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.
Background: The Fibroblast associated (Fas) system in the testes has been identified as a key regulator of apoptosis, a process that greatly influences the germ cell population of the testes. Objective: This study measures the level of soluble Fas Ligand (sFasL) in the semen of oligozoospermic men evaluating the association between seminal plasma sFasL and spermatogenesis. Methods: A total 58 oligozoospermic men and 29 normal volunteers were included in this study. semen was evaluated according to World Health Organization 2010 standard parameters. sFasL was measured using ELISA enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of sFasL. Results: s FasL level was found significantly higher (P< 0.01) in seminal plasma of oligozoospermic men, with weak correlation of the level of this marker with the degree of severity of oligozoospermia. Conclusions: The apoptotic marker, sFasL is a novel marker found in the seminal plasma of oligozoospermic men. It's level is higher in cases of oligozoospermia regardless of its severity.
Background: The functional and morphological development of the glomerlus is an essential part of nephrogenesis that takes place during Intra uterine life and early post-natal days. Objectives: To study the morphometric parameters of the maturation of the glomerular filtration slit of the kidney during neonatal period and its implication on the function of the kidney. Method: Rat litters are used as a mammalian model of the development during the first 8 days of post -natal life. Image analysis using Bell software system was used for morphmetric measurement of filtration silt as examined by electron microscope. Results: The width of the filtration slit of new born kidney was 11.24±1.6 nm which increased by increment to be 14.83±1.6 nm on 4th.post- natal day. Eventually reached 25.34±4.3 nm on day 8 post natally. Conclusions: In New Born litters, the glomerular filtration slit is narrower than that of mature kidney. Glomerular development continues to take place during first post natal week to reach the adult mature parameters at the end of neonatal period. This explains the low GFR found in new born mammals.
Background: Obesity has been defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health while the Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of the weight-to-height ratio that is commonly used in classifying overweight and obesity in adult populations. Many semen parameters alteration can be ascribed to obesity like decreased sperm concentration, abnormal morphology, compromised chromatin integrity and abnormal motility. Many evidences showed an adverse effect of excess body fat on spermatogenesis. Methods: A total sample size composed of (70)infertile men were grouped into three groups according to published BMI ranges as follows: normal weight, overweight and obese.A single semen sample was collected for each infertile men.Heightin (m) and weight in (kg) were recorded on day of semen collection.BMI was calculated as BMI= Kg\m2. Sperm parameters evaluated according to World Health Organization guidelines.Quantitation of the IL-6 in seminal plasma were accomplished using commercially available ELISA kit. Results: In the current study, a positive correlation was found between body mass index and IL-6, on the contrary, a significant negative correlation was found among IL-6 level and progressive sperm motility and sperm concentration as well. Conclusion: There is an increase of IL-6 from the adipose tissue with increasing BMI. The IL-6 cause reduction of the sperm motility by increasing the level of ROS. The obesity reduces the spermatogenesis by androgenic deficiency results in low sperm concentration and motilitywhich it may be the main reason of their infertility.
Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) is a culture technology that enables the immature oocytes to reach metaphase II (MII). Vitrification of immature oocytes followed by in vitro maturation can offer advantages, such as to avoid the use of large doses gonadotropins and also be an alternative approach to the use of endocrine stimulation to obtain pre-ovulatory oocytes in all cycles. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the effect of vitrification technique and several biochemical materials on outcomes of in vitro maturation. Materials and Methods: Normal and viable immature oocytes divided into two major groups including: control group and vitrification technique group. Post-thawing, each major group subdivided into four in vitro maturation (IVM) groups using SMART medium with special additives involving: (G1) group: contained gonadotropins (Gn) only, (G2) group: supplemented with Gn and sucrose (4%), (G3) group: consisted of Gn, sucrose (4%) and follicular fluid (FF) (5%), and (G4) group: contained Gn, sucrose (4%) and FF (10%).Then, assessed the results of in vitro maturation. Results: The results of in vitro maturation for control group shows non significant differences (P>0.05) among all groups. While, a significant increase (P<0.05) in percentage of IVM was achieved when compared G3 and G4 groups with G1 and G2 groups in vitrification technique. Therefore, comparison the results of IVM between control group vitrification technique group appeared a significant difference (P<0.05) in G1 groups and also between G2 groups. However, non significant difference (P>0.05) was appeared between G3 groups and also between G4 groups when comparing between control group and vitrification technique group. Conclusions: Vitrification of immature oocytes were appeared as a promise technique for preservation of oocytes. As well as, the addition of follicular fluid (FF) to maturation medium produced the best results for in vitro maturation (IVM).
