Effects of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on frozen-thawed ram semen at two cooling periods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different selenium compounds on the sperm quality of cryopreserved ram semen. Ejaculates from four rams, collected using an artificial vagina heated to 38 °C, were individually evaluated. The approved ejaculates were pooled and diluted (1:1 v:v) in Tris-egg yolk extender (20%, v/v) and separated into two control groups, one cooled for 2 h and the other for 4 h. The pooled ejaculates at the two cooling periods were supplemented with two doses (0.5 and 1 µg/mL) of organic selenium (ORG), and inorganic selenium (SeNa), each. The samples were packed in 0.25 ml straws, at a concentration of 400 × 106 sperms/mL and stored in liquid nitrogen. The straws were thawed in a water bath at 37 °C for 20 s, and the samples were subjected to sperm kinetics evaluation by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis software. Sperm membrane integrity, acrosome morphology, and mitochondrial potential were assessed. In addition, oxidative stress markers reactive oxygen species (ROS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activity) were also evaluated. No significant improvement was observed in the ram semen quality at the two cooling times. Supplementation of the freezing extender with 0.5 µg/mL ORG, subjected to 4 h cooling period, increased the sperm motility when compared with the control group at the same cooling time. In addition, the 0.5 µg/mL SeNa group, under the 2 h cooling period, showed an increase in sperm motility when compared to the control group at the same cooling period. Considering the importance of sperm motility as a fertility parameter, our study indicates that supplementation with ORG and SeNa can help improve the total motility of the cryopreserved ram semen.

Interference of Parenteral Nutrition Components in Silicon-Mediated Protection Against Aluminum Bioaccumulation.

Aluminum and silicon are contaminants found in formulations used to prepare parenteral nutrition. Both elements are leached from glass containers, mainly during the heating cycle for sterilization. Insoluble and biologically inactive species of hydroxyaluminosilicates have been shown to form in solutions containing Al and Si. Therefore, this interaction may play an important role in protecting the body against Al toxicity. In this study, the bioavailability of Al in the presence of Si, calcium gluconate (Gluc.), and potassium phosphate (Phosf.) was investigated in rats. The rats were divided into 10 groups of 5 animals each: control, Al, Si, Al + Si, Gluc, Gluc + Al, Gluc + Al + Si, Phosf, Phosf + Al, and Phosf + Al + Si. The doses, consisting of 0.5 mg/kg/day Al and 2 mg/kg/day Si in the presence or absence of Gluc. or Phosf., were intraperitoneally administered for 3 months. Tissues were analyzed for Al and Si content. Al accumulated in the liver, kidneys, and bones, and the simultaneous administration of Si decreased Al accumulation in these tissues. The presence of Si reduced the amount of Al present by 72% in the liver, by 45% in the kidneys, and by 16% in bone. This effect was lees pronounced in the presence of parenteral nutrition compounds though. Si tissue accumulation was also observed, mainly when administered together with phosphate. These results suggest that Si may act as a protector against Al toxicity, by either reducing Al absorption or increasing its excretion, probably through hydroxyaluminosilicates formation. The presence of calcium gluconate and potassium phosphate decreases or inhibits this effect.

Beneficial effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 treatment in an LPS-induced depression-like model in mice.

Clinical evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, activation of the immune system, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota are involved in the pathology of depression. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a probiotic intervention using Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 in ameliorating mood disorders in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated with 5 mg/kg LPS via intraperitoneal injection to induce depression-like symptoms, followed by oral administration of LL95 for one week (1â€¯× 109 CFU/mouse). The animals were then subjected to a series of behavioral assessments, including open field, sucrose preference, and forced swimming tests. In addition, we evaluated the levels of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß in the hippocampal tissues of these animals, and also determined their fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) content. LL95 intervention improved LPS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice, including decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time in the forced swim test. LL95 treatment reversed the LPS-induced increase in hippocampal levels of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-α, and of interleukin-1ß to a lesser extent. Furthermore, LL95 intervention increased the fecal LAB content in these animals, suggesting changes in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that LL95 exerts antidepressant-like effects in LPS-induced depression, which may be attributed to modulation of the oxidative status and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus and alteration in the LAB content of the gut microbiota.

Protective role of Syzygium cumini leaf extracts against paraquat-induced oxidative stress in superoxide-dismutase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of three different extracts prepared from Syzygium cumini leaves against paraquat-induced toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiaestrains deficient in superoxide dismutase (SOD). Additionally, the extracts phenolic and flavonoid contents, in vitro antioxidant activity, and phytochemical composition (using high-pressure liquid chromatography) were determined. Bioactive compounds from S. cumini leaves were extracted with infusion (traditional method) or ultrasound (aqueous or hydroalcoholic). Compared to the infusion extract, the ultrasound extracts exhibited a greater protective capacity against paraquat toxicity in the yeast cells as well as higher antioxidant activity. These results may be directly related to the higher phenolic and flavonoid contents in these extracts, since they are recognized as having high antioxidant actions.

Tribulus terrestris Protects against Male Reproductive Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice.

Tribulus terrestris (TT) has been considered as a potential stimulator of testosterone production, which has been related with steroidal saponins prevailing in this plant. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is the most commonly used anticancer and immunosuppressant drug, which causes several toxic effects, especially on the reproductive system. Patients who need to use CP therapy exhibit reduced fertility or infertility, which impacts both physically and emotionally on the decision to use this drug, especially among young men. We hypothesized that the treatment with TT dry extract would protect the male reproductive system against CP toxicity. Mice received dry extract of TT (11 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 14 days. Saline or CP was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose (100 mg/kg) on the 14th day. Animals were euthanized 24 h after CP administration, and testes and epididymis were removed for biochemical and histopathological analysis and sperm evaluation. The dry extract of TT was evaluated by HPLC analysis and demonstrated the presence of protodioscin (1.48%, w/w). CP exposure increased lipid peroxidation, reactive species, and protein carbonylation and altered antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GR). Moreover, acute exposure to CP caused a reduction on 17 ß-HSD activity, which may be related to the reduction in serum testosterone levels, histopathological changes observed in the testes, and the quality of the semen. The present study highlighted the role of TT dry extract to ameliorate the alterations induced by CP administration in mice testes, probably due to the presence of protodioscin.

Reduction in Percoll volume increases recovery rate of sex-sorted semen of bulls without affecting sperm quality and early embryonic development.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Percoll volume on recovery rate, sperm quality, and embryo development kinetics in in vitro production of cattle embryos. Straws of conventional and sex-sorted semen were allocated to three different volumes of Percoll: 300 µL of each Percoll gradient (90%, 60%, and 30%), Control; 100 µL of each Percoll gradient, P100; and 200 µL of each Percoll gradient, P200. Sperm quality, fertilization rate, and embryo morpho-kinetic development using time lapse cinematography up to 48 h post-insemination were evaluated. For conventionally processed semen, sperm motility, vigor, and recovery rate were greater in the P100 and P200 treatment groups compared to the Control (P < 0.05), whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were not influenced by treatments. For sex-sorted semen, treatment with P100 increased sperm curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.05). Recovery rate was greater in the P100 group than Control and P200 groups (P < 0.05), formation of ROS was less in the P100 than Control and P200 groups, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was less in the P100 than Control group. Fertilization and cleavage rates, time of first cleavage, and cell number were similar between the P100 and Control groups (P > 0.05). The inclusion of Percoll volumes of 100 µL resulted in an increased sperm recovery rate without damage to sperm quality or affecting early embryonic development.