10 research outputs found
Knowledge of Men and Women about Infertility Risk Factors
With technological developments, creation of new industries and changing lifestyles, infertility risk factors (IRF) increased. Therefore creation of suitable solutions in society is crucial for the prevention of infertility.
Since prevention of infertility in a society is directly related to awareness about infertility, in the present study the awareness of people about infertility risk factors was assessed.
In this study, a survey questionnaire containing 24 factors related to IRF was developed and 170 persons (62 men and 108 women) from Fooladshahr, Najafabad and Mobarakeh participated and data were extracted from these questionnaires and were statistically analyzed.
Our study showed that average infertility awareness for men and women is 38% and 49% respectively. Also overall awareness was 44%. Also results showed that womenâs awareness about mobile radiation and fast foods is significantly higher than men. On the other hand men have significantly higher awareness about adverse effects of chlorine in swimming pool on fertility. Higher women awareness may be related to their higher sensitivity for fertility. Also, generally a higher level of awareness was observed relating to mobile, air pollution, stress, fast foods, smoking and alcohol.
Women have a higher level of awareness about infertility risk factors. Higher awareness about some IRFs may be results from widespread media coverage
The effects of melatonin and metformin on histological characteristics of the ovary and uterus in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome mice: A stereological study
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with anovulation, hyperandrogenism, ovarian and uterine histological changes, menstrual irregularities, etc. signs is an infertility type. It seems that melatonin and metformin can improve these abnormalities.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of melatonin and metformin on the ovary and uterus in PCOS-induced mice using stereological methods.
Materials and Methods: Seventy-two adult female BALB/c mice (8-wk-old, 20-30 gr) were randomly divided into control (distilled water, gavage), PCOS (90 ÎŒg/kg letrozole, gavage), PCOS+metformin (500 mg/kg, gavage), PCOS+melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and PCOS+melatonin control (0.5% ethanol saline) groups (n = 12/each). Another PCOS group was kept for a month to ensure that PCOS features remained. Finally, a stereological evaluation of the uterus and ovary was carried out, and vaginal cytology and serum testosterone levels were assessed.
Results: PCOS mice treated with metformin and melatonin had lower testosterone levels, body weight, and more regular estrus cycles than the PCOS group (p †0.001). A significant decrease in conglomerate and daughter gland numbers, and primary, secondary, atretic, and cystic follicles numbers with a significant increase in primordial and Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum numbers (p †0.001) was seen in these treated mice. Also, endometrial vesselsâ volume and length significantly increased, but ovarian, endometrial, myometrial, stromal, and glands volume, and endometrial and myometrial thickness dramatically declined (p †0.001).
Conclusion: It appears that metformin and melatonin could restore the PCOS phenotype including estrus cycle irregularity, high testosterone level, and ovarian and uterine micromorphology to the control levels. However, the 2 treatments had similar effects on the examined parameters.
