رامین جهانگیرفرد

Ethephon is an organophosphorus that used to stimulate plant growth. Royal Jelly is a substance with antioxidant properties and is effective for strengthening the immune system. This study aimed to determine the effect of Royal Jelly on sperm parameters, in vitro fertilization, and oxidative stress indicators in mice.

In this experimental study, 20 adult male mice (NMRI strain) were divided into four control and experimental groups. The experimental group received Ethephon at 480 mg/kg. Royal Jelly was then administered orally and daily at a concentration of 200 mg/kg alone and in combination with Ethephon. After treatment, sperm samples were collected from the tail of epididymis to investigate sperm parameters and in vitro fertilizing potential; moreover, the testis tissue was taken for oxidative stress examination. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. (Ethic code: IR-UU_AEC-811/پد/3)

A decrease in the sperm motility and viability, fertilization rate, blastocyst, and hatching embryos, as well as an increase in DNA damage, lack of nuclear maturation, and blocked embryos was observed in the experimental groups, compared to the control group. Moreover, Total Antioxidant Capacity and Malondialdehyde in the groups receiving Ethephon decreased and increased, respectively. However, Royal Jelly can prevent the adverse effects of oxidative stress (P<0.05).

According to the results of this study, royal jelly can have an amelioration effect on epididymal sperm and in vitro fertilizing potential.

Ethephon is a hormone used to accelerate the plant growth regulator processing. Mostly, after entering to the tissues, causing disturbance in reproductive system and subsequently decreased sperm fertility potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethephon on embryonic morphological parameters and CatSper 2 protein localization in sperm.

In this experimental study, 78 males and females (NMRI Strain) mice randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental groups received ethephon at doses of 120, 240 and 480 mg/kg as well as the positive-control group received neostigmine (0.1 mg/kg). After treatment, the animals were sacrificed and euthanized. Sperm samples were collected from cauda epididymis for qRT-PCR and immunohistochemically evaluation and stored at -70 ° C until examination.

The results of morphological parameters showed that hatching percentage, viability, number and length of fetuses in experimental groups were lower than control group. There was also a decrease in the expression of CatSper 2 gene in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Sperm immunohistochemical results indicated that there was no localization for the CatSper 2 protein in the experimental groups versus the ones (p<0.05).

Ethephon by producing free radicals causes decreased embryonic morphological features. It also impairs fertility and reproduction by decreasing the expression of CatSper 2 gene and lack of protein localization in sperm.

Toxic free radicals produced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles have adverse effects on the reproductive system and can affect the semen quality and decrease fertility. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of titanium dioxide on in vitro fertilizing potential in albino mice.

In this experimental study, 24 adult male mice were divided into 4 control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received titanium dioxide at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg by gavage. After the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and then sperm samples were collected from cauda epididymis to investigate in vitro fertilization. The level of p<0.05 was considered significant.

In vitro fertilization results showed that titanium dioxide significantly reduced embryonic quality and stages of embryological development compared to the control animals. Also, the percentage of arrested embryos in the experimental groups was significantly enhanced versus the control (p<0.05).

The present results exhibited that oxidative stress produced by titanium dioxide causes sperm quality decline and decrease in vitro fertilizing potential in a dose-dependent manner.

Coenzyme Q10 has potent antioxidant properties and is involved in the redox cycle as an energy carrier. Silver nanoparticles increase the potential hazards on the reproductive system by producing reactive oxygen species and reduce sperm quality and fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles on in vitro fertilizing potential and oxidative stress indices in mice.

In this study, 20 adult male mice were divided into 5 control and experimental groups. The control group did not receive any substances. In the experimental groups, silver nanoparticles were fed at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. In one group, coenzyme Q10 was given at a dose of 200 mg/kg alone. In the last group, the animals received silver nanoparticles + coenzyme Q10 together. After the treatment period, the mice were euthanized. For testosterone investigation, blood sampling and then for IVF evaluation, sperms from the tail of the epididymis were taken. Testicular tissue was sampled to assess TAC, and MDA and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and then Tukey test (p<0.05).

IVF results showed that the quality of the fetus and its growth stages in the experimental groups were significantly diminished compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, malondialdehyde level and total antioxidant capacity in experimental groups increased and decreased significantly compared to the control group, respectively.

The present results exhibited that coenzyme Q10 was able to improve the adverse effects of silver nanoparticles on the reproductive system, sperm quality, and fertility.

