مجله زیست شناسی جانوری
سال پانزدهم شماره 1 (پاییز 1401)

Ischemia/reperfusion occurs for a number of reasons; the most important of all is the closure of the renal arteries during renal transplantation. Inflammation is one of the most important mechanisms that occurs during ischemia / renal perfusion. Acacetin is a natural flavonoid with many healing properties. This study has investigated the effect of Acacetin ischemia / renal reperfusion inflammation on mice. 84 male balb/ c mice were randomly divided into 12 groups (each group consisted of 7 heads). Groups included control, sham, ischemia, casting control, casting sham, and ischemia/reperfusion. Ischemia was performed by closing the left renal artery for 60 minutes. Acacetin groups received this substance in 10, 25, and 50 doses mg/kg intraperitoneally. Kidney tissue hobby samples were used to measure cytokines including alpha necrosis factor, interleukin 1 beta, and toll like receptor 4 as well as myeloperoxidase. The levels of serum ions prepared from the cardiac blood of rats were evaluated. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the ischemia/reperfusion group were significantly increased (p <001). While these variables did not show significant changes in the groups receiving Acacetin. Myeloperoxidase levels were significantly increased in ischemia/reperfusion groups (p <001). While these variables did not show significant changes in the groups receiving Acacetin,

Due to the compounds such as thymol, para-fat, Lfapnyn, D Pntn, Gamatrpnyn, Btapnyn, limonene, myrcene and carvacrol, Ajowan is widely used in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims at evaluating the effect of aqueous extract of Carum copticum on renal indices in male wistar rats. In this study 72 rats were divided into 6 groups, including control, sham and experimental groups (1 to 4). The control group didn’t receive any treatment while the sham received 0.2 ml distilled water daily and 1 to 4 experimental groups received 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/ kg/day of aqueous extract of C. copticum intraperitoneally, respectively. After lapse of 16 and 32 days, serum samples were collected. Renal indices were measured by Autoanalayzer (with Pars Azmoon kits) and sodium and potassium were measured by flame photometer. Data was analyzed by ANOVA statistical tests and Tukey test (p <0.05). Regardless of the dosage of the extract, it increased the renal function in short-term and long-term. Compared to the control group, while serum concentrations of sodium in exp. groups 1 and 3 (200 and 400 mg/ kg/day) was decreased in the short term, it was increased in the all experimental groups in long term. Administration of extract in both short and long terms increased serum concentrations of potassium in all experimental groups compared to the control group. This study suggests that increased consumption of aqueous extract of C. copticum increases renal function, although its effects are somewhat different in the short term and the long term.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to loss of nerve cells and impaired memory and learning. This study aims at investigating the effect of an aerobic exercise course before and after Alzheimer's disease induction on memory and learning of amyloid beta-infected Alzheimer's disease rats. Sixty Wistar rats with a mean weight of 195±17.20 g were obtained from the Pasteur Institute of Iran in the pre-Alzheimer's disease induction stage. After two weeks, the rats were randomly divided into two equal groups of control (30 heads) and experiment (30 heads). After four weeks of training, the rats in each group were divided into three subgroups: 1. Amyloid beta injection 2. Placebo injection 3. No injection. The rats in the Alzheimer's disease groups got Alzheimer's disease by injecting Aβ1-42 into the hippocampus. The aerobic exercise protocol was five days a week for four weeks. 24 hours after the last training session, rats' memory and learning were assessed by using the Morris water maze test. Data was analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA. Significance between variables was considered at the level of P ≤ 0.05.The results of studying the learning and memory in different groups revealed that exercise groups showed better results than other groups in both Alzheimer's disease rats and healthy rats after a training period before and after Alzheimer's disease induction (P ≤ 0.05). Many studies have shown that physical activity and exercise may improve cognitive function and delay the onset of AD and other diseases associated with dementia. These results are supported by several studies that have shown that physical activity reduces the levels of AD-related factors.
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This experiment was conducted to survey of growth performance, blood metabolites, immunity, and thigh meat quality of broiler chickens fed with lysophospholipids (LPL) supplement in diets with soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils. This experiment was done in a CRD with a 23 factorial arrangement of treatments including two levels (0 or 0.05%) lysophospholipid (Lipidol) and three different sources of oil including soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils. A total of three hundred of male Ross broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 6 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds per each.  This experiment was conducted to investigate the growth performance, blood metabolites, immune system, and thigh meat quality of broilers fed by lysophospholipids (LPL) supplementation in diets with soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils. This experiment was done in a CRD with a 2Í3 factorial arrangement of treatments including two levels of (0 or 0.05%) lysophospholipids (Lipidol) and three different sources of oil including soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils. A total of three hundred of male Ross broilers were randomly allocated into 6 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds per each. The results of this experiment showed that the use of sesame oil compared to soybean oil improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers (p < 0.05). Broilers which received dietary LPL had a greater weight gain and feed conversion ratio, lower relative weight of bursa and greater triglycerides and LDL compared with those without LPL supplementation (p < 0.05). Use of sesame oil compared to soybean and flaxseed oil diets decreased malonaldehyde and increased water holding capacity of the thigh meat in broilers (p < 0.05). Besides, drip loss factor was lower in broilers which received LPL supplementation (p < 0.05). Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the use of sesame oil in the broiler diets could improve growth performance and meat quality. In addition, the use of LPL supplementation resulted in an increase of growth performance and alteration in blood metabolites of broiler chickens.

