الفهرس 
Introduction and Aim of the workOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The main objective of this study was to estimate the role of Withania somnifera root extract as an antioxidant in reducing body weight and in enhancing the chance of conception. Moreover, to investigate the root extract effects of Withania and related mechanisms on obesity induced oxidative stress on femur of female pregnant rats and their offspring. Experimental design: Thirty female Sprague Dawely rats and ten healthy male rats weighing approximately 100-120 g. were used in this study. After 2 weeks of acclimatization, HFD composed of standard diet in powder form mixed with melted animal abdominal fat (30%) and extra pure cholesterol (2%) was supplied for 16 weeks. Virgin female rats were made pregnant by mating with healthy adult males overnight (1 male: 3 females). The pregnant rats were arranged into four groups, 5 rats each as follow: A-Control group, B-Withania group, C-High-fat diet group, D-High fat diet with Withania group. The present study showed that administration of high fat diet (HFD) daily for four months caused the following: 1. Increased body weight of both mother rats and their offspring compared with the normal diet group. 2. There is a significant decrease in the percentage of femur weight in obese mother rats compared with the control group. 3. Serum leptin, estrogen, cholesterol, -triglycerides and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were elevated in the HFD rats when compared with the normal diet group, but serum adiponectin,progesterone and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly decreased in HFD rats compared with the control group were demonstrated. 4. In addition, there is an increase in the level of serum of inflammatory markers, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the HFD rats when compared with the normal diet group. 5. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutation peroxidase (GPX) were decreased in HFD mother rats compared with the normal diet group. 6. Cell cycle and Ki-67 analysis by flow cytometry where sub G1, S and G2/M phases increased in HFD mother rats and G0/1 decreased compared with the control group. Ki67 increased in obese mother rats compared with the control group. 7. Histopathological changes in the femur of obese mother rats and their offspring showed a delay in differentiation, increase in the cartilage matrix and lack of mineral calcium salts deposition. It was also observed that, there are slight changes in bone mass due to the formation of fats lined to a decrease in the absorbtion of calcium from food and the increase in the secretion of leptin hormone from adipose tissue. Histopathological changes in the femur of control mother rats and their offspring show the normal composition of this cells and increased deposition of mineral calcium salts. 8. Immunohistochemical stained sections for CD34 showed increased abundant positive CD34 cells in obese mother rats but negative stained for CD34 cells in control group. On the other hand, Withania root extract to HFD supplemented rats tended to enhance the above mentioned changes by modifying alterations of body weight, antioxidant, biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers.As a result, might it can be concluded that the use of Withania root extract can reduce the body weight and enhance the chance of conception as well as it can reduce the disorders caused by HFD-induced obesity.