Serkan Ali Akarsu

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of incorporating visnagin in a ram semen diluent on sperm motility, kinematics, membrane integrity, mitochondrial function and DNA integrity as functional indicators of cryodamage. Eight Tuj breed rams were used in the study. Semen samples were collected from the rams using an artificial vagina, then pooled and divided into five equal volumes. These samples were then diluted in a Tris-egg yolk diluent containing 0, 0.5, 25, 50 or 250 µM visnagin, before being cryopreserved. Following thawing, sperm motility and kinematic parameters were evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). DNA integrity, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated using standard fluorescence protocols. In the group treated with 25 µM visnagin, plasma membrane integrity was significantly higher, and there was a numerical increase in both total and progressive motility compared to the control group. In the study, visnagin at a dose of 250 µM showed a decrease in VCL, VAP, VSL, ALH, and BCF values. Although there was a numerically higher mitochondrial membrane potential in the group treated with 250 µM of Visnagin compared with the other groups, the rate of acrosomal damage was significantly lower. Consequently, whilst no adverse effects on sperm were observed at low doses of visnagin (0, 0.5, 25 and 50 µM), it was noted that, although the 250 µM dose reduced the rate of acrosomal damage, it also lowered VCL, VAP and BCF levels.

Bu çalışmada, koç spermasının 5°C’de kısa süreli saklanması sırasında sulandırıcıya eklenen riosiguatın sperm fonksiyonları üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Çalışmada üreme mevsiminde sekiz sağlıklı Tuj koçundan elde edilen ejakülatlar pooling yapılıp, 400×10⁶ sperm/mL yoğunluğa ayarlanarak beş eşit gruba ayrılmıştır. Deney grupları; kontrol (0 µM), 0.5 µM, 5 µM, 50 µM ve 250 µM riosiguat içerecek şekilde hazırlanmış ve örnekler 5 °C’de 72 saat süreyle saklanmıştır. Spermatolojik değerlendirmeler 0. ve 72. saatlerde total motilite, canlılık, plazma membran bütünlüğü, anormal spermatozoon oranı ve DNA bütünlüğü açısından gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, riosiguatın sperm fonksiyonları üzerinde doza bağlı bifazik etki gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Özellikle 0.5 ve 5 µM riosiguat içeren gruplarda 72. saatte total motilite ve canlılık oranlarının daha iyi korunduğu, plazma membran bütünlüğünün ise kontrol grubuna kıyasla anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir (P

Nonylphenol (NP), a widely used environmental endocrine disruptor, is known to impair male reproductive health by disrupting spermatogenesis, testicular structure, and inflammatory–apoptotic signaling pathways. This study investigated the extent of NP‐induced testicular toxicity and evaluated the modulatory effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using spermatological, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Thirty‐five male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control, NP (40 mg/kg), ZnO (30 mg/kg), NP + ZnO (15 mg/kg), and NP + ZnO (30 mg/kg), and treated orally for 28 days. NP exposure resulted in a significant reduction in sperm motility, increased proportions of abnormal and dead spermatozoa, and elevated serum testosterone levels. Histopathological examination revealed marked degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium and germ cell desquamation, accompanied by decreased expression of key blood–testis barrier proteins, including claudin‐11, occludin, N‐cadherin, and connexin‐43. At the molecular level, NP significantly upgraded the expression of apoptosis and inflammation related genes, such as BAX , IL‐1β , TNF‐α , JAK2 , and STAT3 . Co‐administration of ZnO nanoparticles partially attenuated NP‐induced alterations by improving sperm functional parameters, preserving seminiferous tubule architecture, and enhancing junctional protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner. ZnO nanoparticles administration also modulated apoptotic signaling, as reflected by increased BCL‐2 expression, while differentially regulating inflammatory and JAK2/STAT3 ‐associated responses. Overall, these findings indicate that ZnO nanoparticles partially mitigate NP‐induced testicular toxicity through dose sensitive cytoprotective and barrier‐preserving mechanisms, with the 15 mg/kg dose providing more consistent functional benefits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on bovine sperm cryopreservation by assessing post‐thaw spermatological and biochemical parameters. Twenty‐four ejaculations were collected from four Simmental bulls using the artificial vagina method. Ejaculates exhibiting over 70% motility were pooled to eliminate individual variations and allocated into five experimental groups: antibiotic‐free control group, antibiotic group, LA, BL and LR groups, respectively. Three probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and Bifidobacterium longum (BL), were incorporated into a Tris egg yolk‐based semen extender at a concentration of 10 ⁹ CFU/mL. Following dilution, samples were equilibrated and subsequently stored in liquid nitrogen. Post‐thaw evaluations were conducted for sperm motility and kinematic parameters using CASA, hypo‐osmotic swelling test, fluorescent staining for chromatin integrity, acrosomal integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers. Additionally, apoptosis and metabolism related proteins were quantified by ELISA. The results exhibited that probiotic treated groups had significantly higher total and progressive motility as compared with controls ( p < 0.001). In comparison with the control group, BL supplementation showed significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzyme activities, along with lowered TGF‐β and Caspase‐3 levels, indicating attenuated oxidative stress and apoptotic signalling ( p < 0.001). In contrast with the control group, LR supplementation resulted in elevated MDA and apoptosis‐related markers, suggesting strain specific pro‐oxidative effects ( p < 0.001). There were no significant differences observed in STAR or ATP synthase levels across the treatments. Altogether, the results exhibited that strains of probiotics, particularly BL, have the potential to serve as an alternative to antibiotics in bovine semen cryopreservation. Nevertheless, strain‐dependent responses and limitations, especially with respect to DNA integrity, require further investigation.

