Protective effects of Calligonum comosum extract on histological alterations and apoptosis-related gene expression in vitrified-thawed neonatal mouse testicular tissue

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Faranak Najd 1
Mansoureh Movahedin 2
Fattah sotoodehnejadnematalahi 1
Akram Eidi 1
1 Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/mjms.2026.122935.82638
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effect of the Calligonum comosum (C. comosum) extract on the improvement of spermatogenesis in vitro.
Methods: Neonatal testicular tissues were divided into four groups and cultured for two weeks: freshly cultured tissues (F2W); freshly cultured tissues supplemented with 10 μg/mL C. comosum extract (F2W + Ca); frozen–thawed tissues (FT2W); and frozen–thawed tissues supplemented with 10 μg/mL C. comosum extract (FT2W + Ca). Then, the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2, Bax, P53, and Fas) and the number of seminiferous tubules were evaluated after culture.
Results: The results of gene expression indicated significant upregulation of the Bax, P53 and Fas genes in the FT2W group compare to the F2W group (P < 0.001). The C. comosum extract significantly downregulated the expression of Bax, P53 and Fas genes in neonatal testicular tissue of the FT2W+ Ca group compared to the FT2W group (P < 0.001). Histological results showed that the number of abnormal tubules in neonatal testicular tissue considerably increased in the FT2W group compared to the F2W group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the C. comosum extract significantly reduced the number of abnormal seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue of the FT2W+ Ca group compared to the FT2W group (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The C. comosum extract was associated with reduced histological abnormalities and decreased the expression of apoptosis-related genes in cultured neonatal mouse testicular tissue.
Keywords
Spermatogenesis
Calligonum camosum
Testicular tissue
Testosterone
Subjects