HighlightsLead acetate reduced the sperm cell concentration, increased sperm abnormalities and decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in male rats.Addition of cinnamon to lead acetate enhanced the viability of the spermatozoa, preserved the sperm cell concentration and improved the level of SOD and catalase activities.The expression of androgen receptor was reduced in testis of lead treated rats associated with increased the level of caspase-3 expression.Cinnamon exhibited protective effect on reproductive system by inhibiting lead acetate induced oxidative stress and excessive cell apoptosis.

Keeping in mind the beneficial effects of GTE administration on liver damage, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of green tea extract (GTE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injuries in male hamsters for 8 weeks. Twenty hamsters were equally divided into 4 groups, the control ones (group I) received only dis. water. Hamsters of group II had free access to 10% of GTE, while hamsters of group III received 1 ml/kg of 50% CCl4 in corn oil via gavage daily. Hamsters of group IV (GTE + CCl4) received a free access to GTE supplementation in combination with 1 ml/kg of 50% CCl4 in corn oil via gavage daily. Lipid profile, hepatic enzyme levels and apoptosis molecular marker (p53) were investigated in hamsters. GTE + CCl4 treated hamsters showed lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) than CCl4 exposed hamsters. Hepatic activity levels of GSH, ALD and cytochrome 450 reductase were declined after CCl4 administration while they were remarkably improved with GTE administration. Serum lipid profiles as T-cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were improved in GTE and CCl4 treated hamsters than CCl4 group. Moreover, hepatic tissue damage and p53 expression induced with CCl4 were improved with the treatment of GTE. These results suggested that GTE possesses hepatoprotective properties against the effect of CCl4.

This study was carried out to investigate the adverse effects of different doses of Cadmium Chloride (CdCl 2) on reproductive functions in male rats. Forty male albino rats weighted 100-130 g were equally divided into 4 groups. The control group received distilled water throughout the experimental period, while the three treated groups received 5, 50 and 100 ppm of CdCl 2 in drinking water for consecutive 100 days. At Day 100, all rats were sacrificed and immediately the reproductive organs were dissected and the relative weight of each organ was estimated. The epididymis was treated for estimation of sperm concentration and sperm abnormalities. Section of the testis was kept in 10% formalin saline for histopathology. The relative weight of the testis of treated rats was reduced compared to that in control rats but not reach to a significant difference. The weights of epididymis, seminal and prostate glands were significantly (p<0.001) decreased particularly in rats received 100 ppm of CdCl 2. Moreover, the sperm concentration was significantly (p<0.001) declined in treated rats in dose dependent manner, while the number of abnormal sperms was significantly (p<0.01) increased in rats treated with 50 and 100 ppm of CdCl 2. In rats received 100 ppm of CdCl 2 , the diameter of the seminiferous tubules was markedly reduced compared to that in control rats. Additionally, multinucleated giant cells as well as sloughing of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules were observed in testes of rats received 100 ppm of CdCl 2. In conclusion, administration of CdCl 2 for 100 days in drinking water even in low doses could adversely affect the reproductive functions in male rats.

Graphical abstract

Information on the effects of phytoestrogens on animals has increased recently; however, there were only few studies on prenatal exposure on cellular immune response. Pregnant rats were assigned to 3 groups (12 rats per group), the first was fed control diet, the second was fed low-dose (6.5 g/100 g of diet) soy isoflavones, while the third was fed high-dose (26 g/100 g of diet) soy isoflavones. The female offspring cell-mediated immune response was determined using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) injection, and intumesce index was calculated on postnatal day 50. After 24 hours of PHA injection, blood samples were collected for tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin (IL)-12 determination. Spleen, thymus, and PHA-injected footpads were fixed for histopathology. Intumesce index was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in rats' offspring born from dams fed low- and high-dietary soy isoflavones than that in control groups. Thymic relative weights in offspring of rats fed high-dietary soy isoflavones showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease compared to that in the control group. Female offspring where low and high-dietary soy isoflavones were fed to their dams showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in IFN-γ and IL-12 than that in control ones. Spleen of rats born from dams fed high dose of dietary soy isoflavones showed lymphocytic depletion in white pulp. Taking together, it is clear that dietary soy isoflavones at prenatal period had immunosuppressive effect on female offspring after PHA stimulation. This effect was mediated through reduced IFN-γ that interplayed in IL-12 production pathway thus reducing its level.