Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on testicular histology, semen characteristic, blood plasma parameters and reproductive performance in aged broiler breeder roosters.

Higher long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids contents in roosters' sperm plasma membrane along with age-related decrease in antioxidant defense make the spermatozoa very susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Ginger root contains abundant amounts of gingerol, shogaols, gingerdiol and other active compounds, which known as antioxidant compounds to enhance semen quality. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of ginger root on semen quality, blood chemistry, immune response, testicular histology and reproductive performance of Ross-308 breeder roosters from 47 to 60 weeks of age. The feeding of ginger root resulted in an increase in parameters related to sperm forward motility and seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and following there was a tendency to increase and decrease in seminal superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, respectively; however, sperm concentration was not affected. There was an increase and tendency to increase in blood total protein and TAC in the supplemented group respectively. The roosters fed ginger supplemented diet had a higher spermiation index; and following there was tendency to increase seminal tubes spermatozoids number (p = 0.056) and repopulation index (p = 0.058). Despite the improved seminal antioxidant status and a tendency to lower embryonic mortality in the ginger-received group, the fertility and hatchability rate of roosters were statistically insignificant. Supplementations of ginger root in ageing rooster's diet had a beneficial effect on sperm motility, seminal antioxidant status and testicular spermiation index.

Reproductive Hormone Concentrations and Associated Anatomical Responses: Does Soy Formula Affect Minipuberty in Boys?

CONTEXT: Soy formula feeding is common in infancy and is a source of high exposure to phytoestrogens, documented to influence vaginal cytology in female infants. Its influence on minipuberty in males has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between infant feeding practice and longitudinally measured reproductive hormones and hormone-responsive tissues in infant boys. METHODS: The Infant Feeding and Early Development study was a prospective cohort of maternal-infant dyads requiring exclusive soy formula, cow milk formula, or breast milk feeding during study follow-up. In the 147 infant boy participants, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, stretched penile length, anogenital distance, and testis volume were longitudinally assessed from birth to 28 weeks. We examined feeding-group differences in age trajectories for these outcomes using mixed-effects regression splines. RESULTS: Median serum testosterone was at pubertal levels at 2 weeks (176 ng/dL [quartiles: 124, 232]) and remained in this range until 12 weeks in all feeding groups. We did not observe differences in trajectories of hormone concentrations or anatomical measures between boys fed soy formula (n = 55) and boys fed cow milk formula (n = 54). Compared with breastfed boys (n = 38), soy formula-fed boys had a more rapid increase in penile length (P = .004) and slower initial lengthening of anogenital distance (P = .03), but no differences in hormone trajectories. CONCLUSION: Reproductive hormone concentrations and anatomical responses followed similar trajectories in soy and cow milk formula-fed infant boys. Our findings suggest that these measures of early male reproductive development do not respond to phytoestrogen exposure during infancy.

Low semen quality and adverse histological changes in testes of adult male mice treated with bee venom (Apis mellifera).

Background: Male infertility has been on the rise since the past seven decades. Recently, in Libya, bee venom therapy (BVT) has become a popular method among alternative healthcare practitioners for treating male infertility. However, a literature search did not find any published studies that investigated the use of BVT for infertility treatment. Aim: To investigate the effect of bee venom on the male reproductive status through measurements of semen quality parameters and testicular histological changes in adult male mice. Methods: A total of 48 male mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups (which were subdivided into two subgroups with eight mice each) as follows: control, bee venom sting (BVS), and bee venom injection (BVI). The normal control subgroup mice were not subjected to any treatment, while the vehicle control subgroup mice were injected (i.p.) with 200 µl of 0.9% saline solution. In the BVS-treated subgroups, each mouse was stung by one live bee for five times (BVS-5) or seven times (BVS-7) every third day for 2 or 3 weeks. While each mouse in the BVI-treated subgroups received 23 µg/kg in a dose volume of 200 µl BVIs (i.p.) for five times (BVI-5) or seven times (BVI-7) every third day for 15 or 21 days. Results: The findings of this study showed that repeated bee venom treatment by sting or injection to adult male mice resulted in a significant decline in testosterone levels, sperm count, sperm motility, and a very significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology; also, there were harmful testicular histological changes in the structural organization of seminiferous tubules and degenerative changes in the germinal epithelium compared to control group. Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence for the low semen quality and adverse testicular histological changes in male mice treated with bee venom. Hence, there is a desperate need for educating alternative healthcare practitioners and infertile couples about the harmful effects of BVT on reproductive status.

