Embryology
Zahra Aaly-Gharibeh; Mohammadreza Hosseinchi; Ali Shalizar-Jalali
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 02 December 2023
Abstract
The precise pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not well-founded. In an attempt to fill this gap, the current study was executed to probe the effect of nanocurcumin (NCC) on ovarian tissue, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation embryo development in a mouse model of PCOS. ...
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The precise pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not well-founded. In an attempt to fill this gap, the current study was executed to probe the effect of nanocurcumin (NCC) on ovarian tissue, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation embryo development in a mouse model of PCOS. Fifty adult female mice were randomly categorized into five equal groups including non-treated control and PCOS (receiving 0.20 mg estradiol valerate (EV) intraperitoneally once a day for 21 days) as well as NCC12.50+PCOS, NCC25+PCOS and NCC50+PCOS (receiving respectively 12.50, 25.00 and 50.00 mgk-1 NC daily along with EV injection through oral gavages for 21 days) groups. Subsequently, ovarian histo-architecture and total anti-oxidant capacity, malonaldehyde and catalase levels as well as in vitro fertilizing potential, early embryonic development and serum testosterone concentration were analyzed. Results showed that NCC in a dose-dependent manner improved ovarian cyto-architectural organization and oxidant/anti-oxidant balance along with IVF rate and pre-implantation embryo development in PCOS mice. These findings revealed that NCC at the doses of 25.00 and 50.00 mgk-1 could alleviate PCOS-linked reproductive disruptions in female mice.
Embryology
Hossein Torkashvand; Rouhollah Fathi; Abdolhossein Shahverdi; Afsaneh Gollkar; Paul Mozdziak; Hussein Eimani
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2019, , Pages 213-219
Abstract
Chick embryo extract (CEE) contains a variety of growth factors which may improve in vitro follicle growth. Therefore, the effect of CEE on mouse pre-antral follicle culture was evaluated. Different percentages of CEE (0, 0.50%, 1.00%, 5.00% and 10.00%) were added to culture medium. Hence, the osmolarity ...
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Chick embryo extract (CEE) contains a variety of growth factors which may improve in vitro follicle growth. Therefore, the effect of CEE on mouse pre-antral follicle culture was evaluated. Different percentages of CEE (0, 0.50%, 1.00%, 5.00% and 10.00%) were added to culture medium. Hence, the osmolarity of media was measured. Pre-antral follicles with diameter of 120-150 μm were isolated from 12-14 days old mouse ovary and cultured for 12 days. After culture, the maturation rate was assessed. Granulosa cells viability was evaluated using MTT test and estradiol levels were evaluated using related radio-immunoassay (RIA). Genes expression (BMP15 and ALK6) was also evaluated. The osmolarity of media and granulosa cells viability were the same in all groups. Estradiol level in group with 10.00% CEE was significantly decreased compared to the control group. After 12 days culture, the percentage of antral follicles development was significantly higher in the group with 5.00% CEE compared to control group. The percentage of metaphase II and germinal vesicle breakdown oocytes was significantly higher in group 5.00% CEE compared to control group. The expression of BMP15 gene in antral follicles in 5.00% CEE and control groups was significantly lower compared to pre-antral follicles. However, the expression of ALK6 gene in antral follicles in 5.00% CEE and control groups was not significantly different compared to pre-antral follicles. The increasing effect of CEE on follicle viability with keeping normal gene expression indicates that addition of proper percentage of CEE to culture media improves culture conditions, making it a possible choice to be used as a follicular growth enhancer in infertility clinics.
Embryology
Aris Pourlis; John Antonopoulos
Volume 10, Issue 1 , March 2019, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
The ossification centers onset of the quail vertebrae, ribs, and sternum in embryos and hatchling birds was studied. Specimens were cleared, stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S and examined using stereomicroscope. The chondral rudiments of the vertebrae were observed at the 6th day of incubation ...
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The ossification centers onset of the quail vertebrae, ribs, and sternum in embryos and hatchling birds was studied. Specimens were cleared, stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S and examined using stereomicroscope. The chondral rudiments of the vertebrae were observed at the 6th day of incubation (E6). The osteogenesis of the vertebrae was accomplished with both perichondral and endochondral ossifications. The cervical vertebrae began to ossify at E9-E10, whereas the thoracic ones began at E10-E11. The synsacral vertebrae began to ossify at E11-E13. In the caudal vertebrae, ossification was observed at E14 and in the pygostylous ones, at E15. The true ribs began to ossify at E7, whereas the 1st and the 2nd ribs began to ossify at E9 and E8, respectively. The uncinate processes were ossified late at E15. At E13, ossification was observed in the caudo-lateral process of the sternum. At E14, the cranio-lateral process of the sternum began to ossify, whereas late at and after hatching ossification was observed in the carina and the sternal body, respectively. The data presented here provide useful baseline information on the normal sequential pattern of ossification in the vertebral column and thoracic cage in quail.
