We may conclude that co-administration of zinc and folic acid significantly improved sperm parameters and increased varicocelectomy outcomes. So, medical treatment with compatible drugs after surgery might be advantageous for obtaining acceptable results.

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Purpose During laboratory manipulations, oocytes and embryos are inevitably exposed to suboptimal conditions that interfere with the normal development of embryos. Materials and methods In this study, we examined the effects of antioxidants, feeder cells and a conditioned medium on embryo development and cleavage rate following exposure of the embryos to suboptimal conditions. We exposed mouse two-cell embryos to visible light and divided them into four groups: control (E-ctr), co-culture (Co-c), conditioned medium (Cndm) and antioxidant-plus medium (Aopm). We used human umbilical cord matrixderived mesenchymal cells for co-culture. A group of embryos was not exposed to visible light and served as the non-exposed control (NE-ctr) group. ResultsThe developmental rate was higher in NE-ctr embryos than in the E-ctr group. Exposed embryos in the various groups showed a comparable developmental rate at different stages. Blastomere number significantly increased (P<0.05) in the Co-c and Aopm groups compared with the E-ctr and Cndm groups. No significant difference was observed between the Co-c and Aopm groups. Conclusions Our data indicate that in suboptimal conditions, antioxidants could improve the embryo cleavage rate in the same way as feeder cells. Antioxidants probably improve embryo quality through their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Spermatogonial cells (SCs) are key cells for spermatogenesis. These cells are affected by paracrine signals originated from nearby somatic cells, among them Leydig cells have receptors for osteocalcin, a hormone known for exerting positive roles in the promotion of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate roles for osteocalcin on SCs proliferative and differentiation features after coculture with Leydig cells. SCs and Leydig cells were isolated from neonate NMRI offspring mice and adult NMRI mice, respectively. SCs population were then enriched in a differential attachment technique and assessed for morphological features and identity. Then, SCs were cocultured with Leydig cells and incubated with osteocalcin for 4 weeks. Evaluation of proliferation and differentiation‐related factors were surveyed using immunocytochemistry (ICC), Western blot, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, the rate of testosterone release to the culture media was measured at the end of 4th week. Morphological and flow cytometry results showed that the SCs were the population of cells able to form colonies and to express ID4, α6‐, and β1‐integrin markers, respectively. Leydig cells were also able to express Gprc6α as a specific marker for the cells. Incubation of SCs/Leydig coculture with osteocalcin has resulted in an increase in the rate of expressions for differentiation‐related markers. Levels of testosterone in the culture media of SCs/Leydig was positively influenced by osteocalcin. It could be concluded that osteocalcin acts as a positive inducer of SCs in coculture with Leydig cells probably through stimulation of testosterone release from Leydig cells and associated signaling.

Mouse 2-cell embryos could tolerate minor pH fluctuations, but that major pH changes affect subsequent development. Besides, feeder cells could improve embryo development, especially when embryos are prone to rise or fall in pH.

Background: Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is widely used in cell culture laboratories, risk of zoonotic infections and allergic side effects create obstacles for its use in clinical trials. Therefore, an alternative supplement with proper inherent growthpromoting activities is demanded. Objective: To find FBS substitute, we tested human umbilical cord blood serum (hUCS) for proliferation of human umbilical cord matrix derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (hBMMSCs). Materials and Methods: Umbilical cord blood of healthy neonates, delivered by Caesarian section, was collected and the serum was separated. hUC-MSCs and hBM-MSCs were isolated and characterized by assessment of cell surface antigens by flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation potential. The cells were then cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) by conventional methods in three preparations: 1-with hUCS, 2-with FBS, and 3-without serum supplements. Cell proliferation was measured using WST-1 assay, and cell viability was assessed by trypan blue staining. Results: The cells cultured in hUCS and FBS exhibited similar morphology and mesenchymal stem cells properties. WST-1 proliferation assay data showed no significant difference between the proliferation rate of either cells following hUCS and FBS supplementation. Trypan blue exclusion dye test also revealed no significant difference for viability between hUCS and FBS groups. A significant difference was detected between the proliferation rate of stem cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium compared with serum-free medium. Conclusion: Our results indicate that human umbilical cord serum can effectively support proliferation of hBM-MSCS and hUC-MSCs in vitro and can be used as an appropriate substitute for FBS, especially in clinical studies.

It is well established that maternal lifestyle during pregnancy and lactation affects the intrauterine programming of F1 offspring. However, despite the co-use of alcohol and nicotine is a common habit, the effects of exposure to both substances on the reproductive system of F1 male offspring and the underlying mechanisms of developmental programming have not been investigated. The present study aimed to examine pre- and postnatal concurrent exposure to these substances on genetic and epigenetic alterations of sperm cells as well as testis properties of F1 offspring compared with exposure to each substance alone. Pregnant dams in the F0 generation randomly received normal saline, nicotine, ethanol, and combinations throughout full gestation and lactation periods. Sperm cells and testes of F1 male offspring were collected at postnatal day 90 for further experiments. High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation were observed in all exposed offspring. Regarding epigenetic alterations, there was a significant increase in the relative transcript abundance of histone deacetylase 1 and 2 in all exposed sperm cells. Moreover, despite a decrease in the expression level of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 3A, no marked differences were found in the expression levels of DNMT1 and 3B in any of the exposed sperm cells compared to non-exposed ones. Interestingly, combined exposure had less prominent effects relative to exposure to each substance alone. The changes in the testicular and sperm parameters were compatible with genetic and epigenetic alterations. However, MDA level as an oxidative stress indicator increased in all exposed pups, which may be responsible for such outputs. In conclusion, maternal co-exposure to these substances exhibited epigenotoxicity effects on germline cells of F1 male offspring, although these effects were less marked relative to exposure to each substance alone. These counteracting effects may be explained by cross-tolerance and probably less impairment of the antioxidant defense system.

Objective Herbal medicines and the use of these drugs in treating and preventing of certain diseases in the world and Iran have increased dramatically. Teucrium polium, one of the plants that has been used in traditional medicine nearly 2,000 years ago belongs to Labiatae family and is used as a diuretic, tonic, antipyretic, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic, carminative and an antibacterial agent. Methods Information of this article has collected from the database of PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus. Results The effects of T. polium on the liver, kidney, stomach, brain has investigated and antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects of this agent, has introduced. Several studies revealed that T. polium has a hypoglycemic effect and can help to control blood sugar. In addition, due to the undeniable effects of this plant against cancer cells, it can be considered as a natural resource, for the treatment of cancer. Conclusion This review investigates multiple properties of T. polium.