Testicular tissue and sex hormones are sensitive to the anabolic steroids (oxymetholone/OM) due to increased free radical damage and hormonal changes. The Nasturtium officinale L. have various antioxidant compounds. The aim of the present study was to investigate N. officinale effect on OM-induced oxidative injury in mouse testis and sperm parameters. Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into five groups, including control, OM (5 ml/kg) and three N. officinale doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/ kg) + OM. At the end of the study (40 days), serum luteinising hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, nitric oxide (NO) levels, ferric reducing ability of power (FRAP) and testis stereological factors were measured. The sperm parameters were evaluated. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) analysis was yielded a fingerprint of N. officinale phenolic constituents. 100 mg/kg of N. officinale extract significantly reduced the serum level of testosterone and a significant increase in LH and FSH in comparison with the control group. This dose also significantly improved the stereological factors and sperm parameters. 50 and 100 mg/kg of N. officinale extract significantly increased the testis tissue FRAP levels, and 100 doses reduced the serum levels of NO.Fourteen compounds and 34 peaks were identified in the extract with LC-ESI/MS. Nasturtium officinale extract has protective effects against testicular toxicity caused

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The Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is habitat in the Middle East countries and feed on pine acorns and other seeds. The present study was carried out to investigate the histological and volumetric features of the oesophagus in Persian squirrels. Five adult male Persian squirrels were included in the study. The cervical, thoracic and abdominal oesophagus of all subjects were processed routinely and sectioned in a serial manner. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus and its different layers were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. Histological assessment revealed a non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium lining the mucosa. No glands were seen in the lamina propria and submucosa. Lamina muscularis was present as a distinct layer of smooth muscle cells separating the lamina propria from the tunica submucosa. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct layers of striated muscle fibres: inner circular and outer longitudinal that was intermingled with few scattered smooth muscle fibres especially in the abdominal region. The thoracic region contained more amount of the lamina muscularis and tunica muscularis in comparison to the cervical or abdominal regions. The obtained results revealed that the histological structure of the Persian squirrel oesophagus has differences and similarities with other rodents and even with other species of squirrel. These findings would be useful to improve the knowledge in the areas of histological structure of the rodent digestive system.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility associated with metabolic complications. Several classes of pharmacological agents have been used to manage PCOS. These drugs have shown adverse effects. Various studies showed the bee pollen (BP) as a substance rich in phytoestrogens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BP and metformin alone and in combination with proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells in the rat model of PCOS. In this experimental study, 54 Wistar rats (180-210 g), was injected 2 mg of estradiol valerate intramuscularly and six rats were considered as control. After 60 days, the rats were divided into control, sham, and experimental groups. The rats were treated with bee pollen (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and metformin (300 mg/kg), either individually or in combination. Ovarian histology assessment was examined by H&E staining. The serum levels of NO and TNFα were evaluated. The expressions of P53 and Ki67 were measured by IHC. In the BP and metformin-treated PCOS group, the preantral and antral follicles increased, and cystic follicles significantly decreased (p < .01). The levels of TNFα, NO, as well as the expressions of Ki67 were decreased in the treated groups compared to the PCOS group (p < .01). On the contrary, apoptosis increased in the groups treated with BP compared to the untreated group (p < .01). BP individually or synergistically with metformin improved the symptoms of PCOS.

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