Human embryos derived from first polar body nuclear transfer exhibit comparatively abnormal morphokinetics during development / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Reconstructed oocytes after polar body genome transfer constitute a potential therapeutic option for patients with a history of embryo fragmentation and advanced maternal age. However, the rescue of genetic material from the first polar body (PB1) through introduction into the donor cytoplasm is not yet ready for clinical application. @*Methods@#Eighty-five oocytes were obtained following in vitro maturation (IVM) and divided into two groups: PB1 nuclear transfer (PB1NT; n=54) and control (n=31). Following enucleation and PB1 genomic transfer, PB1 fusion was assessed. Subsequently, all fused oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and were cultured in an incubator under a time-lapse monitoring system to evaluate fertilization, embryonic morphokinetic parameters, and cleavage patterns. @*Results@#Following enucleation and fusion, 77.14% of oocytes survived, and 92.59% of polar bodies (PBs) fused. However, the normal fertilization rate was lower in the PB1NT group than in the control group (56.41% vs. 92%, p=0.002). No significant differences were observed in embryo kinetics between the groups, but a significant difference was detected in embryo developmental arrest after the four-cell stage, along with abnormal cleavage division in the PB1NT group. This was followed by significant between-group differences in the implantation potential rate and euploidy status. Most embryos in the PB1NT group had at least one abnormal cleavage division (93.3%, p=0.001). @*Conclusion@#Fresh PB1NT oocytes successfully produced normal zygotes following PB fusion and ICSI in IVM oocytes. However, this was accompanied by low efficiency in developing into cleavage embryos, along with an increase in abnormal cleavage patterns.

Prolonged semen incubation alters the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#The present study assessed the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa at different time intervals (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 hours) after incubation at 37°C. @*Methods@#Twenty-five normozoospermic semen samples were incubated at 37°C. Incubation was performed at four time intervals of 0 (after liquefaction), 1, 1.5, and 2 hours. The samples were evaluated for sperm parameters at each time interval. @*Results@#The rate of sperm progressive motility decreased at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours as well as 2 hours compared to 1 hour and 0 hours. The rate of non-motile spermatozoa also decreased after 2 hours compared to after 0 hours. No significant changes were observed in sperm viability (p=0.98) and non- progressive motility (p=0.48) at any time intervals. Abnormal sperm morphology increased at 1.5 hours of incubation time (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in DNA fragmentation at 1 hour compared to 0 hours (median [interquartile range]: 19.5 [4] vs. 19 [4]), as well as at 1.5 hours compared to 1 hour (20 [5]). However, a significant increase in DNA fragmentation was observed at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased remarkably after 1 hour of incubation time. No significant differences were observed in the acrosome reaction or malonaldehyde levels at any time point (p=0.34 and p=0.98, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The incubation of normozoospermic samples before use in assisted reproductive technology should be less than 1.5 hours to minimize the destructive effects of prolonged incubation time on general and specific sperm parameters.

High efficiency of homemade culture medium supplemented with GDF9-β in human oocytes for rescue in vitro maturation / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Optimizing culture media for the incubation of immature oocytes is a vital strategy to increase the oocyte maturation rate during in vitro maturation (IVM) programs. This study evaluated the IVM and fertilization rates of human germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase I (MI) oocytes using two different maturation media (commercial and homemade) with or without growth differentiation factor 9-β (GDF9-β). supplementation. @*Methods@#Immature oocytes from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were collected and assigned to one of two IVM culture media (commercial or homemade; cleavage-stage base). After maturation, MII oocytes were examined under an inverted microscope for the presence of the polar body, zona pellucida (ZP) birefringence, and meiotic spindle (MS) visualization after maturation in four conditions (commercial or homemade medium, with or without GDF9-β. ICSI was done for matured oocytes, and fertilization was confirmed by the visualization of two distinct pronuclei and two polar bodies. @*Results@#No significant differences were found between the two culture media in terms of the time and rate of oocyte maturation or the rate of fertilization (p>0.05). Growth factor supplementation increased the 24-hour maturation rate for both GV and MI oocytes only in homemade medium. The maturation rate after 24 hours was higher for MI oocytes (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#Higher rates of oocyte maturation and fertilization were observed after application of homemade medium supplemented with GDF9-β. Therefore, this combination may be recommended as an alternative for clinical IVM programs.

