International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:20 Issue: 11, Nov 2022

Although several studies have evaluated the risk of gynecological cancers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are controversies regarding it.

This study aimed to investigate the association of PCOS with endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers.

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases based on MESH terms using the combination of the appropriate keywords were searched to retrieve observational studies on endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers in PCOS women, published from inception to April 2020. This meta-analysis was performed to determine the pooled odds ratio (OR) of these cancers in women with PCOS. Publication bias was assessed by using Begg’s test.

Of 1347 records retrieved by searching the databases, a total of 14 articles were included in the study. Overall, the pooled OR of the composite outcome, including endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers in women with PCOS was higher than that of women with no PCOS (pooled OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.9). The pooled OR of endometrial (pooled OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.03-4.7) and ovarian (pooled OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8) cancers in women with PCOS was higher than the control group, whereas the pooled OR of breast cancer was not significantly higher than that of the control group.

This meta-analysis indicated an increased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers in women with PCOS.

Sexual scripts (SSs) are formed based on the gendered culture in societies.

To evaluate the associations between the sexual behavioral aspects: capacity, motivation, performance, and SS amongst Iranian college students.

From September 2020 to December 2020, we recruited 400 college students who were married, had no acute or chronic diseases, was no drug abuser, and were not pregnant at the time of the study. The demographic questionnaire, sexual behavior assessment, and SSs questionnaires were completed by all the participants. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression were used for data analysis. We also employed an independent t test to compare sexual behavior-related variables: sexual capacity, sexual performance, sexual motivation, and SSs in 2 female and male student groups.

Men and women were significantly different in the component of sexual behaviors. Women had higher sexual motivation than men. The participants’ SSs were positively correlated with all 3 components of sexual behaviors at a significant level of p ≤ 0.001. Of demographic characteristics, only women’s age had a significant correlation with sexual capacity. For men, education level and economic status were positively correlated with all components of men’s sexual behaviors.

Sexual behaviors seem to be highly gendered, particularly, in the motivational component. Based on the results, SSs are more determinant than demographics. We recommend gender-sensitive and cultural-oriented sexuality educations for Iranians to provide fundamental changes in the SSs.

Studies have evaluated different endometrial preparation methods, but the optimal frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle strategy in terms of the in-vitro fertilization outcome is still debated.

To compare the natural versus modified natural cycles for endometrial preparation in women undergoing FET.

This study was designed as a randomized clinical trial, and it was performed at the Arash women’s hospital between August 2016-2018. 140 eligible participants were enrolled in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups by using the block randomization method, including true natural FET (n = 70) and modified natural FET (mNFET) (n = 70) cycles. Both groups were monitored for endometrial thickness and follicular size; simultaneously spontaneous luteinizing hormone surge using urinary luteinizing hormone testing kits. The mNFET group received 5000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin injection to trigger final follicular maturation. Luteal support by vaginal progesterone (cyclogest 400 mg twice daily) was used in true natural FET from the day of transfer until the 10th wk of pregnancy. Chemical and clinical pregnancy and abortion rates were considered as the primary outcomes.

There were no differences in the participants’ baseline characteristics between groups. There was no difference in clinical pregnancy and abortion rate between groups, while the implantation rate was significantly higher in the mNFET group (29.2% vs. 17.6%; p = 0.036).

The results demonstrated that both types of natural cycles were similar in pregnancy outcomes, while modified cycles might be associated with a higher implantation rate.

Infertility has been a major problem for young couples in recent years. One way to assay the diet quality is the healthy eating index (HEI), related to infertility.

This study aims to assess the association between the HEI score with semen parameters in Iranian infertile men.

260 eligible men (18-55 yr), were referred to the major infertility clinic in the summer of 2018 and entered this cross-sectional study. Based on the 5th edition of the world health organization laboratory manual, semen parameters including: sperm concentration, volume, motility, and morphology were analyzed and to specify dietary intake of individuals a 168-item questionnaire was used. Also, to calculate the total HEI score, all 13 components based on HEI-2015 components and scoring standards were summed up.

Participants in the highest tertile, had no difference in mean sperm parameters with those in the lowest tertile in the crude model. No significant association was found between sperm parameters and HEI score tertiles in the crude model, even after adjustment for potential confounders, except for concentration (OR: 0.39 and CI: 0.15, 0.99, p = 0.04). Participants in the highest tertile had a lower risk of abnormal concentration and motility in the crude model. The risk of abnormal concentration decreased, and motility increased in the adjusted model.

In this cross-sectional study, there was no significant relationship between HEI and sperm indexes, except for sperm concentration. Therefore, more studies need to be done in future.

Despite the effectiveness of testosterone therapy in conditions associated with testosterone deficiency, including varicocele, several dose-dependent side effects limit the clinical use of testosterone therapy. Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas in high concentrations but a beneficial molecule in low concentrations, acts as both a major effector and an important inducer of testosterone.

This study investigated whether a subeffective dose of testosterone combined with a subeffective dose of hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) can be effective in an experimental varicocele model through a possible additive effect.

