Histopathological effects of short and long-term treatment of Orchis antolica crude root extract on female albino rats fertility and pregnancy

The present study has investigated the effects of Orchis antolica (dose of 400 mg/kg/Body Wight) on female rats reproductive system for two time periods 4 and 12 weeks. Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two treatment and two control groups of 10 rats each. The two treated groups received 400 mg/kg/body weight of Orchis antolica for two periods of 4 and 12 weeks. Female rats were allowed mating with untreated males when treatment ended. Pregnancy parameters such as: total number of pregnancy, body weight, reproductive organ weight, number of implantation sites, number of resorption sites and number of viable fetuses. The significance of these results was calculated using student's "t" and Chi- square tests. Treatment with Orchis antolica for 4 weeks did not have any significant effects on most parameters investigated except for a slight increase in the relative ovarian and embryo weights. Orchis antolica for 12 weeks induces a significant increased in the percentage of pregnancies and the number of implantation sites when compared with controls. Further, an increase in ovarian weights and in viable fetuses count was also observed. Histological sections of treated female ovaries were found to have an empty blood vessels within the cortical and modularly regions. We also noted an increased in the developing follicles at primary and secondary stages in addition to an absence of degenerative areas and increased cellularity in medulla. Long-term treatment with Orchis antolica might lead to diversified positive effects on fertility and pregnancy in female rats.     

Hypolipidaemic effects of Ballota undulata in rabbits

The aim of to study the effect of Ballota undulata (70% EtOH) extract on lipid profile on Rabbits. The plant extract was orally administered to the atherogenic rabbits (atherogenic diet + cholesterol powder supplement 400 mg/kg/body weight/day dissolved in 5 mL coconut oil) at dose of 1.2 g kg(-1) body weight/day. During the overall period of the experiment blood was collected and serum was analyzed for lipid profile. Animals were sacrificed; the heart and the liver were collected and kept at -20 degrees C until assayed. Biochemical analysis of blood serum and tissue (liver and heart muscle) level were made for cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. In addition blood serum was analyzed further for HDL-Cholesterol. All the results were statistically analyzed using students t-test. Hypolipidaemic nature of Ballota undulata (70% EtOH) extract was studied in hyperlipidaemic Rabbits. The increased cholesterol levels were brought to normal by administration of Ballota undulata. Serum cholesterol levels dropped from 940.7 to 230.41 (75.55%) and further to 119.2 (87.32%) by the end of the experiment. Similarly, phospholipids and triglycerides levels were observed to be also reduced. The tissues lipids profiles of liver and heart muscle showed similar changes in those noticed in serum lipids. Ballota undulata possesses active hypolipidaemic constituents.     

Thermoxidized Palm Oil Induces reproductive Toxicity in Healthy and Malnourished Rats

Repeatedly thermoxidized palm oil (TPO), simulating local culinary practice, was fed for eight weeks at 15% of a balanced basal diet to two sets of male and female weanling albino rats of Wistar strain. The first set of animals were normal and healthy while the second set were kwashiorkoric. Primary controls (PC) of all rats were fed a balanced basal diet of commercial rat pellets while secondary controls (SC) were fed the balanced basal diet supplemented with 15% untreated palm oil. The findings indicate that fertility, as expressed by the pregnancy rate of healthy test rats, was 78% when compared with 80% in PC (p < 0.05). Fetotoxicity was additionally observed in that neonatal birth weights and litter size in test rats (4.92 g and 6.70, respectively) were inferior (p < 0.05) to both SC and PC (4.96 g and 8.40; 5.38 g and 9.25, respectively). Protein energy malnutrition worsened the observed TPO-induced reproductive toxicities in that reproductive capacities of the rehabilitated animals were inferior to that of the healthy animals. Pregnancy rates in test animals were reduced by as much as 55% (p < 0.01) while fetotoxicities were also more pronounced (p < 0.05).     

Effect of soybean (Glycine max L.) on the hormonal milieu of male rats

Effect of soybean (Glycine max) on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats was investigated. Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and treatment with soybean meal at 100, 200 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight, respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. There were dose-dependent effects of the soybean meal on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. The results show that soybean (Glycine max) had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use could increase the risk of infertility in males.     

