title: Effect of Genistein on reproductive parameter and serum nitric oxide levels in morphine-treated mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The predominant phytoestrogen in soy and derived products is the isoflavone Genistein. Genistein has antioxidant properties. Morphine is a main psychoactive chemical in opium that can increase the generation of free radicals and therefore it could adversely affects the spermatogenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main goal was to investigate whether the Genistein could protect morphine adverse effects on sperm cells viability, count, motility, and testis histology and testosterone hormone and nitric oxide in blood serum.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, various doses of Genistein (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg) and Genistein plus morphine (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg) were administered interaperitoneally to 48 male mice for 30 consequent days. These mice were randomly assigned to 8 groups (n=6) and sperm parameters (sperm cells viability, count, motility and morphology), testis weight and histology, testosterone hormone (ELISA method), FSH and LH hormones (immunoradiometry) and serum nitric oxide (griess assay) were analyzed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that morphine administration significantly decreased testosterone (0.03 ng/mg) LH and FSH level, histological parameters, count, viability (55.3%), morphology and motility of sperm cells (1%), testis weight (0.08 gr) and increase nitric oxide compared to saline group (p=0.00). However, administration of Genistein and Genistein plus morphine significantly boosted motility, morphology, count, viability of sperm cells, seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal thickness, testosterone, LH and FSH while decrease nitric oxide level in all groups compared to morphine group (p<0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that Genistein administration could increase the quality of spermatozoa and prevent morphine- induced adverse effects on sperm parameters.
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jalili
authors.affiliation: Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Sharareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roshankhah
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: MohammadReza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salahshoor
keywords: Antioxidants; Ca2+ channels; Catsper protein; Spermatozoa