Background: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor historically recognized for its role in the regulation of toxicity mediated by environmental chemicals. Recent research points to AhR's critical participation in male reproductive physiology, particularly in spermatogenesis, hormone signaling, and the maintenance of sperm quality. Both endogenous ligands (e.g., dietary and gut microbiota-derived metabolites) and exogenous pollutants (e.g., dioxins and benzo-α-pyrene) influence AhR-mediated pathways, making it a key link between environmental exposures and male fertility. Results: This review highlights AhR's influence on the male reproductive system, emphasizing the role of endogenous AhR ligands and AhR expression in the maturation and function of male reproductive organs. Environmental AhR agonists have been shown to induce oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and sperm DNA damage, which impact harmfully on the spermatogenesis process, which leads to reproductive abnormalities. Conversely, certain natural compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, and lycopene appear to antagonize AhR activation and reduce its negative effects, thus offering potential protective benefits against male reproductive toxicity. Nevertheless, discrepancies persist regarding the exact interplay between AhR signaling and critical reproductive hormones such as testosterone and LH, and it remains unclear how transgenerational epigenetic changes triggered by AhR activation might affect long-term male fertility. Conclusion: AhR is pivotal in male reproductive physiology, influencing spermatogenesis, sperm quality, and hormone regulation through its interactions with both endogenous and environmental ligands. Persistent pollutants such as dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cause oxidative damage and hormonal disturbances via AhR, contributing to reduced sperm quality and fertility.
Objective: The approximate life span of a silicone maxillofacial prosthesis is as short as1.5–2 years of clinical service, then a new prosthesis should be fabricated. The most common reasonfor re-making the prosthesis is silicone mechanical properties degradation. The aim of this studywas to assess some mechanical properties of VST-30 silicone for maxillofacial prostheses after addi-tion of intrinsic pigments.Methods: Two types of intrinsic pigments (rayon flocking and burnt sienna); each of them wasincorporated into silicone. One hundred and twenty samples were prepared and split into 4 groupsaccording to the conducted tests (tear strength, hardness, surface roughness, and tensile strengthand elongation percentage) with 30 samples for ea
... Show MoreThis research included the preparation of Ni, Pd oxide and Pt metal nanoparticles derived from Schiff base (E)-2-(((2,5-dichlorophenyl)imino)methyl)-4-methyl phenol octahedral from Ni(II) complex and square planar from Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes using pulsed laser ablation immersed in deionized water. The optical properties of the prepared NiO, PdO, and Pt nanoparticles were investigated using UV-Visible spectra and FTIR spectrophotometer. The shape and structure were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the X-ray Diffraction Instrument XRD. By using the Scherrer equation, the results showed Ni, Pd, and Pt nanos with average particle sizes of 28.53nm, 20.47nm, and 22.30nm. The biological acti
... Show MoreBackground: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a lethal and deforming disease, with a significant mortality and a rising incidence in younger and female patients. It is thus imperative to identify potential risk factors for OSCC and oral PMDs and to design an accurate data collection tool to try to identify patients at high risk of OSCC development. 14 factors consistently found to be associated with the pathogenesis of OSCC and oral PMDs. Eight of themwere identified as high risk (including tobacco, alcohol, betel quid, marijuana, genetic factors, age, diet and immunodeficiency) and 6 low risk (such as oral health, socioeconomic status, HPV, candida infection, alcoholic mouth wash and diabetes) were stratified according to severit
... Show MoreThis research was carried out to study the effect of plants on the wetted area for two soil types in Iraq and predict an equation to determine the wetted radius and depth for two different soil types cultivated with different types of plants, the wetting patterns for the soils were predicted at every thirty minute for a total irrigation time equal to 3 hr. Five defferent discharges of emitter and five initial volumetric soil moisture contents were used ranged between field capacity and wilting point were utilized to simulate the wetting patterns. The simulation of the water flow from a single point emitter was completed by utilized HYDRUS-2D/3D software, version 2.05. Two methods were used in developing equations to predict the domains o
... Show MoreMedicinal plants are used to treat various diseases although little is known about their toxicity. Coriandrum sativum is one of the most commonly plants that is used to treat several physiological disorders. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of C. sativum on the structure and function of liver in male albino mice. Thirty male mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 untreated (control), Group 2 and 3 were administrated orally with the aqueous extract of the plant at dose 125 and 250 mg/kg. b. w. For 30 days. The effect of the extract on liver weights, biochemical parameters as well as histological study were assessed. There were no significant difference (P>0.05) observed in relative
... Show MoreMedicinal plants are used to treat various diseases although little is known about their toxicity. Coriandrum sativum is one of the most commonly plants that is used to treat several physiological disorders. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of C. sativum on the structure and function of liver in male albino mice. Thirty male mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 untreated (control), Group 2 and 3 were administrated orally with the aqueous extract of the plant at dose 125 and 250 mg/kg. b. w. For 30 days. The effect of the extract on liver weights, biochemical parameters as well as histological study were assessed. There were no significant difference (P>0.05) observed in relative organ
... Show MoreIn this study the Sub family of Nomiinae Robertson,1904 (Hyminoptera: Halictidae) was revised There were five species registered in our investigation:
An attempt was made to determine the insect parasites of cockroaches in Iraq. As a result of this survey three species of Hymenoptera representing two separate families, which have been reared from ootheca of cockroaches were recovered. These were: Evania dimidiata Fabricius, Evania appendigaster (Linnaeus) (Evaniidae) and Anastatus longicornis sp. n. (Eupelmidae) which described here as a new species from Iraq.