Key words: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, Melatonin, Metformin, Ovary, Uterus, Mice, Stereology
Association of Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A Polymorphisms in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Isfahan Province, Iran
Background: Maternal thrombophilia has been identified as a risk factor for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between prothrombin G20210A and factor V Leiden (FVL) polymorphisms in women with RPL and a control group of parous women in Isfahan province of Iran. Methods: We studied 250 women with idiopathic RPL and 116 control cases. Prothrombin and FVL different genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction and reverse hybridization technique. Results: The frequencies of heterozygous mutation prothrombin G20210A were 6% and 0.9%, respectively (P = 0.025), in cases compared to the control group. The frequencies of homozygous mutation prothrombin G20210A were 0.4% and 0%, respectively, in cases compared to controls (P = 0.02). The prothrombin mutation was significantly higher in cases compared to the control group (odds ratio 8.81; 95% confidence interval: 1.16â66.62). There was no significant difference between the FVL mutation and pregnancy loss. Conclusions: The results indicated a significant higher frequency of prothrombin G20210A in women with RPL in comparison with controls. Our data suggest that the prothrombin G20210A mutation, but not the FVL mutation, may be an unrecognized cause of RPL in our population
Evaluation of possible toxic effects of spearmint (Mentha spicata) on the reproductive system, fertility and number of offspring in adult male rats
Objective: In this study we investigated the effects of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) on the reproductive system, fertility and number of offspring in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: Adult Wistar male rats in one control (C) and three experimental groups (I, II and III) received 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg spearmint extract orally for 45 days, respectively.  Following this treatment, the animalsâ weights, and the standard weight of reproductive tissues, sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone concentration were measured, and reproductive tissues were examined histopathologically. To evaluate the effects of spearmint on fertility of male rats and growth of their offspring, male rats of the control and experimental groups mated with untreated female rats. Results: Results showed that spearmint did not affect the ratsâ body and reproductive tissue weights. The sperm count, fast and slow progressive motility of sperm and serum testosterone concentration decreased while number of non-progressive sperm and immotile sperm increased in the experimental groups compared to the control group, but none of these changes were statistically significant. Histopathological studies showed no severe changes in reproductive tissues between control and experimental groups. Number and growth of offspring born from mating of male rats with untreated female rats showed no difference. Conclusion: We concluded that spearmint has no significant toxic effect on the reproductive system, fertility and number of offspring in adult male rats at the above  mentioned dose levels. However high levels of this extract may have adverse effects on male fertility
Role of Essential Oil of Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) in Addressing Reverse Hormonal and Folliculogenesis Disturbances in a Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a Rat Model
Abstract Purpose: Given the antiandrogenic effects of spearmint, in this study we evaluated the effects of its essential oil on polycystic ovarian syndrome in a rat model. Methods: Female rats were treated as follows: Control, normal rats which received 150 mg/kg spearmint oil or 300 mg/kg spearmint oil, or sesame oil; and PCOS-induced rats which received 150 mg/kg spearmint oil or 300 mg/kg spearmint oil, or sesame oil. Then the animals were killed and the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and ovarian folliculogenesis were evaluated. Results: Spearmint oil reduced body weight, testosterone level, ovarian cysts and atretic follicles and increased Graafian follicles in PCOS rats. Conclusion: Spearmint has treatment potential on PCOS through inhibition of testosterone and restoration of follicular development in ovarian tissue
Thymoquinone improves folliculogenesis, sexual hormones, gene expression of apoptotic markers and antioxidant enzymes in polycystic ovary syndrome rat model
Abstract Background Nowadays, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent cause of infertility affecting women of reproductive age around the world. Thymoquinone is a natural antioxidant, derived from Nigella sativa. Objectives The current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of thymoquinone on the detrimental effects of PCOS rats induced with letrozole. Methods Thirtyâtwo female rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Control, (2) PCOS, (3) PCOS+5 mg/kg thymoquinone and (4) PCOS+10 mg/kg thymoquinone. Thymoquinone was administered every 3 days for 30 days. Ovaries were histopathologically and stereologically examined, and antioxidant and apoptotic enzymes gene expression in ovaries and sex hormones in serum were measured. Results The number of unilaminar, multilaminar, antral, and graffian follicles, volume density of corpus luteum (p < 0.01), and GPx1 gene expression in ovaries and level of FSH in the blood increased in both thymoquinone groups when compared to untreated PCOS (p < 0.05). Ovaries in thymoquinone groups showed a significant reduction in the number of atretic follicles, ovary weight and volume, volume density of cortex and ovarian cysts, Bax gene expression (p < 0.01) and Bax/Bcl2 ratio as well as levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio and testosterone (p < 0.05) in the blood of female rats when compared to PCOS group. Administration of thymoquinone restored the most detrimental effects of PCOS on ovaries (p < 0.01) and sexual hormones (p < 0.05) in rats. Conclusions These data suggest that thymoquinone has improved effects on ovarian function in the PCOS rat model. Therefore, thymoquinone might be useful as a protective agent and adjunct treatment in PCOS patients
The Effect of Four Different Gonadotropin Protocols on Oocyte and Embryo Quality and Pregnancy Outcomes in IVF/ICSI Cycles; A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background: Despite the large number of papers published on the efficiency of different exogenous gonadotropins, no confirmed protocol exists. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of 4 exogenous gonadotropins in IVF/ICSI cycles.
