Cost-effectiveness of GnRH antagonist implementation on hCG injection day.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of antagonist stimulation protocols and to compare the cost effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and December 2017, a total of 354 women who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection and controlled ovarian stimulation with antagonist protocols were enrolled in the study. The antagonist implementation on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was continued for 194 of women, whereas the antagonist was stopped 36 hours before in 160 women. The stimulation outcomes of patients and cost-effectiveness of the regimens were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of number of cryopreserved embryos, mature/immature oocyte ratio, and embryo transfer cancellations (p<0.05). The median value for the mature/immature oocyte ratio was 1.1 (0.2-7.5) and 1 (0.5-15) (p=0.001), and the ET cancellation was 5.3% vs. 1% for group 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.037). There was no difference between the groups in terms of pregnancy rates (p=0.197). CONCLUSION: No difference was found in the clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups. For this reason, the cessation of antagonist implementation on the day of hCG seems more advantageous in terms of cost-effectiveness and fewer injections.

Possible effects of some agents on the injured nerve in obese rats: A stereological and electron microscopic study.

PURPOSE: The main aim of this study was to research new treatments following peripheral nerve injury involving melatonin (Mel), acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR), and leptin (Lep) using updated unbiased methods at the stereological and electron microscopic levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into nine equal groups; control (Cont), obese control (OG), obese group exposed to sciatic nerve resection (Gap) (OGG), obese group injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Mel (OMG), obese group injected with Mel i.p. with gap (OMGG), obese group injected with Lep i.p. (OLG), obese group injected with Lep i.p. with gap (OLGG), obese group injected with ALCAR i.p. (OAG), and obese group injected with ALCAR i.p. with gap (OAGG). Electromyography (EMG) procedures were performed. Following routine histological procedures, stereological analysis was performed for each group. RESULTS: In terms of the number of myelinated axons, high significant increase in OGG was observed compared to OG and Cont (p < 0.01). In addition, a highly significant increase in axon surface area and myelin thickness of OGG compared to OG and Cont (p < 0.01) was noted. A significant decrease in myelin thickness/axon diameter ratio of OGG was found in comparison with the other groups. In terms of latency, there was a highly significant decrease in OGG compared to Cont and OG (p < 0.01). Myelinated axon numbers in OAGG, OMGG and OLGG increased highly significantly compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Latency in OMGG, a highly significant increase, was determined in OMG compared to Cont (p < 0.01). In addition, latency values in OGG were highly significantly greater than in OAC and OAGG (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In particular, administration of Lep, Mel and ALCAR as neuroprotective agents may make a positive contribution to regeneration and myelination in obese rats.

The role of growth factors in nerve regeneration.

Nerve injuries result in functional loss in the innervated organ or body parts, and recovery is difficult unless surgical treatment has been done. Different surgical treatments have been suggested for nerve repair. Tissue engineering related to growth factors has arisen as an alternative approach for triggering and improving nerve regeneration. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis related to growth factors as tools for optimizing the regeneration process. Studies and reviews on the use of growth factors for nerve regeneration were compiled over the course of the review. According to literature review, it may be concluded that growth factors from different sources present promising treatment related to nerve regeneration involved in neuronal differentiation, greater myelination and axonal growth and proliferation of specific cells for nerve repair.

Effect of mercury vapor inhalation on rat ovary: Stereology and histopathology.

AIM: Mercury, an environmental contaminant, is a risk factor for health in whole living organisms. In this study, we investigated whether mercury vapor (HgO) inhalation has an effect on rat ovary. METHODS: Twelve Wistar albino rats were divided equally into experimental (Hg) and control groups (n = 6). Animals in the Hg group were exposed to HgO for 45 days at a dose 1 mg/m(3)/day, after which, histological and stereological assessment were carried out. RESULTS: Ovaries exposed to HgO had histo-morphometric alterations. HgO inhalation resulted in reduction of the total number of primordial, primary and Graaf follicles. Also, mean volume of ovary, medulla and cortex, corpus luteum (c. luteum) and Graaf follicles was decreased in the Hg group. Moreover, there was a significant increase in total volume of the atretic follicles. On light microscopy, thickening of tunica albuginea, increase of fibrils within the connective tissue, congestion of the capillaries and venous vessels, thinned walls and fibrin deposition in some large blood vessels, and edema were seen. Also, irregular follicle and oocyte borders, and hydropic degeneration in follicular granulosa cells were detected. CONCLUSION: Structural alterations could be attributed to the toxic influence of HgO on rat ovary. The use of Hg should therefore be more controlled to minimize its toxic effect.

Different methods for evaluating the effects of microwave radiation exposure on the nervous system.

Microwave radiation (MWR) leads to hazardous effects on he central nervous system (CNS) for both human and animals. The widespread use of mobile phones has increased the risks of health problems in the CNS caused by radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. To determine these effects various methodological approaches related to neuroscience such as stereology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy have been used. These approaches examine the effects on cells exposed to MWR at the light microscopic and ultrastructural levels, and novel information is obtained. The main aim of this paper is to discuss possible side effects of MWR in the light of current literature with different methodological approaches.

Electromagnetic field and brain development.

Rapid advances in technology involve increased exposures to radio-frequency/microwave radiation from mobile phones and other wireless transmitting devices. As cell phones are held close to the head during talking and often stored next to the reproductive organs, studies are mostly focused on the brain. In fact, more research is especially needed to investigate electromagnetic field (EMF)'s effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies clearly demonstrate that EMF emitted by cell phones could affect a range of body systems and functions. Recent work has demonstrated that EMF inhibit the formation and differentiation of neural stem cells during embryonic development and also affect reproductive and neurological health of adults that have undergone prenatal exposure. The aim of this review is to discuss the developing CNS and explain potential impacts of EMF on this system.

The effect of melatonin and platelet gel on sciatic nerve repair: an electrophysiological and stereological study.

Nerve regeneration after surgical reconstruction is far from optimal, and thus effective strategies for improving the outcome of nerve repair are being sought. In this experiment, we verified if postoperative intraperitoneal melatonin (MLT) administration after intraoperative platelet gel application improves peripheral nerve regeneration. In adult male rats, 1-cm long sciatic nerve defects were repaired using four different strategies: autologous nerve graft repair followed by MLT (NM, n = 5), collagen conduit repair followed by MLT (CM, n = 5), platelet gel-enriched collagen conduit repair followed by MLT (CGM, n = 6), and platelet gel-enriched collagen conduit (CG, n = 5) repair followed by no substance administration. Sham operated animals were used as controls (Cont, n = 5). Ninety days after surgery, the nerve regeneration outcome was comparatively assessed by means of electrophysiological and stereological analysis. Electrophysiology revealed no significant differences between the experimental and the sham control groups. Stereological analysis showed no significant differences among the experimental groups regarding axon size and myelin thickness, but the axon number was significantly lower in the CM compared to Cont and NM group. Moreover, there was no significant difference between number of axons in CG and Cont groups, between CGM and CM, and between CM and NM. Although it was observed that platelet gel have a positive effect on nerve regeneration, but a combination of local platelet gel with MLT does not have the same effect on nerve repair.