Hormonal, Histological, and Comparative Study of the Effect of Pure Ginseng on Testicular Function in the Breeding/Non-Breeding Season of Rams in Basrah.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the administration of powdered Panax ginseng as a dietary supplement on testosterone concentration, spermatogenesis stimulating hormone, interstitial cell-stimulating hormone levels, sperms morphological characteristics, testis histological traits, and testicular size in the breeding and non-breeding season in adult rams. In total, 20 adult rams were included and randomly divided into three groups. The first group of adult rams (n=8) was subdivided into two subgroups of four rams (Sub-G1-B and Sub-G2-B). TheSub-G1-B and Sub-G2-B were fed 2 and 5 g of P. ginseng once a day, respectively, for 90 days during the breeding season. The second group of adult rams (n=8) was subdivided into two subgroups of four rams (Sub-G1-NB and Sub-G2-NB). The Sub-G1-NB and Sub-G2-NB were fed 2 and 5 g of P. ginseng once a day, respectively, for 90 days during the non-breeding season. The third group of adult rams (n=4) was considered the control group two times (in and out of the season). The results showed that the testosterone concentration and gonad protective and interstitial cell-stimulating hormone levels increased significantly (P<0.05) in both the experimental groups that received ginseng supplementation, compared to the control group in and out of the breeding season. The evaluation of sperm morphometric parameters, such as total sperm count, total motility, and progressive motility, showed superiority in improving the above-mentioned parameters. However, the total immotile sperms and non-progressive sperms underwent a significant decrease (P<0.05) in both experimental groups of ginseng supplemented, compared to the control group in and out of season. The angiogenesis of the seminiferous tubules increased significantly (P<0.05) in both experimental groups. Through a microscopic examination, the recorded data showed a significant increase in the population of spermatogonial stem cells as well as primary and secondary spermatocytes in both experimental groups. Values of testicular diameter showed a significant increase (P<0.05) after a period of 75 and 90 days following the initiation of treatments in both experimental groups, compared to the control group in and out of the season. It can be concluded that P. ginseng has some beneficial effects on the antioxidant status of the semen, the morphometric parameters, and other critical traits of sperm and testicles which are the important factors in male fertility.

[Improving effect of Jiarong Tablets on the morphological structure and function of the testis in rats with late-onset hypogonadism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jiarong Tablets (JRT) on the testicular morphology and function of rats with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). METHODS: LOH models were established in 8 eighteen-month-old male SD rats, treated intragastrically with distilled water (the model control group, n = 4) or JRT at 0.375 g/kg/d, qd (the JRT group, n = 4), and another 5 two-month-old normal male SD rats were also given distilled water by gavage (normal control group), all for 28 days. Then all the rats were weighed and sacrificed for measurement of the serum T level and pathological and electron microscopic examination of the testis tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal controls, the LOH models showed significantly decreased testis coefficient (P < 0.05) and serum T level (ï¼»3.40 ± 0.06ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.88 ± 0.46ï¼½ ng /ml, P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the model control and JRT groups in the body weight and testis coefficient (P > 0.05), but the serum T level (ï¼»4.50 ± 0.78ï¼½ ng/ml) was remarkably decreased in the latter (P < 0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats treated with JRT exhibited increases in the sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and the amount of testicular interstitial cells. Electron microscopy revealed a markedly increased number of mitochondria in the JRT-treated animals, with some mitochondrial sheaths and cristae but no obvious mitochondrial edema. CONCLUSIONS: Jiarong Tablets can elevate the serum T level and improve the testicular morphology and ultrastructure of LOH rats.

