International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2023 | Volume:21 | Issue:7|Papers Count:7

Background: Approximately two-thirds of infant mortality within the first year of life are caused by preterm labor (PL). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of progesterone-based compounds to prevent PL. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 146 pregnant women admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afzalipour hospital in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran in June 2019. The participants with PL received Tocolytic and 12 mg Betamethasone in 2 doses over 2 days to mature the fetus’s lungs. Stopping PL was considered a      12-hr period without any contractions after finishing the Tocolytic. Following the successful cessation of PL, the participants were monitored for 48 hr. Subsequently, the participants were divided into 2 groups. Participants received 200 mg Lutogel capsules orally per day in group A while group B received a weekly dose of 250 mg Proluton in the form of intramuscular injection, respectively. Treatment in groups continued until the 36th wk of delivery. The participants were followed-up weekly, and if any signs of PL were detected, an obstetrician carried out a vaginal examination. Results: The incidence of PL was the same in both groups. There was no significant difference in the latent phase, average birth weight, and the neonatal intensive care unit admission frequency (p = 0.07, 0.17, 0.58, respectively) between groups. Conclusion: No difference in the results obtained from the neonatal outcomes evaluated in groups. Both medications similarly led to recovering pregnancy and neonatal outcomes caused by PL. Applying the oral form with similar beneficial effects were pointed out in this study, which can be a solution to the issues caused by numerous injections that are inevitable in the injected administration of this medicine.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous medical condition with a cluster of metabolic and endocrine disorders including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effects of single-dose and co-supplementation of vitamin D (vit D) and omega-3 (O3) on anthropometric and several biochemical factors in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 80 PCOS women referred to Shahid Motahhari Clinic, Shiraz, Iran, from April to October 2017 were studied in 4 groups (n = 20/each) for 8 wk. The placebo group received the placebo capsule (paraffin oil); 1 weekly and 2/daily; the vit D group received vit D (50,000 IU/weekly) + 2 placebo capsules daily, O3 group,    2, O3 capsules daily + 1 placebo capsule weekly, and vit D + O3 (50000 IU/weekly vit D + 2, O3 capsules daily). Before and after 8 wk of intervention, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, homeostasis model of insulin resistance index, and sex hormone binding globulin were compared between groups. Results: The significant reduction was detected in serum triglyceride (p = 0.002), TC (p = 0.04), fasting blood sugar (p = 0.02), insulin (p = 0.001), and homeostasis model of insulin resistance index (p = 0.001) concentrations in all vit D, O3, and vit D + O3 supplemented groups compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, in comparison with the placebo group, a significant increase was observed in serum sex hormone binding globulin levels after vit D, O3, and vit D + O3 treatments. Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and anthropometric indices in all treated participants. Conclusion: The current study indicated that single dose and co-supplementation of vit D and O3 for 8 wk was associated with beneficial effects on serum triglyceride, TC, insulin, and sex hormone binding globulin concentrations among women suffering from PCOS.

Background: The benefits of frozen embryo transfer (FET) vs. fresh embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization (IVF) have been discussed in previous studies. Objective: To determine and compare the pregnancy outcomes following FET and frozen embryos transfer in women who underwent assisted reproductive techniques. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 233 women candidates for IVF/intra cytoplasmic sperm injection who referred to the Kamali Training Medical Center, Karaj, Iran during 2019-2020 were evaluated in 2 groups of fresh (n = 127) and frozen (n = 106) embryo transfers. The rates of pregnancy outcomes including chemical and clinical pregnancy, live birth, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, still birth, and pregnancy loss were compared between groups in 3 age subgroups (< 25, 25-35, and 35-40 yr old). Results: No significant difference in terms of chemical and clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were observed between groups in women aged < 25 yr. Chemical and clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in the FET group compared to fresh group in 25-35-yr-old women (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, and p = 0.01, respectively). In 35-40-yr-old women, no significant differences were observed in terms of chemical and clinical pregnancy rates, but live birth rate was found to be significantly higher in the FET group (p = 0.02). The pregnancy loss was lower in the FET group (p = 0.038). Conclusion: In conclusion, the FET method in women aged 25-35 yr significantly increases the chance of successful IVF/intra cytoplasmic sperm injection.

