Cyperus esculentus L. (tigernut) mitigates high salt diet-associated testicular toxicity in Wistar rats by targeting testicular steroidogenesis,oxidative stress and inflammation

High salt diet (HSD) impairs testicular function via oxidative stress. Cyperus esculentus contains antioxidants and improves testicular function. We investigated the protective effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus on testicular function in HSD-fed Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (125–135 g) 8–9 weeks old were divided into five groups (n = 5): control, HSD-fed (8 % NaCl in feed), extract-treated (500 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), HSD-fed +500 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ of extract and HSD-fed +1,000 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ of extract groups. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks. HSD decreased (p < .05) sperm parameters and serum reproductive hormones levels, while Cyperus esculentus extract improved (p < .05) sperm parameters, and serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in HSD-fed rats. The extract upregulated intra-testicular testosterone level and activities of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD, downregulated malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of activities of enzymatic antioxidants and increase in total antioxidant capacity in testes of HSD-fed rats. The extract at both doses improved Johnsen's score, Leydig and Sertoli cell counts and seminiferous tubular diameter in HSD-fed rats. Cyperus esculentus exhibited a dose-dependent mitigation of HSD-associated testicular dysfunction by targeting testicular steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammation.     

The effect of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit on testicular functions in rats

The prevalence of male infertility is a well‐known public health issue with majority of cases due to deficient sperm production of unknown origin. Studies have associated dietary habits with male factor infertility. Chrysophyllum albidum is a common plant that produces a popular fruit, widely consumed for its nutritional and medicinal values. This study investigates the effects of C. albidum fruit methanol extract on the reproductive functions of male Wistar rats. Ripe C. albidum fruit was extracted using methanol and subjected to phytochemical screening. Fifteen male Wistar rats (100–120 g) divided into three (n = 5) received distilled water (control), 1.0 and 6.4 g kg^?1 day^?1 extract, respectively, for 28 days via oral gavage. The sperm count, motility, percentage sperm aberration, histology of testes and epididymides were examined by microscopy. Serum levels of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were quantified using ELISA. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p < 0.05 significance. Sperm count significantly increased in 6.4 g kg^?1 day^?1 extract. Serum testosterone level decreased in 1.0 and 6.4 g kg^?1 day^?1 extract. The architecture of sections of testes and epididymides showed anomalies. C. albidum fruit adversely altered reproductive functions of male Wistar rat.     

Royal jelly protects male rats from heat stress‐induced reproductive failure

Royal jelly (RJ) as an antioxidant has been shown to have attenuated oxidative stress damages in reproductive organs. The objective was carried out the effects of RJ on sperm characteristics, sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcome in heat stress (HS) exposed male rats. Forty‐eight male rats were randomly divided into eight groups; group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received RJ (100 mg kg^?1 day^?1; PO), groups 3, 4 and 5 were heat‐stressed (43, 39 and 37°C for 20 min per day respectively) and groups 6, 7 and 8 were heat‐stressed along with RJ (43, 39 and 37°C for 20 min per day, respectively, plus RJ at a dose of 100 mg kg^?1 day^?1; PO). The HS was induced through immersion of experimental rat scrotums in a water bath. After 48 days, the HS induced remarkable diminish in sperm motility, viability and fertilising potential along with reduced blastulation rate and enhanced sperm chromatin abnormality, MDA levels and DNA damage. Nevertheless, RJ co‐administration improved sperm characteristics and early embryo development as well as sperm lipid peroxidation level. Our data suggest that RJ can effectively ameliorate the experimental HS‐induced infertility in rats through MDA concentration restoration and sperm characteristics and pre‐implantation embryo development improvement.     

