Effect of vitrification on morphology and in-vitro maturation outcome of human immature oocytes

Background. In assisted reproductive techniques, 85% retrieved oocytes are mature, and the rest are immature. These immature oocytes may be matured in vitro, and used in subsequent in vitro fertilization program. The purpose of this study was to determine the maturation capacity and morphology of human immature oocytes in both fresh and vitrified-thawed, in vitro matured oocytes with regard to the maternal age and cause of infertility. Materials & Methods. The first group of immature oocytes (n=103) were directly matured in vitro (fIVM), and the second group (n=102) were vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, the samples underwent in vitro maturation (vIVM). Oocyte maturation was assessed by the presence of the 1st polar body and pronuclei. After 48 h incubation, each matured oocyte was assessed for ooplasm color, periviteline space normality and shape regularity. Results. After retrieval, 27% oocytes were immature (9.5 % metaphase I and 17.5% germinal vesicle stage). The rate of maturation of fIVM (61.2%) was significantly higher than that of vIVM (33.3%). The percentage of maturation in women under age of 30 was higher in both fIVM and vIVM. The maturation rate after IVM was higher in patients with male infertility than in those suffering of ovarian infertility. Conclusion. Vitrification is a suitable technique for preservation of immature oocytes, especially at the germinal vesicle stage, in stimulated ovarian cycles. It should be noted that the maturation outcome of oocytes at germinal vesicle stage was better than that of metaphase I oocytes. Therefore, we recommend vitrifying germinal vesicle stage oocytes for subsequent in vitro maturation

Protective Effects of Eryngium Caucasicum Trautv Hydroalcholic Extract on Tricyclazole Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Abstract Background: Eryngium caucasicum Trautv has antioxidant properties due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. So, the present study was done to investigate the protective effects of Eryngium caucasicum Trautv extract on tricyclazole induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 mice were divided into 6 groups including control, sham, tricyclazole (TCZ) and three experimental groups. The mice in the tricyclazole group, received 50 mg/kg TCZ via intraperitoneal injection and experimental groups 2, 3 and 4 received respectively 100,200and 400 mg/kg of extract via gavage for 4 weeks and 2 days per week. The sham group received only sterile water. At the end, serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, serum concentration of albumin and total bilirubin were measured. Also, total phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extract were measured. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA. Results: Tricyclazole increased serum levels of aminotransferase, phosphatase alkaline and total bilirubin and decreased serum concentration of albumin. But, treatment with extract decreased liver enzymes and bilirubin and increased levels of albumin (p<0.05). Amount of total phenolic compounds and the flavonoids were measured 91.16 mg/gr galicacid in extract and 84.48 mg/gr quercetin in extract, respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that Eryngium caucasicum Trautv extract due to the presence of high phenolic compounds has protective effects on tricyclazole induced hepatotoxicity

The effect of Saccharin on spermatogenes, testiscular tissue and pituitary –gonad hormones axis in rats

Saccharin is an artificial, non-caloric sweetener used to sweeten products such as beverages, confectionary, biscuits, medicines and tooth pastes. This is while our body is not able to metabolized it. In the present study, the effect of saccharin on spermatogenesis, testicular tissue structure and pituitary-gonadal hormone axis in rats was investigated. Material and Methods: 35 adult male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group did not receive any solvent or drug. The sham group received 1ml distilled water per day as an intraperitoneal injection.  Experimental 1,2 and 3 groups received times daily, respectively 250,500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight saccharin intraperitoneal for 35 days. After about35 days, blood was taken from the animals and testicular tissue was isolated to examine the tissue. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 and one wayANOVA and post hoc Duncan test. Results:The level of glucose in the experimental groups was significantly higher than the control group(p≤0.05).The concentration of testosterone DHEA, LH and FSH hormone in the experimental groups  had significant decrease than control group. Also the numbers of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocyte, Spermatid, Spermatozoide and sperm in the experimental groups had significant decrease than control and sham groups. But Sertoli and Leydig cells indicated no significant difference(p≤0.05). Conclusions:Saccharin can affect the amounts of hormones and sex cells male devastating effects have and these influences will perhaps amount  to less to human generalized. Of course, in this case, how and the amount of the artificial sweetener used is very importan

Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. on polycystic ovary syndrome in rat

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that afflicts 10 percent of infertile women is the most important reason for the cessation of ovulation. So the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. on the treatment of PCOS in rat. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on Wistar rats (n=35, weight: 180&plusmn;20 g) with 2-3 consecutive estrous cycle. Then rats were divided to 5 groups: Control group; PCOS group (Stradiolvalerate 4 mg/kg/im); Experimental 1,2 and 3 groups (Stradiolvalerate 4 mg/kg/im+Aloe vera L. extract 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/ip, respectively). After 21 days blood samples were taken to measure the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Findings were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan statistical tests at the significant level of P&lt;0.05. Results: The results showed a significant increment in PCOS group and decrement in the Experimental 2 and 3 groups in estrogen concentration compared to the Control group, respectively (P&lt;0.05). The concentration of progesterone hormone in PCOS group and the Experimental groups were significantly decreased compared to the Control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. decreased and increased the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormone in rat, respectively. So it appears that the use of Aloe vera L. would be effective in the treatment of infertility disorders and PCOS

