International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:19 Issue: 7, Jul 2021

This article is an extension of a previous research on masculinity and sexual and reproductive health by applying a newly developed local masculinity scale, KANITA Masculinity Scale, to study men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviors in Malaysia.

To explore how Malaysian men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviors influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.

This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitudes of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed by using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.

The findings of the study showed that men’s traditional behaviors and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behaviors and control over women report more negative condom attitudes and greater priority of men’s desires in sexual relationships. In contrast, there were not significant relationships between men’s responses to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.

Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CNPs) due to the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities are proposed for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated diseases.

To examine the impact of CNPs on hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the testis of diabetic rats.

Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/each) as diabetic rats, CNPs group, diabetic + CNPs rats, and controls. The control group was fed only with mouse food and water. Rats became diabetic through receiving streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg. CNPs were given to the rats at a dose of 30 mg/kg daily for two weeks. Malondialdehyde and total thiol group (TTG) levels were measured using spectrofluorometer. Expression of b-cell lymphoma protein 2-associated X protein (BAX) and b-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was used to examine caspase 3 protein levels.

The content of malondialdehyde significantly increased in the STZ-diabetic rats, while TTG levels demonstrated a remarkable decrease. Caspase-3, BAX, and BAX/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio raised significantly in the STZ-diabetic rats. On the other hand, Bcl-2 mRNA levels reduced in the testis of diabetic rats (p = 0.006). Intervention with CNPs caused a substantial increase in the TTG levels, while the malondialdehyde contents, caspase-3, BAX levels, as well as BAX/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio were considerably decreased following CNPs treatment. Administration of CNPs increased mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (p < 0.0001).

CNPs treatment attenuates testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by diabetes. This nanoparticle might be suggested for the treatment of diabetes-associated reproductive disorders.

The correlation between high estradiol (E2) levels induced by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and pregnancy is controversial.

To assess the effect of serum E2 levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration on the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome.

The study included 551 participants who had undergone ICSI between May 2014 and May 2016. Based on E2 levels, the individuals aged < 37 yr (n = 502) and aged 37-42 yr (n = 49) were categorized into six and three groups, respectively. ICSI outcomes including the number of retrieved oocytes (NRO), number of embryos (NE), pregnancy rate, and abortion rate were analyzed in both groups.

Among participants below 37 yr, the NRO and NE were 8.69 ± 3.82 and 5.24 ± 2.32, respectively and they had a significant correlation with the E2 level on human chorionic gonadotropin administration day (p < 0.001 for both). Among participants above 37 yr, NRO and NE were 5.18 ± 3.17, 3.40 ± 2.23, respectively and the NRO (p < 0.001), NE (p < 0.001), pregnancy rate (p < 0.001), abortion rate (p = 0.007) and the number of grade A and B embryos (p = 0.003) had a significant association with the E2 level.

COH is a costly procedure that may have negative effects on endometrial receptivity. Thus, in order to prevent these effects and also to reduce the costs of COH, we recommend gaining optimum number of oocytes rather than maximum number during the procedure.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Lepidium sativum (LS) have therapeutic effects on infertility.

To evaluate the combined effects of LS and CoQ10 on reproductive function in adult male NMRI mice.

Eighty three-months-old male mice (35-40 gr) were divided into 4 groups   (n = 10/each) of: control (treated with water), CoQ10-treated (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/body weight), LS-treated (200, 400, 600 mg/kg/body weight), and co-treated (LS [600 mg/kg/body weight] + CoQ10 [200 mg/kg/body weight]) groups. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropin realizing hormone (GnRH) levels were measured using ELISA method. The sperm quality was assessed using Sperm Class Analyzer® (SCA) CASA system and GnRH mRNA expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The number of sniffing and following behavior was significantly higher in LS-treated (400 and 600 mg/ml/body weight) groups than the control group (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0010, respectively). The number of mounting and coupling behaviors was significantly higher in the CoQ10 (300 and 400 mg/ml/body weight)-treated animals than the control group (p = 0.0170 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Co-treatment of CoQ10 (200 mg/ml/body weight) and LS (600 mg/ml/body weight) significantly increased all aspects of sexual behaviors as well as the levels of serum testosterone (p = 0.0011), luteinizing hormone (p = 0.0062), and follicle-stimulating hormone (p = 0.0001); sperm viability (p = 0.0300) and motility (p = 0.0010); and GnRH mRNA levels (p = 0.0016) compared to the control group.

The co-administration of CoQ10 and LS significantly improves the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and enhances the reproductive parameters in adult male mice.

The standard procedure for ovarian endometriosis is laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts and complete removal of the cyst capsule using the Striping technique. The safety of this procedure, due to the possibility of reducing ovarian reserve and in some cases, the premature ovarian failure, is still remains to be known.

The aim of this study was to compare the ovarian reserve in women with endometriosis underwent total cystectomy with partial cystectomy.

In this randomized clinical trial, 50 women with endometriosis were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 25/each); total cystectomy and partial cystectomy. To assess the ovarian reserves, anti-müllerin hormone level before and three months after surgery was measured and compared in the two groups.

