جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « Sperm count » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

Despite the effectiveness of testosterone therapy in conditions associated with testosterone deficiency, including varicocele, several dose-dependent side effects limit the clinical use of testosterone therapy. Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas in high concentrations but a beneficial molecule in low concentrations, acts as both a major effector and an important inducer of testosterone.

This study investigated whether a subeffective dose of testosterone combined with a subeffective dose of hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) can be effective in an experimental varicocele model through a possible additive effect.

30 Wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr were divided into 5 groups as (n = 6/each): sham, varicocele, testosterone (200 µg/kg, 5 times per wk for 4 consecutive wk), NaHS (15 μmol/L, daily for 4 consecutive wk) and testosterone + NaHS (200 µg/kg, 5 times per wk + 15 μmol/L, daily, both for 4 consecutive wk). All animals, except in the sham group, underwent varicocele induction.

The coadministration of testosterone and NaHS significantly increased serum testosterone (10.23 ± 0.95, p = 0.01), testicular H2S levels (608.94 ± 21.09, p < 0.001), and testicular superoxide dismutase activity (66.14 ± 1.56, p < 0.001), decreased malondialdehyde levels (0.77 ± 0.52, p < 0.001), and B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein to B-cell lymphoma 2 (0.16 ± 0.01, p < 0.001) protein expression ratio in the testicular tissues and improved sperm parameters and testicular histopathology compared to the varicocele group.

The combination therapy of subeffective doses of testosterone and NaHS can attenuate the varicocele-induced damages by reducing testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis and thus can be considered an effective approach with fewer side effects.

Studies have shown oxidative DNA damage is associated with male infertility.

This study determines the levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and some markers of oxidative stress in seminal fluid of males investigated for infertility and men of proven fertility in Benin City, Nigeria.

Semen samples produced by self or assisted masturbation were analyzed by microscopic technique according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Thereafter, samples were centrifuged and seminal fluid plasma separated and stored at -20ºC prior to assay for 8-OHdG and oxidative stress biomarkers. Based on the sperm concentration/count, the overall samples were grouped into the following categories: normospermia (n = 20), oligozoospermia (n = 30), and azoospermia (n = 20). The control group comprised of 30 age-matched males of proven fertility. The seminal fluid 8-OHdG, total antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed through ELISA and spectrophotometric methods, respectively.

Seminal plasma level of 8-OHdG and MDA were significantly higher (p = 0.01) in infertile subjects than controls. The mean levels of 8-OHdG and MDA in infertile subjects were higher in azoospermia than oligospermia than normospermia and so, was least in the normospermia. Conversely, the mean levels of total antioxidant status and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower (p = 0.01) in infertile than fertile the control male subjects with levels higher in normospermia than oligospermia and least in azoospermia. Moreover, the seminal 8-OHdG correlated negatively with sperm count (r = -0.359, p = 0.01), percent motility (r = -0.388, p = 0.04), and percent morphology (r = -0.327, p = 0.02).

The assessment of sperm DNA damage in addition to routine seminal fluid analysis may play an important role in specific diagnosis and management of male infertility.

Cola acuminata pod extract (CAPE) is used in Nigerian traditional medicine to treat low sperm count in males. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CAPE on the reproductive system of male albino rats.

Preliminary acute toxicity testing, phytochemical screening, proximate analysis, and determination of vitamin E concentration were performed on the extract. Three groups (I, II, and III) of 12 rats were used in the study. Each group comprised three batches (A, B, and C) of 4 rats each for different periods (4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively).

Acute toxicity testing showed that CAPE had an oral lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of >5 g/kg body weight (b.wt) in rats. Vitamin E concentration was 0.511 mg/l. The caudal epididymal sperm count increased marginally from 4 to 6 weeks for rats treated with 800 mg/kg b.wt., but reduced significantly at 8 weeks for both CAPE treatment groups (II and III) (p<0.05) compared with the control group (I). Significant reduction (p<0.05) of sperm motility and serum testosterone levels at 8 weeks were observed. The histology of the reproductive organs revealed evident histo-architectural changes.

These results suggest that the aqueous pod extract of Cola acuminata causes marked alterations in reproductive organs and shows antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic effects when administered orally over 8 weeks in mature male rats leading to contradicting its use as a traditional remedy for low sperm count in males.

Selenium (Se) and Electrical stimulation (ES) play an important role in maintaining the integrity of various body functions after spinal cord injury (SCI).

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Se and ES on the sperm parameters and the repair of the damaged spinal cord in a rat model.

A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 per each group, including control, sham, SCI, Se, and ES. After SCI in the T10 space, the BBB and Von Frey test were used to evaluate the motor and sensory functions. Six weeks after the treatment, the assessment of sperm parameters was done.

The treatment with Se, compared to the SCI group, significantly increased the sperm concentration (38.66 ± 14.81 vs. 18.50 ± 7.02, P < 0.001), motility (55.00 ± 3.0 vs. 8.33 ± 1.16, P < 0.001) and viability (81.66 ± 8.16 vs. 19.16 ± 1.06, P < 0.001). ES compared to the SCI group, significantly increased sperm motility (60.00 ± 6.32 vs. 8.33 ± 1.16, P = 0.001) and viability (70.83 ± 9.70 vs. 19.16 ± 1.06, P < 0.001). Se and ES revealed no significant effects on sperm morphology (P > 0.05). A significant increase was observed in the BBB locomotor Score and Von Frey test in the SE and ES groups compared to the SCI group and between the Se and ES groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the Se and ES groups in the Von Frey test.

The effect of Selenium on sperm parameters and motor function was superior than that of the Electrical stimulation, but the effective effect on repairing the sensory function was the same.

Cryptorchidism is a common gonadal disease in neonates that promotes oxidative stress and reactive oxygen spices production following the presence of testicles in ectopic places. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling could prevent oxidative stress damage through the Nrf2-driven antioxidants.

The current study aimed at evaluating the pattern of gene expressions related to this pathway in testis and epididymis of mice experimentally subjected to cryptorchidism.

The current experimental study was conducted on 48 male mice randomly divided into six groups at Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran, 2018. Cryptorchidism was induced in the left testis of mice in five experimental groups by removing the testis from the scrotum and suturing it to the muscles of the abdominal wall. One group remained intact as the control group. Sperm parameters were analyzed one day, as well as one, two, four, and eight weeks after the operation. The expression of Nrf2, NQO1, HO1, and Keap1 genes in testis and epididymis was assessed using quantitative reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction.

Sperm analysis showed a significant decrease in sperm number, viability, normal morphology (except in the one day group), and motility in all experimental groups compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). The expression level of Nrf2 (in testis tissue), Keap1 (in both testis and epididymis), and HO1 (in testis tissue) showed no changes over the time (P > 0.05), while the expression of other genes decreased remarkably (P ≤ 0.05) in both testis tissue and epididymis in a time-dependent manner.

The current study findings showed that the expression of genes involved in NRF2 systems decreased in the epididymis of cryptorchid mice more than testis and it suggested that treatment with Nrf2 inducer could decrease destructive effects of cryptorchidism on the reproductive system.