Changes in seminal parameters and hormonal profile with use of aromatase inhibitor in management of aging broiler breeder roosters.

An excessive amount of aromatase enzyme reduces reproductive performance in aging roosters. Testosterone metabolism by aromatase enzyme is one of the reasons for reduced testosterone and lower fertility of aging roosters. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Exemestane (EX), as a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, on the seminal parameters and reproductive hormones of aging roosters. A total of 20 roosters (45 wk of age) were housed in individual cages and received a standard basal diet and oral EX capsules for 60 D at the daily doses per rooster (mg/rooster) in the following experimental groups: 0 mg (CTRL), 0.25 mg (Ex-0.25), 0.5 mg (Ex-0.5), and 1.5 mg (Ex-1.5). Sperm samples were obtained on days 1, 20, 40, and 60 of experiment. Blood samples were taken on days 1 and 60. The results indicated that different EX dosages affected semen parameters (P < 0.05) other than semen volume, morphology, apoptosis, and acrosome integrity. Various semen characteristics were significant (P < 0.05) during different times of the experiment, with the exception of semen volume, total motility, membrane integrity, morphology, apoptosis, and acrosome integrity. Roosters that received 0.5 mg of EX had higher percentages of sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity, viability, and mitochondrial activity (P < 0.05). There were lower concentrations of malondialdehyde in the CTRL (0 mg) and Ex-0.25 groups (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in hormones at day 0 of the experiment (P > 0.05), roosters in the Ex-0.5 had higher concentration of testosterone as well as lower of aromatase activity at day 60 (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that EX improved semen parameters and testosterone, which ultimately can increase fertility in the aging broiler breeder roosters.

Characteristics of hospitalized patients following suicide attempt in hamadan district, iran.

OBJECTIVES: Limited research has been undertaken on suicide in developing countries. This paper aims to investigate characteristics of suicide attempts in Hamadan district of Iran. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in all university hospitals in the Hamadan district of Iran and patients admitted for attempted suicides were included. All cases were assessed by psychiatrists and visited by two trained interns of Medicine. RESULTS: The incidence rate per 100,000 persons of attempted suicides was 228.6 for males and 263.1 for females; moreover, 344.9 for rural areas and 222.7 for urban areas. The suicide attempt was the highest in the 15 to 24 age category for both sexes and regions. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide is a complex, long-term outcome that requires multifaceted theoretical constructs for the appropriate study of its antecedents. Findings of this study along with other studies in Iran revealed that unemployed men, housewives, and rural women, high-school students, and those with a low level of education were at higher risk of suicidal behaviors.