have mentioned that infertility in 30% to 80% of men was related to the high level of ROS (4,6,7). Oxidative stress (OS) was found to damage the reproductive system and sperm, and therefore result in reducing sperm motility, lipid peroxidation, and oocyte-sperm fusion in addition to increasing the DNA damage (4). ROS, as stated by several studies, had considerable effects on spermatogenesis and sperm function. They reported that overproduction of ROS had harmful effects on motility, morphology, and concentration of sperm and that it caused sperm DNA damage and apoptosis (4,7-9). Testicular torsion, which occurs due to rotation of testicles, is a pathologic condition that leads to acute scrotal pain. According to the reports, although testicular torsion can be observed in any age group, its peak incidence usually occurs in young males aged 13-16 years. Moreover, it is estimated that 4.5 per 100 000 males within the age range of 1-25 years suffer from spermatic cord torsion (10). Furthermore, as pointed out by some studies, the degree and duration of Abstract Objectives: In this experimental study, a testicular torsion/detorsion model was used in male rats to investigate the effect of onion juice on male fertility factors and rate of pregnancy by intrauterine insemination (IUI). Materials and Methods: A total of 56 Wistar rats (28 males vs. 28 females) were included in this study. Male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham, testicular torsion/detorsion, testicular torsion/detorsion treated with onion juice (40 mg/kg, orally) 30 minutes before detorsion, and those rats that were only treated with onion juice. Treatment with onion juice was continued for 14 days after detorsion. At the end of the study, following anesthesia with ketamine/xylazine (5/1 mg/kg), levels of testosterone hormone as well as some oxidative stress markers in the blood serum of the male rats were analyzed. Furthermore, sperm parameters were assayed, and then fertility power of the male rats was investigated in the adult female rats using IUI method. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significantly negative change in TD group in terms of histological parameters while they were decreased in treated groups. On the one hand, although serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased in TD group, other oxidative markers' (i.e., glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) serum levels and also testosterone hormone significantly decreased, on the other as compared to the other groups. In addition, the rate of sperm parameters and pregnancy presence were lower in TD group than those of other groups. However, onion juice as a treatment factor could improve the sperm quality and fertility power. Conclusions: The obtained results revealed that using onion juice could enhance the quality of sperm and fertility power after testicular torsion/detorsion.

Background: Diabetes rats have been linked to reproductive dysfunction and plant medicine has been shown to be effective in its treatment. Antioxidants have distinctive effects on spermatogenesis, sperm biology and oxidative stress, and changes in anti-oxidant capacity are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes mellitus. Ginger and cinnamon are strong anti-oxidants and have been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the long-term treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in animal models. The present study examined the influence of combined ginger and cinnamon on spermatogenesis in STZ-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Animals (n = 80) were allocated randomly into eight groups, 10 each: Group 1: Control rats given only 5cc Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) daily;Group2: rats received ginger (100mg/kg/rat) daily; Group 3: rats received cinnamon (75mg/kg) daily; Group 4: rats received ginger and cinnamon, (100mg/kg/rat ginger and 75mg/kg cinnamon) daily; Group 5: Diabetic control rats received only normal saline. Group 6: Diabetic rats received 100mg/kg/day ginger; Group 7: Diabetic rats received 75mg /kg/ day cinnamon; Group 8: Diabetic rats received ginger and cinnamon (100mg/kg/day and 75mg/kg /day). Diabetes was induced with 55 mg/kg, single intra-peritoneal injection of STZ in all groups. At the end of the experiment (56th day), blood samples were taken for determination of testosterone, LH,FSH, total anti-oxidant capacity, and levels of malondialdehyde, SOD, Catalase and GPX. All rats were euthanized, testes were dissected out and spermatozoa were collected from the epididymis for analysis. Results: Sperm numbers, percentages of sperm viability and motility, and total serum testosterone increased in ginger and cinnamon and combined ginger and cinnamon treated diabetic rats compared with control groups. Serum testosterone, LH and FSH were higher compared to control group and also serum anti-oxidants (TAC, SOD, GPX and catalase) all were increased at the end of treatment. Combined ginger and cinnamon showed more intense increase in all parameters compare to ginger and cinnamon alone. Most of the results were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:We concluded that combined ginger and cinnamon have significant beneficial effects on the sperm viability, motility, and serum total testosterone, LH,FSH and serum anti-oxidants' level and could be effective for maintaining healthy sperm parameters and male reproductive function in diabetics.

Background:The aim of this study was to design and assess the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) on preantral follicle culture of mouse ovaries in a three-dimensional culture system.Methods:Isolated preantral follicles were randomly divided into three main groups: the control group containing 10% fetal bovine serum without MC extract (G1), the first experimental group supplemented with 25 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G2), and the second experimental group supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G3).Results:After 12 days of culture, the survival rate (P < 0.05), antrum formation (P < 0.01), metaphase two oocytes (P < 0.01), and the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05) and FSHR (P < 0.05) genes significantly decreased in G3 as compared with G1. On the other hand, at the last day of culture (day 12), the mean diameter of follicles cultured in the medium which was supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile significantly decreased as compared with the G1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone hormones significantly increased in the medium of G3 relative to G1 (P < 0.01), while in the medium of G1, the level of 17β-estradiol was significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.01). Reactive oxygen species levels of metaphase II oocytes were significantly decreased in G2 as compared with G1 (P < 0.01).Conclusion:Adding chamomile extract to culture media appeared to decrease follicular function and development.

