azita faramarzi

Embryo implantation involves the interaction between the blastocyst and the host uterus that occurs over a limited period called the implantation window.

The present study was conducted to investigate the factors involved in embryo implantation.

In this review study, to review the effective factors in implantation, Persian and English articles from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and MagIran from 2000 to 2022 using the keywords of embryo implantation, effective factors in implantation and infertility were investigated.

Uterine receptivity for embryo implantation is regulated by the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. Defects in the regulation of cytokine expression will lead to incomplete implantation failure. The potential role of growth factors such as leukemia inhibitory factor, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-11, colony stimulating factor-1, epidermal growth factor family, and insulin-like factor in the important implantation process has been described. HOX genes are transcriptional regulators that play an essential role during embryonic development and continue to be expressed in the development of primary female reproductive tract tubes and then in the adult uterus. The role of morphogens in implantation has been proven and they are effective in embryo-uterine interactions during this process.

Understanding the biology of implantation can reduce female infertility and help develop new therapies for fertility.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an edible plant that is widely used in food industry and traditional medicine. This herb has pharmaceutical properties traditional medicine to treat cough, bronchitis, diarrhea, blood purifier and increased of appetite, lung swelling reliever, expectorant, improvement of lung cancer, cholesterol reducer and sexual enhancement. Today, in spite of confirmation its traditional benefits, the new therapeutic properties of this plant have beenknown and introduced.The aim of this review study was to determine therapeutic applications in traditional medicine, pharmacological and phytochemical properties, and new experimental studies of carob.

This study is a systematic review based on the PRISMA checklist with the keywords "Ceratonia siliqua", "therapeutic effect" and "experimental studies" without any time limit. 181 articles including review and original research related to its properties were extracted from PubMed, SID, Since Direct and Google search engines, and after a few steps of monitoring titles, reviewing abstracts, and deleting irrelevant items (botany and plant proliferations), 46 articles contains therapeutic application of carob in traditional and its experimental studies were finally selected and entered into the study.

In traditional medicine of different countries for carob, several therapeutic properties have been proposed, most of which are attributed to the antioxidant content, the presence of tannins and saponins. Carob has a variety of compounds with anti-diabetic, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties. Recently, a lot of research has been done to identify and confirm the medicinal properties of carob and its various properties, including the effect on reproductive parameters, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties, liver and kidney protection and gametes cryoprotectant.

Carob has a variety and of biological properties. It is a valuable plant in medical research that helps improvement of health and prevention of some diseases.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of total serum E2 on the day of human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the serum E2 per oocyte ratio on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.

A total of 205 women were categorized into 3 groups according to the serum E2 levels: 1: ≤1500 pg/ml; 2: 1500-3000 pg/ml; 3: >3000 pg/ml. Another categorization included 3 groups according to E2/oocyte ratio: A: ≤150 pg/ml per oocyte; B: 150-200 pg/ml per oocyte; and C: >200 pg/ml per oocyte. The outcome compared between groups included laboratory and clinical characteristics. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple logistic regression model were performed, and appropriate differences were considered significant at p<0.05.

There was a significant difference between the groups based on the E2 levels with respect to laboratory parameters. In group C, the rates of chemical pregnancy (54.1%), clinical pregnancy (50%) and live birth (45.8%) were significantly higher, when compared to other groups. Moreover, according to E2/oocyte ratio, the rate of live birth was higher in group C compared with group A (18.3%, p=0.04), and group C (29.7%, p<0.0001). Logistic regression showed the number of good quality embryos was a positive predictor for live birth (odds ratio=2.03, 95% CI=1-4.1), but the level of E2 on day of HCG was a negative predictor (odds ratio=0.99, 95% CI=0.99-1).

Supraphysiological levels of E2 had no adverse effects on the quality of the embryos in IVF cycles, but may have adverse effect on live birth in fresh transfer. Also, it is confirmed that both the pregnancy and live birth rates were elevated with E2/oocyte ratio ≥200 pg/ml.

Nitrosamines as a carcinogenic agent has unfavorable effects on some of the male reproductive parameters. Pentoxifylline (PX) is a xanthine derivative used as a drug inhibiting the inflammatory factors, reducing blood viscosity, improving peripheral blood flow, and so on.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of PX against Dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN)-inducing the damage to the reproductive parameter of male rats.

