@article { author = {Tavalaee, Marziyeh and Nasr-Esfahani, Mohammad Hossein and Deemeh, Mohammad Reza}, title = {Etiology and Evaluation of Sperm Chromatin Anomalies}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {1-8}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45697}, abstract = {Evidence suggests that human sperm chromatin anomalies adversely affect reproductive outcomes and infertile men possess substantially amount of sperm with chromatin anomalies than fertile men. Routine semen analysis evaluates parameters such as sperm motility and morphology, but does not examine the nuclear DNA integrity of spermatozoa. It has been suggested that altered nuclear chromatin structure or damaged DNA in spermatozoa could modify the special cellular functions of human spermatozoa, and thereby affect the fertility potential. Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) bypass the barriers to fertilization for such a sperm, then the effect of chromatin anomalies on the development remains a concern. Therefore, it is essential to develop and use accurate diagnostic tests, which may provide better prognostic capabilities than the standard sperm assessments. This review discusses our current understanding of the structure and organization of sperm DNA, the different procedures for assessment of sperm chromatin anomalies including comet assay, Chromomycin A3 (CMA3), sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), acridine orange test (AOT), terminal TdT-mediated dUTP-nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay, aniline blue and sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test and the impact of chromatin anomalies on reproductive outcome.}, keywords = {Sperm Chromatin Anomalies,Protamine Deficiency,DNA damage}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45697.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45697_d0d4e8d2f184bca14166f2c331608f74.pdf} } @article { author = {Ziaei, Saeideh and Ranjkesh, Fatemeh and Faghihzadeh, Soghrat}, title = {Evaluation of 24-Hour Urine Copper in Preeclamptic Vs. Normotensive Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {9-12}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45700}, abstract = {Background The aim of this study was to evaluate copper status in women with preeclampsia. Materials and methods Sixty preeclamptic, sixty normotensive pregnant and sixty healthy nonpregnant women were enrolled in a cross sectional study. The 24-hour urine copper was compared among the women. Results There was significant difference in the copper concentration of 24-hour urine among the three groups due to the difference between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (12.19±3.71 vs. 5.69±2.05, p <0.001). Conclusion The results of this study revealed that the level of urine copper increases preeclamptic pregnancy. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether observed alternation in copper precede preeclampsia or the difference may be attributed to preeclampsia-related alternations in maternal trace metal metabolism.}, keywords = {copper,Preeclampsia,Pregnancy}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45700.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45700_38f9c3e1b223b8f61b305cc7e7889613.pdf} } @article { author = {Salamian, Ahamad and Ghaedi, Kamran and Razavi, Shahnaz and Tavalaee, Mahmud and Tanhaei, Somayeh and Tavalaee, Marzyeh and Salahshour, Iman and Gourabi, Hamid and Nasr-Esfahani, Mohammad Hossein}, title = {Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis of Protamine Genes in Infertile Men}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {13-18}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45702}, abstract = {Background Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) are considered as one of the underlying causes of male infertility. Proper sperm chromatin packaging which involves replacement of histones with protamines has profound effect on male fertility. Over 20 SNPs have been reported for the protamine 1 and 2. Materials and methods The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of two previously reported SNPs using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) approach in 35, 96 and 177 normal, oligozoospermic and azoospermic individuals. These SNPs are: 1. A base pair substitution (G) at position 197 instead of T in protamine type 1 Open reading frame (ORF) including untranslated region, which causes an Arg residue change to Ser residue in a highly conserved region. 2. cytidine nucleotide change to thymidine in position of 248 of protamine type 2 ORF which caused a nonsense point mutation. Results The two mentioned SNPs were not present in the studied population, thus concluding that these SNPs can not serves as molecular markers for male infertility diagnosis. Conclusion The results of our study reveal that in a selected Iranian population, the SNP G197T and C248T are completely absent and are not associated with male infertility and therefore these SNPs may not represent a molecular marker for genetic diagnosis of male infertility.