Effects of cigarette smoke condensate on reproduction in mice in vivo.

Smoking has dangerous and sometimes irreversible effects on various body tissues, including the reproductive system. We conducted this research to determine the in vivo effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on reproduction in mice. In this experimental in vivo study, 32 male and female NMRI mice were divided into four groups. The mice were injected with CSC (CSC-1R3F) for 28 days. The mice were mated 1 day after the last injection and observed daily for 1 week for the presence of a vaginal plug to track mating. We evaluated mating success rate, and sperm and oocyte quality, pregnancy outcome, childbearing status, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The results showed a decrease in successful mating in female mice that received the CSC injections. CSC significantly influenced the number of offspring born to males. When the CSC was injected into male mice, there was a significant increase in the number of offspring compared with the group in which only the females received CSC injections. According to the results, there was a negative effect of CSC on morphological parameters in male and female mice. Also, successful IVF after exposure to CSC was significantly decreased in the female mice treated group. The results indicated that CSC significantly affected the number of offspring and fecundity success in females.

The effect of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Hop on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 120 women were randomly allocated into two groups, receiving the Hop or placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Early menopausal symptoms were assessed using Greene scale and hot flashes were recorded in a diary before, and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after intervention. RESULTS: The mean Greene score was significantly lower in the Hop group than the placebo group at the end of weeks 4 (adjusted difference: -10.0, 95% confidence interval: -11.1--8.9), 8 (-18.6, -20.1--17.1) and 12 (-23.4, -25.1--21.6). The number of hot flashes was significantly lower in the Hop group than the control group during the weeks 4 (-8.4, -9.8--7.1), 8 (-17.1, -14.9--19.3) and 12 (-23.8, -21.1--26.4). CONCLUSIONS: Hop effectively reduced the early menopausal symptoms. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved (code 91209) by the Ethic Committee of Tabriz university of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials, with IRCT 2013010110324N7 on April 2013.