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Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats Full text
2016
Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats Full text
2016
Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats.Material and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received distilled water and the experimental groups were orally administered 1 ml of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel seed in four doses of 35, 70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/b.w. daily for 60 days. After the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetised and the caudal part of the right epididymis was used for sperm counting. After fixation of the testes, microscopic sections were prepared and histological changes were evaluated.Results: The number of spermatogonia after doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg and Sertoli cells after a dose of 140 mg/kg decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of primary spermatocytes and sperm count decreased significantly in the experimental groups (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane, cell apoptosis, and irregular arrangement of the germinal epithelium were observed in the experimental groups.Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic fennel seed extract at these doses could reduce reproductivity and has anti-fertility activity in male rats.
Show more [+] Less [-]Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats Full text
2016
Mansouri Esrafil | Asadi-Samani Majid | Kooti Wesam | Ghasemiboroon Maryam | Ashtary-Larky Damoon | Alamiri Fatima | Afrisham Reza | Noohi Zahra Hasanzadeh
Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats.
Show more [+] Less [-]Luteolin attenuates cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in rats Full text
2021
He, Haitao | Chen, Xi
Luteolin attenuates cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in rats Full text
2021
He, Haitao | Chen, Xi
In our study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of luteolin in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in rat models induced by cerebral hypoperfusion by two-vessel occlusion (2-VO). Seventy-five male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 2-VO surgery, in all but 15 (the sham group, group I) the ligation being permanent to impair cognitive abilities. The sham group rats received saline instead of a drug; 15 2-VO rats were not injected at all (the model group, group II); 15 2-VO rats were administered luteolin at 50 mg/kg b.w. (the lut 50 group, group III); to a further 15 luteolin was given at 100 mg/kg b.w. (the lut 100 group, group IV); and the final 15 received nimodipine at 16 mg/kg b.w. as positive controls (the nimodipine group, group V). Object recognition and Morris water maze tests were performed to investigate memory ability. A Western blot test was also conducted to assess expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), its downstream target protein kinase B (Akt), and the phosphorylated form (P-Akt) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue samples. Significant variations in the discrimination index in the object recognition test, the escape latencies in the Morris water maze test, and expression levels of PI3K-p110α and PI3K-p85 were observed three months after 2-VO surgery in both lut groups, with a significant change in the nimodipine group compared to the model group. P-Akt and Akt were expressed significantly higher in both lut groups and the nimodipine group than in the model group. Luteolin treatment of rats cognitively dysfunctional after experimental cerebral hypo perfusion was neuroprotective by activating the PI3K/Akt signals which inhibit neuronal death in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal region.
Show more [+] Less [-]Luteolin attenuates cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in rats Full text
2021
He Haitao | Chen Xi
In our study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of luteolin in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in rat models induced by cerebral hypoperfusion by two-vessel occlusion (2-VO).
Show more [+] Less [-]A preliminary study on semen collection, its evaluation, and testicular and sperm morphometries in the wild proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Full text
2021
Zainuddin, Zainal Zahari | Tarmizi, Mohamed Reza Mohamed | Chee, Yap Keng | Erut, Alvin | Fitri, Wan Nor | Salleh, Annas
A preliminary study on semen collection, its evaluation, and testicular and sperm morphometries in the wild proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Full text
2021
Zainuddin, Zainal Zahari | Tarmizi, Mohamed Reza Mohamed | Chee, Yap Keng | Erut, Alvin | Fitri, Wan Nor | Salleh, Annas
The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is an endangered species with a declining population. This article describes the first successful attempt at sperm collection and evaluation, and the testicular and sperm morphometries of the wild proboscis monkey in Sabah, Malaysia. Eight semen collection procedures using electro-ejaculation and digital manipulation were conducted in three wild adult male proboscis monkeys. A total of 21 ejaculates were collected. The testicular biometry was measured with the aid of ultrasonography. Sample evaluation included semen volume and pH and sperm concentration, viability, and abnormality. The sperm morphometry was undertaken using phase contrast microscopy. The mean (±SD) total testicular volume of these animals was 5.77 cm³ (±1.58). Semen collection by electro-ejaculation resulted in an 84% success rate, while digital manipulation did not result in any ejaculation. Each animal showed different semen characteristics, where the volume was 5–540 μL, pH 8–9, and sperm concentration 0.041–83.00 ×106/mL. The percentage of abnormal sperm was high at 76.8% (±89.60), largely due to midpiece abnormality. Normal sperm had a spherical head and long tail with a head : midpiece : tail length ratio of 1 : 2: 8. The social status of these animals may contribute to the generally low quality of the semen. The techniques and data from this study are useful for future conservation and application of assisted reproductive technology in this species.
