Dietary Isoflavone Aglycons from Soy Germ Pasta Improves Reproductive Performance of Aging Hens and Lowers Cholesterol Levels of Egg Yolk.

This study compared dietary isoflavone aglycones with the glycoside conjugates in a novel model of postmenopausal status, the aging domestic hen (), to determine the effects on reproductive performance, cholesterol levels, and nutritional quality of eggs laid. Hens, 18 mo old, were randomized into four groups ( = 10/group) and fed for 28 d a conventional poultry corn/soymeal diet (Control), or diets supplemented with isoflavone glycosides from soy germ (diet A), isoflavone aglycons from a soy germ pasta (diet B), or conventional pasta lacking isoflavones (diet C). The egg-laying rate was recorded daily, plasma isoflavones and cholesterol were measured, and the nutritional composition of the eggs was determined.

Distribution of α- and δ-tocopherols in seminal plasma and sperm fractions of men with normal and abnormal semen parameters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the different isoforms of tocopherol (T) in seminal plasma (P) and in the sperm fractions of individuals with abnormal (group 1) and normal (group 2) sperm parameters; the relationships between these isoforms and conventional sperm parameters were also explored. Two vitamin E homologues, α-T and δ-T, were identified in the semen of all participants. Although α-T and δ-T concentrations were similar in the semen of the 2 groups, group 1 showed a lower α-T ratio (S/P) (0.

Desmosterol, the main sterol in rabbit semen: distribution among semen subfractions and its role in the in vitro spermatozoa acrosome reaction and motility.

Sterols are essential components of the cell membrane lipid bilayer that include molecules such as cholesterol and desmosterol, which are significantly found in the spermatozoa of several animal species. However, the presence of desmosterol in rabbit semen has never been investigated. The aims of this study were to characterize the sterol composition of subfractions of ejaculated rabbit semen and evaluate the in vitro effects of sterol on the spermatozoa acrosome reaction and motility.

In vitro antioxidant activity of the prostatic secretory granules in rabbit semen after exposure to organic peroxides.

Background: The prostate gland of rabbits produces numerous granules, which are specifically implicated in the inhibition of sperm capacitation during the first hours after mating. These granules are rich in vitamin E, but their role in the antioxidant protection of rabbit sperm has not been studied.

Aim Of Study: The objectives of this study were to investigate whether the prostatic secretory granules (PSGs) could prevent sperm induced-lipid peroxidation and to verify a potential involvement of tocopherols from the PSGs to the sperm.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and warfarin dose requirement variability.

The dose of warfarin needed to obtain a therapeutic anticoagulation level varies widely among patients and can undergo abrupt changes for unknown reasons. Drug interactions and genetic factors may partially explain these differences. Intestinal flora produces vitamin K2 (VK2) and patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) rarely present reduced INR values due to insufficient dietary vitamin K.

In vitro toxic effects of metal compounds on kinetic traits and ultrastructure of rabbit spermatozoa.

Metal compounds have been associated with male reproductive toxicity in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of 20 metal compounds using rabbit ejaculated spermatozoa as a study model for spermiotoxicity. Five of the metals tested (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and vanadium) reduced sperm motility and curvilinear velocity.

Impaired endothelial antithrombotic activity following short-term interruption of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in type 1 diabetic patients.

Review of literature has shown an increased rate of thrombotic complications in diabetic patients with frequent episodes of hyperketonemia. However, the mechanisms by which ketosis promotes vascular disease in diabetic patients are unclear. It was the aim of this study to investigate early changes in haemostatic parameters and oxidative stress markers during the hyperketonemic status which follows the interruption of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in type I diabetic patients.

Performance comparison of three assay methods used in fasting and postmethionine load plasma homocysteine determinations from patients with vascular disease.

Several methods have been developed for measurement of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), a proven graded risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to compare 3 commonly used clinical methods (enzyme immunoassay, Axis Biochemicals, Oslo, Norway; and fluorescence polarization immunoassay [FPIA], Axis, on the Abbott IMx System, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL; and BioRad high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], Laboratories, Munich, Germany) for tHcy determination in samples from cardiovascular patients also undergoing methionine load measurement. Only HPLC reached the required coefficient of variation (<6%) for desirable performance for tHcy concentrations ranging between 0.

Passionflower fruit-a "new" source of lycopene?

Many population studies have established a link between dietary intake of the carotenoid antioxidant lycopene and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Unlike most carotenoids, lycopene occurs in a few places in the diet. Besides tomatoes and tomato products, major sources of lycopene, other lycopene-rich foods include watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, and papaya.