جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « تستوسترون » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

Our study was motivated by the emerging evidence that propolis, a natural substance with unique antioxidant properties, could offer novel benefits. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training and propolis supplementation on the serum levels of testosterone and growth hormone in woman non-athletes.

Our study employed a rigorous semi-experimental design. We randomly divided 32 beginner woman non-athletes into four groups: control, placebo, supplement, exercise, and exercise supplement (8 people). The exercises were performed for eight weeks and three weekly sessions for 50 minutes. A daily prescription of 900 mg of propolis supplement, to be taken during lunch and dinner, was given. The data was meticulously analyzed using the ANOVA statistical test and Benferroni follow-up test at a significance level of 0.05, ensuring the validity of our results.

Paired t-test shows that the levels of testosterone and growth hormone increased significantly in the training and training+supplement groups after the intervention (P < 0.05). Regarding change percentage, the exercise + supplement group shows a greater increase in blood testosterone (25%) and growth hormone (39%) than other groups. A significant difference was observed in testosterone levels (P = 0.001, F = 30.80) and growth hormone (P = 0.001, F = 16.58) by performing the covariance analysis test between the groups.

The implications of our findings are significant for sports medicine. Our study suggests that a combination of 8 weeks of resistance training and propolis supplementation could help maintain optimal levels of testosterone and growth hormone in beginner non-athletic women, enhancing their non-athletic performance.

Methamphetamine is one of the stimulant drugs that leads to the occurrence of cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Among the disorders that occur after methamphetamine abuse are learning and memory disorders as well as social interactions and anxiety. On the other hand, the function of sex steroids in the development of brain regions involved in reproduction has been the subject of extensive research over the years. In this context, testosterone plays an important role in neuronal and glial organization in prenatal and postnatal periods. Recent studies showed the effect of sex hormones on the nervous system and highlight the brain as a main target tissue for androgens. On the other hand, studies have shown that testosterone has neuroprotective effects against cognitive and behavioral disorders. Clinical manifestations of testosterone-related brain changes include cognitive impairments such as reduced memory efficiency related to the frontal cortex, as well as reduced long-term memory related to the hippocampus and other temporal regions of the midbrain. Androgens, especially testosterone, play an important role in memory function whereby the decrease and absence of testosterone leads to cognitive impairment and also neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Therefore, in this study, the role of testosterone hormone in social memory, novel object recognition memory, as well as anxiety-like behavior and brain edema induced by a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine were investigated.

This study was conducted on 48 gonadectomized rats in 6 groups including control groups, methamphetamine (6mg/kg), solvent (sesame oil), methamphetamine + testosterone (0.25mg /kg), methamphetamine + testosterone (0.5 mg/kg) and methamphetamine + testosterone (1 mg/kg) were performed. At first, mice were anesthetized and gonadectomy surgery was performed. After 2 weeks of recovery, the evaluation of social memory was done using the three-chamber social interaction test, and anxiety-like behavior index using the open field test. Finally, the animals were killed and the brain tissue was evaluated for brain edema.

The findings of the study showed that social memory was significantly impaired in rats that received methamphetamine compared to the control group (P<0.001). On the other hand, results showed that there was a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviors as well as brain edema in rats that received methamphetamine (P<0.001). Statistical analysis also showed that the administration of testosterone hormone was able to improve cognitive functions and reduce anxiety-like behaviors and brain edema caused by methamphetamine (P<0.05).

Overall, the present study suggests that the male sex hormone testosterone can be effective in improving behavioral disorders and anxiety, as well as brain edema caused by the administration of methamphetamine. Further research is needed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the effects of this hormone.

Lead is an environmental pollutant and has destructive effects on the functioning of various body systems such as the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem on the process of spermatogenesis in male Wistar rats induced with lead acetate.