A chronic oral toxicity study of marine collagen peptides preparation from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) skin using Sprague-Dawley rat

Due to the increased consumption of marine collagen peptides preparation (MCP) as ingredients in functional foods and pharmaceuticals, it was necessary to carry out safety requirements in the form of an oral chronic toxicity assessment. In order to define the oral chronic toxicity of MCP, a 24-month feeding study of MCP was carried out. Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats at the age of four-week of both sexes were treated with MCP at the diet concentrations of 0%, 2.25%, 4.5%, 9% and 18% (wt/wt). The actual food intake and bodyweight of the individual animals were recorded periodically until sacrifice. Blood and urine samples were collected for serum chemistry evaluations and urinalysis. Throughout the experimental period, there was no toxicologically significant difference between the vehicle and MCP-treated animals with respect to the survival rate, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis, clinical biochemistry parameter and relative organ weight in either sex. Moreover, incidences of non-neoplastic lesions in MCP-treated groups did not significantly increase compared with the control group. Under the present experimental conditions, no higher risk of chronic toxic effects was observed in MCP-treated rats at the diet concentrations of 2.25%, 4.5%, 9% and 18% (wt/wt) than in the rats fed with basal rodent diet.     

Growth,blood chemistry and histology of rats fed zincsupplemented rapeseed protein concentrates

Two rapeseed protein concentrates (RPC) supplemented with zinc oxide were fed to male and female rats at two levels providing approximately half or all of the protein in a purified basal diet containing 20% protein (N×6.25). Control groups were given either a purified basal diet with casein or a laboratory chow diet. After 16 weeks, there were no significant (P<0.05) differences in body weight except the male rats fed the casein control diet had higher body weights than did other male rats. No significant differences were observed in organ weights including thyroids, hematology, bone marrow differential counts, serum glucose, urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin/globulin ratio, cholesterol, transaminases or alkaline phosphatase. The levels of serum vitamins A and E of females fed some of the RPC diets were less than in those fed the caseincontrol diet, but equal to those in females fed laboratory chow diet. Females fed either RPC or casein in the semi-purified diets, which contained zinc oxide, exhibited kidney calcification.Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, No. 112; Food Research Institute, No. 420.     

Liver Protective Effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)

This study evaluated the protective effects of Noni fruit juice on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver damage (micro-centrilobular necrosis) was observed in animals pretreated with 20% placebo (drinking water) + CCl(4). However, pretreatment with 20% Noni juice in drinking water + CCl(4) resulted in markedly decreased hepatotoxic lesions. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the Noni group than the placebo group. In a correlative time-dependent study, one dose of CCl(4) (0.25 mL/kg in corn oil, p.o.) in female SD rats, pretreated with 10% placebo for 12 days, caused sequential progressive hepatotoxic lesions over a 24 h period, while a protective effect from 10% Noni juice pretreatment was observed. These results suggest that Noni juice is effective in protecting the liver from extrinsic toxin exposure.     

Efficacy of echinacea on the action of cyproterone acetate in male rats

The study aimed to evaluate the effect Echinacea extract (E) on the testicular antioxidants function in normal rats or that subjected to anti-androgenic compound, cyproterone acetate (CA). Rats were divided into 5 groups treated daily via an oral tube for two intervals 2 and 4 weeks, 1st control, 2nd E (Echinacea treated group in dose 63 mg kg(-1)), 3rd CA (cyproterone acetate treated group in dose 25 mg kg(-1)), 4th E+CA and 5th E as prophylactic one week before E+CA treatment with the same aforementioned E or CA doses. The body, testes, epididymis and vas deferens weights were recorded. Sperm count, Nitric Oxide (NO), calcium ion (Ca2+) and malondialdhyde (MDA) contents in addition to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were determined in testicular tissues. CA exhibited direct negative effect on reproductive organs weight and significant reducing effect on sperm count and Ca2+ contents. SOD and GST activities significantly decreased in addition to significant increase in NO, MDA contents reflecting the oxidative status of testis in CA treated rats. The prophylactic effect of E treatment, in time related manner, showed significant improvement in the antioxidant status of the testicular tissue which is more pronounced as compared to E+CA treatment.     

Influence of Dietary Avocado on Gut Health in Rats

This study investigated the impact of diets containing various levels of avocado (5, 10 and 15%) on gut health in rats fed for six weeks. Avocado-fed rats had significantly higher food intakes while their body weights remained similar to the control diet-fed rats. No significant changes in intestinal bacterial populations (ileum, cecum and colon) were found in rats fed avocado diets compared to the control diet. Ileum and colon tissues of rats fed avocado diets showed significantly higher expression of genes (β-defensin 1, mucin 3 or mucin 4) and a greater number of mucin-producing goblet cells in the colon. The percentage of avocado in the diet had varying effects in altering the biomarkers, whereby diet containing 15% avocado was the more effective diet. This study delivers new knowledge on the role of avocado on gut health in rats.     

Antidiabetic effect of essential oil from Artemisia sieberi growing in Jordan in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of essential oil extracted from aerial parts of Artemisia sieberi in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of 10 each. Group I normal rats received 1 mL day(-1) of dimethyl sulfoxide (control); group II normal rats received a single dose (80 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) of essential oil extract of Artemisia sieberi; group III diabetic rats received 1 mL day-of dimethyl sulfoxide; group IV diabetic rats received the oil extract (80 mg kg(-1) b.wt.); group V diabetic rats received metformin (14.2 mg kg(-1) b.wt.). All treatments were orally administered once a day for six weeks. Changes in blood glucose concentration, body weight and food and water intake were measured and the data obtained were compared with that of metformin. The essential oil extract significantly (p < 0.05) lowered blood glucose level as well as food and water intake in diabetic rats accompanied by an increase in body weight gain with no apparent side effect when compared with untreated diabetic rats. These effects were found to be closely similar to that of metformin, a common antidiabetic drug. On other hand, no apparent improvement on body weight gain in diabetic rats treated with metformin. In addition, for all parameters measured, the oil extract showed no effect in normal rats. In conclusion, the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi exhibited antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Present findings support the possible use of the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi as a remedy for diabetes mellitus in humans.     

Ultrastructural changes of corpus luteum after ovarian stimulation at implantation period

Background: To achieve multiple oocytes for in vitro fertilization, ovulation induction is induced by gonadotropins; however, it has several effects on oocytes and embryo quality and endometrium receptivity. The aim of this study was to assess ultrastructural changes of corpus luteum after ovarian induction using human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during luteal phase at implantation period. Methods: Female NMRI mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into control and stimulated groups. In the control group, the mice were rendered pseudopregnant and in the ovarian induction group, the mice were rendered pseudopregnant after the ovarian induction. The samples were obtained from the ovary in each group at the same time during luteal phase at implantation period. Ultrastructural changes were assessed using electron microscopy study. Results: Our results displayed some identifiable changes in ultrastructure of corpus luteum in ovarian induction group. These changes included enhancement of the apoptosis and intercellular space, whereas the angiogenesis was decreased. The findings indicated a decline in organelle density in the cytoplasm of ovarian induction, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosome. Furthermore, chromatin condensation of nuclei was observed in some cells. Conclusion: The ovarian induction using HMG and HCG resulted in some ultrastructural changes on the corpus luteum at implantation period, which could affect on the pregnancy rate.Key Words: Corpus luteum, Luteal phase, Ultrastructure, Ovarian induction     

Chemical characterization and biological effects of immature durum wheat in rats

A durum wheat cultivar, Simeto, was grown in experimental fields and samples were collected at various stages of development (from 9 to 45 days after flowering) to assess changes in chemical composition during maturation. Fructans, in particular low molecular weight fructo-oligosaccharides, accumulated in the first 2–3 weeks after anthesis. The cultivar was then grown in an open field and collected at 15 days after anthesis and at maturity 45 days after anthesis. Experimental diets containing 53% wholemeal from immature or mature wheat, were fed for 6 and 12 weeks to two groups of growing rats. Glutathione, vitamins C and E and total hydrophilic or lipophilic antioxidant concentrations were determined in mature and immature wholemeal. The effects of feeding immature and mature wheat diets for the two experimental periods on the immune system, antioxidant status and plasma lipids were studied. Feeding immature wheat increased the proliferation rates of lymphocytes, indicating a stimulating effect on the immune response, decreased the plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels, indicating a positive effect on lipid profiles. Antioxidant concentrations in blood and lymphocytes did not change significantly.     