The objective of this study is to investigate fertility rate and determine plasma levels of ovarian hormones in the Makuii breed ewe treated by CIDR and PMSG. This investigation conducted in 80 fat-tailed Makuii breed ewes during the breeding season. All animals were divided randomly into four groups then a single intramuscular (IM) injection of PMSG (group 1, 300 IU; group 2, 400 IU; group 3, 500 IU, group 4) was made apart from 1 ml normal saline solution which was used as control group at the time of CIDR removal. Blood samples collected from the jugular vein at the days of CIDR insert removal, Estrus after PMSG treatment and the day 30 of pregnancy for the determination of plasma E2 and P4 concentrations. Estrus responses were similar in all groups. Pregnancy rates were 85%, 90%, 95% and 64.7% in groups 1, 2, 3 and the control group, respectively. Pregnancy rates were higher in groups 1, 2 and 3 than in control group (P<0.05). There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatment groups and the control group regarding the plasma E2 levels at days of CIDR insert and estrus. Differences between the treated and the control animals in the Plasma P4 levels at day estrus and the day 30 of pregnancy were significant (P<0.05). The result of current research showed that an injection of PMSG after CIDR removal can be more effective on the fertility response of Makuii breed ewes during breeding season.

Many studies have shown that siRNAs can silent the genes involved in growth and invasion of cancer cells. However, the exact effect of siRNAs is not entirely clear on the expression of CXCR4 gene in breast cancer cells. Therefore, the present study evaluated the expression of CXCR4 gene after silencing the siRNA in metastatic breast cancer cells. In this experimental-laboratory study, MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells were transfected by the specific siRNA of the snail1 gene. The expression levels of CXCR4 gene were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed by trypan blue test. Data was analyzed using t-test. Snail1 knockdown by siRNA significantly reduced the expression level of CXCR4 in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that the transfection of breast cancer cells by the specific siRNA of snail1 gene can reduce the expression level of CXCR4 and thus reduce the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.

