Protective role of silibinin over nickel sulfate-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Nickel damages the male reproductive system. We investigated the beneficial effects of silibinin which has metal-chelating and antioxidant properties over nickel toxicity. Both antioxidative effects in testes and overall effects related to sperm motility, membrane and acrosome integrity of orally administered Silibinin were evaluated against the harmful effects of 30 day of intraperitoneal nickel sulfate (5 mg/kg/day) administration in rats. Male rats were randomized into control (Group1; n=6) and three experimental groups (n=6, each): Group2 Nickel sulfate (5 mg/kg/day), Group3 Silibinin (150 mg/kg/day), and Group 4 Nickel sulfate (5 mg/kg/day) + Silibinin (150 mg/kg/day). We found higher sperm motility, viable sperm and total sperm count in Groups 3 and 4 than the Group 2 treatment groups and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa was similar in both groups (Groups 2 and 4). Increased apoptosis, activation of caspase3, 8, 9 and TUNEL were detected in Group 2. However, activation of caspase3, 8, 9 and TUNEL was reduced in Group 4. The protective effects of silibinin were demonstrated on histopathologic findings and some sperm parameters (sperm motility percentage, viable spermatozoa, sperm count, and abnormal spermatozoa percentage) in rats exposed to nickel.

Royal jelly protection on flunixin meglumine-induced spermiotoxicity and testicular degeneration in mice.

Current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of royal jelly on Flunixin me- glumine (FM)-induced spermiotoxicity related to sperm concentration, abnormal spermatozoa count and histopathological changes in mice testis. The subjects were divided into five groups according to FM and/or royal jelly intake: Control group; group 1, FM alone (25 mg/kg, im); group 2, combination of FM (25 mg/kg, im) and royal jelly (200 mg/kg, oral); group 3, FM alone (50 mg/kg, im); and group 4, combination of FM (50 mg/kg, im) and royal jelly (200 mg/kg, oral). The animals were fed once daily for 15 days and they were sacrificed last day. Epididymal sperm concentration and abnormal spermatozoa count were noted. Testicular histological findings were evaluated. On purpose, organization of each animal was graded according to Johnsen's scoring to assess the spermatogenesis relying on seminiferous tubule cross-section scores. Comparing to controls, FM administration caused a decrease in sperm concentration (p⟨0.05), an increase in total abnormal spermatozoa rates (p⟨0.05) and more degenerative changes in testes in mice. Royal jelly supplementation ameliorated both sperm concentration and abnormal spermato- zoa (p⟨0.05) comparing to the control group. In conclusion, we suggested that royal jelly might have protective effects in the FM-induced reductions in epididymal sperm concentration and in- crease in abnormal spermatozoa rate.

Evaluation of intra-testicular injections of calcium chloride and 4-vinylcyclohexene 1,2 monoepoxide for chemical sterilization in guinea pigs.

This study was aimed at investigating the use of intra-testicular calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 4-vinylcyclohexene 1,2-monoepoxide (VCM) injections as a side effect-free alternative method for the control of reproduction in guinea pigs. Fifty male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to five groups. In all groups, the chemical agents were injected into both testes in 1% lidocaine hydrochloride. While Groups I, II and III were administered with a single dose (0.25 mL) of sterile physiological saline, 15 mg/100 g CaCl2, and 240 mg/kg VCM, respectively, Group IV and V received a daily dose of 15 mg/100 g CaCl2, and 240 mg/kg VCM for 3 days, respectively. On day 90 post-administration, all animals were weighed and later decapitated under ether anaesthesia. Blood and tissue (testis, liver, hypophysis and adrenal gland) samples were taken. Sperm samples from the cauda epididymis were examined for spermatological parameters. Blood was used for hormone analyses and tissue samples were examined histopathologically (haematoxylin-eosin) and immunohistochemically (Tunel staining). The epididymal sperm count decreased in all treatment groups. Excluding 2 animals, Group V displayed azoospermia. When compared to the control group, Group V displayed the highest prolactin and lowest testosterone levels, and Group III showed the highest testosterone level. Histopathological examination revealed no intoxication finding. Chemical castration with VCM may be a good alternative to surgical castration as it enables mass sterilization without postoperative risks in guinea pig.

Short communication: Aflatoxin M1 in dairy products sold in Sanliurfa, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to detect the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in samples of raw milk (n=38), UHT milk (n=12), white pickled cheese (n=50), and yogurt (n=50) collected from the Sanliurfa city markets and locally produced dairy products by ELISA. The mean contamination rates were 56.74 ± 40.32, 43.1 ± 23.19, 103.2 ± 29.13, and 55.28 ± 12.68 ng/kg, respectively, for raw milk, UHT milk, white pickled cheese, and yogurt. According to the data, 21 (55%) raw milk, 3 (25%) UHT milk, 10 (20%) white pickled cheese, and 10 (20%) yogurt samples were contaminated with AFM1 over the acceptable levels (≥50 ng/kg), ranging from 0.82 to 130.89 ng/kg. None of the white pickled cheese samples contained AFM1 levels above the Turkish legal limit (250 ng/kg). Consequently, the AFM1 contamination levels determined in this study in white pickled cheese were not considered to pose a serious public health hazard. However, the AFM1 levels in raw and UHT milk and yogurt samples indicate an increased human health risk in Turkey related to high aflatoxin levels. Therefore, milk and dairy products have to be monitored by the Turkish public health authorities continuously to detect AFM1 contamination.