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Objective Prenatal stress (PS) is a problematic situation resulting in psychological implications such as social anxiety. Ubiquitous extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF‐EMF) have been confirmed as a potential physiological stressor; however, useful neuroregenerative effect of these types of electromagnetic fields has also frequently been reported. The aim of the present study was to survey the interaction of PS and ELF‐EMF on anxiety‐like behavior. Method A total of 24 female rats 40 days of age were distributed into four groups of 6 rats each: control, stress (their mothers were exposed to stress), EMF (their mothers underwent to ELF‐EMF), and EMF/stress (their mothers concurrently underwent to stress and ELF‐EMF). The rats were assayed using elevated plus‐maze and open field tests. Results Expressions of the hippocampus GAP‐43, BDNF, and caspase‐3 (cas‐3) were detected by immunohistochemistry in Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Anxiety‐like behavior increased in all treatment groups. Rats in the EMF/stress group presented more serious anxiety‐like behavior. In all treatment groups, upregulated expression of cas‐3 was seen in PFC, DG, and CA1 and downregulated expression of BDNF and GAP‐43 was seen in PFC and DG and the CA1. Histomorphological study showed vast neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus and PFC. Conclusion The results showed ,female rats that underwent PS or/and EMF exhibited critical anxiety‐like behavior and this process may be attributed to neurodegeneration in PFC and DG of the hippocampus and possibly decreased synaptic plasticity so‐called areas. The present study showed that PS and ELF‐EMF could have potential hazardous implications in neurogenration in hippocamus and PFC in the pregnancy period and could result in anxiety‐like behavior in offspring. We also found for the first time that omnipresent ELF‐EMF not only induces neurodegeneration effects on hippocamus and PFC but also could exacerbate anxiey like behavior of PS, which may be attributed to hippocampal and PFC neurodegeneration and also neuroplasticity reduction.

Background: Quinine (QU) as an anti-malarial drug induces alterations in testicular tissue. Toxic effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the male reproductive system have been recognized. Objective: To investigate the impact of MSG administration on the intensity of gonadotoxicity of QU. Materials and Methods: Sixty eight-wk old Wistar rats weighing 180-200 gr were divided into six groups (n = 10/each): the first group as a control; the second and third groups received low and high doses of MSG (2 & 4 gr/kg i.p.), respectively, for 28 days; the fourth group received QU for seven days (25 mg/kg); and in the fifth and sixth groups, QU was gavaged following the MSG administration (MSG + QU) from day 22 to day 28. Serum testosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Testes samples were prepared for tissue MDA levels, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry of p53. Sperm analysis was performed on cauda epididymis. Results: Serum and tissue MDA levels were increased in treated groups compared to the control group. This increment was higher in the MSG + QU groups. The testosterone levels were reduced significantly (p < 0.0001) in all treated groups. In addition, histomorphometric indices and tubular epithelium population were reduced significantly (p < 0.0001) in QU, MSG + QU, and consequently in high-dose MSG, QU, MSG + QU groups. All spermatogenic indices were reduced in the treated groups, particularly in the MSG + QU groups. Sperm motility and viability indices were reduced significantly (p = 0.003) in the MSG + QU groups. Finally, the overexpression of p53 was observed in the MSG + QU groups. Conclusion: The administration of MSG before and during QU therapy may intensify testicular tissue alterations. Key words: Male reproductive system, Monosodium glutamate, Quinine hydrochloride, Rat.

Background: Paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic agent, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) have oxidative effects on testicular tissue. Objective: In this study, the effects of MSG administration on the exacerbation of testicular tissue alterations related to PTX treatment were evaluated. Materials and Methods: MSG (30 & 60 mg/kg i.p.) was administrated to six groups (n = 8/each) of adult mice before or after PTX treatment: control, PTX-treated, MSG30 + PTX, MSG60 + PTX, PTX + MSG30, and PTX + MSG60. Following the euthanizing, the body weight measurement, pituitary–testicular axis hormonal analysis and serum lipid peroxidation index assessment was prepared, testicular histomorphometry (tubular diameter and germinal epithelium height), immunohistochemistry of p53 was completed. Microscopic indices of spermatogenesis (tubular differentiation, spermiogenesis and repopulation indices) were studied. Results: Body weight was not changed significantly. The levels of testosterone (p = 0.0001), follicle stimulating hormone (p = 0.019), and luteinizing hormone (p = 0.08) were decreased while the level of lipid peroxidation index was increased (p = 0.208) in the treated groups. The histomorphometry indices (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively), germ cells population (p < 0.05) and microscopic indices of spermatogenesis (p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.0001, respectively) were significantly reduced in all treated groups. The administration of MSG before PTX treatment induces more changes. The most positive reaction to p53 was observed in MSG30 or 60 + PTX groups compared to other groups. Conclusion: The administration of MSG could intensify testicular tissue alterations related to PTX chemotherapy. Key words: Mice, Monosodium glutamate, Morphometry, Paclitaxel, Testicular tissue.

The morphology of the major and minor glands in the Persian squirrel ( Sciurus anomalus ) is crucial for understanding this mammal’s biological and ecological relationships. This study aimed to compare the macro- and microanatomies of the major and minor salivary glands in Persian squirrels. Five euthanized adult Persian squirrels were used for this investigation. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were carried out after dissection, and tissue samples were fixed and slides prepared. Afterward, specific staining methods were used for the histochemical study. The results of this investigation indicated that Persian squirrels, as pets and wild rodents, have several minor salivary glands, including caudal buccal, lingual, palatine, and palatoglossal salivary glands. The rostral buccal region and labial region of the Persian squirrel were sectioned serially, but there were no salivary secretory units in these regions. The parotid gland was completely acinar serous, the submandibular salivary gland was branched tubuloacinar seromucous, and the sublingual gland was tubuloacinar seromucous. In addition, in this research, the two parts of the sublingual gland, monostomatice, and polystomatic parts, were completely determined. The striated, intercalated, interlobar, and excretory ducts composed the ductal system of the major salivary glands in Persian squirrels. The interlobar septa between the lobules contained blood vessels and interlobar ducts. The myoepithelial cells were seen around the secretory units of all major salivary glands. In conclusion, it can be noticed that the major and minor salivary glands of the Persian squirrel had been scattered in the oral cavity, such as the palatine, tongue, and buccal regions, and the secretory units of these glands were different from other rodents due to the difference in nutrition of the Persian squirrel.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of diabetes on the structure and function of testicular tissue. Diabetes was induced in male adult rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Body and testicular weight, hormonal analyses, histological and ultrastructural analyses were measured. The body and testicular weights were dropped significantly (P< 0.05) in diabetic rats in comparison with control rats. On the other hand, in diabetic rats, the blood glucose level increased significantly (P< 0.05). The blood plasma levels of testosterone, 17-β estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH were reduced in diabetic rats. Histomorphological studies were revealed reduction in diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium height, edema in interstitial tissue, germ cell depletion, decrease in cellular population and activity with disruption of spermatogenesis in diabetic rats. Ultrastructural study showed the mitochondrial change and reduction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in Sertoli and presence of lipid droplets in Leydig cells of diabetic rat's testes. The results of the present study confirmed that, the ultrastructural changes of Sertoli and Leydig cells, brought about by streptozotocin induced diabetes, because of the alterations in pituitary gonadotropins, and these changes influence the normal spermatogenesis in rats.

Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a species of squirrels in the Middle East. There is little information about the anatomy and histology of various organs of this species. Moreover, there are no practical data about the accessory male sex glands of this species of squirrel. In this study the anatomical, histological and histochemical properties of the male reproductive system accessory glands of Persian Squirrel was evaluated. Eight adult male squirrels were anesthetized and euthanized. The pelvic area was dissected and the male reproductive system was separated. The accessory sex glands were investigated for gross anatomical aspect. Samples were fixed in formaldehyde for histological and histochemical studies. The coagulating glands, prostate and bulbourethral glands were observed at gross anatomical level. A single heart-shape and compact prostate gland was situated on the dorsal side of pelvic urethra. Two small coagulating glands were observed on the cranio-dorsal side of prostate. Two large spiral shape bulbourethral glands were situated out of the pelvic cavity near the root of penis on both sides of anal area. Histologic studies revealed that all accessory sex glands were alveolar glands with cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The most positive reaction for PAS stain was observed in the trabeculae of glands. There was no positive reaction for lipids in glands stained with Oil red O and Sudan Black. Some anatomical differences were observed in the accessory sex glands of Persian Squirrel in comparison to other rodents, however the histology of glands was almost similar to other rodents.

In this study the role of nicotine (NCT) administration on the intensity of rat testicular tissue alterations induced by quinine (QU) was evaluated. Forty adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Control (CON), NCT administrated (4 mg/kg) (NCT), QU treated (25 mg/kg for 7 days) (QU), and nicotine with quinine received (NCT+QU). After 28 days, serum testosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Testes and epididymides samples were prepared for determining tissue MDA levels, histomorphometry, microscopic indices of spermatogenesis, immunohistochemistry of p53 and sperm analysis. Testosterone levels were decreased significantly (P = .0004) in treated groups compared to CON group. Serum MDA levels were increased significantly (P = .0004) in NCT and QU groups compared to CON group. Tissue MDA levels were increased significantly (P = .0012) in NCT+QU group in comparison to CON group. These parameters were changed significantly in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. Seminiferous tubules diameter decreased significantly (P < .0001) in treated groups compared to CON group and in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. The height of germinal epithelium decreased significantly (P = .0001) in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON and QU groups. The number of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids decreased significantly in treated groups compared to CON group. The number of spermatogonia decreased significantly (P = .0017) in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON group. The number of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes decreased significantly in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. All indices of spermatogenesis decreased in treated groups compared to CON group. The lowest mean of these indices was observed in NCT+QU group. The sperm viability decreased significantly (P < .0001) in treated groups compared to CON group. Sperm count and motility decreased significantly in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON group. All experimental groups showed the over-expression of p53 compared to CON group. The administration of nicotine could be involved in the exacerbation of testicular tissue alterations related to quinine therapy.