Effects of kisspeptin on the maturation of human ovarian primordial follicles in vitro

At this time, with advances in medical science, many cancers and chronic diseases are treatable, but one of their side effects is infertility. Some women also want to delay pregnancy for personal reasons. There has been some evidence that kisspeptin activates broad signals by binding to its receptor, suggesting that the role of kisspeptin in direct control of ovarian function includes follicle growth and steroid production. In this study, the effect of kisspeptin on improving the quality and results for human ovarian follicles was investigated. A section of ovary was removed laparoscopically from women between 20 and 35 years of age (n = 12). Pieces were divided randomly into two groups, control and treatment (with 1 μM kisspeptin). Real-time PCR was performed for GDF9, BMP15 and mTOR gene expression assessments. Western blotting was carried out to measure AKT and FOXO3a protein expression. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test; means were considered significantly different at a P-value < 0.05. During treatment with the kisspeptin group, maturity genes are expressed. Therefore, kisspeptin is an effective substance to improve the quality of the human ovarian medium as it increases the maturity of follicles.

The effect of kisspeptin on the maturation of human ovarian follicles in culture following vitrification-thawing processes

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cryopreservation is one of the effective methods to preserve fertility for cancer patients. Still, this approach has some problems, namely ROS, resulting in adverse effects on oocytes and ovarian follicles. Kisspeptin as an antioxidant to control ovarian function, directly or indirectly. In this study, the effect of kisspeptin on follicle maturation was evaluated in culture following ovarian cryopreservation.

METHODS

Ovarian tissue samples of women between 20 and 35 years old (n=12) were laparoscopically collected. The samples were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control, 2) vitrification, 3) vitrified+1μM kisspeptin, and 4) vitrified+10μM kisspeptin. After vitrification and thawing processes, the tissues were cultured in DMEM medium for 7 days. H&E staining for histological evaluation, Real-Time PCR for GDF9 and BMP15 gene expression, and immunohistochemical staining for GDF9 and BMP15 protein expression were performed.

RESULTS

In the vitrification group, ovarian tissue morphology was incoherent, and more primordial follicles than other follicle types were found. The expression of GDF9 and BMP15 genes and proteins were significantly decreased in this group compared with other groups (p<0.05). In the vitrification groups with kisspeptin (1 and 10 μM), the number of primary and secondary follicles was more than in the vitrification group. Besides, the expression of these genes and proteins was dramatically elevated in the vitrification groups with kisspeptin compared to the vitrification group alone (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that kisspeptin is an effective substance to improve the quality of the human ovarian cryopreservation medium by improving follicle maturation.

Evaluation of Predicting Factors Affecting Sperm Retrieval in Patients with Klinefelter Syndrome: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the predicting factors affecting sperm retrieval. We prospectively assessed the relationship between sonographic and microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) findings in Klinefelter syndrome (KS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 44 azoospermic men with 47, XXY karyotypes participated in this study. In order to evaluate the amount of blood supply in different parts of testicular tissue, a doppler ultra-sonographic was performed. Also, for the detection of sperm in this group mTESE technique was performed.

RESULTS

The age average of positive mTESE and negative mTESE groups was 29.4 and 33.6 years, respectively. By comparing the testicle volume (based on the data obtained from the clinical examinations conducted by the urologist) it was determined that there is no significant difference between mTESE positive and negative groups. Folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) levels in men with negative mTESE (P=0.03) and testosterone levels in men with positive mTESE significantly increased (P=0.017). The overall rate of testis vascularity was significantly higher in the positive mTESE group than in the negative mTESE group. The clinical pregnancy rate in positive mTESE men was 9% per cycle, 16.6% per embryos were transferred (ET), and 12.5% per cycle.

CONCLUSION

Totally, our observation indicated that there is not a significant relationship between sonographic and mTESE results in KS patients. However, more investigations with bigger sample Size can be useful to validate our results.

Effect of endometrial cell-conditioned medium and platelet-rich plasma on the developmental competence of mouse preantral follicles: An in vitro study

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and conditioned medium (CM) derived from endometrial stromal cells on mouse preantral follicle culture in a two-dimensional system to produce competent mature oocytes for fertilization.