Correlations between embryo morphokinetic development and maternal age: Results from an intracytoplasmic sperm injection program / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: It is widely accepted that aging decreases women’s fertility capacity. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between maternal age and the morphokinetic parameters and cleavage pattern of embryos. METHODS: The morphokinetics of embryos derived from women 40 years of age were compared retrospectively in terms of time of second polar body extrusion, time of pronuclei appearance, time of pronuclei fading, and time of two to eight discrete cells (t2–t8). Furthermore, abnormal cleavage patterns such as uneven blastomeres at the two-cell stage, cell fusion (Fu), and trichotomous mitoses (TM) were assessed. RESULTS: Only t5 occurred later in women aged 36–40 and >40 years when compared with those aged 0.05). However, Fu and TM were more common in women aged >40 years than in younger women (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal age was correlated with the cleavage pattern of embryos. Therefore, evaluating embryo morphokinetics may contribute to optimal embryo selection, thereby increasing fertility in patients with advanced maternal age.

Growth differentiation factor 9 and cumulus cell supplementation in in vitro maturation culture media enhances the viability of human blastocysts / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes can be useful for some infertile patients. In IVM programs, the rates of embryo formation and pregnancy are low. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the main factors involved in regulating oocyte maturation in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and cumulus cell (CC) supplementation in IVM medium on the rates of embryo formation and viability of human blastocysts.METHODS: A total of 80 germinal vesicle oocytes from stimulated cycles underwent an IVM program. The oocytes were divided into four groups, where group I consisted of IVM media only and served as the control, group II consisted of IVM+CCs, group III consisted of IVM+GDF9 (200 ng/mL), and group IV consisted of IVM+CCs+GDF9 (200 ng/mL). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed on the IVM oocytes, and the cleavage embryos that were generated were vitrified. Following thawing, the embryos were cultured for 3 additional days, and the viability rates of the developed blastocysts were determined.RESULTS: The maturation rate of the oocytes did not differ significantly across the four groups. The fertilization rate in group II was significantly higher than that in the control group (76.5% vs. 46.2%). Embryo formation was significantly more frequent in all experimental groups than in the control group, while blastocyst formation did not show significant differences in the three experimental groups compared to the control. The mean viability rates in groups II, III, and IV were 58.16%, 55.91%, and 55.95%, respectively, versus 37.78% in the control group (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Supplementation of IVM culture media with GDF9 and CCs enhanced the fertilization, embryo formation, and viability rates of blastocysts generated from vitrified cleavage embryos.

The effects of different types of media on in vitro maturation outcomes of human germinal vesicle oocytes retrieved in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Optimizing in vitro maturation (IVM) media to achieve better outcomes has been a matter of interest in recent years. The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to investigate the effects of different media on the IVM outcomes of immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. METHODS: A total of 400 immature oocytes at the GV stage with normal morphology were retrieved from 320 infertile women aged 31±4.63 years during stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. They were divided into groups of homemade IVM medium (I, n=100), cleavage medium (II, n=100), blastocyst medium (III, n=100), and Sage IVM medium (IV, n=100) and cultured for 24 to 48 hours at 37℃. ICSI was performed, and the rates of fertilization and embryo formation were compared across the four groups. RESULTS: In the 400 retrieved GV oocytes, the total maturation rates showed significant differences in groups I to IV (55%, 53%, 78%, and 68%, respectively, p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the fertilization, embryo formation, or arrest rates of metaphase II oocytes across these groups. In all groups, GV maturation was mostly completed after 24 hours, with fewer oocytes requiring 48 hours to mature (p<0.01). Moreover, the rate of high-quality embryos was higher in group IV than in the other groups (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: The quality of the IVM medium was found to affect clinical IVM outcomes. Additionally, blastocyst medium may be a good choice in IVM/ICSI cycles as an alternative IVM medium.

