Background: Male infertility is a global concern and it tends to increase due to miscellaneous factors, such as environmental toxins and genetic and lifestyle choices. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has recently attracted attention due to its involvement in male infertility mechanisms and impact on sperm production and function. AHR, a versatile receptor expressed in various tissues, including the testes, regulates the genes involved in spermatogenesis. AHR activation is associated with cell cycle regulation and chromatin condensation during spermatogenesis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the influence of AHR activation on blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, focusing on the role of tight junction protein-1 (TJP1) and exploring the effects of AHR modulation on spermatogenesis outcomes in adult male rats. Methods: Forty adult male rats were divided into four groups according to their treatment regimens. Briefly, the control group was kept without any treatment, the resveratrol (RES) group received an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 100 mg/kg every 72 h and the AHR antagonist (AHR‾) group received an IP injection of CH223191 at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 72 h. Finally, the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group received DMSO which was used as a solvent for preparing RES and CH223191. The study lasted for 60 d to cover the entire spermatogenesis cycle. At the study’s endpoint, sperm chromatin maturity and condensation were evaluated in addition to Tjp1 gene expression in testicular tissue, supported by BTB integrity assessment. Results: The abnormal sperm chromatin maturity (ASCM) and condensation were significantly (P<0.05) higher in AHR‾ compared to all other groups. Tjp1 gene expression was significantly upregulated in the RES group compared to the control and AHR‾ group, which tightened the BTB and maintained the testicular homeostasis for normal spermatogenesis. Conclusion: RES treatment positively influenced sperm chromatin maturity, Tjp1 expression and BTB integrity, suggesting its potential as a protective agent against male reproductive health. Conversely, AHR antagonism leads to compromised sperm chromatin integrity and BTB function, highlighting the critical role of AHR in spermatogenesis and BTB maintenance. These results underscore the importance of AHR modulation in male fertility and provide insights into potential therapeutic interventions.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by anovulatory, infertility and metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity as novel biomarkers for PCOS, as well as to explore the relationship between LRG1 and XO activity across different groups. A total of 150 married women, aged 18-46 years were enrolled and divided into three groups: 50 with PCOS under treatment, 50 PCOS without treatment conditions shared by women with polycystic ovary conditions, and 50 healthy women. Serum samples were analysed to measure LRG1, xanthine oxidase (XO) activity,
... Show MoreIn this study, thin films of pure titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and titanium dioxide dual mixed with zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) with varying concentrations of (ZnO: MgO) x ranging from 0 to 30 wt% undoped and doped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared on glass using the chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. The morphological, structural, and sensing properties of the prepared thin films were examined. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed that these films exhibit a consistent structure before and after doping. Initially, the roughness of these films was observed to increase upon the introduction of impurities (ZnO: MgO) x . This trend reversed at x = 0.20, where a decrease in roughness occurred. Interestin
... Show MoreIn this work lactone (1) was prepared from the reaction of p-nitro phenyl hydrazine with ethylacetoacetate, which upon treatment with benzoyl chloride afforded the lactame (2). The reaction of (2) with 2-amino phenol produced a new Schiff base (L) in good yield. Complexes of V(IV), Zr(IV), Rh(III), Pd(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with the new Schiff base (L) have been prepared. The compounds (1, 2) were characterized by FT-IR and UV spectroscopy, as well as characterizing ligand (L) by the same techniques with elemental analysis (C.H.N) and (1H-NMR). The prepared complexes were identified and their structural geometries were suggested by using elemental analysis (C.H.N), flame atomic absorption technique, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, in additio
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