In the present experimental study conducted in 2023, 35 male Wistar rats with 200-220g were used and divided in five groups: Control (received water and normal food), positive control (received palm meristem extract with a dose of 500 mg/kg, ip), witness (received lead acetate 0.5 gr/ L, in drinking water) and Treatment 1 and 2 (receiver of lead acetate, 0.5 gr/ L, in drinking water and palm meristem extract with a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, ip, respectively).The experiments were conducted  for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiments, blood and serum were taken from the animals to measure testosterone, LH and FSH hormones, then sperm count and testicular histological samples were evaluated. Collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smironov statistical tests, one-way analysis of variance within the subject and Tukey's post hoc test.

The results of the present study indicated that lead acetate causes destruction and necrosis in the testicular tissue of rats. It correspondingly caused a significant decrease in the number of sperms and the serum level of testosterone hormone (P<0.001). Palm meristem's extract protected the testicular tissue and increased the process of spermatogenesis in the treatment groups compared to the witness group. Testosterone hormone increased significantly in the treatment groups compared to the witness group (P<0.05).

The hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem had a protective effect on the testicular tissue of rats against the toxic effects of lead acetate.

Empathy is one of the special cognitive functions that play an important role in the evolution of social behaviors and the formation of social memory. Testosterone have neuroprotective effects against cognitive and behavioral disorders and may be very important in the development of social and cognitive behaviors. Therefore, this study investigated the role of testosterone hormone in social behaviors, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of empathic pain.

In this study, 32 gonadectomized male rats were divided into four groups: control, pain, observer + vehicle (castor oil), and observer + testosterone. The emotional pain experienced by a family member who received five formalin injections was socially transferred to the observing rat within the same family through observation. The observation groups received vehicle or testosterone before observing the suffering of mice. Then, social memory, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behaviors were tested.

The results indicated that in the pain group, both social memory and novel object recognition memory were impaired compared to the control group, and anxiety-like behaviors were increased. Conversely, testosterone injection partially improved social memory and novel object recognition memory deficits, and reduced anxiety-like behaviors compared with the observer+vehicle group.

In conclusion, empathy causes anxious behavior and social and novel object recognition memory impairments. Furthermore, testosterone hormones can play a protective role against cognitive and behavioral damages caused by empathy in rats.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders, whose symptoms usually begin immediately after the first menstrual period. Previous studies found a significant relationship between dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of chamomile on dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

This clinical trial was conducted on 70 patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome based on Rotterdam criteria referring to a clinic in Mashhad. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received two 500 mg chamomile capsules per day and the second group received two placebo capsules per day for three months. The response to treatment in premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and oligomenorrhea was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale and DSM-IV premenstrual syndrome diagnosis questionnaire.

The mean age of the patients in the intervention group was 25.43±5.58 and in the placebo group was 28.06±5.71 years. The rate of improvement in women with premenstrual syndrome (16.6%), dysmenorrhea (50%) and oligomenorrhea (26.7%) was higher in chamomile group compared to placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in body mass index between the chamomile group (25.17±4.95) and the control group (25.57±6.7).

Based on the results of this study, chamomile improved the symptoms of oligomenorrhea in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and showed positive effects on dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, chamomile can be used as a simple, low-cost therapy in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Hypogonadism is a common complication in men with type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of hypogonadism and some related factors in men with type 2 diabetes referred to the Endocrinology Clinic of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2021.

In this descriptive study, 111 men with type 2 diabetes were examined. After completing the questionnaire and measuring blood pressure and waist circumference, 10 cc of fasting blood was taken to measure serum levels of total testosterone (TT), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Data was analyzed using chi-square test, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation test, and logistic regression.

The mean and standard deviation of age of patients was 58.61±10.62 years. Twenty six patients (23.42%) had hypogonadism. With increasing body mass index, the TT levels (p=0.034), LH (p=0.008) and FSH (p=0.028) significantly decreased. With increasing HbA1c, the levels of TT (p=0.035), LH (p=0.004) and FSH (p=0.001), with increasing systolic blood pressure, the level of LH (p=0.025), and with increasing age, the levels of LH and FSH (p<0.001) significantly increased; however, with increasing waist circumference, the levels of TT (p=0.006), LH and FSH (p<0.001) significantly reduced. Mean TT (p=0.011), LH (p=0.017), and FSH (p=0.014) levels were significantly higher in those taking the drug.

