Oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development in vitro by green and chemical iron oxide nanoparticles: a comparative study.

Oxidative stress is considered one of the main challenges for in vitro maturation (IVM) and makes assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF and embryonic development less effective. Reducing free radicals via biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) is one of the most promising approaches for developing IVM. We investigated the comparative effect of green and chemically synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with an aqueous extract of date palm pollen (DPP) on oocyte parameters related to the IVM process. To this end, IONPs were synthesized by chemical (Ch-IONPs) and green methods (G-IONPs using DPP) and characterized. The mature oocyte quality of the Ch-IONPs and G-IONPs groups was evaluated by JC1 and Hoechst staining, Annexin V-FITC-Propidium Iodide, 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, and dihydroethidium staining compared to the control group. Eventually, the mature oocytes were fertilized, promoted to blastocysts (BL), and evaluated in vitro. Compared with the control and G-IONPs groups, the Ch-IONPs-treated group produced more hydrogen peroxide and oxygen radicals. Compared with the Ch-IONPs group, the fertilization rate in the G-IONPs and control groups increased significantly. Finally, the G-IONPs and control groups exhibited a significant increase in the 2PN, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, compacted morula (CM), and BL rates compared with the Ch-IONPs group. Green synthesis of IONPs can reduce the toxicity of chemical IONPs during the IVM process. It can be concluded that G-IONPs encased with DPP compounds have the potential to protect against exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in an IVM medium, which can have a crucial effect on oocyte maturation and fertilization efficiency.

Effect of Moderate Static Magnetic Fields on Mice Oocyte Vitrification: Calcium-Related Genes Expression.

The ability to cryopreserve oocytes without ultrastructural injury has been a concern in the development and use of methods to preserve female reproduction. The stability of the cell membrane must be preserved to reduce the damage caused by ice crystals during vitrification. One approach that has been explored is the use of static magnetic fields (SMFs), which are believed to influence cell membrane stability. In this study, the in vitro effects of SMF that range between 20-80 mT on the vitrification of mice germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were studied. The viability and mitochondrial (Mt) membrane potential of both vitrified and nonvitrified oocytes were assessed using Trypan blue and JC1 staining. The high in vitro maturation (IVM) rate and high Mt membrane potential in metaphase II (MII) oocytes were taken into account to determine the optimal magnetic field intensity, that is, 20 mT. None of the SMF conditions resulted in intact spindles in MII oocytes. The study also explored the expression of store-operated calcium entry (Stim1, Orai1, and Ip3r) and meiosis resumption (Ccnb, Cdk) genes in GV and MII oocytes of both vitrified and control groups. The results show that the expressions of Orai1 and Ccnb genes in Vit-MII-SMF oocytes were considerably increased. However, no significant difference in Stim1 expression was observed between the groups. The Vit-MII-SMF group exhibited a significantly higher Ccnb expression compared to other groups. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed to evaluate the 2 pronuclear (2PN) rates. The findings demonstrated that using 20 mT SMF improved 2PN rates compared to the nonvitrified groups. This study provides a deeper understanding of the effects of moderate SMF and vitrification on the expression of calcium channel genes in GV and MII oocytes. The results suggest that applying a 20 mT SMF can help prevent cryoinjury and enhance the characteristics of vitrified-warmed oocytes.

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles improve the vitrification of mouse immature oocytes and modulate the pluripotent genes expression in derived pronuclear-stage embryos.

The vitrification of Germinal Vesicle (immature) oocytes is beneficial for preservation of fertility in cases involving reproductive problems. The use of nanoparticles (NP(s)) as vitrification aid is a novel approach towards improving vitrification efficiency. The efficacy of use of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles as vitrification aid is reported in this paper. Immature oocytes from NMRI mice were collected and divided into non-vitrified (nVit), Vitrified (Vit) and Vitrified + NP (Vit+NP) groups. In the Vit+NP group, solutions containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles at three different concentrations (0.004%, 0.008% and 0.016% w/v) were separately added to the vitrification solution and their effects on the vitrification of the oocytes were compared. The concentration that was found to be best performing (0.004% w/v) was used in vitrification studies in subsequent experiments. Mitochondrial function, apoptosis incidence, ultrastructure alteration, nuclear maturity, embryo formation and genes expression (Nanog, Oct4, Cdx2, and Sox2) were evaluated in response to the addition of the nanoparticle solution during vitrification. Nuclear maturity of oocyte and embryo formation increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the vitrified + NP group. Expression of Sox2 also increased significantly in both vitrified and vitrified + NP groups. While there was a significant increase in Oct4 expression in the vitrified group as compared to control, there was no significant difference between vitrified and Vit+NP groups. The expression of Cdx2 decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the Vit+NP group. From these observations, Fe3O4 nanoparticles could protect immature oocytes from cryodamages, positively affect vitrification and modulate the pluripotency of derived pronuclear-stage embryos.

Serum iron level, ferritin and total iron binding capacity level among nonpregnant women with and without melasma.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common acquired disorder characterized by symmetric, hyperpigmented patches with an irregular outline, occurring most commonly on the face. It is most prevalent among young to middle-aged women. Although iron overload affects skin pigmentation, effect of iron deficiency on skin is not clear. So, we evaluated serum iron level, ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level among nonpregnant women with and without melasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional case study was conducted in 2012 at university dermatologic department on 33 nonpregnant women with melasma (case) and 33 nonpregnant women without melasma (control). Serum iron level, TIBC and ferritin in the two groups was measured and compared. RESULTS: Serum iron level was lower in the case group (85 ± 11) in comparison with control group (102 ± 9), but the difference was not significant (P: 0.9). Mean TIBC and Ferritin were higher in the case group (TIBC: 329.4 ± 29, ferritin: 6 ± 18) than the control group (TIBC: 329.3 ± 29, ferritin: 33 ± 6) without significant difference. CONCLUSION: Although the serum iron level was lower in nonpregnant women with mealsma, it was not significant compared with those without melasma.