High intensity interval training is associated with impaired immune function and cellular damage in lung tissue. Adiantum capillus-veneris has been considered as an herbal supplementation in traditional medicine as an antioxidant. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training on HIF-1α levels and the rate of bronchial and bronchiole apoptosis in lung tissue. For this purpose, 24 healthy Wistar male rats (4 weeks with a mean weight of 72 ± 9 g) were divided into experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 6) groups. After 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training, 6 rats in the experimental group were transferred to the supplement group (n = 6), continued training (n = 6) and exercise supplement (n = 6), and were monitored for another three weeks. At the end of the ninth week, lung tissue samples were taken and assayed to measure HIF-1α levels and bronchial and bronchiole apoptosis. One-way analysis of variance at the significant level (p ≥ 0.05) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that despite a significant increase in HIF-1α and bronchial apoptosis and pulmonary bronchioles (p ≥ 0.05) following increased exercise activity of Adiantum capillus-veneris, herbal supplementation in both supplemental group alone and exercise supplementation was significantly decreased. (p ≥ 0.05) associated with HIF-1α, bronchial apoptosis and bronchial lung tissue. Therefore, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris can lead to a decrease in HIF-1α levels and associated bronchial apoptosis and pulmonary bronchioles.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different dietary zinc sources on the egg production, sex hormone concentration and blood zinc serum of broiler breeders of Ross strain 308. Two hundred birds in 4 treatments and 5 replications and 10 birds in each experimental unit at the age of 45 weeks were tested in a completely randomized design. Experimental groups included: 1-Birds fed the basal diet without any addition of zinc, 2- Birds fed diet supplemented by 110 mg Zn (sulfate)/kg of diet, 3- Birds fed diet supplemented by 110 mg Zn (organic)/kg of diet and 4-Birds fed diet supplemented with 110 mg Zn (hydroxide)/kg of diet. In this study, egg production traits as well as zinc serum, estrogen and progesterone concentrations of experimental birds were measured at 32 and 45 weeks of the experiment. The results of egg production showed that there was a significant difference between experimental treatments (p <0.05). The highest and lowest number of eggs produced were in treatment containing organic zinc and control treatment, respectively. Zinc serum concentrations at 32 and 45 weeks of the experiment were significantly different between experimental treatments (p <0.05). The highest and lowest zinc serum concentrations were in treatment containing organic zinc and control treatment, respectively. No significant difference was observed in serum concentrations in the blood of broiler breeders. The results of serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations showed that there was a significant difference between experimental treatments (p <0.05). The highest and lowest concentrations of sex hormones were in the treatment containing organic zinc and the control treatment, respectively. The overall results of the study showed that the use of organic zinc supplementation in broiler breeders’ diet significantly increased zinc serum levels as well as sex hormones. Also, organic zinc supplementation significantly improved egg production among the studied birds.

In addition to their therapeutic purposes, steroids have been abused a lot and have had many side effects. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise on structural and biochemical changes in the heart tissue of male Wistar rats receiving therapeutic dosages and abuse of Boldenone steroid. Therefore, 49 male rats with 12 weeks of age and 190 g mean weight were divided into 7 groups: control group, sham, therapeutic dosage (2 mg / kg), abuse dosage (5 mg / kg), aerobic exercise, aerobic exercise + therapeutic dosage and aerobic exercise + abuse dosage. Injections were given in the same day of the week on the back of rats with a graduated insulin syringe and placebo was used. The aerobic protocol included running five days a week for eight weeks on a rodent treadmill at a speed of 30 meters per minute and 60 minutes training. The samples were first anesthetized and blood and tissue samples were transferred to the relevant laboratories. The results were also analyzed by SPSS software and one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in final weight gain and cardiac troponin (p <0.05). Also, plasma testosterone levels in steroid-receiving rats decreased significantly in both therapeutic and abusive dosages compared to the exercise groups (p <0.05). On the other hand, the amount of running distance in rodent aerobic function test in steroid and exercise groups was significantly higher than other groups (p <0.05). Generally, data showed that aerobic exercise can prevent the reduction of endogenous testosterone but it has no effect on cardiac troponin levels and rat weight. In addition, Boldenone steroid appears to be effective on increasing the aerobic function of rats.

Bisphenol A is a potentially endocrine-disrupting chemical agent which is widely used in plastic industries and its wrecking effects on various body organs have been proved. Human is more exposed to BPA because it can be released from polymeric materials and enter water and food sources. Purslane is a plant with different kinds of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could modify and improve the toxic effects of BPA. Forty nine rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: control group, experiment group (receiving 500 µg of corn oil / kg BW), toxin-receiving group (500 µg of bisphenol A/kg BW), positive control (100 mg of hydroalcoholic extract of portulaca oleracea/kg BW), 3 treatment groups receiving purslane hydroalcoholic extract (500 μg of bisphenol A + 50, 100, 150 mg of hydroalcoholic extract of purslane hydroalcoholic extract/ kg BW, respectively). All injections are done by i.p rout in 14 consecutive days. Anxiety test is performed by elevated plus maze apparatus in the last day. Data was analyzed in SPSS statistical software by one-way ANOVA with Tukey posttest. The findings of the study indicated a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the amount of Open Arm Time (OAT) and Open Arm Entries (OAE) as anxiety parameters in purslane treated groups compared with control group. The results indicate the dose-dependent effect of hydroalcoholic extract of purslane on the reduction of anxiety state. Also analyzed data showed that purslane can improve BPA toxic effects.

