THE FREQUENCY OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE RECEPTOR 2039A>G GENE POLYMORPHISM AND THE RISK OF MALE INFERTILITY IN ALBANIAN POPULATION.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of allele and genotype variants of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene polymorphic region at position Asn680Ser in the Albanian male population and associate them with the clinical parameters of infertility. The study included 114 infertile men (mean age 35.04±5.85 years) stratified according to the level of spermatogenetic impairment (oligoasthenozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and normospermia) and 112 fertile men (mean age 36.44±7.05 years) with normal semen parameters. Genotyping of the FSHR gene at position 680 was performed by TaqMan genotyping assay. All the participants underwent semen analysis, and serum reproductive hormones (FSH, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and testosterone) were also measured. The FSHR Asn680Ser genotype frequencies were as follows: Asn/Ser 42%, Ser/Ser 33.9% and Asn/Asn 24.1% in the control group, and Asn/Ser 56.1%, Ser/Ser 22.8% and Asn/Asn 21.1% in the whole group of infertile men (χ2-test: P=0.08). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum hormone levels and semen characteristics or between fertility status and FSHR Asn680Ser gene variants in the control group and the group of infertile men. However, adjusted logistic regression analysis (age, body mass index, smoking and alcohol as covariates) revealed increased odds ratio for male infertility among heterozygous Asn/Ser genotype carriers associated with lower values of semen parameters (normal morphology, concentration, total sperm count and motility). In conclusion, our case-control study further confirmed previous reports on no significant association between the FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphisms and male infertility. Nevertheless, the data presented herein indicate that the Asn/Ser genotype may increase the risk of male infertility in Albanian population.

The role of female obesity on in vitro fertilization outcomes.

The aim of this review is to analyze the role of obesity on fertility outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with respect to clinical or live birth rates and pregnancy loss rates. Despite findings from several earlier and newer studies that obesity does not adversely affect pregnancy outcome in women attempting conception, numerous reports from mostly recent studies suggest that obesity undoubtedly impairs IVF outcomes. Obesity impairs ovarian responsiveness to gonadotrophin stimulation, requiring higher doses of medication, increased risk of cycle cancelation, pre-term delivery, low birth weight or miscarriage, and decreases implantation, clinical pregnancy or live birth rates compared to women of normal weight. The mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of female obesity on IVF outcome may be primarily explained by functional alterations to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Additionally, obesity appears to affect deleteriously the number and quality of oocytes or embryos, and impairs endometrial decidualization which is necessary for uterine receptivity. Nevertheless, attaining normal body weight by the use of lifestyle modifications, including a healthy diet and exercise over time of several months before and during an IVF treatment, may be successful in achievement of gradual and sustainable weight loss with improvement of IVF outcome.

Kisspeptin as a promising oocyte maturation trigger for in vitro fertilisation in humans.

The aim of this review is to analyse the effectiveness of exogenous kisspeptin administration as a novel alternative of triggering oocyte maturation, instead of currently used triggers such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Kisspeptin has been considered a master regulator of two modes of GnRH and hence gonadotropin secretion, pulses and surges. Administration of kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 induces the luteinising hormone (LH) surge required for egg maturation and ovulation in animal investigations and LH release during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and hypothalamic amenorrhoea in humans. Exogenous kisspeptin-54 has been successfully administered as a promising method of triggering oocyte maturation, following ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins and GnRH antagonists in women undergoing IVF, due to its efficacy considering achieved pregnancy rates compared to hCG and GnRH agonists. Also, its safety in patients at high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is noteworthy. Nevertheless, further studies would be desirable to establish the optimal trigger of egg maturation and to improve the reproductive outcome for women undergoing IVF treatment.

Current Medical Strategies in the Prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

The purpose of this review is to analyze current medical strategies in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. Owing to contemporary preventive measures of OHSS, the incidence of moderate and severe forms of the syndrome varies between 0.18% and 1.40%. Although none of medical strategies is completely effective, there is high-quality evidence that replacing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists after GnRH antagonists and moderate- quality evidence that GnRH antagonist protocols, dopamine agonists and mild protocols reduce the occurrence of OHSS. Among various GnRH agonists, buserelin 0.5 mg, triptorelin 0.2 mg and leuprolide acetate (0.5-4 mg) have been mostly utilized. Although GnRH trigger is currently regarded as the best tool for OHSS prevention, intensive luteal support with exogenous administration of estradiol and progesterone or low-dose hCG on the day of oocyte retrieval or on the day of GnRH agonist trigger are required to achieve optimal conception rates due to early luteolysis. Among currently available dopamine agonists, cabergoline, quinagolide and bromocriptine are the most common drugs that should be used for prevention of both early and late OHSS. Mild stimulation protocols offer attractive option in OHSS prevention with satisfactory pregnancy rates.

