Articles in This Issue
Abstract
The integrity of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and chromatin is very important for genetic material transmission into offspring. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity and sperm parameters. The current study was conducted on 96 semen samples. This study was done at the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, for the period between November 2020 and May 2021. The samples were collected, and seminal fluid analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test was performed. The results showed that the deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation of sperms in infertile men in this study was higher than reported in fertile men in previous studies, indicating deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (DNA) is actively contributing at least partially to male infertility. In terms of enrolled men, sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (SDF) showed a significant positive correlation with round cell count.
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are active chemical compounds created by the body's metabolic process and are crucial in human reproduction. Excessive ROS can contribute to oxidative stress, which has been linked to poor fertility. Embryo culture medium plays an essential role in IVF/ICSI cycles. Eighty participants underwent ovarian stimulation and ICSI cycles; ROS levels were measured in blood samples on the ovum pickup (OPU) day and in each embryo culture dish on ET day using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These values were associated with the quality of generated embryos. Women were divided into two groups; the first had day three embryo transfers, whereas the second received blastocyst transfers on day 5. Grades I embryo count was shown to be inversely related to the serum and culture medium ROS levels. Pregnant women had significantly greater levels of GI embryos (p=0.011) and lower levels of GIII embryos (p=0.024). Pregnancy rates for the third-and fifth days of the embryo transfers were 24% and 50%, respectively, with (p=0.045). Pregnancy success rates were increased after ET day five and were strongly influenced by transfer day. Blastocyst-stage embryos with high serum ROS levels were found to be underdeveloped. Culture medium ROS levels can be used as an adjuvant criterion for embryo selection and metabolic marker for developing embryos.
Abstract
Node-like receptor pyrin 3 is a tripartite protein composed of an amino-terminal pyrin domin (PYD), nucleotide binding NACHT domine, and a carboxy-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domine, and consider an intracellular sensor that detects a broad range signal and resulting in the formation and activation the NLRP3 inflammasome. This complex lead to the release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18 which is important for host defense against invading pathogen. Modern evidence indicates that the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in gestational hypertension. This study was conducted on fifty pregnant women and divided into two groups: 25 placentas from normotensive mothers having no hypertension before as the control group and 25 from gestational hypertension women as gestational hypertension group, obtained from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Almosil El Aam Hospital and Alkhanssa Teaching Hospital, Mosul city, Iraq. The placental tissue samples were collected from the central region and processed for an immunohistochemical technique to t h e expression of NLRP3 in placental tissue. The immunohistochemical study of t h e placenta of the gestational hypertension group showed the localization of NLRP3 protein and staining intensity in trophoblast, stroma, and endothelium villi were high quantification compared with placenta from the control group.
Abstract
Infertile couples undergoing Assisted Reproductive techniques are really receptive to any intervention intended to enhancement their fertility. Successful implantation of an embryo requires a receptive endometrium, a good quality embryo, and embryo endometrial synchronization in all species. Pharmacological agents such as aspirin and sildenafil have been included in previous clinical trials to improve endometrial vascularity and perifollicular blood flow but the results were inconsistent. To evaluate the effect of oral low dose aspirin or vaginal sildenafil citrate on endometrial thickness, retrieved oocyte, degree of maturation, embryo quality and pregnancy test. This comparative prospective study was conducted on the 60 infertile women who participated in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles at the infertility clinic associated with the "High Institute of Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University / Baghdad/ Iraq." December 2020 to June 2022. In the present study the count of total oocytes retrieved was significantly higher in aspirin treated group in comparison to sildenafil treated group 12.5 ±5.3 versus 9.37 ±5.5 respectively. No significant variation in mean endometrial thickness among study groups. Regarding biochemical pregnancy test, positive results were obtained in 12 (40.0 %), 10 (33.3 %) in aspirin treated group, sildenafil treated group respectively and the difference was not significant. Aspirin treatment resulted in higher number of total retrieved oocytes, aspirin and sildenafil did not improve endometrial thickness, but they resulted in improvement of sub endometrial vascularity; however, biochemical pregnancy test was not affected by either pharmacological agent.
