13 research outputs found
Evaluation of androgenic activity of allium cepa on spermatogenesis in the rat
Allium cepa (onion) has a beneficial effect on disease treatment worldwide
and has been used since ancient times as a medicinal and food source. Recently
several reports have shown that onion has high antioxidant activity. As antioxidants
have an essential effect on sperm health parameters, we investigated
the effect of the fresh juice of onion bulbs on the spermatogenesis cycle in rats.
Wistar male rats (n = 30) were allocated into 3 groups, control (n = 10) and
two test groups (each of 10). The animals in the test groups were subdivided
into groups of 2 that received fresh onion juice equivalent to 0.5 and 1 g/rat/
/day of fresh onion. The fresh onion juice was administered by gavage for
20 consecutive days. The animals were kept in standard conditions. On the
twentieth day, the testes of rats in all groups were removed and sperm was
collected from the epididymis and was prepared for analysis.
Serum total testosterone significantly increased in all the test groups (p < 0.05),
and levels of LH significantly increased only in the group that received the high
dose of fresh onion juice (p < 0.05), but the level of FSH did not differ between
the experimental and control groups. The percentage of sperm viability and
motility in both test groups significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the sperm
concentration significantly increased only in the group that received the high
dose of freshly extracted onion juice (p < 0.05). It was evident that there was
no difference on sperm morphology and testis weight in test groups compared
to the control group.
In our study, freshly prepared onion juice significantly affected the sperm number,
percentage of viability, and motility; it seems that using 4 g/kg of freshly
prepared onion juice is effective in sperm health parameters
A rare variation of the posterior cranial fossa: duplicated falx cerebelli, occipital venous sinus, and internal occipital crest
Folds of the meningeal layer of the dura mater, the falx cerebri and tentorium
cerebelli, traverse the vertebrate intracranial cavity and thus compartmentalise
the brain. The falx cerebelli, another dural fold, is found in the posterior cranial
fossa and attaches to the inferior aspect of the tentorium cerebelli and to the
internal occipital crest. We present a case of a duplicated falx cerebelli, occipital
venous sinus and internal occipital crest that was detected upon routine dissection
of a male cadaver. Since haemorrhage of a dural venous sinus can be a fatal
complication of posterior cranial fossa surgery, knowledge of venous sinus variations
in this region may prevent unpredictable complications during intracranial
procedures
The effects of an electromagnetic field on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules of the rat: a light and transmission electron microscope study
Human beings are unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic fields (EMF)
generated from various electrical devices and from power transmission lines.
Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various organs. One of the critical
issues is that EMF may adversely affect the reproductive system. In order to
examine this 30 rat pups were exposed to 50 Hz EMF (non-ionising radiation)
during in utero development (approximately 3 weeks) and postnatal life (5 weeks).
Groups of exposed rats were subsequently left in an environment free of EMF in
order to observe recovery, if any, from the changes induced by EMF on the
boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. The materials were processed and
observed under a light and a transmission electron microscope. In the experimental
rats boundary tissue was found disrupted at various layers. This tissue
showed infoldings, which were perhaps due to the loss of collagen and reticular
fibrils from the inner and outer non-cellular layers. The outer non-cellular layer,
which was thinner than that of the control, was stripped away from the myoid
cell layer in multiple regions, giving a “blister-like” appearance. The myoid cells
showed fewer polyribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules. Most
mitochondria were found to lack cristae. The connections between individual
myoid cells were apparently lost. There were signs of recovery in the boundary
tissue following withdrawal from EMF exposure. These results suggest that EMF
exposure may cause profound changes in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous
tubules. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that
lead to subfertility and infertility
A rare variation of the vertebral artery
Variations of the vertebrobasilar arterial complex are important with regard to
their potential clinical impact. We present an unusual case of the vertebral
artery, in which the left vertebral artery in its ascent in the neck through the
transverse foramina passed posteriorly between the transverse processes of
C3 and C4 and supplied the posterior muscles of the neck without continuing
intracranially. Albeit speculatively, we hypothesise that the variation of the vertebral
artery reported here was caused by degeneration of the proximal portion
of the left postcostal longitudinal anastomosis (i.e. C1 and C2 intersegmental
arteries) in the context of a persistent third cervical intersegmental artery. Our case
is unique in that the left vertebral artery terminated extracranially. Knowledge of
the variations of the vertebrobasilar arterial complex is important for surgeons
operating at the skull base, craniocervical junction, and cervical region, and for
clinicians interpreting the imaging of this region
A wandering spleen presenting as a pelvic mass: case report and review of the literature
Wandering spleens are rare clinical entities found more commonly in females.
We report a young female patient found to harbour a pelvic spleen. The literature
regarding this rare ectopia is reviewed. The wandering spleen should be
considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses
The morphology and function of the quadrate ligament
There is a paucity of information in the literature regarding the quadrate ligament
and the information that does exist is extremely conflicting. We dissected 30 cadavers
(60 sides) to determine the morphology and function of this enigmatic
ligament. A quadrate ligament (thickening of the elbow joint capsule) was found
in all specimens. In all specimens this band was distinct from the circumferential
fibres of the annular ligament. The length, width, and thickness of the quadrate
ligament were found to be 11 mm, 8 mm, and 1 mm respectively. This ligament
not only aided in securing the neck of the radius to the ulna but also resisted
excessive supination and, to a lesser degree, pronation of the forearm. Following
transection of the quadrate ligament, the head of the radius was secured to the
ulna considerably less firmly and supination and pronation increased by 10 to 20
degrees and 5 to 8 degrees respectively. The quadrate ligament contributes to
proximal radioulnar stability, limits the "spin" of this joint, and should be considered
in manipulation, surgery, or imaging of the proximal forearm