Tyrosol prevents AlCl3 induced male reproductive damage by suppressing apoptosis and activating the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway

Aluminium is a ubiquitous element that occurs naturally in the soil making human exposure to it is unavoidable. Tyrosol is present in olive oil and is known to have antioxidant effects. Therefore, the present study explores the toxic effects of aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) and evaluates the possible protection by tyrosol in male rats. Testicular injury was induced by the administration of AlCl₃ (34 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹). Rats were treated with either tyrosol (20 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) or AlCl3 (34 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹). The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. Biochemical, histopathological and protein expression profiles were determined to decipher the role of tyrosol in protecting the cellular damage. Further, histomorphometric analyses of testes showed deranged architecture along with other noted abnormalities. AlCl₃ group rats' testes showed decreased GSH levels, CAT activities, Nrf-2, HO-1, bcl-2 expressions and sperm motility whereas increased caspase-3 expressions, MDA levels, abnormal and dead/live sperm ratio. However, tyrosol treatment attenuated these changes. The present results demonstrate the beneficial role of tyrosol treatment in AlCl₃ induced testicular toxicity alterations of rat.     

Protective effects of Lepidium draba L. leaves extract on testis histopathology,oxidative stress indicators,serum reproductive hormones and inflammatory signalling in oxymetholone-treated rat

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. (L. draba) extract on oxymetholone (OM)-induced testicular injury in rat. Six groups of n = 5 adult male rats were used as; 1: control, 2: OM (5 mg/kg OM orally), 3, 4 and 5: L. draba extract (100, 200 and 400 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) +OM (5 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ OM) and 6:400 mg/kg/d L. draba extract for 30 days. Serum testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β), oxidative stress (OS) indicators [superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide (NO)], apoptotic related genes (Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3 (c3) and Bax) were investigated. OM significantly increased the serum levels of T, proinflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptotic genes expression. Also, it decreased LH and FSH, sperm viability, count and motility. L. draba extract especially could markedly normalise the serum levels of LH and FSH, and T, restore serum antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, germ cells apoptosis was inhibited against via downregulating the p53, c3, Bax and upregulating Bcl-2. It concluded that L. draba extract could protect the function and structure of testis against OM-induced testicular toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.     

Improvement of Qilin pills on male reproductive function in tripterygium glycoside-induced oligoasthenospermia in rats

This study established an oligoasthenospermic rat model using tripterygium glycosides (TGs) and investigated the mechanism by which Qilin pills (QLPs) ameliorate reproductive hypofunction. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to four equal-sized groups: (1) the control group received continuous physiological levels of saline; (2) the oligoasthenospermia model group was induced with TGs by daily intragastric administration for 28 days; (3 and 4) oligoasthenospermic rats were treated intragastrically with low dose (1.62 g kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) and high dose (3.24 g kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) of QLPs once daily for 60 days. The QLP-treated rats showed a marked increase (p < .05) in testicular mass, testicular index and semen parameters compared with the untreated rats. Histopathologically, the QLP-treated groups exhibited restored seminiferous tubules in contrast to the model group. Reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels were dramatically decreased (p < .05) in the testes of the QLP-treated rats. QLP treatment partly reverted (p < .05) the circulatory levels of reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin and SHBG) and hepatic and renal function (AST, Cr and urea). Our results showed that oral QLP treatment had a curative effect on the testicular mass, sperm quality, testicular pathomorphology, antioxidants, plasmatic hormones, and liver and renal function of rats.     

Cratoxylum formosum dyer extract alleviates testicular damage in hypertensive rats

The effects of a Cratoxylum formosum (Jack) Dyer ssp. (CF) extract on testicular damage were assessed in hypertensive rats. N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; 40 mg kg^-1 day^-1) was administered for 5 weeks to induce hypertension in male Sprague–Dawley rats, and treated with CF extract (100, 300 or 500 mg kg^-1 day^-1) or sildenafil (5 mg kg^-1 day^-1) during the final 2 weeks (n = 8/group). Biochemical components of the CF extract were identified and mainly contained phenolic compounds. The CF extract significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and alleviated impaired sperm quality and seminiferous tubular morphology in hypertensive rats. CF extract restored reduced serum testosterone and protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in L-NAME rats. Hypertensive rats presented decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased testicular and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide production, all of which were normalised by CF extract. Furthermore, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in testicular tissue and plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were restored in hypertensive rats administered CF extract. Conclusion: CF extract alleviated testicular damage in hypertensive rats. Potential molecular mechanisms may involve suppression of oxidative stress and restoration of StAR, Nrf2, HO-1 and eNOS expression in hypertensive rats.     

