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GHORBANI, R.; MOKHTARI, T.; KHAZAEI, M.; SALAHSHOOR, M. R; JALILI, C & BAKHTIARI, M.The effect of walnut on the weight, blood glucose and sex hormones of diabetic male rats. Int. J. Morphol., 32(3):833-838, 2014. SUMMARY:Diabetes leads to reproductive dysfunctions by producing free radicals. It seems that using walnut can be effective in the damage induced by diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of walnut consumption on sex hormones in diabetic Wistar male rats induced by STZ (streptozotocin). Diabetes animals were induced by STZ (60 mg/kg). Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6), including normal diet and healthy (Sham), Diabetic by normal diet (control) and diabetic by 6, 9 and 12% walnut in their diet (experimental groups), and were examined for 6 weeks. Body weight, blood glucose (3 times), and sex hormones (testosterone, FSH and LH) were measured. Overall, in terms of the mean index, there was a significant difference in the percentage of weight changes between the groups (p<0.001). Blood glucose (3 times) significantly increased in experimental and control groups in comparison with sham group (p<0.001). FSH concentration significantly decreased in control group (p<0.05) and testosterone hormone decreased in experimental and control groups compared to sham group (p<0.05). Oral administration of walnut seems to prevent severe weight loss in the experimental models of diabetic rats and exerts appropriate and useful changes in blood glucose level as well as positive effects on the secretion of sex hormones.

The reproductive cycle of male and female Pipistrellus kuhlii are described. Sexual activity is based on the degree of testicular and cauda epididymal development and on histological examination of both male and female reproductive organs. During the study spermatogenesis took place during summer and spermatozoa were released from the testis in August and September. Although no more spermatozoa were produced during late summer and early autumn, they continued to be stored in the cauda epididymides for winter. Endometrial sperm storage in the uterus of females in mid-December together with packing and perpendicular orientation of spermatozoa toward the endometrum indicate that Pipistrellus kuhlii mate in winter and store spermatozoa until spring when the fertilization takes place. This study indicates that the reproductive cycle of Pipistrellus kuhlii involves asynchrony between primary and secondary sexual function which is typical of vespertilionid bats inhabiting temperate latitude.

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