International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:16 Issue: 3, Mar 2018

The male factor contributes to 50% of infertility. The cause of male infertility is idiopathic and could be congenital or acquired. Among different factors which are involved in idiopathic male infertility, genetic factors are the most prevalent causes of the disease. Considering, the high prevalence of male infertility in Iran and the importance of genetic factors in the accession of it, in this article we reviewed the various studies which have been published during the last 17 yr on the genetic basis of male infertility in Iran. To do this, the PubMed and Scientific information database (SID) were regarded for the most relevant papers published in the last 17 yr referring to the genetics of male factor infertility using the keywords „„genetics‟‟, “cytogenetic”, „„male infertility”, and “Iranian population”. Literatures showed that among the Iranian infertile men Yq microdeletion and chromosomal aberrations are two main factors that intervene in the genetics of male infertility. Also, protamine deficiency (especially P2) is shown to have an influence on fertilization rate and pregnancy outcomes. The highest rate of sperm DNA damages has been found among the asthenospermia patients. In several papers, the relation between other important factors such as single gene mutations and polymorphisms with male infertility has also been reported. Recognition of the genetic factors that influence the fertility of Iranian men will shed light on the creation of guidelines for the diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of the patients."

Studies of oxidative status in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients are limited with inconsistent results. The effects of resveratrol as a natural antioxidant on oxidative status in PCOS aren’t clear.

This study evaluated effects of resveratrol on oxidative stress in the liver and serum of the PCOS rats.

Fifteen female Wistar rats (3 wk old) were divided into 3 groups (n=5/each e): Control group, PCO-Control group, and PCO-Resveratrol group. For induction of polycystic ovary phenotype, testosterone enanthate 10 mg/kg was injected for 35 days subcutaneously. Then, resveratrol 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally for 28 days to rats of the PCO-Resveratrol group. Ovarian sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin. The serum glucose and insulin and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum and liver were measured.

Control animals showed normal ovarian morphology and PCO-Control animals exhibited cystic follicles. There were no significant differences in liver TAC between groups. The serum MDA (p=0.034), and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p=0.014) levels in PCO-Control rats were higher than the controls. The liver MDA in PCO-Control rats was more than that of controls (p=0.001). The HOMA-IR (p=0.008) and serum MDA (p=0.006) levels in PCO-Control rats were more than those of PCO-Resveratrol rats (p=0.008). In PCO-Resveratrol group, serum TAC was higher than that of PCO-Control group (p=0.022) and liver MDA was more than controls (p=0.01).

Results indicated that the induction of PCOS in rats increased lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance and resveratrol improved these complications.

The follicular growth and development may be affected by abused drugs. Nandrolone decanoate (ND) as an anabolic androgenic steroid can damage the morphological and functional features of the ovary and may lead to reproductive failure.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of synchronized and non-synchronized administration of Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (hMG) with ND on ovarian tissue and level of sex hormones in the adult female rat.

Forty adult female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. The five experimental groups received 3 and/or 10 mg/kg of ND synchronized and non-synchronized with 10 IU of hMG and hMG alone. The two shams and control groups received solvents of ND and hMG. The animal's serum levels of Follicle-stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone, progesterone and estrogen and the weight, volume and dimensions of the ovaries were measured. The ovaries were prepared for apoptosis assessment and morphological study.

The ovarian volume and sex hormones in the experimental groups were decreased, but ovarian weight and dimensions didn’t change. The rate of apoptosis was increased in the experimental groups as follows; a low and high dose of ND synchronized with hMG 48.80±18.70 and 65.20±14.20 respectively vs. Sham 1, 33.20±17.80, a low and high dose of ND non-synchronized with hMD 55.80±17.20 and 75.20±14.30 respectively vs. Sham 2, 31.60±32.40 groups, p˂0.01. Follicular and stromal cells were damaged in the experimental groups except for the hMG group.

Administration of ND decreased the serum level of Luteinizing hormone, Follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone and estrogen and damaged ovarian tissue irreversibly and irreparably and hMG cannot prevent the destruction of the follicles in the adult female rats. This can be a serious warning to women who abuse ND.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is essential for normal follicular development and oocyte maturation. In particular, fluctuations of LH during the follicular phase have a significant impact on morphological and functional changes of the oocyte and determine its meiotic status and ability to be fertilized.

This prospective randomized controlled trial examined effects of endogenous follicular phase LH levels on oocyte maturity and IVF outcomes in fixed vs. flexible in vitro fertilization.

