International Journal of Fertility & Sterility最新文献

Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and play a role in various disease states. The let-7 family of miRNAs constitutes an important class of regulators for diverse cellular functions ranging from cell proliferation, differentiation in spermatogenesis. The aim of study review the current state of correlation between miR-let-7b expression and sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers, and hormonal levels in Oligoasthenotratozoospermia (OAT) men.

Materials and methods: In the experimental study, RNA was extracted from the spermatozoa of 60 volunteers 30 patients with OAT and 30 controls with normal fertility (NOR). After the separating sperms, the expression level of miR-let-7b was evaluated by real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured using TUNEL assay technique. Using World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) criteria, sperm parameters were evaluated. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reactive oxidative stress (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as hormonal profile [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone] were determined by ELISA kit.

Results: miR-let-7b level was significantly higher in OAT patients than the control group (P=0.008). Correlation analysis highlighted that sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology, r=-0.863, r=-0.723, r=0.875, respectively, P=0.001), TAC (r=-0.441, P=0.021), and hormonal profile (FSH; r=-0.335, P=0.027, LH; r=-0.246, P=0.034, and Testosterone; r=-0.106, P=0.036) were negatively correlated with miR-let-7b level, but positively correlated with the sperm DNA fragmentation (r=+0.691, P=0.011), ROS (r=0.376, P=0.031), and MDA (r=0.201, P=0.033).

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that miRNA can have a key role in spermatogenesis and might have a diagnostic and prognostic value in men infertility. Changes in miR-let-7b level in OAT patients may be associated with the susceptibility and progression of infertility.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the possible restorative effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) along with royal jelly (RJ) on a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 50 female Wistar rats (150-200 g) were randomly assigned to five groups: control, PCOS, PCOS+BM-MSCs, PCOS+RJ, and PCOS+BM-MSCs+RJ. PCOS was induced by subcutaneous injection of testosterone enanthate (100 mg/kg). BM-MSCs were administered via tail vein every two weeks. RJ was given orally (500 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Two weeks post-treatment, blood samples were analyzed for interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), using ELISA. Ovarian tissues were examined histologically, and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) levels were measured by Western blot.

Results: RJ and BM-MSCs improved abnormal follicle structure in PCOS rats. The mean serum levels of IL-6 (P=0.016) and TNF-α (P<0.0001) were significantly reduced in the PCOS+RJ+BM-MSCs group compared to the PCOS rats. However, there was no statistically significant reduction in expression of VEGF (P=0.090) and COX-2 (P=0.104). The expression levels of BMP15 and GDF9 proteins were significantly reduced in PCOS rats compared to the control group (P<0.0001), while in the PCOS+RJ+BM-MSCs group, the expression of BMP15 (P<0.001) and GDF9 (P<0.0001) proteins increased compared to the PCOS group.

Conclusion: RJ and BM-MSCs may restore ovarian function by regulating inflammation, angiogenesis, and oocyte quality.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may extend to cognitive impairments. This preclinical and experimental study investigates the physiological effects of PCOS on neurogenesis and cognitive function, emphasizing the potential benefits of lifestyle modifications and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions. The proposed study covers the synergistic effects of swimming and soybean supplementation on genetic networks (mRNA-lncRNAs) in the context of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment corresponding to PCOS.

Materials and methods: In this bioinformatic and experimental study, the mice were categorized into five groups: the control, the polycystic group [mice were orally administered 0.5 mg/kg of letrozole for 6 weeks then received 45% high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks], the polycystic group with swimming training (swimming for 5 days a week for 8 weeks), the polycystic group with soy supplement consumption (150 mg/kg), the polycystic group that received both swimming exercise and soy supplement intake. Gene expression was quantified using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified as potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers using a bioinformatics approach. Computational modeling technique is used to predict small molecules' binding affinity and orientation to a target protein.

Results: Swimming exercise combined with soy isoflavone supplementation improved cognitive outcomes and neurogenesis in PCOS mice through upregulation of neurogenesis-related genes and restoration of hormonal balance, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for PCOS-associated cognitive dysfunction. The observed increases in the expression of neurogenesis-related genes and improvements in hormonal balance suggest that these interventions may mitigate some of the cognitive impairments associated with PCOS.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that complementary and alternative medicine approaches offer therapeutic benefits for symptom mitigation and systemic health improvement in PCOS management.