Anti-müllerin hormone level before (p = 0.52) and after surgery (p = 32) did not significantly different between the two study groups. However, the mean of anti-müllerin hormone reduction in the total cystectomy group to be significantly higher than partial cystectomy (p = 0.001).

Cystectomy in women with endometriosis reduces ovarian reserve and can help maintain some ovarian reserve by performing partial instead of total cystectomy.

Acrylamide (AA) is a reactive molecule produced during food processing at temperatures above 120ºC.

To evaluate the impact of different concentrations of AA on human sperm parameters, oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).

In this laboratory study, semen samples were obtained from healthy donors referred to the Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran between June and July 2019. Samples were divided into four groups (n = 10/each): one control and three treatment groups (0.5, 1, and 2 mM of AA). After two hr of exposure to AA, the superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels were measured based on colorimetric methods. The TAC was determined by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Flow cytometry was performed to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. Also, immunohistochemistry was done to determine the effect of AA on tyrosine phosphorylation and carboxymethyl-lysine expression.

Results of the study demonstrated that the motility and viability of spermatozoa were significantly decreased after AA exposure (p < 0.001). This decrease was also seen in the TAC and superoxide dismutase activity as well as in the phosphotyrosine percentage compared with the control (p < 0.01). However, the carboxymethyl-lysine and pro-oxidant activity including reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation level increased (p < 0.001).

Overall, the results confirmed the detrimental effect of AA on human spermatozoa which may be due to oxidative stress and decreased total antioxidant levels. AA may reduce fertility by reducing sperm capacitation and motility.

Endometriosis is closely associated with delayed diagnosis due to the lack of a definitive and sensitive noninvasive approach. The use of calprotectin in the inflammatory process has been demonstrated in various inflammatory diseases. Calprotectin has a significant correlation with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and could be used as an inflammatory marker. No study thus far has evaluated the correlation between calprotectin and endometriosis.

To determine the correlation of calprotectin with the degree of endometriosis in order to help clinicians in establishing better early detection and management.

In this cross-sectional study, 46 women referred to the Cipto Mangunkusumo, Fatmawati, and Persahabatan Hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia between July 2017 and April 2018 were enrolled, and their blood serum were taken a day before surgery. Calprotectin serum level was treated using the Phical® ELISA method. After the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed through pathological examination the final diagnosis of endometriosis could be established. The degree of endometriosis was classified according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification.

The prevalence of minimal, mild, moderate, and severe degrees of endometriosis were 15.2, 39.1, 34.8, and 10.9%, respectively. The median serum calprotectin levels for minimal, mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis were 138.98, 121.49, 124.16, and 122.82 mg/mL, respectively. No correlation was observed between calprotectin and the degrees of endometriosis (r = - 0.16, p = 0.278).

There is no correlation between calprotectin serum levels and the degrees of endometriosis.

The effect of adding gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on the luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technique (ART) cycles is controversial.

To determine the effects of adding multiple doses of GnRH agonist to the routine luteal phase support on ART cycle outcomes.

In this clinical trial study, 200 cases who underwent the antagonist protocol at the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran, between January and March 2020 participated. From them, 168 cases had inclusion criteria and equally divided into 2 groups. After receiving progesterone in the luteal phase in both groups, while the case group received GnRH agonist subcutaneously (0/1 mg triptorelin) zero, three, and six days after the fresh embryo transfer, the control group did not receive anything. Finally, chemical and clinical pregnancy rates, number of mature oocytes, fertilization rate, total dose of gonadotropin, and the estradiol level were determined.

The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. No significant difference was observed between embryo transfer cycles. Clinical results showed that the differences between the fertilization rate, chemical and clinical pregnancy were not significant.

The results showed that receiving multiple doses of GnRH agonist in the luteal phase of ART cycles neither improves embryo implantation nor the pregnancy rates; therefore, further studies are necessary.

Insulin resistance (IR) occurs in 50-70% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and can be applied as a pre-diabetic feature in PCOS.

In this study, indirect methods including fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin (FI), FBS/FI ratio, and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were compared with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as a standard technique. The association of IR to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and several hormones was also analyzed.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 74 PCOS women. Sensitivity and specificity of each IR method was calculated based on HOMA-IR. Hormonal profiles of the patients were compared between the groups with defined normal and abnormal values of IR.

Triglyceride levels had a positive association with FBS and HOMA-IR (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively) with a negative association to QUICKI and SHBG (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). SHBG showed a significant negative association with FBS (p = 0.001). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate showed a positive association with FI (p = 0.002). Seven PCOS women showed abnormal SHBG levels (< 36 nmol/L) while expressed normal values of the rest of the studied variables. FI and QUICKI had the highest sensitivity while FBS/FI and QUICKI had the highest specificity when HOMA-IR was applied as a standard test.

SHBG and Triglyceride had a significant negative and positive association with IR, respectively. HOMA-IR followed by FI and QUICKI is the most sensitive test for the detection of IR. SHBG levels can be a helpful biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS.