H.A Abdel-Rahman

The effect of aqueous extracts of Cynomorium coccineum and Withania somnifera on testicular development in immature Wistar rats

The effect of lyophilized aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum and Withania somnifera on testicular development and on serum levels of testosterone, ICSH and FSH was studied in immature male Wistar rats. There was a notable increase in testicular weight of animals treated with both extracts. Histological examination revealed an apparent increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of seminiferous tubular cell layers in the testes of treated rats as compared with control ones. Extracts of both plants elicited notable spermatogenesis in immature rats but C. coccineum was more effective than W. somnifera in that respect. Serum testosterone and FSH levels were lower in animals treated with plants extracts than controls, whereas ICSH levels was higher in treated animals, specially in those treated with C. coccineum. It was concluded that extracts of both plants have a direct spermatogenic influence on the seminiferous tubules of immature rats presumably by exerting a testosterone-like effect.

Nephroprotective Action of Phoenix dactylifera in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity

Abstract We investigated the effect of an extract of the flesh and pits of dates [Phoenix dactylifera. L (Arecaceae or Palmae)] on gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity in rats. The animals were given either the date flesh extract mixed with the food (50% w/w) or the pits extract mixed in the drinking water (2:1 w/v), and GM (80 mg kg−1 day−1 intramuscularly for 6 days) was injected during the last 6 days of treatment. Other groups of rats were given GM concomitantly with the date flesh extract or the date pits extract at the above doses. GM treatment significantly increased the plasma concentrations of creatinine and urea and induced a marked necrosis of the renal proximal tubules. The date flesh and pits were effective in significantly reducing the increases in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations induced by GM nephrotoxicity and ameliorating the proximal tubular damage. Antioxidant components in the date (e.g., melatonin, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid) were suggested to be the basis of the nephroprotection.

Use of a new computerized system for evaluation of spermatozoal motility and velocity characteristics in relation to fertility levels in dromedary bulls

Three ejaculates from each of 14 dromedary bulls were collected at 7-day intervals and diluted to 50 x 10 (6) spermatozoa per ml with sodium citrate (2.9%) seminal extender. Spermatozoal concentrations, motility percentages and velocity measures were evaluated by a new computerized cell motion analyzer (CMA, medical Technologies Montreux SA, Switzerland) for assessing fertility rates in such animals. Greatest variability in concentrations and motility percentages was generally attributed to animal effect within the first ejaculate. Spermatozoal concentrations and kinematic variables in particular percentages of progressive motility, amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and linearity (LIN) percentage were strongly correlated (P<0.01) with fertility rates of dromedary bulls. The CMA-derived measurements of velocity straight line (VSL), velocity curve line (VCL), and velocity averaged line (VAP) were significantly affected by the type of spermatozoal tracks. The present results evidenced that the CMA is a reliable system for determining spermatozoal concentrations, motility percentages and velocity measures and is considered as an accurate and rapid method for evaluating and predicting fertility in the one-humped camel bulls.

The relationship between semen quality and mineral composition of semen in various ram breeds.

Semen was collected during the breeding season from rams by electroejaculation from two native (13 Najdi and 8 Naemi) and three imported (6 Merino, 7 Somalian and 9 Sudanese) sheep breeds. There was a marked reduction in sperm concentration and the percentage live spermatozoa (p<0.01) produced by the Somalian (Barbari) and Sudanese (Sawakni) breeds. On the other hand, these two breeds showed the highest percentage of spermatozoal individual motility (p<0.05) and the highest concentrations of sodium (Na) chloride (Cl) and inorganic phosphorus (P) in the whole semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Superior sperm density, percentage live spermatozoa and seminal concentrations of potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) were evidenced in the Najdi, Naemi and to a lesser extent, in the Merino rams. The biological effects of these inorganic constituents, together with magnesium (Mg), in the semen on semen quality should be considered in the interpretation of the results obtained in the fertility evaluation of the various ram breeds.

Age-related changes in plasma testosterone concentrations and genital organs content of bulk and trace elements in the male dromedary camel.

