Evaluation of effect of selected trace elements on dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation.

INTRODUCTION: Lead and cadmium can lead to negative effects on sperm chromatin DNA integrity. Copper, zinc and selenium are essential components of many enzymes which are important for reproduction. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and selenium on the dynamics of semen DNA fragmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study concerned 85 fertile and 131 infertile men aged 25-35. DNA fragmentation in the samples was determined after 3 h, 6 h and 12 h. The Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Se measurements were performed by the electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry method. RESULTS: We found that sperm DNA fragmentation was a dynamic process which was intensified with an increase in the level of lead in seminal plasma. The levels of lead and cadmium were higher in seminal plasma of infertile men, compared to fertile men. The levels of zinc, copper and selenium in seminal plasma were higher in men with proven fertility, compared to infertile men, and did not exert a significant effect on the dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation. The level of cadmium had no significant effect on intensification of sperm DNA fragmentation in time. DISCUSSION: Reports in the literature which concern the effect of trace elements on human reproduction are equivocal. The present study confirmed an unfavourable effect, especially that of lead, on the dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation; however, these studies need to be expanded and continued in the future.

Association between estrogen levels and temporomandibular disorders: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate whether the hypothesis that estrogen levels are associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in humans can be confirmed or contradicted by available literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review based on the content of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Studies were identified using a combination of key words 'temporomandibular disorder' and 'estrogen'. Nine studies were included into our review. RESULTS: The relationship between estrogen levels and TMD was found in seven out of nine reviewed papers. Results from two papers suggest that a high estrogen level is associated with an increased prevalence of TMD. Five additional papers found a relationship between a low estrogen level and an increase in TMD pain. In considering the value of evidence and inconsistencies of results in the reviewed publications, we state that there is weak evidence to support the hypothesis that estrogen levels are associated with TMD. CONCLUSIONS: Results of reviewed studies were divergent and sometimes contradictory. One possible explanation is that estrogen influences TMD pain processing differently than temporomandibular joints (TMJ) structures, as shown in many animal studies. Estrogen may influence TMD pain processing differently than TMJ structures. We suggest consideration of the dual action of estrogen when planning future studies on its association with TMD.

Comparison of biopsychosocial functioning of women of different nationalities in the perimenopausal period.

INTRODUCTION: The perimenopausal age is a time of many changes in women's health. Changes in women's health affect all spheres of life, because health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but full psychological, physical and social well-being. Presentation and comparison of the biopsychosocial functioning of women of different races and nationalities in perimenopause, identification of the most common menopause symptoms occurring among women and their needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Work supported with research examples. Using the PubMed database, the medical literature was searched for works that contain the key words menopause and race or ethnicity published between 1996 and 2013 and available in English. Literature in Polish is a supplementary issue. RESULTS: Various demographic processes taking place in the countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe are the basis for observing the situation in perimenopausal women in these countries. Caucasian women living in North America and Europe most often experience the negative symptoms of menopause, hindering daily functioning, and women living in urbanized countries in Asia best assess their health condition, both psychosocial and physical. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsychosocial functioning of women varies among countries. Developing countries should be given the necessary support and financial information to ensure the health and quality of life in perimenopausal women. In most countries of the world there has been observed the need to promote women's health, particularly research aimed at prevention, increasing physical activity and attention to nutrition.