Methods

In total, 240 preantral follicles were isolated from female mouse ovarian tissue and divided into four groups. The preantral follicles were isolated three times for each group and then cultured, respectively, in the presence of alpha minimum essential medium (control), PRP, CM, and PRP+CM. The in vitro growth, in vitro maturation, and cleavage percentage of the preantral follicles were investigated. Immunocytochemistry (IHC) was also conducted to monitor the meiotic progression of the oocytes. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the two folliculogenesis-related genes (Gdf9 and Bmp15) and two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl2 and Bax) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In the PRP, CM, and PRP+CM groups, the preantral follicle maturation (evaluated by identifying polar bodies) were greater than the control group. The cleavage rate in the CM, and PRP+CM groups were also greater than the control group. IHC analysis demonstrated that in each treatment group, meiotic spindle was normal. In the PRP+CM group, the gene expression levels of Bmp15, Gdf9, and Bcl2 were greater than in the other groups. The Bax gene was more strongly expressed in the PRP and control groups than in the other groups.

Conclusion

Overall, the present study suggests that the combination of CM and PRP can effectively increase the growth and cleavage rate of mouse preantral follicles in vitro.

In vitro growth of the ovarian follicle: taking stock of advances in research

Several factors are necessary for the growth and survival of healthy follicles in the folliculogenesis process, including endocrine and paracrine glands, and a regulated ratio of granulosa cells to oocytes. One of the most powerful methods for studying folliculogenesis is the culture of ovarian follicles and oogenesis within a completely controlled environment. Follicle culture systems are highly developed and are rapidly evolving. However, the methods for separating the follicles, the cultivation techniques, the culture medium, and the dietary and hormonal supplements vary depending on the species studied. This study made a literature review of follicular culture techniques, and we investigated the heterogeneity among these key variables in follicular culture.

Effects of Daily Intake of Plant and Animal Oils on the Incidence of Depression in Adult Mice

Background: Depression is a complicated disturbance affected by a collection of biological and environmental factors. The first aim of psychiatric studies is to recognize biological markers that could be utilized to predict improvement and increase reactions to antidepressant treatments. Diet affects different aspects of health, including depression. The aim of study was to determine antidepressant-like effects of some consumable oils, the effects of oils on depression were compared. Methods: Thirty-two male and female mice (Mus musculus (BALB/c)) weighing 25- 35 g were randomly divided into 8 groups (4 mice in each group, 2 male and 2 female, A: Laden sunflower liquid oil, B: 50% vegetable oil + 50% olive oil, C: Kermanshah Rojin animal oil, D: Spring frying oil, E: Distilled water, F: BAHAR solid vegetable oil, G: Olive oil, H: 50% Kermanshah animal oil + 50% of olive oil). In different groups, 30 g of vegetable or animal oil was gavaged every day at 1:00 pm. Five types of vegetable and animal oils among the high consumption oils in the market were selected, including spring frying oil (used for several times in 305˚f, usually used in eastern Asia countries), Laden sunflower liquid oil, olive oil, Kermanshah Rojin animal oil, and BAHAR solid vegetable oil. After 6 weeks of using the oils diet, the forced swim test was utilized as a test of depression like behavior. Results: There was a significant difference between all groups (P < 0.0001). Based on the results, the latency time of immobility in group A significantly decreased in comparison with groups C (P ˂ 0.02), D (P ˂ 0.003), and G (P < 0.001). However, it increased in groups B and C compared to group H (P ˂ 0.02). Also, this parameter in group D increased significantly compared to groups E (P < 0.01), F (P < 0.05), and H (P < 0.002). Conclusion: The results indicated that olive oil had a preventive effect against forced swimming-induced depression-like symptoms.

