Articles in This Issue
Abstract
Background: The metanephric glomeruli develop from the metanephric blastema and ureteric bud. The nephron anlage undergoes multiple differentiation stages, fusion and invagination that lead to the formation of nephron. Objectives: To describe the morphological changes and transformations that lead to formation of metanephric permanent glomerulus during peri-natal period. Method: The study was performed on albino rat as a model for mammalian embryonic development. Embryos of 20-22 days of gestation and neonatal litters were investigated for renal development. The specimens were double fixed, plastic embedded and semi-thin sections stained with methylene blue were examined. Results: It was shown that glomerular development continues during late pre-natal days and first week post-natally. Maturity was attended by the end of the 7th post-natal day. The developing glomerulus passes through the stages describes as vesicle, comma, S-shaped, double comma, elongation and ovale stage to become finally mature. Conclusion: The metanephric glomerulus passes through sequential, multi-stage, pleomorphic development during peri-natal period. These features should be considered during evaluation of kidney during this period.
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common and prevalent endocrinopathy in women, and the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. An altered lipid profile is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is usually characterized by increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and very low density lipoprotein levels with low high-density lipoprotein. PCOS is associated with a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease because of dyslipidemia. Which are potent markers for cardiovascular risk factors. Metformin, is a widely used antihyperglycemic agent. It decreases insulin resistance and reduces hyperglycemia through a reduction of the hepatic glucose production. Objectives: Determine the beneficial effect of metformin in PCOS patients in reducing lipid profile and subsequently reduction in cardiovascular disease. Method: Measurements and analysis levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, very low density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were samples collected at the Institute of embryo research and infertility treatment, Al-Nahrain University. PCOS patients were recruited at the consultant clinic Patients: forty three women with PCOS were studied. Anthropometric data, lipid profile, were evaluated, before oral metformin (500mg/twice daily) treatment and after three months of use. Results: Patients with PCOS after oral metformin treatment, revealed a significant lowering serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoproteins and very low density lipoprotein and elevated high-density lipoprotein compared to before treatment. Conclusions: dyslipidemia is common finding in PCOS women, in this study we found that the use of oral metformin tablets 500mg/twice daily for three months will correct lipid profile level (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and HDL) which is considered as cardiovascular risk factors and this lead to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract
Background: Human growth hormone (HGH) is undisputedly a potent hormone with a wide variety of biological effects. The anabolic actions of human growth hormone have made it attractive as a potential agent for catabolic problems in a wide range of clinical conditions. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the possible relationship between levels of HGH in serum (S. HGH) and seminal plasma (Sp. HGH) and semen parameters in normozoospermic (NZS) men and infertile patients. Materials and Methods: In total, 66 infertile patients with azoospermia (AZS; no. 52), asthenozoospermia (AsZS; no. 6) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATZS; no. 8), and normozoospermic men (NZS; no. 12) were included in this study. From each subject, semen and blood samples were taken to assess seminal plasma and sperm parameters and levels of S. HGH and Sp. HGH; respectively. Results: The highest S. HGH was evaluated in AZS patients when compared to NZS and other infertile groups. Significant elevation (P<0.05) in the level of S. HGH was assessed for AZS patients as compared to NZS men. In contrast, the level of Sp. HGH in NZS men was significantly elevated (P<0.05) when compared to AZS patients only. Positive and significant correlations were noticed between levels of Sp. HGH and semen liquefaction time in NZS, AZS and OATZS groups. In NZS men, positive and significant correlation were observed between Sp. HGH and semen volume and negative and significant correlations were detected between Sp. HGH and percentages of sperm motility, progressive motility, immobility and agglutination. Conclusion: Our study represents the first study in Iraq showing that the level of HGH in serum and seminal plasma affect male fertility and sperm parameters in normozoospermic males and infertile patients. Further biochemical and molecular studies are recommended to investigate the mode of action of HGH and its receptors in relation to fertility.
Abstract
Background: Semen quality is a measure of the ability of semen to accomplish fertilization. Semen quality involves both sperm quantity and quality. The general population is exposed to metals at low concentrations either voluntarily through supplementation or involuntarily through intake of contaminated food and water or contact with contaminated soil, dust, or air. Some metals, such as lead (Pb), are nonessential xenobiotics that can be measured in most of the general population. Objectives: Our goal in this study is to assess relationships between exposure to lead at environmental levels and human semen-quality parameters. Materials and Methods: The study populations consist of 81 infertile male of general population who are occupationally unexposed to lead and another 26 healthy fertile male as control group. Blood lead and seminal plasma lead measurements performed by the electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of semen performed according to WHO recommendations. Seminal plasma separated from the spermatozoa by centrifugation and stored at -20°C until required for analyses. Results: This study showed significant increase in seminal plasma lead mean value in moderate and severe oligozoospermic infertile males than in fertile male controls( p<0.05). The result also showed no statistically significant difference in blood lead concentration among the infertile group compared to fertile controls. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that even moderate exposure to Pb at environmental level (blood Pb < 400 µg/L) can significantly reduce reproductive capacity in men.
