Journal of Morphology and Anatomy

Background: Sertoli cells are one of the major cell types in testes that provide nutrition and structural support for germ cell development. Cytokeratin 18 protein is consistently expressed in immature Sertoli cells of prepubertal seminiferous tubules, but is completely absent in normal, mature seminiferous tubules.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the possible protective role of pomegranate molasses. Through immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 18 in the rat sertoli cells of prepubertal age after the administration of aluminum hydroxide.

Materials and methods: Sixty male albino rats of prepubertal age were divided into three equal groups: (control group); (Aluminum hydroxide treated group) received oral aluminum hydroxide at a dose of 30 mg/kg b. wt/day; (protected group) received both aluminum hydroxide (at the same previous dose) and pomegranate molesses in a dose of 0.5 ml (PM) plus 0.5 ml distilled water orally. At the end of the experiment (8 weeks), all animals were sacrificed and their testes were excised. Paraffin sections were prepared for examing under the light microscope, used histomorphological stain and immunohistochemical DAB stain of Cytockeratin protein 18 by aviden biotin complex protocol.

Results: After the administration of aluminum hydroxide (AD), some seminiferous tubules had disturbed basal lamina and disorganized germinal epithelium. The spermatogenic cells decreased in number with undifferentiated hyperprolifirating germ cells. The concomitant administration of pomegranate molasses with aluminum hydroxide showed alleviation in histopathological changes induced by aluminum hydroxide in the structures of testis. In addition, the increased number of sertoli cells was noticed in grouped treated with AD and decreased in group treated with concomitant administration of PM.

Conclusion: The present study showed that exposure to aluminum hydroxide resulted in marked degenerative effects on the rats' testis, but they were improved with the concomitant administration of PM, as well as, the immunohistochemical detection of cytokeratin 18 in Sertoli cells may be provided a sensitive marker for immature or damaged testes.

The growth of the branch in male elaphe deer (cervus elaphus) is a seasonal phenomenon resulting in a significant variation in the weight of the deer head of up to 14 kg.
Comparative anatomy studies to identify which biomechanical structures are being implemented to adapt and cope with such predictable variations have been
undertaken. The study of the angle of the spruce serouts of the tourniquet allowing a pulley return and a force vector was not conclusive; the complete dissection of the
spine of a young male deer was undertaken. The results unequivocally demonstrated the obvious correlation between the weight of future antlers and the size of the
diameter of the nuchal ligament in the daguet. Such results open the door to new questions about the correlation that might exist between the weight of the adornment,
the presence of neuropeptide Y in the nuchal ligament and calcium production.