Protective effect of betaine against lead-induced testicular toxicity in male mice

Lead (Pb) is an environmental toxicant reported to impair male reproductive system. Betaine is a natural product which has promising beneficial effects against oxidative stress. In this experimental study, we evaluated the ameliorative effect of betaine on sperm quality and oxidative stress induced by lead (Pb) in the testis of adult male mice. Sixty male Kunming mice were divided equally into four groups: control group, betaine group (1% in drinking water), lead group (100 mg kg⁻¹ bw⁻¹ day⁻¹) and betaine + lead group. In the last group, mice were supplemented with betaine for two weeks prior to the initiation of lead treatment and concurrently during lead treatment for 3 weeks until sacrificed. Our results indicated that in the lead-administrated group, body weights together with sperm count were significantly decreased (p < .05). The numbers of abnormal sperms were found to be higher in lead-treated mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (Cat) were significantly reduced, while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the testis tissue following lead treatment. The mRNA levels of antioxidant-related genes (SOD1, GPX1 and CAT) were significantly decreased in the lead group. Betaine enhanced these parameters in betaine + lead group. In testis histology span, Johnson score was decreased (p < .05) in lead group and co-treatment with betaine increased Johnson score significantly in betaine + lead group. These results indicate that betaine improves sperm quality and ameliorate oxidative damage in testis of mice exposed to lead.     

Origanum vulgare L. leaves extract alleviates testis and sperm damages induced by finasteride: Biochemical,Immunohistological and apoptosis genes based evidences

The aim of the current study was to investigate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of Origanum vulgare on finasteride-induced oxidative injury in mouse testis and sperm parameters. Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups: negative control, received 0.5 ml/day distilled water; positive control, received 25 mg/kg finasteride orally; and three groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day O. vulgare extract plus 25 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ finasteride for 35 days. At day 36, serum luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β), glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide levels were assessed. Also, apoptotic changes investigated through genes expression and immunohistochemical staining. Finasteride in 35 days resulted in significant destructive alterations in the testis architecture, suppressed antioxidant enzymes and increased lipid peroxidation. The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated, whereas p53 and caspase-3 were up-regulated. Origanum vulgare improved the serum level of hormones and restored the antioxidant defence. 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of O. vulgare alleviated the testis structure and sperm parameters, up-regulated the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and down-regulated the p53, caspase-3 genes in treated groups. The findings indicate that O. vulgare extract improved function and structure of testis tissue against finasteride-induced testicular toxicity.     

LY294002, a PI3K pathway inhibitor,prevents leptin‐induced adverse effects on spermatozoa in Sprague‐Dawley rats

This study examined the effects of PI3K and AMPK signalling pathway inhibitors on leptin‐induced adverse effects on rat spermatozoa. Sprague‐Dawley rats, aged 14–16 weeks, were randomised into control, leptin‐, leptin + dorsomorphin (AMPK inhibitor)‐, and leptin+LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor)‐treated groups with six rats per group. Leptin was given once daily for 14 days via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route at a dose of 60 ug kg^?1 body weight. Rats in the leptin and inhibitor‐treated groups received concurrently either dorsomorphin (5 mg kg^?1 day^?1) or LY294002 (1.2 mg kg^?1 day^?1) i.p. for 14 days. Controls received 0.1 ml of normal saline. Upon completion, sperm count, sperm morphology, seminiferous tubular epithelial height (STEH), seminiferous tubular diameter (STD), 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) and phospho‐Akt/total Akt ratio were estimated. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Sperm count, STEH and STD were significantly lower, while the percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology and the level of 8‐OHdG were significantly higher in rats treated with leptin and leptin + dorsomorphin when compared to those in controls and LY294002‐treated rats. Testicular phospho‐Akt/total Akt ratio was significantly higher in leptin and leptin + LY294002‐treated rats. In conclusion, LY294002 prevents leptin‐induced changes in rat sperm parameters, suggesting the potential role of the PI3K signalling pathway in the adverse effects of leptin on sperm parameters.     