Vincristine (VCR) is a common drug used for this purpose. Apilarnil is a substance known for its antioxidant, antidiabetic and chemoprotective properties with positive effects on the reproductive system. In this study, the effects of apilarnil against testicular damage in vincristine‐treated rats were investigated. For this purpose, 35 male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into five groups as control, VCR, APL, VCR + APL 200 mg/kg of body weight and VCR + APL 400 mg/kg of body weight. VCR was administered intraperitoneally between days 1–6 and 9–14, while APL was administered by oral gavage for 14 days. After the study, rats were sacrificed, testicular tissues were removed and examined biochemically and histopathological, and epididymis tissue was used for spermatological analysis. VCR administration induced oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation and apoptosis in testicular tissue, leading to changes in testicular histology and decreased epididymal sperm quality. APL administration, on the other hand, suppressed oxidative stress, apoptosis, ER stress and inflammation while preserving testicular histology and preventing the decrease in epididymal sperm quality. In conclusion, APL has protective effects against the damage caused during chemotherapy.

Hesperidin is an important flavonoid compound found at high levels in citrus fruits. In addition to its protective effects on vital organs, numerous studies have highlighted its beneficial impact on the reproductive system. Date palm pollen (DPP) is the male reproductive cell of the date palm flower, known for its successful results in the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate the effects of hesperidin and date pollen on fertilization and sperm membrane integrity in rainbow trout sperm. Four male rainbow trout were used in the study. Sperm was collected from the trout by abdominal massage method and divided into 5 equal groups: 0.024 DPP, 0.5 DPP, 0.009 hesperidin, normal diluent and native sperm. Each group was diluted with the previously prepared diluent. Sperm was collected from female fish by the abdominal massage method. Egg fluid was obtained and diluted sperm was added. They were left to incubate in the incubator, and the total number of fertilized eggs was determined after 28-30 days. Smear samples were taken from the groups with eosin-nigrosin staining and evaluated for membrane integrity. As a result, fertilization was observed only in the groups reconstituted with normal diluent and hesperidin-added groups. When sperm membrane integrity was evaluated, it was found that the highest membrane damage was observed in the two groups to which date pollen was added. Date palm pollen-added diluent caused an increase in sperm membrane damage in rainbow trout sperm. The addition of hesperidin to the rainbow trout sperm diluent caused an increase in fertilization potential and a positive effect on the preservation of seminal membrane integrity.

