International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:20 Issue: 2, Feb 2022

Embryo quality may affect birth weight among neonates born through assisted reproductive technology. There are very limited studies assessing the adverse effect of transferring a poor-quality embryo with a good-quality one on neonatal outcomes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of double embryo transfer (DET) with one good-quality embryo (GQE) plus a poor-quality one on the birth weight of newborns conceived by in vitro fertilization in both fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

This study was conducted at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran. A total of 626 women were classified into three groups according to the embryo quality: single embryo transfer with a GQE (group A); DET using two GQEs (group B); and DET using one good-quality and one poor-quality embryo (group C). The primary outcome was singleton birth weight which was compared between the three groups among fresh and frozen-embryo transfer cycles. A comparative analysis was also performed regarding the effect of vitrification procedures on neonatal birth weight within each of the three embryo quality-based groups.

The mean birth weight and the rate of preterm birth were similar between the three groups (p = 0.45, and 0.32 respectively). There were also no significant differences found in the vitrification comparative analysis between and within the groups with regard to birth weight.

Our results showed that a poor-quality embryo did not have a significant influence on a good-quality one regarding neonatal birth weight when transferred together.

Infertility is an abnormal event in the life of families and can have various consequences on a personal and social level. Therefore, infertile couples need to manage their emotional responses. Social capital, as one of the social determinants of health, can affect mental health.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and emotional adjustment in infertile couples.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 with 170 infertile couples visiting infertility centers in Sari, Iran. The data collection instruments included the social capital integrated questionnaire, an emotional adjustment scale and a demographic-reproductive checklist.

All the social capital dimensions, except for the groups and networks dimension, had a score of higher than 50 (more than the mean score). Based on ANCOVA and the multiple linear regression results, the dimension of trust and solidarity had a significant negative relationship with emotional adjustment (p = 0.01), but no significant relationship was observed between the other social capital dimensions and emotional adjustment.

The trust and solidarity dimension had a significant relationship with emotional adjustment in infertile couples. Accordingly, increasing mutual trust between neighborhood residents can strengthen social capital, and in turn, improve emotional adjustment in infertile couples.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is extensively used in various industries and induces oxidative stress in humans. Unfortunately, it is one of the neglected potent male reproductive toxicants.

The present research reports the testicular histopathology of CCl4 and ameliorations by four medicinal fruit pulp extracts (FPEs) in mice.

Sixty male albino mice were divided into six groups (10/group) as per the following: 1. Vehicle control (Vc); 2. CCl4 (C); 3-6. CCl4+Basella alba (CBa), CCl4+Solanum nigrum (CSn), CCl4+Ficus carica (CFc) and CCl4+Grewia asiatica (CGa). Except for the control group, CCl4 (0.1 mL of 0.2 mL kg-1) was given to the animals in corn oil. The four plant extracts (0.1 mL each) were respectively given to the relevant FPE group animals for the next five consecutive days, while the animals in the Vc and CCl4 groups received water instead of FPE.

The CCl4 exposure led to various histometric and histological alterations (loss of interstitial tissue and various dislodged tailless spermatids with enlarged heads) that were recovered in all except Solanum nigrum FPE mice post-treatment. The micrometric data of testicular sections also indicated significant decline in the number of spermatogonia, while the cross-sectional area of the sperm heads remained significantly higher in the CSn and C groups.

Except for Solanum nigrum, the three FPEs, especially Ficus carica, showed rehabilitative properties against CCl4 exposure-related modifications in testicular histopathologies.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a major concern among women worldwide. However, the exact mechanisms underlying miscarriage are not well understood. Recent evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms in various genes, especially miRNAs, may be responsible for RPL.

We surveyed the association between polymorphisms in pre-miR-125a, pre-miR-10a, pre-miR-323b, GPX4, and GPX4 in Iranian women with idiopathic RPL.

DNA was extracted from blood samples of 116 women with idiopathic RPL and 89 healthy women as controls who had previously had at least two successful pregnancies. Polymerase chain reaction was used for the amplification of the genes. Genotype screening along with SNaPshot were performed to detect different polymorphisms. Finally, the polymorphisms and frequency of each genotype were compared between the two groups.