Background: In some societies, childbearing is a part of women’s identity and infertile women are under a great amount of pressure from others. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between infertility factors and sexual functioning, perceived social support, and adherence to treatment in infertile women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 230 infertile women who referred to the infertility center of Shahrekord, Iran in 2022 were enrolled. Data were collected using demographic characteristics checklist, female sexual function index, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and general adherence scale. Results: No significant relation was observed between the infertility factor and the mean score of sexual function, the mean score of perceived social support, and the mean score of adherence to treatment (p > 0.05). Among the aspects of sexual functioning, only the mean score of lubrication in the group of male factors was significantly higher than the common factors for men and women (p = 0.07). A linear positive relation was observed between sexual functioning (r = 0.189), perceived social support (r = 0.200), and adherence to treatment (r = 0.146) in infertile women. Conclusion: By providing proper training and counseling to infertile couples, we can improve their social support and sexual function so that they can complete their infertility treatment as a result.

Background: Recurrent miscarriage is one of the most prevalent reproductive diseases. This phenomenon has several reasons, including maternal, hormonal, immunological, and parental genetic factors. Idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM), with no distinctive etiology, involves about half of the recurrent miscarriage cases. Some mutations in mitochondrial DNA can lead to miscarriage. Mitochondrial tRNA (mt-tRNA) mutations cause nearly half of the mitochondrial disorders. Objective: To identify mt- tRNACys & Tyr gene mutations in Iranian women with IRM. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 100 Iranian women with IRM and 100 women as control without any history of miscarriage were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism technique followed by gene sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis were done using human mitochondrial genome database, molecular evolutionary genetics analysis, mammalian mitochondrial-tRNA, etc. Results: Results showed 4 mt-tRNA mutations including 1 cysteine mt-tRNA mutation (5824C>T) and 3 tyrosine mt-tRNA mutations (5868T>A, 5849C>T, and 5836T>C) in our cases. Conclusion: Amongst the 4 mutations found, one was novel that is still not reported. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed that these mutations can be pathogenic. They occurred in tRNA-conserved regions and their secondary structure was changed, which can result in mitochondrial dysfunction. Mutations of these genes may help in the assessment of IRM. Further study of all 22 mt-tRNAs possible mutations is recommended to describe their etiologic role in IRM.

Background: Varicocele is characterized by abnormal dilation of the testicular vein, which results in hypoxia, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. It seems that a group of cytosolic receptors named nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, is activated and involved in the pathogenesis of varicocele. Objective: We aim to determine the time course of NLRP3 inflammasome expression in the testis tissue following varicocele induction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult Wistar rats (8 wk, 200-250 gr) were used. For the varicocele induction, the left renal vein was partially ligated. The mRNA levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and caspase-1 were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 wk after varicocele induction. Results: Results showed that the gene expression of NLRP3 inflammasome component including NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and caspase-1 did not alter during week 1, 2, 4, and 8 after operation (p = 0.09). 12 wk after varicocele induction, gene expression levels were significantly up-regulated (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our data provides clear evidence that varicocele stimulates inflammasome activation in the testis tissue 12 wk after the operation, and this time is required for investigating NLRP3 activity in the varicocele rat model.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious life-threatening complication of infertility treatment. Vulvar edema is a disease with various causes and frequent phenomena seen in physiological and pathologic conditions like pregnancy, inflammatory disorders, tumors, idiopathic reasons, and most importantly, in the severe form of OHSS.  Case Presentation: Here, we report a 26-yr-old woman with severe OHSS, recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone therapy. 8 days later, we observed a mild and asymmetrical swelling of the vulva with severe edema in the right labia. Due to the worsening of the vulvar edema even after 15 days of conservative treatment, hand massage and compressive bandaging of the vulva were performed, which caused rapid recovery within 20 min of the case. Conclusion: Treatment with a hand massage with lubricant gel followed by compressive bandaging resolved the vulvar edema immediately; it is an easy procedure without any adverse events.