Bone fracture is one of the most common cases in animals and even in humans. Various methods have been used to treat and repair fractures. The prevalence of fractures and the time-consuming methods used today have led us to come up with a new way to treat animals faster. For this purpose, 5 New Zealand male rabbits weighing 0.5-1.5 kg were selected and kept for six weeks. After anesthesia under sterile conditions, the skin was exposed to the radius bones and excised part of the bone. After receiving antibiotics, the rabbits were divided into 5 groups, each containing treatment and control, and received 30 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg of chia seed extract for thirty days and they were examined histopathologically during week 1 and 2, and 3. The pathology of this study showed that the dosage of 1mg / kg had better healing effects compared with the other groups from the fourth week and bone mineral density was more evident. According to the results of this study, chia seeds can be a substitute for chemical pharmaceutical supplementation to repair bone defects.

Wound healing in diabetic patients is delayed, because of oxidative stress. This study aims at investigating the molecular changes in Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFs) in a high-glucose state and improving the effect of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) and gene expression of oxidative genes Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD) and Heme Oxygenase1 (HO1). HDFs were cultured in 5.5, 25, 50, and 75 mM glucose concentrations for 72 hours. Cell proliferation was examined via 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Oxidative stress markers of SOD and HO1 were quantified with real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The antioxidant effect of NAC on 1 mM was examined to evaluate oxidative markers in the glucose effects on the HDFs. The MTT assay revealed a decline in cell viability in 50 and 75 mM glucose concentrations. mRNA level of SOD and HO1 was upregulated. The antioxidant addition of NAC reduced the inhibitory effect of the high-glucose state on the proliferation of the HDFs. A high-glucose state impairs the in vitro proliferation and migration of HDFs and may, therefore, induce increased oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction. The antioxidant effect of NAC ameliorates the damaging impact of a high-glucose state.

Coronary artery disease is currently one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. The present study aims at investigating the effect of eight weeks aerobic-resistance training on neuroglin-1 and interleukin-6 in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting. The research method was quasi-experimental and pre-test-post-test. The statistical population was all patients with coronary artery bypass grafting in Mashhad. Height 1.58 ± 0.03 (m), weight 68.11 ± 5.54 (kg), body mass index 27.18 ± 2.47 (2 kg / m2) and disease history 8.75 ± 25/20 (month) was formed after coronary artery bypass surgery. According to the inclusion criteria, they were divided into experimental (12) and control (12) groups. Data was analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test at the significance level of P≥0.05 and SPSS software version 21. The results of the present study showed that eight weeks aerobic-resistance training increases neuroglin1 (P = 0.001) and insignificantly decreases interleukin 6 in the combination training group compared with the control group (P = 0.061). Statistical results of t-correlated t-test showed a significant increase in neuroglin1 (P = 0.001) and a non-significant decrease in interleukin 6 in the post-test combination test group compared with the pretest (P = 0.889). These changes were not significant in the control group (P = 0.331, P = 0.789. The data of the present study showed that aerobic-resistance training can improve the condition of patients with coronary artery bypass graft by increasing the studied factors.

The studies showed Bax and Bcl2, as very important genes in the process of apoptosis that can prevent cancer. The role of TGFβ gene has been also proven as a very important gene in the process of invasion and metastasis in cancers. This study aims at evaluating the expression changes of these three very important genes in cancer cells of rat gastric tissue by Dimethylhydrazine. In this study, forty male Wistar rats and 53 weeks old rats were evaluated and were divided into four ten-groups. The control group received only water and food, the second group received carcinogens without Cinnamaldehyde, the third group received only Cinnamaldehyde and the fourth group received carcinogens with Cinnamaldehyde at the same time. Then, the gastric tissue of rats was isolated and evaluated for the expression of Bax, Bcl2 and TGFβ genes with real-time PCR. The data was analyzed with one-way Anova using SPSS. The results of statistical analysis showed that the expression of in the carcinogen receptor Cinnamaldehyde increased in Bax, decreased in Bcl2 but increased in TGFβ genes compared with the control group, respectively. The results of this study showed that Cinnamaldehyde can be altered by changes in the expression of genes and it is hoped that in further researches, Cinnamaldehyde be considered as a candidate for therapeutic supplements.

