Effects of kisspeptin on the maturation of human ovarian primordial follicles in vitro.

At this time, with advances in medical science, many cancers and chronic diseases are treatable, but one of their side effects is infertility. Some women also want to delay pregnancy for personal reasons. There has been some evidence that kisspeptin activates broad signals by binding to its receptor, suggesting that the role of kisspeptin in direct control of ovarian function includes follicle growth and steroid production. In this study, the effect of kisspeptin on improving the quality and results for human ovarian follicles was investigated. A section of ovary was removed laparoscopically from women between 20 and 35 years of age (n = 12). Pieces were divided randomly into two groups, control and treatment (with 1 µM kisspeptin). Real-time PCR was performed for GDF9, BMP15 and mTOR gene expression assessments. Western blotting was carried out to measure AKT and FOXO3a protein expression. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test; means were considered significantly different at a P-value < 0.05. During treatment with the kisspeptin group, maturity genes are expressed. Therefore, kisspeptin is an effective substance to improve the quality of the human ovarian medium as it increases the maturity of follicles.

Evaluation of L-Carnitine Potential in Improvement of Male Fertility.

L-carnitine, through its antioxidant potential, plays a significant role in reducing ROS production in male genital tract; therefore, fundamental improvements in spermatogenesis process and sperm structural and functional parameters in seminal plasma can be observed by treatment with L-carnitine. A literature search was performed using PubMed (including Medline) from the database earliest inception to 2021. Eligibility criteria included studies on protective effects of L-carnitine against damages to the male reproductive system. Based on the findings of the current study, L-carnitine has an effective potential to protect testis and improve conventional and functional sperm parameters against ROS-induced damages by sperm cryopreservation, busulfan treatment, and radiation.

Effect of Letrozole on sperm parameters, chromatin status and ROS level in idiopathic Oligo/Astheno/Teratozoospermia.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effect of letrozole on hormone profiles, semen parameters, body mass index (BMI), degree of oxidative stress and sperm chromatin integrity in men with idiopathic oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia (iOAT) and T:E2 ratio ≤ 10. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a longitudinal, prospective, interventional and open-labelled clinical trial. Semen samples were collected from 20 iOAT men with low serum testosterone (T) to estradiol (E2) ratio (T:E2 ratio ≤ 10). The participants were treated with 2.5 mg letrozole orally per day for 3 months. Then, sperm parameters, hormone profiles, BMI, chromatin integrity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were assessed pre- and post- treatment. The chromatin integrity was evaluated by assessment of DNA fragmentation (with TUNEL assay) and protamine deficiency (with Chromomycin A3, CMA3). Also, the intracellular ROS levels were investigated by 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. Finally, the differences between the parameters evaluated before and after letrozole treatment were analyzed with the t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility and its normal morphology increased significantly after letrozole treatment. Moreover, serum testosterone level increased but estradiol level decreased significantly following treatment. The mean of T:E2 ratio improved 1600%. Also, letrozole treatment significantly reduced the percentage of sperm TUNEL positivity and sperm CMA3 positivity. While no significant difference was observed between intracellular ROS levels and BMI before and after treatment. Finally, as a notable result, four spontaneous pregnancies (20%) were achieved after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Letrozole treatment can effectively increase spontaneous pregnancies by improving sperm parameters and sperm chromatin integrity in men with iOAT and T:E2 ratio ≤ 10. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration: IRCT, IRCT20191030045283N1. Registered 16 November 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://fa.irct.ir/user/trial/43484/view.

The Effect of Four Different Gonadotropin Protocols on Oocyte and Embryo Quality and Pregnancy Outcomes in IVF/ICSI Cycles; A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the large number of papers published on the efficiency of different exogenous gonadotropins, no confirmed protocol exists. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of 4 exogenous gonadotropins in IVF/ICSI cycles. METHODS: This study, performed from January 2014 to May 2014, recruited 160 women referred to Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital and Dena Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The patients underwent standard downregulation and were randomly divided into 4 groups of A, B, C, and D and were administered hMG, hFSH, rFSH, and combined sequential hFSH/rFSH, respectively. Then, the duration of stimulation, number of oocytes and embryos as well as their quality, implantation rate, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in each group were evaluated. RESULTS: Group D patients required significantly fewer ampoules of FSH than did the women in groups A, B, and C (P=0.004). The duration of stimulation was significantly longer in group C than in groups A and D (P=0.030). The serum estradiol level was significantly higher in group D than in groups B and C (P=0.005). A significantly higher number of large-sized follicles was observed in group D than in group B (P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean oocyte number, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy rate, or live birth rate between the hMG, hFSH, rFSH, and sequential hFSH/rFSH protocols. However, several differences in the duration of stimulation, serum estradiol levels, and number of large-sized follicles were detected between the groups. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201408116541N7.