Effect of fluoxetine on hormonal axis of pituitary-gonad in adult female rats

Background: Fluoxetine is frequently used to treat depression. There has not been any report for the effect of fluoxetine on hormonal axis of pituitary-gonad in rats. Several studies have also shown that antidepressants have interaction with sex hormones in both sexes and women are more likely to take antidepressants than men. This study aimed to examine the effect of fluoxetine on sexual hormones in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats (180-200 g and 100-120 days of age) were divided into the five groups including control, sham and three experimental (fluoxetine 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) groups. Fluoxetine was intraperitoneally injected during four weeks. Control group did not receive any drug, but the sham group was injected with distilled water (0.18-0.2 ml/kg body weight). Levels of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone were measured using a blood test. Results: Results of this study showed that fluoxetine (10 or 20mg/kg) considerably reduced the estrogen and FSH levels and also fluoxetine (20mg/kg) reduced the progesterone level. However, different doses of fluoxetine did not change the LH level. Conclusion: Fluoxetine can decrease the estrogen, progesterone, FSH levels and cause oogenic defects in rats

The Investigation of Garlic (Allium Sativum) Extract on Lead Detoxification of Neonatal Rats Kidney

&nbsp;Background & Objectives:&nbsp;Lead&nbsp;as a naturally-occurring element has different effects on hematopoitic system, nervous system, kidney, reproductive system and bone. In this investigation, was determined the effect of garlic alcoholic-water extract in kidney poisoning treatment induced by lead in neonatal rat.Materials & Methods: Rats were divided into 7 groups of 8. The First group was the control group, which had received no materials. The second group had received 0/1 ml distilled water, the third group had received the lead with a dose of 0/6 gram per liter. The forth group had just received 0/4 g/kg garlic alcoholic – water extract. The fifth, sixth, and seventh group had first received 0/6 g lead perliter and then received doses of 0/1, 0/2, 0/4 g/kg garlic. Then, injections was performed orally in 10 consecutive days. The data were analysed then using T. Results: Based on the obtained results, there is a significant increase in the body weight and the kidney of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh groups compared with the control group. However, the body weight and kidney of rats in the fourth group showed a meaningful decrease comparing with the lead group. Regarding the third group, there was a meaningful increase in Urea, uric acid, creatinine and potassium compared with the control group but a significant decrease in the sodium. Conclusion: Protective effects of garlic on kidney are related to antioxidant properties, since different types of oxidation reactions have negative effects on glomerular filtration rate. Garlic is eliminating the poisoning effect of lead on the kidney because of having properties such as antioxidant and protective effect

In vitro inhibition of the growth of glioblastoma by Teucrium polium crude extract and fractions

The cytotoxic effects of Teucrium polium (Lamaceae) have been shown in some studies. However, the antitumor activity of the fractions of this herb has not been studied, neither has the pattern of cell death been evaluated yet. The inhibitory effect of Teucrium polium (T. polium) on U87 cells was evaluated by treatment of U87 cells with various concentrations of crude extract (CE), a petroleum ether (PE) fraction and a diethyl ether (DE) fraction of T. polium for 24 and 48 h. Trypan blue and differential staining were also used to assess the cell viability and the pattern of cell death. CE, PE and DE inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, and this inhibition was accomplished by necrotic cell death, as assessed by differential staining. The highest inhibitory effect (IC50=64.47) was demonstrated by the PE fraction of T. polium followed by the DE fraction and the CE. Cell death was also higher when U87 cells were treated with PE (P&lt;0.001 compared with other treated groups). Necrotic cells were predominant in all treated groups including CE, PE and DE. The results suggest that the PE fraction of T. polium is the most potent against U87 cells. The antitumor effect of the PE fraction of T. polium is probably executed through the necrotic cell death mechanism.

The Effect of Microwave Ovens Radiation Leakage on Testis Tissue and Sex Hormones in Immature Mice

Background & Objective: The vast use of microwave ovens in today's modern life and possible exposure of users to radiation exited from the oven lead us to investigate the effect of this radiation on sex hormones. In the present study, the effect of microwave ovens radiation leakage on concentration of LH, FSH and testosterone hormones has been investigated. Materials & Methods: Thirteen immature two weeks- old male mice which weighing about 10 grams were used in this experimental study. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups. Each group contained 10 mice. Experimental group 1 and 2 were exposed to microwave oven 30 and 90 minutes daily for 30 days, respectively. The control group received no radiation. Animals were anaesthetized and serum samples were stored. The concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH hormones were measured by RAI method. Results: The serum testosterone levels showed significant decrease in experimental group 2. But levels of LH and FSH indicate no significant different in experimental group 1 and 2 when compared to control group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that radiation leakage of microwave ovens might causes dysfunction in the levels of testosterone hormone secretion

Aloe Vera Extract Effect on Sperm Quality and Testicular Tissue of Rats Induced by Cadmium Chloride

Background & aim: A lot of physical and chemical factors cause infertility disorders. Cadmium is a chemical agent which damages the cell structure of the reproductive system. For reducing the effects of various factors, new traditional methods have been used. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Aloe vera extract on testicular tissue of rats induced by cadmium chloride. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (180-200 gr) were randomly divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 received Cadmium chloride (1/5 mg / kg/ IP). Mice induced by cadmium chloride were treated with Aloe vera. Control and normal rats were treated with 400 mg/kg of Aloe vera extracts. After 25 days, these rats were weighed and then anesthetized using ether. Blood samples were collected from each individual to assess the level of testosterone and then the animals were debriefed. The testes were removed and transferred to 10% formalin solution. After tissue processing, 5 micron sections were prepared and stained with heamatoxillin-eosin and investigated by light microscope. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. Results: Mean seminiferous tubular diameter, number of spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cell of cadmium control group compared to the healthy control group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). The mean sperm count and sperm motility in extract cadmium group and healthy control group was close to normal and displayed a significant difference (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Aloe vera increases the number of spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli testicular tissue of mice contaminated with cadmium chlorid