Background: Carnitines are widely distributed in nature and their potential health benefits have been popularized. The carnitines exert a substantial antioxidant action. It is often sold as a nutritional supplement. The use of carnitine showed some promise in treatment of male infertility. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) administered to pregnant mice on some reproductive parameters of male offspring. Methods: Ninety mature male offspring mice (age: 6 weeks) were divided originally into two groups depending on the pregnant mothers were administered either 0.5 mg/Kg L-carnitine (Treated group) or distilled water (Control group) throughout pregnancy period. Whole body and testicular weight, diameter of seminiferous tubules, thickness of spermatogenic cell layers, levels of serum gonadotropins and sperm parameters were assessed. Results: In the present study, weight of whole body and testes of the male mice offspring group where mothers treated with 0.5 mg/Kg L-carnitine throughout gestation period was significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Further, significant increment (P<0.05) was observed in the thickness of spermatogenic cell layers and diameter of seminiferous tubules for the treated group as compared to the control group. Also, levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) in the treated group showed significant elevation (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Sperm parameters for the treated group were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Administration of low dose of L-carnitine to pregnant mice improved reproductive performance of male offspring. Further molecular studies are recommended to investigate the effects of L-carnitine administered to pregnant mice on quality and quantity of acrosomal enzymes for male offspring.
Background: Achillea millefolium, (Asteraceae) is flowering plant which is popularly known as yarrow. It has been used in folk medicine to treat complaints such as inflammation, pain, wounds, hemorrhages and gastrointestinal disturbances. Objectives: To study the histological changes in uterus and reproductive hormones in female mice delivered to mothers treated with Achillea extract during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Seventy pregnant female mice at age of six weeks were used as a model for this study. The animals were divided into two groups: control (C) (35), and experimental (G) (35) groups. The experimental group was given 1.5 mg/kg alcohol extract of Achillea millefolium dissolved in 1ml distilled water orally for the whole pregnancy, while the (C)was given distilled water only in the same amount and for the same period of time. The number and the body weight of the delivered offspring was recorded, in addition the endometrial thickness, the number and diameter of the uterine glands was measured in the histological sections at puberty. In addition evaluation of FSH, LH and E2 hormones levels were done. Results: The results of this study showed highly significant (p<0.01) decrease in the litter size of the experimental compared to the control group, as well as significant decrease (p<0.05) in the weight of the offspring, the endometrial thickness, the number and diameter of the uterine glands in the (G) compared to the (C). Conclusions: Consumption of low dose Achillea millefolium causes significant decrease in number and weight of the offspring, in addition to its effect on the uterus of the delivered female offspring.
Background: Analysis of human reports and comparison with results of exper-imental animals indicate that the effects of progesterone on human not analo-gous to experimental animals fetus, many studies showed that exposure to pro-gesterone during developing of genital tract of human fetus was not teratogenic. Other studies which performed on laboratory animals found association between progesterone administration during gestation and genital malformation. Objectives: to explore the effect of progesterone in 10.2mg/kg intraperitoneal injection in mice on testis development and anogenital distance. Materials and Methods: ten pregnant mice divided into five mouse control group that injected10.2mg/kg sesame oil and treated group that injected proges-terone at dose 10.2mg/kg/day allover gestation to the seventh day postnatally, mice offspring sacrificed, the anogenital distance, weight and diameter of testis were measured ,histological slides were prepared and examined for histopatho-logical change and measurement of seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal epithelium thickness and interstitial space were done . Results: the current study found anogenital distance decrement and histopatho-logical changes in mice offspring testis as hemorrhage or congestion of blood vessels ,irregular shapes of seminiferous tubules with atrophy, detachment of spermatogenic cells from basement membrane, death of spermatogenic cells and destruction of Sertoli and leydig cells ,it is also showed wider interstitial tissue and thinner germinal epithelium. Conclusions: The present study indicate study that progesterone injected in mice at dose 10.2 mg/kg /day (the equivalent human dose allover gestation was em-bryotoxic and teratogenic, it may cause feminization of male offsprings repre-sented by decrement the anogenital distance in mice and hypospadias in human .
