Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine-CERM最新文献

Ovarian reserve diminishes with age, and older women experience a corresponding shift in sex hormone levels. These changes contribute to an age-dependent decrease in fertility and a decline in overall health. Furthermore, while survival rates following cancer treatment have improved for young female patients, a reduction in ovarian function due to the side effects of such treatments can be difficult to avoid. To date, no effective therapy has been recommended to preserve ovarian health in these patients. Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are considered a promising option for cell therapy aimed at maintaining fertility and fecundity. Although MPCs derived from human adult tissues are recognized for their various protective effects against ovarian senescence, they are limited in quantity. Consequently, human pluripotent stem cell-derived MPCs (hPSC-MPCs), which exhibit high proliferative capacity and retain genetic stability during growth, have been utilized to delay reproductive aging. This review highlights the impact of hPSC-MPCs on preserving the functionality of damaged ovaries in female mouse models subjected to chemotherapy and natural aging. It also proposes their potential as a valuable cell source for fertility preservation in women with a variety of diseases.

Objective: Phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is found in abundance in environmental pollutants, food, and drinking water. This substance can accumulate in body tissues and exert harmful effects. Moreover, phenanthrene can cross the placental barrier, potentially impacting fetal development. We aimed to explore the impacts of maternal exposure to phenanthrene on testicular tissue and Sertoli cell function in F1 mice.

Methods: Female rats with vaginal plugs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, sham, or phenanthrene. The control group received no intervention during pregnancy. In the sham and phenanthrene groups, corn oil and a phenanthrene solution, respectively, were administered via gavage once every 2 days. Offspring were separated by sex 21 days after birth. At 56 days postnatal, male F1 offspring were euthanized, and their testes were harvested for histological and molecular analyses.

Results: Phenanthrene exposure was associated with a lower testicular weight and volume, a smaller diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and a relative thinning of the germinal epithelium. These changes were associated with increased cellular apoptosis, as shown by the upregulation of caspase 3 expression. Additionally, we observed an increase in vacuolization and residual bodies within the tissue. Conversely, the number of Sertoli cells and expression levels of Sox9, as well as the Ocln and Itgb1 genes, were found to be lowered.

Conclusion: Maternal exposure to phenanthrene impacts both germ cells and Sertoli cells, disrupting their function and leading to fertility disorders in male F1 offspring mice.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder that can cause infertility. This experimental study was conducted to elucidate the role of adiponectin signaling in rats with PCOS treated with exenatide. Twenty-eight adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of seven. The normal group did not receive any drug. The PCOS+vehicle (Veh) group received estradiol valerate to induce PCOS, then was divided into PCOS +E50 and PCOS+E100 groups and treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg doses of exenatide, respectively. The mRNA expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 (Adipo-R1) was evaluated using a semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that the level of adiponectin diminished in the PCOS rats while exenatide increased adiponectin expression at both doses. Adiponectin receptor mRNA levels were higher in the PCOS rats than in the normal rats (p<0.05). In addition, exenatide decreased the levels of Adipo-R1 expression. Taken together, our results showed that exenatide may improve PCOS characteristics in rats through the molecular regulation of adiponectin and its receptor.

Errors in human DNA may cause genetic disorders. Technological developments have raised hopes for reducing the risks of genetic inheritance among married couples who have a history of such disorders. Among the developments in reproductive health technology that reduce those risks is the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. This review aimed to describe the current strategies using IVF and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which would be effective for couples with genetic disorders to have healthy offspring. The literature review included full-text, open-access research articles from ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar that were published between 2013 and 2023, with 65 articles obtained from various journals. The keywords were 'in vitro fertilization,' 'reproductive genetic disorders,' 'PGT-A,' 'PGT-M,' 'PGT-SR,' and 'oocyte donor.' A total of 46 articles were selected as the most relevant to the review topic, and the results show that the IVF process can be an option for couples with a history of genetic disorders. Several additional procedures can be performed following IVF, such as oocyte donation and PGT, to help couples who want to have offspring without transmitting their genetic disorders. IVF can be an option for couples who have or carry genetic disorders. With IVF, couples can undertake several procedures such as oocyte donation and PGT for aneuploidy, monogenic disorders, or structural rearrangement.

Objective: Amenorrhea is an abnormal condition characterized by the absence of menstruation in women of reproductive age. According to the World Health Organization, amenorrhea ranks as the sixth leading cause of female infertility. Approximately 2% to 5% of women of reproductive age experience amenorrhea, which can be classified as primary amenorrhea (PA) or secondary amenorrhea (SA). Several studies have named chromosomal abnormalities among the main causes of amenorrhea, though the prevalence of these abnormalities may differ across populations. The objective of this study was to ascertain the frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities in women with amenorrhea in Kermanshah Province, Iran.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with PA and SA who underwent standard cytogenetic analysis. We also conducted a review of the literature on chromosomal abnormalities and their prevalence in SA.

Results: Among the 137 cases of PA in this study, 22% exhibited chromosomal abnormalities. Numerical changes were the most common finding (46.6%) in this group, including 45,X, mosaic, and 47,XXX karyotypes. These were followed by the 46,XY karyotype (40%). Of the 51 cases of SA that received chromosomal analysis, abnormalities were identified in only one case. Additionally, our review of the literature revealed that chromosomal aberrations are responsible for 7% of SA cases globally.

Conclusion: In this study, we successfully characterized the cytogenetic causes of PA and SA in a substantial population from Kermanshah Province, Iran.

Objective: Ovarian tissue vitrification is widely utilized for fertility preservation in prepubertal and adolescent female patients with cancer. The current literature includes reports of successful pregnancy and live birth following autografting. However, the effects of the vitrification process on cumulus-mural granulosa cells (C-mGCs)-somatic cells in ovarian tissue crucial for oocyte maturation and early embryonic development-remain unclear. This study was conducted to explore the impact of vitrification on the cellular function of C-mGCs by quantifying the expression of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), connexin 37, survivin, and caspase 3.