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common, yet complex, endocrine disorder with principal features of anovulation, amenorrhea, ovulation-related infertility, polycystic ovaries, and obesity. Number of metabolic aberrations is now well recognized as a growing public health problem in PCOS as glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia. Objective: To investigate and analyze the anthropometric, hormonal profile and metabolic abnormalities of obese and non-obese women with this disorder. Materials and Methods: Sixty-five healthy Iraqi women serves as the control group and eighty-four infertile women divided into two subgroups depending on the BMI (< and ≥30 kg/m2) were studied. BMI, waist to hip ratio and waist to thigh ratio were measured. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, testosterone, fasting blood glucose, and oral glucose tolerance test, and total lipid profile were measured. Results: BMI, waist/hip, waist/thigh ratio were significantly higher in PCOS than control women. Lower FSH level, higher LH and E2 levels, LH/FSH ratio, and lower E2/testosterone ratio was found in obese and non-obese PCOS. Higher blood sugar level, high cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and lower HDL levels in PCOS compared to control women. Conclusion: Obesity is a common finding of women with PCOS, but it is not part of the diagnostic criteria. Women with PCOS usually have the so-called centralobesity (Visceral adiposity), and therefore tend to have an increased waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist to thigh ratio, regardless of the weight factor (i.e., in obese and non-obese). PCOS patients exhibited abnormal hormonal status and biochemical indices also regardless of obesity.
Background: Oligozoospermia is one of male infertility type which related with sperm lowering count in seminal fluid under limited reference. There are many factors leads to oligozoospermia like, congenital defects, endocrinal disorders, genetic abnormalities, immunological factors , life style , or in some cases unknown reasons. Immune and some non-immune cells produce immuno-chemical messengers proteins called (Interleukins) work as alerts proteins and contribute in immune body defend. These mediators found in all body fluids, also found in seminal fluid,and it’s presence of certain concentrations reflects the state of health of the body. Objective:Measure the level of interleukin-6 in fertile (normospermia) and infertile (Oligozoospermia). Materials and Methods: Microscopically and macroscopically ejaculates analysis according to WHO (2010) criteria for eighty -seven ejaculate from normospermia and oligozoospermia patients with age rang (21-47)yrs. , in duration of ( Nov-2013 to Mar-2014), study divide in to three groups according to the concentration ranges in to (normospermia > 15X 106 cells/ml), (Mild to Moderate Oligozoospermia 15-5 X106cells/ml) , (Severe Oligozoospermia< 5X106). Then store all samples in(-20 ) , IL-6 was detected through the (ELISA) specific way and kit . Results: Interleukin-6level is less in normospermia group than Oligozoospermia groups at (P<0.05), IL-6 level not correlated with sperm count, except weak correlation in severe group at (P≤ 0.05) and (t α=0.05). Conclusions: There are no correlation between IL-6 level and sperm cells concentration but the variation of interleukin-6 level among the groups indicate that some sperms parameters influence on interleukin-6 levels among the groups like sperm motility or morphology and also that the causative factors which lead to oligozoospermia also effect on IL-6 level and effect on spermatogenesis .
Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can destroy or severely reduce spermatogenesis and thereby jeopardize fertility in the long term. There is still no medical treatment that guarantees fertility preservation after chemo- and radiotherapy. Now with recent improvement of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and possibility of using testicular spermatozoa or epididymal spermatozoa at in vitro fertilization (IVF) by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation of testicular tissue is an option in fertility preservation for males who will lose spermatogenic cells as a result of chemoand radiotherapy and for males with azoospermia. Objectives: This study is an attempt to evaluate oxidative DNA damage in the mice testicular tissue after cryopreservation/thawing cycle when using different types of cryoprotectants as well as to investigate the changes that occur in mice testicular tissue after cryopreservation/thawing cycle as a model for human being. Methods: Fifty mature fertile male mice between 8- 12 weeks old were used in the current study. For each mouse, one testis was evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically (using 8-Hydroxy 2'-Deoxyguanosine as marker of oxidative DNA damage) without cryopreservation (control group). The other testis was evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically (using 8-Hydroxy 2'-Deoxyguanosine as marker of oxidative DNA damage) after six weeks of cryopreservation using different types of cryoprotectants (cryopreserved group). Results: The microscopically observation of slides obtained from cryopreserved testis differs according to the type of cryoprotectant (glycerol, 1,2 propanediol and dimethylsulfoxide), in the dimethylsulfoxide group, tissue sections showed no major differences versus control group, but in the histological sections obtained from tissue cryopreserved by glycerol as cryoprotectant showed moderate morphological and structural changes as compared with the control group. While, the tissue samples subjected to 1,2 propanediol as cryoprotectant displayed the severest morphological and structural changes as compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical results of the present study showed a highly significant (P<0.001) increase in oxidative DNA damage in the cryopreserved testis (46.78%, 63.45% and 32.59% represent cryoprotectant glycerol, 1, 2 propanediol and dimethylsulfoxide, respectively) compared with control group (19.27%) after six weeks of cryopreservation. Conclusion: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that there was alteration in testis histology after cryopreservation/thawing cycle and increase the level of oxidative DNA damage after cryopreservation/thawing cycle. As well as dimethylsulfoxide cryoprotectant provide good protection for testis histology and DNA.
