International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Year:2017 | Volume:15 | Issue:5|Papers Count:8

This report explains briefly the minutes of a 1-day workshop entitled; “ human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and good manufacturing practice (GMP)” held by Stem Cell Biology Research Center based in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran on 27th April 2017. In this workshop, in addition to the practical sessions, Prof. Harry D. Moore from Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, UK presented the challenges and the importance of the biotechnology of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells from first derivation to robust defined culture for therapeutic applications.

High implantation success following in vitro fertilization cycles are achieved via the transfer of embryos with the highest developmental competence. Multiple pregnancies as a result of the transfer of several embryos per cycle accompany with various complication. Thus, single-embryo transfer (SET) is the preferred practice in assisted reproductive technique (ART) treatment. In order to improve the pregnancy rate for SET, embryologists need reliable biomarkers to aid their selection of embryos with the highest developmental potential. Time-lapse technology is a noninvasive alternative conventional microscopic assessment. It provides uninterrupted and continues the survey of embryo development to transfer day. Today, there are four time-lapse systems that are commercially available for ART centers. In world and Iran, the first time lapse babies were born in 2010 and 2015, respectively, conceived by SET. Here, we review the use of time-lapse monitoring in the observation of embryogenesis as well as its role in SET. Although, the findings from our review support common use of time-lapse monitoring in ART centers; but, future large studies assessing this system in well-designed trials are necessary.

Spermatocytogenesis starts from lumens of seminiferous cords and after migration to the basal membrane ends to the lumens again. We attempt to review the protective effects of melatonin and ghrelin on Spermatocytogenesis and in particular on spermatogonial stem cells, as two rather newly-discovered hormones. Testicular freezing prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is one of the ways of preserving fertility in children with cancer. The freezing has two methods of slow-freezing (cryopreservation) and rapid-freezing (vitrification). Administration of melatonin can maintain the quality of the germ cells underwent such processes, as well as ghrelin, can protect germ cells from the toxicities secondary to ischemic injuries, and pathologic apoptosis. This review indicates that in vitro or in vivo administration of melatonin or ghrelin, could be effective to preserve fertilization and also they can be used in assisted reproductive technologies to improve the quality of sperms. Future original studies should be propelled toward human studies, of course with observing the ethics.

Background: Several studies have reported the uncertain role of multi-minerals and vitamins in the prevention of preeclampsia. Objective: The present study aims to investigate the effect of multimineral-vitamin D supplements (calcium, magnesium, zinc and Vitamin D) and vitamins (C+ E) in the prevention of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 90 pregnant women were divided into three groups: group A received Ferrous sulfate (1 tablet/day) + one tablet of Claci-care multimineral-vitamin D containing 800mg calcium, 200mg magnesium, 8mg zinc and 400 IU Vitamin D3 per day; group B received Ferrous sulfate (1 tablet/day) + 250 mg vitamin C + 55 mg vitamin E; and the controls received only one Ferrous sulfate tablet daily. Results: The incidence of preeclampsia in group A was significantly lower than the control group (p=0. 03), while there was no significant difference between group B and controls (p=0. 50), as well as groups A and B (p=0. 063). The incidence of neonatal complications in the group A was significantly lower than the control group (p=0. 01), while there was no significant difference between group B and control (p=0. 48). Conclusion: According to the results, calcium, magnesium, and zinc supplements have a significant effect on the prevention of preeclampsia. In addition, prescription of multimineral-vitamin D during pregnancy can be a low-cost and affordable way to reduce the incidence of preeclampsia in women who are at high risk of preeclampsia.

