The Protective Effect of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction on Ovarian Function in Rats with Cyclophosphamide-Induced Ovarian Damage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate if adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) treatment has any protective effect on ovarian function in rats with cyclophosphamide (CP) induced ovarian damage. DESIGN: This was an experimental animal study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: 25 mature cycling Wistar-Albino rats were randomized into four groups (n = 5 per group). Rats in groups 1 and 2 received single dose of intraperitoneal (i.p.) 1 mL/kg sodium chloride 0.9% (NaCl). Groups 3 and 4 received single dose of 75 mg/kg i.p. CP. On seventh day, SVF was prepared from adipose tissues of 5 additional rats and groups 1 and 3 received 0.9% NaCl i.p. injections while groups 2 and 4 received 0.2 mL i.p. injections of SVF. On day 21 all rats were euthanized, and serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, primordial, primary, secondary, antral, and atretic follicle counts, AMH positive staining follicle counts along with AMH staining intensity of the follicles were evaluated. RESULTS: Among two CP induced ovarian damaged groups, SVF treated group showed significantly higher secondary and antral follicle and lower atretic follicle counts, significantly higher mean serum AMH levels, AMH positive antral follicle count and higher intensity of AMH positive follicle scores for primary, secondary, and antral follicles when compared to untreated group. Moreover, group 1 showed no significant difference for all parameters except antral follicle count and AMH positive staining intensity scores for antral follicles when compared to group 4. LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted on experimental rat model. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a significant protective effect of SVF against CP-induced ovarian damage which reveals the apparent need for further investigation of its precise mechanisms of action as it may provide a new treatment approach for women with premature ovarian failure.

Cannabidiol as a potential novel treatment for endometriosis by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiangiogenic effects in an experimental rat model.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can cannabidiol (CBD) be used in the treatment of endometriosis for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiangiogenic effects? DESIGN: Endometrial implants were surgically induced in 36 female Wistar albino rats. After confirmation of endometriotic foci, the rats were randomized into four groups. In the leuprolide acetate group, rats were given a single 1 mg/kg s.c. leuprolide acetate injection. The other groups were 5 mg/kg CBD (CBD5), saline solution and 20 mg/kg CBD (CBD20); daily i.p. injections were administered for 7 days. After 21 days, the rats were euthanised, and total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) measurements in blood and peritoneal fluid samples, and immunohistochemical staining for TNF-α, IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of endometriotic tissues were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the endometriotic implant surface area (P = 0.0213), serum TOS (P = 0.0491), OSI (P = 0.0056), IL-6 (P = 0.0236), TNF-α (P = 0.0083) and peritoneal fluid OSI (P = 0.0401), IL-6 (P = 0.0205) and TNF-α (P = 0.0045) concentrations were observed in the CBD5 group when compared with the saline solution group. Compared with the saline solution group, increased TAS concentrations in serum (P = 0.0012) and peritoneal fluid (P = 0.0145) were found in the CBD5 group. The CBD5 and leuprolide acetate groups were similar regarding inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters of serum and peritoneal fluid samples. The CBD5 group showed significantly lower mean intensity in both surface epithelium and stromal cells for VEGF (both P = 0.002) and only in surface epithelium cells for IL-6 (P = 0.0108), when compared with the leuprolide acetate group. CONCLUSION: Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiangiogenic effects, CBD might be a therapeutic agent candidate for endometriosis.

The importance of serum progesterone concentration at embryo transfer day and effect of rescue additional progesterone during programmed artificial frozen embryo transfer cycles.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the efficacy and possible positive effect of additional rescue subcutaneous (s.c.) progesterone therapy for restoration of progesterone concentration on embryo transfer day and pregnancy rates during programmed artificial frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles with vaginal progesterone tablet plus i.m. progesterone? DESIGN: Multicentre prospective cohort study (NCT04769401) including a total of 238 programmed artificial FET between February 2021 and September 2021. Patients were divided into ≥10 ng/ml and <10 ng/ml according to serum progesterone concentrations on embryo transfer day; 25 mg of s.c. progesterone was added to patients with <10 ng/ml; blood samples were taken 2 days later. The primary outcome was the ongoing pregnancy rate. RESULTS: The proportion of patients having ≥10 ng/ml serum progesterone concentrations on embryo transfer day was 70.7%. There was no statistically significant difference with regard to cumulative pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and miscarriage between the groups (55.4% versus 61.5%, P = 0.4; 78.2% versus 72.5% per pregnancy, P = 0.5; 21.8% versus 27.5%, P = 0.5, respectively, ≥10 ng/ml and <10 ng/ml). Eighty-three per cent of patients with low serum progesterone concentrations on embryo transfer day reached an adequate progesterone concentration with rescue s.c. progesterone treatment; 90% of pregnancy rates in patients with serum progesterone concentrations <10 ng/ml on embryo transfer day were in patients who reached adequate serum progesterone concentrations with daily rescue s.c. progesterone treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of serum progesterone concentrations on embryo transfer day may create the opportunity for rescue progesterone administration on that day for patients who fail to reach adequate serum progesterone concentrations, achieving similar pregnancy rates without cancellation of the cycle.

