ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Estrogens has traditionally been known as the female hormone, but this idea has been challenged in early 1990’s and an essential physiological role for estrogen in male fertility was identified. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal plant chemicals that can act like the female hormone estrogen. The herbs ( anise alfalfa and vervain ) chosen in this study contain phytoestrogens. OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrated controversy of the effects of phytoestrogens on the rat testes .Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to investigate the influence of typical dose of herbs containing phytoestrogen on the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four apparently normal mature male rats were divided into four groups of 6 animals each. The first "control" group received only 4ml of distilled water as a placebo. The second group received 40mg/kg of anise seed; the third group received 53.3 mg/kg of dried herb of vervain and the fourth group received 400 mg /kg of alfalfa seeds. All experimental groups received the doses through orogastric tube daily for fourteen days. Testicular histology was evaluated by light and enzyme histochemistry. Plasma FSH and testosterone concentrations were taken to support our results. RESULTS: Histological examination of anise, alfalfa and vervain – treated groups showed an increase in the height of germinal epithelia. There was marked lipoprotein lipase activity in the whole of the interstitial tissue which is more in amount in experimental groups than that in control group. Acid phosphatase granules were infiltered the seminiferous epithelia mildly in control group , moderately in anise and vervain groups and markedly in alfalfa group. The number of interstitial cells showing marked acid phosphatase activity was higher in all experimental groups than that in control group. Alkaline phosphatase exhibited intense activity in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules in testes of control and experimental groups but it appeared thicker in the latter. CONCLUSION: The low dose and short duration of treatment used in our study made these phytoestrogen – containing herbs to have a stimulatory effect on leydig cell steroidogenesis. This study also demonstrated that aniseed being the most potent of the three herbs followed by alfalfa in stimulating testosterone synthesis. This is possibly attributed to the coumarin constituent of aniseed and alfalfa. KEY WORDS: phytoestrogen-containing herbs, testis, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipoprotein lipase
The effect of compound machine on wheat/ AlNoor cultivar was studied based on some technical indicators. were tested under three speeds ( 2.541, 3.433 and 4.091km.hr-1) and three tillage depths (14, 16 and 18cm). The experiments were conducted in a factorial experiment under complete randomized design with three replications. The results showed that the 2.541km.hr-1 practical speed was significantly better than other two speed in all studied conditions. Except for the FC, which achieved the best results with the third speed 4.091 km.hr-1. mechanical parameters, plant growth parameters and yield and growth parameters. The 1
The evaluation of banks plays an important role in maintaining the interests of customers with the bank as well as providing continuous supervision and control by the Central Bank. The Central Bank of Iraq conducted an assessment of the Iraqi banks through the implementation of the CAMEL model during a certain period. This evaluation did not continue. The research provides continuity to the Central Bank's assessment and as a step to continue the evaluation process for all banks through the use of the CAMEL model. ROA and ROE by using the regression model for four Iraqi banks registered in the Iraqi market for securities during the period 2010-2016. The results showed that the capital and profitability indicators have a significan
... Show MoreObjective(s): In the present study, glycerin is used as a substitute for tin-foil and cold mold seal (Alginate mould seal)
in the process of curing heat and cold-cure acrylic resin denture base against stone and plaster.
Methodology: 60 specimens were prepared from heat-cure acrylic resin and cold-cure acrylic resin denture base. The
study includes 12 groups of specimens depending on the type of processing, investment material and type of
separating medium that are used in curing process. Each group of them contains 5 specimens for each test.
Some of physical properties of the processed acrylic denture base that (water sorption and solubility) have been
compared with those processed using tin-foil and tin-foil substitut
This study aims to impact statement played by banking governance according to the decisions of the Basel Committee in achieving the strategic objectives of the banks, But order to achieve the this goal has been the adoption of two hypotheses in addition to the two main hypotheses as sub answered preliminary The study seeks to verify their health and two (no correlation relationship and impact between Banking governance and achieve strategic objectives), has been tested hypotheses. Study has reached
... Show MoreThis research aims to identify the relationship between occupational hypocrisy and organizational strategic success, It was done by analyzing the correlations and influence between variables, applied to a random sample of university professors at the University of Kufa faculty of administration and economic.
The main tool for data collection is the survey were questionnaires were distributed randomly to the professors , and (43) questionnaires were returned, and test its validity by using (SEM) (Structural Equation Modeling), Hypothesis has been tested by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v. 18), The research found a set of conclusions:(The occupational hypocrisy has
... Show MoreIn the geotechnical engineering applications, precise understandings are yet to be established on the effects of a foundation stiffness on its bearing capacity and settlement. The modern foundation construction uses the new available construction materials that totally change the relative stiffness of the footing structures-soil interactions such as waste material and landfill area of more residential purposes. Conventional bearing capacity equations were dealt with common rigid footing and thus cannot be used for reduced foundation rigidity. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of foundation relative stiffness on its load-displacement behaviour and the soil deformation field using compression test of a strip smooth footings on su
... Show MoreGlucoamylase from black Aspergillus niger isolate was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and sephadex G 200 filtration. A trial for the purification of glucoamylase resulted in an enzyme with a specific activity of 6472 unit/mg protein with 10 times fold. The main goal of the present work was to test this enzyme in hydrolyzing the raw starch. Two substrates were used: corn starch and potato starch 2% (w/v). The effect of enzyme dosage and thermal processing of substrate on kinetics and efficiency of hydrolysis were studied. The results suggested that the glucoamylase activity is increased as the increase of enzyme concentration and the enzyme was sufficiently effective in hydrolyzing tested raw starch, and thermal modification of
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