was significantly higher in the right tibias than in the left tibias. Trabecular bone thickness, which was higher in the right tibias, increased from day 7 to day 60 in both right and left tibias, although not significantly. Conclusions. Glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite is suggested for use in bone repair in cases of bone loss. More histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments are also recommended

The effect of Carbaryl on the pituitary-gonad axis in male rats

Background: Carbaryl is a carbamate insecticide widely used to control pests in agriculture and farm. Carbaryl adversely affect the reproductive endocrine systems in animals. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Carbaryl effects on the pituitary-gonad axis in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental - analytical study, 60 adult male rats were divided into four equal groups: control, sham and experimental (1 and 2) groups that received 10 and 30 mg/kg Carbaryl via intraperitoneally injection. The sham group was subjected to intraperitoneally injection with olive oil while the control group did not receive any injection. Animals were sacrificed 35 days after the last treatment. Tissue sections were prepared from testes to investigate possible changes occurring in spermatogenic and Leydig cells. Blood samples were collected in which the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormones (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured. Results: The results showed significant reduction in testes weight (p=0.042) and seminiferous diameters (p<0.001) within the experimental groups compared with control group. Also, the number of germ cells, spermatocyts, spermatids and Leydig cells on the testes of the experimental groups was significantly decreased (p<0.001). Accordingly, significant decline in the testosterone levels (p<0.001) and increase in LH and FSH levels were observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that Carbaryl has capacity to exert adverse effects on fertility. Therefore, have to be taken to account in applying Carbaryl for any studies and or commercial use

The long-term effect of Hinosan on Spermatogenesis on the Balb/C Mice

Background & Objective: Hinosan is an organophosphate that inhibit acetylcolinesterase activity, which could be resulted in damages of genital organs. This compound has been used extensively in the agriculture, for pest control. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effect of Hinosan on spermatogenesis in mice. Materials & Methods: For this experimental study, the male mice were divided into three groups. In the cases group, mice were injected with Hinosan consecutive doses (20mg/kg i.p, five consecutive days per week for one month), sham (normal saline) and control (no injection). Animals were scarified 7 days after the latest Hinosan injection. Therefore, the mice testis sections were prepared and morphologic aspects of testis and spermatogenesis processes were examined. Data were analyzed using of one-way ANOVA. Significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The Hinosan showed a significant decrease in number of germ cells, spermatocyt, spermatids, Leydig cells, blood vessels and also diameter of seminiferous on testes of the mice decreased, compared with control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study demenstrated that Hinosan is effective on spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubule structure, also can decrease germinal cells

The effects of diazinon on testosterone, FSH and LH levels and testicular tissue in mice

Background: Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide which is used worldwide in agriculture. The exposure to this chemical might lead to damages to the living systems. Objective: The present study was done to investigate the effects of diazinon on the structure of testis and levels of sex hormones in adult male mice. Materials and Methods: For this experiment, the mature male mice divided into three groups; Control (no injection), sham (corn oil injection) and DZN (diazinon was administrated at dose of 30 mg / kg for 30 d five consecutive days per week). Animals were killed 35 days after the latest injection. Testes tissues sections were provided to investigate the histopathological changes. Serum testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed using of oneway ANOVA. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A significant reduction was observed in diameter and weight of testes after DZN administration. Furthermore, DZN brought about significant reduction in sperm counts and spermatogenic, Leydig and Sertoli cells and a decrease in serum testosterone concentration. Histopathological examination of testes showed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules (p<0.001). The levels of LH and FSH were increased in DZN groups compared to the control and sham groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: DZN is a toxicant for mammals’ spermatogenic cells during the early spermatogenesis. Therefore, application of DZN should be limited to a designed program

Determination and comparison of the expression levels of various germ cell-specific genes in human bone marrow- and peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Background: A number of reports have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from various sources expressed a number of germ cell (GC)-specific genes innately, but almost none of these studies were quantitative in nature. This study, however, tried to determine and compare the expression levels of some famous GC-specific genes in human male bone marrow (BM)- and peripheral blood (PB)-MSCs. Methods: Human BM- and PB-MSCs were isolated using a density gradient factor and centrifuging. Then, Passage 3 of both cell types were characterized through flow cytometric analysis and the differentiation test. They were then evaluated by real time RT-PCR for the expression levels of GC-specific genes. Results: Both cell types obviously expressed c-kit, Dazl, Fragilis, Itgb1, Nanos3, Oct4 and Blimp1 at high levels. The only exception was Itgb1, which was expressed at a higher level in PB-MSCs than in BM-MSCs (p<0.05). The levels of expression for other markers were almost similar in both cell types. Different levels of Itgb1 expression could be due to their different niches. Furthermore, both cell types were negative for Fkbp6, Stra8, Scp3, Tex13 and Vasa, and they both expressed Stella weakly. Moreover, it should be stated that BM-MSCs had low expression levels of Piwil2, and that this marker was not expressed in PB-MSCs. Conclusion: Overall, it could be concluded that BM- and PB-MSCs have a little bit different GC-specific gene expression patterns. Although these results are very revealing, many detailed and creative research studies need to be conducted to find appropriate ways of using MSCs in cell-based therapies of infertility

Effect of Fetal Mouse Lung Tissue Co-Culture on In Vitro Maturation of Mouse Immature Oocytes