Does the use of microfluidic sperm sorting for the sperm selection improve in vitro fertilization success rates in male factor infertility?

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles in couple with male infertility, where the spermatozoa were selected using either a conventional gradient-density centrifugation technique or microfluidic sperm sorting. METHODS: A total of 181 patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of male factor infertility at the IVF center of Bezmialem and Yeditepe University Hospital were included in this study. All patients were divided into two groups according to the sperm selection method: group I (n = 91): microfluidic sperm-sorting chip; group II (n = 90): density-gradient centrifugation. Data collected included male and female age, type of infertility, duration of infertility, previous IVF attempts, smoking, antral follicle count, total dosage of gonadotropins, maximum estradiol levels, duration of stimulations, endometrial thickness on human chorionic gonadotropin day, total number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes retrieved, number of pronuclear (PN), sperm parameters, clinical PR and ongoing PR. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in clinical PR and ongoing PR between groups (49.5% vs 40%, P = 0.2; 44% vs 36.7%, P = 0.3; respectively). The improvement in pregnancy rate was more prominent in patients where the female partner's age is higher than 35 (P = 0.09) and men have a total motile sperm count between 1 and 5 million (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Microfluidic devices, "labs-on-a-chip," are a disposable, easy to use, and inexpensive method for sperm sorting. Our results show that IVF success rates might improve with the use of a microfluidic sperm-sorting chip for sperm selection in male infertility.

The protective effect of platelet-rich plasma administrated on ovarian function in female rats with Cy-induced ovarian damage.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the protective effect of PRP on ovarian function in female rats with cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced ovarian damage. METHODS: Thirty-two adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (control-sodium chloride 0.9%; 1 mL/kg, single-dose ip injection), group 2 (Cy); 75 mg/kg, single-dose ip injection and sodium chloride 0.9% (1 mL/kg, single-dose ip injection), group 3 Cy plus PRP, Cy (75 mg/kg, single-dose and PRP (200 µl, single-dose) ip injection), group 4 (PRP, 200 µl, single-dose ip injection). Primordial, antral, and atretic follicle counts; serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels; AMH-positive granulosa cells; and gene expression analysis of Ddx4 were assessed. RESULTS: Serum AMH levels were significantly lower in group 2 compared to groups 1, 3, and 4 (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p = 0.04, respectively). A significant difference was found in the primordial, primary, secondary, antral, and atretic follicle counts between all groups (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in AMH-positive staining primary, secondary, and antral follicles count between the groups (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in primary, secondary, and antral AMH positive staining follicle intensity score between the groups (p < 0.01). Ddx4 expression in group 4 was highest compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: Our study may provide evidence that PRP could protect ovarian function against ovarian damage induced by Cy. It could lead to improved primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicle numbers.

The cutoff values of serum AMH levels and starting recFSH doses for the individualization of IVF treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of our study is to categorize starting doses of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) based on various cutoff values of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and to determine the effectiveness of serum AMH levels in the prediction of poor ovarian response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective data analysis was conducted at IVF center. A total of 323 patients were included. All patients were divided into four groups according to the patients' serum AMH concentrations: Group 1 (AMH < 1 ng/ml; 450 IU/day n = 157); Group 2 (AMH 1-2 ng/ml; 375 IU/day, n = 55); Group 3 (AMH 2-3 ng/ml; 225 IU/day, n = 48); and Group 4 (AMH > 3 ng/ml; 150 IU/day, n = 63). Collected data included age, total gonadotropin dosage, duration of stimulations, the total number of oocytes retrieved, ovarian response, cancelation rate, and cPRs. RESULTS: As serum AMH levels increased, there were significant decreases in the starting recFSH dose and total gonadotropin dosage, and a significant increase in the total number of oocytes retrieved. There was a significant trend toward increasing cycle cancelation rates and decreasing cPRs with decreasing serum AMH levels. Although there were no significant differences with regard to the proportion of cycles with hypo-response between all groups. A result of ≤0.83 was considered the cutoff value of AMH to predict a hypo-response to ovarian stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: AMH is a useful marker in selecting the starting dose of recFSH and prediction of poor ovarian response. Our protocol may allow clinicians to modulate the starting dose of recFSH according to these cutoff values for serum AMH levels.