Normo-ovulatory women age

LH profiles were similar in both protocols. A lower trend of LH values at the end of ovarian stimulation correlated significantly with a higher pregnancy rate, regardless of protocol (p=0.02). Estradiol levels were statistically different with respect to time points within treatment groups (p

Fixed and flexible GnRH antagonist protocols did not produce an oscillation of endogenous LH values correlated to the outcome of ovarian stimulation.

CatSper gene, a member of cation channel sperm family, has an essential role in sperm motility and male fertility. Following varicocele, sperm parameters especially sperm movement decreases. For this reason, we hypothesized that CatSper gene expression might be reduced after varicocele induction in an animal model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes, sperm parameters and testis histology following varicocele induction.

A total of 30 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three following groups (n=10/ each): control, sham, and varicocele group. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The epididymal sperm parameters, CatSper1 and 2 genes expression, and testes histology were studied two months after varicocele induction.

Our results revealed that motility (32.73±16.14%), morphology (48.80±17%) and viability (31.23±9.82%) of sperms significantly reduced following varicocele induction. In addition, we showed a significant decrease in the number of spermatogonia (43.63±5.31) and seminiferous tubules diameters (190.51±19.23 mm) in experimental varicocele rats. The level of CatSper1 and 2 genes expression evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction was significantly downregulated 2 months after varicocele induction.

Our data indicated that experimental varicocele has deleterious effects on sperm parameters, testis structure as well as the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes.

Clinical measurement of quality of life (QoL) for assessing reproductive problems should be considered as a standard investigation at the initial and continuing medical consultations with infertile people.

The purpose of this study was comprehensive testing the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of fertility quality of life (FertiQoL).

This cross-sectional study was conducted on300 women referred to infertility clinic. After linguistic validation, a semi-structured interview was conducted to assess face validity. Consequently exploratory factor analysis was performed to indicate the scale constructs. Discriminate validity was assessed using the known groups comparison. Convergent validity was evaluated by assessing the correlation between similar content on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF12), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and FertiQol. In addition, reliability analysis was carried out with internal consistency.

The reliability of the Iranian version of the FertiQoL was satisfactory in all dimensions (0.77-0.83). Six factors (emotional, mind/body, relational, social, environmental, and tolerability) were extracted from the results of exploratory factor analysis. Discrimination validity showed that FertiQoL can differentiate between female patients with differing duration of infertility and number of children. Moreover, the results of convergent validity showed a favorable correlation between the related dimensions of SF12 (0.43-0.68), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (0.47-0.52) and FertiQoL.

The Iranian version of FertiQoL is valid and reliable for assessing infertility problems and the effects of treatment on QoL of infertile patients referred for diagnosis and treatment at infertility clinic.

One of the most important involved factors in pregnancy occurrence following intrauterine insemination (IUI) is semen sample preparation. Recently, supernatant product of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (SPAS) method has been shown to improve semen parameters.

To compare the effect of preparation methods in order to IUI, SPAS and density gradient centrifugation (DGC).

This trial was done on 80 couples with male factor infertility who attend jihad daneshgahi infertility treatment center of Qom province, undergoing ovarian stimulation and IUI cycle. Various semen parameters including motility, count, DNA fragmentation and capacitation were evaluated before and after preparation. The effect of semen preparation methods and influence of various semen parameters on pregnancy occurrence were examined.

The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 17.5% per patient with no miscarriage. The pregnancy rate for DGC and SPAS were 5% (2 of 40) and 30% (12 of 40) respectively. Since there is no significant difference in improving motion parameters between two groups (except recovery of total number of motile spermatozoa), it seems that these parameters alone are not sufficient to predict IUI pregnancy outcome whereas in samples with >25 million motile spermatozoa in inseminate, there was a clear trend for a higher pregnancy rate for the sample processed using SPAS.

Considering SPAS as a new and effective method leading to provide a combination of various improved semen parameters, is expected in near future.

Postpartum bilateral femoral neck fracture (BFNF) is a rare condition. We here report a case of BFNF due to excessive corticosteroid consumption, twin pregnancy, immobility, and vitamin D deficiency.

Case: 

This is a report of a 32-yr-old woman with bilateral femoral insufficiency fracture five days after emergency cesarean section due to preterm labor, twin pregnancy, and the history of a previous cesarean section at 33 wk. Antenatal repeated courses of betamethasone injections for fetal lung maturity, daily oral use of prednisolone for the history of miscarriage, immobilization, and vitamin D deficiency were the important contributing factors in her past medical history and lab investigations. The bone mineral density examination showed low bone density for the expected age.

Clinicians, who deal with pregnant women, should consider the diagnosis of bilateral femoral insufficiency fracture in any pregnant women with pelvic pain. Awareness of risk factors of BFNF might help to reduce the rate of this complication.