International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2018 | Volume:16 | Issue:6|Papers Count:8

Background: Prescribing antidepressant drugs is becoming common. These drugs are known to affect sexual functions. Objective: The study is aimed to assess the effects of amitriptyline and venlafaxine on sperm parameters and evaluate Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl values in BALB/ mice spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male BALB/c mice were separated into five groups. Group Ι (control) received distilled water; group Ι Ι amitriptyline (4 mg/kg); group Ι Ι Ι amitriptyline (4 mg/kg) +vitamin C (10 mg/kg); group Ι V venlafaxine (2 mg/kg); and group V received vitamin C (10 mg/kg) + venlafaxine (2 mg/kg). All drugs were administered by oral gavage for 35 days. After excision of caudal epididymis, it was located in 1 mL Ham's F10 medium at 37oC for 15 min and then analysis of sperm parameters was performed. To examine lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity, the MDA and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl were measured, respectively. Results: The mean sperm parameters in the group treated with amitriptyline were significantly lower than in the other groups. MDA tests showed a significant difference between amitriptyline and control groups (p=0. 007). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that amitriptyline consumption can weaken sperm parameters, which can be attributed to the increased production of ROS and toxicity resulting from amitriptyline consumption. Moreover, venlafaxine improved sperm parameters in mice and the lipid peroxidation in this group did not change compared to the control group.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first enzyme of the pentose phosphate metabolic pathway that supplies reducing agents by maintaining the level of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Objective: It was aimed to determine the activity of erythrocyte and spermatozoa G6PD in the breeding and non-breeding seasons in Merino rams. And also, to find out the relation of these parameters with sperm quality parameters for better understanding the role of this enzyme in male fertility. Materials and Methods: 1. 5-2 yr-old healthy, 14 Merino rams were involved. Ejaculate samples were collected using an artificial vagina, in October (the breeding season) and April (the non-breeding season). Blood samples were collected prior to sperm collection. Sperm volume (ml), motility (%), mass activity (1-5), concentration (×106), viability (%), abnormal acrosome morphology (%) and abnormal sperm morphology (%) was evaluated. The activities of spermatozoa and erythrocyte G6PD were determined and the relation of sperm parameters with G6PD activity was evaluated. Results: Erythrocyte G6PD activity was higher (p≤ 0. 001), whereas spermatozoa G6PD activity was lower (p≤ 0. 001) in the breeding season (1. 928± 0. 231 U/g hemoglobin, 129. 65± 28. 41 U/g protein, respectively) from that in the non-breeding (0. 530± 0. 066 U/g hemoglobin, 562. 36± 94. 92 U/g protein, respectively). There were also significant differences among sperm quality parameters within the seasons. Positive correlation was determined between spermatozoa G6PD activity (r=0. 053, p=0. 03 and sperm concentration in the breeding season. Conclusion: Higher spermatozoa G6PD activity in October, where the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids is suggested to be increased, may reflect the increased need of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and thus higher G6PD activity for the oxidative balance.

Background: Asthenozoospermia is one of the etiologies for male factor infertility. It was shown that any abnormality in protamines genes, reduction of protamines transcript and protamines deficiency may play a key role in asthenozoospermia. Objective: The aim of the current study was the evaluation of protamine-1 and 2 genes (PRM1 and PRM2) polymorphisms in asthenozoospermic men. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the samples were corresponded to asthenozoospermic specimens of infertile men. The normozoospermic samples were considered as the control group. DNA sequence amplification was performed using four PRM1 and PRM2 primers, designed from 5' to 3' flank regions. The human PRM1 and PRM2 gene sequences were screened in search of potential mutations in highly prevalent polymorphism regions in asthenozoospermia versus normozoospermia. Results: Totally, nine highly prevalent polymorphism regions between the forward and reverse primers were screened. Three of them corresponded to PRM1 and six to PRM2. The most prevalent polymorphism regions in PRM1 were related to 102G>T (rs35576928), 49C>T (rs140477029) and 139C>A (rs737008). In the PRM2, 6 highly prevalent polymorphisms regions were screened, including 248C>T (rs779337774), 401G>A (rs545828790), 288C>T (rs115686767), 288G>C (rs201933708), 373C>A (rs2070923), and 298G>C (rs1646022). The allele frequencies of three upper mentioned single nucleotide polymorphisms in asthenozoospermic men including 373C>A, 298G>C and 139C>A was higher than the control group. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the frequency of some altered genotypes in asthenozospermia was slightly higher than control group. We proposed more extensive studies to be sure that; these genotypes can precisely be related to diagnosis of asthenozoospermia, as the molecular markers.