The frequencies of polymorphisms in pre-miR-125a (p < 0.001) and pre-miR-10a (p = 0.04) were calculated among the case and control groups, which showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05), indicating an association between these polymorphisms and the symptoms of RPL. The frequencies of polymorphisms of genotypes in GPX4, COMT and pre-miR-323b did not demonstrate any difference between the two groups. Also, the amount of alleles in pre-miR-125a and pre-miR-10a were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively) and the dominant inheritance model was proposed.

In pre-miR-125a and pre-miR-10a can be associated with RPL in women. The SNaPshot technique is a valuable tool to evaluate possible associations between polymorphisms and health conditions.

In Iranian traditional medicine, Rydingia persica (R.P) is commonly used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM).

We assessed the protective effects of R.P against testis and epididymis oxidative stress and the hormonal changes induced by DM.

Forty male Wistar rats (12 wk old) weighing 230-270 gr were divided into five groups (n = 8/each): 1. Control (C); 2. diabetic (D); 3. diabetic + R.P200 (D+R200); 4. diabetic + R.P400 (D+R400); and 5. diabetic + R.P600 (D+R600). Groups C and D received 2 ml of normal saline orally daily for two wk and groups D+R200, D+R400, and D+R600 received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of R.P powder, respectively, orally daily for two wk. DM was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 60 mg/kg body weight. We assessed malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydrogen peroxide, and glutathione in both the testis and epididymis and also the histological changes of the testis.

Diabetic rats showed a significantly increased and decreased level of oxidant and antioxidant factors, respectively, and a significantly lower level of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone than the control group. In the histological study of the testis, deteriorations were observed. Treatment with R.P reversed these changes toward the state of the control group with the highest effectiveness shown by group D+R600.

The data obtained suggest that R.P powder has antioxidant effects on testis and epididymis tissues in diabetic rats and that it improves histological testicular structure in diabetics. It can also correct testosterone and luteinizing hormone changes induced by DM.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to fetuses with an estimated ultrasonography weight below the 10% percentile. Hypoglycemia is a major concern in neonates with IUGR.

To investigate the relationship between umbilical artery (UA) Doppler ultrasonography and neonate hypoglycemia and IUGR.

This was a longitudinal follow-up study consisting of 114 neonates (gestational age of 28-40 wk) born with IUGR in the third trimester of pregnancy at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran between May 2016 and October 2017. The neonates were assigned into three subgroups of normal UA Doppler, absent end-diastolic flow (EDF) in UA Doppler, and reverse EDF in UA Doppler. The blood glucose of the neonates was checked one, two, three, six, 12, 24 and 48 hr after birth, and the neonates were placed in the hypoglycemia or euglycemia groups according to guidelines.

Out of the 114 neonates included in the study, 75 (65.8%) had normal UA Doppler, 29 (25.4%) had absent EDF in UA Doppler, and 10 (8.8%) had reverse EDF in UA Doppler. There was a significant difference in the mean blood glucose in the first hr between the normal UA Doppler group and the reverse EDF in UA Doppler group (p < 0.01).

Postnatal hypoglycemia in neonates with IUGR is associated with the result of UA Doppler ultrasonography during pregnancy.

More than 135,000 people aged under 45 yr are diagnosed with cancer annually worldwide. Good detection and management of cancer increase the quality of life.

To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of practitioners supporting cancer patients in fertility preservation.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 18 type D government hospitals and Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, in Jakarta, Indonesia, between January 2018 and August 2019. This study involved practitioners providing care to cancer patients. Data were described descriptively.

Most of the general practitioners, specialists, and subspecialists who participated in this study were aged 26-30 yr (65.4%), 31-35 yr (70.4%), and 31-40 yr (53.0%), respectively. The fertility treatment most known by general practitioners was in vitro fertilization with embryo cryopreservation (12.1%); for specialists it was sperm cryopreservation (24.5%). Meanwhile, subspecialists knew most about in vitro fertilization with embryo cryopreservation and sperm cryopreservation using a GnRH agonist (such as leuprolide injection) pre-cancer treatment (13%). A positive attitude towards fertility preservation as an important priority for cancer patients was shown in 72.0% of general practitioners, 73.3% of specialists, and 100% of subspecialists. General practitioners mostly referred patients to fertility specialists (44.4%). Many specialists (54.9%) and subspecialists (67%) discussed the possible impact of the patient’s condition and / or treatment on fertility.

The knowledge of and practices related to fertility preservation differed among general practitioners, specialists, and subspecialists. However, positive attitudes among them were similar.