Quercetin (QR) is a strong antioxidant and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the long-term treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in animal models. Antioxidants have significant effects on spermatogenesis, sperm biology and oxidative stress, and changes in antioxidant capacity are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. The present study aims to examine the influence of QR on spermatogenesis in STZ-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. Animals (n = 50) were allocated into five groups: Group 1: Control rats given 0.5 ml of 20% glycerol in 0.9% normal saline. Group 2: Control rats given buffer (pH4.0).Group 3: diabetic controls. Group 4: rats given QR 15 mg/kg/day (i.p.). Group 5: STZ + QR rats. Animals were kept in standard conditions. At the end of the experiment (28th day), blood samples were taken for determination of testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, and levels of malondialdehyde and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. All rats were euthanized, testes were dissected out and spermatozoa were collected from the epididymis for analysis. Sperm numbers, percentages of sperm viability and motility, and total serum testosterone increased significantly in QR-treated diabetic rats (P < 0.05) compared with control groups. In histopathology, degeneration and inflammation in testes cells associated with diabetes were improved and testes weights in the QR-treated diabetic group decreased significantly in comparison with controls (P < 0.05). We conclude that QR has significant beneficial effects on the sperm viability, motility, and serum total testosterone and could be effective for maintaining healthy sperm parameters and male reproductive function in diabetic rats.

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Objective: Citrullus vulgaris is an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce oxidative stress. Worldwide studies have been done in order to use as herbal medicine in different fields of medicine. Based on ancient Persians traditional books use of herbal medicine has positive effect on treatment of different diseases. Previous studies confirmed antioxidants have significant effect on infertility by their role on reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to see effect of this herb on spermatogenesis. Material and Methods: Wistar male rats (n=20) were allocated into two groups, control group (n=10) and citrullus vulgaris (C.V) group (n=10) that received 55mg.kg-1.day-1 C.V by gavage method for 4 weeks; however, the control group just received an equal volume of distilled water daily. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 28th day, testicle tissues were collected then prepared for sperm analysis. Results: sperm parameters significantly increased in experimental group in comparison to control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Since in our study 55mg.kg-1 (C.V) has significantly increased sperm population, motility and viability,it seems that using it in infertile patients has beneficial effects.

Background:In modern countries today, herbal medicines are known to help in the treatment of various diseases, as rich sources of antioxidants and minerals.Objectives:To study the effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) on spermatogenesis in rats.Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, Wistar male rats (n = 20) were divided into two groups, a control group (n = 10) and a Cinnamomum zeylanicum group (n = 10). The subjects in the cinnamon group received 75 mg/kg/day cinnamon by gavage for 28 days, while the controls received an equal volume of distilled water daily. Animals were kept in standardized conditions. On day 28, a 5 mL blood sample from each rat was taken from tail area to measure testosterone, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Testes were collected and were then prepared for sperm analysis by the WHO method.Results:Sperm quality parameters, total serum testosterone, SOD, CAT, and GPX levels were significantly increased in the cinnamon group in comparison to controls (P < 0.05). Also, rats in the cinnamon group showed a significant decrease in the level of plasma MDA (P < 0.05) in comparison to controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in testis weight (P > 0.05).Conclusions:The administration of 75 mg/kg/day cinnamon significantly increased the sperm population, motility and viability, which supports the theory that in mammalians, cinnamon has a beneficial effect on spermatogenesis.

Renal failure is described as a decrease in glomerular filtration rate. Biochemically, renal failure is typically detected by an elevated serum creatinine level. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effects of Allium cepa on renal failure in male rats which experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, RH strain. Wistar male rats (n=40) were allocated into four groups, group one received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip) (n=10), group two received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip) plus fresh onion juice by gavage method (n=10), group three received just fresh onion juice by gavage method (n=10) and control group (n=10) received nothing. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 30 day after inducing toxoplasma infection, 5 CC blood were collected for serum creatinine, BUN, protein, albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels. Kidney tissues of rat in whole groups were removed and prepared for analysis. Serum albumin and TAC were significantly decreased in group that was infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onion groups. Kidneys weights in toxoplasma group significantly decreased in comparison to control group (P<0.05). This study showed that T. gondii have significantly effect on serum creatinine, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), MDA and TAC and fresh onion juice returned and treated this harmful effect, so it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in toxoplasma infection.

IntroductionInfertility is defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse which involves 10%-15% of couples. Male factor is responsible for 40% of infertility cases. The leading cause of male infertility is impaired sperm production caused by various factors such as infections, genetic disorders, medications, aging, social and environmental factors (1-5). Oxidative damage due to free radicals is one of the major causes of idiopathic oligospermia, even with undesirable impact on the structure of sperm produces abnormal sperm. For example, in diabetic patients by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals of nitric oxide cause oxidative stress and thus result in testicular insufficiency through affecting spermatogenesis and estrogenic pathways (6-8). Varicocele which has been observed in 19% to 41% of infertile men is a common cause of male infertility (9-11). Increased levels of ROS and oxidative levels (oxidative stress) is one of the proposed mechanisms for impaired spermatogenesis. Vacuole formation in testis tissue is a sign of oxidative stress and is associated with aging which can be neutralized by antioxidants (12)(13)(14)(15). Lack of vitamin A, elements such as flavonoids, carnitine, folate, zinc and selenium and overall reduction of antioxidants in the diet can be one of the reasons for infertility especially oligospermia and asthenozoospermia in humans (16-18). Antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione, coenzyme Q10 and natural polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, strengthening blood-testis barrier and protecting and repairing sperm DNA, are effective in the treatment of male infertility (19-21). Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm insemination (ICSI) has solved many problems of infertility; however, due to high cost, they are not affordable by many of infertile couples. On the other hand, there are effective medications which are less expensive and available for a wide range of couples. The bioactive compounds in plant extracts are highly regarded because it is derived from natural sources and compatible with vital systems. Using herbal medicine to increase fertility and improve factors such as hormonal imbalance, oligospermia, low motility of sperm, prostatitis, varicocele, etc has been considered for a long time. Previous studies on laboratory animals indicated that plants such as Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum basilicum, Cinnamomum verum, Citrus sinensis' peel, Citrullus lanatus and Daucus carota' seeds as a rich source of Abstract Objectives: TNowadays, male infertility is one of the most common issues in the medical field and the main reason for it is impaired sperm production. Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs) used for treatment of infertile couples are too costly. Currently, using herbal medicine due to lower side effe...

Objective: Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities and helps to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and other sources. Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were allocated to four groups, a control group (n = 10) and three treatment groups (n = 30). The first treatment group received rosmarinic acid (5 mg/kg body weight) by gavage method, the second test group received rosmarinic acid (5mg/kg body weight) by gavage and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure at 50 Hz for 42 consecutive days, whilst the third test group just received EMF exposure for 42 consecutive days respectively; however, control group received 5cc Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) daily by gavage method. Results: In 42nd day of research, 5 cc blood was collected for testosterone level measurement from whole groups. The level of testosterone significantly increased in groups that received Rosmarinic acid (P<0.05). Conclusion: Since in our study administration of 5mg/kg Rosmarinic acid significantly have increasing effect on decreased testosterone that is caused by EMF, it seems that using Rosmarinic acid as food additive can be efficient for supporting people living in EMF environmental pollution.