Vitrification increased vacuolization of human spermatozoa: application of MSOME technology

Background: sperm vitrification is a technique of ice and cryoprotectant free cryopreservation by direct plunging of sperm suspension into liquid nitrogen [LN2]. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cryoprotectant free-vitrification on human sperm fine structure by MSOME technology and the fertility potential by zona binding assay [ZBA]

Methods: 20 normo-ejaculates were prepared by swim up technique, and supernatants were divided into two parts of fresh and vitrified groups. For vitrification, sperm was dropped into LN2. Sperm motility, morphology, viability and MSOME were evaluated for each sample. In MSOM morphologically normal sperm [class 1], 2 small vacuoles [class 3] were evaluated. Also, fertility potential was evaluated by zona binding assay. Data was analyzed using paired t-test or Willcoxon's test and p-value <0.05 was considered significant

Results: vitrification significantly reduced progressive motility, viability and morphology. Also, normal morphology of spermatozoa decreased significantly after vitrification. In MSOME evaluation, normal motile spermatozoa [Class 1] decreased from 23.00+/-12.44 to 16.00.56+/-10.79 after vitrification [p=0.008]. Although spermatozoa classes 2 and 3 were increased, the difference was not significant. Moreover, fertility potential of motile spermatozoa was reduced after vitrification [9.0+/-13.87 vs. 13.40+/-22.73; p=0.07]

Conclusion: Vitrification increased the rate of vacuolization in motile sperm head. Therefore, MSOME technology is recommended for assessment of sperm fine morphology in ICSI program used cryopreserved spermatozoa

Live birth in a woman with recurrent implantation failure and adenomyosis following transfer of refrozen-warmed embryos / 대한생식의학회지

The aim was to report a healthy live birth using re-vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryos derived from supernumerary warmed embryos after frozen embryo transfer (ET) in a patient with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The case was a 39-year-old female with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome and adenomyosis, along with RIF. After ovarian hyperstimulation, 33 cumulus-oocyte complexes were retrieved and fertilized with conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Because of the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, 16 grade B and C embryos were vitrified. After 3 and 6 months, 3 and 4 B–C warmed embryos were transferred to the uterus, respectively. However, implantation did not take place. Ten months later, four embryos were warmed, two grade B 8-cell embryos were transferred, and two embryos were re-vitrified. One year later, the two re-vitrified cleavage-stage embryos were warmed, which resulted in a successful live birth. This finding showed that following first warming, it is feasible to refreeze supernumerary warmed embryos for subsequent ET in patients with a history of RIF.

Survival assessment of mouse preimplantation embryos after exposure to cell phone radiation

Background: Using cellular phone has rapidly increased all over the world. Also, the concern on the possible health hazards of electromagnetic fields [EMF] induced from cell phones to reproduction has been growing in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences and effects of exposure to the cell phone radiation on the quality and survival rates of preimplantation embryos in mice

Methods: A total of 40 mice [20 females and 20 males], 6 weeks old and sexually mature BALB/c, were used for control and experimental groups. The ovary burses were removed and the zygotes were dissected in the morning after mating. Next, 2-cell embryos were divided into two groups of control [n=150] and experimental [n=150]. EMF [900-1800 MHz] was used for four days in experimental group for 30 min/day in culture at 37°C in a CO[2]incubator. The quality of embryos was recorded daily and the fluorescent staining was used for identification of viable blastocysts. All data were compared by Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test [p<0.05]

Results: The rate of embryo survival to the blastocysts stage was similar in both groups. However, the percentage of dead embryos at the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in EMF-exposed group compared with controls [p=0.03]. Also, the loss of cell viability significantly increased in experimental blastocysts [p=0.002]

Conclusion: The normal embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage indicates that EMF-exposure commonly did not have adverse effect on embryo development in mice. But, it caused loss of blastocysts cell viability