Improvement of Sexual and Reproductive Function in Men with Spinal Cord Lesion.

The aim of the review is to establish sexual and reproductive functions in men with spinal cord lesion (SCL). Many sexual and reproductive dysfunctions may be found in these patients including individual's low self-esteem, delay of orgasm, erectile or ejaculatory disorder and abnormalities of semen, which are characterized by lower sperm motility or viability. Owing to improvements in physical medicine and rehabilitation, the focus has been shifted from keeping patients alive towards ensuring the quality of life and improvements of sexual dysfunctions and later reproduction. Erectile dysfunction can be treated by using phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices and penile prostheses. Semen can be retrieved from anejaculatory patients by medically assisted methods utilizing penile vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, prostate mas-sage, or surgically. Although there is low chance for pregnancy in natural way in most of SCL pa-tients, fatherhood is possible through the introduction of assisted medical management. By use of various medical, technical and surgical procedures for sperm retrieval combined with assisted reproductive methods, high pregnancy rates have been reported comparable to those in able-bodied subfertile patients. Nevertheless, future studies are needed to improve semen quality and methods of assisted ejaculation in patients with SCL.

Laboratory and clinical significance of macroprolactinemia in women with hyperprolactinemia.

The role of macroprolactinemia in women with hyperprolactinemia is currently controversial and can lead to clinical dilemmas, depending upon the origin of macroprolactin, the presence of hyperprolactinemic symptoms and monomeric prolactin (PRL) levels. Macroprolactinemia is mostly considered an extrapituitary phenomenon of mild and asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia associated with normal concentrations of monomeric PRL and a predominance of macroprolactin confined to the vascular system, which is biologically inactive. Patients can therefore be reassured that macroprolactinemia should be considered a benign clinical condition, resistant to antiprolactinemic drugs, and that no diagnostic investigations or prolonged follow-up should be necessary. However, a significant proportion of macroprolactinemic patients appears to suffer from hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms and radiological pituitary findings commonly associated with true hyperprolactinemia. The symptoms of hyperprolactinemia are correlated to the levels of monomeric PRL excess, which may be explained as coincidental, by dissociation of macroprolactin, or by physiological, pharmacological and pathological causes. The excess of monomeric PRL levels in such cases is of primarily importance and the diagnosis of macroprolactinemia is misleading or inadequate. However, macroprolactinemia of pituitary origin associated with radiological findings of pituitary adenomas may rarely occur with similar hyperprolactinemic manifestations, exclusively due to bioactivity of macroprolactin. Therefore, in such cases with hyperprolactinemic signs and pituitary findings, macroprolactinemia should be considered a pathological biochemical condition of hyperprolactinemia. Accordingly, individualized diagnostic investigations with the introduction of dopamine agonists, or other treatment with prolonged follow-up, should be mandatory. The review analyses the laboratory and clinical significance of macroprolactinemia in hyperprolactinemic women suggesting clinically useful diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Tobacco Smoking Habits Among First Year Medical Students, University of Prishtina, Kosovo: Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking remains the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the world, requiring intensified national and international public health response. World Health Organization (WHO) has urged health professional organizations to encourage and support their members to be models for not using tobacco products and promote tobacco-free culture. Healthcare students are the future authority of the health society, they are in a position to play a vital role and have impact on social norms related to smoking. AIM: To determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking among healthcare students of Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina in Kosovo, so that recommendations can be made for its cessation among healthcare providers and thereafter the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administrated questionnaire prepared for this purpose. A total of 284 first year healthcare students of Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina in Kosovo were enrolled in the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: All respondents completed the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 100% (general medicine=180, dentistry = 104). The prevalence of students who have ever smoked was 53.2%. However, only 8.9% (9.1% M vs. 8.7% F) of the general medicine students and 5.8% (4.8% M vs. 6.5% F) of dentistry students declared that smoke tobacco every day. Overall, the research shows that the prevalence of occasional smokers among medical students in Kosova is quite high.