International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2018 | Volume:16 | Issue:10|Papers Count:8

Background: Recurrent miscarriage, as the occurrence of two or more of pregnancy loss before the 20th wk, can occur for multiple causes. One of the causes of miscarriage may be a defect in the process of angiogenesis because the delivery of nutrients to the fetus is decreased and it may lead to miscarriage. Also, micro ribonucleic acids play an important role in the development of diseases. The microRNAs 16 and 21 are the most well-known angiogenesis-related miRNAs, which their gene targets are vascular endothelial growth factor-A and phosphatase and tensin homolog, respectively. Objective: To evaluate the changes in expression of microRNAs 16 and 21 and their association with the gene targets in women with unexplained RM. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, blood samples were taken from 25 women with unexplained RM and 25 controls. After extraction of RNA, the relative expression of microRNAs and their gene targets was measured using realtime quantitative reverse transcription-PCR method. Results: Our findings showed that miR-21 expression was significantly decreased in both plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells (p=0. 04 and p=0. 02, respectively) and could be associated with the PTEN expression (p=0. 03), however, there is no significant correlation between miR-16 and VEGF-A. Conclusion: One of the most remarkable results of this study is that miR-21 showed significant changes in both plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells, which can be related to the etiology and progression of RM.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathic disorder most commonly experienced by women of reproductive age, and it is characterized by a low-grade chronic inflammatory condition. Excessive fat deposit has been long considered as an etiological factor in the pathogenesis of this inflammatory condition. Currently, body mass index (BMI) or percentage of body fat is used as a marker to assess the body fat composition of a person. Objective: To determine whether BMI or body fat percentage (BFP) can be used as a better marker for measuring inflammation related to body fat accumulation in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Materials and Methods: This study took place at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Yasmin Clinic, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from January to December 2015. In this cross-sectional study, 32 reproductive age women with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria (2003) participated. Women with hyperandrogenism caused by non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, pregnant and lactating women, etc., were excluded. Some variables such as BMI, clinical hyperandrogenism sign, BFP, and inflammatory markers were assessed and statistically analyzed. Results: From a total of 32 subjects of the study, BFP had a significant positive correlation with procalcitonin levels (r=0. 35; p=0. 048), while BMI did not (r=0. 27; p=0. 131). Conclusion: BFP can be used as a better marker for measuring inflammation related to body fat accumulation in PCOS subjects.

Background: Many antimalarial agents and calcium channel blockers have been demonstrated to alter male reproductive activity. Increasing prevalence of hypertension, therefore, increases concern of male infertility, and concurrent administration of antihypertensive and antimalarial agents in malaria-prone areas. Objective: The study evaluates the reproductive effect of co-administration of artesunate (Ats)-amodiaquine (Amod) and nifedipine (Nif) in male guinea pigs. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male pigs were divided into four groups (n=6/ each) as one control (given distilled water) and 3 intervention groups (given standard daily dose equivalents of Ats-Amod, Nif or combination of both drugs) for 14 days. Serum levels of testosterone, folliclestimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Testicular weight was measured and the relative weight (organ-to-body weight ratio) was obtained. Sperm count, motility, and morphology were equally analyzed. Results: Nif treatment produced no significant effect on the hormone levels (p=0. 058) and sperm parameters (p=0. 0568) that were measured, whereas Ats-Amod and Ats-Amod+Nif decreased testosterone level (p=0. 0482), sperm count and motility (p<0. 0001), but failed to cause an alteration in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and sperm morphology. Percentage of motility reduction by Ats-Amod+Nif was greater (p=0. 025) compared to Ats-Amod effect. Relative testicular weight was decreased (p=0. 046) by Ats-Amod and Ats-Amod+Nif, but unaffected by Nif. Conclusion: The result suggests that short-term administration of standard daily dose equivalent of Nif does not alter hormone levels and sperm indices, while Ats-Amod alone or in combination with Nif decreases testosterone, sperm count, and motility. The combination also results in synergistic inhibition of sperm motility.