Efeito de diferentes concentrações de ingestão de gossipol livre sobre morfometria testicular e qualidade seminal de touros da raça Nelore / Effect of free gossypol intake in different levels on the testicular morphometry and seminal quality of Nelore bulls

A cotonicultura tem forte fator de impacto na economia nacional, e o estado de Mato Grosso se destaca por ser o maior produtor de algodão herbáceo e deter o maior rebanho bovino do país, condições essas que estimulam o uso do caroço, da torta e do farelo de algodão na alimentação animal. Considerando que o gossipol está presente nos subprodutos do algodão e que seus efeitos sobre a reprodução podem reduzir a fertilidade dos animais, objetivou-se, com essa pesquisa, avaliar o efeito da ingestão de dietas com diferentes teores de gossipol livre por dia sobre a morfometria testicular e a qualidade seminal de touros da raça Nelore. Foram utilizados 28 touros, distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis tratamentos: T0, 0 grama de gossipol livre/touro/dia ; T1, 1,08 grama de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T2, 2,07 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T3, 3,24 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T4, 3,82 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia e T5, 5,08 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia. Os animais de cada tratamento foram mantidos confinados em área média de 100m2, dotada de bebedouro, cochos para mistura mineral e para volumoso/concentrado. O consumo de 3,24 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia alterou a qualidade espermática e a morfometria testicular de touros.(AU)

The cotton industry has a strong impact factor in the Brazilian economy and the state of Mato Grosso stands out for being the largest upland-type cotton producer and also holds the largest cattle herd in the country, conditions that stimulate the use of cottonseed pie and cottonseed meal in animal feed. Whereas gossypol is present in cotton by-products and their effects on reproduction can reduce the animal fertility, this research evaluated the effect of diets with different free gossypol contents in the testicular morphometry and semen quality of Nelore bulls. 28 bulls were randomly distributed in six treatments: T0, receiving no free gossypol; T1, receiving 1.08g / bull / day; T2, receiving 2.07g / bull / day; T3, receiving 3.24g / bull / day; T4, receiving 3.82g / bull / day and T5, receiving 5.08g / bull / day of free gossypol respectively. The animals in each treatment were kept confined in an averaged area of 100m2, having fresh water, troughs for mineral mixture and roughage / concentrate. The consumption of 3.24g of free gossypol / bull / day altered the bulls sperm quality and testicular morphometry.(AU)

Effect of whey protein supplementation on sperm quality and fertility in male mice.

Protein supplements are a billion-dollar industry and the intake of these supplements is increasing, especially among young men. However, little is known about whether consumption of these products affects the reproductive health. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of whey protein supplementation on the sperm quality and reproductive health of male mice. A total of 48 male NMRI mice were fed with either plain tap water or a high dose of whey protein (Whey100, BodyLab) supplemented in the drinking water for 3 months. Mice was individually housed with two female mice for five days and reproductive parameters were assessed. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was assessed at 0 h and 4 h of in vitro incubation using a sperm DNA integrity test (SDI®-test). No significant differences were detected between the groups in the epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, DFI, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), serum testosterone, body and seminal vesicles weights, relative testis and epididymal weights, testicular morphology, number of impregnated females, or litter size. No correlation was found between ORP and DFI. These results suggest that the highest recommended human dose of whey protein supplementation do not significantly impair the sperm quality and fertility in male mice.

Reproductive tract development and histomorphometric analysis of testes in neonatal Zaraibi kids raised on milk replacer supplemented with sodium butyrate.

This study aimed to determine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on reproductive tract development and histomorphometric analysis of testes in neonatal kids, as well as on their growth, antioxidant status and some blood metabolites. Thirty-six neonatal Zaraibi kids were divided immediately after 4-5 days from birth into three equal groups (12 kids/ each). The first group (G1) received milk replacer (MR) at a rate of 10% of the body weight until the weaning. The second group (G2) received 9.7% MR supplemented with 0.3% SB. The third group (G3) received whole milk and served as a control. The results revealed that there was significant (p < .001) increase in total and daily gain between the G2 and G1 groups, whereas there was no significant change between G2 and G3 groups. Body condition score was slightly increased (p > .05) in G2 compared with G1. Serum total protein and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in treated groups compared with the G3 group, on reverse globulin and glucose levels had no significant changes. Also, T3 and testosterone concentrations were significantly (p < .0001 & p < .05) higher in G3 and G2 than G1. Antioxidant status was enhanced through decreasing the oxidative marker and increasing antioxidant enzymes activity in G2. Testis parameters in G3 and G2 kids had the highest values, compared with G1. G1 and G2 had thin basement membrane of seminiferous tubules with few Leydig cells and pyknotic germinal epithelium, while G3 showed thick basement membrane, mild wide interstitial spaces with many Leydig cells. The tubular diameter was also significantly larger in the G3 and G2. It could be concluded that MR supplemented with SB can be used as alternative whole milk in suckling goat kids for maintaining reproductive tract and kids' performance through improving the antioxidant status.

