Search Results (4)

Responding to the need for the verification of some experimental animal studies showing the involvement of oxidative stress in germ cell damage in the heat-induced testis, we investigated the possibility of a direct relationship between seminal oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) and ejaculated sperm chromatin/DNA integrity (DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation abnormalities) in distinct groups of men exposed and not exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia. A statistical increase in the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation was observed in all the studied subgroups compared to the fertile men. In turn, the groups subjected to heat stress as professional drivers or infertile men with varicocele presented greater disturbances in the oxidative stress scavenging system than men not exposed to genital heat stress. Based on the comparative analysis of the studied parameters, we can conclude that alterations in the seminal oxidative stress scavenging system are directly engaged in the pathogenesis of ejaculated sperm DNA damage regardless of the intensity of the impact of thermal insult. To the best of our knowledge, this study, for the first time, revealed the co-existence of oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage in the semen of professional drivers. Full article

Follicular organization starts during mid-to-late fetal life with the formation of primordial follicles. The bilateral interplay between the oocyte and adjoining somatic cells during follicular growth and ovulation may be sensitive to heat stress (HS). Mechanisms giving rise to pre-ovulatory temperature gradients across reproductive tissues are mostly regulated by the pre-ovulatory follicle, and because the cooling of the gonads and genital tract depends on a counter-current transfer system of heat, HS may be considered a major factor impairing ovulation, fertilization and early embryo development. There is evidence of a long-lasting influence of HS on oogenesis and final follicular maturation. Follicular stages that are susceptible to HS have not been precisely determined. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the influence of HS during the staged follicular development in dairy cattle, from the activation of primordial follicles to ovulation. Some clinical prospects are also considered. Full article

The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for male subfertility/infertility caused by or complicated by genital heat stress remains unclear in many respects. Because seminal plasma creates the environment for the proper functioning of spermatozoa, in this study, we verified the associations among standard spermiograms, seminal biochemical parameters (neutral alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and citric acid) and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) in distinct entities associated with male infertility with and without long-time exposure to local hyperthermia. We demonstrated that men exposed to prolonged environmental or clinically recognized local heat stress in adulthood may suffer from dysregulation of seminal antioxidant components, which can be directly associated with epididymal and prostate function. The comparative analysis of the studied parameters showed numerous correlations among all biochemical parameters (particularly neutral alpha-glucosidase) with low standard semen quality in almost all the investigated infertile groups. In light of the data obtained in this originally designed study, we conclude that more attention should be paid to the epididymis and accessory gland function in subfertile and infertile men exposed to genital heat stress, especially in the context of novel treatment algorithms (targeted therapies). Full article

This report illustrates, for the first time, a case of unilateral orchitis and epididymitis in a Holstein-Friesian bull, associated with Salmonella enterica infection (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium). A one and a half-year-old Holstein-Friesian bull had arrived at the Veterinary Hospital of Assiut University suffering from anorexia accompanied with persistent fever, which did not respond to oxytetracycline and flunixin meglumine injection for 15 days. Gross examination revealed left scrotal enlargement (three times its normal size), heat sensation, and induration of the testis and epididymis, which was painful on external palpation. Microbiological and pathological examinations of the left testicle, epididymis, and spleen samples were performed. S. Typhimurium was recovered from the affected tissues and its critical virulence genes (stn, avrA and sopB) were identified. Pathological examination revealed a unilateral necrotizing intratubular pyogranulomatus orchitis and epididymitis with severe peri-orchitis. In addition, splenomegaly with a firm and large whitish nodular capsular structure associated with different stages of granulomatous reaction around the white and red pulp. To the authors’ knowledge, this report is the first isolation of S. Typhimurium from the epididymis and testicles of a Holstein-Friesian bull. These results highlight the importance of including S. Typhimurium among the health disorders associated with stressful situations in bovine with orchitis and or/epididymitis. In Egypt, Salmonella spp. infection as being enzootic with high probability of dissemination should be considered one of genital health problems among cattle farms. Full article