Background: The brain seems to be inherently feminine. Masculine characteristics of the structure and functions are imposed on developing CNS by the action of testicular hormones during a critical embryonic period. Testosterone is a prohoromone responsible for sexually dimorphic characteristics of the brain. A number of structural sex differences in the human brain have been reported, but their functional significance are less well established. Brain function in men appears to be more lateralized than women and this may be the reason that women are more likely than men to recover speech, after a stroke that damages cortical speech areas. Objective: this study examines the effects of testosterone on sexually dimorphic nucleus of the rat spinal cord i.e. the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus muscle, which innervates two sexually dimorphic, androgen-sensitive perineal muscles that are active during copulation, the bulbocavernosus and levator ani. Methods: the study was performed on litters of albino rats. Their pregnant mothers received on embryonic days (E16-E20) subcutaneous injection of 2mg of testosterone propionate. The spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus was examined in control group, female litters with and without prenatal testosterone injection. Results: It was demonstrated that perinatal injection of testosterone prevented the involution of spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus in the female rats. Conclusions: It is concluded that androgens have a sparing effect on the motor neurons of this nucleus that prevent the developmental cell death of neuronal cells. The mechanism of the effects of androgen are discussed, whether it is through direct effect of androgen on motor neurons themselves, or indirect effect as a result of the androgen action on the target androgen-sensitive perineal muscles.
Background: Infertility is a common social and health problem. Male factor is a major cause in 30% of infertile couples. Smoking is common at reproductive age and its effect on fertilitiy is still in controversy. Studying its effect on fertility helps in the management of infertility. Objectives: To assess the effect of smoking on serum sex steroidal hormones as well as on seminal plasma (SP) IL-2, IL-6 and conventional semen parameters in infertile men and their correlations between each other. Methods: Seventy male partners of infertile couples (30 smokers and 40 non-smokers) were involved in this study. The man was considered smoker if he had history of smoking of more than 10 cigarettes per day for at least one year. Semen analysis was done according to world health organization (WHO) 2010. Specific kits were used for measurement of serum testosterone, serum estradiol II, SP IL-2, and SP IL-6. Results: The median of SP IL-2 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in smokers than in non-smokers group and positively correlated with SP IL-6 in them. In addition, IL-2 was negatively correlated with semen volume, sperm motility and morphology, while IL-6 was negatively correlated only with sperm motility. However, there was no significant difference of serum sex hormones level or on semen parameters between smokers and non-smokers. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking affect cytokine levels in the seminal plasma but has no effect on serum sex hormones level or semen parameters.
Background: Pregabalin is an anti-convulsent drug that is indicated in epilepsy, neuropathic pain and anxiety. This study evaluates its effect on spermatogenesis in male rats through histological and physiological examination of the seminiferous tubules. Two doses of Pregabalin were employed, 300, 600 mg/Kg B.Wt. given orally and daily to groups of 30 male albino rats ( Rattaus rattus) for 35 days. The changes in the testes were evaluated by paraffin sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. The results showed relative preponderance of primitive germ cells over other stages of more mature spermatogenic cells. There was reduction in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule. These findings were more prominent with increase of the dose of Pregabalin. The above results were discussed in dose related context indicating that the current therapeutic dose of Pregabalin seems to not be within the range of dosage of Pregabalin that adversely affects spermatogenesis.