In vitro maturation of germinal vesicle oocytes in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

Objective: This study evaluated in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Materials and Methods: A total of 26 women, aged 18-37 years, who were candidates for ICSI at the Fatemeh Zahra Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center in 2007 were recruited for this study. We used the standard long protocol for ovarian stimulation. Follicles >11 mm were punctured 36-38 hours after administration of 10000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Immature oocytes were cultured for 24-30 hours. Oocytes that liberated polar bodies were injected by sperm prepared within the previous day. IVM fertilized oocytes were cultured an additional 24-30 hours for cleavage. The rates of maturation, fertilization and cleavage in IVM oocytes were recorded and statistically compared to in vivo matured sibling oocytes. Results: There were 279 collected oocytes (mean±SD: 10.73 ±6.2), of which 4.08±2.79 were subjected to IVM. An average of 2.73 ±2.15 GV oocytes (70%) developed to metaphase II (MII). Although the maturation rate significantly differed between the IVM and in vivo Mil sibling oocyte groups (p=0.027), the numbers of fertilized oocytes (p=0.795) and cleaved embryos (p=0.529) were not significantly high in the in vivo group. Transfer of IVM embryos occurred in only three cases with one pregnancy that resulted in the delivery of a healthy baby. Conclusion: This study shows that culturing GV oocytes can produce acceptable numbers of four-cell embryos on the transfer day. The developmental competence of oocytes is not significantly different between early stage IVM and in vivo sibling embryos

Nitric Oxide Levels and Total Antioxidant Capacity in The Seminal Plasma of Infertile Smoking Men

Objective: Cigarette is a rich source of oxidants and reactive nitrogen species. Nitric oxide (NO) in high concentration has deleterious effects on human sperm function. Antioxidant defense system in seminal plasma protects spermatozoa from the attack of reactive oxygen metabolites. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between cigarette smoking with the NO levels and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the seminal plasma in infertile smoker men and to compare severity of oxidative stress (OS) in them with fertile and infertile non-smoking men. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, a total of 95 male participants attended the Infertility Clinic of the Fatehmeh-zahra Hospital in Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran, between 2010 and 2011. They were divided into three groups: I. fertile non-smokers (F.ns; n=32), II. infertile non-smokers (IF.ns; n=30) and III. infertile smokers (IF.s; n=33) according to semen analysis World Health Organization guidelines (WHO, 2001) and smoking data. TAC concentration and NO levels of seminal plasma were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method and the Griess reagent, respectively. Results: Standard sperm parameters were significantly higher in the fertile group than those in the infertile groups, but these differences between the IF.ns and IF.s were not statistically significant. The mean TAC in the seminal plasma was higher in the F.ns>IF.ns>IF.s, respectively, but these differences were not statistically significant among three groups (p= 0.096). In contrast, the mean NO level in the seminal plasma was lower in the F.ns<IF.ns< IF.s, respectively. These differences were statistically significant among the three groups (p= 0.018). Conclusion: It argued that the increased NO levels associated with smoking might exceed the capacity of antioxidant defense system, leading to increased oxidative damage of seminal plasma and decreased fertility in men

The effect of Coriandrum sativum seed extract on the learning of newborn mice by electric shock: interaction with caffeine and diazepam

Coriander has been recommended for the relief of pain, anxiety, flatulence, and loss of appetite. In traditional medicine, it is believed that coriander can induce some degree of amnesia in a child when his/her mother uses coriander during the pregnancy. We evaluated the effect of Coriandrum sativum seed extract on learning in second-generation mice. Ethanolic extract (2%) of coriander (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal) was dissolved in sunflower oil (oil) as a vehicle and injected into the control group mother mice during breastfeeding for 25 days at 5-day intervals. After feeding the newborn mice, their learning was evaluated using a step-through passive avoidance task with 0.4 mA electric shock for 2 or 4 seconds. While coriander extract showed a negative effect in the short term (1 hour) after the training session, it potentiated the mice’s learning in later assessments (24 hours post-training [P = 0.022] and 1 week post-training [P = 0.002] by a 4-second shock). Low-dose caffeine (25 mg/kg ip after training) improved the learning after 1 hour (P = 0.024); while diazepam (1 mg/kg ip) suppressed learning at all time points after the 4-second shock training (1 hour, P = 0.022; 24 hours, P = 0.002; and 1 week, P = 0.008). No modification in the pain threshold was elicited by electric stimuli both in coriander and control groups. In conclusion, coriander does not improve learning within a short period of time after training; however, learning after coriander administration can be improved in the long term