Ethephon is one of the most important organophosphorus pesticides that has an adverse effect on the reproductive system and can impair the semen quality and decline the fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethephon on sperm parameters, characteristics and in vitro fertilizing potential in male mice.

In this experimental study, 90 adult male mice were divided into 6 control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received ethephon at low, medium and high doses and the positive control group received neostigmine bromide (0.1 mg/kg). After treatment, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and sperm samples were collected from cauda epididymis to evaluate sperm parameters and in vitro fertilization. The level of p<0.05 was considered significant.

A decrease in sperm motility and viability was observed between the experimental groups compared to the control group. Nonetheless, ethephon can remarkably increase DNA damage and lack of nuclear maturation. In vitro fertilization results showed that ethephon significantly reduced embryonic quality and stages of embryological development compared to the control group. Also, the percentage of arrested embryos in the experimental groups was significantly enhanced compared to the control group (p<0.05).

The present results showed that oxidative stress induced by ethephon causes damage to sperm DNA and subsequently decreases the quality of sperm and in vitro fertilizing potential in a dose dependent manner.

Nano titanium dioxide particles (TiO2) are chemical compounds that are widely used in industrial and foodstuff such as cosmetics, toothpaste, colored materials, and non-fat milk whitening. Vitamin E (Vit E) is a dietary compound that functions as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals. The goal of this study was to carry out the protective effect of vitamin E on histomorphometry, oxidative stress factors and biochemical parameters as well as testosterone concentration.

In the present study, 35 adult male mice were divided into 7 control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received TiO2 at 2.5, 5 and 10 doses, and the positive control group received vitamin E (100 IU) mg/kg alone (by gavage tube). After treatment, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and testes samples were taken. The level of p<0.05 was considered significant.

The results of histomorphometry revealed that the weight of testis and body, testicular capsule thickness, seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal epithelium height, spermiogenesis and meiotic indices were reduced while sertoli cells and repopulation index had no significant changes. Also, biochemical results showed the Malondialdehyde was enhanced and it diminished the total antioxidant capacity, catalase enzyme activity, protein content, as well as testosterone concentration. (p<0.05).

The TiO2 nanoparticles caused detrimental pathologic effects when used at the highest doses. However, vitamin E could ameliorate the toxic effects of TiO2-induced on testicular tissue in experimental animals.

In order to conduct this study, eight adult turkey heads were obtained. Pituitary glands were harvested following cranial bones removal and examined morphologically and anatomically as well as topographically. Then, tissue sections were prepared and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Alcian blue, orange G and periodic acid-Schiff staining techniques. The results showed that turkey pituitary gland as a pea-sized structure is located in the ventral part of the cerebrum and composed of adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis parts. Moreover, histological analyses revealed that sinusoids are well-developed at the distal part of the adenohypophysis and irregular masses of endocrine cells exist among them. Distributions of basophilic cells in the distal part of adenohypophysis were significantly higher than those of other endocrine cells, while the acidophilic cells had the lowest distribution. Lower and higher numbers of chromophobe cells were also found compared to those of basophilic and acidophilic cells, respectively. These findings were mostly similar to the other birds’ pituitary gland anatomical and histological features, but there were also differences in cellular elements distributions along with infundibular cavity topography.

Coenzyme Q10 is considered as a vitamin or a vitamin-like substance which is found in food resources naturally like other vitamins. In recent years, several drugs have been used effectively for treatment of diabetes, but the treatment or protective effect of few of them have been studied microscopically. In the present study, the complementary effect of Q10 on testicular structure in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was studied. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 rats. The first group was the control group; the second group was the control group treated with 75 mg/kg Q10 for one month, orally (gavage); the third one was the alloxan-induced diabetic treatment group in which a single dosage of 120 mg/kg alloxan was administered intra peritoneally, and the fourth group was the diabetic treatment group treated with Q10. The rats’ weight, testis weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, testicular capsule thickness and seminiferous tubular epithelium thickness were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Duncan,s multiple range test. Q10 demonstrated a modifying effect on the diabetic rats’ testicular damage such that damages in tissue structure and the sex cells, as well as shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules were observed very slightly. Furthermore, Q10 could inhibit the infiltration of the vessels into and under the capsule space which was significant in diabetic group. The use of Q10 as an antioxidant significantly protected the spermatogenic cells, testicular capsule, testis weight, and seminiferous tubule diameter from the damage of diabetes in rats.