Apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells in relation to embryo quality in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate associations between gene expression pattern of apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and the quality of oocytes and embryos. METHODS: 40 intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients, of whom 20 were PCOS and 20 were healthy women, were included in this study. Serum hormone levels were measured using Radioimmunoassay for each patient. The expression of survivin, caspase-3, and caspase-7 in 200 cumulus complexes surrounding mature oocytes (100 in PCOS versus 100 in control groups) collected individually at pick up was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). RESULTS: The expression levels of survivin were significantly lower in PCOS patients than those of normal women while caspase-3 and caspase-7 expression levels were higher in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of these genes and embryo quality. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the measurement of survivin, caspase-3, caspase-7 levels in cumulus cells of PCOS patients could be used as genetic biomarkers for oocyte and embryo selection under an ART program. However, further prospective studies are required to elucidate this issue.

Acute Effects of Ruta graveolens L. on Sperm Parameters and DNA Integrity in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Increase in world population is one of the serious and threatening issues in this century. Therefore, it is vitally important to find safe and effective contraceptive methods, especially for men which already have few choices in this regard. Medicinal plants that were used for contraception in ancient times could be good sources of investigation in this filed. Ruta graveolens L. is one the plants introduced in the Iranian traditional medicine as an oral male contraception to be used before intercourse. In this study we tried to investigate the probable effects of the plant on the spermatozoa of male rats. METHODS: Ruta graveolens L. aqueous extract (5 g/kg) was administered orally to five groups of male rats and sperm motility was checked after half, one, two, four and six hours later. Moreover, one group of rats served as the control group. Subsequently, viability of cells (Eosin-Nigrosin staining), morphological changes (Diff-Quick staining), DNA status (acridine orange dye) and serum testosterone levels were assessed in the treated groups which had significant immotile spermatozoa. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test were employed for comparison between groups. RESULTS: A significant reduction in sperm motility was seen one hour after administration of the extract in the case groups compared to the controls (36% vs. 68.15%, respectively, p <0.01). The motility gradually increased afterwards, and by 6 hours, it was the same as the control group (65.43% and 68.15%, respectively). No significant changes were seen in viability, morphology or DNA structure of spermatozoa in each group. Testosterone levels did not show any significant changes in the treated groups when compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Since a significant temporary immobility of spermatozoa without any adverse effects on other sperm characteristics occurred upon the administration of Ruta graveolens L. aqueous extract, it seems that this plant might have the potential to be used for the suggested male contraception.

Immobilization effect of Ruta graveolens L. on human sperm: a new hope for male contraception.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Contraceptive plants which were introduced by folk in traditional remedies are investigated worldwide. In this study, the contraceptive effects of Ruta graveolens L., which has been mentioned for male contraceptive in Iranian traditional folk medicine, was experimented on human sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different doses of lyophilized aqueous extract of Ruta graveolens L. were added to an amount of fresh semen, containing 10(6) cells in a 1:1 volumic ratio. Motility and viability of cells, DNA status, mitochondrial activity and sperm revival tests were carried out. RESULTS: The sperm immobilization effects of the extract appeared immediately in a does-dependent manner and 100% of the sperms became immotile at a concentration of 100mg/ml but other parameters were intact. After washing the sperms, motility was returned in 30.8+/-3.2% of the sperms, besides coiled tails in 38.6+/-5.5% of the treated cells, in comparison to 12.5+/-2.0% of the control group (p=0.001). The part of the extract, responsible for immobilization of the sperms was stable upon boiling. CONCLUSIONS: As the cells were alive and immotile, probably some ionic currents are blocked by a thermostable component of the plant which can be promising as a new male channel blocker contraceptive.