Show more [+] Less [-]A preliminary study on semen collection, its evaluation, and testicular and sperm morphometries in the wild proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Full text
2021
Zainuddin Zainal Zahari | Tarmizi Mohamed Reza Mohamed | Chee Yap Keng | Erut Alvin | Fitri Wan Nor | Salleh Annas
The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is an endangered species with a declining population. This article describes the first successful attempt at sperm collection and evaluation, and the testicular and sperm morphometries of the wild proboscis monkey in Sabah, Malaysia.
Show more [+] Less [-]The protective action of piperlongumine against mycobacterial pulmonary tuberculosis in its mitigation of inflammation and macrophage infiltration in male BALB/c mice Full text
2021
Lu, Nihong | Yang, Yongrui | Li, Xiaofei | Li, Jie | Cheng, Jie | Lv, Zhengxuan | Du, Yingrong
The protective action of piperlongumine against mycobacterial pulmonary tuberculosis in its mitigation of inflammation and macrophage infiltration in male BALB/c mice Full text
2021
Lu, Nihong | Yang, Yongrui | Li, Xiaofei | Li, Jie | Cheng, Jie | Lv, Zhengxuan | Du, Yingrong
Piperlongumine (PL) is a bioactive alkaloid and medicinal compound of piperamide isolated from the long pepper (Piper longum Linn). It has demonstrated bactericidal action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the cause of pulmonary tuberculosis; nevertheless, immunomodulatory activity had not been identified for it in MTB-triggered granulomatous inflammation. This study investigated if piperlongumine could inhibit such inflammation. Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv was subjected to a broth microdilution assay. Piperlongumine at 5, 15, and 25 μg/mL, 0.2% dimethyl sulphoxide as control or 4 μM of dexamethasone were tested in vitro on MH-S murine alveolar macrophages. BALB/c mice were orally administered PL at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w. after trehalose-6,6-dimycolate (TDM) stimulation. Chemokine and cytokine concentrations were determined in lung supernatants. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were performed to determine phosphorylated spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. Piperlongumine inhibited inflammatory mediators and adherence of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 to MH-S cells following TDM activation. It also improved macrophage clearance of MTB. In TDM-stimulated MH-S cells, PL significantly influenced the macrophage inducible Ca²⁺-dependent lectin receptor (Mincle)-Syk-ERK signalling pathway. Oral dosing of PL effectively suppressed the development of pulmonary granulomas and inflammatory reactions in the TDM-elicited mouse granuloma model. PL as an inhibitor of MTB-triggered granulomatous inflammation may be an effective complementary treatment for mycobacterial infection.
Show more [+] Less [-]The protective action of piperlongumine against mycobacterial pulmonary tuberculosis in its mitigation of inflammation and macrophage infiltration in male BALB/c mice Full text
2021
Lu Nihong | Yang Yongrui | Li Xiaofei | Li Jie | Cheng Jie | Lv Zhengxuan | Du Yingrong
Piperlongumine (PL) is a bioactive alkaloid and medicinal compound of piperamide isolated from the long pepper (Piper longum Linn). It has demonstrated bactericidal action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the cause of pulmonary tuberculosis; nevertheless, immunomodulatory activity had not been identified for it in MTB-triggered granulomatous inflammation. This study investigated if piperlongumine could inhibit such inflammation.