Bisphenol A is widely recognized as a significant toxic environmental contaminant globally, primarily due to its extensive industrial and commercial applications. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of Coenzyme Q10, Carbon–60 fullerene and α–Lipoic Acid, which are known for their significant antioxidant capacity, to reduce the reproductive toxic effects induced by Bisphenol A in male rats. A total of sixty prepubertal male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to eight experimental groups. The substances were applied by oral gavage at dose–adjusted levels, dissolved in olive oil and/or water, once per day for a duration of seven weeks. The rats were decapitated 24 hours subsequent to the final application thereafter blood and testicular tissues were taken for analysis. The exposure of Bisphenol A resulted in significant elevation in serum and testicular malondialdehyde level and significant reduction in the level of antioxidant enzymes. Epididymal sperm concentration and motility were considerably lower in the Bisphenol A–exposed group against the control group. Marked histopathological changes were evident in the testicular tissue, characterized by degeneration and a notable decrease in germinal cell. It was determined that administration of Coenzyme Q10 and α–Lipoic Acid significantly prevented Bisphenol A–induced oxidative stress and associated complications such as testicular dysfunction and the decreased epididymal sperm quality. In conclusion, Bisphenol A negatively affected the reproductive system biochemically, histologically and reproductively in male rats; Coenzyme Q10, Carbon-60 fullerene, and α–Lipoic Acid alleviated these negative effects.

Favipiravir is a selective RNA polymerase inhibitor and a broad‐spectrum antiviral drug. Favipiravir reduces cell proliferation by inhibiting RNA transcription, particularly in rapidly proliferating cells such as spermatogonia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of action of favipiravir (T‐705) on sperm quality and testicular tissue in rats. A total of 60 Sprague‐Dawley rats, 30 in each group, were used in our study. Rats were randomly divided into two groups, control and experimental. Rats were killed on Day 14, Day 21, and Day 50 to observe short‐ and long‐term effects. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, proliferation, aromatase activity, inflammation, histopathological changes, and epididymal sperm quality were examined in the testicular tissue of rats. Favipiravir administration decreased SOD activity and GSH levels and increased MDA levels and 8‐OHdG levels in the testes of rats. It increased the levels of Caspase‐3 and NF‐ĸB, which are apoptotic markers, and decreased the levels of NRF2, PI3K, and Bcl‐2, which play a role in the regulation of apoptosis. Favipiravir led to disruption of the seminiferous tubules and disturbances in the structure of cells in the testis. In spermatological analysis, total motility value and epididymal spermatozoa density decreased. On Day 50, the favipiravir groups had higher rates of abnormal spermatozoa, DNA damage, and acrosome damage. In conclusion, favipiravir administration induced oxidative stress by increasing MDA levels and decreasing SOD activity and GSH levels in the testicular tissue of rats. It also affects the release of reproductive hormones by altering the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis. Favipiravir administration decreases the expression of genes that induce sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction and decreases sperm quality by causing changes in testicular histoarchitecture. Study results reveal that favipiravir treatment negatively affects testes and semen quality.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of apilarnil (APL) added to semen diluent on the short-term storage of ram semen. For this purpose, six Akkaraman rams aged 1.5 years were used in the study outside the breeding season. Semen was collected from the rams twice a week with the help of an artificial vagina. Semen was first analyzed and ejaculates with a total motility score of 70% and above were pooled. The pooled ejaculates were divided into 5 equal parts and reconstituted with tris-egg yolk diluent containing 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1%.5% and 2% APL. Diluted semen samples were stored at 4oC for 72 hours. As a result of the analyses, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of total motility at 0 hour, while progressive motility was significantly higher in the 0.5% APL group (P < .005). While rapid spermatozoa rate, curvilinear velocity (VCL), and linear velocity (VSL) were high in the control group in all time periods, medium, and slow spermatozoa rates were high in 1% and 1.5% APL groups (P < .05). At 0 and 72 hours, the control group had the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < .001). Glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly lower in the control group at 0 and 72 hours. In conclusion, 0.5-1.5% APL added to semen diluent for short-term storage of ram semen has a positive effect on semen quality and oxidant status.