The Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Humulus Lupulus During Pregnancy and Lactation on Sexual Maturation and Some Reproductive Indices in Male Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Humulus lupulus is known for its estrogenic properties as a raw material in the beverage industry. Exposure to exogenous estrogenic compounds during embryonic and neonatal periods are now of public health concern, since it may cause reproductive impairment. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate treatment with humulus lupulus during early stages of life on the onset of puberty and some reproductive indices in male rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, 20 pregnant mice were divided into five groups of four, including control (without treatment), control (saline) and three groups treated with alcoholic extract of humulus lupulus at 50, 100, 150 mg/kg/bw concentrations. They were treated daily from the seventh day of pregnancy to seven days after birth by gavage. Then, the effect of alcoholic extract of humulus lupulus on the onset of puberty, testicular weight and epididymis, sperm count, viability, and motility, testosterone concentration and the fertility of male children were evaluated. FINDINGS: The onset of puberty in the 150 mg/kg humulus lupulus group (43.6±0.83) occurred later than the control (39.8±0.49) (p<0.01). Testicular and epididymis weight decreased in 100 and 150 humulus lupulus groups (p<0.01). The sperm count, viability, and motility and testosterone concentrations in the 100 and 150 mg/kg humulus lupulus group were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). In addition, the percentage of fertility in the 150 mg / kg humulus lupulus group (76.4±2.84) was lower than the control group (89.43±3.31) (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that exposure of male rats to humulus lupulus in early stages of life causes late puberty and has negative effects on reproductive performance

Kisspeptin: Key Regulator of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal Axis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons of hypothalamus are final output of brain for regulation of puberty onset and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis functions in mammals. However, the mechanisms responsible for release of GnRH neurons are unknown. A number of various factors including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides or different signals have been identified to be involved in the regulation of the secretion of GnRH neurons. Neuronal set of kisspeptin have been recognized recently as critical upstream regulators of GnRH neurons. Given the importance of this issue, in this study a review of various studies and sources about biosynthesis, neuroanatomy, signaling, function and dysfunction of kisspeptin was performed. METHODS: In this review study, new evidence in relation to role of kisspeptin neuropeptide in the reproductive system were investigated by using various databases including pubmed, sciencedirect, nature, springer, wiley, scopus and key words such as kisspeptin, gonads, hypothalamus, GnRH and reproduction were used. FINDINGS: From 145 gained articles, 63 articles were reviewed. Kisspeptin neuropeptide signaling in hypothalamus is required for initiation of puberty and mammalian reproductive function. Kisspeptin neurons stimulate GnRH release and act as central integrator of external and internal signals. Neurones kisspeptin are sensitive to sex steroids, metabolic cues estrogen like compounds. CONCLUSION: Kisspeptin neurons play a vital role in the maturation and function of the HPG axis, including the sexual differentiation of the brain, the timing of puberty, the regulation of gonadotropin secretion and the control of fertility by hormonal and environmental cues

Evaluation of antinuclear antibodies in pregnant women with abortion with toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis in Iran

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara spp, and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) have been reported as a cause of abortion. To determine the prevalence rate of T. gondii, Toxocara spp, and ANAs in aborted women, and to investigate the association between infection and the number of the sociodemographic estimated risk factors. Methods: This study was carried out in aborted women referred to the Qaem hospital in Mashhad city (Razavi Khorasan Province). Serum samples were examined for the presence of Antinuclear Antibody (IgG antibodies), anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies, and IgG anti-toxocariasis spp antibodies by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit. Data like contact with animals’ cats and dogs, age, and Type of cause of abortion (in most cases) were collected as risk factors for the prevalence of infection. Results: Out of 162 total samples of pregnant women were collected, 28 were positive for T. gondii IgG, and 2 IgM, anti-Toxocara spp IgG antibodies were detected in 12 and Antinuclear antibodies detected in 31 in pregnant women with abortion. Co-infection of T. gondii and Toxocara spp detected in 9, also ANAs detected in cases with T. gondii in 24 and 10 with Toxocara spp. ANAs showed positivity with co-infection of T. gondii and Toxocara spp in 8. This study showed a significant association between infection of each T. gondii, Toxocara spp, and ANAs with age and animal contact such as cats and dogs. Conclusion: These study findings indicated that there is a relatively high prevalence of T. gondii, Toxocara spp, and ANAs in pregnant women with abortion. The coexistence of two agents or of one with ANAs increases the risk of abortion. All of them showed association with age and contact with domestic animals like cats and dogs. © 2022. Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi. All Rights Reserved

Spatial Modeling of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran From 2010 to 2018

Kala-Azar is the most lethal type of leishmaniasis, sporadic in most parts of Iran and prevalent in some provinces. Using the Geographical Information System (GIS) and satellite data analysis, we intended to assess the disease's incidence in Iran. Methods: Using GIS, data received from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Tehran, Iran, and other associated institutions between 2010 and 2018 were evaluated. The disease's geographical distribution maps were then constructed, and the disease's hotspots in Iran were identified using spatial analysis using ArcGIS10.5 software. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis in ArcGIS10.5 was used to link disease-influencing variables such as temperature, relative humidity, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and incidence of visceral leishmaniasis. Linear regression analysis, SPSS 21 software descriptive statistics, and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Results: This study revealed that the provinces of Ardabil, East Azarbaijan, North Khorasan, and Fars were the hot spots of VL. The provinces of Ardabil, East Azarbaijan, North Khorasan, Fars, Bushehr, Semnan, Sistan, Baluchistan, Esfahan, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari, Qom, Golestan, and Kerman had the highest correlation between temperature, vegetation density, and the incidence of Kala Azar, as determined by geographical weighted regression analysis.&nbsp