ABSTRACT
Background: Therapeutic potential of in vitro maturation [IVM] in infertility is growing with great promise. Although significant progress is obtained in recent years, existing IVM protocols are far from favorable results. The first aim of this study was to investi-gate whether two step IVM manner change reactive oxygen species [ROS] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] levels. The second aim was to find the effect of alpha lipoic acid [ALA] supplementation on oocyte maturation rate and on ROS/TAC levels during IVM
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, mouse germinal vesicle [GV] oocytes divided into cumulus denuded oocytes [DOs] and cumulus oocyte complexes [COCs] groups. GVs were matured in vitro in the presence or absence of ALA only for 18 hours [control] or with pre-culture of forskolin plus cilostamide for an additional 18 hours. Matured oocytes obtained following 18 and 36 hours based on experimental design. In parallel, the ROS and TAC levels were measured at different time [0, 18 and 36 hours] by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein [DCFH] probe and ferric reducing/antioxidant power [FRAP] assay, respectively
Results: Maturation rate of COCs was significantly higher than DOs in control group [P<0.05], while there was no significant difference between COCs and DOs when were pre-cultured with forskolin plus cilostamide. ROS and TAC levels was increased and decreased respectively in DOs after 18 hours while in COCs did not change at 18 hours and showed a significant increase and decrease respectively at 36 hours [P<0.05]. ROS and TAC levels in the presence of ALA were significantly decreased and increased respectively after 36 hours [P<0.05] whereas, maturation rates of COCs and DOs were similar to their corresponding control groups
Conclusion: ALA decreased ROS and increased TAC but could not affect maturation rate of both COCs and DOs in one or two step IVM manner
ABSTRACT
A uterocutaneous fistula is a rare clinical presentation that occurs following Cesarean section and other pelvic operations. There are only a few reports discussing the treatments. We describe a patient with successful surgical management and review the literature. A 25-year-old woman referred to our department 13 months after her first Cesarean section. She had a history of an abdominal mass and collection 2 months after surgery and some fistula opening with discharge from her previous incision. She had a previous surgical operation and antibiotic therapy without complete response. We performed fistulography to evaluate the tracts. In the operation - she had fistula tracts, one of which was between the uterus and skin. We debrided the necrotic tissue in the uterus, excised the fistula tracts, and drained the uterine cavity. At 8 months' postoperative follow-up, she had no recurrence. A uterocutaneous fistula is a rare condition with many causes and needs proper investigation and timely medical and surgical management
ABSTRACT
In spite of extensive efforts to improve in vitro oocyte maturation, the obtained results are not very efficient. This study was conducted to assess impacts of cAMP elevating agents and alpha lipoic acid [ALA] on in vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization. Mouse germinal vesicle [GV] oocytes were categorized into cumulus denuded oocytes [DOs; n=896] and cumulus oocyte complexes [COCs; n=1077] groups. GV oocytes were matured in vitro with or without ALA; [I] without the meiotic inhibitors; [II] supplemented with cilostamide; [III] supplemented with forskolin and [IV] supplemented with Forskolin plus cilostamide. The obtained metaphase II [MII] oocytes were subjected to in vitro fertilization. Independent-samples t-test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The COCs maturation, fertilization and two cell embryo rates were higher than those of DOs in the control group, while no significant difference was observed between relevant COCs and DOs when they were cultured with cilostamide meiotic inhibitors in two step manner. Combined treatment of cilostamide and forskolin significantly elevated the developmental rates in both COCs and DOs as compared to other groups. The developmental rates of COCs and DOs in the presence of ALA were similar to their respective groups without ALA. cAMP elevating agents were more effective on DOs than COCs with regard to rates of maturation and fertilization. However, ALA did not affect the developmental rates of both COCs and DOs in in vitro maturation in one or two step manner
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques , Cyclic AMP , Mice , Cumulus Cells , OocytesABSTRACT
Some reports declare that Ramadan fasting has positive effects on mental health. This study was carried out to clarify Ramadan fasting effects on self-esteem and mental health of students. This descriptive-comparative study was accomplished on 60 apparently healthy medical students of School of Medicine of Azad University, Mashhad Branch [38 female and 22 male] who had decided to have fasting in Ramadan in 2007. The samples fulfilled the demographic and Cooper-Smith self-esteem and Symptom Checklist -90 -Revised [SCL-90-R] questionnaires at the beginning of Ramadan month and after at least 21 days of fasting. Data were analyzed by using Wilcoxon and paired t test in SPSS version 17. In comparison with the beginning of Ramadan, students' self-esteem increased after 21 days of fasting [P=0.001]. Also some dimensions of SCL-90-R significantly diminished: depression [P=0.001], psychoticism [P=0.007], anxiety [P=0.001], obsession [P=0.001], interpersonal sensitivity [P=0.001], phobia [P=0.022], hostility [P=0.001], paranoid ideation [P=0.001] and global severity index [P=0.001]. Ramadan fasting improves self-esteem and mental health of students