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Purpose: In this study the role of nicotine (NCT) administration on the intensity of rat testicular tissue alterations induced by quinine (QU) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Forty adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Control (CON), NCT administrat- ed (4 mg/kg) (NCT), QU treated (25 mg/kg for 7 days) (QU), and nicotine with quinine received (NCT+QU). After 28 days, serum testosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Testes and epididymides samples were prepared for determining tissue MDA levels, histomorphometry, microscopic indices of spermatogenesis, immunohistochemistry of p53 and sperm analysis. Results: Testosterone levels were decreased significantly (P = .0004) in treated groups compared to CON group. Serum MDA levels were increased significantly (P = .0004) in NCT and QU groups compared to CON group. Tis- sue MDA levels were increased significantly (P = .0012) in NCT+QU group in comparison to CON group. These parameters were changed significantly in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. Seminiferous tubules diameter decreased significantly (P < .0001) in treated groups compared to CON group and in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. The height of germinal epithelium decreased significantly (P = .0001) in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON and QU groups. The number of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids decreased significantly in treated groups compared to CON group. The number of spermatogonia decreased significantly (P = .0017) in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON group. The number of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes decreased significantly in NCT+QU group compared to QU group. All indices of spermatogenesis decreased in treated groups compared to CON group. The lowest mean of these indices was observed in NCT+QU group. The sperm viability decreased significantly (P < .0001) in treated groups compared to CON group. Sperm count and motility decreased significantly in NCT and NCT+QU groups compared to CON group. All experimen- tal groups showed the over-expression of p53 compared to CON group.

Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a species of squirrels in the Middle East. There is little information about the anatomy and histology of various organs of this species. Moreover, there are no practical data about the accessory male sex glands of this species of squirrel. In this study the anatomical, histological and histochemical properties of the male reproductive system accessory glands of Persian Squirrel was evaluated. Eight adult male squirrels were anesthetized and euthanized. The pelvic area was dissected and the male reproductive system was separated. The accessory sex glands were investigated for gross anatomical aspect. Samples were fixed in formaldehyde for histological and histochemical studies. The coagulating glands, prostate and bulbourethral glands were observed at gross anatomical level. A single heart-shape and compact prostate gland was situated on the dorsal side of pelvic urethra. Two small coagulating glands were observed on the cranio-dorsal side of prostate. Two large spiral shape bulbourethral glands were situated out of the pelvic cavity near the root of penis on both sides of anal area. Histologic studies revealed that all accessory sex glands were alveolar glands with cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The most positive reaction for PAS stain was observed in the trabeculae of glands. There was no positive reaction for lipids in glands stained with Oil red O and Sudan Black. Some anatomical differences were observed in the accessory sex glands of Persian Squirrel in comparison to other rodents, however the histology of glands was almost similar to other rodents., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 122, No 1 (2017)

Diabetic hyperglycemia has a direct association with microscopic changes of testicular tissue and spermatogenic alterations. Most of these changes are mediated with oxidative stress. Use of herbal and chemical glucose lowering drugs is an important way for reduction of diabetes related structural changes of target tissues. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Morus alba extract on the microscopic structure of testicular tissue following induction of diabetes. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Morus alba extract and metformin were administrated to various groups for period of 12 weeks. The blood glucose levels, pituitary gonadotropins and testosterone were measured. Histomorphometrical study and sperm analysis were performed for evaluation of the function of reproductive system. Reduction of body weight, pituitary gonadotropins and testosterone levels in diabetic groups, were improved after treatment. Decrease of spermatogenic indices was accompanied with the changes in histomorphology of seminiferous tubules. Moreover, the sperm analysis results were decreased in diabetic rats. These microscopic changes were enhanced after treatment in diabetic groups. The results of this study indicate that the administration of glucose lowering medical herbs only or in combination with chemical drugs, can preserve the positive effects in improvement of spermatogenic alterations related to diabetes. Keywords: Diabetes, Morus alba, rat, spermatogenesis

Objective(s) This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of diabetes on the structure and function of testicular tissue. Materials and Methods Diabetes was induced in male adult rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Body and testicular weight, hormonal analyses, histological and ultrastructural analyses were measured. Results The body and testicular weights were dropped significantly (P< 0.05) in diabetic rats in comparison with control rats. On the other hand, in diabetic rats, the blood glucose level increased significantly (P< 0.05). The blood plasma levels of testosterone, 17-β estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH were reduced in diabetic rats. Histomorphological studies were revealed reduction in diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium height, edema in interstitial tissue, germ cell depletion, decrease in cellular population and activity with disruption of spermatogenesis in diabetic rats. Ultrastructural study showed the mitochondrial change and reduction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in Sertoli and presence of lipid droplets in Leydig cells of diabetic rat’s testes. Conclusion The results of the present study confirmed that, the ultrastructural changes of Sertoli and Leydig cells, brought about by streptozotocin induced diabetes, because of the alterations in pituitary gonadotropins, and these changes influence the normal spermatogenesis in rats.

Various studies have confirmed toxic effects of monosodium glutamate in different organs. The review of literatures about influence of MSG on the male reproductive system shows the variety of tissue damages. Most of these changes mainly manifested by increased oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of herbal antioxidants (Morus Alba) on the tissue damages related to monosodium glutamate cytotoxicity. Forty-eight adult Wistar rats were divided into two control and experimental groups. Each group divided into short (14 days) and long term (28 days) group. Experimental group was subdivided into four subgroups. The experimental group was injected with MSG (4 mg/kg BW, i.p.). Morus Alba extract (100 mg/kg BW) was administrated to two MSG treated experimental subgroups. At the end of study, the right testis was processed for histological evaluation and the left one was processed for sperm analysis and morphometric studies. Decrease of spermatogenic indices was accompanied with the changes in histomorphology of seminiferous tubules in MSG treated groups. Moreover, the sperm analysis indices were decreased in MSG treated rats. These changes were more obvious in long term treatments. The administration of Morus Alba extract led to improvement in histologic and spermatogenic indices. The most observable improvement in tissue changes was obtained by long term treatment with Morus Alba extract. The present study suggests that the administration of Morus Alba extract can preserve the positive effects in reduction of testicular tissue alterations in Monosodium glutamate tissue toxicity. Keywords: Monosodium glutamate, Morus Alba, rat, spermatogenesis, testicular tissue