Search

Background: 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay which evaluates cellular mitochondrial activity is widely used for the assessment of cell proliferation and viability. Objective: This study was performed to assess human sperm viability using MTT assay. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, human-ejaculated semen samples (n = 56 from different donors) were used. The sperm viability was determined using quantitative MTT assay and the sperm motility was assessed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm viability and the correlation between sperm viability and motility were analyzed. Results: Data revealed a marked positive correlation between MTT reduction rate and the percentage of viable spermatozoa. The Pearson's correlation coefficients also showed a significant correlation between sperm viability and motility. Conclusion: MTT assay which is based on mitochondrial functionality is a reliable method for evaluating human sperm viability and could be used as a diagnostic test for predicting sperm fertilization ability in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sodium arsenite can impair male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin is known as a potent antioxidant. Objective: This study was performed to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on ram sperm viability, motility and mitochondrial membrane potential. Materials and Methods: Epidydimal spermatozoa obtained from ram were divided into five groups: 1) Spermatozoa at 0 hr, 2) spermatozoa at 180 min (control), 3) spermatozoa treated with sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min, 4) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) + sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min and 5) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) for 180 min. MTT assay and Rhodamine 123 staining were used to assess sperm viability and mitochondrial membrane potential respectively. Sperm motility was performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Results: Viability (p<0.01), nonprogressive motility (p<0.001) and intact mitochondrial membrane potential (p<0.001) of the spermatozoa were significantly decreased in sodium arsenite treated group compared to control group. In silymarin + sodium arsenite group, silymarin could significantly reverse the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on these sperm parameters compared to sodium arsenite group (p<0.001). In addition, the application of silymarin alone for 180 minutes could significantly increase progressively motile sperm (p<0.001) and decrease non motile sperm (p<0.01) compared to the control. Conclusion: Silymarin could compensate the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on viability, nonprogressive motility and mitochondrial membrane potential of ram sperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to arsenic is associated with impairment of male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin with an antioxidant property scavenges free radicals. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity. Materials and Methods: Ram epidydimal spermatozoa were divided into five groups: spermatozoa at 0 hr, spermatozoa at 180 min (control), spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) + sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min, spermatozoa treated with sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min and spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) for 180 min. Double staining of Hoechst and propidium iodide was performed to evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity, whereas comassie brilliant blue staining was used to assess acrosome integrity. Results: Plasma membrane (p< 0.001) and acrosome integrity (p< 0.05) of the spermatozoa were significantly reduced in sodium arsenite group compared to the control. In silymarin + sodium arsenite group, silymarin was able to significantly (p< 0.001) ameliorate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on these sperm parameters compared to sodium arsenite group. The incubation of sperm for 180 min (control group) showed a significant (p< 0.001) decrease in acrosome integrity compared to the spermatozoa at 0 hour. The application of silymarin alone for 180 min could also significantly (p< 0.05) increase sperm acrosome integrity compared to the control. Conclusion: Silymarin as a potent antioxidant could compensate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on the ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: para-nonylphenol (p-NP) is able to induce malformations in male reproductive system. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the preventing role of vitamin E (Vit.E) on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in developing rats. Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups: control, p-NP, Vit.E and p-NP+Vit.E. Treatments were performed on day 7 of gestation and continued during weaning. The male pups were then divided into the same groups as the mothers and were treated till 90 days of age. Finally, body and left testis weight were recorded and left epididymis was cut in Ham's F10. Released sperm were used to analyze number, motility and viability of the sperm. Blood serum was used to assess follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and testosterone. Results: In p-NP-treated rats, a significant decrease was found in body and testis weight, sperm number and sperm motility compared to control and p-NP+Vit.E groups. A significant increase was also found in sperm viability in Vit.E group (83.3±7.6) compared to both p-NP (59.5±7.5) and control (66.3±9.7) groups. Rats treated with p-NP showed a significant decrease in FSH level and a significant increase in estrogen level. However, testosterone and LH level remained constant. In p-NP+Vit.E group, the change of estrogen level but not FSH was significantly reversed compared to p-NP group. Conclusion: Vit.E not only is able to compensate the toxic effects of p-NP on testis weight, sperm number, sperm motility and estrogen level, but also increases sperm viability in developing rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Para-Nonylphenol (p-NP) is one of the environmental pollutants which cause reproductive system disorders. Objective: The effects of vitamin E on ovary structure during its development in rats treated with p-NP. Materials and Methods: 32 Wistar female rats after mating were divided into 4 groups; control, vitamin E (100mg/kg/day), p-NP (250mg/kg/day) and p-NP + vitamin E. The rats were treated from the day 7 of pregnancy till 21st day of postnatal through sucking period. After weaning, the female pups were treated by gavages for 120 days. The total volume of ovary, number of follicles, volume of oocyte, follicular cells and their nuclei and the thickness of zona pellucida were estimated stereologically. The results were analyzed using one way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The ovary weight, mean total volume of ovary and cortex, number of antral and graafian follicles and body weight were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the p-NP treated rats compared to control and other groups, while the number of atretic follicles was increased significantly (p<0.05). A significant reduction (p<0.05) in volume of oocyte, follicular cells and their nuclei in antral and graafian follicles was found in p-NP group. In addition, treatment with only vitamin E showed an improving effect on folliculogenesis due to a highly significant increase (p<0.01) in the number of primordial follicles. Conclusion: Vitamin E could compensate the adverse effects of p-NP on the ovary structure during its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]