Background: Vitrification is a process that can be used to preserve gonads in the healthy and natural status. Oxidative stress is one of the disadvantages of vitrification. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is an antioxidant that can reduce reactive oxidative stress effects. Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of PTX on histological and ultrastructural features of vitrified and non-vitrified mouse ovarian tissue. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five adult female Balb-C mice were randomly and equally divided into control group: the ovaries did not receive any treatment; experimental 1 and 2: the vitrified ovaries were incubated in phosphate buffer solution and bovine serum albumin without and with PTX, respectively, for 30 min; sham 1 and 2: the non-vitrified ovaries were incubated in phosphate buffer solution and bovine serum albumin and were incubated without and with PTX, respectively for 30 min. The right and left ovaries in all of the groups were evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Results: The histological and ultra-structural features of vitrified ovaries were seriously damaged. There was non-uniformed germinal epithelium and tunica albuginea, degenerated granulosa cells and stromal cells, puffy basement membrane and irregular thickness of zona pellucida, as well as a pyknotic nucleus and bubbly and segmented ooplasmic in the follicles. Also, ovarian tissues were damaged by the PTX in the non-vitrified ovaries. Conclusion: Vitrification can damage the histological and ultra-structural features of the ovary in mouse models. PTX as an antioxidant, with concentration of 1. 8 mM could not prevent and restore these damages and had no adequate effects on the vitrified ovarian tissues.

Background: Titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2NP) is commonly used in industrial products including food colorant, cosmetics, and drugs. Previous studies have shown that oral administration of TiO2NP can be toxic to the reproductive system, but little is known if TiO2NP could be able to affect the functions of the female reproductive system, in particular fertility. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of TiO2NP on histological changes in ovaries, pregnancy rate and in vitro fertility in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 54 adult female NMRI mice were randomly assigned to two groups: control group (received vehicle orally) and TiO2NP group (received 100 mg/kg/daily TiO2NP solution orally). After 5 wk, pregnancy and in vitro fertilization rates, histological changes in ovaries, malondyaldehyde and estrogen hormone levels in the blood serum were investigated and compared between groups. Results: Our results revealed that TiO2NP administration induced histological alterations in ovary including, degenerating and reduction of ovarian follicles, ovarian cyst formation and disturbance of follicular development. Compared to control, animals in TiO2NP group have shown significant reduction of pregnancy rates and number of giving birth (p=0. 04). TiO2NP caused significant reduction in oocyte number, fertilization rate, and pre-implantation embryo development (p<0. 001). Furthermore, malondyaldehyde and estrogen hormone levels were significantly (p<0. 01) increased in mice received TiO2NP. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TiO2NP exposure induces alterations on mice ovary resulting in a decrease in the rate of embryo development and fertility.

Background: Sericin, because of its ability to remove free radicals and its antioxidant properties, has been used to successfully cryopreserve various mammalian cell types. However, the effects of sericin on cryopreservation of mouse sperm has not been reported. Objective: The current study intended to determine the protective role of different concentrations of sericin (0, 0. 25, 0. 5, and 0. 75%) on mouse spermatozoa during cryopreservation, in addition to its effect on in vitro fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Materials and Methods: Mouse sperm from epididymides were frozen in cryoprotective agent with 18% raffinose, 3% skim milk, and different concentrations of sericin (0, 0. 25, 0. 5, 0. 75%). Thawed sperm were used for in vitro fertilization. The obtained embryos were cultured in Ksom medium for 6 days. The post-thawed motility, viability, fertilizing ability, and subsequent development to the 2-cell embryo and blastocyst stages were evaluated. Results: Our findings show that frozen-thawed sperm cells with 5% sericin indicate significantly (p≤ 0. 0001) percentages of survivability and motility, the best fertilizing ability, as well as 2-cell embryo and blastocyst development compared to the other treated groups. There was no significant difference in survivability (p=0. 8781), fertilizing ability (p=0. 2458) and development of 2-cell (p=0. 5136) and blastocysts embryos (p=0. 0896) between 0. 75% sericin and control groups. Conclusion: Supplementation by 0. 5% sericin in cryoprotective agent improved frozen-thawed mouse epididymal sperm cell quality and resulted in increased embryo development.

Background: It has been shown that Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125 and CA 19-9 tumor markers are useful for diagnosis and follow up of ovarian carcinoma. Case: In this case, we reported the high level of CA-125 and CA 19-9 with large right ovarian intact endometrioma and extensive involvement of omentum. Conclusion: Human Epididymis protein (HE4) and Risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) can be useful in differentiation between malignancies and benign pathologies with a good sensitivity and specificity value.

Background: Ovarian superovulation and increased follicle-stimulating hormone concentration for infertility treatment may be the risk factors of developed granulosa-cell tumor. The aim of this report is to introduce a case of granulosa-cell tumor which was discovered after ovarian stimulation. Case: A 31-yr-old woman with clinical presentation of massive abdominal distention was referred to the gynecology and oncology department of an academic hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Aug 2017. She had the history of secondary infertility and was undergoing In Vitro Fertilization protocol and ovarian stimulation, but, the cycle was canceled. The patient suffered from gradual abdominal distention one month after the end of IVF procedure despite pregnancy failure. 2-3 months after management of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, investigation revealed large ovarian mass and increased tumor marker inhibin. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed stage III ovarian cancer. The final pathology report indicated juvenile granulosa cell tumor. So, optimal surgical staging and cytoreductive surgery without fertility preserving were perfumed. Chemotherapy was recommended due to the advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, she experienced metastatic diseases in pelvic and abdomen in less than six months; and currently is receiving the second and third line chemotherapy. Conclusion: Persistent ovarian enlargement or ascites during or after infertility treatment should be carefully considered and managed.