Assessment of testis histological changes and sperm parameters in experimentally–induced unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid mouse model

Background: In most mammals, the testis is always maintained at a lower temperature than that in the abdomen, and exposure of the testis to body temperature causes degeneration of germ cells. Objective: In this research, the long effect of heat exposure on sperm parameters and microstructure of mouse testis were investigated. Cryptorchid mouse were induced by exposure to abdominal heat. Materials and Methods: Immature mice were anesthetized and a small incision was made in the abdominal skin, then fat pad at the upper end of testis was sutured to peritoneum. Weight of testis, spermatogenic cell numbers, tubular ectasis (rate of tubular lumen comparing to the thickness of germinal epithelium) as well as epididymal sperm parameters were measured. Results: The results showed that spermatogenesis was arrested and testicular weights, seminiferouse tubular diameters and epididymal sperm parameters were significantly reduced in the bilateral undescended testis compared with unilateral undescended testis and the control mice. However, complete depletion of seminiferous tubules and absence of germ cells was not found in the animals. Conclusion: In general, high temperature caused a decreased in all analyzed parameters except spermatogonial cell number probably due to the apoptosis and these changes significantly increase in bilateral groups compared with unilateral groups. We believe that the present model is a suitable tool for enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells, also it is useful for treatment of cryptorchidism and further biological research on spermatogenesis

A Rare Anatomical Variation in Branching Pattern of Ulnar Nerve

Background & Objective: Recognition of peripheral nerve variations plays a crucial role in therapist or surgeon evaluations. In human arm, ulnar nerve is one of the three principal nerves that move from the neck down to the hand and provide sense and function of the hand. Case: Present article reports a scarce finding, the unusual branch of the ulnar nerve along with the main trunk originated under the flexor carpi ulnaris near the cubital region. After descending along the medial side of the forearm flexor surface about 5 cm proximal to the wrist has been divided into 2 cutaneous branches. Conclusion: Awareness and ability in recognition of position and variations significantly influence the result of ulnar nerve improvement. Sufficient knowledge of all possible variations may be helpful for surgical improvement and effective nerve blockage

Morphometric cranial standards for sex estimation of a population in two ethnic groups in Southwest Iran

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the cephalometric landmarks, cranial measurements, and cephalic index based on geographical and ethnic characteristics to make a database for the southwest Iranian population. Method: In this analytical cross-sectional study, different anatomic criteria were collected from head MRI images. The anthropometric measures taken included the maximum cranial length, maximum cranial height, maximum cranial breadth, cranial base length, foramen magnum length, upper facial height, lower facial height, foramen magnum breadth, bizygomatic breadth, orbital breadth, nasion-opisthion. The categorization of the head shape was based on the cephalic index. The cranial index was calculated using the equation ([maximum cranial breadth/maximum cranial length] × 100). These assessments were compared to define sexual dimorphism and inter-population variation in size and shape. Results: Sexual dimorphism existed in all cephalometric data except the cephalic index. The measurements comparisonin ethnicities showed that only (eu–eu) differs significantly between the two groups, which is 2,253 mm less in the Arab population compared to the Lur population (P value = 0.022). The cephalic index in males and females was found to be 73.66 and 75.08, respectively. Accordingly, 53.99% were dolichocephalic, 30.06% were mesocephalic, 14.11% were brachycephalic, and 1.84% were hyperbrachycephalic. The shape of the head had no relation to ethnicity but was related to sex (P value = 0.045). Conclusion: It is shown that cephalometric data can be used as diagnostic criteria to determine sex and ethnicity in the southwest Iranian population. It should be further verified on a greater sample size that evaluates more study age distribution

Sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) ameliorates alterations caused by cisplatin in filtration slit diaphragm and podocyte cytoskeletal in rat kidney

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to have a protective role in various kidney disorders. Objectives: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of NaHS (a H2S donor) in treating on the renal damage induced by cisplatin (CP).Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal control group (group A)‚ NaHS group (group B) which received 200 µg/kg/d (intraperitoneal injection; i.p.) for 15 days‚ CP group (group C) which rats were injected with CP (5 mg/kg, single dose, i.p.), and CP + NaHS group (group D) (5 mg/kg and 200 µg/kg, respectively, i.p.). Samples of urine and serum, tissue of kidney were collected for analysis after treatments for 15 days. Morphological changes were elevated under light microscope‚ protein expression of desmin and nephrin were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting and also malondialdehyde (MDA) level was determined by spectrophotometer. Results: Compared to the CP group, NaHS treatment mitigated histological damages, decreased 24-hour urine protein excretion, serum urea and creatinine as well as MDA level. NaHS treatment increased protein levels of nephrin. Moreover, NaHS treatment decreased protein levels of desmin. Conclusions: NaHS can ameliorate CP -induced renal damage in rats which is associated with the increase in nephrin protein expression, and the decrease in MDA level and desmin protein expression