With an increase in waist circumference, disease duration, and follicle stimulating hormone, the odds of hypogonadism increased. It is recommended to the health officials to take the necessary preventive measures including increasing the awareness of the male community.

Due to lifestyle changes and increased anxiety consumption of zolpidem has increased among young people. Zolpidem is the second sleeping medication used in the world. the harmful effects of this drug on the reproductive system have been proven. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E against zolpidem injuries on male reproductive system.

In this experimental study forty eight adult male mice NMRI strain at a mean weight of 25±5 grams were divided into one control and seven experimental groups. Zolpidem was prepared in distilled water. The control group received distilled water (as solvent of zolpidem) The groups 1, 2 and 3 received zolpidem at the doses 5, 10 and 20 (mg/kg of body weight). The group of 4 received (100 IU/kg of body weight) vitamin E and the groups of 5,6 and 7 received Zolpidem+ vitamin E for 35 days. One day after the last gavage, the treatment groups were sacrificed, the hearts were dissected and blood samples were obtained. Then the sperm parameters MDA, TAC and testosterone were evaluated.

Significant reduction in the count, motility, number of live and mature sperms at high doses were observed. DNA damage was increased, which vitamin E could result in improvement. The total antioxidant capacity and testosterone levels decreased while the amount of malondialdehyde level in the serum increased. Administration of Vitamin E improved MDA, TAC and testosterone level.

Zolpidem can increase the free radicals and weakens the body's antioxidant defense system, zolpidem causes disorders related to sperm parameters in high doses and therefore is able to impair the physiological function of male reproductive system. On the other hand, vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant, can improve the damage and eliminate reproductive disorders.

The treatment of male sexual disorders, considering the side effects of chemical drugs, it is more desirable to identify appropriate approaches such as herbal medicines with fewer side effects. The aim of this study was to explain the role of onion (Allium cepa) as a complementary treatment in improving male sexual disorders. 

This review identified the existing studies from the beginning to 2023 related to the purpose of the article in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases with keywords “Allium cepa, Onion, Male sexual dysfunction, Erectile disorder, Libido, Men's sexual health, and Testosterone”.

Totally, 17 articles related to the research topic were included in the final review. Onion products (including juice, aqueous extract, skin, ethyl acetate fraction, and seed extract) were used, mostly orally consumed over a period of 10-60 days. 

Onion through increasing testosterone (with the mechanisms of increasing LH production, antioxidant properties, improving insulin resistance, increasing nitric oxide production, and changing the activity of AMP 5-activated protein kinase) as well as treating erectile dysfunction and on the other hand improving reproductive status with positive effects on sperm (number, survival and motility) and its effects against infectious agents may have positive effects on male reproductive system. Although, there is a lot of evidence that onions can improve male sexual disorders, clinical trials are necessary to confirm this effect of onion in humans.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressant drug which is used to inhibit organ transplant rejection and to treat autoimmune diseases. Theoretically, such medications have spermatotoxic and genotoxic effects. However, evidence on the effects of MMF on fertility is limited and controversial.This study evaluated the effects of MMF and testosterone on sperm, sex hormones and antioxidant enzymes in male rats. In this experimental study 24 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice randomly divided into 3 groups: 1- saline serum (control), 2- MMF and 3- MMF along with testosterone by subcutaneous injection, for 65 days. Change in body weight, sperm quality (concentration, motility and morphology), serum level of gonadotropin hormones, and testosterone, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum and epididymis were evaluated. Both MMF treatment groups compared to control showed a decrease in body weight, number and motility of sperm, level of testosterone, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and TAC (P<0.05), and increase of gonadotropin hormones and sperm morphology abnormality (P<0.05). The adverse effects on sperm count and epididymis testosterone levels in the Mycophenolatemofetil +testosterone group was less than the Mycophenolate mofetil group (P<0.05). This study showed that Mycophenolatemofetil has adverse effects on sperm count, gonadotropins , testosterone and antioxidant pathway enzymes, and the use of testosterone cannot reduce the adverse effects of MMF. The adverse effects of Mycophenolate mofetil may be due to a decrease in the level of antioxidants.

Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on changes in the serum concentration of LH, FSH , testosterone hormones and testicular tissue induced by methotrexate in adult male rats.

In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats with an approximate weight of 230-260 grams were divided into 6 groups of 5 each. Control group, sham group: 1 ml of distilled water as a solvent, experimental group 1: methotrexate (5 mg/kg), experimental group 2: curcumin (400 mg/kg), experimental group 3: methotrexate (5 mg/kg) + curcumin (200 mg/kg), experimental group 4 : methotrexate (5 mg/kg) + curcumin (400 mg/kg). After 28 days of treatment in the form of gavage injection, blood was taken directly from the heart to measure the serum concentration of  LH, FSH and testosterone hormones. The testicles were removed and tissue changes were examined after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The data results were analyzed based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.

In the group receiving methotrexate, the level of testosterone hormone, the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, sperm and leydig decreased and the serum level of LH and FSH increased significantly compared to the control and sham groups. In the groups receiving methotrexate + curcumin, curcumin was able to compensate the adverse effects caused by methotrexat (P <0.05).

Curcumin can improve the changes in serum testosterone, FSH, LH concentration and testicular tissue induced by methotrexate in adult male rats.

The use of testosterone enanthate is popular among athletes, especially resistance sports. Considering the side effects of using testosterone enanthate, it seems necessary to find alternative methods. The present study compares the independent and interactive effects of resistance training, testosterone and palm pollen extract on the expression of FNDC5 and IGF1 genes in brown adipose tissue in male rats.

In this experimental study, 36 male rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: control, resistance training, palm pollen extract, testosterone enanthate, palm pollen extract + resistance training and testosterone enanthate + resistance training. The resistance training program was implemented for 4 weeks (5 days per week). On training days, palm pollen extract gavage (100 mg/kg) and testosterone injection (2 mg/kg) were performed. 48 hours after the last intervention, rats were sacrificed, brown adipose tissue was collected and sent to the laboratory, and the expression of FNDC5 and IGF1 genes was measured by real-time PCR.

In rats, resistance training increased the expression of FNDC5 and IGF1 genes in brown adipose tissue (P=0.001). Testosterone also increased the expression of FNDC5 gene in brown adipose tissue (P=0.013). However, palm pollen extract had no significant effect on the expression of FNDC5 and IGF1 genes in brown adipose tissue. Also, no significant synergistic effect was found between research variables (P>0.05).

Based on the present findings, both resistance training and testosterone significantly increased the expression of FNDC5 gene in brown adipose tissue in rats, but had no significant effect on IGF1. Palm pollen extract had no significant effect on the expression of FNDC5 and IGF1 genes in brown adipose tissue in rats.

Changes in gene expression and protein expression of the spinal-blood barrier play an important role in the transmission and development of neuro-inflammatory responses. In order to increase the knowledge related to the role of environmental interventions affecting the tight junction and adhesive proteins of this barrier, this study investigated the effect of four weeks of resistance training and date pollen/testosterone extract on gene expression and protein expression of occludin and cadherin in male rats.

In an experimental design, 30 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 6 groups: Control; Resistance training; DPP extract; Testosterone; DPP extract+ resistance training; Testosterone+ resistance training. The amount of 100 mg/kg date pollen extract was fed to mice by gavage for 4 weeks. Also, synthetic testosterone with a dose of 2 mg/kg was used subcutaneously as a positive control. Resistance training consisted of a four-week increasing training period on a 50-step ladder with 8 to 12 repetitions per session. After the intervention, gene expression was measured by RT-PCR method and protein expression was measured by western blot method.

