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AIM: Asprosin, a fasting-related glucogenic hormone, is synthesized and secreted by white adipose tissue. It is known that asprosin can improve olfactory performance in rodents via OLFR-734. Moreover, odours play a vital role in sperm chemotaxis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of the asprosin hormone on male rat sperm. METHODS: 21 days old, 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats (35g ± 2g) were randomly divided into two groups, control and asprosin (n=12). For ten weeks, the animals in the control group were given % 0,9 NaCl solution (1 ml/kg). The animals in the asprosin group were given asprosin (500 ng/kg) every day intraperitoneally. The right cauda epididymis of each animal was thoroughly dissected with the help of a scalpel in 1 ml of Tris buffer solution at 38°C, thus allowing the sperm to pass into this solution. Sperm motility, sperm concentration and proportions of morphologically abnormal sperm were determined from the obtained Tris buffer-sperm mixture. Testicular tissues fixed in Bouin's solution were washed with ethanol and then embedded in paraffin blocks. Sections of 5 μm thickness were taken from the paraffin blocks. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were applied to the preparations. Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Chronic asprosin administration increased spermatozoon density (p<0.001). Asprosin did not affect the number of sperm tail anomalies and sperm motility. However, it decreased the number of sperm head anomalies (p<0.01). In the asprosin group, separations in the basement membranes of the seminiferous tubules were detected (p<0.05). Also, there was a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameters, and oedema (in the interstitial area) was detected (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Asprosin may affect sperm concentration directly and decrease head anomalies. As a result, asprosin may become a new treatment for oligozoospermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption has an ameliorating effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced sperm damages and testicular apoptosis associated with the oxidative stress in male rats. The study comprised of four groups (groups 1–4). Group 1 received olive oil + distilled water daily; group 2 was treated with 5 ml/kg PJ + olive oil daily; group 3 was treated with 0.25 ml/kg CCl4 dissolved in olive oil, weekly + distilled water daily; and group 4 received weekly CCl4 + daily PJ. All administrations were performed by gavage and maintained for 10 weeks. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in body and reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, concentration and testicular catalase activity, significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic index along with some histopathological damages when compared with the control group. However, significant ameliorations were observed in absolute weights of testis and epididymis, all sperm quality parameters, MDA level, apoptotic index, and testicular histopathological structure following the administration of CCl4 together with PJ when compared with group given CCl4 only. In conclusion, PJ consumption ameliorates the CCl4-induced damages in male reproductive organs and cells by decreasing the lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the prophylactic effects of lycopene (LC) and ellagic acid (EA) on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced testicular and spermatozoal toxicity. These toxicological changes are associated with the oxidative stress and apoptosis in male rats. Forty-eight male rats were allocated to one of six groups of 8 rats each: control, LC, EA, TCDD, TCDD++LC, and TCDD++EA. The control group was treated with 0.5 mL/rat slightly alkaline solution++0.5 mL/rat corn oil every other day. The LC group was treated with 0.5 mL/rat slightly alkaline solution++0.5 mL/rat corn oil containing 10 mg/kg of LC every other day. The EA group received 0.5 mL/rat corn oil++0.5 mL/rat slightly alkaline solution containing 2 mg/kg of EA every other day. The TCDD group received 0.5 mL/rat corn oil containing 100 ng/kg/day of TCDD++0.5 mL/rat slightly alkaline solution. The TCDD++LC group was treated with 0.5 mL/rat TCDD++0.5 mL/rat LC. The TCDD++EA group was treated with 0.5 mL/rat TCDD++0.5 mL/rat EA. All treatments were made by gavage, and the experimental period was maintained during 8 weeks. Sperm motility, concentration, and abnormal sperm rate in epididymal tissue, testicular tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant enzyme activity, histopathological changes, and apoptosis (i.e., Bax and Bcl-2 proteins) were determined. TCDD exposure resulted in significant decreases in sperm motility, concentration, testicular superoxide dismutase activity, germinal cell-layer thickness, Johnsen's testicular score, and significant increases in abnormal sperm rate, testicular malondialdehyde, glutathione levels, Bax-positive staining, and Bax-positive apoptotic cell score, along with some testicular histopathological lesions. TCDD treatment did not affect significantly catalase activity. However, combined treatment with LC or EA, in addition to TCDD, prevented the development of TCDD-induced damages in sperm quality, testicular histology, and LPO. Improvements in testicular apoptosis after the administration of LC and EA to TCDD-treated rats were minimal, but not statistically significant. TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation leads to functional and structural damages, as well as apoptosis, in spermatogenic cells of rats. Both LC and EA protected against the development of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of IV injection of oxytocin (OT) on serum and seminal plasma levels of oestradiol (E2), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), and semen characteristics in rams. Twelve 3-year-old Awassi adult rams were randomly divided into 2 equal groups (control and treatment). Physiological saline (0.5 ml) was injected IV into each ram in the control group, whereas OT was administered IV at a single dose of 5 IU to each ram in the treatment group. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and semen samples were taken by an electroejaculator from all rams sequentially at 10, 60, and 120 min after the IV injection of physiological saline or OT. Administration of OT had no effect on blood or seminal plasma E2 or DHEA-S levels, or on serum T at any collection time compared to the control group. However, while OT increased significantly the level of seminal plasma T at 10 min, its effect was absent at 60 and 120 min after the injection compared to the control group. OT did not alter the semen viscosity, sperm motility, or abnormal sperm rate at all times in comparison to the control values. Although semen volume, mass activity, sperm concentration, total sperm number, and total motile sperm number of the treatment group increased significantly at 10 min compared to the control group, all these parameters decreased markedly at 60 and 120 min in comparison with 10 min after injection in both the control and treatment groups. In conclusion, exogenous OT increases seminal plasma T, semen volume, mass activity, sperm concentration, total sperm number, and total motile sperm number in the first ejaculate of the rams 10 min after the IV administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate in vitro effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) and metamizol on the motility of diluted bull semen during short-term storage at 4 °C. In this study, 3 healthy adult Brown-Swiss bulls, each 3 years old, were used. Semen samples were collected with an artificial vagina. Samples were taken from each bull twice a week over the course of 3 weeks (6 samples per bull). One millilitre of semen was removed from each sample for the determination of semen volume, mass activity, initial motility, sperm concentration, and abnormal sperm rate. The remainder of the semen samples of each bull were diluted to a concentration of 1:10 (semen:extender) with isotonic sodium citrate + egg yolk solution. The diluted semen samples were then divided into 12 sterile tubes of equal volume (0.5 ml). Different amounts of PGF2α[0 (PGF2α-free), 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 1500 µg] were added to 6 of these samples at 37 °C. Similarly, different amounts of metamizol [0 (metamizol-free), 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 1500 µg] were added to the other 6 samples at 37 °C. After the supplementation of PGF2α or metamizol, all semen samples were stored at 4 °C. The sperm motility of the samples was examined at 0, 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, and 216 h. No significant differences in spermatological characteristics were determined between the bulls. Sperm supplementation with 125 µg and 250 µg PGF2α caused a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the motility of diluted semen stored at 4 °C after 24 h versus diluted PGF2α-free semen. However, the supplementation with 500 µg and 1000 µg PGF2α caused significant motility decreases after 4 h, while 1500 µg PGF2α also caused a decrease after 2 h compared to diluted PGF2α-free semen (P < 0.05). On the other hand, metamizol supplementation of 125 µg and 250 µg significantly decreased the motility of diluted semen stored at 4 °C after 48 hand 24 h, respectively, while 500 µg, 1000 µg, and 1500 µg of metamizol reduced motility after 4 h (P < 0.05) in comparison to the diluted metamizol-free semen. In conclusion, the addition of small amounts of PGF2α to diluted bull semen samples may help to maintain sperm motility during short-term storage at 4 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of seasons on some fertility parameters of dairy and beef cows in Elazýð province. A total of 511 multiparous dairy and beef cows in four commercial herds were used as material in the study. Climatic data were obtained from reports prepared at the Department of Meteorology in Elazýð. Daily maximum, minimum and average ambient temperatures and relative humidity were recorded throughout the year. Estruses were detected by observation twice a day. The expression of overt estrus was evaluated observing the degrees of signs of estrus. Cows were inseminated artificially after about 12 h from beginning estrus. First-service conception rates were determined by rectal palpation on the 75th day after insemination. Intensity of estrus signs were significantly affected by the seasons, especially in dairy cows. While the expression of overt estrus decreased in the cows inseminated during the hot months of the year, it increased in spring compared to the other seasons. The cows inseminated in summer had significantly lower conception rates than cows inseminated in other seasons. Moreover, this decrease in conception rate in dairy cows appeared to be carried into autumn. In conclusion, heat stress during summer resulted in a decrease in the exhibition of estrus behavior and conception rates of dairy and beef cows. Therefore, additional reproductive strategies are needed to counteract the adverse effect of heat stress on fertility during summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apilarnil is a bee product obtained after the collection of drone larvae aged 3-7 days. It contains water, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, and is rich in essential amino acids, antioxidants, as well as reproductive hormones. It contributes to the maintenance of normal metabolism due to its amino acids, vitamins, minerals, glycerophosphate calcium and folic acid contents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different levels of apilarnil supplementation to tris-egg yolk glycerol extender on post-thaw semen quality in 6 Akkaraman rams aged around 2 years. Semen was collected by artificial vagina and diluted at 37°C using five semen diluents with or without Apilarnil including 0% (Control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% apilarnil. Diluted semen was cooled to 5°C; after glycerolisation and equilibration, it was frozen in liquid nitrogen, stored at -196oC and evaluated for post-thaw sperm quality. According to our results, total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and curvi-linear velocity (VCL) values were higher in 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% apilarnil supplemented groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Values for sperm acrosomal damage were decreased in all apilarnil-containing groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Plasma membrane integrity was higher in the 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% apilarnil-containing groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in all apilarnil-treated groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of apilarnil at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% to tris-egg yolk glycerol diluent increased sperm motility and protected plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal membrane integrity of postthaw ram spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is stated that irisin, an exercise hormone, can be anti-obesity effects cause to decreasing of body weight and fat mass by increasing energy consumption. The mechanism of this effect of exogenous irisin treatment on rats is not known exactly. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of chronic exogenous irisin treatment on body weights and reproductive organ weights in female and male rats in pubertal period. Methods: In this study, totally 48 female and male Sprague-Dawley rats, 21 days old and 35±2 g weight, were divided into control and irisin groups (n=12). The animals started to receive daily intraperitoneally irisin (100 ng/kg) from postnatal day 21 for the about 10 weeks. The control groups received only saline. During the experiment, body weights of all animals were measured weekly. The total weights of the ovaries, uterus, testes, epididymides and ventral prostate were calculated for 100 g body weight at the end of the experiment. Results: When compared to control group, irisin significantly increased the body weight of female rats (p<0.05 for weeks 1 and 2, p<0.001 for weeks 3-7 and p<0.01 for weeks 8 and 9), but no difference in the male rats. Irisin did not affect the weights of the ovaries, uterus, testes and epididymides and also significantly decreased the ventral prostate (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, exogenous irisin treatment only cause an increase in body weight of female rats suggests that irisin may have shown this effect by means of a different mechanism in female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different doses of hydrated C 60 fullerene (C 60 HyFn) on freeze-thawing process-induced changes in lipid, vitamin and amino acid composition and also in motility, kinematic, sperm quality and oxidative stress parameters in ram semen. Semen was collected from seven rams twice a week for 3 weeks, so six repetitions were performed. The semen collected in each repetition was pooled. Each pooled sample was diluted with tris + egg yolk extender with (200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM, 1 µM and 5 µM) and without (control) C 60 HyFn and they were frozen in mini straws. The doses of 800 nM, 1 µM and 5 µM had higher total, progressive motility, sperm membrane functionality rates, glutathione-peroxidase and catalase activities. All doses of C 60 HyFn significantly reduced dead and total abnormal sperm rates and malondialdehyde levels. Significant increases in vitamin A (400 and 800 nM doses), vitamin K 1 (400 nM, 800 nM and 1 µM doses), total amino acid (all doses) levels, but significant decreases in vitamin D 2 (800 nM, 1 and 5 µM doses), vitamin D 3 (1 and 5 µM doses) and vitamin E (200 nM, 1 and 5 µM) levels were observed compared to control. In conclusion, the addition of C 60 HyFn to ram semen at 200 nM - 5 µM range, especially at a dose of 800 nM, provides a positive contribution to the protection of motility, vitamins A, K and total amino acid levels, and oxidant/antioxidant balance after freeze-thawing., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate a possible protective role of lycopene on adriamycin (ADR)-induced spermiotoxicity using quantitative, biochemical and histopathological approaches., Design: Experimental study., Setting: Firat University Medical School, Experimental Research Centre, Elazig, Turkey., Animals: Twenty four Sprague Dawley rats (8-weeks old), Intervention(s): Adriamycin (10 mg kg(-1)) was intraperitoneally injected and lycopene (4 mg kg(-1)) was administered by gavage in corn oil., Main Outcome Measure(s): Reproductive organ weights were evaluated along with epididymal sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Testicular histological findings, oxidative status and plasma testosterone levels were also determined., Result(s): Lycopene ameliorated ADR-induced reductions in both testes and epididymis weights. ADR decreased sperm motility, increased total abnormal sperm rates, but epididymal sperm concentration was not changed compared to control. A marked normalization was achieved in sperm motility and morphology in pretreatment with lycopene. Although testosterone level was decreased in ADR group compared to control, no changes were observed in pretreatment group. An increase in malondialdehyde and a decrease reduced glutathione concentrations were detected in alone ADR group compared to control. Pretreatment with lycopene restored significantly malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione concentrations. ADR caused severe degenerative changes in germinative cells, atrophy in the diameter size of seminiferous tubules and germinative cell thickness. However, ADR-induced histopathological alterations were effectively reverted by pretreatment with lycopene., Conclusion(s): This study clearly indicates that ADR treatment markedly impaired testicular function and that pretreatment with lycopene might prevent this toxicity.

Effects of diminazene aceturate and ceftriaxone disodium were evaluated on sperm quality of rams. Daily intramuscular injections of diminazene (6 mg/kg) or ceftriaxone (28.5 mg/kg) were given to each of seven Akkaraman rams assigned per drug for two days. Semen samples were collected from the rams at post-treatment 1, 4, 24, 48, 72, 144, 288 and 336 h and examined for sperm characteristics and hyaluronidase activity. Results showed that use of ceftriaxone and diminazene caused significant (P<0.01) decreases in sperm concentration, volume and motility compared to control group within 288 h post-treatment. In addition, hyaluronidase activity increased significantly (P<0.01) in semen of rams treated with ceftriaxone while remained unchanged in those received diminazene. In conclusion, diminazene aceturate and ceftriaxone disodium did not have any deleterious effect on hyaluronidase enzyme. However, both drugs caused impairment of sperm in rams during the 288 h.