Tehran University Medical Journal

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Obstructive cholestasis is associated with overproduction of endogenous opioids (EOP), nitric oxide (NO), and cytokins in the blood streams. Therefore we investigated the relationship between obstructive cholestasis and function of germ cells in adult male rats.
Material and Methods: To study this, we used three groups of animals: No-surgery, Sham-surgery, and surgical ligation of the bile duct. After 3 weeks all animal were killed by ether, serum concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone were determined by Radioimmunoassay, apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation detected by in situ terminal deoxynucloetidyl Transfrase-mediated dUTP nike end labeling (TUNEL).
Results: The mean of FSH level in cholestatic, control and sham groups were 13.22+ 1.038, 18.14+ 1.276, and 16.92+ 1.072 ng/ml, respectively. The mean of LH level in cholestatic, control and sham groups were 0.83 + 0.21, 2.058 ± 0.26, and 1.84 + 0.17 ng/ml, respectively. In addition, the mean of testosterone level in cholestatic, control and sham groups were 1.52 ± 0.16, 2.41 ± 0.18, and 2.31 + 0.14 ng/ml, respectively. The results of this study were indicated that serum FSH, LH and testosterone were significantly lower in cholestatic than control and sham groups (p=0.0195, P= 0.0029, and P=0.0023, respectively). However there was no significant difference in apoptotic index between all of groups (P=0.195). The apoptotic index in cholestatic, control and sham rats were 9.897± 1.374, 7.086 + 0.91, and 7.729 + 1.101, respectively.
Conclusion: These findings have been shown which as obstructive cholestasis was decreased the levels of serum gonadotropins and testosterone but it has no significant effector testicular germinal cells apoptosis.

 

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Background: Heroin is a simple derivative of morphine that is the most used drug in Iran among opioids. Its harmful effects on body organs have been studied. Considering the important effects on the genital system and fertility, studying the effects of heroin on testes seems to be necessary.     

Methods: In this study a total of 30 male mice (Balb/c) were selected and divided into 5 groups of control (Intact, sham I, sham II), experimental I and experimental II. After addiction of the experimental groups to heroin via intra peritoneal injection, the histological structures of testes were studied microscopically.

Results: Histological study of heroin on testes showed that the thickness of the basement membrane of the germinal epithelium and reduction in cell accumulation around some of the seminiferous tubules. Irregularity in spermatogonia, spermatocyte and spermatid, increased distance and degeneration in seminiferous tubules were observed. Increasing connective tissue between seminiferous tubules, decreased number of leydig cells, with a hypochromatic cytoplasm and reduction in their secretory granules, and congestion of testical tissue were also observed.

Conclusion: The results of this study show that heroin used in Iran can result in changes in the structure of testes. Consequently using heroin can influence the reproductive system.

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Background: Germ cell aplasia (G.C.A) is one of the most important testicular causes of infertility and azospermia.In this condition the seminiferous tubules are only lined by a single layer of sertoli cell. In some cases, there is focal area with spermatogenic activity.
Methods: We studied infertile men with G.C.A referred to Jahade Daneshgahi of Iran during 1381-82, retrospectively. All the cases had more than one biopsy of one testis.
Results: In 11.6٪ of 320 cases, comparison of multiple biopsy sites of a testis revealed: when one site showed G.C.A, another site revealed areas with spermatogenic activity. Considering the cases who showed germ cells in both sites, 15.3٪ of cases multiple biopsy sites appeared to have focal spermatogenesis, better maturation of germ cells or higher scoring area for urologic operation.
Conclusion: According to new techniques in treatment of infertility with ICSI (intra cytoplasmic sperm injection) in which fertility is possible with one spermatozoa or even spermatid (after recovery), biopsy of multiple sites instead of only one site is highly recommended in azospermic patient.

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Background: Achillea millefolium or yarrow is a native plant in Europe and Iran. Yarrow has been used as a medicine historically, mainly because of its astringent effects. It is reported to be associated with the treatment of several ailments. Nowadays use of plants for medical purpose has become very common. Achillea millefolium L, Yarrow, is being used in traditional and modern medicine due to various chemical compounds. Considering the importance of birth control, finding a drug with less side effects inhibiting spermatogenesis seems to be necessary. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Achillea millefolium L. on spermato-genesis of male wistar rats.
Methods: In this study, 32 adult male wistar rats were used. The animals were divided to four groups of eight rats. The first group, received 200 mg/kg Achillea millefolium L. interaperitoneally, the second and third groups received 400, 800 mg/kg Achillea millefolium L. interaperitoneally, respectively. In the fourth group (control) distilled water was administered. After 20 days, the rats were sacrificed and testis tissues were histologically evaluated.
Results: Comparing to control group, in the experimental groups received the high doses of the extract, thickening of seminiferous tubules basement membrane, loss of germinal epithelium and testicular hyperemia were demonstrated (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results, high concentrations of Achillea millefolium L. leaded to structural and spermatogenesis changes in testis tissue.

