Effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells cultured under hypoxia to increase the fertility rate in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Current Progress in Stem Cell Therapy for Male Infertility

Infertility has become one of the most common issues worldwide, which has negatively affected society and infertile couples. Meanwhile, male infertility is responsible for about 50% of infertility. Accordingly, a great number of researchers have focused on its treatment during the last few years; however, current therapies such as assisted reproductive technology (ART) are not effective enough in treating male infertility. Because of their self-renewal and differentiation capabilities and unlimited sources, stem cells have recently raised great hope in the treatment of reproductive system disorders. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can induce different numbers of specific cells, such as male and female gametes, demonstrating their potential application in the treatment of infertility. The present review aimed at identifying the causes and potential factors that influence male fertility. Besides, we highlighted the recent studies that investigated the efficiency of stem cells such as spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of various types of male infertility.

Effectiveness of forest honey ( Apis dorsata) as therapy for ovarian failure causing malnutrition

Background: Malnutrition is the imbalance between intake and nutritional needs, resulting in a decrease in body weight, composition, and physical function. Malnutrition causes infertility due to intestinal and liver degeneration,which may progress to testicular and ovarian degeneration. Methods: An infertile female rat model with a degenerative ovary was induced with malnutrition through a 5-day food fasting but still had drinking water. The administration of (T1) 30% (v/v) and (T2) 50% (v/v) forest honey ( Apis dorsata) were performed for ten consecutive days, whereas the (T+) group was fasted and not administered forest honey and the (T-) group has not fasted and not administered forest honey. Superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, IL-13 and TNF-α cytokine expressions, and ovarian tissue regeneration were analyzed. Results: Superoxide dismutase was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (65.24±7.53), T2 (74.16±12.3), and T- (65.09±6.56) compared with T+ (41.76±8.51). Malondialdehyde was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (9.71±1.53), T2 (9.23±0.96), and T- (9.83±1.46) compared with T+ (15.28±1.61). Anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-13) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (5.30±2.31), T2 (9.80±2.53), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (2.70±1.57). Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (4.40±3.02), T2 (2.50±1.65), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (9.50±1.78). Ovarian tissue regeneration was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T- (8.6±0.69) and T2 (5.10±0.99) compared with T1 (0.7±0.95) and T+ (0.3±0.67). Conclusion: The 10-day administration of 50% (v/v) forest honey can be an effective therapy for ovarian failure that caused malnutrition in the female rat model.

Effectiveness of forest honey ( Apis dorsata) as therapy for ovarian failure causing malnutrition

Background: Malnutrition is the imbalance between intake and nutritional needs, resulting in a decrease in body weight, composition, and physical function. Malnutrition causes infertility due to intestinal and liver degeneration,which may progress to testicular and ovarian degeneration. Methods: An infertile female rat model with a degenerative ovary was induced with malnutrition through a 5-day food fasting but still had drinking water. The administration of (T1) 30% (v/v) and (T2) 50% (v/v) forest honey ( Apis dorsata) were performed for ten consecutive days, whereas the (T+) group was fasted and not administered forest honey and the (T-) group has not fasted and not administered forest honey. Superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, IL-13 and TNF-α cytokine expressions, and ovarian tissue regeneration were analyzed. Results: Superoxide dismutase was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (65.24±7.53), T2 (74.16±12.3), and T- (65.09±6.56) compared with T+ (41.76±8.51). Malondialdehyde was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (9.71±1.53), T2 (9.23±0.96), and T- (9.83±1.46) compared with T+ (15.28±1.61). Anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-13) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (5.30±2.31), T2 (9.80±2.53), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (2.70±1.57). Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (4.40±3.02), T2 (2.50±1.65), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (9.50±1.78). Ovarian tissue regeneration was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T- (8.6±0.69) and T2 (5.10±0.99) compared with T1 (0.7±0.95) and T+ (0.3±0.67). Conclusion: The 10-day administration of 50% (v/v) forest honey can be an effective therapy for ovarian failure that caused malnutrition in the female rat model.