Four weeks of resistance training caused a significant increase in occludin gene expression (P=0.010) and cadherin (P=0.015); While it had no significant effect on the protein expression of occludin (P=0.404) and cadherin (P=0.647). Also, the gene expression level of two proteins increased significantly under the influence of date pollen extract and testosterone (P<0.05).On the other hand, the protein synthesis rate of occludin (P=0.016) and cadherin (P=0.012) was increased only in the group receiving synthetic testosterone. Despite the fact that the highest level of gene expression of two proteins was observed when the interventions were combined simultaneously, there was no statistically significant difference between their synergistic effects (P=0.059). However, the highest expression of occludin and cadherin protein occurred when resistance training was combined with testosterone supplementation (P<0.05).

The results of this study showed that DPP extract is superior to other interventions for increasing the gene expression of occludin and cadherin proteins of the blood-spinal barrier and testosterone for increasing the expression of these proteins. The combination of these interventions with the double promotion of the signaling process of gene and protein expression will maintain the integrity and reduce the permeability of the blood-spinal cord barrier in healthy male animal samples.

Melon seeds have estrogenic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of melon seeds on the pituitary-gonadal axis and the tissue changes of the testis in adult male rats.

In this experimental study, 50 adult male Wistar rats weighing 210-230 g were assigned to five groups (n=10). The Control group received no extract or solvent; Sham group: 1 ml of distilled water as a solvent; experimental group 1: Melon seed extract (50 mg/kg), experimental group 2: Melon seed extract (100 mg/kg), Experimental group 3: Melon seed extract (150 mg/kg). After 21 days of treatment by the intraperitoneal method, blood was taken from the animals. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Thereafter, the testicles were removed, and tissue changes were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 18) using a one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test.

The mean body weight in experimental groups 2 and 3 demonstrated a significant decrease compared to the control and sham groups (P<0.001). The mean weight of the testes in experimental groups 2 and 3 displayed a significant increase compared to the control and sham groups. The mean concentration of testosterone hormones, FSH, LH, the number of spermatogonial cells, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli, and Leydig cells, as well as the number of sperm cells in experimental group 3,  had a significant increase compared to the control and sham groups (P<0.001).

As evidenced by the results of this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of melon seeds had stimulating effects on the pituitary-gonadal axis and testicular tissue in adult male rats.

Current advances in infertility treatment have given hope to the treatment of different types of infertility. Considering that the administration of high doses of gonadotropins is used in the treatment of infertility, the lack of response to gonadotropins leads to fertility failure. Various factors may affect women's response to gonadotropins. One of these factors is aging. Increasing age will lead to a Decrease in Follicular Recess and a decrease in response to gonadotropin. However, the reason for the poor ovarian response in women younger than 41 years is not clearly understood. The most common criteria to describe a poor ovarian response are a small number of developed follicles or retrieved oocytes and low levels of estradiol after using a standard ovarian stimulation protocol. According to the Two Cell/Two Gonadotropins theory, androgens play an important role in ensuring adequate steroid levels. A large number of studies have been conducted to treat these patients and various techniques have been proposed, but none of them were able to increase the response to gonadotropin completely. Androgens have important physiological roles in women and act both as precursors of estrogen biosynthesis and directly as androgen receptors. It is known that plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone are relatively high in reproductive age and decrease with age. Various effects of androgens on the steroidogenesis process in Granulosa cells have also been investigated, which includes balancing and regulating the activity of the Aromatase enzyme based on the level of maturation in the follicles. A large number of studies have been conducted on the process of folliculogenesis, but the results have not been fully established. Androgen excess usually causes atresia of developing follicles in rodents. However, it may have a synergistic effect with Follicle-stimulating Hormones to promote follicular recruitment in mammals. In animal studies on monkeys, it has been determined that the administration of testosterone leads to an increase in the expression of FSH receptors, which causes the start of follicular growth and an increase in the number of pre-antral and small antral follicles. Several different studies on primates and humans have shown the role of androgens in controlling follicular growth and follicular sensitivity to FSH. These studies show that a temporary increase in testosterone concentration increases the follicular response to LH, FSH, HCG, and DHEA. Most of these studies have been conducted on the effect of testosterone administration on the folliculogenesis process in women who did not respond successfully to fertility treatments, but the results are quite different. Since there is little information about prescribing testosterone gel to infertile women, it is important to conduct research in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of testosterone gel administration on infertile women with poor ovarian response who had previously used the usual methods of assisted reproduction.

