Background: There are many factors and media affecting sperm characters which are defined by classical parameters namely, concentration, motility and morphology, according to standard World Health Organization (WHO). Objectives: To study the effect of incubation time on certain sperm function parameters following in vitro centrifugation technique by sperm wash, FertiCult medium for the purpose of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in couples presenting sub-fertility. Methods: Two groups of 40 semen samples (group 1: fertile men with normal semen parameters and group 2: abnormal semen parameters) underwent sperm activation test (SAT) in the ART laboratory, High Institute of Infertility Diagnosis & ART/Al-Nahrain University. Semen analysis was assessed in standard WHO (1999). Wash and spin activation technique by FertiCultTM medium was done for all samples. The tubes which was sealed, inclined vertically and kept at 37°C for 30 minute. The supernatant contained actively motile sperms was transferred to another test tube to separate that active sperm from pellet and record sperm parameters after. Results: There is a significant (p<0.05) improvement in certain sperm parameters after 30min. of incubation following SAT in both groups compared to before activation and following 30min. incubation in SAT. Certain sperm characters are significantly decline in group 2 after 1 hr. incubation compared to before activation. Conclusions: Sperm activation test is very important method to perform before undergone artificial insemination (AIH). Incubation of prepared sperm in vitro by sperm wash, FertiCult medium is benefit for the first half hour to all semen samples to have a success in artificial insemination.
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.
Amphiregulin, a growth factor inspired by LH surge, promotes oocyte maturation and follicular rupture. This study investigated whether amphiregulin growth factor levels in follicular fluid and blood serum can predict oocyte maturation and positive pregnancy rates in ICSI patients . Methods: The study included 50 women and they did ICSI from October 2024 to February 2025. Each woman got antagonist ovarian stimulation and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone. Blood samples were taken on cycle day two for infertility hormone assessment and on oocyte retrieval day for Elisa Amphiregulin growth factor estimate . Follicular fluids amphiregulin growth factor levels were significantly higher among pregnant females; however there was no significant difference of serum amphiregulin growth factor between pregnant and non- pregnant females. Out of 50 females, 11 females were had positive pregnancy test (Pregnancy rate = 22.0 %), there was a solitary positive correlation between follicular fluids amphiregulin growth factor with metaphase II oocytes count (r=0.800& p=0.003); however follicular fluids amphiregulin showed no significant correlations with other ICSI parameters. There were also no significant correlations between serum amphiregulin with all ICSI parameters. The current study found that elevated Amphiregulin (AREG) levels are linked to successful pregnancy outcomes in ICSI cycles
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the absence of sperm in infertile men ejaculate as a result of significant spermatogenesis defects or hormonal malfunction. PRP intratesticular injection may be employed in assisted reproductive technology as a therapeutic effect for this problem. The aim is to assess the level of spermatogenesis and reproductive hormones after PRP autologous intratesticular injection. 50 non-abstructive azoospermia infertile men participated in the current study. The patients were given an intra-testicular injection of platelet-rich plasma using a 1 ml syringe; FSH LH hormonal levels were estimated; if there was no sperm count, the patient should be prepared for a testicular biopsy by the expert doctor. Small number of sperm may be discovered during a biopsy while the testes are being examined in the lab. The therapeutic benefits were seen in 15 patients 3-4 months after using autologous platelet-rich plasma. The results showed that there was a highly significant difference in FSH and LH hormonal levels after PRP injection P(0.001). PRP can help non-obstructive azoospermic infertile males with their testis' structural and functional dysfunction.
In human-assisted reproduction both partners need to be evaluated during counseling because causes of infertility are due to male factors and female factors. some body hormones play important role in fertile women and cortisol one of these hormones which is essential for normal ovulation, cortisol usually increases during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, play a role in the early stages of follicular development by their interaction with aromatase activity and granulose cell functions. To investigate the correlation of cortisol hormonal level in serum and in follicular fluid that relationship with age in women under Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome. Its randomized prospective clinical trial study performance conducting in the Higher Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies / Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq, during the period from November2021to June 2022. a total of Sixty-three Infertile Iraqi women, who planned to inter intrasytoplasmic sperm injection program. The blood sample and follicular fluid sample obtained from all infertile women inter intracytoplasmic sperm injection program to measure cortisol hormonal level at specific days of this study. There was increase in cortisol level in women aged between (30-40) years, So there was significant finding between cortisol level and this age group and there was increase in cortisol level in women aged < 30 years at the same day and no significant difference in cortisol level in women age more than 40. Significant differences in cortisol level appear in group of women age between (30-40) years, also the same result appears in group of women age more than > 40 years and no significant differences in cortisol level in women aged < 30. No significant differences in cortisol level in all age women group (30-40) years, <30 years ,and the women age > 40 years.
