Investigating the effect of dichlorvos and acetamiprid residues in greenhouse cucumber on biochemical parameters and protective role of colostrum.

Background: Across the world, people are exposed to pesticide residues in agricultural products. Various materials are used to deal with effects of these residues. Considering the wide use of dichlorvos and acetamiprid in crops, pesticide residues in cucumber and its effects on the biochemical parameters of mice were calculated, and the protective role of donkey colostrum (DC) to deal with the pesticide effects was investigated. Materials and Methods: Dichlorvos (4 ml/l) and acetamiprid (0.5 g/l) residues, after spraying cucumber plants, were 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. For 60 days, the mentioned doses were used in the drinking water of 4 groups of mice. No substances were added to mice drinking water in the control group while dichlorvos and acetamiprid groups received 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg of pesticide, respectively, and the mixed group received a combination of two pesticides. In order to investigate the protective role of DC, 0.2 ml of colostrum was given to each of the groups in a similar division and timing. Results: In the biochemical sector, albumin (control 2.96, dichlorvos 1.86, acetamiprid 2.00, and mix 1.6 g/dl) and total protein levels reduced. Alanine aminotransferase (control 41.8, dichlorvos 56.2, acetamiprid 58.4, and mix 68 iu/l) and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased. In the protective role of colostrum, albumin (control 2.96, dichlorvos 2.74, acetamiprid 2.80, and mix 2.50 g/dl) and alanine aminotransferase changes (control 41.8, dichlorvos 43.4, acetamiprid 46.0, and mix 52.2 iu/l) were recorded (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Adding pesticides to mice drinking water causes liver disorders and DC can be effective in protecting these damages.

The Effect of Increasing the Dose of Acetamiprid and Dichlorvos Pesticides on the Reproductive Performance of Laboratory Mice.

Background: Pesticides are widely used around the world. However, these chemicals are being used more frequently and at increased doses in underdeveloped and developing countries. Although the hazard of pesticides has been studied in ecological fields, the effect of residual amounts of these compounds on the physiological processes of the body has always been debated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 45 greenhouse cucumber plants were sprayed with dichlorvos and acetamiprid pesticides in concentrations of twofold (acetamiprid 500 g/1000 L and dichlorvos 4 L/1000 L) and threefold of the recommended dose. After 24 h, the residual amount was obtained. To evaluate the residual effect of the mentioned pesticides, an equivalent of this residue was added to the drinking water of 105 mice. Results: Pesticide residues were obtained for twofold and threefold concentrations of the recommended dose, 1.5 and 2.5 (mg/kg cucumber) for acetamiprid and 0.5 and 1 (mg/kg cucumber) for dichlorvos, respectively. Application of these chemicals at higher doses not only significantly reduced the body weight, food consumption, testosterone production, testicular germ cells and embryo numbers, but also increased the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in mice. Conclusions: The emergence of biological disorders and reducing reproductive potential in male mice can be attributed to the addition of pesticides to their drinking water. Therefore, to reduce the hazards caused by insecticides, it is recommended to familiarize farmers with the harmful effects of overdose of pesticides and monitoring the residuals in agricultural products.

Effect of sodium molybdate on cadmium-related testicular damage in adult male Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Molybdenum, as a trace element, has various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and free radical-scavenging activities. This study aimed at investigating the sodium molybdate impacts on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced testicular toxicity in adult Wistar rats. METHODS: The impacts of oral administration of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg) was evaluated in healthy and infertile animals. Animals were randomly assigned to nine groups, including healthy control, sodium molybdate alone, infertile control (3 mg/kg of CdCl2), and sodium molybdate plus CdCl2. Following 30 days of administration, animals were sacrificed for biochemical and histopathological assays. RESULTS: The results indicated that administration of sodium molybdate to infertile rats significantly mitigated the cadmium impacts on sperm appearance, concentration, and motility parameters. Also, sodium molybdate reduced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities in the testicular homogenates in rats; these findings were supported by histopathological examinations. Treatment with sodium molybdate significantly increased aquaporin-9 (AQP9) expression in the testicular tissues of infertile rats. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggested that sodium molybdate performs as a strong protective agent from CdCl2-related testicular toxicity in rats.

Comparison of Toxicity of CdSe: ZnS Quantum Dots on Male Reproductive System in Different Stages of Development in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Quantum dots (QDs) are new types of fluorescent materials for biological labeling. QDs toxicity study is an essential requirement for future clinical applications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of CdSe: ZnS QDs on male reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the different concentrations of CdSe: ZnS QDs (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were injected to 32 male mice (adult group) and 24 pregnant mice (embryo group) on day 8 of gestation. The histological changes of testis and epididymis were studied by a light microscopy, and the number of seminiferous tubules between two groups was compared. One-way analysis of variance (one-way Anova) using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, SPSS Inc., USA) version 16 were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In adult group, histological studies of testis tissues showed a high toxicity of CdSe: ZnS in 40 mg/kg dose followed by a decrease in lamina propria; destruction in interstitial tissue; deformation of seminiferous tubules; and a reduction in number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. However, there was an interesting result in fetal testis development, meaning there was no significant effect on morphology and structure of the seminiferous tubules and number of sperm stem cells. Also histological study of epididymis tissues in both groups (adult and embryo groups) showed no significant effect on morphology and structure of tubule and epithelial cells, but there was a considerable reduction in number of spermatozoa in the lumen of the epididymal duct in 40 mg/kg dose of adult group. CONCLUSION: The toxicity of QDs on testicular tissue of the mice embryo and adult are different before and after puberty. Due to lack of research in this field, this study can be an introduction to evaluate the toxicity of QDs on male reproduction system in different stages of development.

