Comparing the roles of sperm chromatin integrity and apoptosis in intrauterine insemination outcomes of couples with mild male and female factor infertility

Intrauterine insemination [IUI] is one of the therapeutic approaches for infertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate DNA integrity and apoptosis role in success of IUI in both mild male and female factor infertility. Patients were divided into two groups: M [mild male factor; n=29] and F [female factor; n=31] undergoing single IUI. Ejaculates were analyzed and chromatin quality was assessed using chromomycin A3 [CMA3] staining. In addition, spermatozoal apoptosis was recognized using TUNEL assay. Statistical analyses were done using t-test and Mann Whitney test for sperm apoptosis and sperm chromatin by SPSS. Data were expressed in mean +/- SD for variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sperm concentration and progressive motility were higher in F than M group. Sperm with normal morphology were statistically similar in M and F infertile patients [32.7 +/- 15.6% vs. 35.5 +/- 9.07%, p=0.39]. Sperm chromatin immaturity was higher in patients with mild male infertility, when compared with the other group [p<0.01]. Also, 32.0 +/- 5.6% and 30.8 +/- 6.1% of the spermatozoa showed signs of apoptosis in groups M and F, respectively [p=0.49]. Very low [3.4%] clinical pregnancy rates were noticed in patients with mild male factor infertility. Defect in sperm motility as well as high rates of DNA damage and apoptosis may be involved with very low rate of pregnancy outcomes in patients with mild male factor infertility. Therefore, it seems the application of IUI may have better outcomes in patients with female infertility compared to mild male factor infertility

Assessment of ovarian tissues autografted to various body sites followed by IVM in mouse

Ovarian tissue transplantation is emerging technologies for fertility preservation. In addition, in vitro maturation [IVM] of oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissues may overcome the fertility defects in certain cases. The aim was to evaluate the best site for ovarian tissue transplantation in mice. Also, feasibility of IVM of oocytes retrieved from auto grafted ovarian tissues was freshly assessed. Hemi-ovaries from 6 weeks old mice were auto grafted into kidney capsule [K] versus the back muscle [B] and leg muscle [L] in a mouse auto graft model which was stimulated with gonadotrophins. Then ovarian grafts were recovered and processed histologically for follicle assessment compared with control, also the ability of oocytes to mature with IVM was studied 14 days after transplantation. Total follicle count was significantly higher in K-graft [3.5 +/- 3.17] and the antral follicles were only observed in K-site model. The number of retrieved immature oocytes as well as successful IVM in K-grafts was significantly higher than other groups [p=0.008, p=0.016]. The kidney capsule is a promising site for ovarian tissue auto graft in mice. This resulted in better follicular survival and IVM outcomes

Maturation capacity, morphology and morphometric assessment of human immature oocytes after vitrification and in-vitro maturation

In general, 15% of oocytes collected in ART cycles are immature. These oocytes may be cryopreserved further for use in in-vitro maturation [IVM] program. The aim of this study was to determine maturation capacity, morphometric parameters and morphology of human immature oocytes in both fresh IVM [fIVM] and vitrified-IVM [vIVM] oocytes. 93 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for ART were included. The immature oocytes [n=203] were divided into two groups: the first group [n=101] directly matured in vitro; and the second group [n=102] first vitrified, then matured in vitro. All oocytes underwent IVM in Ham's F10 supplemented with LH+FSH and human follicular fluid. After 48h of incubation, the oocyte maturation rates, as well as morphometric and morphologic characteristics were assessed using cornus imaging and were compared. Oocyte maturation rates were reduced in vIVM, [40.4%], in comparison with fIVM [59.4%, p<0.001]. Following morphometric assessment, there was no difference in the mean oocyte diameters [micro m] between fIVM and vIVM, 156.3 +/- 6.8 and 154.07 +/- 9.9, respectively. Other parameters of perimeters, egg areas, as well as oocyte and ooplasm volumes were similar in two groups. In addition, more morphologic abnormalities, such as, vacuole, and dark oocyte were observed in vIVM oocytes. fIVM was more successful than vIVM groups. No statistical differences were noticed in morphometry assessment in two groups. This suggests that morphometric parameters can not be applied as prognosis factor in oocyte maturation outcome in IVM program