RESUMO
Identifying body fluids can be a critical clue that aids in reconstructing the crime scene. Semen and vaginal fluid identification is crucial, especially in cases of sexual assault. The majority of forensic studies focused on identifying normal body fluids and neglected the expression variation of semen in pathology. To differentiate between vaginal fluids, fertile and infertile semen samples (oligospermia and azoospermia) using miR 20b and miR197. A total of 48 body fluid samples, divided as 16 vaginal fluids, 16 fertile semen, and 16 infertile semen samples (8 with oligospermia and 8 with azoospermia), were collected, and the expression levels of miR-20b and miR-197 were detected by the SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR technique. Our results showed significant different expression of these miRNAs in normal semen compared to vaginal and infertile semen. Moreover, we designed a model based on Fisher's discriminant function to forecast the group affiliations of unidentified samples. With three novel equations, we were able to accurately distinguish between semen and vaginal fluid, fertile and infertile semen, and oligospermia and azoospermia semen samples with validation accuracy of 81.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. MiR-20b and miR-197 expression levels are efficient and appropriate markers to distinguish semen from vaginal fluid and to differentiate between fertile and infertile semen samples. However, the present study is a preliminary study based on clinical samples, and the potential role of these markers in differentiating real crime scene samples is still unknown, so we recommend further research to investigate these markers expression while using forensic samples.
RESUMO
Background: Remarkably, the current study is one of the first to deploy galectin-1 (Gal-1) in determining the degree of impairment of spermatogenesis among cases with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) as well as utilizing it as a biomarker to predict the rate of sperm retrieval in these patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the seminal plasma and serum levels of Gal-1 in NOA patients as well as their correlations with Johnsen's tubular biopsy scoring (JTBS). Methods: The current case control study included totally 48 patients with NOA whose ages ranged from 24 to 46 years old and 50 age matched healthy controls. Gal-1 levels were measured in both seminal plasma and serum of all subjects by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A significant negative correlation between seminal plasma levels of Gal-1 and JTBS was detected (r= -0.281, p=0.048) in the NOA cases. Interestingly, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had demonstrated that the cutoff value of seminal plasma levels of Gal-1 in determining azoospermia was >0.735 ng/ml and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.858. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for seminal plasma levels of Gal-1 were 76, 92, 90.5, and 79.3, respectively. In addition, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for serum levels of Gal-1 were 38, 66, 52.8, and 51.6, respectively. Conclusion: Seminal plasma levels of Gal-1 are higher in NOA men versus healthy controls. Interestingly, negative correlation of seminal plasma levels of Gal-1 with JTBS was determined. Thus, it can be used as a good predictor for NOA cases.
RESUMO
Aging is associated with a series of morphological and functional modifications that leads to reduced physiological efficiency and atrophy of various organs and systems. Tribulus terrestris induces its effect in fertility and sexual functions through the steroidal saponins, particularly the dominant saponins protodioscin. We aimed in this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of Tribulus terrestris in aging males with partial androgen deficiency who suffered from erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. A total of 70 randomized aging patients with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms were recruited from June 2017 to March 2018 from our andrology outpatient clinic. Thirty-five patients (group A) received Tribulus terrestris three times daily for 3 months and the other 35 patients (group B) received placebo. The mean of aspartate transaminase was elevated in group A after 3 months of receiving Tribulus terrestris (26.5 (before), 27.8 (after), respectively, p = 0.03). Moreover, there were significant elevations in the means of both total testosterone together with the score of the validated Arabic index of erectile function (5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function) (2.2, 10.7 (before), 2.7, 16.1 (after), p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Finally, the mean of the total prostate-specific antigen was elevated in this group (1.4 (before), 1.7 (before), p = 0.007, respectively). Interestingly, there were no worsening of the lower urinary tract symptoms in group A as there was no change in the mean score of the international prostate symptom score, which was used to assess these symptoms before and after treatment (mean 14.4 (before), 14.6 (after), p = 0.67, respectively). In sum, this study replicates the findings of previous reports about the robust effect of this herbal medicine in elevating the testosterone level and improving the sexual function of patients who suffered from erectile dysfunction with partial androgen deficiency.