International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:19 Issue: 1, Jan 2021

Premature ejaculation (PE; early ejaculation or rapid ejaculation) is a common sexual problem affecting about 20-30% of men in the sexually active age group. PE can be of four types: Primary, secondary, natural variable, and subjective PE. Various non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options are available to treat PE including Dapoxetine, which is specifically developed for the treatment of PE. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology and management aspects of PE.

Post-transcriptional microRNAs (miRNAs) have a impotrant pattern in the spermatogenesis process.

Study of the expression and methylation of hsa-miR-449 family in sperm samples of infertile men.

In this case-control study, we recruited 74 infertile men (with asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia) and 30 control samles. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method was used for methylation evaluation of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c promoter. By Real time PCR (qRT-PCR) method,we showed downregulation of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c in the sperm samples of infertile men and compared it to their fertile counterparts.

There was significant underexperssion, in hsa-miR-449-b in oligoasthenoteratospermic samples (p = 0.0001, F = 2.9). About the methylation pattern, infertile men showed high frequency of methylation in the promoter of hsa-miR-449 a, b, c in comparison to controls (60.8% vs 23.3%), the highest amount of methylation was observed in oligoasthenoteratospermia samples (81.2%).

In this study, low expression and high methylation of hsa-miR-449-b were observed in infertile men in compared to control samples, which can be one of the causes of defective spermatogenesis.

Hesperetin is a bioflavonoid compound, largely used in Chinese traditional medicine and found plenty in citrus fruits. Hesperetin has beneficial effects against different diseases. The sperm cryopreservation process is a common method that is used in infertility laboratories. It has been reported that during the cryopreservation process, the quality of sperm is significantly reduced.

To investigate the effect of hesperetin on the quality of human spermatozoa during the cryopreservation process.

In this experimental study, 22 sperm sample of normozoospermia men who reffered to the infertility department of the Shariati Hospital (Tehran, Iran) Between October and November 2019 were collect and divided in to three groups as: 1) fresh, 2) control (frozen-thawed group without treatment), and 3) treatment group as frozen-thawed samples supplemented with 20 µM hesperetin. Motility, Viability, morphology, Apoptotic-like changes, intracellular H2O2, intracellular O2-, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) was measured.

Hesperetin treatment during the cryopreservation process of human sperm significantly improved the viability, motility, and morphology rates of the spermatozoa after frozen-thawed process in control group (p < 0.01). In addition, it significantly reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, LPO level and increased the percentage of viable sperm cells with intact plasma membrane (p < 0.01) after frozen-thawed process.

Hesperetin can improve the quality of human sperm and also protect human sperm against reactive oxygen species, LPO, and apoptosis during the cryopreservation-thawing process.

Reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (“RISUG®”) is a promising intravasal male contraceptive.

An exploratory study was conducted with a concept of non-invasive, transcervical, single-intervention and reversible contraception using RISUG® in females.

In this experimental study, 60 adult Wistar albino female rats weighing 150-155 g, 3-4 months old were divided into four groups: group I: sham-operated control; group II: tubal occlusion with RISUG for 90 days; group III: tubal occlusion with RISUG® for 90 days and reversal with dimethyl sulphoxide and group IV: tubal occlusion with RISUG® for 90 days and reversal with 5% NaHCO3. Animals were subjected to bilateral fallopian tube occlusion with RISUG® and reversal with DMSO and NaHCO3. The estrous cycle, fertility and histology of fallopian tube were evaluated.

Group I showed 100% fertility during all mating schedules. Animals of experimental groups indicated positive mating, but 0% fertility was evident following 30, 60, and 90 days of tubal occlusion. However, after reversal, fertility steadily increased to normalcy in groups III (50% at 45 days, 80% at 105 days, 100% at 150 and 195 days) and IV (70% at 45 and 105 days, 100% at 150 and 195 days) animals. Group II illustrated disorganized inner cell linings and eosinated RISUG® implant-filled lumen. Reversal groups (III and IV) revealed complete restoration of cellular histo-architecture. Regular estrous cycle was noticed in all experimental groups.

RISUG® is suitable for single intervention, intratubular, reversible contraception in female rats.

Preterm labor (PTL) is one of the most important factors in neonatal mortality. Some studies have revealed a reverse relationship between cervical length (CL) and PTL, however, further evidence is needed to confirm it.

To investigate the predictive value of CL in spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies.

This prospective cohort study was performed on 154 pregnant women from 16-26 wk of gestation with singleton fetus in spontaneous delivery (n = 77) and IVF pregnancies (n = 77) and followed up until delivery. Women with multiple pregnancy, placenta previa, cerclage, and congenital anomalies were excluded from study. The cut-off determination was done according to the Roc analysis.

The mean CL in term delivery and PTL groups were 37 ± 7 mm and 31 ± 6 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). The frequency of PTL in spontaneous and IVF pregnancies were 7.8% and 23.27%, respectively (p = 0.007). According to the Roc analysis, the best cut-off for normal pregnancy was ≤36 mm with the negative predictive value of 97.9%, the positive predictive value of 11.4%, sensitivity 83.3%, and specificity of 46.5%. While for the IVF group, the cut off was ≤30 mm, with a negative predictive value of 88.4%, positive predictive value of 57.8%, sensitivity of 63.2%, and specificity of 86%.