Selected determinants of quality of life in women with urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common diseases in women. It involves uncontrolled leaking of urine through the urethra. UI incidence depends on age and in certain age groups it can affect up to 60% of the female population. The symptoms can be persistent and due to their embarrassing nature they can lead to significant deterioration of quality of life and psychological functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the quality of life and selected aspects of functioning. Seventy female outpatients of a public clinic in Naleczów, Poland, were examined, and the following methods were used: the Urinary Incontinence Life Quality Scale (Szymona-Palkowska, Kraczkowski), Disease-Related Appraisal Scale (Janowski, Steuden), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (Endler, Parker), Disease-Related Social Support Scale (Brachowicz, Janowski, Sadowska), and the Knowledge Appraisal Scale for Urinary Incontinence (Szymona-Palkowska, Kraczkowski). The obtained results suggest that the strongest predictors for the quality of life with UI would be: perception of the disease as an injustice and a challenge (a reverse relationship) and an avoidance-oriented style of coping with stress through companionship seeking (a positive relationship). The duration of the disease and the level of related knowledge proved to be crucial in the analysis of one dimension, i.e. distance to the symptoms.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Infertility Treated Women in Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of infertility treated women as it can affect the effectiveness of therapy. This cross-sectional study was conducted with Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Fertility Quality of Life tool (FertiQoL) and an author's questionnaire. The study included 1200 women treated for infertility without the use of assisted reproductive technology (non-ART), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF). The control group was 100 healthy women who had children. The time to conceive did not significantly differ between study groups and was 3.1-3.6 years, on average. The quality of life in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire data significantly differed between study groups and the control (physical domain p < 0.001, psychological p = 0.009; social p = 0.004; environmental p < 0.001). A significant effect was found in 4 FertiQoL subscales: emotional, biological, partnership, and attitude towards treatment; depending on the method of treatment. Women who received non-ART treatment evaluated their QoL in significantly more negative terms in these 4 subscales, compared to those treated with IVF. The quality of life depends on reproductive problems, methods of infertility treatment, age, place of residence, and education level. Prolongation of the duration of treatment unfavourably affects the quality of life. The quality of life of women undergoing infertility treatment differs according to the mode of work and having children from a previous relationship.

[Assessment of knowledge of women regarding sexual risk factors for cervical cancer].

Introduction: In Poland, reproductive system cancers are an important medical and social problem. Risky sexual behaviours such as early age of sexual initiation, or a large number of sexual partners increase the risk of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of women about sexual risk factors for cervical cancer. Materials and methods: The study included 200 women from the cities of Lublin and Radom, and the village of Jablonna. Respondents completed a diagnostic survey questionnaire specially developed for the purpose of this study. The results were statistically analysed. Results: statistically signi􀏐icant relationship was found between the knowledge of respondents about early start of sexual intercourse as a risk factor for cervical cancer and their marital status (p = 0.003), place of residence (p = 0.01) and type of professional activity (p = 0.03). There was also a statistically signi􀏐icant relationship between the knowledge of the surveyed women on a large number of sexual partners as a risk factor for cervical cancer and age (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.03), and the type of professional activity. Conclusions: Women know that the early age of sexual initiation and a large number of sexual partners is a risk factor for cervical cancer. On the other hand, they are not aware of the impact of a large number of sexual partners of their current partner on the risk of cervical cancer. There is a need to educate women about the impact of risky sexual behaviour on the potential development of cervical cancer.

The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on the dynamics of the embryonic development in intracytoplasmatic sperm injection.

The genetic integrity of sperm DNA can contribute to the infertility problems experienced by couples. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is the most common DNA abnormality in male gametes, and yet its effect on embryo kinetics has not been widely studied. Embryo morphokinetic parameters during the first days of embryo culture after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) are weakly predictive of both embryo development and pregnancy outcome. This study investigated the effect of SDF on embryo morphokinetic parameters following ICSI. The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in spermatozoa from all males in the study (n = 165) was determined before ICSI and the morphokinetic parameters of the embryos (n = 165) were monitored via time-lapse recording. We found that a low DFI index in spermatozoa corresponded with embryos that reached the blastocyst stage at a faster rate after ICSI. Overall, lower SDF levels were also found in the group of patients that achieved pregnancy. Thus, higher SDF levels can slow down embryo morphokinetic parameters, and may be predictive of pregnancy outcomes after ICSI.

Decreased activity of superoxide dismutase in the seminal plasma of infertile men correlates with increased sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation during the first hours after sperm donation.