A review of the reasons for high prevalence and rapid progression of COVID-19 in men

Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between gender and COVID-19 outcomes. In addition, this is confirmed that men have more danger of progressing an acute type of the illness than women, specifies the significance of miscellaneous data related to male and female patients with COVID-19. In other words, some factors like hormonal levels and immune function may interact with each other. A perception of the fundamental reasons for gender diversities in COVID-19 patients can beget a chance for disease prevention and faster treatment. The present study evaluates the role of gender in the incidence and progression of the COVID-19 disease. It has been explained that how gender affects angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a basic factor for the COVID-19 pathogenesis introducing the sex diversities in platelet function, immune reactions and how sex hormones affect immune functions, also the effect of androgens on transmembrane protein serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) receptor in COVID-19 patients was investigated.

Effect of semen washing methods on diminishing the transmission of viral infections in artificial reproductive technology

Seminal infections were considered to be an etiologic factor of male infertility. Semen washing is used as an appropriate technique in artificial reproductive technology (ART) for serodiscordant couples when the partner of male is contaminated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of semen washing methods in reducing the transmission of viral infections in ART. In this narrative review we investigated accessible information from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, Irandoc, Magiran, SID, MEDLIB and Scientific Information Database until 2019. The MeSH terms of semen washing, HIV, assisted reproduction, serodiscordant, and virus transmission were used. According to the search strategy, 89 articles were discovered. After checking the titles, abstracts and manuscripts, a collection of 45 papers were chosen pursuant to the suitability indexes. The studies were performed around different categories of semen washing (swim up, density gradient) in serodiscordant couples. Some studies highlighted that semen washings can completely prevent viral transmission, but a few do not believe this claim. However, scientific researchers have revealed that sperm washing may diminish the possibility of infection in serodiscordant couples where the male partner is infected. Swim up in combination with density gradient is a suitable method to diminish the transmission of infections.

A survey on infertility in men and its relation to risk factors in selected provinces of Iran

Objective

Infertility in men cause significant morbidity and mortality, unfortunately there is not enough information about it due to the lack of a registry in the country. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of infertility in men and its association with risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from a nation-wide project on reproductive morbidities among males in Iran in 2007. 2,293 men aged 25-60 years were selected from four provinces across the country including, Golestan Province in the North, Hormozgan Province in the South, Kermanshah Province in the West, and Isfahan Province by cluster sampling scheme. Then, we determined the frequency of infertility in married men, and related risk factors such as smoking, infection, trauma, etc.

Results

Of the 2,293 men interviewed, 2,076 were married, 78 were infertile; current primary and secondary infertility was estimated at 3.75%. The incidence of infertility in urban areas was significantly higher than in rural areas (p value<0.003), and finally the clinically male infertility was estimated at 2%.

Conclusions

We need to explain that this project was a cross-sectional study. Therefore, it is recommended that more studies be conducted for accurate estimates of infertility in Iranian men.

The effect of heracleum persicum (Golpar) oil and alcoholic extracts on sperm parameters and chromatin quality in mice

BACKGROUND

Evaluating the significance and the effects of plant-derived drugs on laboratory animal's fertility was recognized. There was antioxidant activity reported from Heracleum persicum (Golpar).

OBJECTIVE

Current study aims to study the antioxidant effect of Golpar extracts on sperm parameters and chromatin quality in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen adult male mice were divided to 3 groups (10 wk old, 35 gr weight): group1 received hydro alcoholic extract (1000 mg/kg, ip), group 2 received oil extract (200 mg/kg, ip) and group 3 serving as the sham control group that received sterile water. Finally, left cauda epididymis of each animal was dissected and sperm analysis was done accordingly. To asses sperm chromatin and DNA quality, we used aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and acridine orange (AO) staining.

RESULTS

Progressive and non-progressive sperm motility were significantly increased in group 1 in comparison with group 3 (p=0.032). There was an increasing trend in progressive sperm motility and decreasing trend in non-progressive sperm motility in group 2 in comparison with group 3, but the differences were not significant (p=0.221 and p=0.144, respectively). According to the sperm chromatin quality, the results of TB and AO tests revealed significant differences (p=0.004, p=0.000, respectively) between those groups and showed that the extracts of Golpar cause DNA damage, but no differences can be observed between them in AB and CMA3 staining (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that Heracleum persicum extracts may improve sperm motility. Also, it has harmful effects on sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity in mice.