Show more [+] Less [-]Short-term heart-rate variability in healthy small and medium-sized dogs over a five-minute measuring period Full text
2020
Baisan, Radu Andrei | Condurachi, Eusebiu Ionuț | Vulpe, Vasile
Short-term heart-rate variability in healthy small and medium-sized dogs over a five-minute measuring period Full text
2020
Baisan, Radu Andrei | Condurachi, Eusebiu Ionuț | Vulpe, Vasile
Five-minute heart-rate variability (HRV) measurement is a useful tool for assessing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance in humans, but there are no studies on healthy dogs. The aim of the study was, therefore, to provide the reference ranges in small and medium-sized breeds for short-term HRV time and frequency domain (TFD) analyses. A total of 79 healthy dogs were included in the study between 2015 and 2019. Grouping by age with the breakpoint at six years and subgrouping by reproductive status and sex was imposed. All the dogs were included after physical and cardiological examinations and blood analyses. The TFD of HRV were analysed from a five-minute-long digital ECG recording after removal of non-sinus complexes. There were no statistically significant differences in any TFD parameters between age, reproductive status or sex groups. A mild increase in all time domain parameters and the high-frequency (HF) band was observed in older dogs, and the low frequency (LF):HF ratio decreased in these dogs. In males, the time domain parameters and HF band increased slightly. The normal ranges for HRV derived from short-term ECG recording in the usual clinical environment now have proposed reference ranges. Our findings suggest that accommodation time, age, sex, or reproductive status do not influence the results derived from these recordings, indicating that this method is reliable for assessing the ANS function in small and medium-sized dog breeds.
Show more [+] Less [-]Short-term heart-rate variability in healthy small and medium-sized dogs over a five-minute measuring period Full text
2020
Baisan Radu Andrei | Condurachi Eusebiu Ionuț | Vulpe Vasile
Five-minute heart-rate variability (HRV) measurement is a useful tool for assessing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance in humans, but there are no studies on healthy dogs. The aim of the study was, therefore, to provide the reference ranges in small and medium-sized breeds for short-term HRV time and frequency domain (TFD) analyses.
Show more [+] Less [-]Taxonomic justification of the pathogenic strongylid infecting the Arabian camel Camelus dromedarius as Haemonchus longistipes by morphological and molecular phylogeny Full text
2019
Dajem, Saad | Morsy, Kareem | Al-Kahtani, Mohammed | Abdel-Gaber, Rewaida
Taxonomic justification of the pathogenic strongylid infecting the Arabian camel Camelus dromedarius as Haemonchus longistipes by morphological and molecular phylogeny Full text
2019
Dajem, Saad | Morsy, Kareem | Al-Kahtani, Mohammed | Abdel-Gaber, Rewaida
Introduction: There is still lack of morphological and phylogenetic information on the pathogenic nematode of the camel Haemonchus longistipes. In the present study, this parasite was isolated in Saudi Arabia and described. Material and Methods: The abomasa of two Arabian camels were collected from a slaughterhouse in Abha province and examined for nematode infection. Worms were described morphologically and morphometrically by electron microscopy. Multiple sequence alignment and the phylogenetic tree of the parasite were constructed from maximum likelihood analysis of its ITS-2 rDNA sequences. Results: These nematodes had a slender body terminating anteriorly at a conspicuous dorsal lancet. A pair of lateral cervical papillae distant from the anterior end was observed. The buccal aperture was hexagonal and surrounded by two amphids, six externo-labial papillae, and four cephalic papillae. Males terminated posteriorly at a bursa supported by spicules and lateral and dorsal rays. Females were linguiform and knobbed morphotypes with distinct ovijectors and a dorsal rim covering the anal pore. The taxonomy was confirmed by the morphology and number of the longitudinal cuticular ridges in a 43–46 range. The sequence alignment and phylogeny revealed 92% homology with H. longistipes (AJ577461.1), and the sequence was deposited into GenBank. Conclusion: The present study describes H. longistipes morphologically and molecularly which facilitates further discrimination of this species worldwide.
Show more [+] Less [-]Taxonomic justification of the pathogenic strongylid infecting the Arabian camel Camelus dromedarius as Haemonchus longistipes by morphological and molecular phylogeny Full text
2019
Dajem Saad | Morsy Kareem | Al-Kahtani Mohammed | Abdel-Gaber Rewaida
Introduction: There is still lack of morphological and phylogenetic information on the pathogenic nematode of the camel Haemonchus longistipes. In the present study, this parasite was isolated in Saudi Arabia and described.