Can Coenzyme Q10 supplementation protect the ovarian reserve against oxidative damage?

PURPOSE: We investigated antioxidant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on the prevention of OS-induced ovarian damage and to evaluate the protective effect of such supplementation against OS-related DNA damage. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats per group): group 1 (control): saline, ip, and orally; group 2 (cisplatin group): cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of 7 days; and group 3 (cisplatin + CoQ10 group): cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of 7 days, and 24 h before cisplatin, 150 mg/kg/day orally in 1 mL of saline daily for 14 days. Serum concentrations of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), number of AMH-positive follicles, the assessment of the intensity of 8'OHdG immunoreactivity, the primordial, antral and atretic follicle counts in the ovary were assessed. RESULT(S): The mean serum AMH concentrations were 1.3 ± 0.19, 0.16 ± 0.03, and 0.27 ± 0.20 ng/mL in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.01). Serum AMH levels were significantly higher in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in AMH-positive follicle count between the groups (p < 0.01). Group 1 showed higher numbers of AMH-positive granulosa cells compared to group 2 (p = 0.01). A significant difference was found in the primordial, the atretic, and antral follicle counts between the three groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). The atretic follicle count was significantly lower in the cisplatin plus CoQ10 group compared to the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). The antral follicle counts were significantly higher in the cisplatin plus CoQ10 group compared with the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in the intensity of staining of the follicles that were positive for anti-8'OHdG between the groups (p = 0.02). Group 1 showed a significant lower intensity of staining of the follicles positive for anti-8'OHdG compared with group 2 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION(S): CoQ10 supplementation may protect ovarian reserve by counteracting both mitochondrial ovarian ageing and physiological programmed ovarian ageing although the certain effect of OS in female infertility is not clearly known.

Protective effect of resveratrol against oxidative damage to ovarian reserve in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

An increased accumulation of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species with time may play an important role in the process of ageing. The antioxidant properties of resveratrol are dependent upon the up-regulation of endogenous cellular antioxidant systems. We evaluated whether resveratrol has protective antioxidant effects on ovarian damage related to oxidative stress in a rat model. Twenty-four female rats were randomly divided into three groups and were given saline (group 1: control); intraperitoneal cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg, two weekly doses in total (group 2); or cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg plus intraperitoneal resveratrol 10 mg/kg/day, 24 h before the administration of cisplatin (group 3). Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 3 (P < 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). The evaluation of the atretic and antral follicle counts revealed statistically significant differences between the groups (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively). A statistically significant difference was observed in the follicle count positive for AMH between the groups (P = 0.01). Oxidative stress plays an important role in the process of ovarian ageing. Because of its natural antioxidant properties, resveratrol may be an effective option in protecting ovarian tissue against oxidative damage.

The effects of different doses of melatonin treatment on endometrial implants in an oophorectomized rat endometriosis model.