In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (8 wk, 220-250 gr) were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 6/each): normal control and DMN control groups (40 mg/kg); PX groups (25, 50, 100 mg/kg), and DMN + PX groups (25, 50, 100 mg/kg). Treatments were administered intraperitoneally and the gavage applied daily for 28 days. The sperm parameters, spermatogenesis index, total antioxidant capacity, testosterone level, and seminiferous tube diameter were assessed.

The values of all parameters reduced significantly in the DMN control group compared to the normal control group (p < 0.001). The PX and PX + DMN treatments at all entirely doses improved all parameters significantly compared to the DMN control group (p < 0.001).

DMN caused detrimental effects on reproductive parameters. Also, no significant modifications were observed in PX treatments at all doses compared to the normal control group. PX compensated the toxic effect of DMN on reproductive parameters.

High implantation success following in vitro fertilization cycles are achieved via the transfer of embryos with the highest developmental competence. Multiple pregnancies as a result of the transfer of several embryos per cycle accompany with various complication. Thus, single-embryo transfer (SET) is the preferred practice in assisted reproductive technique (ART) treatment. In order to improve the pregnancy rate for SET, embryologists need reliable biomarkers to aid their selection of embryos with the highest developmental potential. Time-lapse technology is a noninvasive alternative conventional microscopic assessment. It provides uninterrupted and continues the survey of embryo development to transfer day. Today, there are four time-lapse systems that are commercially available for ART centers. In world and Iran, the first time lapse babies were born in 2010 and 2015, respectively, conceived by SET. Here, we review the use of time-lapse monitoring in the observation of embryogenesis as well as its role in SET. Although, the findings from our review support common use of time-lapse monitoring in ART centers; but, future large studies assessing this system in well-designed trials are necessary.

Embryo selection is a vital part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs, with morphology-based grading systems having been widely used for decades. Time-lapse imaging combined with embryo morph kinetics may proffer a non-invasive means for improving embryo selection. We report the first ongoing and chemical pregnancies using Time-lapse embryo scope to select best embryos for transfer in Iran.

Cases:

 A case with tubal factor infertility was admitted to IVF program with normozoospermia. After ovarian hyper stimulation, 6 COCs were retrieved and inseminated with 25,000 progressive sperms/ oocyte. Five zygotes were placed individually into the micro wells of equilibrated embryo scope dish for Time-lapse observation, and incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2. On day 3, single embryo transfer (SET) took place based on kinetic parameters of the embryos. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed 7 weeks after SET. The second case with history of previous ICSI failure was admitted with azoospermia. Nine MII oocytes underwent ICSI, and incubated in Time-lapse facilities. The rest of procedures were followed as described for case 1. Chemical pregnancy was confirmed 15 days after SET.

This approach opens a way to select best embryo non-invasively for SET; thus, increasing implantation, while reducing multiple pregnancy complications.

Vasectomy is a widespread contraceptive method in men. In recent years, the number of men who perform vasectomy reversal is increasing. Vasectomy has complications, probably leading to vasectomy reversal failure. It is assumed that oxidative stress is the main cause of these complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the indices of oxidative stress serum after vasectomy.

In this experimental study, 42 male rats were divided in 6 groups of seven each: bilateral vasectomy (15, 45 and 90 days) and sham (15, 45 and 90 days) groups. Serum PAB (Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) as a product of lipid peroxidation were measured 15, 45 and 90 days after intervention. Comparisons between groups were made by Repeated Measure test.

Our result showed that serum MDA increase after 15 days was not significant (2.95 ± 0.12) in comparison to related sham group, but after 45 (3.6 ± 0.12) and 90 (3.9 ± 0.31) days the increase, compared to related sham groups 45 (2.28 ± 0.28) and 90 (2.29 ± 0.25)days, and also 15 days vasectomy group (2.95 ± 0.12) were significant (p< 0.001), and there was no significant increase in serum PAB at any times (p > 0.05).

Bilateral vasectomy increased serum levels of MDA. It is supposed that increase in MDA causes adverse effects and unsuccessful reversal vasectomy. By prescribing antioxidants, these effects can be decreased.