International Journal Of Fertility and Sterility
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Jan-Mar 2011

Structural pathologies in the uterine cavity such as müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) and intrauterine lesions (fibroids, polyps, synechiae) may have important roles in subinfertility, implantation failure and pregnancy outcome. Various imaging modalities such as hysterosalpingography (HSG), sonography, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are used in the evaluation of MDAs and intrauterine lesions. Recently, three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) has been introduced as a non-invasive, outpatient diagnostic modality. With increased spatial awareness, it is superior to other techniques used for the same purpose.

Reconstructed embryos from terminally differentiated somatic cells have revealed high levels of genomic methylation which results in inappropriate expression patterns of imprinted and non-imprinted genes. These aberrant expressions are probably responsible for different abnormalities during the development of clones. Improvement in cloning competency may be achieved through modification of epigenetic markers in donor cells. Our objective was to determine if treatment of donor cells for 72 hours with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc; 0-0.3 µM), a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, improved development and expression of Oct-4. In comparison with untreated cells, 0.01 and 0.08 µM 5-aza-dc treated cells insignificantly decreased the blastocyst rate (32.1% vs. 28.6% and 27.2%, respectively) while it was significant for 0.3 µM treated cells (6.5%). Embryo quality as measured by the total cell number (TCN) decreased in a dose-related fashion, which was significant at 0.08 and 0.3 µM 5-aza-dc treated cells when compared with 0 and 0.01 µM 5-aza-dc treated cells. Although reconstructed embryos from 0.08 and 0.3 µM 5-aza-dc treated cells showed lower levels of DNA methylation and histone H3 acetylation, development to blastocyst stage was decreased. The epigenetic markers of embryos cloned from 0.01 µM 5-aza-dc remained unchanged. These results show that 5-aza-dc is not a suitable choice for modifying nuclear reprogramming. Finally, it was concluded that the wide genomic hypomethylation induced by 5-aza-dc deleteriously impacts the developmental competency of cloned embryos.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women associated with many reproductive, endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PCOS among high school students in Rasht. In a cross–sectional study, 1850 students were selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling from all high schools in Rasht. The inclusion criteria were: age 17-18 years, menarche from 10-16 years, normal prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values, no history of anatomical malformation, no use of medication or hair-removal techniques, and a history of oligo- or amenorrhea. PCOS was diagnosed if both menstrual dysfunction and clinical hyperandrogenism were detected. Mean age of subjects was 17.2 ± 0.7 years and the age of menarche was 12.8 ± 0.9 years. Of all students, 378 (20.4%) had oligomenorrhea and PCOS was diagnosed in 210 (11.34 %) according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) definition. PCOS subjects, mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist/hip (W/H) ratio were 21.1 ± 3.6, 73.4 ± 8.0 cm and 0.77 ± 0.05, respectively. A family history of diabetes mellitus type 2 was reported in 24.7% of subjects. The prevalence of PCOS in this study was similar to the international estimates of 10-20% in Caucasians. A long-term follow-up is needed to compare the accuracy of clinical determination of the disease versus diagnosis based on hormonal and/or sonographic assessments.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 family are important for sperm membrane integrity, sperm motility and viability. There are evidences to suggest that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids affects reproduction in men and males of different animal species. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate changes in the quality parameters of Holstein bull semen during heat stress and the effect of feeding a source of omega-3 fatty acids during this period. Samples were obtained from 19 Holstein bulls during the expected time of heat stress in Iran (June to September 2009). Control group (n=10) were fed a standard concentrate feed while the treatment group (n=9) had this feed top dressed with 100 g of an omega-3 enriched nutriceutical. Semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm production were evaluated on ejaculates collected after 1, 5, 9 and 12 weeks of supplementation. Moreover, computer-assisted assessment of sperm motility, viability (eosin-nigrosin) and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) were conducted. Heat stress affected sperm quality parameters by weeks five and nine of the study (p<0.05). Supplementation significantly increased total motility, progressive motility, HOST-positive spermatozoa and average path velocity in the fresh semen of bulls (p<0.05). Dietary omega-3 supplementation improved in vitro quality and motility parameters of fresh semen in Holstein bulls. However, this effect was not evident in frozen-thawed semen.

To determine the level of plasma homocysteine in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with healthy controls. In this prospective case-control study on 85 PCOS women and 83 controls matched by body mass index (BMI), homocysteine levels were assessed. The mean level of homocysteine was 16.25 ± 11.94 µmol/L in patients with PCOS and 11.58 ± 3.82 µmol/L in controls (p=0.002). Patients with PCOS had a significantly higher risk for hyperhomocysteinemia compared with BMI-matched control women. These data suggest that homocysteine levels are elevated in the PCOS population. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.

The relationship between cyclic status of cattle ovaries on in vitro embryo development up to the blastocyst stage was investigated. Cattle ovaries were collected immediately after slaughter and divided into three categories based on their cyclic status, which included: 1. the presence of a large follicle (LF), 2. the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) and 3. ovaries without LF or CL (WLCF). Oocytes of these ovaries were obtained and used for in vitro maturation and fertilization. Presumptive zygotes were then cultured up to the blastocyst stage in synthetic oviductal fluid culture medium. There were no significant differences between cleavage rates of the three groups. The rate of embryos in the compact morula stage for the CL group was 48.2% which was significantly higher than the related rate of the LF group (36.6%), but non-significantly higher than that of the ST group (45.7%). The highest blastocyst rate belonged to the CL group (54.6%) which was significantly greater than the WLCF group (32.9%) and non-significantly higher than the LF group (52.4%). There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates in the CL and LF groups. Preselection of oocyte donor ovaries containing a CL or LF can be used as a feasible and non-invasive criterion to obtain the most competent oocytes capable of development to the blastocyst stage.

The social and legal acceptability of third-party reproduction varies around the world. In Australia, gamete and embryo donation and surrogacy are permitted within the regulatory framework set out by federal and state governments. The aim of this paper is to describe the social context and regulatory framework for third-party reproduction in Australia. This is a review of current laws and regulations related to third-party reproduction in Australia. Although subtle between-state differences exist, third-party reproduction is by and large a socially acceptable and legally permissible way to form a family throughout Australia. The overarching principles that govern the practice of third-party reproduction are altruism; the right of donor-conceived people to be informed of their biological origins; and the provision of comprehensive counselling about the social, psychological, physical, ethical, financial and legal implications of third-party reproduction to those considering donating or receiving gametes or embryos and entering surrogacy arrangements. These principles ensure that donors are not motivated by financial gain, donor offspring can identify and meet with the person or persons who donated gametes or embryos, and prospective donors and recipients are aware of and have carefully considered the potential consequences of third-party reproduction.Australian state laws and federal guidelines prohibit commercial and anonymous third-party reproduction; mandate counselling of all parties involved in gamete and embryo donation and surrogacy arrangements; and require clinics to keep records with identifying and non-identifying information about the donor/s to allow donor-conceived offspring to trace their biological origins.

Hydatidiform moles are abnormal gestations characterized by the presence of hydropic changes affecting some or all of the placental villi. Hydatidiform moles arise as a result of the fertilization of an abnormal ovum. In this report, the patient was a 29 year old Asian woman who had induction of ovulation with letrozol. Since the majority of molar gestations arise within the uterine cavity thus the occurrence of a hydatidiform mole within ectopic gestational tissue is rare. It is important to differentiate a hydatidiform mole from a conventional ectopic pregnancy, particularly in infertile women who have a history of ovulation induction.