ABSTRACT
Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] has been found to be expressed in ovaries in addition to hypothalamus to modulate cell differentiation and induces atretic follicles. Since the death of granulosa cells during the process of follicular atresia occurs by apoptosis phenomenon, in this study, we investigated the occurrence of apoptosis of granulosa cells of rat ovarian follicles under the influence of Buserelin acetate, a GnRH agonist.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental case-control study, twelve 25-day-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. The study and control groups received 0.2 mg/kg/d Buserelin acetate and normal saline, respectively, for 4 days. 24 hours after the last injection, the rats were anesthetized with a lethal dose of chloroform and ovaries were removed. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin. After the passage, five-micron sections were prepared using a rotary microtome. Measurement of apoptosis was performed using a calibrated light microscope after TUNEL POD staining. Data were analyzed in GraphPad InStat software using independent t-test. P
Results: These data showed the average percentage of apoptotic cells in the control group 2/14 +/- 0/52, and in the experimental group 3/75 +/- 1/71. This difference was statistically significant [p
Conclusion: These findings suggest that Buserelin acetate increases apoptosis in the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles.
ABSTRACT
Jaundice is a common problem in neonatal period. Phototherapy is the most common treatment for neonatal jaundice. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding white plastic cover around the phototherapy unit on hyperbilirubinemia in full term neonates with jaundice. In this randomized controlled trial, over 12 months [October 2009 - September 2010], 182 term neonates with uncomplicated jaundice, admitted to neonatal unit of Imam Reza Hospital [AS] in Kermanshah province of Iran, were selected. They were randomized in two groups. Control group received conventional phototherapy without cover around the apparatus and covered group received conventional phototherapy with plastic cover around the unit. After enrolment, total serum bilirubin was measured every 12 hours. Phototherapy was continued until the total serum bilirubin decreased to or less than 12.5 mg/dl. There were no significant differences between the two groups for gestational age, birth weight, postnatal age, weight [at admission], serum level of hemoglobin, hematocrit and reticulocyte count. Total serum bilirubin in covered group, during the first 48 hours of treatment, declined significantly than in control group [P. value=0.003]. The cover around the phototherapy unit not only did not increase the side effects of phototherapy, but also had a positive impact in reducing duration of jaundice [P. value <0.0001] and duration of hospitalization [P. value <0.0001]. The study results showed that using white plastic cover around the phototherapy unit can increase the therapeutic effect of phototherapy