This clinical trial was conducted at Shahid Beheshti Infertility Center of Isfahan from April to March 2013. In this study, 64 infertile women referred to the infertility clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Isfahan Infertility Research Center from April 2013 to March 2013 were selected. Patients who underwent routine IVF/ICSI in their last cycle and had a poor response to these fertility treatments were selected. Inclusion criteria included age 30-42 years, willingness to participate in the study, poor response to ovarian stimulation in previous IVF and ICSI attempts, evidence of ovarian follicular reserves and no previous ovarian surgery, and ovarian endometriosis. , endocrine and metabolic disorders, and breast cancer. The exclusion criteria were: pregnancy, any evidence of drug side effects or sensitivity to the applied treatment, not following the study protocol, and inability to follow up with the patient. Among the 64 participants who were selected in this study, 56 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two intervention or control groups (28 people in each group). Finally, 49 patients were examined. The number of patients in the intervention and control groups was 23 and 26, respectively. The intervention group received transdermal testosterone gel and the control group received a placebo. After the period of using the gel, patients were evaluated based on the number of Antral follicles and hormone levels, including FSH and testosterone. t-dependent and independent t-statistical methods were used to analyze the data.

Based on the findings of this study, the serum level of testosterone increased significantly in the intervention group, but the total number of follicles was not significantly different between the two groups on the third day of the control cycle. All patients were monitored during the study for possible side effects of using the gel. 4 patients in the intervention group reported itching, 1 case of scaling, and 1 case of acne. No other side effects were reported by the patients. 3 patients in the placebo group also reported itching. No other side effects were reported by patients in this group.

This study showed that topical testosterone administration does not increase ovarian response to FSH in women with long-term infertility histories and poor responses to common fertility treatments. Indeed, increasing plasma testosterone concentration before FSH administration in fertility treatments such as IVF did not affect ovarian response. The results of the present study showed that the use of testosterone gel before the administration of FSH in assisted reproductive treatments does not have a significant effect on increasing the ovarian response to FSH and the success rate of these treatments. This level of testosterone plasma concentration is not enough to increase the Folliculogenesis process and improve fertility treatments. Therefore, more studies should be conducted using this assessment. The results of this study can have different reasons. The most important of these is the normal plasma testosterone concentration in our participants from baseline, and it may be necessary to conduct several future studies that specifically evaluate the effect of testosterone administration on women with low plasma testosterone concentrations.

Systemic triazole fungicides such as Penconazole have negative effects on different body tissues. In the Present study, the Protective effects of vitamin D3 on tissue changes and Pituitary-testicular axis in adult rats treated with Penconazole were investigated. In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 including: control, sham (1 ml of distilled water), exPerimental 1 (Penconazole 100 mg/kg), experimental 2 (vitamin IU/kg 1000 D3), experimental 3 (100 mg/kg Penconazole + 500 IU/kg vitamin D3) and experimental 4 (100 mg/kg Penconazole + 1000 IU/kg vitamin D3). At the end of day 28, serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone hormones were measured by ELISA method and the testicular tissue was removed for histoPathological examination. The serum levels of LH and FSH in experimental group 1 showed a significant increase compared to the control and sham groups (P< 0.05), but the testosterone serum level decreased (P<0.05). The serum levels of LH and FSH in experimental grouPs 3 and 4 showed a significant decrease compared to experimental group 1 (P< 0.05), but testosterone serum levels increased (P<0.05). Histopathological examination showed that in experimental group 1, the testicular tissue was destroyed; however, in experimental groups 3 and 4, the testicular tissue was recovered. Based on the results of this study, vitamin D3 can improve testicular damage caused by Penconazole in rats.

