International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Jan 2010

Para-Nonylphenol (p-NP) is one of the environmental pollutants which cause reproductive system disorders. The effects of vitamin E on ovary structure during its development in rats treated with p-NP. 32 Wistar female rats after mating were divided into 4 groups; control vitamin E (100mg/kg/day) p-NP (250mg/kg/day) and p-NP + vitamin E. The rats were treated from the day 7 of pregnancy till 21st day of postnatal through sucking period. After weaning the female pups were treated by gavages for 120 days. The total volume of ovary number of follicles volume of oocyte follicular cells and their nuclei and the thickness of zona pellucida were estimated stereologically. The results were analyzed using one way ANOVA and p

Lectins the multivalent carbohydrate binding proteins are also employed to ascertain differentiation and characterization of the specific cell surface carbohydrate ligands/ receptors of different cell types including spermatozoa and posses novel biomedical importance. SF50 the sialic acid specific lectin was employed on goat cauda epididymal spermatozoa to investigate its effect(s) on the physiology of sperm cells if any. A protein factor SF50 was obtained from spermatheca/ ovotestis gland of marine snail Telescopium telescopium by precipitation with 50% ammonium sulfate. Different concentrations of SF50 and Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as control were added with washed goat cauda epididymal spermatozoa and observed immediately and after 20 s and 60 s of incubation. SF50 treated sperm cells exhibited head-to-head type agglutination. The degree of agglutination varied (p

There are some controversial data on application of progesterone and progesterone plus estrogen at luteal phase. To investigate the effects of different luteal support hormones on the Alkaline Phosphates (ALP) activity in the endometrial epithelium and endometrial thickness during superovulation process for obtaining the optimized endometrial receptivity in animal model. Pseudopregnant female Balb/c mice were induced for pseudopregnany through superovulation then the mice were divided into two groups. Experimental group included five groups: the pseudopregnant mice were given four consecutive daily injections of progesterone (P group) estrogen (E group) estrogen + progesterone (E+P group) antiprogesterone + estrogen (RU 486 + E) and sham group. In the control group pseudopregnancy was induced in the natural cycle. The uterus was collected after day 4.5 of pseudopregnancy. The samples were prepared for the morphological and morphometrical evaluation of the endometrial ALP activity and endometrial thickness. ALP activity was observed in all groups except P group. ALP activity of P + E group was similar to E and RU 486 + E groups. Sham group showed high ALP activity compared to the P group. The endometrial thickness was low in the P group and high in the sham group in comparison with other groups. In conclusion super ovulation decreased the ALP activity. Estrogen along with progesterone at the luteal phase increased the enzyme activity and the endometrial thickness compared with the progesterone administration and thus progesterone plus estrogen could improve embryo receptivity.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complications of pregnancy and causes fetal mortality and morbidity. Therefore early diagnosis of GDM is necessary to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes This prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence of GDM in Yazd and to assess the effect of various contributing factors. One thousand and seventy one pregnant women were screened for GDM at 24-28 weeks. Initial screening was done by a glucose challenge test with 50 g glucose. If the 1-hour blood glucose level exceeded 130 mg/dl then a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 100g glucose was performed and diagnosis was established according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Three hundred and forty two (31.9%) women had an abnormal screening test and proceeded to oral glucose tolerance testing. The overall incidence of GDM was 10.2% (n=110). Seventy six of subjects (7.1%) have one abnormal OGTT. There was a significant association between incidence of GDM and age familial history of diabetes BMI before pregnancy parity history of GDM macrosomic baby still birth during previous pregnancies and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. According to high incidence of GDM in our area we recommend screening for GDM in all pregnant women and modification of contributing factors in high risk women.

Menopause is a step of a woman’s life when hormonal changes cause menstruation to stop permanently. Menopausal symptoms can affect women"s health and differ between different races and societies. The aim of this study was to survey the symptoms associated with menopause among Iranian women living in Tehran Iran. In this cross sectional study which has been done between 2004 and 2005 women aged equal or more than 35 years old living in districts of Tehran were selected by multistage randomized cluster sampling. For each woman a questionnaire was completed. The data gained from each questionnaire was analyzed by using SPSS version 13. At time of study 2462 women were naturally menopause. The mean age of natural menopause onset was 47.71 (SE=0.11) years. In 52.9% of cases the onset of menopause was sudden. The symptoms associated with menopause were night sweats (61.2%) joint and muscle pain (59.9%) hot flashes (53.1%) fatigue (45.6%) decreased libido (33.9%) insomnia (33.7%) weight gain (30.1%) forgetfulness (24.9%) and urinary symptoms (17.4%). This study showed that night sweats joint and muscle pain and hot flashes are the most common symptoms associated with menopause.