Sperm DNA fragmentation varies between individuals and is more pronounced with increased patient age and time after sperm donation. The intensification of DNA fragmentation depends on the balance of the oxidoreductive system, which is regulated mainly by two enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation dynamics, fertility and seminal SOD and catalase activity. The study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Non-Public Health Care Unit 'Ovum Reproduction and Andrology' in Lublin, Lublin, Poland, and covered 218 men aged 25-35 (85 fertile and 133 patients treated for infertility). Percentage of fragmented DNA was measured in a modified chromatin dispersion test at four time points after sperm donation (t = 0, 3, 6, 12 h). SOD and catalase activities were determined spectrophotometrically. We confirmed that the activity of SOD in the seminal plasma of men with reproductive disorders was lower compared with fertile men. Conversely, no significant correlations were found between fertility and catalase activity. Sperm DNA of infertile males was initially more fragmented than fertile male sperm DNA. SOD and catalase activity did not correlate with the degree of DNA fragmentation in fertile men. In men with reproductive disorders, the rate of DNA fragmentation was slow within first 3 h after sperm donation and then increased between 6 and 12 h. In this group of infertile men, those with higher SOD activity had a lower DNA fragmentation index (DFI) after 12 h, and a reduced rate of intensity of fragmentation from 6 to 12 h. Alternatively, higher catalase activity among men treated for infertility was accompanied by higher initial DFI and higher rate of DNA fragmentation from 6 to 12 h. These results highlight the importance of determining a proper time window between sperm donation and procedures of assisted reproductive technology.

[Report of two cases of women with panhypopituitarism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism--stimulation of ovulation and pregnancy]. / Opis dwóch przypadków niewydolnosci przysadki u kobiet--stymulacja owulacji i przebieg ciazy.

In this study two cases of women with panhypopituitarism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were discussed. Menstruation, ovulation, pregnancy and healthy deliveries were managed to obtain in very short time in women who had never had spontaneous menstruations before.

Nicotinism and quality of embryos obtained in in-vitro fertilization programmes.

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive following 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and drugs are the main stimulants exerting a negative effect on the male and female reproductive organs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was analysis of the effect of cigarette smoking by the women examined and their partners on the quality of embryos obtained in in vitro fertilization programmes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered 54 women treated due to infertility. The database and statistical analyses were performed by means of computer software STATISTICA 7.1 (StatSoft, Poland). RESULTS: The study showed that among 100% of the women examined, 24.07% smoked cigarettes. No statistically significant difference was observed between cigarette smoking by the women in the study (p=0.42), and the number of cigarettes smoked daily (p=0.52) and the total duration of smoking expressed in years (p=0.56). In addition, the study showed that 33.33% of respondents were exposed to passive nicotinism, while 66.67% were not exposed to passive smoking. In the group of women exposed to passive smoking, Class A embryos constituted 11.11%, Class B embryos - 83.38%, whereas Class C embryos - only 5.56%. A statistically significant relationship was noted between classes of embryos and exposure to passive nicotinism (p=0.03). Passive smoking results in the development of embryos of poorer quality. A significantly higher number of Class 2 embryos were produced from oocytes of women exposed to the effect of cigarette smoke, compared to Class 1. Among women at reproductive age, an active campaign should be carried out against nicotinism on behalf of their fertility and future maternity.

[Level of depression in women undergoing gynecologic surgery]. / Analiza poziomu depresji u kobiet leczonych operacyjnie na oddziale ginekologii.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of depression in women during the early post-operative period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 220 women treated surgically for various gynecologic conditions were enrolled. The study was done between day 4-6 after surgery using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: It was found that the mean level of depression on the BDI scale in the study group of women was 12.24 +/- 8.73. The mean level of depression in patients who underwent surgery using the vaginal route was significantly greater (p = 0.003) than in patients after laparoscopy and patients after laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The mean level of depression in the study group approached values found in depression. Patients after surgery using the vaginal route demonstrated higher levels of depression than patients after laparoscopy. Age, education, source of subsistence, and number of children had an impact on the level of depression in the study group. Marital status and place of residence were without effect on the level of depression in the patients.