AIMS: To determine the effects of different doses of melatonin treatment on endometrial implants, the activity of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), the angiogenesis factor, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the waste metabolite product of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) in an oophorectomized rat endometriosis model. METHODS: Thirty-two, female, non-pregnant, nulligravid Sprague-Dawley, albino rats were used in this prospective, randomized, controlled and experimental study. Endometriosis was surgically induced in oophorectomized rats, and estradiol treatment was started after the first operation and continued till the end of the study. Second look, third look and necropsy operations were performed in the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks. Mean volumes, histological scores and biochemical parameters were evaluated throughout the study. RESULTS: The mean volumes of endometriotic foci were 98.8 mm(3) ± 17.2 vs. 108.2 mm(3) ± 17.5, 54.1 mm(3) ± 15.6 vs. 25.8 mm(3) ± 3.6, 42.8 mm(3) ± 10.5 vs. 32.7 mm(3) ± 6.0 and histopathological scores were 2.2 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1, 2.6 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.2, 2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.2 in the 10 vs. 20-mg/kg/day melatonin group at the end of the second, fourth and sixth weeks, respectively. When the groups were compared, no significant differences were seen in the histopathologic scores, SOD and VEGF levels between the groups. However, the endometriotic foci volumes were significantly decreased in both melatonin treatment groups with respect to the control group at the end of the fourth and sixth weeks. Moreover, the mean MDA levels were significantly lower in the control group than in the 10-mg/kg/day melatonin group at the end of the fourth and sixth weeks. CONCLUSION: Melatonin treatment resulted in the regression of endometriotic lesions in oophorectomized rats. Higher doses of melatonin treatment might be more effective in the regression of implants and improvement of histologic scores as well as in the precise evaluation of SOD, MDA and VEGF distributions in the rat experimental models.

Which cut-off value of serum anti-Müllerian hormone level can predict poor ovarian reserve, poor ovarian response to stimulation and in vitro fertilization success? A prospective data analysis.

The aim of our study is to demonstrate which cut-off value of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level can predict poor ovarian reserve, poor ovarian response to stimulation and IVF outcomes. About 311 of 520 women enrolled IVF treatment cycle that meets inclusion criteria were recruited for this prospective data analysis. Data were collected for: age, duration of infertility, basal FSH and AMH level, total dosage of gonadotropins, maximum estradiol levels, duration of stimulations, total number of oocytes retrieved and clinical PR. Mean AMH was 1.76 ± 1.4 ng/ml and mean age was 33.25 ± 5.5 years. Clinical PR was 39.8% (n = 124). AMH was inversely correlated to total dosage of gonadotropins and age, AMH positively had a significant correlation with maximum estradiol levels, duration of stimulations and total number of oocytes retrieved. The patients in both categories of AMH levels, ≤0.5 and ≤1 ng/ml responded poorly to ovarian stimulation, had significantly higher total dosage of gonadotropins used and FSH levels on cycle day 3, lower maximum E2 levels and clinical PR. AMH could be an acceptable screening test in prediction of ovarian reserve, response to ovarian stimulation and PRs. AMH cut-off value ≤1 ng/ml may predict poor ovarian reserve, poor ovarian response to stimulation and IVF outcomes.

The comparision of effect of microdose GnRH-a flare-up, GnRH antagonist/aromatase inhibitor letrozole and GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate protocols on IVF outcomes in poor responder patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of microdose GnRH-a flare-up, GnRH antagonist/aromatase inhibitor letrozole and GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate protocols on IVF outcomes in poor responder patients. METHODS: Of 225 patients, 83 patients were in microdose flare-up group (Group 1), 70 patients were in GnRH antagonist/letrozole group (Group 2) and 72 patients were in GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate group (Group 3). Demographic and endocrine characteristics, the total number of oocytes retrieved, cancellation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were collected Results: Total dosage of gonadotropins (p=0.002) and serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration (p=0.010) were significantly higher and duration of stimulations (p=0.03) was significantly longer in group 1. The number of oocytes retrieved was significantly greater in group 1 and 2 when compare to those of group 3 (p=0,000). There was a trend towards increasing cycle cancellation rates with GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate and GnRH antagonist/letrozole. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggest that the results of microdose flare-up protocol are better than other two used treatment protocols, in terms of maximum estradiol levels, number of mature oocytes retrieved, and cancellation rate and it still seems to be superior the ovarian stimulation regime for the poor responder patients.

Hysteroscopic findings in women with recurrent IVF failures and the effect of correction of hysteroscopic findings on subsequent pregnancy rates.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim is to evaluate the incidence of unrecognized uterine abnormalities in cases with recurrent IVF failure by screening office hysteroscopy (OH), and impacts of treatment of hysteroscopic findings on the success rate of IVF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted at assisted reproduction unit in a tertiary medical center. One hundred and fifty-seven patients with a history of recurrent IVF failures underwent hysteroscopy between May 2009 and March 2012. Hysteroscopy (diagnostic or operative, as appropriate) was performed to evaluate the endometrial cavity in patients with two or more IVF failures and Incidence of abnormal hysteroscopic findings and the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) in subsequent IVF cycles were assessed. RESULTS: In all, 44.9 % of the patients included in this study had abnormal hysteroscopic findings and 75 women (48.1 %) became pregnant following hysteroscopy. Of these pregnancies, 36 occurred in women with corrected endometrial pathology, the majority of which was identified as endometrial polyps. Implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were statistically significant increased after polipectomy. CONCLUSION: Abnormal findings on hysteroscopy are significantly higher in patients with previous ART failure and hysteroscopy could be seen as a positive prognostic factor for achieving pregnancy in subsequent IVF procedure in women with a history of RIF.

