Articles in This Issue
Abstract
During the process of embryo development, endometrial receptivity is very important for the successful implantation of blastocysts. This research investigated the influence of endometrial thickness on the day of oocyte retrieval and fresh embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in Iraqi women who are undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Women from Iraq are taking part in this investigation. Participating in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with the use of ICSI was a group of 44 women who were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and had unexplained infertility. During the phases of oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, there were significant differences seen between the two groups (p-values of 0.003 and 0.049), respectively. There was a total of 44 individuals, and 31 of them had negative pregnancy test results. The remaining 13 persons had positive findings. These results illustrate the importance of endometrial thickness in influencing the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies in achieving pregnancies.
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a group of clinically distinct endocrine conditions. Insulin resistance-related proteins are involved in PCOS pathogenesis. Irisin is a new myokine that functions similarly to adipokines. Irisin has been linked to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. There have been conflicting findings regarding irisin levels and their connection to hormonal and metabolic alterations in PCOS .This study aimed to compare the levels of irisin in follicular fluid and serum between women with PCOS and healthy women and correlate them with oocyte and embryo quality in women undergoing the ICSI cycle .Ninety infertile Iraqi women were enrolled, 46 women with PCOS and 44 weight-matched non-PCOS controls, in whom ICSI was done for them and evaluated the level of follicular fluid, serum Irisin, and insulin level with measure of Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and correlate them to with oocyte and embryo quality. HOMA-IR, FF, and serum irisin levels in PCOS considerably increased. (P ≤ 0.01). In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between Irisin levels in follicular fluid and serum with MII oocyte, oocyte maturity rate, and grade 1 embryo. The serum, follicular fluid Irisin, and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in PCOS than in control cases, which may cause a reduction in oocyte maturation, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome.
Abstract
The structural elements like the “blood-testis barrier” (BTB) and systemic and local tolerance mechanisms help to maintain testicular homeostasis, which shields germ cells and mature sperms from immune attack. Any damage to this barrier could result in an immune attack and may lead to infertility. This study aims to look at the correlation between male infertility and immunological factors (IL-17, IL-25, and anti-sperm antibody). During the months of October 2021 and July 2022, a total of 144 samples were taken from patients who sought to have infertility tested. The subjects' semen specimens were taken in order to perform the ELISA tests for IL-17, IL-25, and ASA. The levels of ASA, IL-17, and IL-25 differed significantly (P≤ 0.05) across study groups, according to the results of immunological parameters. The results of the correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between IL-17 and IL-25, but not between those two interleukins and ASA. Although there was theoretically a positive link in this study, it was very weak and not significant. The findings suggest that IL-17, IL-25, and ASA influence seminal fluid parameters, which in turn affect male fertility.
Abstract
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with symptoms and diverse clinical manifestations. Obesity, a common comorbidity in PCOS, may exacerbate and lead to varied hormonal and inflammatory profiles. This study aimed to compare serum DHEAS, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels between obese and non-obese women with PCOS, providing insights into the intricate interplay between obesity, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation in this condition and offering potential pathways for enhancing fertility treatment outcomes in this challenging patient population. In this cross-sectional study, the data was analyzed from sixty -five women diagnosed with PCOS, categorized into two groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI): Thirty-eight were non-obese (BMI < 30) and twenty-seven obese women (BMI ≥ 30). Serum samples were collected to measure DHEAS, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels using the ELIZA kit. These measures were then compared between the two groups to ascertain any significant differences. The study found significantly higher serum DHEAS levels in non-obese PCOS patients compared to their obese counterparts (p = 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels between the two groups (TNF-α p = 0.58; IL-10 p = 0.13). Serum DHEAS were significantly higher in non-obese compared to their obese counterparts’ women with PCOS. In contrast, no significant variance was found regarding S.TNF-α and S.IL-10 between the two groups
Abstract
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 expression in serum and follicular fluid plays a crucial role in regulating fibrinolysis during the pregnancy period by blocking the action of other proteins called plasminogen activators. The aim is to assess the Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 level in blood serum and follicular fluid as a predictive marker of pregnancy. This study included Sixty-nine infertile females undergone ovarian stimulation with antagonist protocol and received recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone, at the cycle day two. The serum and follicular fluid were collected from each female on the day of oocyte retrieval, for PAI estimation using the Elisa kit. The data were analyzed using version 23.0 SPSS and Microsoft Office 2010. The serum PAI-1 levels at the day of oocyte retrievals were significantly lower in positive pregnancy women in comparison with non-pregnant women (p < 0.05), Yet no significant follicular fluid PAI-1 levels were noted in comparison with non-pregnant women. There was a negative significant correlation (p > 0.05) between serum and follicular fluid PAI-1 levels on the day of oocyte retrieval according to oocyte ICSI outcome. The evaluation of serum PAI-1 levels can be used as a promising parameter for the prediction of pregnancy outcomes of ICSI patients. It is assumed that the pregnancy rate was affected by PAI-1 level during ICSI cycles. The concentration of PAI-1 in serum and follicular fluid at the retrieval day is not correlated with the oocyte's maturity.