Cryopreservation (CP) can negatively impact sperm quality, but recent studies have shown promising results using nanoparticles (NPs) as cryoprotectants. This review examines the potential of various NP types, including metallic, magnetic, polymeric, and lipid-based, in improving post-thaw sperm characteristics across different species, not only humans. The unique surface properties of NPs and their ability to inhibit ice formation are believed to mitigate freezing and thawing damage. A comprehensive literature review of over 40 recent studies revealed that multiple NP types, such as curcumin, cerium oxide, gold, silver, zinc oxide (ZnO), and soy lecithin, demonstrated cryoprotective properties. These NPs generally enhanced post-thaw sperm quality metrics, including motility, viability, chromatin integrity, mitochondrial activity, acrosome reaction, and antioxidant status. Proposed mechanisms of action include reducing freezing damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, some studies also revealed potential toxicity with long-term exposure. While NPs offer a promising platform for optimizing sperm CP protocols in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and reproductive management, further research is needed. Key areas for investigation include standardizing methodologies, understanding biological interactions, reducing cytotoxicity, and extending preservation strategies to diverse species. The development of cost-effective formulations applicable to all human ejaculates, along with a thorough investigation of bio-interactions, toxicity, and reproductive impacts, is crucial for advancing this field. Rational NP design and comprehensive assessments could lead to safer and more effective fertility preservation techniques, but optimization is still required to realize the potential of NPs in sperm CP fully.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is a significant cause of invasive disease in newborns, often stemming from recto-vaginal colonization in pregnant women. The GBS capsular polysaccharide is a major virulence factor, and ten distinct serotypes (Ia, Ib, II-IX) have now been identified. Understanding the prevalence of these serotypes in maternal colonization is crucial for vaccine development. This study aims to determine the serotype prevalence of GBS among Iranian pregnant women.

Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, and the Iranian Databases (SID and Magiran) for studies published between January 2000 and March 2023. Studies were included if they used standardized methods for GBS detection, including recto-vaginal specimen collection and identification [selective media and molecular detection of GBS-specific gene (dltS and atr)]. Studies using nonstandard methods (e.g., cervical, perianal, perirectal or perineal specimens), or focusing on non-maternal GBS colonization were excluded. Meta-analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Biostat V2.2) software to estimate serotype prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Of 330 articles identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analyses showed that 93.2% (95% CI: 90-95.5) of GBS isolates had identifiable serotypes. The predominant serotype was serotype III [39.6% (95% CI: 31.6-48.2)], followed by serotypes II [16.8% (95% CI: 13.8-20.4)], V [14.1% (95% CI: 11.2-17.6)], VI [12.4 (95% CI: 8.2-18.5)], Ia [11.7% (95 CI: 7.8-17.2)] and Ib [11.2 (95% CI: 6.9-17.6)].

Conclusion: Serotype III is the most common GBS serotype among pregnant women in Iran, followed by serotypes II, V, VI, Ia, and Ib. These findings suggest that a pentavalent vaccine targeting these serotypes could be beneficial for preventing GBS-related complications in Iranian pregnant women. However, further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and implementation of such a vaccine.

Although existing research on sperm retrieval predominantly focuses on azoospermic patients, assisted reproductive technology (ART) candidates without azoospermia may still face challenges during oocyte retrieval. Notably, approximately 10% of men with normal sexual function undergoing routine ART insemination experience transient ejaculatory failure during the ART cycle. This failure results in unsuccessful sperm retrieval, thereby disrupting standard treatment protocols. In this narrative review we strive to evaluate the efficacy of sperm retrieval combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection in managing patients with intact ejaculation and difficulties in semen retrieval. In non‑azoospermic ART candidates, timely sperm retrieval and structured management of transient ejaculatory failure or semen collection difficulties are essential to optimize intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes and should be incorporated into standardized protocols.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder impacting fertility. Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is a crucial step during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure to enhance oocyte retrieval and embryo generation. This study aims to compare the efficacy of the stop gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-agonist)/GnRH-antagonist protocol versus the conventional GnRH antagonist protocol in PCOS patients undergoing IVF.

Materials and methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted from March to December 2023 at ValiE-Asr Hospital, Tehran. Forty PCOS patients were randomized into two groups: stop GnRH-agonist/GnRH-antagonist (n=20) and conventional GnRH antagonist (n=20). Participants' demographics, hormonal profiles, and treatment outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome was the number of mature oocytes retrieved; secondary outcomes included the number of follicles >12 mm on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration day and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) incidence. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0, employing t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and Chi-square tests as appropriate.

Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The conventional protocol group had significantly more 16-18 mm follicles but no differences in total oocytes retrieved, metaphase 1 and 2 oocytes, or degenerated oocytes. Stimulation duration was shorter in the conventional group. No significant differences were observed in OHSS incidence or total gonadotropin dose.

