Sildenafil reverses the hypertrophy of mice right ventricle caused by hypoxia but does not reverse the changes in the myosin heavy chain isoforms.

In this study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia and concomitant sildenafil treatment on MHC isoforms in hypoxia-induced hypertrophied right ventricles. Right ventricular hypertrophy was induced in mice by exposing them to hypoxic stimulus (11% ambient oxygen) in a normobaric chamber for 20 days. 45 mice were used in this study, distributed randomly into three groups: the first group served as a control (CO), the second group was exposed to hypoxia for 20 days without sildenafil treatment (HY), and the third group was given sildenafil orally at a dose of 30 mg.

Adverse effects of propranolol on reproductive function in adult male mice.

Ingestion of propranolol at 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) body weight for 35 days by adult male mice was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were reduced and the average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle decreased significantly. A significant decline of spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the treatment group 2 (15 mg kg(-1)) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone, LH and FSH.

Short-term exposure of female rats to industrial metal salts: Effect on implantation and pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to characterize the adverse effects of industrial metal salts during the early stages of pregnancy. Successfully mated female rats were exposed to the following metal salts via intragastric intubation; manganese sulfate, lead acetate, aluminum chloride, ferrous chloride and ferric chloride in doses of 50 mg/kg body weight and chromium chloride and potassium dichromate in doses of 25 mg/kg body weight on days l-3 or 4-6 of pregnancy. Female rats were killed on day 20 of gestation and the pregnancy outcome was determined.

Effects of Ballota nigra on glucose and insulin in alloxan-diabetic albino rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose. Administration of aqueous extract of B.

Effects of Ballota nigra on blood biochemical parameters and insulin in albino rats.

Ingestion of aqueous 70% ethanol extract of Ballota nigra (400 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) by albino rats (n=10) was investigated to study its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), troponin I (TnI), serum creatine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea. Ballota nigra extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and CK levels. Blood levels of TnI, AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unchanged.

Effects of long-term use of fluoxetine on fertility parameters in adult male rats.

The effects of long-term ingestion of fluoxetine on fertility were investigated in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Adult male rats were exposed to fluoxetine at a concentration of 200 mg/kg for 60 days. Long-term ingestion of fluoxetine for 60 days caused a great decrease in spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Adverse effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on reproductive function in adult male rats.

Ingestion of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by two groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats at levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg body wt for 63 days was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were not affected, but the average weights of epididymides, ventral prostates, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands decreased significantly.

Effect of cholesterol diet on reproductive function in male albino rats.

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of cholesterol diet (400 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days on gonadal function in albino rats.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Animal House Unit at Jordan University of Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan between October 2003 and February 2004. Adult male and female albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain were raised under controlled temperature and light.