Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate viability as well as morphological and biochemical featears of apoptosis in human sperm treated with sodium arseinte.
Material and methods: Human sperm samples were exposed with different concentration of sodium arsenite (0, 0.1, 20 and 100 µM) for 0, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. Sperm viability was done using MTT assay and sperm DNA integrity was investigated by acridine orange staining. Morphological feature of apoptosis in sperm nucleus was studied using Hoechst and Diff-Quick staining, whereas  biochemical feature of apoptosis was studied by TUNEL method. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA and repeated measure.
Results: MTT assay showed a significant interaction between sodium arsenite concentration and time on the decrease sperm viability. In addition, after 180 minutes, the viability of sperm treated with sodium arsenite was significantly decreased compared to control. However, this pollutant had no effect on DNA integrity as well as morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis in the sperm nucleus.
Conclusion: Sodium arsenite caused a significant decrease in human sperm viability and this effect was not due to the damage of sperm nucleus and DNA.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on sperm parameters in adult rat treated with para-nonylphenol.
Material and methods: Adult male rats were divided into four groups: Control, para-nonylphenol, vitamin E and para-nonylphenl+vitamin E. Oral treatments were performed till 56 days. At the end of treatments, body and left testis weight were recorded and left caudal epididymis was cut in a medium. Released spermatozoa were used to analyze sperm parameters such as sperm number, viability, morphology and motility. Sperm chromatin quality was assessed by nuclear staining using acridine orange and aniline blue.
Results: Body and testis weight as well as normal sperm morphology showed no significant change in four groups. A significant decrease in the number, viability and motility of the sperm was found in rats treated by para-nonylphenol compared to the control. This decrease was significantly compensated by vitamin E in para-nonylphenol+vitamin E group compared to para-nonylphenol group. The application of vitamin E alone could significantly increase sperm viability and motility as comared with the control. Para-nonylphenol had no effect on sperm DNA integrity and histon-protamine replacement compared to the control.
Conclusion: Vitamin E, as a potent antioxidant, could protect the adverse effect of para-nonylphenol on certain sperm parameters in adult rats.