RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This research was aimed at assessing the relationship between the follicular fluid (FF) antioxidants activity, aging and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 65 women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles due to unexplained infertility. Ovarian stimulation was performed using the long gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol. After ovum pickup, FF was collected and processed to measure the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH). Day 3 after ICSI, fresh embryos were transferred and later, possible pregnancy was assessed. Patients participating in this study were divided into four groups on the basis of age and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: SOD activity was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.218). GSH in the group whose participants were aged ≤35 years and were pregnant was higher than that in other groups. CAT activity in groups with younger participants was higher compared to the other groups. The mean TAC was higher in groups with pregnant participants compared to the non-pregnant women. Correlation analysis showed that: GSH level had a significant negative correlation with age (P<0.001, R -0.55) and a significant positive correlation with pregnancy (P=0.015, R=0.30). CAT level also had a significant negative correlation with age (P<0.001, R=-0.42) and the level of TAC had a significant positive correlation with pregnancy (P<0.001, R=0.59). CONCLUSION: According to our results, the levels of TAC, GSH and CAT in younger and pregnant women were higher compared with those undergoing ICSI cycles. Given the correlation of FF antioxidant activity with age and pregnancy, it is necessary to carry out more research on these compounds and the maintenance of pregnancy.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Phthalate esters have been shown to cause reproductive toxicity in both developing and adult animals. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess long-term effects of maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) on reproductive ability of both neonatal and adult male offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 female rats randomly divided in four equal groups; vehicle control and three treatment groups that received 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg/day DEHP via gavage during gestation and lactation. At different ages after birth, the volumes of testes were measured by Cavellieri method, testes weights recorded and epididymal sperm samples were assessed for number and gross morphology of spermatozoa. Following tissue processing, seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height evaluated with morphometric techniques. RESULTS: Mean testis weight decreased significantly (p<0.05) in 500 mg/kg/day dose group from 28 to 150 days after birth. Significant decreases were seen in total volumes of testis in 100 (p<0.05) and 500 (p<0.01) mg/kg/day doses groups until 150 days after birth. Seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height decreased significantly in 100 (p<0.05) and 500 (p<0.01) mg/kg/day doses groups during postnatal development. Also, mean sperm density in 100 mg/kg/day (p<0.05) and 500 mg/kg/day (p<0.01) doses groups and percent of morphologically normal sperm in highest dose group (p<0.05) decreased significantly until 150 days after birth. CONCLUSION: Present study showed that maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate during gestation and lactation caused to permanent and dose-related reductions of sperm and testicular parameters in rats offspring.