Thymoquinone could be protective against valproic acid-induced testicular toxicity by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

Although valproic acid (VPA) is a low-cost and effective drug, it is known to cause organ toxicity via oxidative stress and related process. In present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TMQ) on VPA-induced testicular toxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three as control, VPA (500 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) for 14 days and VPA plus TMQ (50 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 14 days) with seven rats in. Spermatic and interstitial degenerations induced by VPA were ameliorated with TMQ. In VPA group, increased TOS and OSI levels, and decreased TAS level were seen. TMQ reversed these oxidative stress parameters significantly. In Western analysis, VPA was found to increase the expressions of phospho-nuclear factor kappa beta (p-Nf-kB) and Caspase-3. These expressions were decreased by TMQ significantly. Intense immunostaining for p-Nf-kB, Caspase-3 and NADPH oxidase 2 induced by VPA were transformed to moderate immunostaining by TMQ. VPA-induced inflammation and apoptosis that were developed mainly by p-Nf-kB pathway were attenuated by TMQ. TMQ can be a candidate supportive treatment for patients who need long-term and high-dose VPA therapy. TMQ inhibits the Nf-kB activation, and in addition to antioxidant property, it shows anti-inflammatory feature on VPA-induced testicular toxicity.     

High dose of standardised extract of Costus afer leaves potentiates cadmium reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats

Protective effects of standardised extract of Costus afer leaves (CAME), an extract with good antioxidants on cadmium‐induced reproductive toxicity in male rats, were investigated in this study. Forty‐two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were treated every day regularly for 4 weeks. G1 (control) rats received 1 ml of vehicle treatment. G2 rats were intoxicated with 2.5 mg kg^?1 day^?1 s.c cadmium chloride for 1 week. G3 and G4 rats were intoxicated with cadmium as in G2 rats and were treated orally with 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt/day of CAME, respectively, for 4 weeks. Group G5 and G6 rats were orally treated with 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 day^?1 bwt of CAME, respectively, for 4 weeks. Significant changes (p < 0.05) in andrological parameters (sperm count, sperm morphology, serum testosterone and nitric oxide concentration) and testicular antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase, glutathione S‐transferase and glutathione peroxidase) caused by Cd toxicity were improved in cadmium‐intoxicated rats treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of CAME. Administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of CAME to cadmium‐intoxicated rats potentiated reproductive toxic effects of cadmium. In conclusion, lower dose of CAME is preferred over high dose in treatment of cadmium‐induced reproductive toxicity in rats.     

The effect of metformin treatment on the basal and gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis in male rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus impairs reproductive functions in men, and important tasks are deciphering the mechanisms of testicular dysfunctions in diabetes and the search of effective approaches to their correction. The purpose was to study the effect of four-week metformin treatment (120 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) of male Wistar rats with high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes on basal and gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis, intratesticular content of leptin and the leptin and luteinising hormone receptors and on spermatogenesis. Diabetic rats had hyperleptinaemia, androgen deficiency and reduced sperm count and quality, and in the testes, they had the increased leptin level and the decreased content of the leptin and luteinising hormone receptors and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The stimulating effects of chorionic gonadotropin on testosterone production and expression of steroidogenic genes (Star, Cyp11a1) were decreased. Metformin restored basal and gonadotropin-stimulated blood testosterone levels. In the testes, it restored gonadotropin-stimulated 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone levels, Star expression and the content of leptin and the leptin and luteinising hormone receptors. Metformin also improved epididymal sperm count and morphology. We concluded that metformin treatment normalises the testicular steroidogenesis in diabetic rats, which is due to restoration of the gonadotropin and leptin systems in the testes and is associated with an improvement in spermatogenesis.     