The effect of embryo catheter loading technique on the live birth rate / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Embryo loading (EL) is a major step in embryo transfer (ET) and affect on the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study aimed to compare the effect of two different EL techniques on the rates of pregnancy and delivery in IVF/ET cycles. METHODS: 207 fresh ET and 194 Frozen-thawed ET (FET) cycles were included in this retrospective study. Two groups (A and B) were defined based on the EL technique used. In group A, the entire catheter was flushed with Ham's F-10 medium. The embryos were then drawn into the catheter using one air bracket. In group B, 70 microL of air was aspirated into the syringe and the catheter was flushed using Ham's F10 medium. The medium, air, embryos, air, and finally another layer of medium were then sequentially drawn into the catheter. The main outcome measures were the pregnancy and delivery rates. RESULTS: The groups did not differ with respect to the etiology of infertility, the source of spermatozoa, the quality of the embryos, the type of EL catheter, and the ease of transfer. The pregnancy rate was similar between two groups. In fresh ET cycles, a higher delivery rate was observed in group B than it group A (78.1% vs. 60%, p=0.1). In FET cycles, the rate of delivery was significantly higher in group B than in group A to a nonsignificant extent (88.9% vs. 58.8%, p=0.06). CONCLUSION: EL techniques did not have a significant impact on the delivery rate in either fresh or FET cycles.

First successful pregnancies following embryo selection using time-lapse technology in Iran: case report

Embryo selection is a vital part of in vitro fertilization [IVF] programs, with morphology-based grading systems having been widely used for decades. Time-lapse imaging combined with embryo morph kinetics may proffer a non-invasive means for improving embryo selection. We report the first ongoing and chemical pregnancies using Time-lapse embryo scope to select best embryos for transfer in Iran. A case with tubal factor infertility was admitted to IVF program with normozoospermia. After ovarian hyper stimulation, 6 COCs were retrieved and inseminated with 25,000 progressive sperms/oocyte. Five zygotes were placed individually into the micro wells of equilibrated embryo scope dish for Time-lapse observation, and incubated at 37 [Degree sign] C, 5% CO2. On day 3, single embryo transfer [SET] took place based on kinetic parameters of the embryos. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed 7 weeks after SET. The second case with history of previous ICSI failure was admitted with azoospermia. Nine MII oocytes underwent ICSI, and incubated in Time-lapse facilities. The rest of procedures were followed as described for case 1. Chemical pregnancy was confirmed 15 days after SET. This approach opens a way to select best embryo non-invasively for SET; thus, increasing implantation, while reducing multiple pregnancy complications

Large nuclear vacuoles in spermatozoa negatively affect pregnancy rate in IVF cycles

Recently, motile sperm organelle morphology examination [MSOME] criteria as a new real time tool for evaluation of spermatozoa in intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] cycles has been considered. The aim was to investigate the predictive value of MSOME in in vitro fertilization [IVF] in comparison to ICSI cycles and evaluation of the association between MSOME parameters and traditional sperm parameters in both groups. This is a cross sectional prospective analysis of MSOME parameters in IVF [n=31] and ICSI cycles [n=35]. MSOME parameters were also evaluated as the presence of vacuole [none, small, medium, large or mix]; head size [normal, small or large]; cytoplasmic droplet; head shape and acrosome normality. In sub-analysis, MSOME parameters were compared between two groups with successful or failed clinical pregnancy in each group. In IVF group, the rate of large nuclear vacuole showed significant increase in failed as compared to successful pregnancies [13.81 +/- 9.7vs7.38 +/- 4.4, respectively, p=0.045] while MSOME parameters were the same between successful and failed pregnancies in ICSI group. Moreover, a negative correlation was noticed between LNV and sperm shape normalcy. In ICSI group, a negative correlation was established between cytoplasmic droplet and sperm shape normalcy. In addition, there was a positive correlation between sperm shape normalcy and non-vacuolated spermatozoa. The high rate of large nuclear vacuoles in sperm used in IVF cycles with failed pregnancies confirms that MSOME, is a helpful tool for fine sperm morphology assessment, and its application may enhance the assisted reproduction technology success rates

