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Background and purpose : Spinal cord injury at caudi equine region, would cause about 10-20% of vertebral column damages, which is followed by paraplegia, and most of the patients of such cases are in the age group of 16 to 30 years.
Materials and Methods : Ïn this study histological and morphological changes in Sprague-Daweley rat testies in the first, second and third week of spinal cord transsection was evaluated. Ïn the test group spinal cord was transsected at ta level. Ând in the control group, skin was cut but laminectomy and spinal cord transsection was not performed. Ïn a proposed time testies were taken out and after determining the weight and volume, fixation by Buin’s solution wasdone, to be abserved by light microscope. Âfter processing the samples, the histologic changes wereb determined by H&Ë, PÂS, masson’s trichorom and toloiudine blue staining techniques.
Results : The collected data indicales the following changes in the testies of the rats in the rats in the test group-Decline in the number of germ cells in epithelium of spermatogenic dact, decline in the percetage volume of spermotogenic dact, declibe in the volumic percentage of interstitial space, lack of changes in the number of sertoli cells, lack of changes in leydig cells and interestial tissue components, increase in the severity of above changesas time passes.
Çonclusion : Generally, it can be concluded that spinal cord transsection would cause changes in the normal activity of the testicular tissue and natural role of internal and external factors, and cases disorders in the process of spermatogenesis.

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Background and purpose: Imbalances in sex steroid hormone levels are strongly associated with diabetes and this may negatively impact upon sexual function. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of alcoholic extract of palm pollen (L.Phoenix dactylifera) on testosterone, LH and FSH levels in adult male diabetic rats. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty adult male Wistar rats (250±23 gr) were selected and randomly divided into three groups (n=10): (i) control (ii) diabetic and (iii) treatment. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p). The treatment group received 0.2 mg/kg alcoholic extract of pollen of Phoenix dactylifera daily (gavages) for four weeks. At the end of experiments, the rats were anesthetized by injection of pentobarbital sodium (60 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed. Blood samples were taken from the left ventricle and testicular tissues were weighed and prepared for histological examination upon removal. Blood serum was separated and immediately assayed for LH, FSH and testosterone by ELISA method. The comparisons were carried out using oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc Tukey test (package of SPSS, version 19) Results: The findings revealed that the mean of testosterone level in the diabetic group declined significantly (P<0.05) and testicular and epididymis weight in diabetic group significantly reduced in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, in the diabetic group, disintegration of tubular cells, vacuolization of spermatogonia cells were seen in most of seminiferous tubules. Also, spermatozoa were rarely seen in seminiferous tubules in comparison with control group.The LH and FSH level did not show any significant difference between groups. However, in treatment group, the testosterone level significantly increased in comparison with the diabetic group (P<0.05). Histopathological findings of the treatment group were similar to control group. Conclusion: According to the results, it is suggested that the extract of pollen of Phoenix dactylifera may improve and protect testis structure diabetic rats and may have a regulatory effect on diabetes-induced change of the level of testosterone hormone in diabetic male rats.

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Background and purpose: Diabetes mellitus affects male reproductive functions at multiple levels such as spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and sexual behaviors. The pleotropic protective roles of crocin in different pathological states have been reported, so, this study aimed at examining the protective effects of crocin on spermatogenesis in experimentally-induced diabetes in rats.
Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 18 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups; normal, diabetic, and crocin-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced using i.v. injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) and treatment group received i.p. injection of crocin (20 mg/kg/day) for 60 days. At the end of the test, we studied blood glucose level, sperm count, and testis weight, and histopathological assessment was also performed.
Results: Induction of diabetes enhanced blood glucose levels in diabetic group (229±11mg/dL) whereas crocin significantly decreased blood glucose levels of treated diabetic group (118±4mg/dL) compared with the diabetic group (P=0.001). Sperm number decreased considerably in diabetic group (19.4±24 million/mL vs. 4.4±10 million/mL) but crocin significantly increased that (10.3±14 million/mL), (P=0.037). Diabetes also developed histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules and led to reduction of testis weight in diabetic rats, whereas crocin diminished these damages.
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that crocin could protect male reproductive organ against diabetes and improve spermatogenesis in experimentally-induced diabetes in rat.
 
 

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Background and purpose: Previous studies have shown the adverse effects of aflatoxin G1 on testicular tissue and the process of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the expression of Cyclin D1, the estrogen receptor ERα and the levels of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue following exposure to AFG1.
Materials and methods: Twenty four mice were divided into four groups (n=6 per group); a control group (saline) and three treatment groups to receive AFG1 for 7, 15, and 28 days intraperitoneally. Histopathological changes caused by this toxin along with the expression of Cyclin D1 and Erα, as well as Nitric oxid (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in testicular tissue were measured.
Results: The expression of Cyclin D1 in testicular tissue in AFG1 receiving groups increased in a time-dependent manner and the expression of ERα decreased in testicular tissue in AFG1 receiving groups (P<0.05). Also, AFG1 decreased the level of SOD in testicular tissue in a time-dependent manner and increased the levels of MDA and NO. Atrophy of the seminiferous tubules and extensive intercellular edema were seen in treatment groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: AFG1 disrupts the process of cell division by atrophy of spermatozoa tubules in testicular tissue. It also reduced the expression of ERα receptors and increased the expression of Cyclin D1 along with decreasing the level of SOD in testicular tissue and increased MDA and NO levels. These factors can cause disorders in the process of spermatogenesis.