Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/ijvm.2025.350265.1005323
Abstract
Abstract
Background : The most common congenital testicular problem is cryptorchidism, in which one or both testicles are seen in the abdominal cavity instead of inside the scrotum.
Objective: in this study, the effects of Epimedium Grandiflorum on the testes of adult mice with cryptorchidism were investigated.
Methods: The 80 adult male rats (280-300 g) were divided into 16 groups (n=5). Unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in mice through surgery. The study design included healthy control, sham, cryptorchidism (untreated), and cryptorchidism treated with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of Epimedium Grandiflorum. The treatment period was 28 days, and sampling was performed on days 7, 14, and 28. Then the expression levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were examined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to study pathological changes.
Results: In the rats treated with Epimedium Grandiflorum (400mg/kg for 28 days), SOD and GPx were increased (p<0.05 and p<0.001) respectively, and the MDA was the highest reduction compared to the cryptorchidism group (p<0.001). Also, this group showed large numbers of spermatozoa compared to healthy control, sham, and cryptorchidism groups after 28 days. High antioxidant properties of Epimedium Grandiflorum is associated with decreased MDA and increased SOD and GPx, leading to the control of oxidative stress in the testes of mice with cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism also has adverse effects on the tissue surface, severe destruction of spermatic tubes, reduced spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and ultimately infertility. In the groups treated with Epimedium Grandiflorum, control of these symptoms and increased spermatocytes were observed.
Conclusion: Epimedium Grandiflorum in rats with cryptorchidism was able to prevent the progression of infertility by reducing MDA levels and increasing SOD and GPx as an antioxidant compound. Also observed was minor tissue damage in the groups treated with Epimedium Grandiflorum. Our results show that Epimedium Grandiflorum can be used as an essential therapeutic intervention in cryptorchidism.
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