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer in many foods. However, excessive consumption during pregnancy may adversely affect embryonic development and reproductive functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal MSG consumption during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes and the reproductive system of female offspring in mice. Thirty adult pregnant female mice, aged 42–49 days, were used in this study. The animals were equally divided into two groups: an experimental group (G1) and a control group (G2). The experimental group received MSG extract orally at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 1 ml of distilled water (D.W.) throughout the three weeks of pregnancy, whereas the control group received 1 ml of distilled water alone for the same duration. After delivery, litter size and litter weight were recorded. Forty days after birth, the weights of the female reproductive organs were measured, and the diameters of the ovaries and oviducts were assessed. In addition, blood samples were collected for the evaluation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels in both groups. The experimental group showed a significant reduction in litter size and a significant decrease in litter weight compared with the control group. Female offspring born to MSG- treated mothers also exhibited a significant decrease in reproductive organ weight, ovarian diameter, and oviduct diameter. Furthermore, significant reductions in the levels of FSH, LH, and estradiol were observed in the experimental group. Maternal consumption of MSG during pregnancy may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes and impair the development and function of the reproductive system in female offspring.
Background : progesterone used as a therapeutic agent in human pregnancy. The sufficient evidence to hypothesize that progesterone may have teratogeniceffect on the reproductive system of female offspring. Objectives: This study was established to explore the individual impact of differ ent doses of progesterone during intrauterine period on reproductive system of female mouse, and on some reproductive parameters. Materials and Methods: ninety adult female mice (8-10 weeks) and weight (25-28) gm divided into three groups. Control group (G1) was treated daily (IM) injection with sesame seed oilfrom 1-14 day of pregnancy, and other two groups that treated with different doses of progesterone G2 (0.4mg/kg. B.wt/day), G3 (0.8mg/kg. B.wt/day), daily (IM) injection of progesterone from 1-14 day of pregnancy then selecting of Female offspring and sacrificed at age zero day, one month, two month. Parameter analysis involvedanogenital distance , body and ovary weights, , length of epithelial cells, number and diameter of follicles (Primordial , Primary , Secondary and Mature antral) , corpus luteum and using histological section by (motic image plus) and hormonal assay including proges terone and Estrogen. Results: The results of this study demonstrated that at one month, two months after birth, there was a highly significant increase P< 0.01 in theanogenital dis tance . The statistical analysisshowed no statistical significant difference in the body and ovary weights , at one month after birth, The statistical analysisshowed highly statistically significant decreased(P< 0.01 ) in both G2 and G3 in the number of follicles . At one,two months after birth, there was a highly significant decreased (P< 0.01 ) in both G2 and G3 in the number ofcorpora lutea. At age two month, there was a highly significant decreased (P< 0.01 ) in both G2 and G3 in the height of epithelial cell layer.There was a highly significant decreased (P< 0.01 ) in both G2 and G3 in the diameter of follicles (Primordial , Primary , Secondary and Mature antral) follicles . There was a highly significant decreased (P< 0.01 ) in both G2 and G3 in Estrogen and Progesterone levelof female off spring when compared with the control group G1. Conclusion: The results showed higher doses of progesterone for long period in pregnancy can impact some reproductive parameters of female offspring mice. Keywords : Progesterone, corpora lutea, Estrogen,anogenital distance
The integrity of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and chromatin is very important for genetic material transmission into offspring. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity and sperm parameters. The current study was conducted on 96 semen samples. This study was done at the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, for the period between November 2020 and May 2021. The samples were collected, and seminal fluid analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test was performed. The results showed that the deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation of sperms in infertile men in this study was higher than reported in fertile men in previous studies, indicating deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (DNA) is actively contributing at least partially to male infertility. In terms of enrolled men, sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (SDF) showed a significant positive correlation with round cell count.