In this study, IVF had a significant direct correlation with PTL. CL also had a significant indirect relationship with PTL.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis progressively occurs due to alteration in the estrogen level during the menopause period, and subsequently elevates the risk of fractures.

To evaluate the effect of regular resistance exercise, vitamin D, and calcium supplements on bone mineral content and density, postmenopausal rats used.

In this experimental study, 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats (8-10 wk: 250 ± 15 gr) were ovariectomized and randomly divided into nine groups (n = 8/each): control, placebo, exercise (EX), exercise with vitamin D supplement (EX + D), exercise with calcium (EX + Ca), exercise with calcium and vitamin D (EX + Ca + D), vitamin D administration (D), calcium administration (Ca), and calcium and vitamin D (Ca + D) groups. Finally, the tail, hip, and lumbar bone mineral content, bone mineral density, bone thickness, and bone cells were evaluated in each group.

The tail, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density was increased significantly in the EX + Vit D group compared to the control group (p = 0.004, p = 0.007, p = 0.003, respectively). However, there were no significant changes in the bone mineral content of the hips and lumbar among the groups. Besides, bone thickness in the Ex + Vit D group was more than the other groups (p = 0.02). The number of osteoclast cells were decreased in the Ca + Vit D, Ex + Ca, Ex + Vit D, and Ex + Vit D + Ca groups compared to the control group. Osteocyte numbers were increased only in the Ex + Vit D group.

Resistance exercise in combination with vitamin D and calcium have a positive effect on the bone mineral density and bone mineral content and might be able to prevent or delay the osteoporosis among elderly women. However, additional researches are needed to assess the molecular pathways of this process.

Menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells (MenSCs) are a new population of refreshing and highly proliferative stem cells. Immunomodulatory effects of MenSCs profoundly depend on their relative density.

To find whether MenSCs cultured at varying numbers would differentially affect the allogenic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) key features.

PBMCs were co-cultured with various MenSCs numbers. PBMCs proliferation was investigated via 3H-thymidine incorporation. Flow cytometry was used to assess human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, HLA-ABC, HLA-G, and co-stimulatory markers on MenSCs and the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) among PBMCs. The concentration of cytokines was determined in supernatant of co-cultures.

The support of PBMCs proliferation at low MenSCs densities correlated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in MenSCs/PBMCs co-culture and increased expression of HLA-DR by MenSCs. On the other hand, the suppressive property of MenSCs at higher densities was independent of Treg frequency, but correlated with a high concentration of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the co-cultures.

Totally, at different seeding densities, MenSCs could differentially interact with PBMCs leading to significant changes in the level of anti- and/or pro-inflammatory factors. These preliminary in vitro results are suggested to be taken into consideration in experimental models of MenSC-based immunomodulation. Nonetheless, for efficient utilization of MenSCs anti-inflammatory features in pre-clinical disease models, we still need to broaden our knowledge on MenSC-immune system cross-talk; this could play a part in designing more optimized MenSCs injection modalities in the case of future pre-clinical and subsequently clinical settings.

Changes in tyrosine-phosphorylated (TyrPho) protein expressions have demonstrated stress in males. In females, chronic stress (CS) is a major cause of infertility, especially anovulation. However, the tyrosine phosphorylation in the female reproductive system under stress conditions has never been reported.

To investigate the alteration of TyrPho protein expression in ovary, oviduct, and uterus of CS rats. 

In this experimental study, 16 female Sprague-Dawley rats (5 wk: 220-250 gr) were divided into control and CS groups (n = 8/group). Every day, the CS animals were immobilized within a restraint cage and individually forced to swim in cold water for 60 consecutive days. Following the stress induction, the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of all rats were observed for their morphologies. The total protein profiles of all tissues were revealed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) before detecting TyrPho proteins using western blot. Intensity analysis was used to compare the expression of proteins between groups.

The results showed that the morphology and weights of ovary and oviduct in the CS group were not different from control. In contrast, the CS significantly increased the uterine weight as compared to control. Moreover, the expressions of TyrPho proteins in the ovary (72, 43, and 28 kDas), oviduct (170, 55, and 43 kDas), and uterus (55, 54, and 43 kDas) were increased in CS group as compared to those of control.

The increased expressions of TyrPho proteins in ovary, oviduct, and uterus could be potential markers used to explain some machanisms of female infertility caused from chronic stress.

The examination of sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity are necessary for male fertility expression. These parameters can be affected by method of sperm separation.

To measure the damage of each sperm separation method on the sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity.

In this experimental study, semen samples of 20 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia (Infertility Research Center, Qom, Iran, 2017) were processed in three ways: density gradient centrifugation (DGC), cumulus column, and incubation with supernatant products of adipose tissue-derived adult stem cells (SPAS). The results of sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation before and after the process were statistically analyzed.

The number of separated sperms by normal morphologies during the SPAS and the cumulus column was significantly more than the corresponding population in the DGC group. In addition, although all three methods have the same ability to increase total sperm motility and the number of recovered sperms, in the field of forwarding movement and DNA fragmentation, the SPAS method performed more efficiently (p = 0.021).

Sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation in the SPAS group were better than those in the DGC and cumulus column groups. Furthermore, it has been shown that the sperm capacity was increased with the SPAS method. However, the rearrangement of sperm chromatin by reducing the disulfide bridges and providing the possibility of re-histone over capacity causes a significant reduction in DNA fragmentation.