Sperm parameters, protamine deficiency, and apoptosis in total globozoospermia

Globozoospermia is a severe form of teratozoospermia [incidence < 0.1%] in infertile men that is characterized by round headed sperm and acrosomeless in semen. To compare the semen parameters, protamine deficiency, and apoptosis in ejaculated spermatozoa between globozoospermic and normozoospermic men. Thirty six semen samples were divided into two groups including 15 infertile men with total globozoospermic [> 90% round-headed sperm] and 21 healthy donors with normal spermograms as controls. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization criteria [2010]. Sperm protamine deficiency was assessed using Chromomycin A3 [CMA3] staining and the rate of apoptotic spermatozoa was evaluated with TUNEL assay. Sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology in globozoospermic men were significantly decreased compared with controls [p<0.05]. The rate of CMA3-reacted spermatozoa [CMA3+] in globozoospermic men was higher than controls [65.93 +/- 11.77 vs. 21.24 +/- 7.37, respectively, p<0.0001]. The rate of apoptotic spermatozoa [TUNEL positive] were significantly increased in globozoospermic cases with respect to the controls [17.60 +/- 10.72 and 5.95 +/- 3.02, respectively, p<0.0001]. There was no significant correlation between sperm protamine deficiency and apoptosis in globozoospermic men. Globozoospermic samples contain a higher proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin packaging and DNA fragmentation than normozoospermic samples. Therefore, in addition to absence of acrosome in the spermatozoa of globozoospermic patients, the high percentage of spermatozoa with immature chromatin and apoptotic marker may be considered as the other etiologies of infertility in these patients

Developmental competence of immature oocytes aspirated from antral follicles in patients with gynecological diseases

In vitro maturation [IVM] of immature oocytes collected from ovary has been proposed for fertility preservation. In addition, quality of oocytes post IVM is one of the factors determining its developmental competence. By using the non-invasive Polscope system, both meiotic spindle [MS] and zona pellucida [ZP] can be assessed in living oocytes. The aim was to investigate the developmental potential of immature oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue after IVM, as a method for fertility preservation, in patients with gynecological diseases. The ovarian cortex from 26 patients with malignant and benign diseases [21-45 years old], were obtained directly from collaborating hospitals, and transported to the IVF center on ice. In total 61 immature oocytes were aspirated, of which 18 [29.5%] were degenerated and discarded. The remaining 43 [70.5%] healthy oocytes were cultured in IVM culture media for 48 hr. The rate of maturity was assessed, and the ZP birefringence and MS were imaged with Polscope technology. Overall 43 immature oocytes underwent IVM technology, of which 30.2% reached viable metaphase II [MII] oocytes. The ovarian tissues of 9 [34.6%] women were lacking oocytes at any stage. During polarized light microscopy examination, MS could be visualized only in one of the MII oocytes, but high ZP birefringence's were observed in the majority of the oocytes post IVM [61.5%]. Oocytes maturation post IVM from unstimulated ovaries showed a good developmental competence in gynecologic patients. Further studies should be performed to advance the oocyte maturation program, such as co-culture system, for fertility preservation

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improved the Ultrastructural Morphology of Cerebral Tissues after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes widespread disruption in the cerebral architecture.The process of SAH is complicated and many people lose their lives or become disabled after injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as good candidate for repair of cerebral damage. The aim was to assess the ultrastructural changes in the rat cerebral tissue after intravenous transplantation of MSCs. Female Wistar rats (8 per group) weighing 275~300 g were assigned to control (SAH+PBS) and experimental groups (SAH+MSCs).The samples from middle cerebral arterial wall and parietal cerebral tissue were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) according to standard protocol. Fine architectures of the vessel wall, including the contraction of the inner layer, smooth muscle layer,as well as neural cells were observed after SAH. Cerebral arterial wall and cortex, including neuronal and glial cells were injured post SAH. But, administration of MSCs improved the structural integrity of cerebral tissues. Changes were much more balanced with their relative improvement in some areas. The role of MSCs for repairing the injured cerebral tissues post experimental SAH was approved by electron microscopy.