Comparative effects of dimethoate and deltamethrin on reproductive system in male mice

The effects of dimethoate (5, 15 and 28 mg kg^?1 day^?1), deltamethrin (5 mg kg^?1 day^?1) and their mixture (5 mg kg^?1 day^?1) on male reproduction in mice were studied. The insecticides were given orally by gavage to male mice for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, body, testes and epididymides weights and sperm parameters were determined. Alone mixture treatment has significantly decreased body weights. Dimethoate at 28 mg kg^?1 day^?1, deltamethrin at 5 mg kg^?1 day^?1 and their mixture at 5 mg kg^?1 day^?1 were associated with a significantly decreased sperm count, motility and viability and significantly increased percent morphologically abnormal spermatozoa compared with the controls. This study demonstrated the adverse effects of dimethoate at high dose, deltamethrin and their combining at 5 mg kg^?1 day^?1 on reproductive system and sperm parameters in male mice.     

Evaluation of the role of L-arginine on spermatological parameters,seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities in rams

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of L-arginine on spermatological parameters, seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities. Fertile rams that are 2–3 years old and weighing 50–60 kg were used as material. The semen was collected by artificial vagina at 1st, 4th, 24th, 48th, 72nd, 96th and 120th hours for the control group before L-arginine administration. For treatment groups, L-arginine was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg kg⁻¹ bw⁻¹ and semen was collected at the time point described for the control group. Spermatological characteristics of semen samples (semen volume, pH, sperm motility, concentration and abnormal sperm rate), seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities were determined. Increased seminal plasma nitric oxide level (p < .01), seminal plasma arginase activity (p < .01), semen volume (p < .05), semen mass activity (p < .05), sperm motility (p < .05) and concentration (p < .01) and decreased abnormal sperm rate (p < .05 and p < .01) were observed by L-arginine administration. In conclusion, it may be concluded that L-arginine application in rams during the breeding season may have positive effects on rams' reproductive performance.     

Cytoprotective and anti‐apoptotic effects of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil against busulfan‐mediated sperm damage and seminiferous tubules destruction in adult male mice

We studied the protective effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) against damage caused by busulfan on testis in male mice. The NMRI mice (n = 40) were assigned to four groups including: G1: control, G2: treated with busulfan for 4 days (3.2 mg kg⁻¹), G3: receive busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg⁻¹) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg⁻¹) at the same time, G4: pre‐treated with SKEO (7 days, 225 mg kg⁻¹) and subsequently cotreated with busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg⁻¹) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg⁻¹). The histological changes of testis were analysed using H&E staining. Sperm parameters, cytotoxic and apoptotic factors were also studied by computer‐aided sperm analyzer, MTT and TUNEL assays respectively. Our results showed that SKEO pre‐administration significantly improved all parameters of epididymal spermatozoa and decreased germinal epithelium destruction following busulfan chemotherapy. We also found lower MTT levels and TUNEL‐positive cells in SKEO pre‐treated groups. In conclusion, SKEO possesses beneficial effects on sperm parameters when taken before chemotherapy and continued during and after chemotherapy for a long time, than when used short‐term coinciding with the chemotherapy. Our results support valuable data about the application of SKEO for protection against adverse effects of busulfan on male genital system in patients under chemotherapy.     

Effect of growth hormone on testicular dysfunction induced by methotrexate in rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent causing defective oogenesis and spermatogenesis. This study was performed to assess the role of human growth hormone (GH) on testis recovery after treatment with MTX. Forty male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): control (vehicle), GH group (0.3 mg kg^?1 GH for 28 days, IP), MTX group (MTX 1 mg kg^?1 week^?1 for 4 weeks, IP) and GH/MTX group (0.3 mg kg^?1 GH for 28 day plus 1 mg kg^?1 week^?1 MTX for 4 weeks, IP). On days 14 and 28, five rats from each group were killed, testes of rats of all groups were removed, spermatozoa were collected from epididymis and then prepared for analysis. MTX caused significant increase in interstitial tissue and capsular thickness and decrease of testicular and body weight (P < 0.05). Moreover, it caused significant decline in seminiferous tubule diameter and epithelium thickness (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in morphometrical parameters between MTX/GH and control groups. In MTX group, sperm parameters decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Administration of GH plus MTX reduced the effects of MTX on sperm parameters and testosterone concentration. These results suggested that GH had a protective effect on almost all destructive effects caused by MTX in rat testes and thus improved sperm parameters.     

