The effect of luteolin on spermatological parameters, apoptosis, oxidative stress rate in freezing rabbit semen

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Luteolin (LUT) on semen quality, oxidative stress, apoptosis, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and dead sperm ratio in rabbits. Ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected, evaluated and pooled. The pooling was divided into five groups as control (no additive) LUT 25 µM, LUT 50 µM, LUT 100 µM and LUT 200 µM and LUT added. It was then filled into a falcon tube with Tris-based extender at a final concentration of approximately 35 x 106 spermatozoa. Diluated rabbit semen samples were drawn into frozen and thawed. Frozen semen straws were thawed at 37°C in 30 seconds. According to our findings, no statistical difference was found between all doses of luteolin and the control group in the CASA (computer assisted sperm analysis) analysis performed at 4°C. However, total motility, progressive motility and rapid sperm percentage were found to be higher in the frozen and thawed rabbit semen at a dose of LUT 50 µM compared to the other groups (p⟨0.05). While amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross-frequency (BCF) values were found at the lowest dose of LUT 200 µM, a statistically significant difference was observed between the other groups. When the flow cytometry results were examined, no statistical difference was found between the rate of dead sperm, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis rate. Morever, the H2 O2 percentage was found to be lower in all experimental groups compared to the control group (p⟨0.001). In conclusion, the addition of LUT in long-term storage of rabbit semen provided a protective effect for spermatozoa with its antioxidative properties against damage caused by cryopreservation.

Negative effect of feeding with high energy diets on testes and metabolic blood parameters of male Japanese quails, and positive role of milk thistle seed

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in testicular tissue and cell count, testicular oxidative stress and some metabolic blood parameters of male broiler Japanese quails fed with high energy diet and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed. One hundred-twenty male 15-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 equal groups with 30 each. The applications in each group were repeated 3 times with 10 animals each. Control group was fed with basal diet. Milk thistle seed group was fed with diet including 1% milk thistle seed. High energy diet group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup. High energy diet + milk thistle seed group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup along with 1% milk thistle seed. The feeding period in all groups was 35 days. When the quails reached 50 days old, a total of 48, 12 from each group (4 from each replication) were euthanized and blood samples and testes were collected. Compared with the control group, significant increases in body weight, serum cholesterol and glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase activity and testicular malondialdehyde level; however, significant decreases in serum testosterone level, testicular glutathione peroxidase activity, counts of round and elongated spermatid and sperm as well as histopathologically, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, and marked disorganization in germinal cells were determined in quails fed with high energy diet. It was observed that almost all of the disturbances in testicular tissue, cell number, oxidant-antioxidant balance and metabolic blood parameters caused by feeding with high energy diet were significantly prevented by supplementation of milk thistle seed to the diet with high energy. On the other hand, alone milk thistle seed and high energy diet + milk thistle seed administrations decreased body weight in comparison to control and high energy diet groups. As a result, feeding with high energy diet causes disturbances in testes of male quails by affecting liver metabolic functions and testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance, but milk thistle seed addition to diet plays a protective role.

Effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on testis and pancreatic tissues of male offspring

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on some reproductive characteristics, testicular and pancreatic oxidative status and pancreatic endocrine receptor densities of male offspring at post-pubertal stage. A total of 36 1-day-old Wistar Albino male offspring including 12 pups of nontreated mothers (control group), 14 pups of 40 mg/kg STZ-injected mothers (STZ-40 group) and 10 pups of 60 mg/kg STZ-injected mothers (STZ-60 group) were used. The offspring were euthanised on post-natal day 60, their blood, reproductive organs and pancreatic tissues were obtained and examined. When compared with the control group, there was a significant decrease in body and absolute reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone level, testicular and pancreatic catalase activities, pancreatic glutathione level, epididymal sperm concentration of both STZ-40 and STZ-60 groups as well as in testicular glutathione level of only STZ-60 group. Significant increases were determined in testicular and pancreatic malondialdehyde level and glutathione peroxidase activity in both groups and in fasting serum glucose of only STZ-60 group in comparison with the control group. Although some histopathological damages were observed in testes of both STZ-40 and STZ-60 groups, there were no detectable differences between the groups in density of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin receptors in pancreas. In conclusion, GDM has negative effects on reproductive efficiency and testicular-pancreatic tissue oxidant/antioxidant balance of male offspring at post-pubertal stage.

Effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced damages on the male reproductive system

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the likelihood of detrimental effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) on male reproductive system through oxidative stress mechanism and also protective effects of cinnamon bark oil (CBO). For this purpose, 28 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, seven rats in each. Group 1 received only olive oil daily; group 2 was treated with 100 mg kg(-1) CBO daily; group 3 was treated with only 0.25 ml kg(-1) CCl4 weekly; and group 4 received weekly CCl4 + daily CBO. All administrations were made by intragastric catheter and maintained for 10 weeks. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular oxidative stress markers and testicular apoptosis were examined. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in body and reproductive organ weights, testicular catalase (CAT) activity, sperm motility and concentration, and significant increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic index along with some histopathological damages compared with the control group. However, significant improvements were observed in absolute weights of testis and epididymis, all sperm quality parameters, LPO level, apoptotic index and testicular histopathological structure following the administration of CCl4 together with CBO when compared to group given CCl4 only. The findings of this study clearly suggest that CBO has protective effect against damages in male reproductive organs and cells induced by CCl4 .

Effect of pregnancy and foetal number on diameter of corpus luteum, maternal progesterone concentration and oxidant/antioxidant balance in ewes

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in diameter of corpus luteum (CL), maternal progesterone (P) concentration, lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels along with enzymatic antioxidant activities in pregnant ewes bearing single and twin foetuses. The ewes were selected from healthy animals that were brought to the abattoir for slaughtering. The ewes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (non-pregnant, non-oestrous, n = 30), Group 2 (pregnant bearing a single foetus, n = 30) and Group 3 (pregnant bearing twin foetuses, n = 12) after they were slaughtered. Pregnant ewes were in the first half of the pregnancy. The diameter of CL and P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus or twin foetuses were found higher than that found in non-pregnant ewes. Similarly, the P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in both non-pregnant and pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. The serum glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses were found lower than that found in non-pregnant ewes. Additionally, the GSH-Px activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was found lower than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. No significant difference was found between pregnant ewes bearing female and male foetus with respect to diameter of CL, P concentration and oxidative stress parameters. There were significant positive correlations between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and diameter of CL, P concentration, MDA level, and between P concentration and diameter of CL, MDA level. However, significant negative correlations were found between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and GSH level, GSH-Px activity, and between P concentration and GSH-Px activity. In conclusion, the diameter of CL enlarges, P production increases and oxidant/antioxidant balance impairs because of the gestation stress in ewes during pregnancy.

Influenza vaccination in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

The immunogenicity of the trivalent inactivated influenza split virus vaccine (Infusplit SSW 97/98) containing A/Bayern/07/95 (H1N1)-like (A/Johannesburg/82/96 [NIB-39]), A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2)-like (A/Nanchang/933/95 [Resvir-0]), and B/Beijing/184/93-like (B/Harbin/7/94) hemagglutinin antigens was tested in liver transplant recipients (TXL-R).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Serum antibody titers were determined 21+/-2 days after a single vaccination in 62 adult TXL-R and 59 adult volunteers.

RESULTS

Protective postimmunization antibody titers for the three antigens were similar in TXL-R (protection rates 92%, 92%, and 95%) and the comparison group (97%, 100%, and 100%). Adverse reactions were mild and less frequent in TXL-R. A significant decrease of CD8+CD38+ lymphocytes after vaccination was found in TXL-R. No association between antibody response and age, gender, time interval since transplantation, anti-hepatitis B surface antigen immunoprophylaxis, or immunosuppressive medication was detected.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the vaccine is safe and effective and should be recommended to TXL-R.

[The betA-angle. a diagnostic sign for the early diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia (author's transl)]

A new radiographic sign for the diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia is described. The beta-angle lies between the proximal end of the femur, the medial trochanter and the edge of the acetabulum. Measurements were carried out on 1174 hips and the size of this angle was established. The theoretical transition point between normal and dysplastics is 52 degrees. In reality the transition is smooth, and angles of 50 to 56 degrees are to be regarded as physiological transition values. A vertical position of the acetabulum or lateral position of the end of the femur necessarily results in an increase of beta angle. Values above 56 degrees indicate a definitely abnormal state in a child's hip joint.