Abstract
Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra(Gg) is a herbal medicine used in the treatment of different syndromes. Recently, the effect of this plant on the reproductive system has been studied. However, its role in in vitro still not clear. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the possibility of using Glycyrrhiza glabra extract for in vitro sperm direct activation, and its effect on in vivo fertilization rate (FR) and early embryonic development (ED) following intra-peritoneal insemination (IPI). The mice were used as an experimental model for mammals. Materials and Methods: Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (2 mg/ml culture medium) was used for in vitro direct sperm activation technique. The female mice were divided into two groups: spontaneously ovulated (SOM) and superovulated groups (SuOM). Each group was divided into two subgroups, the first: the IPI was accomplished by epididymal sperm activated in vitro by adding 20%Gg to the culture medium. The second subgroup: the IPI is accomplished without adding Gg to the culture medium. Results: In vitro activation of epididymal sperms with 20% Gg has shown positive effects on sperm concentration, sperm motility, and grade activity of progressive forward movement. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in FR with adding 20%Gg compared with that free of Gg of spontaneously ovulated groups after 24 hours of insemination. The FR in the right oviduct showed highly significant (P<0.001) increment compared to the left. Embryonic development rate significantly ( (P<0.05) increased after 24 and 48 hours of insemination in grouping with adding Gg. The study showed that the quantity and quality of embryos generated from IPI with adding Gg were higher than that of groups inseminated without adding Gg. Conclusion: It is concluded from the results of the present study that adding the 20% Gg to the culture medium of the epididymal sperm and IPI leads to an improvement in certain sperm function parameters and supports the FR in SOM and SuOM with an increase in the embryonic development rate. These data can be utilized for artificial insemination programs.
Abstract
Background: Tribulus terrestris (TT), Phoenix dactilyfera (Pd) and Nasturtium officinale (No) were believed to have fertility-enhancing effects and given by herbalists in Baghdad to men who need to increase their fertility capacity. Objectives: To investigate the possibility that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plants mixture can counteract the adverse effect of theobromine on reproductive system of male mic. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty mature male mice were injected intraperitoneally with 250 mg/kg/day of theobromine for four weeks. Then the males were treated intraperitonially with different dose levels of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of a mixture of the three plants for four weeks to evaluate their effects on body weight, reproductive organs weight, sperm parameters, hormones level and reproductive performance. Results: Both extracts showed a significant enhancement in all parameters studied. Almost all these results showed a dose dependent pattem with the ethanolic extract being the more effective than aqueous extract in all parameters. Conclusions: Mixture of the three plants seems to counteract the action of theobromine on the reproductive system of male mice through enhancing the concentration and motility of spermatozoa, increasing epididymis and seminal vesicles weight which are an indicator of testosterone production which brought about the stimulation of all male reproductive organs.
Abstract
Background: The effects of taking oral contraceptive pills that contain steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) during pregnancy on some aspects of fetus and newborn have been previously reviewed. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to detect the effect of using different doses of progestin and estrogen (contraceptive pills OCPs) by pregnant female mice on the gonadal development of their male fetuses, and on their pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: Ninety female mice were divided equally into three major groups: two experimental (G1 and G2) and control group according to the level of the dose. Administration of OCPs (either 0.034 or 0.068 mg/kg b. wt. /d dissolved with 0.1ml distilled water) orally once a day, were started at the first day of gestation and continued till day 14 for the experimental groups G1 and G2 respectively. When the female in each experimental and control groups reach day 17 of gestation, 15 animals of each group were sacrificed, whereas the other 15 animals were left to be sacrificed at birth time. Weight and numbers of fetuses were recorded, in addition, histological study for their testes were done. Results: The statistical analysis showed a highly significant (P<0.01) decrease in weights and numbers of fetuses (males and females), and highly significant decrease ( (P<0.01) in the testes diameter of fetuses belonged to mothers treated with normal and double dose of OCPs at day 17 and at birth time. In addition, fetuses belongs to G2 mothers revealed testicular undescending to its normal position and remained adjacent to the kidneys at the upper part of the abdominal cavity in comparison with control group. Conclusion: Administration of steroid hormones orally to pregnant female mice for 14 days causes a highly significant decrease in the weight and number of fetuses at day 17 and at birth time and cause negative effect on the diameter of the fetal testes. The OCPs can inhibit at its high dose, the descending of the testes to its normal location at the pelvic cavity and then to the inguinal canal.
Abstract
Background: Achillea millefolium, (Asteraceae) is flowering plant which is popularly known as yarrow. It has been used in folk medicine to treat complaints such as inflammation, pain, wounds, hemorrhages and gastrointestinal disturbances. Objectives: To study the histological changes in uterus and reproductive hormones in female mice delivered to mothers treated with Achillea extract during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Seventy pregnant female mice at age of six weeks were used as a model for this study. The animals were divided into two groups: control (C) (35), and experimental (G) (35) groups. The experimental group was given 1.5 mg/kg alcohol extract of Achillea millefolium dissolved in 1ml distilled water orally for the whole pregnancy, while the (C)was given distilled water only in the same amount and for the same period of time. The number and the body weight of the delivered offspring was recorded, in addition the endometrial thickness, the number and diameter of the uterine glands was measured in the histological sections at puberty. In addition evaluation of FSH, LH and E2 hormones levels were done. Results: The results of this study showed highly significant (p<0.01) decrease in the litter size of the experimental compared to the control group, as well as significant decrease (p<0.05) in the weight of the offspring, the endometrial thickness, the number and diameter of the uterine glands in the (G) compared to the (C). Conclusions: Consumption of low dose Achillea millefolium causes significant decrease in number and weight of the offspring, in addition to its effect on the uterus of the delivered female offspring.