Abstract
This study evaluates rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters after in vivo administration of amygdalin and apricot seeds during a 28-day period. Apricot seeds are potentially useful in human nutrition and amygdalin is the major cyanogenic glycoside present therein. The rabbits were randomly divided into the five groups (Ctrl-Control, P1, P2, P3, P4) with 4 males in each group. Control group received no amygdalin/apricot seeds while the experimental groups P1 and P2 received a daily intramuscular injection of amygdalin at a dose 0.6 and 3.0 mg/kg b.w. respectively during 28 days. P3 and P4 received a daily dose 60 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of crushed apricot seeds mixed with feed during 28 days, respectively. CASA system was used to evaluate for motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement and beat cross frequency. Intramuscular application of amygdalin resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent decrease of spermatozoa motility as well as progressive motility. On the other hand, oral consumption of apricot seeds had no significant effect either on the rabbit spermatozoa motility or progressive motility over the entire course of the study. The analysis of the other motion characteristics revealed a similar trend depicting a continuous, time- and dose-dependent decrease of all parameters following intramuscular AMG administration, with significant differences particularly for the dose 3.0 mg AMG/kg b.w. On the other hand, oral administration of apricot seeds had no significant impact on spermatozoa motility parameters. The present study suggests that short-term intramuscular application of amygdalin decreased rabbit spermatozoa motility in vivo. Whereas, consumption of apricot seeds did not induce any change in rabbit spermatozoa in vivo. Our findings suggest dose-dependent negative effect of pure amygdalin, but not apricot seeds on the rabbit spermatozoa parameters.
Highlights
More than 50% of cancer patients in Europe use complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) instead of or combined with conventional therapy [1]
Seeds contain AMG depending on the variety: approximately 20–80 μmol/g AMG may be found in apricot seeds, and its concentration is very high (5.5 g/100 g) in bitter apricot cultivars while it is not detected in the sweet ones [4]
At the end of the study, the lowest motility and progressive motility were recorded in the experimental group P2, subjected to intramuscular administration of 3.0 mg/kg AMG, followed by the experimental group P1, which received 0.6 mg AMG/kg intramuscularly
Summary
More than 50% of cancer patients in Europe use complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) instead of or combined with conventional therapy [1]. Seeds contain AMG depending on the variety: approximately 20–80 μmol/g AMG may be found in apricot seeds, and its concentration is very high (5.5 g/100 g) in bitter apricot cultivars while it is not detected in the sweet ones [4]. This natural substance is composed of two molecules of glucose, one benzaldehyde, and one hydrocyanic acid [5]. The present study was designed to reveal whether short-term intramuscular application of AMG and oral application of apricot seeds causes changes in rabbit spermatozoa in vivo
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
