Cyclophosphamide (CTX) has been broadly used in the clinic for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and ovarian cancer. The process of chemotherapy has significant toxicity in the reproductive system as it has detrimental effects on folliculogenesis, which leads to an irreversible premature ovarian failure (POF).Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has positive impacts on the reproductive system due to its antioxidant properties, protecting the cells from free-radical oxidative damage and apoptosis. However, little is known about the possible synergistic effect of CTX and CoQ10 on the expression of genes involved in folliculogenesis, such as proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). A total of 32 NMRI mice were applied and divided into four groups, including healthy control, CTX, CTX + CoQ10, and CoQ10 groups. The effects of CoQ10 on CTX-induced ovarian injury and folliculogenesis were examined by histopathological and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. The rates of fertilization (in vitro fertilization), embryo development, as well as the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes after PMSG/HCC treatment were also assessed. Results showed that the treatment with CTX decreased the mRNA expression of PCNA and FSHR, IVF rate, and embryo development whereas the application of CoQ10 successfully reversed those factors.CoQ10 administration significantly enhanced histological morphology and decreased ROS levels and the number of atretic follicles in the ovary of CTX-treated mice. In conclusion, it seems that the protective effect of CoQ10 is exerted via the antioxidant and proliferative properties of this substance on CTX-induced ovarian damage.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a major component of various forms of tissue engineering. MSCs have self‐renewal and multidifferential potential. Osteogenic differentiation of MSCs is an area of attention in bone regeneration. One form of MSCs are adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs), which can be simply harvested and differentiated into several cell lineages, such as chondrocytes, adipocytes, or osteoblasts. Due to special properties, ASCs are frequently used in vitro and in vivo bone regeneration. Identifying factors involved in osteogenic differentiation of ASCs is important for better understanding the mechanism of osteogenic differentiation. Different methods are used to stimulate osteogenesis of ASCs in literature, including common osteogenic media, growth factors, hormones, hypoxia, mechanical and chemical stimuli, genetic modification, and nanotechnology. This review article provides an overview describing the isolation procedure, characterization, properties, current methods for osteogenic differentiation of ASCs, and their basic biological mechanism.

Objectives: The antioxidative role of Galega officinalis extract has been reported in several studies. However, this experimental study was designed in order to investigate the impacts of G. officinalis extract against parameters, such as histological, hormonal, and oxidative stress parameters, which were induced by ovarian torsion/detorsion. Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats (n = 28) were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham (G1), ovarian torsion for 3 hours then-after detorsion (G2 or TD), ovarian torsion-detorsion orally received 50 mg/kg extract of G. officinalis (G3 or TDGO), healthy rats orally received 50 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of G. officinalis (G4 or GO). Ten days after torsion-detorsion, rats were sacrificed and their ovaries, and their blood levels of hormones including estrogen and testosterone, as well as some oxidative stress markers were assayed. Results: The structure of ovaries in TD groups of the study showed a notable change compared to other groups. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and also estrogen significantly decreased in TD group, while treatment with G. officinalis could prevent from decreasing mentioned parameters. Furthermore, although torsion-detorsion led to increasing the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), it was decreased after administration of G. officinalis. Conclusions: Obtained results showed that G. officinalis could be useful in elevating the estrogen level, reducing the oxidative stress marker (i.e. MDA) and ovarian tissue damages induced by torsion-detorsion.

The current research aimed to assess the impacts of Minocycline on varicoceleinduced regulation of apoptotic-related genes and oxidative stress in the testis of adult Wistar rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, varicocele (VcI), varicocele treated with Minocycline (VcI + Mno) for 56 days and healthy rats treated with minocycline (Mno). After 8 weeks, the oxidative stress markers levels in serum were investigated, afterwards, the level of Bax and Bcl-2 expression were assessed through 'immunocytochemistry' and RT-qPCR assays. Also, the rate of apoptosis was evaluated through the TUNEL method. Johnson's score, 'the width of epithelium' and 'seminiferous tubules diameter' were ameliorated in the VcI + Mno group in comparison with the Vcl group. Administration of Minocycline raised the 'Glutathione peroxidase' and 'Superoxide dismutase' levels in serum and declined the Malondialdehyde level in serum (p = 0.001). Furthermore, current study represented that minocycline reduced Bax and enhanced the expression of Bcl-2 gene and protein in comparison with the Vcl group (p < 0.05). In addition, Minocycline administration significantly declined the rate of apoptosis in germ cells (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that the administration of Minocycline could improve testicular injury in varicocele-induced rats by its antioxidant activity.

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Objectives: The current study was conducted on adult male models to assess the impact of the Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extract on male fertility factors and oxidative stress after torsion/detorsion using the intrauterine insemination (IUI) method. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 56 adult male Wistar rats including 28 males and 28 females. The male subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of sham (G1), 4 hours of testicular torsion following a surgical torsion/detorsion (TD/G2), TD treated with the clove extract (4 mg/kg, orally/G3) 30 minutes before detorsion, and healthy subjects treated with the clove extract (4 mg/kg/G4). The levels of blood testosterone and some oxidative stress indices were investigated in the testis tissue. In addition, some sperm parameters were evaluated, including the concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm. Finally, the fertilization potential of adult female rats was assessed through the IUI method. Results: The histological evaluation revealed considerable adverse changes in the G2 in comparison with the sham group. The serum levels of testosterone, and glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase meaningfully reduced in the testis of rats in the G2. In addition, the malondialdehyde level was significantly higher during the ischemia although all the mentioned changes improved in the treated groups. Nonetheless, the sperm quality and fertility power considerably reduced in the G2 compared to the sham group. Conclusions: The results of the current experimental study demonstrated that the testicular torsion/detorsion has an adverse impact on the testis function and decreases the fertilization potential, and finally, treatment with the clove extract can improve these adverse changes.

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