Assessment of Effective Factors In Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) Following Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite many advances have been made in the assisted reproduction techniques (ART), implantation rate after embryo transfer has not increased significantly. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors involved in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following ART. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 80 infertile patients with a history of at least 3 recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following assisted reproductive technology (ART) were referred to Fatemezahra Infertility Center in Babol from March 2006 to March 2013 were selected. The control group also included 80 women who became pregnant following the first IVF. Associated factors of infertility, endocrine disorder and endometriosis were recorded and their effect on RIF was assessed in both groups. FINDINGS: The mean BMI was 26.39±3.63 in the case group and 26.77±4.49 in the control group. Body mass index (BMI) >30 increased the risk of RIF significantly (p=0.001). After adjusting for the effects of other possible confounding factors, the odds ratio of obesity on RIF was 1.09(0.91-1.19) 95% CI which was not significant (p=0.06). There were no significant differences among type and cause of infertility, endocrine abnormalities, uterine malformations, endometriosis and polycystic ovary with RIF. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, BMI, type and cause of infertility, endocrine disorders, uterine abnormalities, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary were not effective on recurrent implantation failure

Histopathological, Histomorphometrical, and Radiographical Evaluation of Injectable Glass-Ceramic-Chitosan Nanocomposite in Bone Reconstruction of Rat

Background. Bone defects following tumor resection and osteolysis due to bone lesions, periodontal tissue disorders, and bone reconstruction are challenges that surgeons face. Gass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite contains chitosan, a derivative of crustaceans’ exoskeleton. Methods. Thirty-two 6–8-week-old male Wistar rats were chosen. One hole on each right and left tibia was made. The right tibia holes were filled with injectable glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite, and the left tibia holes were left empty. After 7, 14, 28, and 60 days, histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments were performed. Results. Radiographic density on days 7 and 14 was significantly higher in the right tibias than in the left tibias. Trabecular bone thickness, which was higher in the right tibias, increased from day 7 to day 60 in both right and left tibias, although not significantly. Conclusions. Glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite is suggested for use in bone repair in cases of bone loss. More histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments are also recommended

Brain Death in Islamic Jurisprudence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In today's world, Islamic jurisprudence encounters  new issues. One of the areas where jurisprudence gets involved is the issues concerned with brain death, whether brain death in jurisprudence and Islamic law is considered the end of life. In this study, brain death was discussed from the Shiite jurisprudence perspective and also the opinions of the specialists are taken into account. METHODS: This study is designed based on library collection and review of the literature in the field of brain death. Also, Quranic verses, hadiths and fatwas (religious opinions) of the scholars are used. Some of the articles which were centered around Islamic jurisprudence, particularly Shiite jurisprudence that explain and deal with brain death were given special consideration. FINDINGS: Brain death from religious and jurisprudence perspective is considered the termination of life and removing the vital organs from the body is not viewed as committing manslaughter. A person with brain death is not a normally known injured man who is still alive. The brain death patinets have no life and getting rid of the body does not constitute a case of manslaughter. Amputation of the organs of brain death patients for donation and transplantation amounts to the amputation of a dead body. If the life of a Muslim is subject to transplant of organs from the body of a brain death patient, it will be permissible. CONCLUSION: In principle, if the life of a Muslim entails transplant of organs of brain death patients, it will be permissibl

The Effect of Protective Factors on Induced Toxins in Genital Organs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different toxins have harmful effects on Genital organs. Exposure to contaminants as well as physical stress can increase the rate of infertility. Antioxidant products are highly considered, because they can react to pollutants and remove free oxygen radicals. This study investigates the effects of proteins on the protection of the reproductive system against toxins. METHODS: This review article was conducted using keywords including “protective” and “organophosphorus toxins”, and searching on online databases such as Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. The related articles were extracted and classified. FINDINGS: The results of about 80 articles, selected out of 140 new and valid articles, suggest that elements such as arsenic, cyclophosphamide, cadmium, diazinon and gossypol reduce the reproduction rate and damage body tissues. Elements such as N-acetylcysteine, carnitine, corsetine, black seed oil, palm powder, ginseng, honey and saffron are proteins that may have protective effects against potential damage. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the natural proteins that can be found in plants, fruits and food can be used to prevent the damage to the reproductive system caused by various toxin

