Association of the c.-9C>T and c.368A>G transitions in H2BFWT gene with male infertility in an Iranian population.

The H2BFWT (H2B family, member W, testis specific) gene is a testis-specific histone which is involved in the spermatogenesis process. This study aimed to investigate the association of H2BFWT gene c.-9C>T and c.368A>G polymorphisms with male infertility in an Iranian population. The 232 independent individuals, including 109 infertile men and 123 healthy controls, were recruited from IVF centre (Kashan, Iran). The allele types of c.-9C>T and c.368A>G polymorphisms were detected by using PCR-RFLP method. In overall analysis, we found that the c.-9T (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.04-2.95, p = .035) and c.368G (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02-2.89, p = .042) alleles are associated with male infertility. The c.-9T allele was also associated with nonobstructive azoospermia (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.01-4.25, p = .046), while c.368G allele was associated with oligozoospermia (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.15-3.85, p = .016). It is concluded that H2BFWT gene c.-9C>T and c.368A>G polymorphisms might be genetic risk factors for idiopathic male infertility.

Protective effect of Zingiber officinale extract on rat testis after cyclophosphamide treatment.

Decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy in testis has been the subjects of many studies. In this study, the protective effects of Zingiber officinale extract on rat testis were investigated after chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide. Histological and biochemical parameters were compared in cyclophosphamide-treated rats with or without ginger extract intake. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into four groups each 10. The control group received a single injection of 1 ml isotonic saline intraperitoneally. The Cyclophosphamide (CP) group received a single dose of cyclophosphamide (100 mg kg(-1) BW) intraperitoneally. CP + 300 and CP + 600 groups received orally 300 or 600 mg of ginger extract, respectively, for a period of 6 weeks after cyclophosphamide injection. The morphologic and histological structure of the testis was compared in different groups of the rats. Also, factors like malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity and testosterone level were assessed in blood serum as well. Our results showed that although ginger extract could not change testis weight, malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS, but antioxidant and testosterone levels in serum were increased significantly. Also, an obvious improved histological change was seen in CP + 300 and CP + 600 groups in comparison with CP group. These protective effects of ginger on rat testis after cyclophosphamide treatment could be attributed to the higher serum level of antioxidants.

Protective effect of pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology in adult male rats treated with cyclophosphamide.

Cancer treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP) may result in reproductive toxicity as one of its side effects. The pumpkin seed is a rich natural source of antioxidant. We have assessed the possible protective efficacy of pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology of CP-treated rats. Male adult Wistar rats were categorised into four groups. Group 1 served as control and received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of isotonic saline solution. Group 2 rats were treated with CP by IP injection in a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, only once. Group 3 and 4 received CP plus 300 and 600 mg/kg pumpkin seed extract respectively. Six weeks after treatment, sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were examined. Results showed that, sperm characteristics in CP-treated rats were significantly decreased. Biochemical analysis results showed that the co-administration of 300 mg pumpkin seed extract could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level significantly. In CP-treated rats, histopathological changes such as vacuolisation, disorganisation and separation of epididymal epithelium were observed as well. Interestingly, pumpkin seed extract could improve the above-mentioned parameters remarkably in CP-treated rats. Our findings indicated that pumpkin seed extract might be used as protective agent against CP-induced reproductive toxicity.

Effect of diet contains sesame seed on epididymal histology of adult rat / Efecto de la dieta con semillas de sésamo sobre la histología del epidídimo de la rata adulta

Sesamin is a major lignan constituent of sesame seed and considered as a key factor in a number of beneficial effects on human health. Sesame leaves intake improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male sprague dawley rat. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of contain sesame seed on epididymis histologhical structure. Thirty adult male rats were divided into two groups of 15 rats each. The regimen group received diet containing 30% sesame seed, while the control group received diet along 12 weeks. The right epididymis were removed and minced into several pieces on a specimen bottle containing normal saline for some few minutes to allow the sperms to become motile and swim out and sperm parameters were analyzed. Left epididymis were divided into three sections and fixed into bouin,s solution for further investigation. Serum FSH and LH concentration were estimated by ELISA technique, Testosterone concentration was done by using Chemo-Luminance method. The body weight gained during the treatment period did not differ significantly among groups. The mean epididymal sperm motility and count of the experimental group was significantly higher than control group. LH levels significantly increased in experimental group compared to controls but significant changes in FSH and testosterone levels were not observed in both groups. The results obtained showed that the mean epididymal diameter of the tubular, lumen and epithelium in three parts were not significant in two groups. It can be concluded that sesame seed improves sperm parameters (motility and count) and also can increase LH. But diet contains sesame seed did not affect on epididymal tissue and body weight.