Using the method “surrogacy” in which a woman accepts to bear and deliver a child for a married couple is considered as a subsidiary method in infertility therapy. This method is relatively new in Iran. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experiences of the women involved in surrogacy and to reveal some issues related to this method. The method of research was analytic–deh1ive and causative – comparative type. The 5-item neo - questionnaire and structured interview were used simultaneously. The sample consisted of 15 surrogate mothers 15 intended mothers and 30 normal mothers (each with one or more children). The studied data was gathered in the fall and winter of 2009 in Isfahan by the researcher (Monir Pashmi) and data analysis was executed through the use of deh1ive data (such as the median standard deviation) and interpretive data (T- test). The research revealed that in terms of social – cultural status the surrogate and intended mothers were completely different but their psychological characteristics were not significantly varied. Results indicate the satisfaction and consent of both sides involved in the surrogacy. They had a good relationship during the pregnancy period but after delivery the intended mother wanted no further relationship they found out this method an altruistic experience. Most surrogate and intended mothers do not consider surrogacy a problematic issue. A number of mothers however did mention that they had not been given the appropriate counseling beforehand. It seems plausible therefore to endeavour a general rise in the socio – cultural awareness of surrogacy in Iranian society.

Although intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the most common methods which is used for male factor and unexplained infertility the relative influence of various semen parameters on the likelihood of a successful outcome is controversial. Several semen parameters have been evaluated as predictors of a successful outcome with intrauterine insemination.

To evaluate the effects of sperm morphology on the success rate of IUI.

This was a prospective study of 200 couples who underwent IUI cycles of ovarian stimulation in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The patients were chosen in 2 groups group A: 100 patients with ≤20% normal sperm morphology and group B: 100 patients with >20% normal sperm morphology (unexplained infertility). The other semen parameters were normal in both groups.

Total clinical pregnancies were 10.5% (pregnancy rate / cycle). There was not any difference between two groups in rate of pregnancy and also pregnancy outcome.

Intrauterine insemination used for treating male factor infertility has not shown excessive advantage when normal sperm morphology in semen analysis is more than 20% in comparison with ≤ 20%.

Mitochondrial transfer RNAs (tRNA) genes are essential components of protein biosynthesis. These genes are hotspots for mutations. These mutations are associated with a wide spectrum of human disease. Many genetic factors are known in assessment of repeated pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was analysis of tRNA Thr and tRNA Pro in women with RPL. The nucleotide variations of threonine and proline were investigated in 96 women with idiopathic repeated pregnancy loss. The related mitochondrial area was amplified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were demonstrated by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis and all the positive samples were purified and verified by an automated DNA sequencing method. The sequence analysis revealed 4 mutations in tRNA Thr. These mutations were A15907G in 2 cases (2.08%) A15924G in 3 cases (3.12%) G15928A in 10 cases (10.42%) as the most common mutations and G15930A in 3 cases (3.12%) as a novel mutation. Also the result of tRNApro sequencing showed the T15972C mutation in 1 woman (1.04%) as a novel mutation. These tRNAs mutations can alter their steady state level and affect the structure of tRNAs. It results in protein synthesis defects and in turn mitochondrial dysfunction. The mutations of these genes may help in the assessment of RPL. Further study of an expanded series of these tRNA mutants is recommended to describe their etiologic role in idiopathic RPL.

Heterotopic abdominal pregnancy is a rare entity which poses unique management challenges. Case: A 24-year-old Gravida 1 woman with history of two years infertility and treatment with clomiphene citrate presented with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Heterotopic abdominal pregnancy was recognized at 16 weeks gestation by transvaginal ultrasound scan. We aimed to remove ectopic pregnancy with prevention of maternal complications and preservation of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP). Surgical removal of the ectopic fetus and placenta was done. Abdominal pregnancy removed successfully without intra- or post-procedural complications but the IUP was aborted spontaneously on the second postoperative day. Gynecologists should consider the possibility of heterotopic pregnancy following ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate which is increasing in recent years. A high index of suspicion to heterotopic pregnancy may be followed by a nonsurgical approach safely and affectively if they are clinically stable and the abdominal pregnancy is recognized early in gestation.