ABSTRACT
Objective: The goal was to evaluate the effect of LC on some indicators of embryo development and blastocyst quality including zona pellucid [ZP] thickness, the hatching of blastocysts and their cell numbers
Materials and Methods: Mouse embryos were randomly divided into five groups and incubated with different concentrations of LC [I; 0, II; 0.5, III; 1, IV; 2 and V; 4 mg/ml] from 2-cell to hatched blastocyst
The percentage of blastocysts and hatched blastocysts was calculated. Blastocysts ZP thickness was measured and the number of blastocyst cells was counted using Hoechst and propidium iodide [PI] staining
Results: The results showed concentration of 0.5 mg/ml of LC had an antioxidant effect as in this group, the percentage of blastocysts and hatched blactocysts [p=0.01], the ZP thickness [p=0.00] and the number of blastocyst inner cell mass were significantly more favorable than the control group [p=0.03]; and concentration of 4 mg/ml of LC had a toxic effect on embryo development and blastocyst quality [p=0.00]
Conclusion: The results suggest that LC may increase the number of blastocyst cells, which probably helps to expand the blastocyst and thinning of the ZP thickness and, therefore, creating a successful hatching for implantation
ABSTRACT
Objective: Different cryoprotectants are used for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue in patients at risk of infertility. Ethylene glycol [EG], dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] and propanediol [PROH] have been chosen as the basic permeable cryoprotectants due to their decreased glass-formation characteristics compared to other cryoprotectants. In the present study, the effects of two different vitrification methods on whole mouse ovarian tissue by the use of a novel staining method [trypan blue] has been evaluated
Methods: Ovaries of 8 day-old NMRI mice were isolated and divided among the control, vitrification 1 [Vit1] and vitrification 2 [Vit2] groups. The Vit1 solution was composed of alpha-MEM+ 20% FBS + 15% EG + 15% DMSO. The Vit 2 solution was composed of alpha- MEM+ 15% FBS +20% EG + 20% PROH. Vit1 and Vit2 procedures were performed at 4°C and room temperature, respectively. Warming was performed in alpha-MEM+ 20% FBS supplemented with 1M sucrose in the Vit1 group and alpha-MEM+ 15% FBS with descending concentrations of sucrose [1, 0.5, 0.25 M] in the Vit2 group. Control and vitrified warmed ovaries were put in alpha-MEM supplemented by 0.4% trypan blue for 20 min, and then stained ovaries were fixed in Bouin's fixative, serially sectioned in paraffin wax and finally quantitatively evaluated under a light microscope
Results: The highest percentage of primordial follicles was observed in the control group. There was a significant difference between the control and Vit1 groups, and between the Vit1 and Vit2 groups [p<0.05]. No significant difference was observed in primary and preantral follicles between the control and vitrification groups
Conclusion: Vitrification with EG and PROH are more suitable for preservation of follicle reserves in ovaries. Trypan blue staining is a faster and easier method for evaluation of ovarian tissue
ABSTRACT
Globozoospermia is a rare but severe cause of male infertility. The presence of 100% round-headed spermatozoa and lack of acrosome are the diagnostic criteria of total globozoospermia. The pathogenesis of globozoospermia most probably originates in spermiogenesis, specifically in acrosome formation and sperm head elongation. Mutations of a numbers of genes are linked to the globozoospermic phenotype. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] combined with assisted oocyte activation improves the fertilization rate of these cases. Two cases of globozoospermia with infertility are presented in this study
ABSTRACT
All-trans retinoic acid [ATRA] has beneficial and teratogenicity effects when used in a variety conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of ATRA on the Progenitors of red blood cell and platelets in rat's embryo. Single oral dose [100 mg/kg] of ATRA was administered to rat on gestation day [GD] 10 and fetuses were observed on GD 18 and compared with untreated group. In the experimental embryos of GD 18, the mean number of red blood cells [RBC, 10.5%] and platelets number [15%] were decreased. There was a significant relationship in RBC and platelets count. The mean diameter of RBC and nucleated red blood [NRBC] were compared in two groups. There was no significant relationship between experimental and control groups, except in NRBC diameter. Thus, the present data shows that ATRA may have negative effects on proliferation, differentiation and maturation of erythroid cells and platelets, without having any deleterious effects on the dimenation of RBC