La sesamina es un importante componente de los lignanos en las semillas de sésamo, y se considera un factor clave en una serie de efectos beneficiosos para la salud humana. La ingesta de sésamo podría mejorar y aumentar la reserva de espermatocitos en el epidídimo en ratas macho adultas Sprague Dawley. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de una dieta que contiene semillas de sésamo sobre la histología del epidídimo de rata Wistar adultas. Treinta ratas macho fueron divididas en dos grupos de 15 animales. El grupo con régimen especial recibió una dieta que contuvo 30% de semillas de sésamo, mientras que el grupo control recibió una dieta estándar durante 12 semanas. El epidídimo del lado derecho fue removido y se cortó y maceró en varios trozos sobre un recipiente de vidrio conteniendo una solución salina normal, durante algunos minutos para permitir que los espermatozoides se volvieran móviles y nadaran fuera; luego los parámetros espermáticos fueron analizados. El epidídimo del lado izquierdo se dividió en tres secciones y se fijó en solución de Bouin para análisis adicionales. Las concentraciones séricas de FSH y LH se estimaron mediante la técnica ELISA, y la concentración de testosterona mediante el método quimioluminencia. El peso corporal obtenido durante el período de tratamiento no difirió significativamente entre los grupos. La motilidad media de espermatozoides del epidídimo y recuento del grupo experimental fue significativamente mayor que el grupo control. Los niveles de LH fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo experimental; no se observaron cambios significativos en los niveles de FSH y testosterona en ningún grupos. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el diámetro medio del epidídimo, lumen y epitelio en tres partes diferentes no mostraron cambios significativas en ambos grupos. Se puede concluir que las semillas de sésamo mejoran los parámetros espermáticos (motilidad y recuento), y también puede aumentar la LH. Sin embargo, la dieta que contiene semillas de sésamo no afectó el tejido del epidídimo y peso corporal.

Effect of diet contains sesame seed on adult Wistar rat testis / Efecto de la dieta con semillas de sésamo sobre el testículo de la rata Wistar adulta

Studies show that some antioxidants are effective in improving male infertility. According to several antioxidant compounds that exist in sesame seed, this study was designed and carried out to the effects of sesame seed diet consumption on adult male rats testis structure and sex hormones. This experimental study was carried out on 30 adults Wistar rat, 200 g that obtained from laboratory animal center at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Rats were divided into experimental and control groups randomly. The control group received standard diet and experimental group received diet containing 70% standard diet and 30% sesame seed after weaning for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, testis weight and volume were measured and seminiferous tubules; lumen epithelium diameter, LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were evaluated. Data was analyzed by SPSS software and t-test. P< 0.05 was considered to significant level. Bodyweight rats, weight and volume testis and percentage volume seminiferous tubules vessels in two groups were not significant. The mean cells number and motility of sperm in left epididym, number of cells epithelium and percentage volume of epithelial, lumen and interstitial of this tubules were extremely significant (P<0.0001) in the experimental group compared to control. LH concentration increased significantly in the experimental group compared to control (P<0.03). Sesame seed intake improved testicular parameters, fertility and sperm production in males.

Estudios demuestran que algunos antioxidantes son eficaces en la mejora de la infertilidad masculina. Debido a la presencia de varios compuestos antioxidantes que existen en la semilla de sésamo, este estudio fue diseñado y realizado para evaluar los efectos de su consumo sobre la estructura testicular y las hormonas sexuales de ratas macho adultas. Se utilizaron 30 ratas Wistar adultas de 200 g obtenidas desde el centro laboratorio animal de Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Las ratas se dividieron en grupos experimental y de control. El grupo control recibió una dieta estándar y el grupo experimental una dieta que contenía 70% de dieta estándar y 30% de semillas de sésamo, después del destete durante 12 semanas. Al final del estudio, se midieron el peso y volumen de los testículos y túbulos seminíferos, diámetro luminal epitelial, y las concentraciones de LH, FSH y testosterona. Los datos fueron analizados mediante t-test con el programa SPSS. Fue considerado significativo un valor P<0,05. El peso corporal de las ratas, peso y volumen testicular, y el porcentaje volumétrico de los túbulos seminíferos en los dos grupos no fue significativo. La media del número de células y la motilidad de los espermatozoides en epidídimo izquierdo, número de células del epitelio y porcentaje volumétrico del epitelio, y lumen intersticial de los túbulos fueron significativos (P<0,0001) en el grupo experimental en comparación con el control. La concentración de LH aumentó significativamente en el grupo experimental en comparación con el control (P<0,03). La ingesta de semillas de sésamo mejora de los parámetros testiculares, la fertilidad y la producción de espermatozoides en machos.

Secretory role for human uterodomes (pinopods): secretion of LIF.

The differentiation of human endometrial epithelium is a dynamic event, which occurs throughout the menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. The appearance of uterodomes (pinopods) in this regard was first introduced in rodents with an established pinocytotic function, whereas little evidence was available in humans in this context. This study was undertaken to identify the potential physiological roles of uterodomes in the implantation process. To address this, endometrial biopsies from early, mid- and late luteal phases of the menstrual cycle of 23 fertile female patients with regular menses were used. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM) as well as immunofluorescence and immunogold TEM were performed to study the morphological changes and the expression pattern of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) at uterodomes. Our results illustrated a high level of LIF expression in the human uterodomes, which was colocalized with the well-known biochemical markers of exocytosis, including syntaxin-1, 25-kDa synaptosomal protein (SNAP-25) and vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (VAMP-2). Our morphological and immunocytochemical findings illustrated a secretory function for human uterodomes for the first time. In conclusion, this novel function for uterodomes provides an important clue in detection of their physiological function(s) during the process of the plasma membrane transformation.