}, keywords = {Protamine,single nucleotide polymorphism,Mutation,infertility}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45702.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45702_daffcd5ee853a711a2453cc145e62c06.pdf} } @article { author = {Esfandiari, Navid and Khazaei, Mozafar and Nazemian, Zohreh and Jolly, Aaron and F. Casper, Robert}, title = {Angiogenesis Following Three-Dimensional Culture of Isolated Human Endometrial Stromal Cells}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {19-22}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45704}, abstract = {Background Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity and is the most common gynecologic disorder in women of reproductive age. We have preliminary evidence that in the presence of a 3-dimensional (3-D) fibrin matrix, human endometrial glands, stroma, and neovascularization can develop in vitro, mimicking the earliest stages of endometriosis. The aim of the present study was to determine if angiogenesis can be developed in a 3-D culture of human stromal cells in vitro. Materials and methods This was an in vitro study of human endometrial biopsies in 3-D culture of fibrin matrix and conducted at a university affiliated infertility center. Biopsies were taken from ten normal ovulating women undergoing infertility treatment. The samples obtained from fundus of the uterine cavity were minced, stromal cells isolated and placed in a 3-D fibrin matrix culture system. Degree of proliferation of stromal cells, invasion of the fibrin matrix, gland formation, vessel sprouting and immunohistochemical characterization of cellular components were recorded. Results Three-dimensional culture of human stromal cells formed sheets of cells in the fibrin matrix. By 3-4 weeks, endothelial cell branching was observed and rudimentary capillary-like structures formed and endothelial cells confirmed by CD31 immunostaining. Conclusion These data show that stromal cells from endometrial explants can proliferate and invade a fibrin matrix in vitro generating new vessels. This procedure represents a controlled, quantifiable model for the study of angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle, and in conditions such as endometriosis and cancer.}, keywords = {Endometriosis,Three-Dimensional Culture,Angiogenesis,Stromal Cells,CD31}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45704.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45704_c9e747830e9dd819c65271aa6caf133d.pdf} } @article { author = {Shariati, Mehrdad and Noorafshan, Ali and Mokhtari, Mokhtar and Askari, Hamid Reza}, title = {The Effects of Trifluralin on LH, FSH and Testosterone Hormone Levels and Testis Histological Changes in Adult Rats}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {23-28}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45705}, abstract = {Background Trifluralin is a herbicide and used in agriculture widely. It enters plants through developing roots and stops plant cells from division and elongation (meristemic inhibitor). Extensive application of trifluralin to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in agriculture, horticulture and horn garden, leads to environmental pollution and its entrance into the food chain could have determined effects on human and other species. In this research the effects of trifluralin on reproductive parameters of the male rats including serum luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone levels, and changes in testicular tissue and body weight were investigated. Materials and methods For this purpose male rats were randomly divided in 5 groups, to include control, sham (received normal saline as a solvent), and three experimental groups which received 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg oral trifluralin respectively. After 16 days, body and testis weight were measured and blood samples were taken from heart and used for measurement of LH, FSH and testosterone levels. To evaluate histological changes, testes were removed and weighed and, after obtaining tissue section, stained by HE. Results Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels showed significant decrease in experimental groups (p <0.05). There was significant decrease in the number of germinal and somatic cells in testis in experimental groups. There was also a significant decrease in body and testis weight in experimental groups. Conclusion It can be concluded that oral administration of trifluralin could decrease gonadotropins and testosterone hormone levels and also this herbicide could have hazardous effects on testis tissue.  }, keywords = {Trifluralin,Testosterone,Gonadotropins,Testis,Rat}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45705.