Effect of catsper and HV1 channel inhibition on progesterone stimulated human sperm

Background: intracellular calcium and proton concentrations are important factors for activating human sperm. Calcium ion [Ca2+] enters sperm through voltagedependent calcium channel of sperm [CatSper]. Proton was extruded from sperm through voltage-gated proton channel [Hv1]. In the present study, the selective inhibitors of the CatSper and Hv1 channels, NNC 55-0396 [NNC] and zinc ion, respectively, were used to investigate functions of these channels

Methods: normal semen samples [n=24] were washed and diluted to 20×106 sperm/ ml. The diluted sample was divided into 8 groups, containing Ham's F-10 [the control group], 2 microM NNC, 1 mM ZnCl2 and NNC+Zn. The other 4 groups were the same as above, except that they contained 1 microM progesterone. The computer assisted analysis was done by VT-Sperm 3.1 to determine the percentage of motile sperm and sperm velocity. Acrosomal status was monitored by FITC-PSA and viability assessed by Eosin-Y staining. Statistical comparisons were made using ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test. The p<0.05 was considered significant

Results: the percentage of viable and motile sperm, curvilinear velocity and other parameters of motility was reduced in all groups containing NNC, zinc and NNC+ zinc. Progesterone-induced acrosome reaction was abolished by each of these inhibitors. The combination effect of NNC plus zinc on motility and progesterone-induced acrosome reaction was not stronger than NNC by itself

Conclusion: catsper and Hv1 channels play a critical role in human sperm function and viability. It seems that a functional relationship exists between CatSper and Hv1 channels

T helper cell subsets and related cytokines in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization before and after seminal plasma exposure / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of infertility. The present study aimed to compare the differences between infertile women with successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes regarding the expression of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors and a group of related cytokines before and after exposure to their husbands' seminal plasma. METHODS: This study was performed on 19 couples with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF treatment. Among the studied group, nine and 10 couples had successful and unsuccessful IVF outcomes, respectively. This study was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Before seminal plasma exposure, the expression levels of T-bet (p < 0.007), interferon-γ (p=0.013), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p=0.017) were higher in the infertile women with IVF failure than in those with successful IVF outcomes, while those of GATA3 (p < 0.001), Foxp3 (p=0.001), and interleukin (IL)-35 (p < 0.003) were lower. After seminal exposure, the expression of T-bet (p=0.02), Rorc (p < 0.001), TNF-α (p=0.001), Foxp3 (p=0.02), and interferon-γ (p=0.001) increased in the unsuccessful IVF group, while the expression of Foxp3 (p=0.02), Rorc (p < 0.001), IL-23 (p=0.04), IL-17 (p=0.02), IL-6 (p < 0.001), transforming growth factor-β (p=0.01), and IL-35 (p < 0.001) increased in the successful IVF group. CONCLUSION: In summary, IVF failure was associated with imbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses. Moreover, our results show that seminal plasma might have a positive effect on IVF outcomes via changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets.

Combined effect of trolox and EDTA on frozen-thawed sperm quality

The freezing and thawing process not only is associated with serious damage to sperm such as damage to the plasma membrane and the acrosomal membrane but also changes the membrane permeability to some ions including calcium. Also, the generation of oxygen free radicals is increased during the freezing-thawing process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate of the effects of Trolox as an antioxidant and edetic acid [EDTA] as a calcium chelator on frozen-thawed [FT] sperm and compare these effects with those on fresh sperm. This study was done on these men of 25 healthy men, who referred to Shiraz Infertility Centerbetween 2012 and 2013. Normal samples were transferred to the ReproductivePhysiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz. The samples were divided into two groups randomly: fresh and FT sperm groups. Each group was divided into five subgroups: control group, the solvent group [0.1%dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]], Trolox group [200microM], EDTA group [1 .ImM], and Trolox+EDTA group. The percentages of motility, viability, and acrosome-reacted sperm were tested. The percentages of motility and viability in the FT sperm were lower than those in the fresh sperm. The progressive motility of the FT sperm was improved nonsignificantly with Trolox+EDTA. However, the effect of Trolox+EDTA on the progressive motility of the FT sperm was much more than that on the fresh sperm. The fewest acrosome-reacted sperm were observed in the EDTA-containing FT sperm. Antioxidant supplementation or omission of extracellular calcium may partly improve motility and also reduce acrosomal damage in FT sperm

effect of melatonin on climacteric symptoms in menopausal women; a double-blind, randomized controlled, clinical trial

Menopause is one of the most critical periods of woman's life. With reducing of ovarian estrogen; women are more prone to psychological and physical symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on the climacteric symptoms. The present double blind, placebo randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 240 menopausal women [40 - 60 years old] referring to the gynecology clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [January - November 2012]. The participants were randomly divided into two groups through sortition. Demographic characteristics, Goldberg's general health questionnaire [GHQ], Greene Climacteric Scale and level of Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH] were determined for both groups before the intervention. The intervention group received one 3mg melatonin tablet each night for 3 months and the control group received the placebo in the same period. Changes of climacteric symptoms and drug complications were measured 1, 2 and 3 months after the intervention We analyzed the data of 99 postmenopausal women in the intervention group and 101 postmenopausal women in the control group. In the melatonin group, the climacteric symptoms score decreased from 35.73+11.6 to 17.09+10.22 during the 3-month study period and regardless of time, a significant difference was observed between the two groups [P<0.001]. In addition, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding various dimensions of the climacteric symptoms over time [P<0.001]. No significant difference was found regarding side effects between the two groups [P= 0.135]. The study findings showed that using melatonin improved the climacteric symptoms