Background: Teratoasthenozoospermia (TA) is a severe form of male infertility with no clear etiology. Objective: To compare the level of intracellular anion superoxide (O2– ), heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2) and protamine deficiencies in ejaculated spermatozoa between teratoasthenozoospermic and normozoospermic men. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, semen samples of 20 infertile men, with TA (with normal morphology lower than 4%_ and total motility lower than 40% ) as the case group and 20 normozoospermic fertile men as the control group were evaluated for intracellular O2 – and HSPA2 by flow cytometry and protamine deficiency by Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) test. Results: The rate of CMA3+ spermatozoa in the case group was higher than controls (p=0. 001). The percentages of HSPA2+ spermatozoa in the cases were significantly lower than controls (p=0. 001). Also, intracellular O2 – levels in the case group were significantly higher than controls (p=0. 001) and had positive correlations with sperm apoptosis (r=0. 79, p=0. 01) and CMA3 positive sperm (r=0. 76, p=0. 01), but negative correlations with normal morphology (r=-0. 81, p=0. 01) and motility (r=-0. 81, p=0. 01). There was no significant correlation between intracellular O2 – and HSPA2 in the case group (r=0. 041, p=0. 79). Conclusion: We suggest that the increase in intracellular O2 – , decrease in spermatozoa HSPA2+, and high percentages of spermatozoa with immature chromatin might be considered as etiologies of infertility in TA patients.

Background: The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) is a common screening tool designed to measure the level of anxiety and depression in different factor structures and has been extensively used in non-psychiatric populations and individuals experiencing fertility problems. Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the factor structure, item analyses, and internal consistency of HADS in Iranian infertile patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 651 infertile patients (248 men and 403 women) referred to a referral infertility Center in Tehran, Iran between January 2014 and January 2015. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the underlying factor structure of the HADS among one, two, and threefactor models. Several goodness of fit indices were utilized such as comparative, normed and goodness of fit indices, Akaike information criterion, and the root mean squared error of approximation. In addition to HADS, the Satisfaction with Life Scale questionnaires as well as demographic and clinical information were administered to all patients. Results: The goodness of fit indices through CFAs exposed that three and onefactor model provided the best and worst fit to the total, male and female datasets compared to the other factor structure models for the infertile patients. The Cronbach’ s alpha for anxiety and depression subscales were 0. 866 and 0. 753 respectively. The HADS subscales significantly correlated with SWLS, indicating an acceptable convergent validity. Conclusion: The HADS was found to be a three-factor structure screening instrument in the field of infertility.

Background: Selection of the best embryo for transfer is very important in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Using morphological assessment for this selection demonstrated that the correlation between embryo morphology and implantation potential is relatively weak. On the other hand, aneuploidy is a key genetic factor that can influence human reproductive success in ART. Objective: The aim of this lab trial study was to evaluate the incidence of aneuploidies in five chromosomes in the morphologically high-quality embryos from young patients undergoing ART for sex selection. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 high quality embryos from 23 women at the age of 37or younger years that had previously undergone preimplantation genetic screening for sex selection were included in this study. After washing, the slides of blastomeres from embryos of patients were reanalyzed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization for chromosomes 13, 18 and 21. Results: There was a significant rate of aneuploidy determination in the embryos using preimplantation genetic screening for both sex and three evaluated autosomal chromosomes compared to preimplantation genetic screening for only sex chromosomes (62. 9% vs. 24. 7%, p=0. 000). The most frequent detected chromosomal aneuploidy was trisomy or monosomy of chromosome 13. Conclusion: There is considerable numbers of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos generated in vitro which cause in vitro fertilization failure and it seems that morphological characterization of embryos is not a suitable method for choosing the embryos without these abnormalities.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the major public health problems and the main causes of cervical cancer. The prevalence HPV infection in developing countries with low financial resources is high. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relative frequency of HPV genotypes and its sociodemographic characteristics in women referred to a general hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2014-2015. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 400 women with Pap smear samples, referring to to a general hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2014-2015. The detection of 28 HPV genotypes was performed by using the Multiplex PCR technique. The sociodemographic survey was conducted for each HPV positive woman. Results: HPV-positive infection was detected in 155 (38. 75%) women aged 17-85 years. HPV 16 (19. 1%) was the most prevalent type, followed by HPV 39 (12. 5%) and HPV 18 (8. 9%). The highest rate of HPV infection was observed at the age of 36 years (7. 7%). The level of education and economic situation of each woman were showed most of HPV-positive women had a high school diploma (34. 6%) and average economic situation (67, 9%). 60. 9% of these women were a housewife, and 67. 3% lived in the capital. Conclusion: Determination of HPV genotype and risk factor related to HPV infection in each geographical region can lead to the production of effective vaccines against the HPV virus. It can also be useful for disease management and high sensitivity diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.