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fetal mouse lung tissue co-culture on in vitro maturation (IVM) of mouse immature oocytes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from ovaries of a group of 25 female mice, 6-8 weeks of age, were dissected after being stimulated by 7.5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) through an intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The fetal lung tissues were then prepared and cultured individually. A total number of 300 oocytes were cultured in the following three groups for 24 hours: control group (n=100) containing only base medium, group I (n=100) containing base medium co-cultured with 11.5- to 12.5-day old fetal mouse lung tissues, and group II (n=100) containing base medium co-cultured with 12.5- to 13.5-day old fetal mouse lung tissues. The proportion of GV and metaphase І (MI) oocytes matured into MІІ oocytes were compared among the three groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlation test were also used to evaluate the successful rate of IVM oocytes. Results: The proportions of GV oocytes reaching MІІ stage were 46, 65, and 56%, in control, I and II groups, respectively (P<0.05). The percentage of the oocytes remaining at the GV stage were higher in control group as compared with two treatment groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that fetal mouse lung tissue co-culture method increased the percentage of GV oocytes reaching MII stage

The Effect of 8-Methoxypsoralen on Pituitary-Gonad Axis and Ovarian Function in Mice

Objective: 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is a photoactive compound widely used in the treatment of proliferate disorders. The present study investigates the effects of 8-MOP on ovary function and pituitary-gonad axis in mice.Materials and Methods: In this experimental analytical study, 45 female Balb/C mice were divided into three groups (n=15), control, sham (olive oil injection) and experimental. The experimental group were received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the LD50 dose of 60 mg/kg 8-MOP. At 30 days after injection, the animals were sacrificed while in the proestrus stage and examined for morphological and histological changes their ovaries. Blood samples were collected and estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the t test.Results: The mean levels of estrogen and progesterone in the experimental group significantly decreased (p<0.001). However, there was a significant increase in LH and FSH levels in this group compared to the control groups (p<0.001). The mean number and diameter of the corpus luteum (CL) and the number of growing follicles in the experimental group significantly reduced compared to the control and sham groups (p<0.001). The mean granulosa thickness in the experimental group also significantly decreased compared to the control and sham groups (p<0.001).Conclusion: Our data indicated that 8-MOP can affect the levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone. Our findings further suggest that consecutive doses of 8-MOP may impair the female reproductive tract (or development)

Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Peroxidation in Semen of Patient with Hyperviscosity

Semen hyperviscosity (SHV) is one of the factors involved in deficiency in sperm function. This research aimed to evaluate seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in infertile patients with hyperviscous and non-hyperviscous semen samples to understand whether hyperviscous semen is associated with oxidative damage in infertile subjects. In this cross sectional study, 59 semen samples were provided by fertile (n=12) individuals as control, infertile patients with normal viscosity (n=25) and infertile patients with hyperviscosity (n=22). After semen parameters examination, semen viscosity was studied by glass pipettes. Seminal plasma TAC and MDA levels were measured by ferric reducing of antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) methods, respectively. A probability less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant throughout the article. The mean of sperm parameters including: counts, motility and normal morphology in patients with hyperviscosity were significantly lower than those in non-hyperviscosity patients (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). The mean of seminal plasma TAC value in seminal plasma of non-hyperviscosity patients (1710.31 ± 458.67 μmol/l) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of hyperviscosity group (1230.25 ± 352 μmol/l). A trend toward a higher mean of seminal plasma MDA value was estimated for hyperviscous group compared with non-hyperviscous (1.01 ± 0.41 nmol/ml vs. 0.94 ± 0.28 nmol/l); however, it was nonsignificant. Hyperviscous semen impairs seminal plasma TAC which is eventually associated with sperm membrane lipid peroxidation

In Vitro Maturation of Germinal Vesicle Oocytes in Stimulated Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles

Objective: This study evaluated in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes in the germinal vesicle(GV) stage in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.Materials and Methods: A total of 26 women, aged 18 -37 years, who were candidatesfor ICSI at the Fatemeh Zahra Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center in 2007were recruited for this study. We used the standard long protocol for ovarian stimulation.Follicles >11 mm were punctured 36-38 hours after administration of 10000 IU humanchorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Immature oocytes were cultured for 24-30 hours. Oocytesthat liberated polar bodies were injected by sperm prepared within the previous day. IVMfertilized oocytes were cultured an additional 24-30 hours for cleavage. The rates of maturation,fertilization and cleavage in IVM oocytes were recorded and statistically comparedto in vivo matured sibling oocytes.Results: There were 279 collected oocytes (mean±SD: 10.73 ± 6.2), of which 4.08±2.79were subjected to IVM. An average of 2.73 ± 2.15 GV oocytes (70%) developed to metaphaseII (MII). Although the maturation rate significantly differed between the IVM and invivo MII sibling oocyte groups (p=0.027), the numbers of fertilized oocytes (p=0.795) andcleaved embryos (p=0.529) were not significantly high in the in vivo group. Transfer of IVMembryos occurred in only three cases with one pregnancy that resulted in the delivery ofa healthy baby.Conclusion: This study shows that culturing GV oocytes can produce acceptable numbersof four-cell embryos on the transfer day. The developmental competence of oocytesis not significantly different between early stage IVM and in vivo sibling embryos