Ameliorative Effects of <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i>Essential Oil on Fertility in Male Rats Exposed to Manganese

Introduction: Several substances were likely to cause the decline in male fertility which could go up to the complete sterility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil on fertility in male rats exposed to manganese. Materials and Methods: Twenty four male rats, 6 months old, were divided into 2 groups;12 rats in one group received, by oral route, a water containing manganese chloride tetrahydrate (MnCl2·4H2O) is at the dose of 4.79 mg·ml-1 for 12 weeks. The group of control male rats received a distilled water in the same conditions. After a period of experimentation, each group was divided into two subgroups of 6 rats which received daily, by intraperitoneal way, a 0.1 mg/kg body weight, of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil. Results: After a chronic exposure, microscopic examination of the testes showed degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and the gremlin cell. Seminal parameters indicated a decrease in the sperm levels (21.3 × 106 cells/ml) and a rise of morphological abnormalities (66.1%). However, intraperitoneal administration of essential oil extracted from the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, during 3 weeks, to the rats previously intoxicated with Mn, showed a significant rising of sperm concentration (61.2 × 106 cells/ml) and a reduction of morphological abnormalities (10.8%). These changes were associated with a significant regeneration of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. Conclusion: This study revealed an ameliorative effect of essential oil Syzygium aromaticum in testicular tissue and the sperm quality.

Effects of interaction Cd-Zn on serum-PSA level and prostate histology in rats

Objective: To assess cadmium sulfate(CdSO_4) and zinc chloride(ZnCl_2) antagonist effects on the prostate specific antigen and prostatic cell organization in rats.Methods: The study included 40 adult male rats, divided into four groups: Group 1(CdSO_4), Group 2(ZnCl_2), Group 3(CdSO_4-ZnCl_2) and Group 4(control). Animals were treated withCdSO_4 and ZnCl_2 at the same dose(15 mg/L) during 30 days.Results: It was showed a higher body weight and a lowering serum-prostate specific antigen concentration [(1.8 ± 0.6) ng/m L] in animals treated withCdSO_4.CdSO_4 induced a cyto-nuclear atypia, proliferative lesions, hyperplasia and precancerous foci in prostate tissue. Toxic effects of ZnCl_2 were not recorded in this study.Conclusions: Protective role of zinc was exhibited against toxic effects of cadmium in prostate gland.

Inappropriateness of prostate cancer screening by PSA in young Algerian farmers

Introduction: It is not yet established, in Algeria, a consensus on the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) for the screening of prostate cancer (PCA) while some doctors speculate and recommend a serum-PSA assay to the young men. The objective is to assess the prevalence of PSA by age in young farmers. Methods: This study was undergone on 403 farmers, exposed to the risk of pesticides, aged between 30 - 70 years and living in rural areas of Saida (Western Algeria), during the period 2006 to 2012. The values of the PSA were collected during PCA screening and compared by statistical tests that revealed significant difference. Results: It was found that 15.6% of patients were under the age of 40 years. The total PSA (TPSA) increases with age and varies from 1 to 2 ng/ml for the respective age groups of 30 - 39 and 60 - 69 years. Approximately, 16.6% of men (or 1/6), who underwent PSA assay were under the age of 40 years. Conclusion: According to the recommendations of Algerian associations of cancer, men younger than 50 years may not be candidates for screening by PSA.