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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Genistein is a soya phytoestrogen having estrogenic effects. Phytoestrogen has been introduced as one of the elements of unproductively in some animals, but previous studies on genistein role in male reproductive system have shown contradictory results. Since no similar study has taken place in Iran, the present study has been designed for evaluation of genistein effects on male reproductive system.METHODS: In this experimental study, 30 male rats with 13 weeks of age and limited weight of 220 to 250 grams were selected. They were divided into six groups of 5, and different genistein doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 mg/kg) were injected subcutaneously on 14 consecutive days to male rats. After 24 hours animal were killed and then their blood testosterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and (LH Luteinizing hormone) were measured via ELAISA method. Sperm count and viability were measured through WHO protocols. FINDINGS: There was a significant reduction in FSH plasma levels among groups that were injected low doses of genistein while by increasing the genistein dose the inhibitory effect of reducing became slower (p

Nicotine is the most important alkaloid compound in tobacco. One of the major effects of nicotine is stimulation of mesocorticolimbic system. Prefrontal cortex plays a pivotal role in personality and mental state. It is considered the main cause of addiction as it is located in mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups based on nicotine administration dose (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg). After animals were anesthetized, their brains were fixed using transcardiac method. Tissue processing and Golgi staining were performed and the stained tissue sections were analyzed by optic microscope and Motic software. By increasing the dose, nicotine significantly decreased the number of neuronal processes. In the higher dose, nicotine caused a significant decrease and increase in the size of pericarions and dendritic spines, respectively (p

Background: It has been reported that epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes memory impairment. This study examines the role of the aqueous extract of Boswellia on the learning disability of the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindled rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 64 male rats were used. Kindling seizures were induced by three injections of 25 mg/kg of PTZ every 15 min. Control animals received normal saline instead. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Boswellia extract on the PTZ-induced cognitive deficits, the aqueous extract (0, 0.1, 0.5 or 1 g/kg, i.p.) were administrated to all animals for three consecutive days. At 24 h later, passive avoidance learning of animals was examined using shuttle box apparatus, respectively. The time required for the animal stepping through the dark chamber was determined as step-through latency (STL). Data were subjected to the t-test and analysis of variance and followed by Tukey′s test for multiple comparisons. Results: The STL of the kindled rats was significantly reduced compared with control ones (22/375 ± 4/19 for kindled and 295 ± 15/71 for control groups, respectively). Aqueous extract of Boswellia improved passive-avoidance learning ability in both control and PTZ-kindled animals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results can be stated that the Boswellia extract is offset by harmful effects of seizures on cognitive function and consumption of Boswellia extract increases the learning ability in epileptic animals.