Hamouda, A. G., E. R. Abd-Allah, and A. A. Mahmoud, "Linezolid administration to lactating Wistar rats affects the health of their offspring.", Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, 2025. Abstract

Lactational exposure to antibacterial medications may affect the normal development of newborns during this crucial stage and later in adult life. Linezolid (LNZ) is an oxazolidinone antibacterial drug that is effective against drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria and multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although it is relatively toxic, there is insufficient data about LNZ use during lactation. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of linezolid administration during lactation on Wistar rats' offspring. Eighteen lactating Wistar female rats were separated into three groups (n = 6): control, therapeutic, and low dose groups. The therapeutic dose group received 61.66 mg/kg of LNZ (equivalent to the human dose), while the low dose group received 15.41 mg/kg of LNZ (1/4 of the human therapeutic dose) by gavage twice daily. All lactating dams and their offspring died four days after receiving a therapeutic dose. In the low dose group, LNZ significantly reduced the body weight of lactating females and their pups. The liver tissue of the pups showed a considerable increase in malondialdehyde levels, along with a decrease in the catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activities accompanied by moderate histological alterations like congestion, and infiltration, and DNA fragmentation as indicated by comet assay. Microscopic examination of renal tissue revealed glomeruli deterioration, cellular infiltration, and intratubular protein deposits. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential risks linezolid may pose to infants during postpartum. Therefore, there is a need for preweaning monitoring and caution should be taken during breastfeeding.

Mahmoud, A. A., M. A. M. Shaaban, and W. T. Basal, "Anacyclus pyrethrum enhances fertility in cadmium-intoxicated male rats by improving sperm functions.", BMC complementary medicine and therapies, vol. 24, issue 1, pp. 409, 2024. Abstract

BACKGROUND: Environmental pollutants, particularly heavy metals, have been frequently connected to male infertility. Cadmium was previously shown to reduce male fertility by causing oxidative stress. Anacyclus pyrethrum is a well-known medicinal plant. Most of its parts, notably the roots, have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study investigated the potential ability of Anacyclus pyrethrum to protect male rats against cadmium reproductive toxicity.

METHODS: Twenty-eight adult Wistar male rats (8 weeks old) weighing (170-200g) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): group (1) the control, group (2) was orally administrated with Anacyclus pyrethrum extract (100mg/kg) for 56 consecutive days, group (3) received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of cadmium chloride (1mg/kg), and group (4) received a single IP dose of CdCl followed by 8 weeks of oral Anacyclus extract treatment.

RESULTS: Cadmium Cd toxicity resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD and glutathione peroxidase GPx) in the semen coupled with a significant rise in malondialdehyde MDA level. Consequently, sperm analysis parameters were significantly affected showing decreased motility, viability, concentration and increased morphological aberrations. DNA fragmentation was also detected in the sperms of rats exposed to Cd using comet assay. Serum levels of testosterone T, follicle stimulating hormone FSH, and luteinizing hormone LH were significantly decreased. The mRNA expression levels of sex hormone receptors (FSHR, LHR and AR) in the testis of the Cd exposed rats were significantly decreased. Expression levels of Bax and Bcl2 genes in the sperms of Cd intoxicated rats were also affected shifting the Bax/Bcl2 ratio towards the induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment with the Anacyclus pyrethrum extract restored the oxidative enzymes activities and decreased the formation of lipid peroxidation byproduct, which in turn ameliorated the effect of Cd on sperm parameters, sperm DNA damage, circulating hormone levels, gene expression and apoptosis. These results indicate that Anacyclus pyrethrum could serve as a protective agent against cadmium-induced sperm toxicity.

CONCLUSION: Taken together, it can be concluded that the antioxidant activities of Anacyclus pyrethrum restored the semen quality and enhanced fertility in Cd-intoxicated male rats.

Aya Abdel Nasser Mahmoud, E. A. Ahmed, and A. R. Omar, "Thiacloprid impairs reproductive functions of male Wistar rats.", Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, vol. 397, issue 8, pp. 6197-6211, 2024. Abstractthiacloprid.pdf

Global male infertility correlated to the rise of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including insecticides, has grown into a pressing problem. Thiacloprid is one of the most commonly used neonicotinoids that accounts for more than 25% of the global pesticide industry. However, its impact on the reproductive system and male fertility has not been fully elucidated. The object of this study was to explore the adverse effects of thiacloprid on male Wistar rats' reproductive system. Thirty healthy male rats were separated into one of three groups: control group, and two groups that were orally administered with low (22.5 mg/kg) and high dose (62.1 mg/kg) of thiacloprid for 56 days. Thiacloprid significantly (p<0.05) reduced body weight and relative testicular weight, as well as sperm quality (count, motility, viability, and morphology), in a dose-dependent manner. THIA-treated groups revealed a large effect (d > 0.8) on semen quality with Cohen's d of (6.57, 8.82), (20.14, 23.54), and (2.81, 9.10) for count, motility, and viability respectively. Meanwhile, the serum testosterone level dropped while the levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones increased. 17ꞵ-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 3ꞵ-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase levels were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of the tested antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione reduced (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) exhibited a considerable decrease compared to the control group with a significant elevation in the lipid peroxidation activity as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The testicular histology revealed degenerative changes in spermatogenic cells and interstitial tissue. Comet assay revealed DNA fragmentation in treated groups' testicular tissue. Thiacloprid exposure interferes with reproductive function and impairs male Wistar rat fertility. Such harmful consequences may also develop in humans frequently exposed to thiacloprid.

Basal, W. T., A. R. Omar, and A. A. Mahmoud, "Exposure to Lufenuron During the Third Gestational Period Induces Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Effects in Pregnant Albino Rats and Their Fetuses", Egyptian academic journal of biological sciences (B. Zoology) , vol. 13, issue 2, 2021.
Omar, A. R., A. I. Dakrory, I. A. Y. kader, and A. A. Mahmoud, "nerves and the ciliary ganglion of Malpolon monspessulana (Colubridae, Ophidia)", The journal of basic and applied zoology, pp. 52, 2015. eyemusclenerves.pdf
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Basal, W. T., A. T. Ahmed, A. A. Mahmoud, and A. R. Omar, "Lufenuron induces reproductive toxicity and genotoxic efects in pregnant albino rats and their fetuses", Scientific Reports, vol. 10, pp. 19544, 2020. lufenuron_induces_reproductive.pdf