Efficacy of melatonin and hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose membrane in preventing adhesion reformation following adhesiolysis in a rat uterine model.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC) membrane and melatonin separately and in combination in reducing adhesion reformation following adhesiolysis of surgically induced adhesions in a rat uterine horn adhesion model. METHODS: A randomized, prospective study was carried out in a university animal laboratory. Ninety-eight female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were operated on. Following infliction of standard lesions, all the animals underwent second operations after one week. In all the animals, there were dense and vascular adhesions only between the uterine horns. These adhesions were lysed. Following the completion of adhesiolysis, the animals were randomized before closure of the abdomen to one of four groups (melatonin, HA/CMC membrane, combination of melatonin and HA/CMC membrane, control group). Seven days after the second surgery, the third operations were carried out and adhesions were scored. The main outcome measures were type, tenacity, and extent of adhesions. Total adhesion scores were determined. RESULTS: Adhesion scores in the melatonin and HA/CMC membrane groups were similar, and significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Adhesion scores in the combination group were lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Melatonin and HA/CMC membrane are both effective separately in preventing adhesion reformation following adhesiolysis, but in combination they are significantly more beneficial.

Etanercept causes regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of etanercept (anti-TNF-α) on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental study that was carried out at the Experimental Research Center of Yeditepe University (YUDETAM). Thirty female nonpregnant, nulligravid Wistar-Hannover albino rats were used. The summary of the technique: surgical induction of endometriosis, administration of estrogen for 2 weeks, and laparotomy; administration of etanercept for 2 weeks following the induction of endometriosis and laparotomy; administration of estrogen for 2 weeks and necropsy. The volume and histopathological scores of the endometriotic foci were evaluated. RESULTS: One-hundred twenty uterine horns were implanted in 30 rats. Endometriosis was completely formatted in 112 lesions (93.3%). No rats were lost. In the etanercept group, the lesions' volumes were 83.9 ± 13.1, 47.2 ± 8.4, and 96.7 ± 34.8 mm(3) at the end of the second week (pretreatment stage), at the end of the fourth week (post-treatment stage), and at the end of the sixth week, respectively (P = 0.007). Histopathologic scores were 2.3 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.9 ± 0.1, respectively (P = 0.08). The changes in the other groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept, a fusion protein consisting of human recombinant soluble TNF receptor-2, neutralizes TNF activity. Anti-TNF therapy could be a new non-hormonal therapeutic option for the treatment of endometriosis in humans.

The significance of the number of CGG repeats and autoantibodies in premature ovarian failure.

The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a threshold for the number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 (fragile X) gene in premature ovarian ageing and premature ovarian failure and to investigate the association of this sequence with serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, anti-thyroid and anti-adrenal autoantibodies. In this prospective randomized controlled preliminary study, the number of triple CGG repeats and serum concentrations of FSH, AMH and aforementioned autoantibodies were evaluated in 79 women who were younger than 40 years old. FSH concentrations were between 12 and 50 IU/ml (premature ovarian ageing) in 30 women and were higher than 50 IU/ml (premature ovarian failure) in nine women; FSH concentrations were normal in 40 women. All women whose FSH concentrations were higher than 12 IU/ml had CGG repeats greater than 30. No women whose FSH concentrations were normal had a repeat number above 30. There was no significant relationship between the levels of antibodies and either CGG repeat numbers or FSH concentrations. In conclusion, the number of CGG repeats between 30 and 40 might be used to predict premature ovarian ageing and premature ovarian failure in infertile women.