Many herbal supplements have been proposed to increase athletic performance and improve the immune system of athletes. This study aims at comparing the herbal supplement of Plantago major seeds and allopurinol on xanthine, uric acid and some components of leukocytes in wrestlers after an intense exercise. In this semi-experimental study, 12 college wrestlers participated in this study with mean and standard deviation and age range 18.7 ±3.65 years old and BMI 24.64 ± 3.82 kg/m2. These subjects consumed 300 mg of allopurinol or 5 g of Plantago major seed and placebo every day for five days before each test. Blood samples were collected for measuring before and immediately after a vigorous training and sent to the laboratory. Normal data was analyzed using analysis of variance for repeated measures and Banferroni post hoc test at the significance level of 0.05. The present study showed that one session of exhausted circuit–wrestling on xanthine, uric acid, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes had a significant effect and there was no significant difference between various groups serum baseline levels after receiving five days of supplementation and there was a significant difference in the increase of white blood cells after allopurinol supplementation compared to the control group in response to exercise (P = 0.022), but no significant difference was observed in other variables in response to exercise. Allopurinol probably reduces free radicals and causes less excretion of purines, but it seems that this supplement will increase white blood cells and neutrophils after vigorous activities.

One of the most important causes of global population decline is the overgrowth of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease characterized by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the hippocampus. Probiotics are microscopic organisms that are important for maintaining and improving human health. This study aims at assessing the effect of two probiotic strains, including Bifidobacterium longum and Limosilactobacillus reuteri on Aβ42 gene expression, the count of amyloid plaques, and neurogenesis in the brain of Alzheimer's disease rat models. First, two probiotic strains were isolated, purified and identified from traditional yogurt, and the rats were grouped as follows: thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group underwent any surgery with no special treatment. The other groups underwent surgery and after being injected by Aβ42, they were divided into the sham group receiving water (probiotics solvent) and the two experimental groups receiving 2.5 x 109 CFU of Bifidobacterium longum and Limosilactobacillus reuteri strains. Finally, Aβ42 gene expression, the count of amyloid plaques, and neurogenesis were assessed in the brain of Alzheimer's disease rat models. In the brain of induced Alzheimer’s disease rats, neuron death occurred and the number of amyloid plaques increased significantly (p<0.001). Also, Aβ42 gene expression was increased in their brains. Meanwhile, treatment with both probiotic strains notably improved all of these symptoms. Therefore, the use of both Bifidobacterium longum and Limosilactobacillus reuteri probiotic strains seem to be effective in the recovery and treatment of Alzheimer's disease which certainly requires more investigations.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation and the result of oxidative stress of ovarian tissue, which is associated with disability in ovarian functions. This study aims at evaluating the effect of 4 weeks of Gallic Acid (GA) prescription and swimming (EX) training on ovarian tissue parameters in PCOS model. Forty adult Wistar female rats weighing 180 ± 10 g were randomly divided into 5 groups: PCOS, PCOS + GA, PCOS + EX and PCOS + GA + EX. To induce the PCOS model, letrozole (1 mg / kg) was NG tubed for 28 days. Then, GA was prescribed orally for 4 weeks and swimming was performed for 4 weeks and 3 sessions per week. Finally, after dissection of the ovary and staining with hematoxylin-eosin, histological evaluations were performed. The results showed a significant decrease in corpus luteum diameter, number of monolayer, multilayer, secondary and Graafian follicles and corpus luteum in PCOS group and also a significant increase in the number of atretic and cystic follicles compared with control group. While the interaction of GA prescription and swimming improved ovarian parameters. However, no significant change in the diameter of oocytes and primary and multilayered follicles was observed in the groups. GA and swimming appear to be effective on restoring the folliculogenesis of PCOS rat model and the ovulation process.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in neuronal death and memory loss as it progresses. Following the progression of this disease, the production of free radicals and inflammatory factors occurs and it is now increasingly widespread, especially among the elderly. Studies show that Bornyl acetate, as a monoterpene, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the present study aims at assessing the effects of Bornyl acetate on AD male Wistar rats. Aβ1-42 was injected into the hippocampus of male rats bilaterally to create the Alzheimer's model. The therapeutic as well as the preventive effects of Bornyl acetate at a dosage (50, 20 mg/kg) were also investigated. Moreover, biochemical enzymes, SOD and MDA, shuttle box behavioral test, histological studies and hematoxylin & eosin and thioflavin-S staining were used to evaluate neurogenesis and amyloid plaques and the effects of short-term restraint stress on AD rats as well as the effects of the compound in vitro. Biochemical factors, histological images and behavioral test of the AD group were significantly different from the control groups and AD group showed a significant decline in learning and memory indices compared with the control group. Also, receiving a Bornyl acetate caused a significant increase in neurogenesis and a significant decrease in plaque density as well as significant changes in biochemical indices and behavioral tests. In addition, Bornyl acetate + restraint stress (R) group elevated learning speed and improved memory compared with the AD group. Notably, the above combination reduced amyloid fibrils in vitro. It seems that this compound can improve memory disorders and complications according to the results of the present study and previous reports suggest the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Bornyl acetate.