Conclusion: The Stop GnRH-agonist/GnRH-antagonist protocol is a viable alternative for PCOS patients, offering comparable oocyte yields and safety profiles to the conventional GnRH antagonist protocol. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate long-term outcomes such as pregnancy and live birth rates (registration number: IRCT20180409039247N10).

Background: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a challenging condition affecting approximately 10% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. Despite extensive investigations, up to half of cases remain unexplained. Immune dysregulation has been implicated in RIF, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy has emerged as a potential treatment. However, the efficacy of IVIg for unexplained RIF remains controversial due to inconsistent study designs and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of IVIg on pregnancy and live birth rates in women with unexplained RIF.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 136 women with unexplained RIF undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Research Institute and Reproductive Medicine Department of Madar Hospital, Yazd, Iran between April 2019 and March 2024. The study included women with unexplained RIF who underwent FET following endometrial preparation using hormonal therapy and received at least three doses of IVIg therapy. Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared.

Results: A total of 68 patients were included in each group. The IVIg group had a significantly higher biochemical pregnancy rate compared to the control group [26(38.2%) vs. 13(19.1%), P=0.014]. Although clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates were numerically higher in the IVIg group, these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IVIg treatment may be associated with higher biochemical pregnancy women with unexplained RIF. However, larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and to assess the longterm effects of IVIg on pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Nano-biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field merging biology, engineering, and chemistry. Nanoparticles (NPs) with low toxicity and diverse properties, hold great promise for cryopreservation. Their ability to modify membrane permeability, optimize cryoprotectant entry and removal, tolerate freezing temperatures, enhance warming efficiency, and improve the heat transfer and thermodynamic properties of cryo-solution, makes them a game-changer for low-temperature preservation. This study investigated the potential of Fe₃O₄/Xylomannan nanocomposites (FXN) for improving mouse germinal vesicle vitrification.

Materials and methods: This study is experimental research. Xylomannan, a polysaccharide derived from Enoki mushroom, exhibits cryoprotective properties. The nanocomposite was synthesized by coating Fe₃O₄ NPs with Xylomannan. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the successful synthesis and characterization of the Fe₃O₄/Xylomannan nanocomposite. Immature oocytes, GV DO (denuded oocytes) were obtained from 40 adult Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice and divided into 5 research groups (n-Vit, Vit, Vit+Fe₃O₄, Vit+Xylo, and Vit+FXN), therefore, each experiment was repeated 5 times.

Results: The cytotoxicity of different concentrations (0.002, 0.004, 0.008 and 0.016%) of Xylomannan, Fe₃O₄, and FXN was assessed on mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) at three time points (1, 2 and 7 days), using the MTT assay. While, the concentration 0.004% was the optimal dose of NC, and selected for the subsequent experiments, 0.008 and 0.016% concentrations showed significant reduction in cell viability (P=0.011). Overall, the present study demonstrated that the Fe₃O₄/Xylomannan nanocomposite significantly improves post-vitrification survival rate in immature oocytes compared to the other vitrification groups, with no significant difference compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal the potential of Fe₃O₄/Xylomannan nanocomposite as a promising cryoprotective agent for improving oocyte vitrification.

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a significant gynecologic malignancy. Investigating competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs), offers insights into EC's molecular intricacies and may improve therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. This study focuses on the ceRNA axis, particularly the interactions of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA-Gene, using TCGA-UCEC database analysis and experimental validation.

Materials and methods: In this case-control study, differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), microRNAs (DEMIs), and genes (DEGs) were identified, highlighting ADIRF-AS1 as a potential target. Validated interactions between ADIRF-AS1, miR-191-5p, and EGR1 were established, with significant ADIRF-AS1/EGR1 correlation. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis identified 21 proteins linked to EGR1, with gene ontology (GO) analysis revealing roles in myeloid cell differentiation. Expression levels of genes, lncRNA, and microRNAs were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot analysis was applied for protein evaluation.

Results: RT-qPCR results showed that the RNA expression levels of ADIRF-AS1 and EGR1 genes in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia samples were significantly lower (P<0.001) than control samples. Also, the expression level of miR-191-5p in endometrial cancer tissues was significantly higher than patients with hyperplasia (P<0.001) and normal samples (P<0.001). Western blot results also showed that the protein level of EGR1 in endometrial cancer samples was significantly lower than control samples (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Here, we observed an interaction between lncRNA ADIRF-AS1and hsa-miR-191-5p, and also, ADIRFAS1 downstream effects on EGR1 in EC, that seems may be a suggesting therapeutic and diagnostic targets. Further research could explore its clinical relevance in endometrial carcinoma.