Show more [+] Less [-]Pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in methimazole-induced hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2019
Gołyński, Marcin | Metyk, Michał | Szkodziak, Piotr | Lutnicki, Krzysztof | Kalisz, Grzegorz | Szczepanik, Marcin | Wilkołek, Piotr | Dobrowolski, Piotr
Pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in methimazole-induced hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2019
Gołyński, Marcin | Metyk, Michał | Szkodziak, Piotr | Lutnicki, Krzysztof | Kalisz, Grzegorz | Szczepanik, Marcin | Wilkołek, Piotr | Dobrowolski, Piotr
Introduction: Thyroid hormones play a major role in the regulation of testicular maturation and growth and in the control of Sertoli and Leydig cell functions in adulthood. When naturally occurring, hypothyroidism causes male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Sertoli cell function disorders, but when iatrogenic and methimazole-induced its influence on the pituitary-testicular axis function with respect to Sertoli cells is poorly known. Material and Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (n = 14) were divided into two groups: E – taking methimazole orally for 60 days, and C – control animals. After 60 d, the concentrations in serum of testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones, and inhibins A and B were measured. Testicles were examined morphologically: the apoptotic Sertoli cell percentage (ASC%) and number of these cells functional per tubular mm² (FSCN/Tmm²) were calculated. Results: In group E, inhibin A was higher while inhibin B was lower than in group C. ASC% was higher and FSCN/Tmm² lower in group E than in group C. Conclusion: A specific modulation of Sertoli cell function in the course of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism leads to a simultaneous concentration increase in inhibin A and decrease in B. Inhibin A might share responsibility for pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in this model of hypothyroidism.
Show more [+] Less [-]Pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in methimazole-induced hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2019
Gołyński Marcin | Metyk Michał | Szkodziak Piotr | Lutnicki Krzysztof | Kalisz Grzegorz | Szczepanik Marcin | Wilkołek Piotr | Dobrowolski Piotr
Introduction: Thyroid hormones play a major role in the regulation of testicular maturation and growth and in the control of Sertoli and Leydig cell functions in adulthood. When naturally occurring, hypothyroidism causes male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Sertoli cell function disorders, but when iatrogenic and methimazole-induced its influence on the pituitary-testicular axis function with respect to Sertoli cells is poorly known.
Show more [+] Less [-]Content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle during experimental hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2016
Gołyński, Marcin | Szpetnar, Maria | Tatara, Marcin R. | Lutnicki, Krzysztof | Gołyńska, Magdalena | Kurek, Łukasz | Szczepanik, Marcin | Wilkołek, Piotr
Content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle during experimental hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2016
Gołyński, Marcin | Szpetnar, Maria | Tatara, Marcin R. | Lutnicki, Krzysztof | Gołyńska, Magdalena | Kurek, Łukasz | Szczepanik, Marcin | Wilkołek, Piotr
Introduction: Thyroid hormones affect protein turnover, and in the case of hypothyroidism a decrease in protein synthesis and reduced release of certain amino acids from skeletal muscles are observed. Changes in the amino acid system of skeletal muscles may be responsible for the occurrence of muscle disorders. Material and Methods: The study measured the content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle of Wistar rats during experimental hypothyroidism induced by oral administration of methimazole at a concentration of 0.05% in drinking water for 90 d. The rats were divided into four groups: E1 (n = 6) - experimental males, E2 (n = 6) - experimental females, C1 (n = 6) - control males, and C2 (n = 6) control females. Results: A statistically significant reduction occurred in leucine, isoleucine, and 1-methylhistidine levels in males, and 1-methylhistidine in females, in comparison to the control groups. Conclusion: The hypothyroidism-induced changes in amino acid content may be responsible for the occurrence of skeletal muscle function disorders.
