ANXA2, SP17, SERPINA5, PRDX2 genes, and sperm DNA fragmentation differentially represented in male partners of infertile couples with normal and abnormal sperm parameters.

This study aims to evaluate the expression of genes associated with the fertilisation potential and embryo development, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and acrosome reaction in male partners of infertile couples with different sperm parameters compared to fertile men. First, male partners of infertile couples with abnormal (N = 25) and normal sperm parameters (N = 25), and fertile men (N = 10) were included in experimental groups I, II, and controls respectively. The mRNA levels of the Annexin A2 (ANXA2), Sperm protein 17 (SP17), Plasma serine protease inhibitor (SERPINA5), and Peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) genes and SDF were evaluated. To evaluate the maturity of the sperm and oxidative stress, the acrosome reaction, the lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant were measured. As result, SP17 showed a significantly lower expression in both experimental groups. SERPINA5 was significantly down-regulated in experimental group I that was aligned with the low rate of acrosome reaction. Significant overexpression of PRDX2 was found between experimental group II and controls. Significant higher rates of SDF were seen in both experimental groups compared to the controls. Finally, our data suggest that differentially gene expression of SP17 is a potential diagnostic biomarker in infertile men either with normal or abnormal sperm parameters. SDF is one of the causes of male infertility, independent of the sperm parameters.

The effects of morphine abuse on sperm parameters, chromatin integrity and apoptosis in men.

OBJECTIVE: Morphine is one of the major psychoactive chemicals in opium that can increase the production of free radicals and thus can negatively affect spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of morphine consumption on sperm parameters, DNA integrity and apoptosis in men taking morphine. METHODS: In this case-control study, 30 man abusing morphine (cases) and 30 healthy men (controls) were compared in sperm parameters (count, motility and morphology) and sperm chromatin quality, with Aniline Blue (AB), Toluidine blue (TB) and Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) stains. The participants were matched for age, weight, amount and duration of cigarette smoking. RESULTS: In men with morphine dependency, sperm progressive and total motility (p=0.038 and p=0.000, respectively) showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. Concerning morphine abuse, although morphine can decrease the sperm chromatin condensation and increases the rate of sperm apoptosis, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results morphine dependence can reduce male fertility by affecting sperm parameters.

Nigella sativa extract affects conditioned place preference induced by morphine in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroprotective, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and analgesic effects of Nigella sativa (NS) have been previously shown. The interaction of NS with opioid system has also been reported. In the present study, the effects of NS hydro-alcoholic extract on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPP was induced by injection of morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on three consecutive days in compartment A of the CPP apparatus. Injection of NS extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) 60 min before morphine administration on the conditioning days and 60 min before the post-conditioning phase was done for the evaluation of acquisition and expression effects, respectively. Conditioning effect of NS extract was also evaluated by injection of extract (200 or 400 mg/kg, i.p.) in the conditioning phase, instead of morphine in different groups. The difference in time which the animals spent in compartment A on the day before conditioning and the days after conditioning was determined and compared between groups. RESULTS: The time spent by the rats in compartment A in the morphine group was greater than that in the saline group (P < 0.01). Both doses of NS extract decreased acquisition of morphine-induced CPP (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001), but had no significant effect on the expression of morphine CPP. Higher dose of the extract (400 mg) showed a significant conditioning effect which was comparable to the effect of morphine. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS has conditioning effect. It also decreased acquisition, but had no significant effect on the expression of morphine CPP.