ABSTRACT
antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-haemolytic activity of various rhizome extracts of Bergenia ciliata were evaluated in this study. The results showed inhibition of the growth of all selected bacterial and fungal strains in comparison with standard antibiotics. The antioxidant activities of Bergenia ciliata extracts were evaluated against DPPH, H[2]O[2], ABTS, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power assays. The order of antioxidant activity of various extracts were methanol> ethanol>n-hexane> aqueous>chloroform. The cytotoxicity [brine shrimp assay] and anti-haemolytic activities of plant extracts were also promising and varies in dose depended manner. The phytochemical analysis of rhizome extracts of Bergenia ciliata revealed presence of various secondary metabolites which might be responsible for the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-haemolytic activities
ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify predictors of fertilization rate in patients of unexplained infertility after intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]
Methods: Retrospective analysis of females [282] enrolled in quasi experimental design for ICSI at "Islamabad Clinic Serving Infertile Couples" was carried out from July 2013 till June 2014. Females with unexplained infertility were included, whereas well defined male and female causes of infertility were excluded. Fertilization rate [FR] was calculated as percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei. Categorical variable of FR defined on the basis of 50% FR grouped females; Group I with FR ?50% and Group II with FR >50%. The groups were compared in terms of demographic variables, base line hormones and oocyte parameters. Univariate logistic regression was executed to obtain odds ratio with 95% confidence interval to quantify the association of predictors like age, duration of infertility, oocytes parameters, hormones; Estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone, prolactin and cytokines interleukin-Ibeta [IL-Ibeta] with the FR
Results: In our study out of 282 females, 19 [6.73%] were in group I and 263 [93.26%] comprised of Group II. Females with high FR[group II] had low Progesterone and FSH [p=0.04,p=0.02] respectively. Mature oocytes [OR: 0.35; 95% CI 1 - 2.56] and IL-Ibeta in follicular phase [OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.000- 1.20] were significant positive predictors of FR while peak progesterone and FSH had significant negative effect on it
Conclusion: Fertilization of oocytes in females of unexplained infertility depended on maturity of oocytes and optimal amounts of ILI- beta released by developing follicles in the follicular phase of stimulation cycles of ICSI
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe effect of peak estradiol [E2] levels on outcome after intra cytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]
Methods: Quasi experimental design conducted in [Islamabad Clinic Serving Infertile Couples] from June 2010 till August 2011
Down regulation with mid luteal suppression of 564 females aged 18-41 years was done with gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist followed by controlled ovarian stimulation, ovulation induction [Ol], oocytes pickup and embryo transfer. Samples for peak serum E2 at the time of Ol was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay
The association of peak E2 with outcome groups of Intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] [Group I] beta hCG <5 m ID/ml, [Group II] with beta hCG>5 ml U/ ml and no cardiac activity and [Group III] with beta hCG>5mlU/ml and cardiac activity on trans vaginal scan was identified. Statistical comparison by one way analysis of variance [ANOVA] via SPSS version 15 was done
Results: A clinical pregnancy rate of 36% was achieved, pregnant females [Group III] had higher peak E2 2269 +/- 80.97 as compared to 1419 +/- 37.07 and 1807+/-90.28 pg/ml [mean +/- SD] in Groups I and II respectively [p < 0.0001] Elevated serum E2 was significantly associated with better oocyte recovery, fertilization, cleavage and implantation rates [p < 0.0001]
Conclusion: A high serum E2 measured on 01 day can predict success of treatment after ICSI. Females who had high peak E2 had greater number of retrieved, mature and fertilized oocytes with thick endometrial lining that helped in implantation and clinical pregnancy