Preeclampsia-eclampsia still continues to be one of the major causes of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Recent evidence suggests that there may be several underlying causes or predispositions leading to develop this syndrome, which not only affects the mother but significantly affects the fetal growth and development.The objective of the study was to assess the difference in birth weight in pregnancy with and without preeclampsia . A case – control study at Al-kadhmya teaching hospital The study included 200 pregnant women with singleton viable gestation presented in labor who were admitted to hospital.A comparison of 100 women in the preeclamptic group and 100 women in the non-preeclamptic group in terms of maternal age, parity, gestational age at delivery, placental weight, and fetal birth weight and sex. Detailed obstetric and general medical history was taken and general and obstetric examination performed. The newborn infants were carefully examined and weighed, and the APGAR score was assessed after delivery. The fresh placenta was examined and then weighed with the membranes and cord attached.At low placental weight, preeclampsia had significant association with low birth weight (35%). However, at high placental weight, preeclampsia had non-significant association with high birth weight (4%). Birth weight of neonatal case group was close to birth weight of control group especially at late onset of preeclampsia but this was not significant statistically .Preeclampsia is multisystemic disorder and it is (the disease of theories) these result suggest that preeclampsia may represent different entities with different degree of placental involvement and different degree of fetal growth and development.
Background: Semen cryopreservation is a useful tool for preserving fertility for men involved in ART program who have been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy or testicular surgery. Objective: The objective of this study to evaluate the effect of honey bee supplemented to cryoprotectant medium on post-thaw sperm DNA integrity ,morphology and round cells. Subjects ,Materials and Methods: Thirty semen samples were collected from 30 infertile patients. After assessment of semen analysis, semen samples were divided into 3 aliquots (0.7ml for each sample) and mixed with 1 ml of cryopreservation solution (G1,control) alone, enriched with 5% honey bee(G2) with 10% honey bee (G3) for cryopreservation. Current study used the acridine orange test to investigate the effect of honey bee in two concentration (5%, 10%) on the integrity of sperm chromatin structure pre-and post cryopreservation. Cryopreservation was done at -196 Co in liquid nitrogen and thawing was performed after six months. Direct swim up technique was used for in vitro sperm preparation post-thawing, sperm parameters were assessed and data were statistically analyzed pre-and post-thawing. Results: The results show there was a significant(P<0.05) increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm for all groups post-thawing, particularly for G3 group that was significantly (P<0.05) increased as compared to G1 and G2 groups, In contrast, non-significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between G1 and G2 groups. Sperm DNA fragmentation percentage (%) was significantly(P<0.05) increased in G1 post thawing without any additives as compared to pre-cryopreservation , where as in G2 and G3 sperm DNA fragmentation were increased but not significantly as post-cryopreservation groups. Also the results show that there were no significant differences between G2 and G3 whereas G3 gives better result as compared to G1 with significant differences. Round cells counts for all groups of post cryopreservation were significantly(P>0.05) decreased as compared to pre-cryopreservation. Non significant (P>0.05) differences in the round cells counts among all the groups of post -thawing in spite of G3 group has the lowest mean. Conclusions: From these results we concluded that supplementation of 10% of honey bee to the freezing cryoprotectant medium gives best protection to the morphology and DNA integrity of human sperm.
Lead is a heavy metal toxicant, present widely in the environment and workplaces. Zinc has been shown to reduce the toxicity of lead. The present experimental animal study was designed to observe the changes in the testes due to excessive use of lead. This study aims to detect the effect of antioxidants (zinc) on the toxicity of high doses of lead on the reproductive organs of male mice embryos compared to the control group as a model for human representative. Thirty mature female mice were used (Swiss-Webster), as a mammalian model. They were divided into three groups, 10 mice/group after labelling them. They were randomly assigned into three experimental groups, and these embryos were processed for histological observations. The recorded results showed a severe disruption in the organization of testicular structure with primordial germ cells severely degenerated with the absence of basal lamina and peritubular myoid cells of the treated group (G1) compared with the control group at day 14 and day 17. The embryo testes of (G2) at day 14 showed irregular testes cords with prominent degenerative changes compared to that of the control group (G3). It was concluded from these results that zinc sulphate plays a significant role in the improvement of histological damage of the testes belonging to mothers injected with lead acetate and protects the reproductive organs from injury during lead toxicity.
Background: Superovulation in mice causes a delayed embryonic development in vitro and in vivo, an increased abnormal blastocyst formation, pronounced fetal growth retardation. Objective: Morphometric measurements the dimensions (thickness, length) of fetal kidney and suprarenal gland during the later intrauterine life, after superovulation induction. Methods: Twenty five mature female mice Swiss-Webster mice, these mice were divided into two groups: experimental (G1) (15animal/group) and control group(G2) (10 animal/group). Superovulation was induced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 7.5 IU of PMSG,then followed by 7.5 IU of HCG after 48 hours. Ovulation was taken place between 122± hours after injection of HCG. One mature male mice was placed with three superovulated female mice for mating. Pregnant females were sacrificed on gestational day eighteen in all experimental groups. For morphometric study 20 mice embryos were fixed in Bouin>s fixative, longitudinal sections of whole embedded embryo were stained by H&E, the specimens independently read. The dimensions (thickness, length) of fetal kidney and suprarenal gland were evaluated. Results: The statistical analysis showed significant decrease (P<0.01) in weights of fetuses in comparison with control group. The study was showed significant decrease (P< 0.01) in fetal kidney dimensions at day 18 of intrauterine life, when it compared to the fetal kidney of non superovulated group(control group). There was also significant decrease (P< 0.01) in the morphometric measurements of fetal suprarenal gland dimensions. Conclusion: The study improve that there is a delay in growth of kidney and suprarenal gland in fetal mice that belongs to mother undergo to superovulation induction before pregnancy.