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Narjes Khavasi1 
, Ehsan Saboory2 , Zahra Najmi3 , Leila Ghassemifard1 , Amir Mohammad Ghanbari4 , Saeed Sardari *5
, Ehsan Saboory2 , Zahra Najmi3 , Leila Ghassemifard1 , Amir Mohammad Ghanbari4 , Saeed Sardari *5
1- Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
2- 2. Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
3- MD, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Minimmaly Invasive Surgery (MIGS) fellowship, Department of Clinical Translational Science, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA.
4- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran
5- Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran ,ssardari504@zums.ac.ir
2- 2. Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
3- MD, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Minimmaly Invasive Surgery (MIGS) fellowship, Department of Clinical Translational Science, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA.
4- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran
5- Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran ,
Abstract: (112 Views)
Background & Objective: Pregestational stress attenuates circulating levels of sex hormones and potentially affects reproductive function. This study investigated the effects of simultaneous administration of Cuscuta epithymum (CE) extract on stress-related reproductive parameters in parent Wistar rats and on the serum sex hormone levels of their offspring.
Materials & Methods: In this experiment, 64 females and 36 male Wistar rats were divided into various categories: Control (no stress or CE extract), CE Extract (only given the extract), Stress (only exposed to stress), Stress + CE Extract (exposed to both stress and received the extract). Parental reproductive parameters were assessed across groups, including vaginal epithelial thickness and vaginal pH in female rats, sperm parameters in males, and circulating sex hormone levels in both sexes. Offspring were evaluated for sex ratio, litter size, and serum sex hormone levels in experimental groups.
Results: Presentational stress significantly lowered sperm parameters in adult males and decreased the thickness of vaginal epithelium in adult females (P< 0.01). However, co-administration of Cuscuta Epithymum extract in the stress-exposed groups resulted in increased up to the control group. Additionally, stress exposure led to a significant reduction in the number of male offspring per litter (P < 0.01), an effect that was significantly mitigated by CE extract administration (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that concomitant administration of Cuscuta Epithymum extract can attenuate or decrease the adverse effects of stress on reproductive parameters in parents, sex ratio, litter size, and sex hormone blood levels in offspring. These results suggest that CE extract may be a potential supplement for reproductive function before conception.
Materials & Methods: In this experiment, 64 females and 36 male Wistar rats were divided into various categories: Control (no stress or CE extract), CE Extract (only given the extract), Stress (only exposed to stress), Stress + CE Extract (exposed to both stress and received the extract). Parental reproductive parameters were assessed across groups, including vaginal epithelial thickness and vaginal pH in female rats, sperm parameters in males, and circulating sex hormone levels in both sexes. Offspring were evaluated for sex ratio, litter size, and serum sex hormone levels in experimental groups.
Results: Presentational stress significantly lowered sperm parameters in adult males and decreased the thickness of vaginal epithelium in adult females (P< 0.01). However, co-administration of Cuscuta Epithymum extract in the stress-exposed groups resulted in increased up to the control group. Additionally, stress exposure led to a significant reduction in the number of male offspring per litter (P < 0.01), an effect that was significantly mitigated by CE extract administration (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that concomitant administration of Cuscuta Epithymum extract can attenuate or decrease the adverse effects of stress on reproductive parameters in parents, sex ratio, litter size, and sex hormone blood levels in offspring. These results suggest that CE extract may be a potential supplement for reproductive function before conception.
Keywords: Immobility stress, Pre-gestation, Reproductive functions, Sex hormones, Cuscuta Epithymum, Animal study
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Medical Biology
Received: 2025/05/25 | Accepted: 2026/03/17
Received: 2025/05/25 | Accepted: 2026/03/17
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