Comparison of follicular fluid and serum cytokine concentrations in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment with GnRH agonist long and antagonist protocols.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether follicular fluid (FF) and serum (S) concentrations of cytokines in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) were different in GnRH antagonist cycles compared to agonist long ones. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was performed at a University ART center. A total of 85 women who underwent ART either with agonist long (n = 34) or antagonist protocol (n = 51) were analyzed. FF and serum samples were collected at the time of oocyte retrieval and measured for interleukin (IL)- 1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, using commercially available kits and nitric oxide (NO) by the nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay. The results were compared between GnRH antagonist and agonist cycles. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the FF concentrations of those cytokines between the two protocols. The serum values were also similar in the two groups except IL-6 (14.3 +/- 4.8 vs. 20.5 +/- 12.2 pg/ml; p = 0.008) and NO (1.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 2.2 +/- 1.9 microm; p = 0.038) levels which were found to be significantly lower in antagonist cycles. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in follicular microenvironment in terms of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and NO levels between agonist long and antagonist cycles. However, serum IL-6 and NO levels were lower in women given antagonists.

Psychologic influence of male factor infertility on men who are undergoing assisted reproductive treatment: a preliminary study in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychologic impact of male factor infertility on men in couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was carried out in a total of 105 men: 43 with male factor, 31 with female factor and 31 with unexplained infertility diagnoses. The men answered questionnaires-State Trait Anxiety Inventory, State Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory-during treatment. The scores from each questionnaire were analyzed and compared according to the infertility diagnosis. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in measures of anxiety, anger or depression among men with male factor, female factor and unexplained infertility. CONCLUSION: In the current preliminary study performed on a group of Turkish men who applied for in vitro fertilization treatment, it was found that male factor infertility as the cause of the couple's infertility problem did not have an adverse effect on the psychologic status of men undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. It is suggested that men's psychologic adjustment to their own infertility diagnosis does not indicate that they are psychologically ill.

Can pentoxifylline improve the sperm motion and ICSI success in the primary ciliary dyskinesia?

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), previously known as immotile cilia syndrome, can cause respiratory and reproductive problems. Because of the impaired motion of microtubules the patients suffer upper respiratory tract problems. Infertility is an other issue of these patients. Several attempt have been proposed to bring back sperm motion and to improve intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results. With our case we have described the management of a male infertility that causes from immotile cilia. The role of ICSI with incubated and activated ejaculatory sperm by pentoxifylline in the patient of PCD or as commonly named immotile cilia syndrome.

Cumulus Cells Are Potential Candidates for Cell Therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cumulus cells (CCs) originate from the membrane granulosa cells and surround oocytes during follicle maturation. CCs produce high levels of hyaluronan that targets CD44, which is a major tumorigenic marker. This study aimed to investigate whether CCs have a role in cell therapy by targeting CD44 in pancreatic cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CCs were isolated from the oocytes and incubated in a hypoxic environment. BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with CC conditioned media for three days. RESULTS: Conditioned media of CC cells incubated in hypoxic conditions caused a 25% reduction in the viability of BxPC-3 cells. Expression of anti-apoptotic genes was down-regulated, while that of pro-apoptotic genes was upregulated. An increased number of BxPC-3 cells exhibited increased levels of reactive oxygen species and arrested in the synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle. CONCLUSION: CCs conditioned medium induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Effect of air bubbles localization and migration after embryo transfer on assisted reproductive technology outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of embryo flash position and movement of the air bubbles at 1 and 60 minutes after ET on clinical pregnancy rates (PRs). DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. SETTING: University fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): A total of 230 fresh ultrasound-guided ETs performed by a single physician (C.F.) at the IVF center of Yeditepe University Hospital between September 2016 and February 2017 were included. INTERVENTION(S): Transabdominal ultrasonographic guidance at ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical PRs. RESULT(S): There was no significant difference in terms of clinical PRs between women with embryo flash located >15 mm and <15 mm from the fundus at 1 or 60 minutes (P=.6 and P=.7, respectively). The PRs in women with embryo flash located <15 mm and >15 mm from the fundus were 47% and 60%, respectively (P=.6). The clinical intrauterine PRs were 69.5%, 38.5%, and 19.1% in fundal, static, and cervical, respectively. The highest PR was in fundal when compared with others (P<.01). The clinical PR appears to be associated with the embryo flash movement/migration and the PR was dramatically reduced when the embryo migrated from its original position toward the cervix at 60 minutes. CONCLUSION(S): We concluded that clinical PR appears to be associated with the embryo flash movement/migration at 60 minutes after ET and embryo flash movement toward the fundus is associated with higher clinical PRs. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to optimize ET technique in the future.