Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer (BC), a malignant tumor characterized mainly by a lump in the breast and a change in breast shape, has plagued many women of childbearing age in Nigeria today. This has thus propelled many to find both prophylactic and curative agents to combat BC in affected persons. This article extensively reviews a method of preventing BC in the offspring of affected parents, known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) - an assisted reproductive technique that selects genetically unaffected embryo(s) to be transferred to the uterus of a mother upon in vitro fertilization and standard genetic analysis. The present study also seeks to present the techniques involved in PGT that have been reported to prevent the inheritance of BC, its benefits and risks, related case studies in Africa and other continents, and ethical issues surrounding the application of assisted reproduction for BC testing. To achieve these, a thorough search was conducted in reputable scientific journals of reproduction and cancer, and expert knowledge was consulted with regard to these aspects of health and reproduction. Upon reviewing this very important subject, it was confirmed that the beneficial role of assisted reproduction in the field of science and the homes of many cannot be overestimated. This review of the role of PGT in BC prevention will enlighten the understanding of many - creating awareness that with PGT, BC-affected women can have not only children, but also healthy and genetically unaffected children.

The use of ultrasound guided transvaginal probe on the anterior abdominal wall for follicular aspiration in a patient with inaccessible ovaries by transvaginal ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound guided tranvaginal probe placed on the anterior abdominal wall for oocyte retrieval in a patient whose ovaries were not visible trans-vaginally. DESIGN: A case report SETTING: Medical ART Center, Nigeria- Private IVF clinic with an academic setting PATIENT(S): A 35 yr old woman undergoing IVF treatment with ovaries difficult to visualize trans-vaginally having ovarian stimulation pressure effect. INTERVENTION(S): Ultrasound guided oocyte aspiration through the abdominal wall using the trans-vaginal probe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of oocytes retrieved. RESULTS: 9 oocytes were successfully aspirated using the ultrasound scan guided probe placed over the anterior abdominal wall. CONCLUSION: Successful oocyte retrieval can be achieved via the abdominal puncture with the aid of a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe placed on the abdominal wall.

Multiple gestations/pregnancies from IVF process in a fertility center in Nigeria, 2009-2011: implementing policy towards fewer (double and single) embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a major problem in Nigeria, which has caused many couples to be burdened with physical, psychological and social issues. IVF (In-vitro fertilization) has played a major role in reducing the burden among infertile couples. However, despite the role of IVF in solving infertility in Nigeria, it is important to address the issue of rising rates of multiple births from IVF. Also to create a balance between the number of embryo transferred and easing the burden couples face from infertility. OBJECTIVE: To determine the trend/rate in multiple gestations from IVF, identify possible factors responsible and proffer ways to reduce multiple gestation rates. METHODS: We did a case series review from 2009-2011 of IVF cycles performed at a private clinic with an academic setting in Nigeria. Our primary outcome of interest was multiple gestations/pregnancies All patients identified with outcome of interest, were included in the study sample. We reviewed the IVF process of each patient using medical records from pre-evaluation to clinical pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound. We reported the multiple gestation trend/rate. RESULTS: 25 women with the mean age of 39.9 +/- 7.3 years had multiple pregnancies from 2009 to 2011. Of the 25 women, 24% of the pregnancies, occurred in 2009, 40% occurred in 2010 and 36% in 2011. In 2009, 83% of the pregnancies were twin gestations and 17% triplets. In 2010, 40% were twin gestations, while triplet, quadruplet and quintuplet gestations were 20% each. In 2011, 66% were twin gestations and 34% quadruplet gestation. The factors we identified that could have lead to an increase in multiple gestations from 2009-2010 included improvement in pre-evaluation work up, stimulation protocol, efficacy of the IVF lab and mean of 5 embryos transferred. In 2011, embryo transferred was reduced to 3-4. From 2009 to 2011, mean number of embryos transferred was 4.2 (95% CI: 3.87-4.47). CONCLUSION: Multiple gestations and associated risk from IVF in Nigeria can be reduced by reduction in number of embryos transferred and possibly by improvement in practice process. As the IVF process becomes more efficacious, fertility centres in Nigeria will not need to transfer up to 4 embryos in order to have a positive pregnancy; and as a result they can move towards two to single embryo transfer.

Fertility and occupational hazards: review of the literature.

Workplace exposures and hazards have detrimental effects on many organ systems in the body including the reproductive system. The evidence of the reproductive effects of occupational hazards is obtained through a synthesis of the available literature. These effects vary and overlap due to the multiple nature of exposures in the workplace. Hazardous agents include pesticides, solvents and heavy metals. The reproductive effects include reduced fecundity, abnormal sperm quality, increased risk of low birth weight, miscarriages and permanent sterility. These problems are not readily identified as having occupational causes in developing countries such as Nigeria where infertility has a high family and social consequence. Epidemiological studies in Nigeria are needed to evaluate the reproductive effects of workplace exposures. Protective measures such as proper house keeping, education and the use of personal protectives at the workplace are advocated.

