International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2017 | Volume:15 | Issue:8|Papers Count:8

Background: Metformin reduces maternal and neonatal weight gain in gestational diabetes mellitus; however, this effect is poorly investigated in non-diabetic women. Objective: We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the effect of metformin intake during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes in obese non-diabetic women. Materials and Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL for eligible randomized controlled trials addressing the efficacy of metformin in pregnant obese non-diabetic women. Data were extracted and analyzed using RevMan software (Version 5. 3). Neonatal birth weight was the key outcome. Secondary outcomes included maternal weight gain, the incidence of preeclampsia, and neonatal adverse effects (miscarriage, stillbirth and congenital anomalies). Results: Pooled data from two RCTs (n=843) showed that metformin caused a significant reduction in maternal gestational weight gain (MD-1. 35, 95% CI: [2. 08,-0. 630]), compared to placebo. The summary effect-estimate did not favor either of the two groups in terms of reduction of neonatal birth weight Z score (MD-0. 09, 95% CI: [0. 23, 0. 06]). Metformin was associated with 41% reduction in the risk of preeclampsia; however, this reduction was not statistically significant [RR 0. 59, 95% CI: [0. 03, 11. 46]). None of the neonatal adverse events including stillbirth [RR 1. 14, 95% CI: 0. 42, 3. 10]) and congenital anomalies (RR= 1. 36, 95% CI: [0. 58, 3. 21]) differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: For obese pregnant women, metformin could decrease gestational weight gain with no significant reduction in neonatal birth weight. In light of the current evidence, metformin should not be used to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes in obese non-diabetic women.

Background: common use of sevoflurane in congenital defects during repeated surgeries may have detrimental effects on spermatogenesis after puberty. Objective: This study investigated sevoflurane effects on spermatogenesis process in male mature mice after exposure in prepubertal time. Materials and Methods: 24 neonatal NMRI male mice were randomly classified in three groups. Experimental 1 and 2 groups (exposure to 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and 2 MAC sevoflurane, respectively in 2 lit/min oxygen (O2) for 7 days (30 min, daily) and control. All groups were sacrificed after 2 months. Histological assessment, immunohistochemistry and apoptosis process was done. Bax and Bcl2 expression was evaluated in the testicular tissue by real time Poly Chain Reaction. Results: Our results showed that the integrity of testicular tissue was preserved in both experimental groups. Count of spermatogonial cells had significant decrease in group 2 compared to others. The rate of apoptosis in spermatogonial cells was 15± 3% and 9± 2% in the group 2 and 1, respectively. Also, Bax/Bcl2 ratio was 0. 2615, 1. 0070 and 9. 3657 in control, experimental group 1 and 2, respectively. This result was significant (p≤ 0. 002) between groups 2 with other groups. Conclusion: Continuous exposure of 2 MAC sevoflurane in 2 lit/min O2 simultaneous during prepubertal may create more testicular tissue damage in terms of cellular and molecular function compared to continuous exposure to lower level of sevoflurane by increase in ratio of Bax/Bcl2 and apoptosis in germ cells after puberty.

Background: Woman’ s orgasm plays a vital role in sexual compatibility and marital satisfaction. Orgasm in women is a learnable phenomenon that is influenced by several factors. Objective: The aim of this study is exploring obstacles to orgasm in Iranian married women. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study with directed content analysis approach was conducted in 2015-2016, on 20 Iranian married women who were individually interviewed at two medical clinics in Tehran, Iran. Results: Orgasm obstacles were explored in one category, 4 subcategories, and 25 codes. The main category was “ Multidimensionality of women’ s orgasm obstacles” . Subcategories and some codes included: Physical obstacles (wife’ s or husband’ s boredom, vaginal infection, insufficient vaginal lubrication), psychological obstacles (lack of sexual knowledge, shame, lack of concentration on sex due to household and children problems), relational obstacles (husband’ s hurry, having a dispute and annoyance with spouse) and contextual obstacles (Irregular sleep hours, lack of privacy and inability to separate children’ s bedroom from their parents, lack of peace at home). Conclusion: For prevention or treatment of female orgasm disorders, attention to physical factors is not enough. Obtaining a comprehensive history about physical, psychological, relational and contextual dimensions of woman’ s life is necessary.

Background: Genetic factors are believed to play an important role in the etiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which is the most common endocrinological disorder of women in their reproductive age. Androgen metabolism is impaired in PCOS and, thus, CYP19 gene which is involved in this pathway can be a candidate gene. Previous studies have shown a relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CYP19 in hyperandrogenism and PCOS in some racial groups. Objective: This study was designed to elucidate the role of CYP19 gene in PCOS in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 70 PCOS women and 70 non-PCOS women as normal control were selected. Following the informed consent, 5 ml blood was taken from individuals and subsequently, genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. Furthermore, a set of polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was carried out using specific primers for SNP rs. 2414096 followed by enzyme digestion, with HSP92II. Results: Genotype frequencies of SNP rs. 2414096 in PCOS women were as follows: AA (14. 4%), AG (44. 3%), and GG (41. 4%) while in normal group, genotypes were 24. 3%, 52. 8%, and 22. 9%, respectively. Allele frequencies in PCOS group were 49. 3% for A and 50. 7% for G, whereas normal group had a different percentage of A (36. 4%) and G (63. 6%). The calculations for both genotypic and allelic frequencies showed statistical significance difference. Conclusion: Variants of SNP rs. 2414096 in CYP19 could play a role in the development of PCOS in Iranian women.