30 Wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr were divided into 5 groups as (n = 6/each): sham, varicocele, testosterone (200 µg/kg, 5 times per wk for 4 consecutive wk), NaHS (15 μmol/L, daily for 4 consecutive wk) and testosterone + NaHS (200 µg/kg, 5 times per wk + 15 μmol/L, daily, both for 4 consecutive wk). All animals, except in the sham group, underwent varicocele induction.

The coadministration of testosterone and NaHS significantly increased serum testosterone (10.23 ± 0.95, p = 0.01), testicular H2S levels (608.94 ± 21.09, p < 0.001), and testicular superoxide dismutase activity (66.14 ± 1.56, p < 0.001), decreased malondialdehyde levels (0.77 ± 0.52, p < 0.001), and B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein to B-cell lymphoma 2 (0.16 ± 0.01, p < 0.001) protein expression ratio in the testicular tissues and improved sperm parameters and testicular histopathology compared to the varicocele group.

The combination therapy of subeffective doses of testosterone and NaHS can attenuate the varicocele-induced damages by reducing testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis and thus can be considered an effective approach with fewer side effects.

Semen parameters change with age and are reported differently worldwide.

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the semen quality pattern among aging men and the age thresholds for semen parameters.

The records of men who had normal semen parameters from January 2015-June 2020 were retrospectively evaluated for andrological outpatient at Samsun Training and Research hospital and Gazi hospital in Samsun, Turkey. Adult men meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups of I) 18-29 yr (n = 629), II) 30-39 yr (n = 775), and III) 40-49 yr (n = 190). Correlations between age and sperm parameters were then analyzed.

A total of 1594 men were enrolled in the study. Significant differences were observed in total sperm numbers, total motility rates, progressive motility rates, nonprogressive motility rates, normal morphology rates, mean semen volume, and sperm concentrations. The parameters of total sperm number, progressive motility rate, and normal morphology rate were significantly higher in group I than in the other 2 groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) and in group II compared to group III (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p < 0.001), respectively. Mean semen volume and total motility rate were significantly higher in group I than in the other groups (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, no difference was observed between group II and group III (p = 0.61 and p = 0.04, respectively).

Age has a significant impact on semen parameters capable of affecting male fertility, particularly total sperm numbers, the progressive motility rate, and the normal morphology rate.

Menopause is a stage in woman’s life that some women experience in middle age and some at a younger age (premature menopause). Low levels of ovarian hormones, during menopause can lead to various complications. Menopause is one of the factors that can affect a woman's sexual function.

The present study was conducted to compare the effect of licorice vaginal cream and estrogen vaginal cream on the sexual function of postmenopausal women.

In this randomized clinical trial study, 82 postmenopausal women who were referred to health centers in Ilam, Iran from July to November 2020 were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 41/each). One group was given estrogen vaginal cream 2%, and the other vaginal licorice cream 2%. Participants used the 2 medications for 14-day periods each. We used the finite randomization method. Data collection questionnaires, including a demographic information questionnaire before treatment and a female sexual function index questionnaire were completed before, one month after the medication, and 2 months after using the medication.

The mean score of sexual function in the licorice group was 17.86 ± 4.37 and increased to 20.31 ± 4.63 at the end of the study. The mean score of sexual function in the estrogen group was 17.14 ± 3.99 and increased to 22.97 ± 5.09 at the end of study (p = 0.015).

The effect of estrogen vaginal cream on the sexual function of postmenopausal women was greater than licorice vaginal cream.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with anovulation, hyperandrogenism, ovarian and uterine histological changes, menstrual irregularities, etc. signs is an infertility type. It seems that melatonin and metformin can improve these abnormalities.

To evaluate the effects of melatonin and metformin on the ovary and uterus in PCOS-induced mice using stereological methods.

72 adult female BALB/c mice (8-wk-old, 20-30 gr) were randomly divided into control (distilled water, gavage), PCOS (90 µg/kg letrozole, gavage), PCOS+metformin (500 mg/kg, gavage), PCOS+melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and PCOS+melatonin control (0.5% ethanol saline) groups (n = 12/each). Another PCOS group was kept for a month to ensure that PCOS features remained. Finally, a stereological evaluation of the uterus and ovary was carried out, and vaginal cytology and serum testosterone levels were assessed.

PCOS mice treated with metformin and melatonin had lower testosterone levels, body weight, and more regular estrus cycles than the PCOS group (p ≤ 0.001). A significant decrease in conglomerate and daughter gland numbers, and primary, secondary, atretic, and cystic follicles numbers with a significant increase in primordial and Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum numbers (p ≤ 0.001) was seen in these treated mice. Also, endometrial vessels' volume and length significantly increased, but ovarian, endometrial, myometrial, stromal, and glands volume, and endometrial and myometrial thickness dramatically declined (p ≤ 0.001).

It appears that metformin and melatonin could restore the PCOS phenotype including estrus cycle irregularity, high testosterone level, and ovarian and uterine micromorphology to the control levels. However, the 2 treatments had similar effects on the examined parameters.

The authors have been informed of an error that occurred on page 661 in which the word "Iran" has been missed in the affiliation of the third author (Azadeh Mottaghi), which should be corrected as: "Research Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran". On behalf of the author, the publisher wishes to apologize for this error. The online version of article has been updated on 12 April 2021 and can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v17i12.5801