The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ashrasi date palm (ADP) on diabetes‐induced testicular injuries. Adult male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8 in each group): 1: control; 2: diabetic; 3: diabetic + 30 mg/kg of ADP extract; 4: diabetic + 90 mg/kg of ADP extract; and 5: diabetic + 270 mg/kg of ADP extract. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Testicular changes were assessed quantitatively using stereological method followed by measuring antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and serum testosterone level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Bcl‐2 expression were also evaluated in tissue samples. Diabetes resulted in significant deleterious alterations in the architecture of testicular tissue, suppressed antioxidant enzymes and testosterone levels and increased lipid peroxidation. The expression of Bcl‐2 was downregulated in diabetic testis and resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Eight weeks of ADP extract treatment especially at higher doses could markedly improve structural changes of testis and restore the antioxidant defence and testosterone levels in testicular tissue. In conclusion, this findings showed that ADP extract can play as a potent antioxidant and can attenuate the adverse effects of diabetes on male reproduction.

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.

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Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the blood glucose level is increased because of a lack of insulin production or a reduction in insulin sensitivity and function. 1 Diabetes causes injury to different organs and leads to their dysfunctions and failures. 2 One of the complications of diabetes can be disruption of reproductive system of men. 3 The metabolism of glucose is a key factor during