Carnosine Remedial Effect on Fertility of Male Rats Receiving Cyclophosphamide,Hydroxydaunomycin, Oncovin and Prednisone (CHOP)

Chemotherapeutic agents can impair gonadal function triggering infertility. Here, we probed the properties of carnosine as an antioxidant in reproductive disorders caused by the combination of cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin (doxorubicin), oncovin (vincristine) and prednisone (CHOP); this combination is mostly used in treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Animals were distributed into four groups: Group I was the control. Group II received carnosine (250mg kg day^-1, i.p.); Group III received CHOP: cyclophosphamide (27 mg/kg/cycle), doxorubicin (1.8 mg/kg/cycle) and vincristine (0.05 mg/kg /cycle) by i.p. plus oral prednisone (1.47 mg kg^-1 day^-1/cycle) for five days. Group IV received carnosine plus CHOP. The study involved 4 cycles each of 3 weeks. Also, we explored the effect of combining carnosine with CHOP on the development of solid Ehrlich carcinoma in mice. CHOP lowered genitals weight, sperm count and motility, testicular function marker enzymes, serum testosterone level and gene expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. Furthermore, CHOP elevated testicular oxidative stress, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and triggered DNA damage. Morphometric and histopathological examinations of testicular tissues buttressed the biochemical results. Importantly, administration of carnosine ameliorated CHOP-induced alterations without diminishing CHOP's antineoplastic action. These results indicated that carnosine may ameliorate reproductive disorders induced by CHOP.     

Reversible antifertility effect of aqueous leaf extract of Allamanda cathartica L. in male laboratory mice

The efficacy of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Allamanda cathartica (150 mg kg⁻¹ body weight day⁻¹ for 14, 28 and 42 days) in inducing infertility and changes in various male reproductive endpoints was evaluated in Parkes strain mice. The effect of the treatment on organ weight, histopathology, sperm parameters, testosterone level, haematology, serum biochemistry and on fertility indices was assessed. Histologically, testes in extract-treated mice showed nonuniform degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules as both affected and normal tubules were observed in the same sections. The treatment also had adverse effects on motility, viability, morphology and on number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis. Serum levels of testosterone, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine, haematological parameters and liver and kidney histoarchitecture were, however, not affected by the treatment. Fertility of the extract-treated males was also suppressed, although the libido remained unaffected. By 56 days of treatment withdrawal, however, the above parameters recovered to control levels. Our results thus suggest that A. cathartica treatment causes reversible suppression of fertility in male mice, without causing detectable toxic effects.     

A randomised controlled trial of dexmedetomidine for delirium in adults undergoing heart valve surgery

Dexmedetomidine might reduce delirium after cardiac surgery. We allocated 326 participants to an infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.6 μg kg⁻¹ for 10 min and then at 0.4 μg.kg⁻¹.h⁻¹ until the end of surgery; 326 control participants received comparable volumes of saline. We detected delirium in 98/652 (15%) participants during the first seven postoperative days: 47/326 after dexmedetomidine vs. 51/326 after placebo, p = 0.62, adjusted relative risk (95%CI) 0.86 (0.56–1.33), p = 0.51. Postoperative renal impairment (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stages 1, 2 and 3) was detected in 46, 9 and 2 participants after dexmedetomidine and 25, 7 and 4 control participants, p = 0.040. Intra-operative dexmedetomidine infusion did not reduce the incidence of delirium after cardiac valve surgery but might impair renal function.