Study of ultrastructure and apoptosis in the endometrium of women with or without endometriosis

More than 40% of infertilities are due to endometriosis. Ultrustructural and histochemical study of endometrium will help to clarify the etiology of endometriosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructure and occurrence of apoptosis in endometrial cells of women with or without endometriosis. In the present case-control study, endometrial specimens from 12 women without endometriosis [as control] and 12 women with endometriosis [as case] were examined. Specimens for control group were obtained from the patients that were referred to gynecology hospital for hysterectomy due to various reasons. In case group the endometriosis was diagnosed according to laparoscopy and endometrial samples were taken using pippel biopsy. The specimens from both case and control groups were processed for Transmission Electron Microscopy [TEM], TUNEL reaction technique and morphometric studies. The results show that endometrial epithelium lost its continuity in women with endometriosis and endometrial cells have euchromatic nucleus in comparison to those from non-endometriosis. There were several apoptotic cells in the luminal and glandular endometrial epithelium and stroma from endometrium of control group. However, apoptotic cells were rarely seen in the endometrium from women with endometriosis. The difference in number of apoptotic cells between two groups statically was significant [p<0.001]. Regarding the ultrastructural characteristics of endometrial epithelial cells and comparison of apoptotic occurrence in control and case groups it is concluded that endometrial cells in endometriosis group have higher potential to survive and possibly implant.

Down-regulation of metallothionein 1 and 2 after exposure to electromagnetic field in mouse testis

It is proved that testis is sensitive to electromagnetic field [EMF] and its damage results in infertility. Exposure to EMF induces reactive oxygen species production and affects on anti-oxidants defense mechanisms. Metallothionein [MT] is a name for a group of low molecular weight [6-7 kDa], sulfhydryl rich proteins. Expression of MT1 and MT2 genes in testis tissue after EMF exposure was aimed in this study. Male BALB/c mice [8 weeks old] were exposed to 3 MT EMF for 8 weeks, 4 hours/day. After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the testis tissue was removed. The testis pieces were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed under an optical microscope. Assessment of MT1 and MT2 genes and also protein expression was performed by real-time PCR and Western-blot, respectively. In light microscopic observation, the number of primary spermatocytes was increased significantly in EMF group [P<0.01]. In addition, in interstitial space, the number of leydig cells was increased significantly in EMF group [P<0.01] and basement membrane thickness was increased as well. MT1 and MT2 genes were down-regulated significantly in testis tissue of mice exposed to EMF both in mRNA and protein level compared to control. It is clear that MT is mediated in testis development and spermatogenesis. Down-regulation of MT1 and MT2 after EMF in mouse testis might be followed by some consequences that result in infertility