喷施黄腐酸对花生生长发育的影响

花生叶面喷施稀释１０００倍的黄腐酸（ＦＡ）溶液可以增加花生的单株有效花果和单株根瘤数，使叶片叶绿素含量提高，果针提早入土，加快果针膨大，提高花生饱果率，增加荚果产是。喷施试验结果表明，以苗期，始花期、下针期３次喷施黄腐酸效果最佳，其次为始花期和下针期２次喷施黄腐酸的处理，而只于苗期１次喷施黄腐酸的处理效果不明显。     

灰茶尺蠖雌成虫生殖器形态特征与组织结构的研究

为了解茶树主要食叶类害虫灰茶尺蠖(EctropisgrisescensWarren)雌成虫的内外生殖器结构特征,通过解剖切片和显微观察的方法,明确了雌成虫内外生殖器主要由1对卵巢、1对侧输卵管、1根中输卵管、1个受精囊、附腺、产卵孔、交配囊及其附属结构、导精管、表皮突和肛突等组成。卵巢小管8根,左右对称;交配囊呈典型袋状结构,内有表面布满刺状突的心型交尾囊片,且囊片左右两侧16根刺状突呈对称分布;后表皮突较细长,似铲状。切片观察可知,卵巢管滋养细胞和卵母细胞交替排列,为典型的多滋式;产卵器内有发达的性腺等。掌握灰茶尺蠖雌成虫生殖器结构,对其卵巢发育级别划分、田间预测预报、近缘种的鉴定以及性信息素的研究等具有重要意义。     

Effects of physical agitation on yield of greenhouse-grown soybean

Agronomic and horticultural crop species experience reductions in growth and harvestable yield after exposure to physical agitation (also known as mechanical stress), as by wind or rain. A greenhouse study was conducted to test the influence of mechanical stress on soybean yield and to determine if exposure to mechanical stress during discrete growth periods has differential effects on seed yield. A modified rotatory shaker was used to apply seismic (i.e., shaking) stress. Brief, periodic episodes of seismic stress reduced stem length, total seed dry weight, and seed number of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Lodging resistance was greater for plants stressed during vegetative growth or throughout vegetative and reproductive growth than during reproductive growth only. Seed dry weight yield was reduced regardless of the timing or duration of stress application, but was lowest when applied during reproductive development. Seismic stress applied during reproductive growth stages R1 to R2 (Days 3 to 4) was as detrimental to seed dry weight accumulation as was stress applied during growth stages R1 to R6 (Days 39 to 42). Seed dry weight per plant was highly correlated with seed number per plant, and seed number was correlated with the seed number of two- and three-seeded pods. Dry weight per 100 seeds was unaffected by seismic-stress treatment. Growth and yield reductions resulting from treatments applied only during the vegetative stage imply that long-term mechanical effects were induced, from which the plants did not fully recover. It is unclear which yield-controlling physiological processes were affected by mechanical stress. Both transient and long-term effects on yield-controlling processes remain to be elucidated.     

Role of nitric oxide on the generation of atretic follicles in the rat ovaries

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the atresia of ovarian follicles in an animal model. Twenty adult, female rats (90 days old with body weights of210 +/- 10 g in the beginning of the experiments) were divided into 4 groups of 5 each. They were treated twice daily from the subcutaneous route for 21 successive days with either of the following chemicals: nitroglycerine, L-arginine, L-NAME, or saline. On day 22, all animals were sacrificed. Ovaries were dissected out free of connected tissue and were fixed in formaline 10%. Later, paraffine blocks were prepared and serial sections were made by means of H and E routine staining method. Intact and atretic follicles were counted separately. In addition, damages were analyzed qualitatively from the points of view of appearance and morphologic changes. In the evaluation of ovarian follicular structures, different types of healthy as well as atretic follicles were observed. In most of atretic follicles, the oocytes were abnormally elongated and increnation of their outlines were obvious. There were numerous macrophages around and inside of the atretic follicles. Our investigation regarding the distribution of atretic follicles in the ovaries of test groups revealed that atretic follicles in the L-NAME treated group were increased in comparison to the control group. Conversely, however, in the arginine-treated group, the atretic follicles were reduced compared to the control animals. Treatment with nitroglycerine of the rats decreased the number of atretic follicles significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, enhanced NO, either from endogenous or exogenous origins, prevents atresia phenomenon, while inhibition of NO exerts an opposite effect.     