There is a paucity of information regarding the influence of plasma testosterone concentrations and inorganic cations secreted in the different seminal fractions on the spermatozoon activity throughout the reproductive life of the one-humped camels. To demonstrate these relationships, the genital organs of 12 prepubertal (<3 years), 9 peripubertal (3-<5 years), 16 mature (5-<15 years) and 15 aged (>/=15 years) camels were collected from the Buraidah slaughter house (Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia) during two consecutive breeding seasons (November-April) over 2 years. Plasma testosterone concentrations (mean+/-S.E.) did not exceed 1.4 ng/ml in prepubertal animals with a 3-4 fold increase in peripubertal (3.2+/-0.4 ng/ml) and mature (4.8+/-0.6 ng/ml) camels followed by about 50% decrease (2.6+/-0.3 ng/ml) in aged ones. These hormonal changes were correlated significantly with concentrations of certain elements in the testes (highest Na, Ca and Cu contents), epididymides (highest P and Fe contents), prostate (highest Zn content), and bulbo-urethral glands (highest K and Mg contents). The significance of some interrelationships among the different cations and their biological effects on sperm production and metabolic activity were discussed.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Licorice in Rat Liver Injury Models

ABSTRACT The hepatoprolective activity of a water extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. was studied against CCI4 induced, acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver damage was assessed by estimating serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G ratio. Pre- and post-treatment with licorice extract showed a dose-dependent reduction of CCI4-induced elevated serum levels of enzyme activity with parallel increase in total protein and albumin levels, indicating the licorice could preserve the normal functional status of the liver.

Some studies on nutritional muscular dystrophy in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia: Effect of administration of Vitamin E–selenium preparation to pregnant ewes on serum muscle-specific enzymes in their lambs

The prophylactic effect of parentral administration of a single dose of Vitamin E-selenium preparation given to pregnant ewes during the last third of pregnancy for protection against nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) in their lambs was studied. Based on determination of serum muscle-specific enzymes in the lambs, it was found that administration of Vitamin E-selenium preparation to pregnant ewes from a flock with a known history of NMD was associated with a significant decrease in serum muscle-specific enzymes levels in their lambs when compared with those from non-treated dams in the same flock. It was also observed that serum muscle-specific enzyme levels in lambs from non-treated dams in the flock with a known history of NMD were significantly higher than those in lambs from non-treated dams in a flock with no history of NMD (control group). The serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level was significantly higher in lambs of treated dams as compared to lambs from the control group, but no significant differences were seen between the two groups of lambs for the other serum muscle-specific enzymes measured. No lambs from the treated group showed clinical signs of NMD up through the time of weaning. It is concluded that administration of Vitamin E-selenium preparation to pregnant ewes in a flock with a known history of NMD was effective in preventing NMD in their lambs.

Interrelationships between the blood coagulation profile and plasma concentrations of progesterone, oestradiol-17β and cortisol throughout pregnancy and around parturition in sheep.

Thirty-two pregnant ewes (Saudi breeds) selected during 1998 and 1999, were studied throughout the whole gestational length and around parturition. Concentrations (mean± S.E. ) of plasma progesterone (3·9±0·28 ng/ml), oestradiol-17β (20·5±2·33 pg/ml) and cortisol (4·8±0·58 ng/ml) remained fairly constant throughout the early stages of pregnancy. Characteristic changes in these steroids were evident during the prepartal period involving a steady decrease in plasma progesterone beginning 8 days before parturition; a remarkably consistent increase in oestradiol-17β 4–6 days prior to delivery, peaking in excess of 250 pg/ml at the birth day; and a fivefold increase to 23·7±2·12 ng/ml in plasma cortisol 2 days preceding delivery, showing a large increase during the day of lambing. The timing of the marked reduction in the platelet count and the coagulation screening tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT), during the prepartal period, were significantly correlated with the temporal changes in the circulating steroid hormone concentrations. The results suggest that the characteristic prepartal hormonal changes might provide the basis for shifting the fairly balanced coagulable state throughout gestational periods to a mild to moderate degree of hypercoagulability during parturition which is needed to limit the possible intra- and post-partum uterine haemorrhage.