Methods: Mature and immature C-mGCs were obtained from 38 women with polycystic ovary syndrome who participated in an in vitro fertilization program. The C-mGCs were then divided into two groups: fresh and vitrified. The expression levels of target genes were assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: After vitrification, GDF-9 expression was significantly decreased among both mature and immature C-mGCs, with 0.2- and 0.1-fold changes, respectively (p<0.01). Similarly, FSHR expression in the mature and immature groups was reduced by 0.1- and 0.02-fold, respectively, following vitrification (p<0.01). The expression levels of the other genes, including BMP-15, LHR, connexin 37, survivin, and caspase 3, remained similar across the examined groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Vitrification may compromise oocyte maturation through reduced GDF-9 and FSHR expression in C-mGCs after warming.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus induces fertility problems in men, mainly because of increased free radicals. Natural resources are effective for male infertility treatment. This study investigated the effects of harmine, an alkaloid available in Peganum harmala L., on the male reproductive system of diabetic rats.

Methods: We divided 32 rats into four groups, and eight were randomly placed in each group. For diabetes induction, the animals received 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. After 1 week, animals received 15 mg/kg of harmine (28 days; intraperitoneal). Histopathological examinations, serum levels of male hormones, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testes, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), insulin serum levels, fasting blood glucose levels, the apoptotic index, and semen analysis were assessed.

Results: The diabetes group exhibited morphological changes in testicular tissue, significant decreases in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule, the Johnsen score, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin serum levels, and TAC in testicular tissue (p<0.01). Harmine treatment ameliorated the morphological changes in the testes and improved sperm parameters relative to the diabetes group (p<0.05). The NO and MDA levels in the testes, fasting blood glucose serum levels, and apoptotic index parameters were significantly elevated in the diabetes group, while in the diabetes+harmine group, these parameters were reduced (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Harmine protects testicular tissue and sperm against diabetes-induced damage. This effect of harmine is associated with a rebalancing of the antioxidant capacity that subsequently decreases apoptosis in the testes.

Objective: Osteocalcin (OCN) influences spermatogenesis in conjunction with testosterone and estrogen. OCN facilitates the secretion of testosterone by engaging with G protein-coupled receptor class C group 6 member A (GPRC6A) on Leydig cells and with androgen receptors on Sertoli cells.

Methods: Adult mice were assigned to the following groups: control; sham I, which received dimethyl sulfoxide for 5 weeks followed by phosphate-buffered saline for 1 month; azoospermia, which was treated with busulfan (40 mg/kg); sham II, which consisted of azoospermic animals that received phosphate-buffered saline for 1 month beginning at the 5-week mark; and the experimental group, which included azoospermic mice treated with OCN (3 ng/g/day) for 1 month.

Results: In the mice receiving OCN treatment, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of androgen receptors and GPRC6A, indicative of enhanced spermatogenesis. Additionally, the expression levels of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element binding protein 1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and cytochrome P450 family 11 genes were elevated. However, testosterone levels exhibited no significant differences across groups. Morphometric analysis suggests that OCN may play a crucial role in spermatogenesis, as evidenced by its positive effects on germinal cells and the germinal epithelium in the azoospermia group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We conclude that OCN may serve as a beneficial therapeutic agent for male infertility.

Objective: Scrotal hyperthermia poses a significant threat to spermatogenesis and fertility in mammalian species. This study investigated the effects of vitamin B12 and vitamin C on spermatogenesis in adult male mice subjected to long-term scrotal hyperthermia. The rationale is based on the sensitivity of germ cells and epididymal sperm to increased scrotal temperatures. While various factors, both internal and external, can raise the testicular temperature, this study focused on the potential therapeutic roles of vitamins B12 and C.

Methods: After inducing scrotal hyperthermia in mice, vitamin B12 and vitamin C were administered for 35 days. We assessed sperm parameters, serum testosterone levels, stereological parameters, the percentage of apoptotic cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and glutathione (GSH) levels. Additionally, real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of the c-kit, stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Pcna) genes.

Results: Vitamin C was more effective than vitamin B12 in improving sperm parameters and enhancing stereological parameters. The study showed a significant decrease in apoptotic cells and a beneficial modulation of ROS and GSH levels following vitamin administration. Moreover, both vitamins positively affected the expression levels of the c-kit, Stra8, and Pcna genes.

Conclusion: This research deepens our understanding of the combined impact of vitamins B12 and C in mitigating the effects of scrotal hyperthermia, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies for heat stress-related infertility. The findings highlight the importance of considering vitamin supplementation as a practical approach to counter the detrimental effects of elevated scrotal temperatures on male reproductive health.

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is known to influence the seminal and hormonal parameters of infected men. This study was performed to assess the effects of HCV clearance using direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents on semen and hormonal parameters.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with chronic HCV were enrolled, and conventional semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Basal levels of total testosterone, free testosterone (FT), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed before and 3 months after treatment with DAAs.

Results: Following DAA treatment, statistically significant increases were observed in sperm motility and the proportion of grade A sperm. Additionally, the percentage of abnormal forms was significantly decreased after treatment (p=0.000). However, no significant differences were observed in semen volume, concentration, or total sperm count. Sex hormone analysis of patients after DAA treatment revealed significant increases in FT, LH, and FSH levels, along with significant decreases in SHBG, prolactin, and E2 levels.

Conclusion: Following HCV clearance, we noted an improvement in sperm motility and an increase in the percentage of sperm with normal morphology. Treatment with DAAs was also associated with increased levels of FT and LH, along with decreased levels of SHBG, prolactin, and E2.