The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis plays an important role in regulating fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of salmon calcitonin (sCT) on sex hormones and sperm quality in rats.

This experimental study was conducted in 2023 at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and Shiraz University. Twelve rats divided into two groups (n = 6). Rats of the first group (control) injected with artificial cerebrospinal fluid with a volume of 5 microliters ICV. Rats of the second group injected ICV with sCT at a dose of 1.5 nmol with a volume of 5 microliters. 72 hours after ICV injections, the serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone measured. Also, sperms from the epididymal region were used to determine sperm quality.

ICV injection of sCT decreased the levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone significantly. The sCT reduced sperm density significantly, but not motility, compared to the control group. The sCT decreased significantly intact acrosome and increased damaged acrosome compared to the control group.

ICV injection of sCT can reduce sperm quality, probably through induction of an imbalance in FSH and LH production as well as testosterone.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenism and obesity. The present study was performed with aim to compare testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate serum levels and anthropometric indices between patients with PCOS taking metformin and cyproterone compounds.

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 2022 was performed by reviewing the medical documents including age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), testosterone serum levels, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate before and after taking the drugs for 3 months. Two-hundred and twenty participants were divided in 4 groups (n=55 in each group) as follows: 1) taking metformin 500 mg daily, 2) taking cyproterone compound 2 mg daily, 3) taking metformin and cyproterone compound simultaneously, and 4) participants without PCOS as control. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 25) and paired T-test and ANOVA. P<0.05 was consider statistically significant.

Before the intervention, the mean serum levels of testosterone and dihydroxyepiandrosterone sulfate were significantly higher in the intervention groups compared to the control group without PCOS (p<0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). This difference was not significant after the intervention (p=0.111 and p=0.423, respectively). However, taking metformin alone increased BMI (p= 0.001) and WC (p= 0.001) and decreased WHtR (p= 0.026) compared to the control group. Taking metformin and cyproterone compounds simultaneously were associated with a decrease in WC compared to the control group (p= 0.001).

Taking metformin and cyproterone compounds alone or simultaneously has no effect on the androgens serum level. Co-administration of metformin and cyproterone compounds may reduce abdominal obesity in PCOS patients.

The use of testosterone enanthate has increased among athletes, especially in resistance disciplines. Considering the side effects of using testosterone enanthate, it seems necessary to find alternative methods. The present study compared the independent and interactive effects of resistance training, testosterone and palm pollen extract on mRNA expression of MFN2, FISS and DRP1 genes in male rat liver.

In a experimental study, 30 male rats were divided into control groups, resistance training, date pollen extract, testosterone ethanate, consumption of date pollen extract + resistance training and testosterone etantate + resistance training. The interventions were applied based on the group name for four weeks. 48 hours after the last intervention, the liver tissue was investigated to measure the expression of MFN2, FISS and DRP1 genes.

Exercise, testosterone and date pollen, each independently, increased the expression of MFN2 gene and decreased the expression of FISS and DRP1 genes in the liver. The simultaneous use of exercise and testosterone/palm pollen strengthened the effect of independent interventions; however, the synergistic effect was observed only on liver FISS gene expression compared to independent interventions.

According to the results of the groups consuming date pollen and testosterone, it seems that the use of each of them has caused a similar pattern of change in the variables of the present study; therefore, the use of date pollen may be a natural alternative to testosterone.