No abstract

The viscous nature of camel semen limits its processing, evaluation and preservation. Present study investigated the effect of Ficin enzyme on camel semen viscosity. Semen was collected using phantom and diluted with Shotor diluent. Following initial mechanical stirring (150 rpm for 5 min), semen sample was assigned into 2 groups (Ficin and Control), with three equal fractions for each group. Ficin was added at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml after 5 minutes initial stirring (Time 0). All samples were stirred for another 10, 20 and 30 min. At each time point, semen viability was assessed and the rest of the fraction was centrifuged at 600g for 7 min at 25°C. Semen viscosity was eliminated in all enzyme treated fractions. In all control tubes, pellet could not be separated from supernatant after 10 and 20 min; whereas, after 30 min, pellets were separated from supernatant in 50% of the samples. Treated samples displaced better total motility 20 and 30 min after adding Ficin (P<0.05). Progressive motility was also higher in treated group compared to control 20 min after adding Ficin (P<0.05). No detrimental effects on semen viability parameters were noticed following the addition of enzyme. In conclusion, Ficin could reduce semen viscosity without compromising sperm viability parameters in dromedary camel.

Objective: Male infertility secondary to exposure to gonadotoxic agents during reproductive age is a concerning issue. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effect of Loboob on sperm parameters.Methods: 55 healthy rats were selected, weighted and divided into five groups consisting of 11 rats each. The control group received no medication. Rats in Treatment Group 1 received 10mg/kg Busulfan and rats in Treatment Groups 2, 3, and 4 received 35,70 and 140 mg/kg Loboob respectively in addition to 10mg/kg Busulfan. Finally, the sperm parameters and weights of the rats were compared using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn-Bonferroni tests.Results: All sperm parameters and weights were significantly decreased among rats receiving Busulfan. All dosages of Loboob were effective to enhance the motility of slow spermatozoa, while only in the rats given 70 and 140 mg/kg of Loboob saw improvements in progressively motile sperm percentages (0.024 and 0.01, respectively). Loboob at a dosage of 140mg/kg improved sperm viability. It did not improve normal morphology sperm or decrease immotile sperm counts. Loboob did not affect mean rat weight.Conclusions: Loboob offered a dose-dependent protective effect on several sperm parameters in rats with busulfan-induced subfertility.