Supplementation of various zinc sources modify sexual development and testicular IGF family gene expression in pre-pubertal male Japanese quail.

Zinc plays an important role in the regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). IGF system, in turn, has a key role in the development and functions of the reproductive organs. This research was performed to investigate the effects of different sources of zinc on IGF-I gene expression and testicular development in pre-pubertal male Japanese quail. A total of 512 unsexed day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly divided into 16 groups (4 dietary treatments × 4 replicates) and kept for 35 days. The control group diet was not supplemented with zinc whereas the diets of three groups were supplemented with 25 mg kg-1 zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnON), and zinc-methionine (Zn-Met). On days 28 and 35, one birds from each subgroup were weighed, bled, and euthanized to evaluate gonado-somatic index (GSI), testicular histology, serum testosterone concentration, cloacal gland index (CGI), and the testicular IGF family gene expression. The results showed that GSI was higher in ZnON (2.307) than control (1.619) on day 35 (P < .05). Germinal epithelium thickness was higher in ZnON (78.88 µm) and Zn-Met (79.73 µm) than control (67.73 µm) on day 35 (P < .05). On day 35, the testosterone concentration was lowest in the control (5.830 ng/ml, P < .05). The CGI of 35-day-old birds was higher in Zn-Met (411.28) than the control (307.59, P < .05). IGF-IR mRNA expression was highest in Zn-Met group on day 28. Therefore, supplementation of diet with Zn-methionine is superior to other sources of zinc for diet supplementation in immature Japanese quail.

Negative effect of feeding with high energy diets on testes and metabolic blood parameters of male Japanese quails, and positive role of milk thistle seed.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in testicular tissue and cell count, testicular oxidative stress and some metabolic blood parameters of male broiler Japanese quails fed with high energy diet and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed. One hundred-twenty male 15-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 equal groups with 30 each. The applications in each group were repeated 3 times with 10 animals each. Control group was fed with basal diet. Milk thistle seed group was fed with diet including 1% milk thistle seed. High energy diet group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup. High energy diet + milk thistle seed group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup along with 1% milk thistle seed. The feeding period in all groups was 35 days. When the quails reached 50 days old, a total of 48, 12 from each group (4 from each replication) were euthanized and blood samples and testes were collected. Compared with the control group, significant increases in body weight, serum cholesterol and glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase activity and testicular malondialdehyde level; however, significant decreases in serum testosterone level, testicular glutathione peroxidase activity, counts of round and elongated spermatid and sperm as well as histopathologically, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, and marked disorganization in germinal cells were determined in quails fed with high energy diet. It was observed that almost all of the disturbances in testicular tissue, cell number, oxidant-antioxidant balance and metabolic blood parameters caused by feeding with high energy diet were significantly prevented by supplementation of milk thistle seed to the diet with high energy. On the other hand, alone milk thistle seed and high energy diet + milk thistle seed administrations decreased body weight in comparison to control and high energy diet groups. As a result, feeding with high energy diet causes disturbances in testes of male quails by affecting liver metabolic functions and testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance, but milk thistle seed addition to diet plays a protective role.