Abstract
Mitochondria play a significant key in sperm metabolism as well as power generation. The mitochondria nucleolus is essential for several sperm activities. such as sperm capping, hyperactivation, and acrosome reactions, and oocyte fusion, mitochondrial membrane potential can be used to study sperm mitochondrial activity, the mitochondrial integrity of sperm is evaluated by examination of mitochondrial membrane potential MMP, which may be achieved by using fluorescent dyes like JC-1 probe is composed of 5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tcarbocyanine iodide. To study the correlation between mitochondrial membrane potential Red MMP and sperm motility . This study included 42 male samples who were separated into two groups. (21 normozoospermic, 21 asthenozoospermia) through the period of attendance at the infertility clinic at High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, and Um Al-Banin Center for Management and in vitro fertilization the collected semen was obtained and seminal fluid analysis was assisted according to (WHO,2021). fluorescent staining of the sample prepared is done by using an MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1) was performed. A positive significant correlation between sperm motility percentage and red MMP intensity (p < 0.001). Mitochondrial activity plays an essential function in sperm motility and male fertility Male infertility, Sperm Motility, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1).
Abstract
The ability of human sperm to fertilize can be compromised both in vivo and in vitro by the toxins found in cigarette smoke, which can lower sperm mitochondrial activity and harm chromatin structure. The aim is to study the effect of smoking on the apoptotic marker (caspase-3) of human sperm. A cross-sectional study of 80 semen samples of sub-fertile men, were divided into smokers (35 patients) and non-smokers (45 patients). All the semen samples after seminal fluid analysis underwent HOST test and grading (A-G) according to the WHO 2021 criteria then the slides were smeared and stained with an immunocytochemistry kit for Caspase-3 apoptotic marker. There was no significant effect of smoking in the concentration of caspase-3 expression, in spite of the high presentation of both grades A and G in the smoker group ( p = 0.57, 0.56 respectively). Smoking has a negative impact on the DNA integrity of sperm as it increases the apoptotic marker within the smoker group.
Abstract
There is a relation between adipose tissue and macrophages. These macrophage cells influence adipose tissue by releasing many bioactive chemicals, including the wingless-type MMTV integration site family 5a (wnt5a) glycopeptides and the more traditional cytokines. Healthy adipocytes can release the wnt5a inhibitor Secreted frizzled-related protein 5(SFRP5). However, this protective effect was found to be reduced in obesity. This study aimed to assess the effect of follicular and serum levels of SFRP5 as well as serum and follicular levels of wnt5a on ICSI outcome and determine the potential roles of SFRP5 as a predictor of positive pregnancy in Iraqi infertile females undergoing ICSI with different body mass index .Ninety infertile females who received intracytoplasmic sperm injection and had various infertility factors between 18 and 45 years participated in this prospective clinical cross-sectional study. Follicular fluid, serum SFRP5, and serum and follicular fluid wnt5a levels were measured for all participants on the day of ovum pickup. In addition, ICSI outcomes were determined. There was a significant difference in the mean total gonadotrophin dose used among the three studied groups (p = 0.023), higher in overweight and obese females than normal-weight females. There was a positive significant correlation between serum plus follicular fluid wnt5a and total gonadotropin dose. Serum and follicular fluid SFRP5 levels were significantly higher in normal-weight females. There were higher serum (p-value=0.002) and follicular fluids (p-value=0.005) SFRP5 levels in pregnant females. Both SFRP5 and wnt5a glycoproteins were detected in infertile women's serum and follicular fluid. Serum and follicular fluid secreted frizzled-related protein 5 level positively associated with ICSI outcome. The cutoff values for serum and follicular fluid SFRP5 were ≥15.86 (ng/ml) and ≥ 11.3(ng/ml), respectively, as predictors of positive pregnancy in women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles. Obesity, BMI, SFRP5, wnt5a, ICSI Outcome