Evaluation of kefir as a potential probiotic on growth performance, serum biochemistry and immune responses in broiler chicks.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of milk or molasses kefir as a probiotic on growth performance, carcass traits, serum biochemistry and humoral immune responses in broiler chickens. A total of 192 one-d-old as hatched broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments, each with 4 replicate pens of 12 chicks. The following treatments were applied: 1) a basal diet (C) and normal drinking water, 2) 2% milk kefir in drinking water, 3) 2% molasses kefir in drinking water, and 4) the diet C supplemented with commercial probiotic. At d 42, eight birds per treatment were killed for determination of carcass traits. Broilers at 28 days of age were bled for measuring antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV), at 30 days of age for antibody titers against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), and at 42 days of age for biochemical analysis. Supplementing 2% milk kefir increased body weight of broilers at 28 and 42 days of age (P < 0.05). Supplementing 2% molasses kefir improved feed conversation ratio (FCR) of broilers during growth period (P < 0.05), but FCR of broilers in other periods was not affected. Daily feed intake, internal organ weights, and carcass traits were not influenced by the treatments except for small intestine and ceca length. Small intestinal length significantly decreased in broilers supplemented with milk and molasses kefir (P < 0.05). Molasses kefir supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased antibody titer against SRBC at 31 days of age but other immune related parameters were not statistically different among treatments. Biochemical parameters including serum protein, albumin, and triglyceride concentrations were not statistically (P > 0.05) influenced. Broilers supplemented with molasses kefir, had a significantly lower concentration of serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated high density lipoprotein cholesterol at 42 days of age (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that inclusion of 2% milk kefir in drinking water would improve growth performance of broiler chickens.

Autologous serum enhances cardiomyocyte differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1).

In spite of previous reports, the role of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) on cardiomyocyte differentiation, especially in the present autologous serum (AS) in culture medium, is still unclear. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) to proliferate and differentiate towards cardiomyocyte lineage with the use of AS. Most expansion protocols use a medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) as nutritional supplement. FBS is an adverse additive to cells that are proliferated for therapeutic purposes in humans because the use of FBS carries the risk of transmitting viral and bacterial infections and proteins that may initiate xenogeneic immune responses. Therefore, bone marrow cells were cultured in a medium supplemented with 10% AS, 10% FBS, and serum free medium (SFM). Then, rBMSCs were cultured with TGF-ß1 (10 ng/ml) for 2 wk. The number of viable cells in AS and FBS groups were measured with MTT assay. Beating areas frequency, up to fourth week after plating, were monitored and evaluated daily. The characteristics of cardiomyocytes were assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. MTT result indicated that rBMSCs in AS proliferated markedly faster than FBS and SFM. The number of beating areas significantly increased in AS compared to FBS medium. A noticeable increase in the cardiac genes expression was observed in AS. Moreover, western blot analysis confirmed that cardiac proteins were increased in the AS condition. In conclusion, the present study could be extended toward the safe culture of MSCs for the treatment of heart defects.

The Effect of Taraxacum officinale Hydroalcoholic Extract on Blood Cells in Mice.

Objectives. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae and has medicinal and culinary uses. Dandelion has been used as a remedy for anemia, purifing the blood, and providing immune modulation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro alcoholic extract on blood cells in mice. Methods. Five groups each including ten adult female (Balb/C) mice weighing 30 ± 5 g were chosen. Normal saline was administered as placebo for group, and dandelion hydro alcoholic extract in doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally for 20 days to test groups and the last group was control group.WBC, RBC, HB, HCT, platelet, and other cells were measured with automated cell counter. Main Results. The number of RBC and the rate of HB in three doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly increased (P < 0.05). As compared with control group, the number of WBC in three doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg increased, but it was significantly in 200 mg/kg dandelion treated group as compared with control group(P < 0.05). The rate of platelet in three doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly decreased as compared with control group (P < 0.01). 3 doses of dandelion increased lymphocyte numbers significantly compared with controls. Conclusion. The study indicates efficacy of dandelion extract on RBC and HB in doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg and in 200 mg/kg on WBC to achieve normal body balance.

Flow Cytometry: A Novel Approach for Indirect Assessment of Protamine Deficiency by CMA3 Staining, Taking into Account the Presence of M540 or Apoptotic Bodies.

BACKGROUND: Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, either by the slide method or fluorescence microscopy, is widely used for indirect assessment of protamine deficiency in a semen sample. Flow cytometry is the most suitable tool to improve assessment accuracy, both in terms of statistical analysis and for prevention of observer variation. This study provides a simple procedure to account for merocyanine 540 (M540) or apoptotic bodies, which result in underestimation of the percentage of CMA3 positivity, by using propidium iodide (PI) staining. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the percentage of CMA3 by PI staining to exclude M540 bodies that prevent underestimation of CMA3 staining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is an experimental study. Semen samples collected from 104 infertile men who referred to the Andrology Unit of the Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center were initially assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Samples were washed twice with Ham's. Each sample was divided into two portions, a control and the other processed for density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Each portion was assessed for CMA3 staining by both the slide and flow cytometry methods. Coefficients of correlation and student t-test were carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Studies (SPSS 11.5). RESULTS: Detection of CMA3 staining was more appropriate with fluorescence detector 3 (FL-3) rather than fluorescence detector 2 (FL-2) in the evaluation of protamine deficiency to exclude M540 bodies. CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, provides the basis for assessment of CMA3 staining for flow cytometry. However, since the maximum excitation for CMA3 is not covered by the 488 nm laser, we recommend further experimentation using a flow cytometer with optimal excitation.