The effect of l-arginine and flaxseed on plasma testosterone concentration, semen quality and some testicular histology parameters in old broiler breeder roosters.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of l-arginine and flaxseed on testosterone and lipid parameters of serum and semen quality, as well as histological and morphometric parameters of testes in old broiler breeder rooster. Thirty six 52-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters with similar weights (4900 g ±â€¯210) were used for a 8-weeks trial period in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments that three levels of l-arginine (0.52, 0.68 and 0.83%) and flaxseed (0, 2 and 4%) with four replications in each. The ratio of left testicle weight/total testicular weight was significantly higher in A68F0 group. The maximum and minimum seminiferous tubule diameters were recorded for roosters fed no flaxseed and F2 flaxseed, respectively. The roosters fed A68 showed the highest serum testosterone. Seminal volume and sperm concentration, were not significantly affected by l-arginine × flaxseed interaction; however, sperm forward motility were significantly affected by arginine × flaxseed interaction (P < 0.05). A68F0 had significantly greatest tubular differentiation indices (TDI) in all of the treatments. Also, repopulation indices (RI) and spermiogenesis indices (SI) in A68F0 were significantly higher than other groups, but A52F0 and A52F4. However, testis index, testis density, serum lipids (cholesterol, LDL, HDL and HDL: LDL ratio), epithelium height of seminiferous tubules and number of Sertoli cells were not affected by the treatments. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of arginine (0.68%) has positive effects on blood testosterone, semen quality and spermatogenesis index of aged roosters.

Fertility Enhancing Potency of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Male Rats

Abstract Cases of some grave side effects of some allopathic medicines used in treatment of infertility has caused a global need for alternatives with minimal or no side effect, hence the demand to evaluate the fertility enhancing potential of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in male rats. This study evaluated the fertility enhancing potential of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) in male rats. Seventy-two sexually mature male albino rats 11-13 weeks of age, weighing between 171 - 180 g were assigned into six groups (I - VI) fed graded doses of O3FA. Administration of O3FA lasted twenty-eight days at 48 hour intervals. At the end of the treatment, organosomatic index of testes, testicular and epididymis sperm cells counts and testicular histology were assessed following standard methods. The actual and relative testicular weights, testicular and epididymis sperm counts of all O3FA treated rats were significantly increased (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group rats. The photomicrographs of testes in O3FA treated rats showed normal spermatogonial cell layers and active spermatogenesis with appearance of spermatids in the lumen of some tubules. The findings of this study depicts that O3FA possesses the potency of enhancing various fertility indices in male rats with regards to absolute and relative testicular weights as well as sperm counts.

[Lipoic acid protects spermatogenesis in male rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the spermatogenic function of the male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN). METHODS: Seventy male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control: 1 ml 0.5% CMC-Na + 1 ml olive oil), B (low-dose ORN model: 400 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), C (low-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), D (low-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), E (high-dose ORN model: 800 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), F (high-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), and G (high-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), and treated respectively for 20 successive days. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the weights of the body, testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle obtained, followed by calculation of the organ index, determination of epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and observation of the histomorphological changes in the testis and epididymis by HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group E showed significantly decreased body weight (ï¼»117.67 ± 11.53ï¼½ vs ï¼»88.11 ± 12.65ï¼½ g, P < 0.01) and indexes of the testis (ï¼»1.06 ± 0.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.65 ± 0.13ï¼½ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (ï¼»0.21 ± 0.03ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ %, P < 0.01). In comparison with group E, group F exhibited remarkable increases in the epididymal index (ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.20 ± 0.02ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), and so did group G in the body weight (ï¼»88.11 ± 12.65ï¼½ vs ï¼»102.70 ± 16.10ï¼½ g, P < 0.05) and the indexes of the testis (ï¼»0.65 ± 0.13ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.95 ± 0.06ï¼½ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.19 ± 0.02ï¼½ %, P < 0.05), but no obvious difference was observed in the index of seminal vesicle among different groups. Compared with group A, group B manifested significant decreases in sperm motility (ï¼»74.12 ± 8.73ï¼½ vs ï¼»40.25 ± 6.08ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), and so did group E in sperm count (ï¼»38.59 ± 6.40ï¼½ vs ï¼»18.67 ± 4.59ï¼½ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.01) and sperm motility (ï¼»74.12 ± 8.73ï¼½ vs ï¼»27.58 ± 8.43ï¼½ %, P < 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly lower in group B than in C and D (ï¼»40.25 ± 6.08ï¼½ vs ï¼»58.13 ± 7.62ï¼½ and ï¼»76.04 ± 8.44ï¼½%, P < 0.01), and so were sperm count and motility in group E than in F and G (ï¼»18.67 ± 4.59ï¼½ vs ï¼»25.63 ± 9.66ï¼½ and ï¼»29.92 ± 4.15ï¼½ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; ï¼»27.58 ± 8.43ï¼½ vs ï¼»36.56 ± 11.08ï¼½ and ï¼»45.05 ± 9.59ï¼½ %, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There were no obvious changes in the histomorphology of the testis and epididymis in groups A, B, C and D. Compared with group A, group E showed necrotic and exfoliated spermatogenic cells with unclear layers and disorderly arrangement in the seminiferous tubules and remarkably reduced sperm count with lots of noncellular components in the epididymal cavity, while groups F and G exhibited increased sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen, also with exfoliation, unclear layers and disorderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, but significantly better than in group E. CONCLUSIONS: LA can reduce ORN-induced damage to the spermatogenetic function of rats, improve sperm quality, and protect the reproductive system.

