Effect of intramammary infusion of chitosan hydrogels at drying-off on bovine mammary gland involution.

The transition from lactation to the dry period in dairy cows is a period of high risk for acquiring new intramammary infections. This risk is reduced when the involution of the mammary gland is completed. Accordingly, approaches that speed up the involution process after drying-off could reduce the incidence of mastitis. The current study aimed to develop a biological response modifier that could be injected into cow teats to promote immune cell migration and speed up involution. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide derived from chitin, is able to trigger host innate immunity. We developed 2 formulations made from either high- or low-viscosity chitosan. Both are liquid at room temperature but form a hydrogel at body temperature. In the first experiment, each udder quarter of 7 Holstein cows in late lactation was randomly assigned at drying-off to receive one of the following intramammary infusions: 2.5 or 5 mL of 5% (wt/vol) low-viscosity chitosan hydrogel, 5 mL of 5% high-viscosity chitosan hydrogel, or 5 mL of water. Milk (mammary secretion) samples were collected from each quarter on d -4, -1 (drying-off), 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10. Milk somatic cell counts and the concentrations of involution markers such as BSA, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactoferrin were measured in each sample. In comparison with the control, the chitosan hydrogel infusions significantly hastened the increases in somatic cell counts, BSA and lactoferrin concentrations, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in mammary secretions. No major differences between sources or volumes of chitosan were observed for the measured parameters. The compatibility of this approach with an internal teat sealant was verified in the second experiment. Each udder quarter of 8 Holstein cows was randomly assigned at drying-off to receive one of the following intramammary infusions: 5 mL of 2% low-viscosity chitosan hydrogel, 4 g of an internal teat sealant, a combination of sealant and chitosan, or 5 mL of water. Milk (mammary secretion) samples were collected from each quarter on d -4, -1 (drying-off), 5, and 10 to measure involution markers. These results suggest that chitosan hydrogel infusion hastened mammary gland involution and activate immune response, which may reduce the risk of acquiring new intramammary infections during the drying-off period. Those results were not affected by the presence of the teat sealant, showing that both approaches are fully compatible and could be used in combination.

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.

Public member dose assessment of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant under normal operation by modeling the fallout from stack using the HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion model.

In this work, public dose resulting from fission products released from Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) under normal operation is assessed. Due to the long range transport of radionuclides in this work (80 km) and considering terrain and meteorological data, HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYsplit) model, which uses three dimensional long-range numerical models, has been employed to calculate atmospheric dispersion. Annual effective dose calculation is carried out for inhalation, ingestion, and external exposure pathways in 16directions and within 80 km around the site for representative person. The results showed the maximum dose of inhalation and external exposure for adults is 3.8 × 10-8Sv/y in the SE direction and distance of 600 m from the BNPP site which is less than ICRP 103 recommended dose limit (1 mSv). Children and infants' doses are higher in comparison with adults, although they are less than 1 mSv. Ingestion dose percentage in the total dose is less than 0.1%. The results of this study underestimate the Final Safety Analysis Report ofBNPP-1 (FSAR)data.

Menstrual characteristics and pregnancy in women after renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate menstrual characteristics and pregnancy complications after renal transplantation in women of childbearing age. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective case-control study was carried out in Esfahan Teaching Hospitals, Esfahan, Iran. The case group consisted of 50 female kidney transplant recipients of childbearing age and the control group of 100 women who were matched for age (+/-2 years) and parity with the study group. Menstrual characteristics and pregnancy data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by chi(2) and t-tests. RESULTS: Menstrual characteristics were improved in the 50 women who had renal transplantation, 18 of them conceived, and 20 pregnancies were evaluated. The mean interval between transplantation and pregnancy was 35.5 months and the birth weight of 44% of the newborns was less than 2500 g. Pregnancy complications included hypertension (65%), premature labor (35%) and decreased GFR (15%) during pregnancy, with a mean gestational age at delivery of 34.8 weeks. The women who conceived during the first 2 years after renal transplantation had more maternal and neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy is possible and can be successful and safe after renal transplantation in recipients with normal kidney function. However, maternal and neonatal complications are common and occur more often in patients who conceive within 2 years of transplantation. Post-transplantation pregnancies are high risk and they should be managed in a tertiary center.

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.