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45705_7ee5759363381acb0d0d32d567bf6cc8.pdf} } @article { author = {Gourabi, Hamid and Ashrafi, Mahnaz and Karimi, Hamideh}, title = {Accuracy Assessment of Interphase Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization on Uncultured Amniotic Fluid Cells}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {29-34}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45706}, abstract = {Background Parental anxiety while waiting for the results of amniocentesis has been investigated by many authors. It seems that the implementation of faster techniques such as fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) will have some benefits in reducing this anxiety. Besides the patients' attitudes to choosing this method, gynecologists who are the persons responsible for treatment, must feel comfortable about prescribing FISH techniques. Materials and methods This study, using a simple methodology, was undertaken to evaluate the results of FISH tests on the amniotic fluid from 40 pregnant women undergoing cesarean surgery. Two sets of probes including X/Y cocktail and 13, 21 and 18 were applied on different slides. Results The results of FISH tests were compared with the reports of the pediatrician about the health condition of the newborn. Complete conformity between the two sets of findings, have convinced our gynecologists of the benefit of prescribing this method to reduce the anxiety of patients at risk of having abnormal offspring due to chromosomal anuploidies. Conclusion As has been documented by many authors, conventional chromosome analysis has great advantages over fluorescence in situ hybridization of interphase amniocytes, but reducing the anxiety of parents is a good reason for employing the FISH technique.}, keywords = {}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45706.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45706_4e6fea15dfbe5deb1a38f0d262156d81.pdf} } @article { author = {Tavafian, Sedigheheh Sadat and Ramezan Zadeh, Fatemeh}, title = {Cigarette Smoking, Illicit Medicine, Substance and Alcohol Abuseamong Pregnant Women: A Cross Sectional Study from Iran}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {35-38}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45707}, abstract = {Background The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of illicit medicine abuse among pregnant women who referred to the general teaching hospital in Tehran. Materials and methods A non-randomized sample of 2189 eligible pregnant women, which were at 2nd and 3rd trimester, were visited for 2nd prenatal care or subsequent consultation and being confident regarding the time of taking illicit medicine, were enrolled from 15 teaching obstetric clinics, located in Tehran, during August and September 2004. A self administered questionnaire that was consisted of questions regarding demographic characteristics , obstetric history, illicit medicine taking, substance and alcohol abuse by pregnant women and their family members’/ friends’ during current pregnancy, was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 13. Results 2189 pregnant women with the mean age of 26±5.5 years studied in this study. Of all, 967(44.9%) were prime gravid and 464(21.2%) carrying unwanted pregnancy, 116 ones (5.29%) had taken medicine at first trimester, among them 114 participants (98.3) used unsafe medicine. In all, 16 individuals (0.7%) smoked cigarette, 3 participants (0.2%) abused substance. The rate of alcohol abuse was 0.2% among studied participants, 11% among participants’ husbands and 15.7% among participants’ family member. Of all, 641 participants’ husband (29.3%) were smoker. Conclusion Although this study showed insignificant rate of substance abuse among studied women, the high percent of these women exposed to non prescribed illicit medicines and passive smoking during their first trimester of their pregnancy that should be considered strongly.}, keywords = {Illicit Medicine Abuse,Substance Abuse,Alcohol Abuse,Passive Smoking,Pregnancy}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45707.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45707_2369cfe01279228ca352ba34760a66b0.pdf} } @article { author = {Niknejadi, Maryam and Ahmadi, Firoozeh and Irani, Shohreh}, title = {Holoprosencephaly: A Case Report and Review of Prenatal Sonographic Findings}, journal = {International Journal of Fertility and Sterility}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {39-42}, year = {2008}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2008-076X}, eissn = {2008-0778}, doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2008.45708}, abstract = {Holoprosencephaly is a rare intracranial abnormality. The incidence of holoprsencephaly is between 0.56-0.63 of 10,000 live-born infants10. It has classified into three degrees, alobar, semilobar and lobar. In this case report we are introducing a case of Holoprosencephaly, in 13 weeks of pregnancy which was twin. We could identified this abnormality and the reduction was done in the appropriate time. The role of prenatal sonography in recognition of the malformation and prognostic value of these features are discussed.}, keywords = {Holoprosencephaly,Prenatal Diagnosis,Ultrasonographic Screening}, url = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45708.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijfs.ir/article_45708_809a17a9d897f3f7a552d75060c0cbee.pdf} }