Background: High rates of sub-fertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes were seen after age 40. In contrast to oogenesis, spermatogenesis continues in elderly men. Objective: To retrospectively study the impact of aging on semen parameters in male partners of infertile couples in the rural area of developing country over 10 years and to find out whether aging affects male factor fertility and various semen parameters in this part of developing country. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the laboratory semen analysis records of 1219 male partners of infertile couples of a rural tertiary care center of Central India in a 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 were evaluated into 5 groups based on men age: Group 1: 21-28 yr (n=57); group 2: 29-35 yr (n=450); group 3: 36-42 yr (n=532); group 4: 43-49 yr (n=165), and group 5: 50-60 yr (n=15). Evaluation of all semen parameters were done according to WHO standard criteria (1999). Results: The analysis of semen records revealed the significant negative association of semen volume, total sperm count, sperm motility, and morphology with age. There was a significant fall in total sperm count, sperm motility, and morphology after the age of 35 yr. Conclusion: Age has significant negative effect on semen volume, total sperm count, and sperm motility and morphology in this region of India.

Background: Blighted ovum is one of the most common reasons for abortion during the first three months of pregnancy. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is an important antioxidant enzyme in the human immune system. The gene is located on 6q25 chromosome and acts on mitochondrial matrix. In the case of mutation or inactivity of this enzyme, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA will severely be destructed. The most common polymorphism of its gene is Val16Ala. Objective: The aim was to investigate a possible mutation in pregnant women who had abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy due to blighted ovum. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 34 women were entered as the case and control groups, respectively. Genome DNA was extracted from saliva samples and its genotype was determined using Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: In the case group, 16 (48%) cases had Val/Val genotype, 17 (50%) were heterozygote and had Val/Ala genotype, and 1 (2%) had Ala/Ala genotype. Among controls, 7 (22%) items had Val/Val genotype, 6 (17%) had Val/Ala genotype, and 21 (61%) had Ala/Ala genotype. The frequency of TT, CT, and CC genotypes was 48%, 50%, and 2% in case group and 22%, 17%, and 61% in control group, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between Val16Ala polymorphism of MnSOD gene and blighted ovum (p= 0. 0003). Conclusion: It has concluded that a significant relationship exists between Val16Ala polymorphism of MnSOD gene and blighted ovum.

Background: Stress in infancy has dramatic effects on different systems, including the nervous system, endocrine, immune, reproductive and etc. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extract of Iranian propolis (EIP) on ovarian tissue and oxidative stress in rats with maternal separation stress. Materials and Methods: 48 immature female rats were divided randomly into six groups. 1) Control group, 2) Control group+saline, 3) Stress group, includes infants that were separated from their mothers 6 hr/day, the 4th, 5th and 6th groups consisted of infants who in addition to daily stress received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of EIP, respectively. Then serum corticosterone, 17-beta-estradiol, malondialdehyde, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and ferric reducing antioxidant power levels were measured. The ovarian sections were stained by H&E, PAS, and TUNEL methods and were studied with optical microscopy. Results: Stress increased the blood serum corticosterone levels and 17-beta-estradiol reduced significantly (p<0. 001) and EIP prevented from this changes (p<0. 01). EIP significantly increased the number of ovarian follicles, oocytes and oocytes diameter in neonatal rat following stress (p<0. 01). EIP also significantly decreased the number of atretic follicles, TUNEL+granulosa cells, malondialdehyde levels and increased ferric reducing antioxidant power, total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase serum levels in neonatal rats following stress. The dose of 200 mg/kg EIP was more effective. Conclusion: This Study showed that the Iranian Propolis significantly could prevent oxidative stress and histopathological changes in the ovary of the neonatal rat the following stress.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α ) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates different cellular activities related to spermatogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor 1 (TNFR1) mediates TNF-α activity and polymorphism in TNFR1 could lead to gene dysfunction and male infertility. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the association of TNFR1 36 A/G polymorphism with the idiopathic azoospermia in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 108 azoospermic and 119 fertile men. This research investigated the frequency of TNFR1 36 A/G polymorphism in cases who were idiopathic azoospermic men referred to Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Iran in comparison with controls. polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to investigate the polymorphism in both case and control groups. PCR fragments were digested by Mspa1I enzyme and products were appeared by gel electrophoresis. The abundance of A→ G was calculated in the azoospermic and healthy men. Results: According to the present study, GG and AG genotypes frequency in the azoospermic men group were higher than the control group (OR= 2. 298 (1. 248-4. 229), p=0. 007), (OR=1. 47 (0. 869-2. 498, p=0. 149). Our findings also showed that G allele frequency in azoospermic men had significant difference compared to the control group (OR=2. 302 (1. 580-3. 355), p<0. 001). Conclusion: It seems that the GG genotype and G allele have an association with increased risk of non-obstructive azoospermia.