ABSTRACT
Objective: A recent innovative approach, based on induction of sublethal oxidative stress to enhance sperm cryosurvival, has been applied before sperm cryopreservation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different induction times of sublethal oxidative stress before cryopreservation on human post-thawed sperm quality
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we selected semen samples [n=20] from normozoospermic men according to 2010 World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines. After processing the samples by the density gradient method, we divided each sample into 5 experimental groups: fresh, control freezing, and 3 groups exposed to 0.01M sodium nitroprusside [SNP] [nitric oxide [NO] donor] for 30 [T30], 60 [T60], or 90 minutes [T90] at 37C and 5% CO2 before cryopreservation. Motion characteristics [computer-assisted sperm analyser], viability, apoptosis [annexin V/propidium iodide [PI] assay], DNA fragmentation [sperm chromatin structure assay [SCSA]], and caspase 3 activity [FLICA Caspase Detection Kit] were assessed after thawing. The results were analysed by using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. The means were significantly different at P<0.05
Results: Cryopreservation significantly decreased sperm viability and motility parameters, and increased the percentage of apoptosis, caspase 3 activity, and DNA fragmentation [P<0.01] compared to the fresh group. The T60 group had a higher significant percentage of total motility [TM] and progressive motility compared with other cryopreserved groups [P<0.05]. We observed a significantly lower percentage of apoptotic rate and caspase 3 activity in the T60 group compared to the other cryopreserved groups [P<0.05]. DNA integrity was not significantly affected by this time of sublethal stress induction [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Our results have demonstrated that the application of sublethal oxidative stress by using 0.01 MuM NO for 60 minutes before the freezing process can be a beneficial approach to improve post-thawed human sperm quality
ABSTRACT
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is a common but complex endocrine disorder and is the major cause of anovulation and consequent subfertility. In this study the effect of grape seed extract [GSE] on triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein-cholestrol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein-cholestrol [LDL-C] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] in PCOS Wistar rats were assessed
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 84 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups [n=12] including control [intact], Sham [estradiol valerate solvent injection], control PCOS and 4 experimental PCOS groups. To induce the syndrome, a single subcutaneous injection of 2 mg estradiol valerate was applied. In experimental groups, PCOS rats were treated with different doses of 50, 75, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight [BW] GSE by intraperitoneal injection for 10 consecutive days. After harvesting blood serum, TG was measured by Glycerol-3-phosphate Oxidase-Peoxidase [GPO-PAP], TC by Cholesterol Oxidase-Peroxidase [CHOD-PAP], and HDL-C by sedimentation method, LDL-C by Friedwald calculation and IL-6 by ELISA method. The serum values of each parameter were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at P<0.05
Results: In all experimental groups significant decrease of visceral fat was obvious as compared with control PCOS group. LDL-C, TC and IL-6 levels in experimental groups, particularly at dose of 50 mg/kg of GSE, were significantly decreased as compared with PCOS group. However, HDL-C levels were not significantly changed
Conclusion: : According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that GSE with its effects on serum TC, LDL-C and IL-6 could reduce the effects of dyslipidemia and inflammation in PCOS rats and improve systemic symptoms of PCOS