Effects of Inositol Supplementation in Sperm Extender on the Quality of Cryopreserved Mesopotamian Catfish (Silurus triostegus, H. 1843) Sperm.

In this study, the effects of supplemented inositol on sperm extenders were examined on the spermatozoa motility rate and duration, total antioxidant and oxidant status, apoptotic spermatozoa and DNA damage, during the sperm post-thaw process of Mesopotamian Catfish (Silurus triostegus, H. 1843). The semen was frozen in diluents containing different inositol concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg). Increasing levels of inositol linearly improved the spermatozoa motility rate and duration significantly (p < 0.05). MDA and TOS were linearly decreased, however, TAS and GSH linearly increased (p < 0.05). The increasing inositol levels resulted in a linear and quadratic decrease in DNA damage in the comet assay, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and the determined percentage of apoptotic spermatozoa (p < 0.05). These results suggest that there are many positive effects of the use of supplemental inositol on enhancing sperm cryopreservation efficiency in Silurus triostegus.

Effects of 3-aminobenzamide on unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury: what is the role of PARP inhibition?

The therapeutic effects of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibition by 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) were investigated in testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, using sperm analysis and histopathological and biochemical examinations, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Male rats were divided into 3 groups: sham (n = 12), I/R (n = 12), and I/R with 3-AB (I/R-3-AB) (n = 12). The left testicular artery was occluded for 1 h, followed by 24 h (for biochemical and histopathological examinations) and 30 days (for sperm analysis) of reperfusion. 3-AB treatment intraperitoneally 10 min prior to and 1 h after reperfusion increased the I/R-induced decrease in sperm motility in both testes and reduced the increased abnormal sperm rates in the ipsilateral testis. However, 3-AB treatment failed to prevent the I/R-induced decrease in sperm concentration in both testes. SOD and CAT activities did not change in any group. GSH-Px activity and GSH levels were increased by I/R. 3-AB treatment reversed the I/R-induced increase in GSH-Px activity, similar to the level in sham rats, but did not alter GSH levels. 3-AB treatment significantly increased the I/R-induced decrease in histopathologic score. In conclusion, 3-AB treatment has potential biochemical and histopathological benefits beyond improving sperm quality and may have the potential to decrease damage from testicular torsion.

Effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm quality after testicular ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of melatonin, a pineal secretory product that prevents testicular ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury through its antioxidative properties, on epididymal sperm quality in a rat testicular IR injury model. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University pharmacology laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Fifty-six 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats. INTERVENTION(S): Left testicular artery and vein occluded for 1 hour; before the bilateral orchiectomy, the organ was allowed to reperfuse 30 days. Melatonin (10 mg/kg IP) or vehicle (1% ethanol in saline) was administrated for 10 minutes before reperfusion and for 1 hour after reperfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): After 24 hours of reperfusion, the rats were decapitated, and the testicular tissue samples were obtained for histologic examination. In addition, after 30 days of reperfusion, the epididymal sperm concentration, motility, and abnormal sperm rates were determined in the sperm collected from the epididymis. RESULT(S): A statistically significant decrease in sperm concentration resulted from IR as well as an increase in sperm abnormalities, but the sperm motility did not change. Melatonin treatment did not prevent the IR-induced reduction in sperm concentration. However, melatonin treatment statistically significantly decreased the sperm abnormalities when compared with the IR injured samples. CONCLUSION(S): Melatonin may improve sperm morphology for a protective effect in IR-induced testicular injury.

Lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid, attenuates testicular injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Testicular torsion is a common syndrome that could lead to infertility. We investigated the therapeutic effects of lycopene, an antioxidant caretenoid, on testicular ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury that resembles testicular torsion. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham (n = 6), IR (n = 18), and ischemia/reperfusion with lycopene (IRL, n = 18). Left testicular artery and vein was occluded for 1 h, followed by reperfusion of 3 h, 24 h or 30 days in IR and IRL animals. Either corn oil (vehicle) or lycopene (4 mg/kg) was administrated once daily by gavage to IR or IRL animals, respectively, 5 min after ischemia. Sham-operated animals were treated with vehicle by gavage 5 min after the operation. IR decreased sperm motility and concentration in both ipsilateral and contralateral testes and increased abnormal sperm rate in ipsilateral testis after 30 days of reperfusion. Treatment with lycopene increased the motility in bilateral testes and decreased the rate of abnormal sperm in ipsilateral testis to the sham level, but did not increase sperm concentration in bilateral testes. IR increased the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the level of reduced glutathione by 24 h of reperfusion, but malondialdehyde remained unchanged. Lycopene treatment restored the enzyme activities but not the reduced glutathione level. Lycopene treatment also ameliorated the IR-induced tissue damage in bilateral testes. In conclusion, the therapeutic antioxidant effect of lycopene on germ cells could serve as a promising intervention to oxidative stress-associated infertility problems, such as testicular torsion.

Determination of spermatological properties of male Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) in Atatürk Dam Lake, Sanliurfa.

The aim of this study was to determine the spermatological characteristics in male L. abu during the spawning season. Semen was collected weekly by abdominal massage from 26 males in March. In collected semen, volume, motility, duration of motility, concentration and pH were determined. In the L. abu sperm, volume (microl), motility (%), duration of motility (s), concentration (x10(9)/ml), and pH values were found 45.76 +/- 3.55, 54.25 +/- 2.93, 330.15 +/- 37.92, 4.27 +/- 0.40 and 7.87 +/- 0.05, respectively. A correlation was found between semen volume and semen pH. Semen volume and the duration of sperm motility were higher in the 2nd and 3rd sampling dates than in the 1st and 4th sampling dates (P < 0.05; P < 0.01, respectively). Neither sperm motility nor sperm concentration was affected by sampling dates. Major changes in semen pH were observed in the 4th sampling date (P < 0.001). The Pearson correlation test presented significant relationships with the duration of motility, semen volume, and motility. Semen pH values were significantly correlated with the sperm concentration and semen volume. Sperm concentration was inversely correlated with semen volume. Sperm motility and duration significantly correlated with total weight. Total length significantly correlated with the duration of motility and total weight. In conclusion, these characteristics represent a valuable baseline dataset for establishing a semen quality standard and provide background information that may be useful for assisted breeding programs in this species.

The effect of enrofloxacin on sperm quality in male mice.

Current study was designed to evaluate toxic effects of enrofloxacin on male mice reproductive system. In the treatment group enrofloxacin was administered subcutaneously to male mice at a fixed dose of 150 mg/kg once daily for 15 days, whereas saline solution was given in the same regimen in the control group for the same period. Mice were sacrificed on day 15 and analyzed for sperm quality. In addition to routine examination of sperm material, spermatogenetic activity and organization of each animal were graded according to Johnsen's scoring to assess the spermatogenesis relying on seminiferous tubule cross-section scores. A significant decrease in both epididymal sperm count and sperm motility besides abnormal spermatozoa rate were observed in enrofloxacin group compared to controls (P < 0.01, for all). Johnsen's score in control mice were better than those in treatment group (P < 0.01). These results suggested that a fixed 150 mg/kg dose of enrofloxacin would lead disruption of spermatogenesis in the testes causing deterioration of motility and content of sperms as well as morphological abnormalities.