Effects of a tristearate-containing lipid and canola oil on plasma and tissue lipids in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurified diets containing 12% fat and 0.4% cholesterol for 4 wk. The fats were palm oil, a high-stearate fat and canola oil; each of the latter two fat sources was substituted for palm oil in 4% (w/w) increments (i.e, 4, 8 and 12%) thus yielding 3 stearate-containing, 3 canola-containing, and a 12% palm oil diet. Stearate-fed animals exhibited significantly decreased food efficiency ratios, plasma total cholesterol, and liver cholesterol whereas the substitution of canola for palm oil did not consistently alter these parameters. Liver fatty acids generally reflected the composition of the dietary fat sources with the exception of significantly higher arachidonate observed in the stearate-fed rats.     

Relationship between climatic factors and the dry matter production of swards of different composition at two altitudes

The growth of a timothy sward, a timothy/white clover mixture and a multi-grass/white clover mixture were compared and related to climatic factors at two sites of different altitudes.
Temperature and radiation had a greater effect on sward growth than did species composition or management. If the reproductive and vegetative growth periods were studied separately, then more than 90% of the variation in yield could be explained by temperature and radiation. During spring reproductive growth, yields per unit increment of temperature or radiation were 2–3 times higher than during summer vegetative growth. Spring growth was affected more by temperature than by radiation and the lower yields at the higher altitude were also related to lower temperatures.     

Effects of timing and intensity of defoliation on growth and development of white clover seedlings

The effects of different defoliation regimes on the growth and development of three contrasting white clover cultivars (S184, Menna and Alice) were assessed in three experiments in the glasshouse. Experiment 1, with clover growing on its own, investigated the effects of three times of onset × two intensities of defoliation. In Experiment 2, clover was grown with grass and there were two times of onset × two heights × two frequencies of defoliation. Experiment 3, also with grass, investigated the effects of changing defoliation frequency at different intervals from sowing. All clover cultivars responded similarly to the various treatments and there were no interactions between time of onset and subsequent defoliation regimes in Experiments 1 and 2. Without competition from grass (Experiment 1), defoliating early at the three leaf-stage of clover decreased the number of growing points by 32% and stolon weights and lengths by 50% compared with delaying defoliation until the nine leaf-stage. Maintaining one compared with two leaves per growing point had similar effects. Over 17 weeks undefoliated seedlings produced ten times more stolon than early defoliated or intensively defoliated seedlings. In competition with grass (Experiment 2) delaying defoliation significantly decreased all aspects of stolon growth. Seedlings growing in swards defoliated frequently and closely had most growing points whereas those defoliated infrequently had least. Stolon lengths and weights were larger for seedlings growing in swards defoliated frequently than for those defoliated infrequently at both heights of cutting. Mean weight of stolon per unit length was greater when swards were defoliated at 6 cm than at 2 cm height. Changing defoliation from every 2 weeks to every week (Experiment 3) decreased stolon growth slightly when the change was made early but increased it when the change was made late, although similar amounts of stolon were produced by seedlings continuously defoliated throughout every week and every 2 weeks. The results are discussed in relation to the seedlings' leaf complements and growth habit; the over-riding influence of grass competition is highlighted. The possibility of devising optimal defoliation strategies and the need to test these in the field are also outlined.     

普洱茶调节SD大鼠血脂及保护血管内皮的研究

采用治疗性给予普洱茶的方法,探讨普洱茶调节血脂、保护血管内皮及抗动脉粥样硬化的作用和机制。通过SD大鼠高脂饲料造模28 d后,给予不同剂量普洱茶35 d。试验期间检测所有动物的体重变化;试验结束后检测血脂水平及血浆一氧化氮（NO）,并进行主动脉病理组织学检查。结果表明,普洱生茶及熟茶组与模型组比较：（1）体重明显减轻;（2）血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）明显降低,血浆NO浓度增加;（3）主动脉血管壁内皮细胞损伤减轻,血管内皮素-1（ET-1）表达减少。通过研究认为,治疗性给予普洱茶,能够降低高脂饲料饲喂SD大鼠的体重及血脂水平,熟茶作用更显著;普洱茶具有保护血管内皮的作用,其作用机制可能与它促进NO合成,抑制ET-1合成有关。