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This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal mixture (Mentha spicata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Citrus sinensis) only and along with clomiphene citrate (CC) compared to CC on serum antioxidants, glycemic status, menstrual regulation, and rate of pregnancy. This single-blind randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 infertile participants with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) willing to be pregnant. They were randomly allocated into group 1 (n = 20) who received routine dose of CC pills (50–150 mg) for three menstrual cycles from the fifth day of menstruation for five days; group 2 (n = 20) who consumed herbal mixture daily (700 mg); and group 3 (n = 20) who used up herbal mixture along with CC for 3 months. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured in their blood samples. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. After intervention, however, the levels of CAT in group 2 (adjusted mean difference (aMD): = 9.0; confidence interval (CI) 95% = 1.1–16.9) and group 3 (aMD = 12.2; CI 95% = 4.5–19.9), GPx in group 2 (aMD = 986.1; CI 95% = 141.1–1831.1) and group 3 (aMD = 1781.2; CI 95% = 960.7–2601.8), and SOD in group 2 (aMD = 55.1; CI 95% = 26.0–84.2) increased. While FBS in group 3 (aMD = −8.7; CI 95% = −14.7 to −2.7), insulin in group 2 (aMD = −5.6; CI 95% = −10.8 to −0.4), and HOMA-IR in group 2 (aMD = −1.3; CI 95% = −2.4 to −0.2) significantly decreased compared to the group 1. To summarize, herbal mixture supplements along with CC have beneficial effects on serum antioxidant levels, as well as glycemic biomarkers of infertile PCOS, menstrual regulation, and pregnancy rate.

IntroductionIn recent years, there has been an increase in the attention paid to safety effects, environmental and society’s health, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), and radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). The aim of this research was to determine the effect of EMF on the alteration of ovarian follicles.MethodsIn this experimental study at Tabriz Medical University in 2015, we did EMF exposures and assessed the alteration of rats’ ovarian follicles. Thirty three-month old rats were selected randomly from laboratory animals, and, after their ages and weights were determined, they were divided randomly into three groups. The control group consisted of 10 rats without any treatment, and they were kept in normal conditions. The second group of rats was influenced by a magnetic field of 50 Hz for eight weeks (three weeks intrauterine and five weeks ectopic). The third group of rats was influenced by a magnetic field of 50 Hz for 13 weeks (three weeks intrauterine and ten weeks ectopic). Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde and cleared with Xylol and embedded in paraffin. After sectioning and staining, samples were studied by optic microscopy. Finally, SPSS version 17, were used for data analysis.ResultsEMF radiation increased the harmful effects on the formation of ovarian follicles and oocytes implantation. Studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields on ovarian follicles have shown that the nuclei of the oocytes become smaller and change shape. There were significant, harmful changes in the groups affected by electromagnetic waves. Atresia of ovarian follicles was significantly significant in both study groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionExposure to electromagnetic fields during embryonic development can cause morphological changes in oocytes and affect the differentiation of oocytes and folliculogenesis, resulting in decreased ovarian reserve leading to infertility or reduced fertility.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of Cinnamomum verum, Mentha spicata, Zingiberene officinal on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatment. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Clinicaltrial.gov, and for Persian articles SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex were searched without any time limitation. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) consisting 668 women were entered in the meta-analysis. Significant differences in fasting blood sugar (FBS; weighted mean difference (WMD)=-3.69 mg/dL, 95% CI: -6.67 to -0.7, P=0.02; 241 participants), fasting insulin (WMD=-4.53 µIU/mL, 95% CI: -6.45 to -2.61, P<0.001;183 participants), triglyceride (TG; WMD=-17.97 mg/ dL, 95% CI: -30.51 to -5.43, P=0.005;183 participants), total cholesterol (TC; WMD=-14.60 mg/dL, 95% CI: -22.93 to -6.26, P=0.0006; 183 participants), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL; WMD=-16.58 mg/dL, 95% CI -23.91 to -9.24, P<0.001; 183 participants), malondialdehyde (MDA; WMD=-0.25 nmol/ml, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.09, P<0.002;124 participants), total testosterone (TT; WMD=-0.18 ng/mL, 95% CI -0.27 to -0.09, P<0.001; 116 participants), free testosterone (FT; WMD=-5.47 pg/mL, 95% CI -8.34 to -2.61, P=0.0002;78 participants) were obtained by using cinnamon alone and herbal mixture containing cinnamon in comparison to control. Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that cinnamon alone and herbal mixture containing cinnamon improve level of FBS, fasting insulin, TG, TC, LDL, MDA, TT, and FT serum level.

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of a herbal mixture (i.e., Mentha spicata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Citrus sinensis) alone and in combination with clomiphene citrate (CC) compared to CC on the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Material and methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 infertile participants with PCOS who were randomly divided into three groups. After spontaneous or progestin-induced withdrawal bleeding, group 1 (n = 20) received routine treatment with CC (50-150 mg) for three menstrual cycles from the 3 rd to 5 th day of menstruation for 5 days while group 2 (n = 20) and group 3 (n = 20) received herbal mixture capsules 700 mg/day and the herbal mixture along with CC for 3 months, respectively. Finally, several related parameters were measured, including the level of sex steroids, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile (primary outcomes), thyroid hormones, and clinical features. The analysis was based on intention-to-treat analysis. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. However, after adjustment for baseline, luteinizing hormone (aMD = 4.9; 95% CI: 3.7-6.2), luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (aMD = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.7-1.2), total testosterone (aMD =-0.12; 95% CI:-0.2 to-0.01) in group 2 and free testosterone (aMD =-6.0; 95% CI:-9.7 to-2.3) in group 3 revealed a significant difference compared to group 1. In addition, HOMA-IR in group 2 (aMD =-1.3; 95% CI:-2.4 to-0.2) decreased significantly compared to group 1. Further, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly