International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2019 | Volume:17 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Background: Depression and anxiety are the most common reaction in infertile couples. Several studies have been conducted to examine the psychiatric disorders among infertile and fertile couples. Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the depression and anxiety in fertile and infertile couples in various studies. Materials and Methods: The authors searched articles published in multiple databases including World Health Organization, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Science Direct, Medline EMBASE and Persian databases including Scientific Information Database (SID) and IranMedx between 2005 and 2017. The main keywords used for searching the databases were: depression, anxiety, infertility, and fertility. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis/2. 0 software. Results: The authors found 42 related articles after searching the databases. 11 articles entered the meta-analysis after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, eight articles were chosen for the comparison of depression and anxiety, two published articles for the comparison of depression, and one published article to compare anxiety in fertile and infertile couples. The results of the heterogeneity test showed a significant heterogeneity among all articles that were analyzed in this meta-analysis in the field of depression and anxiety. The results showed that depression (p = 0. 0001; Hedges’ g = 1. 21; 95% CI 0. 63– 1. 78) and anxiety (p = 0. 00001; Hedges’ g = 0. 63; 95% CI 0. 54– 0. 73) were higher in infertile couples than fertile couples and that the possibility of a publication bias does not exist in this study. Conclusion: The analysis of articles used in this meta-analysis showed that depression and anxiety scores in infertile couples were higher than fertile couples.

Background: Heavy metal-induced oxidative stress has been implicated in abnormal sperm functions and male infertility. Objective: Serum and seminal levels of heavy metals and biomarkers of oxidative stress were compared in fertile and infertile men. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 men aged 20– 60 yr comprising 30 azoospermic, 50 oligozoospermic, and 50 normozoospermic men were studied. Semen analysis was done by world health organization guidelines, biomarkers of oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total plasma peroxidase (TPP), oxidative stress index (OSI), vitamin C (vit C) and nitric oxide (NO)) and fructose by colorimetry and serum and seminal heavy metals (zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: Azoospermic and oligozoospermic men had higher serum and seminal peroxides (TPP, p = 0. 00), higher serum heavy metals (Zn, Se, Pb, and Cd (p = 0. 01)) and lower sperm concentration, %motility, serum and seminal antioxidants (vit C, TAC, NO, GSH (p = 0. 01)) compared to normozoospermic men. Higher seminal peroxides (TPP, p = 0. 001), heavy metals (Pb and Cd (p = 0. 03)) and lower sperm concentration, %motility, and seminal antioxidants (TAC and NO (p = 0. 00)) were also observed in azoospermic men compared to oligozoospermic men. Negative correlations were observed between seminal fructose and seminal vit C (r =-0. 535, p = 0. 015), GSH (r =-0. 734, p = 0. 000), NO (r =-0. 714, p = 0. 000), Zn (r =-0. 774, p = 0. 000) and Se (r =-0. 719, p = 0. 000) only in azoospermic men. Conclusion: Elevated heavy metal levels, increased lipid peroxidation and antioxidant depletion is associated with abnormal sperm functions in men studied.

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue has been considered as a valuable approach for fertility preservation in cancerous patients. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of vitrification on oocyte maturation, survival rates, as well as the subcellular oocyte quality post IVM. Materials and Methods: The ovarian cortexes from 19 women with cervix and uterine malignancy aged 21– 39 yr were collected. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from all visible antral follicles. 102 immature oocytes were collected, and 43 oocytes were detected appropriately for IVM (control group). Also, 59 immature oocytes were vitrified, then matured in vitro (IVM) in two groups: with Growth/differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) (group 1) and without GDF9 (group 2) supplementation. Rates of oocytes viability, maturation, and survival along with meiotic spindle visualization and zona pellucida birefringence were assessed with Polyscope. Results: The rate of maturation was significantly higher in controls (55. 8%) compared to the other groups. Maturation rate was 23. 3% in oocytes cultured in IVM medium enriched with GDF9, and 27. 6% in those cultured in IVM medium lacking GDF9 (p = 0. 86). Also, the meiotic spindle was present in 74. 4% of control oocytes which was significantly higher than the other groups. The proportion of high zona pellucida birefringence was higher in the controls when compared with group 1 (51. 2% vs. 23. 3%, respectively, p = 0. 04). Conclusion: Vitrification had a detrimental effect on oocyte maturation, viability as well as the subcellular quality of the oocytes after IVM in cancerous women.

Background: Endometriosis are defined as a progesterone-resistance disease. Two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, namely PR-A and PR-B, mediate the special effects of progesterone. One of the most effective polymorphism in the promoter region of PGR is the +331G/A. Objective: The differential expression level of PR isoforms due to +331G/A polymorphism may be able to influence the function of progesterone and reduce the susceptibility of endometriosis. Materials and Methods: This analytic, case-control study was carried out at Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran. Whole-blood samples were collected from 98 infertile women undergoing laparoscopy for endometriosis and 102 healthy fertile women. After DNA extraction, genotype frequencies were determined by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism. Then, RNA was extracted from the selected eutopic tissue samples of endometriosis patients. Analysis of PR-A and PR-B mRNA expressions were performed using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The frequency distribution of GG, GA genotypes in +331G/A polymorphism was 98. 04%, 1. 96% in the patients and 97. 96%, 2. 04% in the control groups, respectively (p = 0. 968). Although our data did not show any significant association with +331G/A in the patient and control groups, we were able to demonstrate significantly higher expression level of PR-B and no significant lower expression level of PR-A isoforms in patients by favoring GA to GG genotypes (p = 0. 017, p = 0. 731, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings show that patients with GA genotypes had a higher expression level of PR-B compared to patients with GG genotypes.

Background: Oocytes vitrification is a pivotal step for the widespread and safekeeping of animal genetic resources. Oocytes endure notable morphological and functional damage during cryopreservation. Oxidative stress is one of the adverse effects that vitrification imparts on oocytes. Objective: In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of Rosmarinic and Ascorbic acids on the quality and fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed mice oocyte. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, germinal vesicle oocytes obtained from two-months-old (30– 40gr) NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. The basic cryoprotectants were 7. 5% (v/v) ethylene glycol+7. 5% (v/v) Propanediol as an equilibration media. Vitrification medium contained 15% (v/v) ethylene glycol+15% (v/v) propanediol, and 0. 5 M sucrose. In the first group (Control), nothing was added to vitrification mediums, whereas, in the second and third groups, 0. 5 mmol/L of Ascorbic acid and 105 μ mol/L of Rosmarinic acid were added into vitrification medium, respectively. The cumulative concentration of Rosmarinic and Ascorbic acids were added to group 4. Mouse oocytes were vitrified and preserved for one month. The thawed oocytes were transferred into the α-MEM medium (Alpha Minimum Essential Medium) and maintained in this medium for 24 hr, to be matured and reach the metaphase II stage. Results: The addition of Rosmarinic and Ascorbic acids to the vitrification solution improved the survival, maturation of Germinal vesicles, fertilization rate, and finally development to 4-cell stage. Maturation rates to 4-cell stage for Ascorbic acid, Rosmarinic acid, and both of them together were 80%, 80. 76%, and 86. 61%, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that the addition of a cumulative concentration of 0. 5 mmol/L Ascorbic acid and 105 μ mol/L of Rosmarinic acid to the cryopreservation solution for the mouse immature oocytes would be of significant value (p< 0. 01).

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and chronic disorder of endocrine glands where genetic factors play a major role in the susceptibility to the disease. The cytochrome (CYP) 17 enzyme is essential for androgens biosynthesis. Also, the CYP19 enzyme converts the androgens to the aromatic estrogens. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association of CYP 17 MSP AI (T-34C) and CYP 19A1 (Trp39Arg) variants with the pathogenesis of PCOS in a population from Western Iran with Kurdish ethnic background. Materials and Methods: The present case-control study consisted of 50 patients with PCOS and 109 controls. The CYP17 T-34C and CYP19A1 (Trp39Arg) polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The serum lipid and lipoprotein profile were detected by the Bionic Diagnostic Kits. Estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were measured using the chemiluminescent method. Results: The serum levels of estradiol and SHBG in PCOS patients were lower than controls (p < 0. 001 and p = 0. 06, respectively). However, the level of DHEA was higher (p = 0. 01) in patients compared to controls. The higher frequency of CYP17 TC genotype in patients (30%) compared to controls (15. 6%) was associated with 2. 31-fold susceptibility to PCOS (p = 0. 038). The frequency of CYP19 TC genotype was 6. 4% in controls and 10% in patients (p = 0. 42). Conclusion: The present study suggests that CYP17 TC genotype could be associated with the risk of PCOS. Also, the study indicated the sex steroid hormones level alteration and the lower level of SHBG in PCOS patients compared to healthy individuals.

Background: Because of the unexpected and often dramatic inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion related with the usage of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist, there has been a probable need for exogenous LH supplementation. There is a basic and clinical evidences that show late development of follicle needs an LH but there is a threshold for LH requirements during folliculogenesis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in serum LH and the identification of patients who benefit from the addition of LH. Materials and Methods: Seventy volunteers for antagonist protocol in IVF cycle were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The study was carried out in Reproductive Health Research Center, University of Medical Sciences between July 2016 and February 2016. Serum LH level was estimated 24 h before and after the first (GnRH) antagonist injection. The primary outcome was the serum level of LH and its change in the three groups and the secondary outcome was Egg and Embryo quality. Results: LH changes above or below 50% had no effect on the number of follicle, the number of oocyte, Germinal vesicle oocyte, metaphase 1 oocyte, metaphase 2 oocyte, endometrial thickness, and chemical and clinical pregnancy. Conclusion: We evaluated the changes of serum LH in the patients who were entered in the antagonist protocol. Our study showed no significant difference in LH levels 24 h before and after the injection of the antagonist between the three groups, and LH changes did not affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Dear Editor As clinical investigators and researchers exploring the role of insulin receptor gene (INSR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we wish to express our concern about the study by Tehrani et al. (1) that aimed to explore the correlation between INSR and adiponectin genes and PCOS. We are afraid that it might have technical flaws and take confusion and concerns to the readership...