Role of embryo morphology in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection cycles for prediction of pregnancy

Background:Multiple factors have been suggested for prediction of pregnancy in Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles such as the number of injected oocytes, fertilization rate, embryo morphology and quality of transferred embryos. Predictive value of these factors is important in ICSI outcome. Objectives: To evaluate the role of embryo morphology for prediction of pregnancy in ICSI cycles. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was done on 97 patients who were treated by ICSI in Fatemeh Zahra Fertility and Infertility Centre from April 2004 to March 2005. Number of retrieved oocytes, number of injected oocytes, fertilization rate, zygote morphology, rate of cytoplasmic fragmentation, number of four cell transferred embryos, and quality of embryo transfer, as predictors of pregnancy in ICSI cycles were evaluated. The results analysed by T-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression was used to estimate the significance of variables in the prediction of pregnancy probability. Results: Out of 97 patients, 42 cases of pregnancy were detected (Pregnancy rate: 43.3%). The number of four cell transferred embryos was 112 (53.84%) in pregnant group. Pregnancy occurred in 33 (58.9%) patients with at least one good quality zygote. The mean number of four cell transferred embryos and the quality of zygotes had significant difference between pregnant and not pregnant groups (p=0.006 and p=0.000 respectively). In logistic regression analysis, the number of four-cell transferred embryos (p=0.007) and the quality of zygotes (p=0.003) were significant predictors of the pregnancy outcome. Conclusions: Our results suggest that thenumber of four-cell transferred embryos with ≤ 15% cytoplasmic fragmentation and zygotes with centralized, apposed and polarized pronuclei in women <38 years old are significant predictors for pregnancy in ICSI cycles

The effects of silver nanoparticles on oxidative stress and sperm parameters quality in male rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Considering the role of silver nanoparticles in inducing the production of free radicals, these compounds may lead to pathological effects and oxidative stress in the seminal fluid, resulting in the reduced quality of sperm parameters. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on sperm parameters and lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes in male rats. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted on 24 Syrian adult male rats, which were randomly divided into one control and three study groups. The rats in the study groups were orally administered silver nanoparticles at concentrations of 0.07 µg (group A), 0.14 µg (group B), and 0.28 µg (group C), respectively per day for a period of five weeks. Then, lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes was analyzed, using thiobarbituric acid assay. Additionally, microscopic examinations were performed to evaluate sperm parameters. FINDINGS: Based on the findings, the mean quality of sperm parameters such as sperm count and motility significantly declined in the study groups, particularly group B (77.69±16.96%; 16±2.6×106/ml) and group C (72.79±14.52%; 13.31±2.1×106/ml), compared to the control group (89.06±10.97; 23.57±3.46×106/ml) (P<0.05). Also, in terms of malondialdehyde concentration, a significant difference was reported among group A (0.25±0.01), group B (0.32±0.02), group C (0.35±0.01), and the control group (0.24±0.01) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study confirmed that silver nanoparticles through enhancing lipid peroxidation could reduce the quality of sperm parameters in a dose-dependent manne

The effect of Carbaryl on the pituitary-gonad axis in male rats

Background: Carbaryl is a carbamate insecticide widely used to control pests in agriculture and farm. Carbaryl adversely affect the reproductive endocrine systems in animals. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Carbaryl effects on the pituitary-gonad axis in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental - analytical study, 60 adult male rats were divided into four equal groups: control, sham and experimental (1 and 2) groups that received 10 and 30 mg/kg Carbaryl via intraperitoneally injection. The sham group was subjected to intraperitoneally injection with olive oil while the control group did not receive any injection. Animals were sacrificed 35 days after the last treatment. Tissue sections were prepared from testes to investigate possible changes occurring in spermatogenic and Leydig cells. Blood samples were collected in which the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormones (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured. Results: The results showed significant reduction in testes weight (p=0.042) and seminiferous diameters (p<0.001) within the experimental groups compared with control group. Also, the number of germ cells, spermatocyts, spermatids and Leydig cells on the testes of the experimental groups was significantly decreased (p<0.001). Accordingly, significant decline in the testosterone levels (p<0.001) and increase in LH and FSH levels were observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that Carbaryl has capacity to exert adverse effects on fertility. Therefore, have to be taken to account in applying Carbaryl for any studies and or commercial use