International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2017 | Volume:15 | Issue:10|Papers Count:8

Nuclear transfer procedures have been recently applied for clinical and research targets as a novel assisted reproductive technique and were used for increasing the oocyte activity during its growth and maturation. In this review, we summarized the nuclear transfer technique for germinal vesicle stage oocytes to reconstruct the maturation of them. Our study covered publications between 1966 and August 2017. In result utilized germinal vesicle transfer techniques, fusion, and fertilization survival rate on five different mammalian species are discussed, regarding their potential clinical application. It seems that with a study on this method, there is real hope for effective treatments of old oocytes or oocytes containing mitochondrial problems in the near future.

Background: The association of mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) with infertility has been documented. The infections are asymptomatic and difficult to diagnose. Understanding the associated risk factors will help in facilitating better screening measures for at-risk groups. Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, M. genitalium infection among infertile women in Ibadan. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 402 women (267 infertile and 135 fertile) referred to 2 hospitals in Ibadan between March and November 2015 were enrolled. Information was obtained, using structured questionnaire, on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the respondents while endocervical swabs were obtained for detection of M. genitalium. MgPa gene was diagnosed using the conventional Polymerase chain reaction. Bands corresponding to 495kb were documented as positive for M. genitalium. Results: Among the infertile women, 43 (16. 1%) had evidence of M. genitalium infection as against 3 (2. 2%) of women without infertility (p<0. 001). Associated risk factors included having more than one lifetime sexual partner (OR=10. 13, 95% CI: 3. 76-33. 97); husbands having other sexual partners (OR=12. 88, 95% CI: 2. 08-90. 63); being a serial monogamist (OR=6, 95% CI: 4. 35-8. 27) and low socioeconomic status (OR=2. 80, 95% CI: 1. 28-6. 10). No relationship exists between the previous history of sexually transmitted infections and M. genitalium. Conclusion: The risk factors for M. genitalium infection are similar to those peculiar to other sexually transmitted infections. Its routine screening should be incorporated into the current protocol for microbiological evaluation of infertile women.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease and associated with insulin resistance. CXC Ligand 5 (CXCL5) is a new cytokine which is secreted from white adipose tissue during obesity and by blocking insulin signaling pathway inhibits the activity of insulin and promotes insulin resistance. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess serum level of CXCL5 in PCOS women with normal body mass index. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 PCOS women with normal body mass index as the case group and 30 non-PCOS women as the controls were enrolled. Serum levels of CXCL5, insulin and other hormones factors related with PCOS were measured by ELISA method, also the biochemical parameters were measured by autoanalyzer. Results: Significant increases in serum insulin concentration, homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance, luteinizing hormone, luteinizing hormone/folliclestimulating hormone, fasting blood sugar, testosterone, and prolactin were observed in the case group compared to the controls. were in the serum level of CXCL5, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoproteincholesterol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, creatinine, and homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function between these two groups. Conclusion: In this study, no significant change was observed in serum concentrations of CXCL5 in PCOS women with normal BMI.

Background: Male infertility has been reported following long-term sulfasalazine, however, the precise effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality is controversial. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of co-trimoxazole and its coadministration with folic acid on sperm quality and histological changes of testes in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 136 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: I (control), II (vehicle) received saline, III: received folic acid (1 mg/kg /daily i. p., and IV-IX received co-trimoxazole (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/daily; i. p. )+folic acid (1 mg/kg/daily; i. p. ) for 14 or 28 days. Sperm samples were obtained from each group at the end of 14th and 28th days. Sperm numbers, motility, and viability were evaluated on a hemocytometer. Hematoxylin and Eosin stained testes were done for evaluation ofthe number of Leydig cells, vascularity, spermatids, spermatocytes, and means of seminiferous tubules diameter under light microscopy. Results: Co-trimoxazole treatment for either 14 or 28 days caused a significant decrease in the percentage of sperm number, motility, and viability (p<0. 001) compared to the control group. Also, high doses of co-trimoxazole caused a significant decrease in testes structural abnormalities means of seminiferous tubules diameter, spermatids, and spermatogonia) compared to the vehicle group (p<0. 001). Folic acid co-administration with co-trimoxazole partially reversed the decrease in sperm quality and structural abnormalities of high doses of co-trimoxazole (60 and 120 mg/kg/daily) (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The data showed the adverse effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality and testes morphology which was protected partially by folic acid coadministration in rats. The underlying mechanism (s) needs further investigations.

Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion has high incidence rate. The etiology is unknown in 30-40%. However high uterine artery resistance is accounted as one of the recurrent abortion reasons. Objective: The objective of the current study was to determine the impacts of vitamin E and aspirin on the uterine artery blood flow in women having recurrent abortions due to impaired uterine blood flow. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 99 women having uterine pulsatility index (PI) more than 2. 5 and the history of more than two times abortions. The candidates were categorized into three groups; receiving aspirin, only vitamin E, and aspirin+vitamin E. After 2 months, uterine PIs were compared with each other. Results: All drug regimens caused an enhancement in uterine perfusion with a significant decline in uterine artery PI value. The women receiving vitamin E in accompanied with aspirin had the least mean PI of the uterine artery (p<0. 001). The total average PI score of the right and left uterine arteries in groups receiving vitamin E in accompanied with aspirin was lower than the two counterparts significantly (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Vitamin E, aspirin and especially their combination are effective in improving uterine artery blood flow in women with recurrent abortion due to impaired uterine blood flow. More well-designed studies are needed to find out whether the enhancement of uterine perfusion may lead to a better pregnancy outcome.

Background: Nonoxynol-9 a nonionic surfactant is widely used for its spermicidal effects. Finding new sperm immobilizing agents is necessary because Nonoxynol-9 damages the tissues of female reproductive system. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) as a potential spermostatic compound on the motility and viability of human spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 μ g/ml, 1 and 10 mg/ml of TQ on normozoospermic semen samples were investigated. Sperm motility and viability were compared between untreated and TQ-treated aliquots of each semen sample. To evaluate the effects of TQ on the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), 32 semen samples were examined using 50 μ g/ml of TQ. Flow cytometric analysis was performed after staining of spermatozoa with JC-1. Results: Doses above 20 μ g/ml of TQ could eventually immobilize all spermatozoa in culture medium. Adding 50 μ g/ml of TQ did not significantly diminish the percentage of viable spermatozoa and flow cytometry results revealed that this amount of TQ could decrease sperm MMP. Conclusion: TQ could discontinue the movement of sperm cells in medium without reducing the population of live spermatozoa. It is more likely that TQ exerts its spermostatic action by mitigating the MMP of spermatozoa. Therefore, TQ could be considered as a potential new natural spermostatic chemical.

Background: Salvia officinalis L. has been used since ancient times but there are little data about effects of this herb on normal reproductive cells. Objective: To investigate the toxicity effects of Salvia officinalis L. on granulosa cells (GCs) and maturation of oocytes. Materials and Methods: GCs and oocytes were extracted from superovulated ovaries of immature mice. The cells were treated with concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 μ g/ml of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts and compared with the control culture. Bioviability, chromatin condensation, estradiol and progesterone concentrations, lipid synthesis, apoptosis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of GCs were measured. In vitro maturation of oocytes by determination of different maturation stages of oocytes including germinal vesicle, germinal vesicle breaks down, and metaphase II were examined. Results: The results revealed that 500 and 1000 μ g/ml concentrations of Salvia officinalis L. were toxic. The most of the GCs were in the early stages of apoptosis in 100 μ g/ml treated culture and cell death happened with 500 μ g/ml treatment. Progesterone concentration was reduced in 100 μ g/ml and higher doses but estradiol concentration and alkaline phosphatase showed opposite effects. The lipid droplets content of GCs reduced significantly in all groups especially in 500 and 1000 μ g/ml. Finally, oocyte’ s nucleus and cytoplasm showed a high level of condensation, and meiosis rate reduced in all treated cultures. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that higher dose of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts inhibits, oocyte maturation, GCs bioviability, proliferation, and secretion.

Background: Citrullus colocynthis (CCT) is used as the anti-diabetic and antioxidant agent. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive disorder which level of gonadotropins and sexual hormones are imbalanced. Objective: We evaluated the effect of CCT hydro-alcoholic extract on hormonal and folliculogenesis process in estradiol valerate-induced PCOs rats’ model. Materials and Methods: 40 female adult Wistar rats divided into five groups (n=8each: Group I (control) only injected by sesame oil as estradiol valerate solvent, group II (Sham) was orally received normal saline after estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (4 mg/rat estradiol valerate, intramuscularly), and three experimental groups, that after induction of PCOS within 60 days, received orally 50 mg/kg CCT extract (group III), 50mg/kg metformin (group IV), and CCT extract+ metformin (group V) for 20 days. The serum concentration level of luteinizing, testosterone and follicle stimulating hormones were measured using ELISA method and the serum concentration level of glucose were measured using the oxidative method (glucose meter). Histological study of ovary tissue carried out by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results: There was a significant reduction in luteinizing hormone and testosterone in III-V groups compared to Sham group, whereas follicle stimulating hormone in III-V groups was not significantly changed in comparison with Sham group. Histological investigations showed a significant increase in number of preantral and antral follicles and corpus luteum in the experimental groups compared to group II. Conclusion: Marked improvement in hormonal and histological symptoms of PCOS may be due to CCT effects hence, CCT can potentially be considered as an effective drug for treatment of PCOS.