Does combination of estradiol and sesame oil improve the oocyte quality, embryo development and expressions of Zp3, E-cad, and Ctnnb1 genes in mice? An experimental study

Background: Aging may reduce oocyte maturation, embryo quality, and fertility potential. Objective: To compare the effect of estradiol (E2) and sesame oil on oocyte and embryo quality between young and old mice. Materials and Methods: Sixty old and young female mice were divided in to two groups (30 mice/group, grouped by age). Each group was divided into three subgroups of mice treated with sesame oil, E2 + sesame oil, and normal saline as control group. After ovulation induction, some oocytes were considered for in vitro fertilization and the rest were assessed for morphological status. After obtaining the two-cell embryos, the embryos were collected to determine the expression of zona pellucida (ZP) glycoprotein 3, E-cadherin, and β-catenin genes and some of them followed until the blastocysts stage to evaluate the viability. Results: The findings showed that the mean ZP and perivitelline space thickness increased in the old mice that received the E2 + sesame oil treatment. The number of 2-cell embryos, blastocysts, and live cells were significantly higher in the old group treated with sesame oil respectively (p = 0.018, 0.002, and < 0.0001, respectively). The normal ZP shape and refractile body numbers increased in the old mice that were treated with sesame oil, respectively. The E-cadherin gene was downregulated in the treatment groups compared to the controls. Conclusion: Sesame oil showed a better response in the old mice, because aging is associated with an increased rate of reactive oxygen species, causing deficiencies in both oocyte and embryo qualities. Key words: Estradiol, Sesame oil, Gene expression, Oocyte, Mouse

Does resveratrol affect prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients before and after freezing? A lab trial study

Background: Previous studies have examined the effect of resveratrol as a potent antioxidant for free radicals in semen. While, the prepared spermatozoa are more affected by ROS factors due to centrifugation and incubation. Objective: To evaluate the RSV’s effects on the prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in both normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic cases before and after freezing. Materials and Methods: The sample of 10 normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men was prepared through the swim-up method. The groups were then divided into two samples of control and experimental (exposure to 30 μmol/l of RSV) to evaluate and compare the sperm parameters and chromatin quality before and after freezing. Results: The motility and viability of spermatozoa were seen to be significantly different before and after freezing separately in the control and treatment samples of the groups (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the stated difference between the control and treatment samples of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients were not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, the sperm morphology and chromatin quality were not significantly different between the two samples of each group; nonetheless, chromatin quality of the treated sample was better than that of the control before and after freezing. Conclusion: Despite the protective effects of RSV on the semen samples, RSV cannot affect significantly the prepared sperms parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients. Key words: Resveratrol, Chromatin, Motility, Spermatozoa, Freeze