International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:12 Issue: 4, APR 2014

Sperms are highly specialized cells for delivering DNA from male to the ovum. Incredibly, wide degree of diversity in sperm morphology in their basic structures i.e. head, middle piece and tail is found across species. Differences in terms of overall size of the sperm, shape and number of sperm produced are also incredible. One of the key for this variations or diversity in sperm may be associated with female reproductive tract, sperm competition, testicular size and sperm size and number. Establishing a correlation between sperm morphology and factors influencing them is a phenomenal task. In this mini-review these associations and the anatomical and functional adaptations among different from of sperm cells that have evolved to optimize fertilization success are discussed. Nevertheless, explaining these morphological diversities in sperm cells is a challenging question and it seems that evolutionary biologists have only recently engaged in exploring its links and patterns. From the literatures it seems that there is no causal relationship between sperm size and testicular size, however, the accumulated knowledge do indicates evolution of sperm morphology across species has some associations with female reproductive tract, sperm competition and sperm size and number, however interpreting these results for phylogentic correlations should be approached with caution.

Magnetized water has made many improvements in industry, agriculture and medicine. However its utilization in medicine still remains controversial.

In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of magnetized water on height of epithelial cells in pre-implantation stage endometrium and fallopian tube and number of corpus lutea in female mice.

Eighty female NRMI mice were recruited to this experimental study and randomly divided into two groups: the control group which drank normal water and the experimental (case) group which drank magnetized water for 2 weeks. Super-ovulation was induced in these mice and then they were mated with male mice as well. Samples of ovary, uterus and fallopian tube were obtained at the pre-implantation stage. Then, after preparation, the number of corpus lutea in each ovary was counted and the height of fallopian and endometrial epithelial cells was measured by light microscopy.

Data analysis showed a significant increase in the mean number of corpus lutea and the height of epithelial cells in fallopian tube comparing the case with the control group (p=0.01, p=0.002 respectively) whereas uterus epithelial cells of the case group showed insignificant increase in height, in compare with the control group (p=0.052).

Our results suggest that magnetized water intake increases the number of corpus lutea and the height of fallopian tube epithelial cells. Further research is needed to determine whether this will increase in the success rate of fertility

An effect of cryopreservation on human sperm is sublethal cryodamage, in which cell viability post-thaw is lost more rapidly at later times than in fresh cells.

This study examined whether the addition of an antioxidant to cryopreservation medium could improve the post-thaw parameters and evaluation of sperm chromatin quality of cryopreserved human spermatozoa from men with normal semen parameters.

Semen samples (n=35) were collected by masturbation and assessed following WHO standards. Individual samples were classified as two portions. One portion (n=10) was for elucidate the concentration of ebselen.Then the samples(n=25) were divided in to 5groups.The first aliquot remained fresh.The second aliquots was mixed with cryopreservation medium.The third aliquots were mixed with cryopreservation medium containing solvent of ebselen.The forth and fifth aliquots were mixed with cryopreservation medium containing 1.25 and 2.5 μm of ebselen.Samples were frozen and thawed samples were assessed for sperm parameters.Three-way ANOVA Multivariate measures were used to assess. According to this assesment the differences are observed in existent groups in post-thaw count, motility index, vitality staining, and morphology and DNA fragmentation.

After freezing the media containing of ebselen, DNA fragmentation is significantly different in comparison with control group. ebselen with 1.25 μm dose was significantly associated with post-thaw DNA fragmentation (p=0.047). Similarly ebselen with 2.5 μm dose was significantly associated with post-thaw DNA fragmentation (p=0.038). But other parameters were not altered.

These results suggest that the addition of ebselen to cryopreservation medium doesnot improve post-thaw parameters and DNA fragmentation of sperm

Varicocele is associated with the failure of ipsilateral testicular growth and development, and the symptoms of pain and reduced fertility. The highly condensed structure of the sperm nuclear chromatin is provided by proper expression of Transition Nuclear Protein (TNP) genes, so any dysregulational expression of these genes results in abnormal spermatogenesis and infertility.

The aim of present study was to assess the association between TNP1 mutations and varicocele in Iranian infertile men.

Analysis of association between TNP1 gene mutation and varicocele phenotype was performed using PCR and Single-Stranded Conformational Polymorphism technique and DNA sequencing in 82 varicocele infertile men and 80 control subjects.

Sequence analysis was identified one variant in this gene that found in 15 infertile men and was absent in control group. This variant was a single nucleotide polymorphism that were identified in the intron region of this gene at position g.IVS1+75T>C.

The effect of this nucleotide substitution in intronic region of the TNP1 gene and their role on expression remains to be determined.

The major aneuploidies that are diagnosed prenatally involve the autosomal chromosomes 13, 18, and 21, as well as sex chromosomes, X and Y. Because multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is rapid and non-invasive, it has replaced traditional culture methods for the screening and diagnosis of common aneuploidies in some countries.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of MLPA in a cross-sectional descriptive study for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies in comparison to other methods.

Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples of 10 normal controls and the amniotic fluid of 55 patients. Aneuploidies screening of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were carried out using specific MLPA probe mixes (P095-A2). For comparison purposes, samples were also tested by Quantitative Fluorescent-PCR (QF-PCR) and routine chromosomal culture method.

Using this specific MLPA technique and data-analyzing software (Genemarker v1.85), one case was diagnosed with 45, X (e.g. Monosomy X or Turner’s Syndrome), and the remaining 54 cases revealed normal karyotypes. These results were concordant with routine chromosomal culture and QF-PCR findings.

The experiment demonstrates that MLPA can provide a rapid and accurate clinical method for prenatal identification of common chromosomal aneuploidies with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurs in 3% of pregnancies and 30-40% of preterm labors are related to this problem. Early diagnosis of PPROM is very important due to its impact on pregnancy outcomes.

To determine the diagnostic value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in vaginal fluid for the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes as a non-invasive and available test.

A total of 148 pregnant women between the 26th-36th gestational weeks were enrolled in the study. 74 patients were in PROM group and 74 in control group. AST and ALT levels in vaginal fluid were measured in each group. Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare AST and ALT levels in each group.

The mean of AST level in vaginal fluid was 12.77±10.06 in PROM group vs. 6.91±10.92 in control group (p<0.001), while there were no significant difference between ALT levels in PROM group 1.51±3.17 and control group 0.89±1.15 (p=0.49). Optimal cut point of AST for the diagnosis of PROM was 4.5 IU/L in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 82.4%, 63.5%, 69.32% and 78.33% respectively.

According to the findings of this study, measurement of AST level in vaginal fluid can be used as a reliable test for diagnosis of PROM, but there is no good cut point for ALT level that can be practically used.

Nicotine can pass through placental blood barrier and accumulate in the developing organs of fetus. Also, entering the breast milk, nicotine can have an effect on the neonates. Investigations have showed that collagen IV is one of the most important micro vessels basement membrane components.

In this study, the effect of maternal nicotine exposure in pre and postnatal periods on collagen IV in microvessels of neonatal Balb/C mice brain cortex was studied by immunohistochemistry technique.

24 pregnant Balb/C mice were divided in to 4 groups (6 mice in each group): two experimental and 2 control groups. The mothers in the 1st experimental group were injected 3 mg/kg nicotine intrapritoneally from the 5th day of pregnancy to parturition daily and in 2nd experimental group the same procedure was repeated to the 10th day after parturition (lactation). The control groups received the same volume of normal saline during the same time. 10 days after delivery, the brain tissues of newborns were isolated. Then, prepared blocks from fixed brain were cut serially for immunohistochemical assay.

The findings of the present study indicated that collagen IV reaction in microvessels basement membrane in the first experimental group increased significantly compared to the first control group (p=0.002). In addition, collagen IV reaction in microvessels basement membrane in the 2nd experimental group increased significantly compared to the 2nd control group (p=0.002). However, no significant difference was observed between the two experimental groups.

These results suggested that maternal nicotine exposure during prenatal period may increase basement membrane collagen IV expression. Also, nicotine increases in maternal breast milk has no effect on basement membrane collagen IV expression.

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of the non-tubal ectopic pregnancy. It ends with rupture before the end of the first trimester. One of the important risk factors for ovarian pregnancy is in the use of Intra uterine devices (IUD).

Case:

 We report here one such uncommon case of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Our patient is a 30 years old multiparous woman with two previous cesarean sections with severe hypogastric abdominal pain. During laparotomy, ruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed, and wedge resection of the ovary was only done. Histopathological examination confirmed it to be an ovarian ectopic pregnancy.

IUD is one of contraceptive methods which prevents intra-uterine implantation in 99.5%, if implant occurs with IUD, it is tubal implantation in 95% of cases, and it is very rare in other places such as ovary. The most important risk factor of ovarian ectopic pregnancy is IUD as in this study it was showed.

Cervical pregnancy is rare and dangerous form of ectopic pregnancy which can be treated surgically or conservatively. Methotrexate is reasonable conservative option with high efficiency and acceptable level of side effects. Aim of this paper is to present possible treatment option in case of methotrexate failure, still keeping the postulates of minimal invasive surgery.

Case: 

We describe a case of cervical ectopic pregnancy in nulliparous female that was unsuccessfully treated with single dose, local, ultrasound guided intraamniotic methotrexate. Due to vaginal bleeding caused by remaining products of conception a hysteroscopic resection was performed.

Despite the problems that can occur in methotrexate treatment, it is still by far, cheapest and most effective treatment of cervical pregnancies. If necessary, procedure can be combined with other minimal invasive surgical procedures leading to satisfactory results. Hysteroscopic resection has enabled us to remove the product of conception from cervix making the minimal damage to the local tissue, thus preserving fertility.