Show more [+] Less [-]Content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle during experimental hypothyroidism in rats Full text
2016
Gołyński Marcin | Szpetnar Maria | Tatara Marcin R. | Lutnicki Krzysztof | Gołyńska Magdalena | Kurek Łukasz | Szczepanik Marcin | Wilkołek Piotr
Introduction: Thyroid hormones affect protein turnover, and in the case of hypothyroidism a decrease in protein synthesis and reduced release of certain amino acids from skeletal muscles are observed. Changes in the amino acid system of skeletal muscles may be responsible for the occurrence of muscle disorders. Material and Methods: The study measured the content of selected amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle of Wistar rats during experimental hypothyroidism induced by oral administration of methimazole at a concentration of 0.05% in drinking water for 90 d. The rats were divided into four groups: E1 (n = 6) - experimental males, E2 (n = 6) - experimental females, C1 (n = 6) - control males, and C2 (n = 6) control females. Results: A statistically significant reduction occurred in leucine, isoleucine, and 1-methylhistidine levels in males, and 1-methylhistidine in females, in comparison to the control groups. Conclusion: The hypothyroidism-induced changes in amino acid content may be responsible for the occurrence of skeletal muscle function disorders.
Show more [+] Less [-]Assessment of luteinizing hormone receptor expression in structural support tissues of canine hip and femorotibial joints Full text
2020
Kiefel, Claire A. | Kutzler, Michelle A.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether luteinizing hormone receptors (LHRs) are expressed in canine femoral head subchondral bone (FHSB), hip joint round ligament (RL), cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), and femorotibial joint synovium (FJS) specimens. SAMPLE 1 specimen each of the FHSB, RL, CCL, and FJS obtained from the left hind limbs of 19 fresh canine cadavers. PROCEDURES 1 section of each FHSB, RL, CCL, and FJS specimen was processed with rabbit polyclonal IgG anti-human LHR antibody, and 1 section was treated with negative control reagents. Percentage immunoexpression of LHRs in FHSB and FJS sections was analyzed by assessment of 100 bone marrow cells or synoviocytes in 3 adjacent hpf (400×). In each RL and CCL section, immunoexpression of LHRs in fibrocytes was semiquantitatively analyzed on the basis of the mean of the product of percentage staining score (from 0 [no staining] to 3 [> 50% of cells stained]) and staining intensity score (from 0 [no staining] to 2 [moderate to strong staining]) for 3 adjacent hpf. RESULTS All tissues examined had variable LHR expression. Expression of LHRs in FHSB, CCL, or FJS specimens did not differ between sexes or between sexually intact and gonadectomized dogs. However, RL specimens from female dogs had significantly greater LHR expression scores, compared with findings for male dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that LHRs are expressed in structural support tissues of canine hip and femorotibial joints. Further research is required to determine the LHRs' function, mechanism of action, and potential contribution to the pathogenesis of hip dysplasia or CCL rupture in dogs.
Show more [+] Less [-]Evaluation of a multipump air pistol as a method for euthanizing young dairy goat kids Full text
2020
Hempstead, Melissa N. | Fowler, Jennifer L. | Shearer, Jane K. | Plummer, Paul J.
OBJECTIVE To assess the extent of damage to the skull and brain of cadaveric dairy goat kids caused by a .22-caliber, 16-g pellet fired from a multipump air pistol at various power levels. SAMPLE Cadavers of 8 male and 7 female dairy goat kids ≤ 5 days old. PROCEDURES Each cadaver was positioned in sternal recumbency with the head and neck extended on a straw bale. A multipump air pistol was held with the barrel perpendicular to and 2.5 cm from the head at the intersection of 2 imaginary lines that extended from the lateral canthus of each eye to the middle of the contralateral ear base and fired at half (5 pumps; n = 2), intermediate (7 pumps; 2), or full (10 pumps; 11) power. The head and neck were removed from the carcass for CT imaging and gross sectioning to determine the location of the pellet and extent of damage caused to the skull and brain. RESULTS The pellet successfully penetrated the skull of all 13 heads shot at full or intermediate power and 1 of the 2 heads shot at half power. The pellet did not fragment after entering the skull of any cadaver and penetrated the brainstem (necessary for instantaneous death) in only 7 cadavers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The described technique was insufficient for use as a stand-alone method for euthanizing young dairy goat kids. Modification of the technique warrants further research to determine whether air pistols can be used to effectively euthanize young goat kids.
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