The impact of plasma SOCS3 levels and endometrial leukocytes on unexplained infertility

Background/aim: To investigate the possible differences in endometrial leukocyte subtype distribution between women with unexplained infertility and normal fertile women and to determine whether there is a correlation between endometrial leukocyte counts and plasma cytokine levels in unexplained infertility. Materials and methods: This case-control study involved 79 infertile and 40 fertile women. Peripheral venous blood samples and endometrial samples were obtained on day 21 of the menstrual cycle. Plasma interleukin-4 (IL4), IL6, IL10, IL17, IL35, interferongamma (IFN-g), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b), and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endometrial CD8, CD56, and CD163 counts were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: CD8 and CD56 counts were significantly higher, while CD163 count was significantly lower in infertile women than in fertile women. Plasma SOCS3, IL35, and IL4 levels of the infertile group were significantly lower than those of the fertile group (P < 0.01); the remaining cytokine levels were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the fertile group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: We observed aberrant cytotoxic immune activity in infertile women. The interaction between plasma SOCS3 levels and staining degree of endometrial leukocytes may be either the reason for or result of infertility leading to unavailability of the environment for implantation.

A study of ovarian autotransplantation without vascular a pedicle in rats.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine effects of FSH applications on follicle survival, development and hormone output and antigenicity of rat ovarian tissue autografts placed at subcutaneous or subperitoneal sites. METHODS: A total of sixteen female rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into three groups. Ovaries were dissected and then transplanted under the peritoneum in the first group animals (n = 5) or under the skin in the second group animals (n = 6). And the animals in the third group (n = 5) were sham operated. Following operations, intramuscular injection of 8 IU of rhFSH were made daily to the animals in first and second groups from the first day of operation through thirty days. Vaginal irrigation samples were prepared daily from the animals for 30 days. The concentrations of serum estradiol and antiovarian antibodies in the blood were determined using ELISA on the last day of vaginal irrigations. Histopathological examination of the ovaries that were transplanted was made. RESULTS: Results showed that cyclic variations were noticed in the samples of vaginal irrigation by day 30 in the animals of first and second groups. However, no significant differences were seen between groups. The concentration of blood serum estradiol was higher in the animals of first group. Decrease in numbers of primary follicles were found in the animals of second group and lesser corpus luteum were found in the animals of control group on the histopathological examinations of transplanted ovaries. All rats in the first and second groups were defined as seropositive for antiovarian antibodies. When the OD values were compared between first and second groups, it was identified that the OD values of rats in the first group was higher than it was seen in the second group. CONCLUSION: The ovarian transplantation without vascular pedicle in rats is characterized by follicular hyperplasia endocrinologically functional. Being seropositive of all rats in first and second groups in terms of antiovarian antibodies is an indicator to these antibodies does not affect the functions of transplanted ovaries. It is believed that the highness of OD values in the group which is transplanted beneath the peritoneum is based on the highness of estradiol concentrations in these animals.

A new ovarian denervation technique and it's effect on sexual cycle, conception rates and offspring numbers in rats.

OBJECTIVES: A novel denervation technique of ovarian was used in rats to investigate its effects on sexual cycle, pregnancy rates and offspring numbers. SETTING AND DESIGN: A total of 34 female albino rats were included. Animals were divided into 3 groups. METHODS: In group 1, ovaries were bilaterally denervated. Animals in group 2 underwent sham operation and group 3 comprised of controls. Sexual cycles in animals were followed by vaginal irrigations. Gestations were determined with parturition of rats. RESULTS: Results indicated that in denervated rats, frequency of estrus decreased and period of estrus increased resulting in a decrease in conception rates and offspring numbers when compared to control rats. MAIN FINDINGS: Although the results were consistent with previous denervation techniques, the operational procedure described herein is simpler and requires no sophisticated equipment, suggesting this to be a method of choice in reproductive physiology studies. CONCLUSION: In this study, we denervated the ovary with a technique other than classical in which the tissues except vascular structures over ovarian suspensory ligament were excised. We found that, estrus count decreased, duration of sexual cycle increased, conception rates and the offspring numbers reduced. This is thought to be a result of blockage of ovarian neural control due to denervation.

Use of cauda epididymis extract as immunocontraceptive.

The objective of this study was to evaluate use of a cauda epididymis extract (CEE) as an immunocontraceptive in rats. Twenty-two rats in puberty or 19 rats that gave birth once (primipara) were immunized with intraperitoneal (IP) injection of CEE. Rats in puberty received one or two injections of CEE containing 1.5 x 10(9) sperm/mL, while primipara rats received injections of CEE containing 3 x 10(6) sperm/mL up to three times. Animals were tested for the presence and concentration of anti-CEE antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and monitored for pregnancy following natural insemination. Results revealed that 38 (92.6%) of the 41 rats were positive for anti-CEE antibodies, regardless of animal type or immunization procedure. However, there was no relation between pregnancy rates and concentration of anti-CEE antibody in rats immunized with CEE. These results indicate that immune response against CEE may not play a major role in contraception in rats.