Medium containing different concentrations of catalase as a strategy for optimising sperm parameters and chromatin in normospermic persons.

The aim of this study was to comprise the effect of catalase on sperm parameters and chromatin in normospermic persons. Semen samples were obtained from fertile men. A certain amount of different concentrations of catalase (0.1, 1, 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 IU.ml) was added to each vial containing semen. Control group had similar condition to treated groups without treatment. Treatment was done for one hour in incubator and 4 and 24 hr in room temperature. Sperm parameters (motility, viability and morphology) and chromatin were evaluated after incubation. The results show that percentage of motility was insignificantly increased at concentration of 100 IU.ml catalase. This increase was higher than other examined concentration in all incubation time. The increase in sperm motility had significant difference in concentrations of 100 IU.ml with other concentrations. Other parameters showed no significant difference in all concentrations. Regarding the health of sperm chromatin, low concentrations of catalase had significant effect on this variable. This effect was more in low concentrations than high concentrations. This study showed the use of lower concentrations of antioxidant can improve the sperm parameters and chromatin quality. The low concentrations of catalase led to protection of chromatin and optimisation of sperm parameters.

Kindler syndrome: the case of two Iranian sisters.

Kindler syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition, characterized by multiple skin and mucosal abnormalities. Among the latter, esophageal involvement is an infrequent manifestation which may be completely asymptomatic or complicated by dysphagia. We report the case of two sisters presenting with cutaneous features and severe dysphagia. Endoscopic examination showed that the patients were affected by a rare condition named "esophageal web". Both patients showed significant improvement after balloon dilation. Clinicians should be aware of the potential complications of this disease, and the approach by balloon dilation should be considered as primary therapy in Kindler syndrome patients with esophageal web.

Serum immune reactivity against ß2-Glycoprotein-I and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibodies by ELI-P-Complex Screening Technology in recurrent miscarriage.

BACKGROUND: A plethora of evidence has shown that circulating auto-antibodies (a-Abs) are critically linked to pregnancy failure. In this study the possible association of serum immune reactivity (IR) against ß2-Glycoprotein-I (ß2GPI) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic (ANCA) a-Abs in recurrent miscarriage (RM) was examined. METHODS: This is a case-control study which was carried out in a research and clinical center for infertility, during January to December 2013 on 128 women with RM, matched with 65 women with no history of pregnancy wastage. The participant's sera were collected and serum IR was analyzed against ß2GPI and ANCA a-Abs by ELI-P-Complex screening technology, the assay involved a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum IR of each sample was calculated in conditional units (CU). RESULTS: Elevated serum IR against ß2GPI and decreased serum IR against ANCA a-Abs were detected in a total of 51.5% (N.=66; m=-42 CU) and 24.2% (N.=31; m=-42 CU) patients, respectively. In rare control subjects, serum IR against ß2GPI (3%) and ANCA (1.5%) was observed. The elevated serum IR of ß2GPI was not correlated with the decreased serum IR against ANCA (r=-0.23, P<0.05). Moreover, ß2GPI IR was associated with first trimester miscarriages (P=0.03) and the number of previous miscarriages (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the risk of RM may be high in women with the prominent serum IR deviations against ß2GPI and ANCA a-Abs. According to the findings and ELI-P-Complex technology principles, it is suggested that the vigorous monitoring of these two a-Abs pre- and during pregnancy may be useful to avoid negative outcomes such as miscarriage.