Functional anatomy of the male reproductive system of the American lobster (Homarus americanus).

Despite supporting a valuable fishery, the reproductive system of the male American lobster (Homarus americanus) is poorly understood. The elongated H-shaped testis is responsible for spermatogenesis and is composed of follicles, a common collecting duct with interlaced scattered striated muscles, and a serosa as an external wall. Sertoli cells are associated with the spermatogenesis that produces spermatozoa, which are transferred to the collecting duct through a temporary passageway. Spermatogenesis is asynchronous between follicles and occurs on a continuous basis. The anterior and posterior lobes of the testes are independent and connect to the vasa deferentia through the Y-shaped collecting tubules that have a different cell anatomy and function than the two organs they connect. The vas deferens is divided into four regions. Spermatophores, produced in the proximal vas deferens, are packets of spermatozoa encapsulated in a single layer-the spermatophoric wall, which is composed of mucopolysaccharide acid. Large dense ovoid granules and the seminal fluid, composed of acidic sulfated mucosubstances, are secreted in the median vas deferens. Spermatophores within these secreted substances (i.e., semen) are stored in the distal vas deferens that, with the spermiduct (last region of the vas deferens), is responsible for the extrusion of the semen by striated muscle contractions. Smooth muscles suggest a peristaltic movement of the spermatophores within the vas deferens. Finally, the gonopores and the first pair of pleopods (i.e., gonopod) move the semen to the female seminal receptacle during copulation.

[Substitution of cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia for cordyceps sinensis in the prescription of Shengjing Capsules: Enhanced effect on spermatogenesis impairment].

OBJECTIVE: To screen out an effective substitute in the prescription of Shengjing Capsules (SJC), observe the effects of the redeveloped New SJC (NSJC) with cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia (CCM) substituted for the ingredient cordyceps sinensis in the treatment of spermatogenesis impairment (SI), and provide some experimental evidence for its application in the treatment of male infertility and sexual dysfunction. METHODS: We equally randomized 192 male mice into 16 groups: normal saline control, SI model, high-, medium- and low-dose fermented cordycepin powder (FCP, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose CCM (1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose cordyceps mortierella mycelia (CMM, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose fermented cordyceps sinensis (FCS, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), SJC (0.80 g/kg), and vitamin E (VE, 0.25 g/kg), with the SI model established in all the mice and the normal controls injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg qd for 5 consecutive days. After intragastrical medication with respective drugs, we obtained the body mass index (BMI), sexual organ coefficient, sperm count, sperm motility, and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (MAS) of the mice. We also randomly divided 70 male rats into 7 groups of equal number: normal control, SI model, high-, medium- and low-dose NSJC (1.12, 0.56 and 0.28 g/kg), SJC (0.56 g/kg), and VE (0.18 g/kg), the SI model constructed in the latter 6 groups of rats by gavage of adenine at 200 mg/kg qd for 5 consecutive days. After intragastrical medication with respective drugs, we examined the BMI, coefficients of sexual and renal organs, levels of reproductive hormones, testicular morphology, and fertility of the animals. RESULTS: After medication, the mice in different groups showed different degrees of improvement in the cyclophosphamide-induced slow growth, significant increases in the testicular and epididymal coefficients, sperm count, motility and viability (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and a remarkable reduction in the percentage of MAS (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The effect was particularly significant in the CCM group and therefore CCM was chosen as the best substitute ingredient in the redeveloped NSJC. Compared with the rats in other groups, those treated with NSJC exhibited significant increases in the BMI, coefficients of sexual and renal organs and levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), improvement of the pathologically damaged testicular morphology, elevation of the pregnancy rate and litter size, and recovery from adenine-induced SI. CONCLUSIONS: The redeveloped New Shengjing Capsules with cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia substituted for the ingredient cordyceps sinensis can improve fertility and reverse spermatogenesis impairment in male rats. The new prescription may also be applied to the clinical treatment of male infertility and sexual dysfunction.