Abstract
For successful implantation, a high-quality embryo, receptive endometrium, and tight communication between the two are required. The lack of uterine contractions during embryo transfer is one of the characteristics that greatly affects endometrial receptivity. This is because it has been observed that ET may cause uterine contractions, which may be harmful to embryonic apposition and endometrial blood flow .The aim of this study was to assess how magnesium sulfate administration on the day of embryo transfer improve sub endometrial blood flow, endometrial receptivity, and increase implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate . Eighty infertile women undergoing ART cycles participated in this prospective. Recombinant FSH (Gonal-F) was used in a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation technique. The first group A (n=40) got a 4gm infusion of magnesium sulfate, while the second placebo control group B (n=40) received 200ml of 5% glucose water as a placebo, respectively. While there were no significant changes in body mass index (BMI), endometrial thickness, number of transferred embryos, or embryo transfer day, significant variations were seen in patient mean age (p<0.001) and mean number of grades I embryo (P=0.003). It was significantly different after magnesium sulfate administration with the lowest value in magnesium sulfate group (P=0.024; P <0.001 and P <0.001 respectively). Implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate both increased after drugs administration although it was non-significant (P= 0.106 and P= 0.348 respectively). It appears that magnesium sulfate injection before to embryo transfer can significantly increase sub endometrial vascularity and endometrial receptivity and improving implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate non significantly in ICSI cycles by lowering uterine muscular
Abstract
For couples with a variety of male factor disorders, intracytoplasmic sperm injection has made pregnancy and motherhood possible. Two hundred-one males who had non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligospermia were included in this study. One hundred forty trials of ICSI were done by using fresh sperms (fresh group n=140), while 61 trials of ICSI were done by using cryopreserved sperms (cryopreserved group n=61) to compare the conception rates between fresh and cryopreserved sperms used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Twenty-five samples from each group were collected by doing a testicular biopsy. Pregnancy rates were higher using cryopreserved sperms as compared to fresh spermatozoa, 39.3% compared to 24.3% in the fresh group ( P .030), respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of achieving pregnancy with cryopreserved sperms was 2.022 higher than with fresh ( P .030). Cryopreservation has no negative effect on the pregnancy rate. Instead, it might improve the results of ICSI in comparison with a fresh sperm sample.
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the world's greatest produced chemicals. BPA is present in various consumer goods that are commonly used in daily life. It was considered an endocrine disruptor and effects on spermatogenesis and male fertility. To assessment the impact of BPA on male reproductive via evaluation the correlation the concentrations of BPA in blood serum with male reproductive hormone. The study was conducted on 28 men recorded at the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies /Al-Nahrain University, private clinic (AL-Zahawi) and Babel Teaching Hospital for Women and Children from January 2022 to April 2022. The blood serum was collected from men. The blood serum samples were assayed the FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin hormones by mini VIDAS. The residual samples of blood serum were examined BPA concentrations. The measuring of BPA concentration in blood serum by using ELASA Kits. The result of hormones revealed that the correlation between concentrations of BPA and prolactin hormone was slightly positive in blood serum (r = 0.225). There is not detected relationship between BPA and FSH. The BPA concentrations were correlated a negative with testosterone in blood serum (r = - 0.599). Whereas, the LH was correlated slightly positive with blood serum BPA. This study indicated that the BPA in blood serum were highly concentration and there was proof that BPA could effect on male reproductive hormone.
Abstract
Poor ovarian responders (PORs) are characterized by decreased the response of the ovaries to stimulation. Nowadays, using soft protocol of low doses of Gn with/without oral compounds such as letrozole was accepted as a good option. The endometrium receptive parameters include sub endometrial resistance, pulsatility index and endometrial thickness. Eighty infertile POR women divided to two equal groups and undergoing IVF/ICSI antagonist protocols. One group underwent soft protocol using letrozole 2.5mg twice daily for 5 days starting from cycle day 2-3 overlapped low-dose Gn (225 IU) from cycle day 4-5. Other group received high dose Gn only (450 IU) from cycle day 2-3. Both groups continued stimulation cycle until the day of trigger using the flexible antagonist protocol. Estimation of values of sub endometrial RI and PI with endometrial thickness by 2 Color Doppler ultrasound was performed at day of trigger, OCP and ET. There was no significant difference for endometrial thickness at day of trigger, OCP and ET. There was significant difference in means of sub endometrial RI and PI at day of trigger, OCP and ET (P>0.05). This study showed evidence in favor of soft protocol for POR regarding pregnancy rates in spite of the statically difference in means of sub endometrial RI and PI associated with much less cost effectiveness.