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Background: Infertility is one of the most serious social problems. Illicit drug use can be an important cause of male factor infertility. Kerack which its use is rising up in Iran refers to a high purity street-level heroin (heroin Kerack). Heroin Kerack used in Iran is an opioid and has harmful effects on body organs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Kerack used in Iran on fertility adult mice.
Methods: In this study, 25 male mice were divided into five groups (control, sham and three experimental). Experimental groups of Kerack-dependent mice (received ascend-ing dose of Kerack for seven days) were divided into three categories, experimental I, II and III. Experimental I was given Kerack at a dose of 5 mg/kg, experimental II 35 mg/kg and experimental III 70 mg/kg, intraperitoneally twice a day for a period of 35 days. The sham group received normal saline and lemon juice (2.6 µl/ml) whilst the control group just received water and food. Mice were then scarified and sperm removed from cauda epididymis were analyzed for sperm count, motility, morphology (normal/abnormal) and viability. Testes were also removed, weighed and processed for light microscopic studies.
Results: The results showed that fertility were significantly decreased in addicted mice compared with control groups (P≤0.05). Epididymal sperm parameters and thickness of seminiferous epithelium were significantly decreased in experimental groups (dose-dependent) compared with sham and control groups (P≤0.05). Gonadosomatic index was significantly reduced with high dose Kerack injected (70 mg/kg) in comparison with control testes (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: This study has shown the deleterious effects of Kerack used in addicted Iranian people on fertility for the first time. This effect is especially on epididymal sperm parameters in adult mice.

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Background: Researchers are always trying to find specific markers which express specifically in cancer. These specific markers help to diagnose and treat cancer without affecting normal tissues. Cancer-testis antigens are among the new promising biomarkers, especially for targeted therapy. These markers are specially expressed in testis. Various studies have been reported individual expression of these proteins in some tumor tissues. Since testis is an immune privilege organ, abnormal expression of the above mentioned genes raises immune response and the serum antibody against them (CT antigene) can be detected as a marker of cancer. However, understanding their differential role in normal and cancer tissues may introduce them as new candidates of cancer biomarkers. The aim of this study was to evaluate AKAP3 gene expression in breast cancer and its correlation with clinicopathologic features of the disease.

Methods: This study is a case-control study conducted at the Brest Cancer Research Center (BCRC)- Iran, between October 2014 to May 2016. AKAP3 gene expression was investigated with real-time PCR in breast samples including: 74 tumors, 73 normal adjacents and 15 normal tissues. On the other hand the correlation between gene expression, clinicopathologic features of the tumors and treatment regimen were evaluated.

Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between lack of AKAP3 expression, tumor size (P=0.01) and stage (P=0.04). The association between poor prognosis and the absence of AKAP3 expression in normal adjacent tissues were observed. Kaplan Meier plot showed a significant better disease free survival in the normal adjacent patients group that are expressed AKAP3.

Conclusion: It was observed that the better free survival in the normal adjacent group is because of the different AKAP3 expression, not treatment variations between two patient groups. As a result, AKAP3 can be a suitable candidate biomarker for breast cancer patients. Also, the study of gene expression in normal tissue of patients may be used to predict response to therapy.

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Background: Anode heel effect refers to reduction of radiation intensity in the anode side of X-ray tube. This variation in radiation intensity across the anode-cathode of X-ray tube can be benefited for decrease radiation exposure in some radiological examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anode heel orientation on the radiation dose received by the testes in male patients undergoing pelvic radiography.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at one of the teaching hospitals of Ahvaz, Jundishapur University of Medical Science Ahvaz, Iran, from September 2015 to March 2016. In order to measure the profile of radiation intensity variation, 13 paired sets of high radiosensitive cylindrical lithium fluoride thermo-luminescent dosimeters (TLD) aligned on the cathode-anode central axis upon the table and then irradiated using routine exposure parameters. The anode of X-ray tube was positioned toward the feet for 40 patients and toward the head for 39 patients undergoing pelvic radiography. For measure the entrance skin dose (ESD), 8 TLD chips were located on the central point of the radiation field and 5 TLDs were located on the testes position to measure the dose received.

Results: Radiation intensity profile showed that radiation intensity decrease from the cathode to the anode side. Discrepancy of radiation intensity on central axis of cathode-anode was calculated about 35%. The radiation dose received by the testes was 26.74% lower for patients the anode directed toward the feet, compared to the patients in which the anode directed toward the head (FTC: 1.260±0.296 mGy, FTA: 0.923±0.167 mGy, P<0.05). There was no meaningful difference for the measured ESD of pelvis between two groups of patients (FTC: 1.256±0.315 mGy, FTA: 1.195±0.205 mGy, P=0.788). Conclusion: In pelvic radiography, positioning of testes directed to the anode of X-ray tube can decrease the receive dose.