Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen versus pentoxifylline on improvement of sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A randomized clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen is the male reproductive dust of palm flowers known as a natural product that is considered a strong stimulant of sexual potency and fertility in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). In this regard, no evidence-based medications are empirically prescribed to treat IMI. However, applying traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility has attracted more attention in recent years. AIM OF THE STUDY: Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen was compared with pentoxifylline (PTX) to evaluate its efficacy on sperm parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this parallel randomized controlled trial, 80 adult men with asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or teratozoospermia (age 20-35 years) were enrolled. In two separate groups of participants with a 1:1 ratio, participants received either 6 g of Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen powder daily or 400 mg of PTX tablets daily for 90 days. We measured the sperm parameters as well as the serum sex hormones in the sample. ANCOVA and t-tests were used to compare groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of baseline characteristics or demographic characteristics. According to the results, participants who took Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen powder had significantly improved sperm concentration (p = 0.016), morphology (p = 0.029), sperm counts (p = 0.012), progressive motility (p = 0.016), total motility (p = 0.018), and reduced immotile sperms (p = 0.014) compared to those who took PTX. CONCLUSIONS: In light of these results, Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen is recommended as a treatment factor for ameliorating IMI by enhancing sperm functional capacity and semen parameters.

The Effectiveness of Perinatal Omega-3 Supplements in Neurodevelopment and Physical Growth of 9- and 12-month-old Infants: A Follow-up of a Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) are essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) that are essential for optimal health and development. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of maternal fish oil (containing omega-3 LCPUFA) intake from 21th week of pregnancy to 30 days postpartum for neurodevelopment and growth of infants at 9 and 12 months. METHODS: This was a follow-up study of a triple-blinded clinical trial. The study population was 9-- month-old infants. Their mothers were randomly divided into two groups of 75 people with a 1:1 ratio to take one fish oil supplement or a placebo daily. The anthropometric indicators of infants at months 9 and 12 and neurodevelopment at month 12 by the ASQ questionnaire were measured. In the fish oil and placebo groups, respectively, 73 and 71 infants at nine months, as well as 71 and 69 at 12 months, were analyzed. RESULTS: No statistically significant impact was observed following consuming omega-3 capsules on the neurodevelopmental domains, growth parameters, and the profile of maternal serum FAs (p > 0.05) except DHA. Neurodevelopmental problems were illustrated in one case in the intervention group and two cases in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Perinatal relatively low-dose omega-3 LCPUFAs supplements indicated no statistically significant impacts on the growth and neurodevelopment of 9- and 12-month-old infants in a population with low consumption of marine products. Further studies investigating the effect of higher doses of omega-3 LCPUFAs are suggested.

Dietary acid load is associated with primary osteoporosis in postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and primary osteoporosis. This was a cross-sectional study. Among 850 randomly selected postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years, 232 women consisted of 124 women with normal bone mineral density (BMD) and 108 with primary osteoporosis were selected after examining the eligibility criteria. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices, and physical activity were collected through questionnaires. Osteoporosis was diagnosed using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. DAL was assessed by a valid and reliable semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire during the last year. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and adjusted binary logistic regression were used for data analysis through SPSS/24. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), number of deliveries, and years after menopause (p < .05). The mean (standard deviation (SD)) potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) were higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis than those with normal BMD (PRAL: -13.1 ± 11.1 mEq/day vs. -10.8 ± 12.7 mEq/day; NEAP: 29.5 ± 8.5 mEq/day vs. 31.2 ± 9.2 mEq/day). The mean consumption of potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the osteoporosis group was significantly lower than in the other group (p < .05). There were significant associations between osteoporosis with PRAL (odds ratio (OR) = 1.030; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001 to 1.060, p = .027) and NEAP scores (OR = 1.041; 95% CI: 1.003 to 1.081, p = .037). The odds of osteoporosis increased by 3% following one unit increase in PRAL score. Similarly, it increased by 4% with increasing NEAP score up to one unit. Therefore, dietary patterns that produce high DAL can have a detrimental effect on bone health.

Comparing Hemorrhages and Dysmenorrhea with Copper T380A and Multiload 375 Intrauterine Devices: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most common complications of IUD users is bleeding and dysmenorrhea. These complications vary in the different types of IUDs. The aim of this study was to compare the bleeding and dysmenorrhea in ML CU 375 IUD and Copper T 380A IUD. METHODS: This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was performed on 48 women in a health care centres from January to October 2012, in Tabriz, Iran. Participants allocated into two equal groups of receiving IUD ML CU 375 or receiving IUD Copper T 380A in randomized blocking method. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and Higham chart and Visual Analog Scale 1 month before IUD insertion and 4 months after IUD insertion. Analysis of covariance, ANOVA with repeated measures, Friedman, Ordinal regression and SPSS Ver. 13 were used to analysis the data. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean score of bleeding in the first four months after IUD insertion in IUD ML CU 375 users was significantly lower than IUD Copper T 380A group. In the third and fourth months in both groups showed severity of dysmenorrhea in group IUD ML CU 375 was lower than IUD Copper T 380A. The results showed that the duration of dysmenorrhea in the first four months after IUD insertion in IUD ML CU 375 group was significantly lower than IUD Copper T 380A group. CONCLUSION: Counseling and educating women by family planning service providers about both Copper T 380A and ML CU 375 IUDs before taking IUD is recommended.