The effects of laser assisted hatching on pregnancy rates

Background: For infertile women aged over 35 years, failure of the ZP (zona pellucida) to rupture is believed to be associated with a decreased implantation rate in in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Objective: In this research, laser assisted hatching (LAH) was offered to patients with advanced maternal age to evaluate a possible benefit. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred thirty two cycles of IVF/ICSI in females were analyzed. Women included in this study were allocated in 4 groups. In group I and II, embryos were cultured and transferred with and without LAH in women aged ≤ 35, whereas embryos of group III and IV were examined with and without LAH in women aged ≤ 35. Laser manipulations were performed using a suturn – Tm3 system using 2-3 pulses of 0.8 millisecond with 400 voltage duration. The size of the hole made in the zona was measured to be 5-10 µm, depending on the zona thickness of each individual embryo. Results: The performance of LAH significantly increased clinical pregnancy rates in all patients. In group I and II, the chemical (50.99% and 31.61% respectively), clinical (50% and 30.69% respectively) and multiple pregnancies (22.27% and 5.94% respectively) significantly differ between these groups. In the patients with advanced female age ≤ 35 the performance of LAH significantly increased chemical (30.12%) and clinical pregnancy (27.71%) rates compared to whom without LAH (18.96% and 16.37% respectively). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate in the patients who were less than 35 years old, multiple pregnancy rates were significantly increased compared to other groups who aged over 35 years old. In addition benefit of LAH in improving pregnancy rates after IVF or ICSI in women of advanced age (≤ 35) was show

Effects of Mono-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate and Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Administrations on Oocyte Meiotic Maturation, Apoptosis and Gene Quantification in Mouse Model

Objective: Phthalates, which are commonly used to render plastics into soft and flexible materials, have also been determined as developmental and reproductive toxicants in human and animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mono-(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) oral administrations on maturation of mouse oocytes, apoptosis and gene transcription levels. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, immature oocytes recovered from Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mouse strain (6-8 weeks), were divided into seven different experimental and control groups. Control group oocytes were retrieved from mice that received only normal saline. The experimental groups I, II or III oocytes were retrieved from mice treated with 50, 100 or 200 μl DEHP (2.56 μM) solution, respectively. The experimental groups IV, V or VI oocytes were retrieved from mouse exposed to 50, 100 or 200 μl MEHP (2.56 μM) solution, respectively. Fertilization and embryonic development were carried out in OMM and T6 medium. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V-FITC/Dead Cell Apoptosis Kit, with PI staining. In addition, the mRNA levels of Pou5f1, Ccna1 and Asah1 were examined in oocytes. Finally, mouse embryo at early blastocyst stage was stained with acridine-orange (AO) and ethidium-bromide (EB), in order to access their viability. Results: The proportion of oocytes that progressed up to metaphase II (MII) and 2-cells embryo formation stage was significantly decreased by exposure to MEHP or DEHP, in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V and PI positive oocytes showed greater quantity in the treated mice than control. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that expression levels of Pou5f1, Asah1 and Ccna1 were significantly lower in the treated mouse oocytes than control. The total cell count for blastocyst developed from the treated mouse oocytes was lower than the controls. Conclusion: These results indicate that oral administration of MEHP and DEHP could negatively affect mouse oocyte meiotic maturation and development in vivo, suggesting that phthalates could be risk factors for mammalians’ reproductive health. Additionally, phthalate-induced changes in Pou5f1, Asah1 and Ccna1 transcription level could explain in part, the reduced developmental ability of mouse-treated oocytes

Role of cerebrospinal fluid in differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) could be differentiated into neuron like-cells under particular microenvironments. It has been reported that a wide range of factors, presented in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), playing part in neuronal differentiation during embryonic stages, we herein introduce a novel culture media complex to differentiate hDPSCs into neuron-like cells. The hDPSCs were initially isolated and characterized. The CSF was prepared from the Cisterna magna of 19-day-old Wistar rat embryos, embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (E-CSF). The hDPSCs were treated by 5% E-CSF for 2 days, then neurospheres were cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10-6 μm retinoic acid (RA), glialderived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor for 6 days. The cells which were cultured in basic culture medium were considered as control group. Morphology of differentiated cells as well as process elongation were examined by an inverted microscope. In addition, the neural differentiation markers (Nestin and MAP2) were studied employing immunocytochemistry. Neuronallike processes appeared 8 days after treatment. Neural progenitor marker (Nestin) and a mature neural marker (MAP2) were expressed in treated group. Moreover Nissl bodies were found in the cytoplasm of treated group. Taking these together, we have designed a simple protocol for generating neuron-like cells using CSF from the hDPSCs, applicable for cell therapy in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease