The effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin on the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes, as well as the structural changes in testicular tissue of adult rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on the structural changes, as well as the evaluation of the expression of cation channel sperm-associated protein 1 (CatSper1), cation channel sperm-associated protein 2 (CatSper2), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) genes in testicular tissue of rats. All rats divided into five groups as follows; G1 as the control group that received normal saline, G2 received olive oil, G3 received 100 IU/kg HCG, G4 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate, and G5 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate and 100 IU/kg HCG. At the end of the experiment period, Day 56, blood samples were taken and the serum was isolated. Then, histomorphometric analysis, hormonal assess, and real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were performed. The results showed that the concentrations of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were decreased in the G4 group, whereas these parameters were increased in the G3 group. A comparison of the sperm quality indicated a significant reduction in the quality of sperm cells in the G4 group compared with other groups. The quality of sperm was significantly enhanced in the G3 and G5 groups in comparison with the G1 group. Also, our findings demonstrated that the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were significantly elevated in the G3 group when compared with other experimental groups. According to the obtained results, it seems that clomiphene citrate reduces the process of spermatogenesis and the detrimental impacts of this compound would be neutralized by the administration of HCG.

Effect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica vaginalis flap coverage after testicular torsion.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim was to investigate the protective effect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica albuginea incision with tunica vaginalis flap coverage for testicular torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The first group experienced 5h of testicular torsion followed by treatment with vitamin C alone, with tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone, and with both vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage along with a control group subjected to a sham procedure. The second group experienced 9h of testicular torsion followed by the same treatment options as described for the 5h group. The oxidative stress and testosterone levels were measured 24h posttreatment. The Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium were recorded 30days following the treatment. RESULTS: The Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium significantly increased in the 5h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap alone. The level of testosterone decreased significantly in all groups except for the 5h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage. The MDA level also decreased in the group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the histological parameters and testosterone levels improved with the administration of vitamin C before tunica vaginalis flap coverage in the group experiencing 5h of torsion. This may be a result of the antioxidant effect of vitamin C. No advantage was observed for the 9h group, possibly because the dosage of vitamin C was inadequate.

The Effect of Luteinizing Hormone Reducing Agent on Anxiety and Novel Object Recognition Memory in Gonadectomized Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are common following menopause and andropause. Lack of sex steroid hormones is suggested as the primary cause of these disturbances. The level of luteinizing hormone (LH) would also rise 3-4 times than normal in these people. The potential effects of LH on mood and cognitive symptoms following menopause and andropause are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of increased LH on novel object discrimination (NOD) memory and anxiety like behavior in gonadectomized rats. METHODS: Four-month-old male and female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups (in each sex): control rats (Cont), gonadectomized without treatment (GnX), gonadectomized treated with triptorelin, a GnRH agonist which reduces LH release eventually, (GnX+Tr), gonadectomized treated with triptorelin plus sex steroid hormone, estradiol in female and testosterone in male rats (GnX+Tr+S/T). After 4 weeks treatment, anxiety score (elevated plus maze) and NOD were measured. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Gonadectomy increased anxiety like behaviors (decrease of presence time in the open arms) in female rats (P=0.012), but not in male ones (P=0.662). Additionally, triptorelin alone reduced the increased anxiety score in gonadectomized female rats, compared to group treated with both triptorelin and estradiol. Furthermore, it was shown that gonadectomy and or treatment with triptorelin and sex steroids had no significant effect on novel object recognition memory in both female (P=0.472) and male rats (P=0.798). CONCLUSION: Findings of this study revealed that increased level of LH following menopause or andropause should be considered as a possible cause for increased anxiety. Also, this study showed that LH reducing agents would reduce anxiety like behavior in gonadectomized female rats. The effect of increased LH on cognitive functions such as novel object recognition memory was not evident in this study and needs further studies.

Gunshot injuries to the brachial plexus during wartime.

Gunshot injuries of the brachial plexus are a challenging issue among peripheral nerve lesions. Surgical reconstruction of such injuries is difficult and the clinical outcome depends on several factors. The aim of this study was to present the outcome of surgical management of gunshot injuries of the brachial plexus that occurred following Iran-Iraq war. Twenty patients with 55 injured elements of the brachial plexus underwent surgery in Loghman-Hakim Hospital during 1982 and 1992. Reconstructive procedures included neurolysis in 30 injured elements, nerve grafting in 17 and a combination of these two methods in 8 cases. Surgical procedure was selected based on the microscopic findings during the operation. Final recovery outcome was assessed at least 3 years after surgery on the basis of motor and sensory recoveries. Final outcome was defined as poor, intermediate, and good. Both good and intermediate outcomes were considered as useful recovery. An acceptable recovery was obtained in 28 of 30 (94%) injured elements undergone neurolysis, 15 of 17 (89%) elements in nerve graft group, and 7 of 8 (87.5%) elements reconstructed with neurolysis in combination with nerve graft. In neurolysis, good recovery was more frequent and obtained in 23 of 30 (77.5%) lesions. Best treatment outcome was observed in lesions of lateral cord to musculocutaneous nerve which all injured elements showed good recovery. Impairment in none of the lesions in the level of posterior cord and lower trunk or C8-T1 led to good recovery. In surgical reconstruction of gunshot injuries of the brachial plexus the most favorable results were observed in the neurolysis reconstruction of the lesions in the lateral cord to musculocutaneous nerve. In the absence of spontaneous improvement of neurologic deficit, surgical procedures should be done as soon as possible according to the type and location of injury.