Methods: This study, performed from January 2014 to May 2014, recruited 160 women referred to Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital and Dena Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The patients underwent standard downregulation and were randomly divided into 4 groups of A, B, C, and D and were administered hMG, hFSH, rFSH, and combined sequential hFSH/rFSH, respectively. Then, the duration of stimulation, number of oocytes and embryos as well as their quality, implantation rate, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in each group were evaluated. Results: Group D patients required significantly fewer ampoules of FSH than did the women in groups A, B, and C (P=0.004). The duration of stimulation was significantly longer in group C than in groups A and D (P=0.030). The serum estradiol level was significantly higher in group D than in groups B and C (P=0.005). A significantly higher number of large-sized follicles was observed in group D than in group B (P=0.036). Conclusion: Our data revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean oocyte number, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy rate, or live birth rate between the hMG, hFSH, rFSH, and sequential hFSH/rFSH protocols. However, several differences in the duration of stimulation, serum estradiol levels, and number of large-sized follicles were detected between the groups.
Trial Registration Number: IRCT201408116541N
Characterization, recellularization, and transplantation of rat decellularized testis scaffold with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Abstract Background Regenerative medicine potentially offers the opportunity for curing male infertility. Native extracellular matrix (ECM) creates a reconstruction platform to replace the organs. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the testis decellularized scaffold as a proper niche for stem cell differentiation toward testis-specific cell lineages. Methods Ratsâ testes were decellularized by freeze-thaw cycle followed by immersion in deionized distilled water for 2Â h, perfused with 1% Triton X-100 through ductus deferens for 4Â h, 1% SDS for 48Â h and 1% DNase for 2Â h. The decellularized samples were prepared for further in vitro and in vivo analyses. Result Histochemical and immunohistochemistry studies revealed that ECM components such as Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), neutral carbohydrate, elastic fibers, collagen I & IV, laminin, and fibronectin were well preserved, and the cells were completely removed after decellularization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that 3D ultrastructure of the testis remained intact. In vivo and in vitro studies point out that decellularized scaffold was non-toxic and performed a good platform for cell division. In vivo implant of the scaffolds with or without mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed that appropriate positions for transplantation were the mesentery and liver and the scaffolds could induce donor-loaded MSCs or host migrating cells to differentiate to the cells with phenotype of the sertoli- and leydig-like cells. The scaffolds also provide a good niche for migrating DAZL-positive cells; however, they could not differentiate into post meiotic-cell lineages. Conclusion The decellularized testis can be considered as a promising vehicle to support cell transplantation and may provide an appropriate niche for testicular cell differentiation
Knowledge of Men and Women about Infertility Risk Factors
With technological developments, creation of new industries and changing lifestyles, infertility risk factors (IRF) increased. Therefore creation of suitable solutions in society is crucial for the prevention of infertility.
Since prevention of infertility in a society is directly related to awareness about infertility, in the present study the awareness of people about infertility risk factors was assessed.
In this study, a survey questionnaire containing 24 factors related to IRF was developed and 170 persons (62 men and 108 women) from Fooladshahr, Najafabad and Mobarakeh participated and data were extracted from these questionnaires and were statistically analyzed.
Our study showed that average infertility awareness for men and women is 38% and 49% respectively. Also overall awareness was 44%. Also results showed that womenâs awareness about mobile radiation and fast foods is significantly higher than men. On the other hand men have significantly higher awareness about adverse effects of chlorine in swimming pool on fertility. Higher women awareness may be related to their higher sensitivity for fertility. Also, generally a higher level of awareness was observed relating to mobile, air pollution, stress, fast foods, smoking and alcohol.
Women have a higher level of awareness about infertility risk factors. Higher awareness about some IRFs may be results from widespread media coverage