Sesame radiatum phytoestrogens stimulate spermatogenic activity and improve sperm quality in adult male Sprague Dawley rat testis / Fitoestrógenos sesame radiatum estimulan la actividad espermatogénica y mejoran la calidad del esperma en el testículo de ratas Sprague Dawley adulto de sexo masculino

Increasing concern has been expressed about the declining sperm count of humans and the potential environmental effects of both synthetic and natural estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EEDs) on human reproductive health in the last few decades. However, due to paucity of knowledge, we evaluate the chronic reproductive toxicity of sesame phytoestrogenic lignans on the male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats' testis. Thirty adult male SD rats weighing 150-200g were divided into three groups. Two treated groups received a daily dose of aqueous leaves extract of Sesamum radiatum at 14.0 mg/kg bw and 28.0mg /kg bw respectively via gastric gavage, while equal volume of normal saline was administered to the control group for six weeks. Seminal analysis and hormonal assay study were analyzed using SPSS software and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed significant (P< 0.05) body weight gains observed in all the animals with significant (P< 0.05) weight increase in their raw testicular weights compared to control. The relative testicular weight per 100g bw was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in control than treated. However, the weight gain was dose related with a reversal in their relative testicular weight. The cauda sperm count including the motility and morphology of the treated were significantly (P< 0.05) higher than control in a dose related manner. In addition, significant (P > 0.05) increases in testosterone and a significant decrease in FSH in the high dose (treated) compared to control. Sesame phytoestrogenic lignans improves spermatozoa quality in a dose related manner.

Una mayor preocupación se ha expresado en las últimas décadas por la disminución en la cantidad de espermatozoides de los seres humanos y los posibles efectos ambientales de disruptores endocrinos estrogénicos (DES) sintéticos y naturales sobre la salud reproductiva humana. Sin embargo, debido a la escasez de conocimientos, evaluamos la toxicidad crónica para la reproducción de fitoestrógenos lignanos del sésamo en el testículo de ratas Sprague Dawley (SD) macho. Treinta ratas macho adultas, de un peso de 150-200g se dividieron en tres grupos. Dos grupos de tratamiento recibieron una dosis diaria de extracto acuoso de las hojas Sesamum radiatum de 14,0 mg/kg de peso corporal y 28,0mg / kg de peso corporal, respectivamente, a través de una sonda gástrica, mientras que igual volumen de solución salina normal se administró al grupo control durante seis semanas. El análisis seminal y estudio de ensayo hormonal fueron analizados mediante el software SPSS y P <0,05 fue considerado estadísticamente significativo. Los resultados mostraron significativas (P <0,05) ganancias de peso corporal observados en todos los animales con un peso significativo (P <0.05), aumento de peso en su peso testicular bruto en comparación con el control. El relativo peso testicular por 100 g de peso corporal fue significativamente mayor (P <0,05) en control que en tratamiento. Sin embargo, el aumento de peso dosis se ha relacionado con un retroceso en su peso relativo testicular. La cantidad de espermatozoides, incluyendo la motilidad y morfología de los que recibieron tratamiento fue significativamente más alto que el control (P <0,05) en una dosis relacionados. Además, significativo aumento en los niveles de testosterona (P> 0,05) y una disminución significativa de FSH en la dosis alta (tratados), en comparación con el control. Fitoestrógenos lignanos del sésamo mejoran la calidad de los espermatozoides en una dosis adecuada.

Synergistic antimicrobial activities of phytoestrogens in crude extracts of two sesame species against some common pathogenic microorganisms.

Intensive studies on extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from medicinal plants have doubled in the last decade worldwide. However, as a result of paucity of knowledge and folkloric claim on the effectiveness of sesame leaves in infectious disease treatments, we aimed to determine the synergistic antimicrobial activity of essential oils and lignans present in the crude leaves extracts of Sesame radiatum and Sesame indicum. Ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of both leaves were studied for their in-vitro synergistic antimicrobial activity against both gram positive and gram negative micro-organisms, and Yeast using Agar diffusion method. The GC-MS phytochemical screening of methanolic extract showed that the major compounds in essential oils are of carboxylic acids and phenolic groups especially, the most potent antioxidants known to man like sesamol, sesamolin and sesamin among others. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts have broad spectrum antimicrobial effect against all the tested pathogenic micro-organisms except Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus respectively, while the aqueous extract exhibited inhibitory activity on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida albicans. The result confirmed the folkloric claims of the antimicrobial effectiveness of locally consumed sesame leaves extracts especially against bacterial and common skin infection in many areas of Nigeria.