Background: Endometriosis is a disease that affects women of reproductive age. This disease is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissues (endometrial or stromal glands) outside the uterus and shows significantly elevated prevalence in industrial regions. Additionally, an interaction between genetics and environmental factors is assumed for the disease. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family are participated in detoxification process of a wide range of environmental toxins and carcinogens. Thereby, they are good link for the interaction. CYP1A1 which belong to cytochrome P450 (CYPs) superfamily, is a very important gene for the metabolism of carcinogens. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of the MspI polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene and its relation to endometriosis. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from 93 endometriosis women and 139 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: Frequencies of the TT, TC, and CC genotype of CYP1A1 gene polymorphism in patients were 73. 1%, 22. 6%, and 4. 3%, while frequencies in controls were 74. 1%, 22. 3%, and 3. 6%, respectively. So there was no significant differences between the genotypes in two groups (p=0. 961). Conclusion: According to our study, MspI polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene appears to be not associated with the risk of endometriosis in the studied population. However, additional studies, especially with larger sample size are needed to validate these findings.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) is one of the most common reasons for infertility. Calligonum as a plant possess some of the important antioxidants that can decrease oxidative stress. Objective: The effects of treatment with Calligonum as an antioxidant on ovary tissue of a PCO mouse model. Materials and Methods: Thirty female NMRI mice were divided into three groups (n=10/each): control, PCO, and Calligonum. We induced PCO model with single dose of Estradiol valerate (40 mg/kg). Then Calligonum (20 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected weekly for two months. The level of oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity was assessed in the ovarian tissue by flow cytometry and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, respectively, and the histological study was conducted by the morphometric method and embryo development with in vitro fertilization. Results: The obtained results showed that estradiol valerate was able to increase oxidative stress within the ovary and causes ovarian cysts after two months. The cyst formation was decreased in Calligonum group compared to PCO group (p=0. 001). The percentage of pre-antral and antral follicles significantly decreased in Calligonum group compared to PCO group (p=0. 001). The oxidative stress decreased in Calligonum group significantly compared to PCO group (p=0. 001). Calligonum can significantly increase the total antioxidant capacity of ovarian tissue (p=0. 001) as well as the percentage of in vitro fertilization compared to the PCO group. Conclusion: Calligonum could decrease ovary cyst in PCO model, and improve in vitro fertilization rate. Also, Calligonum extract as an antioxidant could decrease oxidative stress in PCO model.

Background: Varicocele is the collection of dilated veins of pampiniform plexus which is the most common cause of infertility occurred in 35-40% of infertile men. Despite all the diagnostic tools exist for varicocele diagnosis; still, a physical examination is the first step. Objective: This study was done to determine the inter-observer agreement on varicoceles diagnosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, two expert examiners evaluated 93 men with infertility, scrotal pain, and enlarged scrotum for the presence of varicocele. The urologists examined patients independently in two separate rooms. The inter-observer agreement on varicocele grading analyzed by the Spearman Rho correlation coefficient. Results: The grading of varicocele were similar in 34 (36. 5%) and 59 (63. 4%) cases in the left and right side, respectively with correlation coefficient of 0. 65 (0. 51-0. 75) and 0. 25 (0. 04-0. 43), respectively. It implies that inter-observer agreement was substantial for left varicocele assessment and moderate for right varicocele assessment. Conclusion: Physical exam is the essential diagnostic tool for varicocele. As long as the observers educated with the same standard method the disagreements reduced to the negligible extent.

Background: Surgical scar endometriosis is typically presented as a slow-growing, painful abdominal mass near the site of a past surgery. Endometriosis on the trocar port site is rare. To best of our knowledge, only 17 cases have been reported in the literature. The nonspecific nature of endometriosis presents a diagnostic challenge, and it is often considered as an incisional hernia or other conditions. Case: Here, we described our experience with a recurrent abdominal scar endometriosis case at the trocar port site of a previous laparoscopy, which was initially thought to be an incisional hernia. Conclusion: Abdominal wall endometriosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in females with a positive history of prior abdominal surgery, presented with painful nodule or mass at the site of the surgery.

Dear Editor Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy (TOP) is a rare, yet under-reported condition that threatens pregnant women in the third trimester of a usually uneventful pregnancy. It is known to be the consequence of drastic loss of bone mass and elevated rates of bone turnover caused by fetal consumption of calcium and vitamin D from the maternal skeleton (1, 2). Meanwhile, the transient nature of osteoporosis cannot generally be determined at the time of the event, mainly due to the lack of bone mineral density (BMD) history...