[Effect of Erxian Decoction on cyclophosphamide-induced oligospermia in mice].

Objective: To study the effect of Erxian Decoction (EXD) on oligospermia (OS) induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. METHODS: Eighty 6-week-old male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, normal control, OS model control, and low-, medium- and high-dose EXD, the former two groups treated intragastrically with normal saline and the latter three with EXD at 3, 6 and 12 g per kg of the body weight qd for 30 days. From the 21st day of administration, the mice of the normal control group were injected intraperitoneally with saline and those of the other four groups with cyclophosphamide at 80 mg per kg of the body weight qd for 5 consecutive days. At 24 hours after the last gavage, the bilateral epididymides of the mice were collected and sperm suspension prepared for determination of the sperm count and motility, and the bilateral testes were harvested for histomorphological observation and measurement of the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MAD) and glutathione (GSH) in the testis tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal controls, the mice of the OS model control group showed significant decreases in epididymal sperm concentration (ï¼»9.31 ± 1.32ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.32 ± 1.13ï¼½×107/ml, P <0.01) and motility (ï¼»44.75 ± 8.12ï¼½% vs ï¼»25.95 ± 11.41］， P<0.01) and the concentrations of SOD (ï¼»37.27 ± 0.99ï¼½ vs ï¼»14.23 ± 1.99ï¼½ U/mg prot, P <0.01) and GSH (ï¼»101.55 ± 8.74ï¼½ vs ï¼»58.77 ± 8.93ï¼½ µmol/L, P <0.01) but an obvious increase in the MDA level (ï¼»2.21 ± 0.65ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.61 ± 0.15ï¼½ nmol/mg prot, P <0.05) in the testis tissue. In comparison with the OS model controls, the mice treated with low-, medium- and high-dose EXD exhibited significantly increased epididymal sperm concentration (ï¼»8.34 ± 2.59ï¼½, ï¼»8.59 ± 1.10ï¼½ and ï¼»8.41 ± 1.47ï¼½×107/ml) (P <0.01) and motility (ï¼»36.04 ± 12.33ï¼½%, ï¼»38.87 ± 13.13ï¼½% and ï¼»41.90 ± 8.09ï¼½%) (P <0.01) and concentrations of SOD (ï¼»22.99 ± 1.11ï¼½, ï¼»20.82 ± 1.81ï¼½ and ï¼»21.33 ± 1.66ï¼½ U/mg prot) (P <0.01) and GSH (ï¼»104.74 ± 2.47ï¼½, ï¼»98.61 ± 12.98ï¼½ and ï¼»108.89 ± 5.85ï¼½ µmol/L) (P <0.01) but decreased level of MDA (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Erxian Decoction can improve cyclophosphamide-induced reduction of sperm concentration and motility, which might be associated with its abilities of resisting oxidation and reducing oxidative stress injury.

Electrostimulation is an effective and safe method for semen collection in medium-sized lizards.

