title: Protection against Cyclosporine-Induced Reprotoxicity by Satureja khuzestanica Essential Oil in Male Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of cyclosporine (Cs), a fungal cyclic polypeptide with potent immunosuppressive activity, on fertility have assumed greater significance with the increasing numbers of transplantations being performed all over the world. Current study was undertaken to investigate the potential of Satureja khuzestanica Essential Oil (SEO) as an antioxidant to mitigate Cs-induced reprotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study (April-July 2012), thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 animals each. Two groups of rats were administered Cs [40 mg/kg/day, per oral (p.o.)] for 45 days. One of these groups received SEO (225 mg/kg/day, p.o.) four hours after Cs administration. A vehicle-treated control group and a SEO control group were also included. Epididymal sperm characteristics, in vitro fertilizing capacity as well as embryo development were evaluated. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were used, and the value of P<0.05 was considered as the criterion for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm count and viability along with fertilization and blastocyst development rates were significantly decreased by Cs treatment. Moreover, Cs-treated group showed significant increases in DNA damage, protamine deficiency of the sperm cells and proportion of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplet. Notably, aforementioned parameters were improved to near normal level by SEO co-administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that SEO has a protective action against Cs-induced reprotoxicity in a rat model.
authors.affiliation: Histology and Embryology Research Laboratories, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farokhi
authors.affiliation: Histology and Embryology Research Laboratories, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shalizar Jalali
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Akbarizadeh
keywords: Cyclosporine; In Vitro Fertilization; Satureja khuzestanica; Sperm