Mustard sulfur (SM) is a blister and has destructive effects on the lungs, eyes, and skin. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that regulate many important cellular pathways. The clear association of microRNA expression changes in a wide range of diseases and their interception in various organs of the body, including the skin, has made them a suitable biomarker. This study aims at evaluating the changes in miR-21 gene expression in chemical warfare victims infected with SM. In this study, skin biopsy specimens including 10 veterans exposed to SM with moderate complications, 10 veterans exposed to SM with severe complications, and 10 control samples were collected, and then total RNA was extracted. cDNA synthesis was performed. MiR-21 gene expression was assessed using real-time PCR. 5 s rRNA gene was used as the internal control. Graph Pad Prism software version 6.07 was used for the statistical analysis of data. Roc curve was used to evaluate the biomarker value of the miR-21 gene. Increased expression of the miR-21 gene was observed in samples of SM veterans compared with normal samples. There was a statistically significant difference in the expression of the miR-21 gene in the skin samples of veterans exposed to SM with moderate complications and veterans exposed to SM with severe complications compared with the samples of control skin (P-value 0.0001). The expression of the miR-21 gene in the skin samples of veterans exposed to SM with severe complications and veterans exposed to SM with moderate complications in old age was not significantly related to the control sample (P-value = 0.8049, P-value = 0.3802). This study showed that the relative expression of miR-21 could be a potential biomarker in distinguishing SM veterans from healthy individuals but needs further researches..

Varicocele and obesity are common causes of male infertility that negatively influence spermatogenesis. This study aims at investigating sperm parameters and the correlation between the amount of DNA damage in obese patients and patients with varicocele compared with normal subjects. Generally, there were 210 samples, which respectively included 95 semen samples from obese infertile men, 50 semen samples from infertile men with varicocele, and 65 normal men with an age range from 27 to 50 years who met the conditions to be included in the study. It was separated from other samples and the semen was analyzed based on the parameters of the World Health Organization (WHO). The fragility of sperm DNA was evaluated for the mentioned samples. Compared with normal subjects, obese infertile men showed a significant decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology and a significant increase in DNA damage (p < 0.001). Also, a significant negative correlation was observed between DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and sperm parameters in obese infertile men, so that with the increase in DFI, other parameters showed a decrease. In obese infertile subjects, DFI had a negative correlation with sperm parameters including number (r = -0.171), movement (r = -0.467) and sperm morphology (r = -0.314). Infertile people with varicocele compared with normal people, a significant decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology and a significant increase in DNA damage were observed. Also, a significant negative correlation was observed between parameters and DFI. In this way, with the increase in DFI, other parameters decreased. In varicocele patients, DFI had a negative correlation with sperm parameters including number (r = -0.466), movement (r = -0.413) and morphology (r = -0.484). The results showed that varicocele and obesity have a negative effect on the health of sperm DNA in addition to reducing the quality of sperm parameters. Also, a significant negative correlation was observed between the amount of DFI and sperm parameters, which shows that these items may adversely influence the process of spermatogenesis.