ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Endometrial receptivity plays a key role in pregnancy success in assisted reproduction cycles. Recent evidence suggests that seminal plasma (SP) and follicular fluid (FF) influence the uterine endometrium to improve implantation of the embryo and the establishment of pregnancy. In this study, we attempt to assess the influence of FF and SP on the expression levels of main endometrial receptivity genes (HOXA10, HOXA11, ITGAV, ITGB3 and LIF) in endometrial stromal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, SP and FF were collected from 15 healthy fertile men and 15 healthy fertile women, respectively. Tissue specimens of the endometrium were obtained from 12 women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions. After endometrial stromal cell isolation and culture, dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects of pooled FF and SP on 3D-cultured endometrial cells were evaluated. A second independent set of 12 endometrium samples was treated under determined optimum conditions and evaluated for gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that exposure of endometrial stromal cells to FF resulted in the elevated expression of HOXA10 (fold change=2.6, P=0.02), HOXA11 (fold change=3.3, P=0.002), LIF (fold change=4.6, P=0.0003), ITGB3 (fold change=3.5, P=0.012), and ITGAV (fold change=2.8, P=0.001) compared to untreated cells. In addition, we found that SP-treated endometrial cells showed increased mRNA levels of only the LIF gene (fold change=2.5, P=0.008) compared to untreated cells. CONCLUSION: Human SP and FF may modulate the endometrial receptivity and improve the implantation rate in assisted reproduction cycles through the up-regulation of endometrial receptivity genes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is an important public health challenge worldwide. The prevalence of HTN varies across countries. It is necessary to obtain valid information about the prevalence of chronic condition like HTN and its predictors in different societies. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of HTN and associated factors in Mashhad, Iran, 2015. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 2974 adults residing in Mashhad in 2015. Multistage random sampling was used. A checklist was fulfilled for each subject, and a blood sample was taken for measuring fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins. The height and weight of participants and their blood pressure were measured according to protocols. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN in this population was 22% (25.9% in male and 20% in female). Most interestingly, smoking and drug abuse were more prevalent in men (14.9% and 3.8%), but the sedentary behavior was more prevalent in women (51%). Interestingly, by increasing the age, the frequency of optimum, normal and high normal type was decreased and the frequency of HTN, specially sever form were increased. In binary logistic regression model, age [odds ratio (OR): 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.09], gender (Ref:Female) (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05-1.83), and obesity (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06-1.12) were the predictors of HTN. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HTN among this population was found to be high; which indicates the need for HTN-screening programs, especially for the elderly, male and obese population. Given the close relationship between obesity and various diseases, including HTN, practical solutions, including lifestyle interventions, need to be developed.