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

[ investigation of bacterial infection of seminal fluid in men with infertility with unknown etiology]

One of the most important factors that cause infertility in men is urogenital infections. In most cases, these infections cause impairment in parameters, [such as sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology] and sperm function, and also induction of inflammation in epididymis and prostate gland is occurred. Therefore, the identification of bacterial species causing infection and administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy can result in improvement of sperm parameters and consequently fertility. This study was performed with the purpose of determining the frequency of bacterial infection of seminal fluid in infertile men with unknown etiology. In this descriptive-analytical study, seminal fluid of 65 infertile men with unknown cause referred to Yazd Institute for Reproductive Sciences, were studied. At first, seminal fluid analysis was performed according to WHO guideline. Then, blood agar and EMB [eosin methylene blue] culture media were used for detection of bacterial infection. In semen. Supplementary microbial tests were used to detect bacterial species. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the correlation between sperm parameters, between the two groups with and without infection. Significance level was considered less than 0.05. In this study, 40 specimens had bacterial infection. Seven different bacterial species were detected in these specimens, of which the staphylococcus aureus had the highest incidence, 16.9%, and pseudomonas and enterococcus had the lowest incidence, 1.5%. According to the high incidence of seminal infection in infertile men, use of microbial tests for infertile men with unknown etiology and attempting to treat urogenital infection are suggested

comparison of anxiety and depression rate between medical staff of infertility centers and obstetrics and gynecology centers of Yazd, Shiraz, Isfahan and Kerman hospitals

Regarding the close and continuous interaction of infertility staff with hopeless infertile couples and in the contrary the atmosphere of happiness especially in obstetric wards make a sense that considering anxiety and depression it would be a difference between these two wards. The objective of this study is the comparison of the rate of depression and anxiety between the two wards of infertility and obstetrics and gynecology. This study is a descriptive-correlation study based on cross-sectional method. 199 individuals who were the staff of infertility and obstetrics and gynecology wards in four provinces enrolled in this study through stratified sampling. Data collection was done by demographic questionnaire, Spiel Berger and Beck depression inventory tests. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using ANOVA test. The result showed the rate of anxiety in obstetrics and gynecology staff of Isfahan center [54.69 +/- 13.58] and depression rate had increased level in infertility staff of Shiraz center [14.94 +/- 10.87]. Overall, there was significant correlation between anxiety, depression and work place [p=0.047, 0.008 respectively]. According to ANOVA test, the mean value of anxiety level was higher in the staff of four obstetrics and gynecology centers and one infertility center. As long as we know that infertile couples have little chance for success rate and obstetrics and gynecology wards patients have little risk of failure in treatment, it could be mentioned that the anxiety and depression in the staff are not correlated with the client illness

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

Zoroastrians support oocyte and embryo donation program for infertile couples

The main goal was to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of Zoroastrians living in Iran towards oocyte donation [OD] and embryo donation [ED] program. This cross sectional study consisted of 318 Zoroastrians [n=175 for OD and n=143 for ED] of both sexes. The questionnaire form comprised two parts of general demographic characteristics of the participants and twenty multiple-choice questions about attitude and knowledge of participants towards OD and ED. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test was applied for comparison of data generated from ED and OD groups. Majority of the participants supported OD [69.7%] and ED [71.3%] for infertile patients. In addition, 40% and 42% preferred donation program [OD and ED, respectively], compared to adoption. About 60% of the respondents believed that the donors have no right to find the child and claim it as their own. In addition, more than half of the respondents thought that the recipients of oocyte/embryo should never know the name and address of the donors. More than half of the participants did not know whether their religion accepts donation program or not. Approximately, 80% of respondents supported psychological counseling for both donors and recipients. Moreover, about 56% of the participants necessitated the advertisement on OD/ED program in the mass media. Our preliminary data showed that Zoroastrians supported both OD and ED program equally for infertile couples