High levels of follicular fluid testosterone could impair oocyte developmental competency via affecting aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway in PCOS patients.

BACKGROUND: Although hormonal and metabolic dysfunction have been recognized as a possible cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the associations between hyperandrogenism and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) signaling pathway remains controversial. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of hyperandrogenism on oocyte developmental competency via regarding Ahr signaling downstream pathway in granulosa cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Granulosa cells were collected from 45 PCOS patients under assisted reproductive technique (ART). Gene expression of Ahr downstream pathway was evaluated based on Reverse Transcription Q-PCR assay. Moreover the correlation was investigated between gene expression and hyperandrogenism, and oocyte developmental competency in PCOS. RESULTS: From the 45 PCOS patients, 26 (64.44%) had a high level of follicular fluid testosterone (FFT). Based on the FFT level, two groups of PCOS: HFT (high level of FFT) and non-HFT, were shown significant differences in oocyte and embryo quality, and fertilization and cleavage rates. Moreover, the mean relative expressions of Ahr and Arnt genes were significantly higher in HFT -PCOS group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01) respectively. Also, the significant positive correlations were obtained for Ahr, Arnt, Cyp1A1, and Cyp1B1 with incidence of clinical hyperandrogenism and FFT level. Besides, our results showed that Ahr, Cyp1A1, and Cyp1B1 gene expression was correlated significantly with fertilization rate. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that hyperandrogenism could impair oocyte developmental competency via affecting Ahr signaling downstream pathway.

Normal seminal plasma could preserve human spermatozoa against cryopreservation damages in Oligozoospermic patients.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa has been identified as an efficient procedure to preserve fertility in men before any cancer therapy or surgical infertility treatment. Despite the benefits of the procedure, the deleterious effects of cryopreservation have been proven on sperm structure and function. This study aimed to evaluate seminal plasma effects on human sperm characteristics after cryopreservation, and compare the addition of normozoospermic and oligozoospermic seminal plasma in the prepared oligozoospermic samples. Semen samples were collected from fifty-five oligozoospermic men and the twenty fertile individuals who referred to the infertility center. At first, a semen analysis was carried out on each neat ejaculate, and then some were cryopreserved. The remainder of the semen was divided into two, one for seminal plasma removal and the other for sperm preparation. Then, the prepared spermatozoa were cryopreserved in three groups: one with, and another without the addition of oligozoospermic seminal plasma, and still another with the addition of normal seminal plasma. After thawing, sperm DNA integrity, viability, motility, and morphology were determined. RESULTS: The percentages of all parameters were significantly lower after cryopreservation in all groups compared to the fresh sample. However, this reduction was lower in the oligozoospermic samples cryopreserved with normal seminal plasma. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that seminal plasma in oligozoospermic patients could not support sperm against cryo-injuries, an indication likely due to insufficient antioxidants and other protective components in oligozoospermic patients. However, normal seminal plasma could slightly preserve sperm characteristics after cryopreservation in oligozoospermic patients.

Effect of bacterial infection on sperm quality and DNA fragmentation in subfertile men with Leukocytospermia.

BACKGROUND: Although bacterial infections have been recognized as a possible cause of male infertility, the effect of bacterial infections on sperm quality and sperm DNA fragmentation remains controversial. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of bacterial infection in subfertile men and its effect on semen quality. Seminal fluid was collected from 172 male members of infertile couples attending the andrology infertility center and a group of 35 fertile subjects as a control. Sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation were evaluated based on the type of bacteria in all ejaculates. RESULTS: From the 172 patients investigated for infertility, 60 (34.88%) patients had a positive culture for pathogenic bacteria of different species. Leukocytospermia was significantly higher in infected samples in comparison with non-infected samples (p < 0.05). Sperm concentration and motility and morphology were significantly lower in infected than non-infected samples. Moreover, sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in infected than non-infected samples. Besides, our results showed that sperm DNA fragmentation was correlated significantly with leukocytospermia (R: 0.22, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that bacterial infection significantly correlated with leukocytospermia could impair male fertility potential through decreasing sperm motility, morphology, and DNA integrity.

Improvement in the epigenetic modification and development competence in PCOS mice oocytes by hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa during in-vitro maturation: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Nigella Sativa (NS) and its active component, thymoquinone, have beneficial protective effects on experimental animal models of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and different human diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of NS hydro-alcoholic extract (NSE) on the oocyte quality of PCOS mice during in vitro maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For induction of PCOS, 40 prepubertal 21-days old female B6D2F1 mice (18-22 g body weight) received subcutaneous dehydroepiandrosterone daily. After validation of the model, germinal vesicle-stage oocytes of superovulated mice were collected and placed in the culture medium containing different concentrations (0, 1, 50, and 100 µg/ml) of NSE. For the measurement of developmental competency, some mature oocytes were fertilized with epididymal spermatozoa. Other mature oocytes were assessed for oxidative stress. Also, some mRNA expression levels involved in oocyte maturation and epigenetic modification were evaluated. RESULTS: The 50 µg/ml NSE treated group showed significantly higher r ates o f maturation, f ertilization, and blastocyst formation in comparison with both control and PCOS groups. A high level of glutathione concentration and glutathione peroxidase mRNA expression, besides a low level of reactive oxygen species content all, were observed in oocytes treated with 50 µg/ml NSE, indicating the modification of oxidative statue. Furthermore, the oocytes in the 50 µg/ml-treated group showed an upregulation of mRNA expression in epigenetic-related genes (Dnmt1 and Hdac1) and maternally derived genes (Mapk and Cdk1), correspondingly downregulation of cyclooxygenase2 mRNA expression, in comparison to other groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that 50 µg/ml NSE improves oocyte maturation, oxidative statues and epigenetic modifications. These may be the all reasons for the developmental competency in the control and PCOS mice oocytes.

Delayed Start Protocol with Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Antagonist in Poor Responders Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effects of the delayed start protocol with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted during a 15-month period from April 2014 to July 2015 in clinics in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 42 poor responders with primary infertility were randomly assigned to the controlled ovarian stimulation group utilizing the delayed start protocol (n = 21) or the traditional group (n = 21) using GnRH antagonist, Cetrotide. The primary endpoint was the number of patients undergoing oocyte pick-up, implantation, and the rate of pregnancy. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two study groups were comparable including age, infertility duration, and body mass index. The number of follicles measuring > 13 mm in diameter (p = 0.057), retrieved oocytes (p = 0.564), mature metaphase II oocytes (p = 0.366), embryos (p = 0.709), and transferred embryos (p = 0.060) were comparable between the two groups. The number of patients undergoing oocyte pick-up (p = 0.311), the rates of implantation (p = 0.407), and pregnancy (p = 0.596) were also comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The delayed start protocol was not associated with better conception results or cycle outcomes in poor responders with primary infertility undergoing IVF cycles.