The development of safe and consistent semen collection protocols should be ensured to understand basic sperm parameters of a species. Electroejaculation has been hypothesized and tested to be a safe method to evaluate male reproductive potential in wild animals. However, little is known about semen collection protocols in lizards. Adjusting stimulation to species and body mass is important for efficient semen collection as well as for animal welfare. Tropidurus spinulosus is a good model to adapt electrostimulation; it is a medium-sized lizard species, males have semen during a long period and operative sex ratio is male-biased. We aimed to provide a thorough and safe method for collecting semen samples from this animal model by means of electrostimulation and characterize basic sperm parameters. Mature males of T. spinulosus were captured and their testicular volume was evaluated via portable ultrasound scanning. The lizards were electrostimulated by performing standardized series of stimuli. Semen was obtained successfully in 94% of the males. Samples were contamination-free. Mean sperm number of ejaculates was 2.1 ±â€¯1.8 × 106 spermatozoids. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was 78% and sperm dynamic parameters were: VSL 37.26 ±â€¯7.72 µ/s and VCL 84.26 ±â€¯16.27 µ/s. We observed high variability in testicular volume among males; however, almost all the individuals had sperm. Electrostimulation using protocols adjusted to a medium-sized lizard was an effective semen collection method that allowed us to obtain semen samples with high motility (percentage of motile spermatozoa and sperm velocity).

How do vegetable oils (hazelnut and canola) affect the reproductive system in male rats?

OBJECTIVE: Vegetable oils have an important place in our daily diet. This study starts from this point to investigate the effects of canola oil and hazelnut oil in the male reproductive system in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 male rats were used in this 16-week study. The animals were divided into three groups: the animals in group I served as the control group, while the animals in group II and group III were fed with hazelnut and canola oil, respectively. The testes of all rats were excised for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation with a standard method. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum hormone levels. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted with respect to behavior or weight among the three groups. Rats in the canola oil group (group III) had higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and higher testosterone levels than rats in the control group. Rats who received hazelnut oil (group II) exhibited similar findings, with these levels being higher than they were in the control group. No statistical differences were shown for histopathology or IHC testosterone antibody levels across all treatment groups. Conclussion: Canola oil was shown to have a greater effect on serum LH and testosterone compared to the control group and the group fed with hazelnut oil. Further investigation is required into how these oils affect serum hormone and sperm activity.

Effect of Pollen, Pit Powder, and Gemmule Extract of Date Palm on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review.

Pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm are rich in flavonoids. Antioxidant characteristics of the flavonoids have a significant effect on prevention and treatment of infertility. The aim of the present study was to review studies investigating the effects of pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm on male infertility. Articles that were published about the topic between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed from different databases in Turkish and English. The search engines used included PubMed, Science Direct, Clinical Key, Google Scholar, Springer, Dergipark, Ulakbim, and Akademik Dizin. The studies found that pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm created positive changes in hormone levels that have a role in male fertility and increased sperm motility and quality, spermatogenesis, and weights of testes and epididymis. Date palm pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract have a high antioxidant capacity because of phenolic formations in the composition. Such characteristics have a positive effect on prevention and treatment of male infertility. Furthermore, gonadotropic and steroidal compounds within date palm pollen play a role in treatment of male infertility. The limited number of studies conducted on this topic indicates that more research is needed.

Effects of Treatment with Nauclea latifolia Root Decoction on Sexual Behavior and Reproductive Functions in Male Rabbits.

Nauclea latifolia is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of male reproductive diseases. Despite its vast uses, its effects on the male reproductive system have not been scientifically proven. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Nauclea latifolia root decoction on sexual behavior and functions in male rabbits. Twenty-four male rabbits were divided into four groups: The first group received daily distilled water orally. The second, third, and fourth groups were orally treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of Nuclea latifolia root, respectively. Sexual behavior parameters were carried out on weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the study. Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured from the serum, while the testes tissue samples were used for antioxidant and histopathological examinations. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight resulted in significantly (p < .05) increased frequencies of mounting and intromission. In addition, the ejaculation latency was significantly prolonged (p < .05). The latencies of mounting and intromission were significantly decreased (p < .05), whereas ejaculation frequency increased. Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH increased significantly (p < .05) after treatment with Nuclea latifolia. There was an increase in epididymal sperm counts at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight doses compared to the control. The extract also increased sperm motility and viability and improved testicular oxidative status. Histological examination revealed an increase in germinal layer thickness. The present study suggests that treatment with N. latifolia improves male sexual function and fertility and protects the testes from oxidative damage.