Embryology
Farnam Azad; Vahid Nejati; Ali Shalizar-Jalali; Gholamreza Najafi; Fatemeh Rahmani
Volume 9, Issue 3 , September 2018, , Pages 231-238
Abstract
This study evaluated the possible protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on sperm parameters and sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and in vitro fertilizing potential in nicotine (NIC) exposed male mice. Thrtiy-six male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). Group 1 received ...
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This study evaluated the possible protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on sperm parameters and sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and in vitro fertilizing potential in nicotine (NIC) exposed male mice. Thrtiy-six male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). Group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received 100 mg kg-1 per day RJ, groups 3 and 4 received NIC at doses of 0.50 and 1.00 mg kg-1 per day, respectively and groups 5 and 6 received NIC at doses of 0.50 and 1.00 mg kg-1 per day, respectively plus RJ. Caudal epididymal sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation and in vitro fertilizing capacity and embryo development were evaluated after 35 days. The NIC treatment caused a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability and fertilization rate along with poor blastocyst formation and increased sperm DNA damage and MDA levels. Moreover, the incidences of chromatin abnormality in spermatozoa were significantly higher in NIC-exposed mice than those of control. Nevertheless, RJ treatment improved sperm parameters and in vitro fertilization outcome as well as sperm lipid peroxidation level. Data from the current study suggest that RJ has a potential repro-protective action against NIC-induced sperm abnormalities and embryotoxicity in mice.
Embryology
Mahmood Khaksary-Mahabady; Kaveh Khazaeel; Mahdi Pourmahdi Borujeni; Behnam Yazdanjoo
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2018, , Pages 121-128
Abstract
Immune system plays crucial role in body and lymph nodes are essential parts of this system for combating pathogens. However, no study has ever been conducted on morphometric development of sheep lymph nodes in fetal period. Thus, this study attempted to examine the morphometric characteristics of a ...
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Immune system plays crucial role in body and lymph nodes are essential parts of this system for combating pathogens. However, no study has ever been conducted on morphometric development of sheep lymph nodes in fetal period. Thus, this study attempted to examine the morphometric characteristics of a number of important lymph nodes of some lymphocenters of sheep during fetal period. To this end, 60 pieces of sheep fetuses collected from Ahvaz slaughterhouse were fixated in 10% formalin and then divided into four categories based on crown-rump length (CRL) following gender and weight determinations. Mandibular, caudal superficial cervical (prescapular), caudal mediastinum, jejunal mesenteric and popliteal lymph nodes were evaluated in five lymphocenters of head, neck, thoracic cavity, abdominal viscera and pelvic limbs, respectively. In each sample, nodes formation was visually checked and in cases of nodes formation, they were measured in terms of weight, length, width and thickness and collected data were statistically analyzed. The longest and shortest fetal CRLs were found to be 48.50 cm and 3.50 cm, respectively. Gender had no effect on study parameters in 32 male and 28 female fetuses. Study of sheep fetuses’ lymph nodes revealed no macroscopic lymph node development by day 45, while all nodes were observable after the day 59. The shortest lymph node was mandibular node and the longest one was caudal mediastinum. Based on the results, it seemed that although the size of lymph nodes grows by age, this increase is not the same for all nodes and groups.
Theriogenology
Mahboobeh Amoushahi; Mojdeh Salehnia
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2018, , Pages 145-152
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovarian tissue vitrification and two-step in vitro culture on the metaphase II (MII) oocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) expression and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. After collection of ...
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovarian tissue vitrification and two-step in vitro culture on the metaphase II (MII) oocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) expression and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. After collection of neonatal mouse ovaries, 45 ovaries were vitrified and the others (n = 45) were considered as control. All ovaries were cultured for seven days, and their isolated preantral follicles were cultured in three-dimensional culture system. After 12 days in vitro culture, the follicular development and oocyte maturation were evaluated and compared in vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries. The collected MII oocytes were inseminated with capacitated spermatozoa. The fertilization, embryonic development, ROS level, TFAM gene expression and SDH activity of oocytes were assessed and compared. There was no significant difference between morphology and percentage of normal follicles between vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries at the beginning of culture. The follicular development and hormone level in the vitrified group was significantly lower than non-vitrified group and the ROS concentration in the vitrified group was significantly higher than non-vitrified group after one-week organ culture. After follicular culture, there was no significant difference in follicular development, oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, TFAM gene expression, ROS level and mitochondrial SDH activity between vitrified and non-vitrified groups. This study showed that mouse ovarian tissue vitrification influenced the follicular development through increase in ROS level during organ culture but these harmful effects of vitrification method may be recovered during the follicular culture period. Thus, vitrification and ovarian organ culture method should be improved.
Stem Cells
Neda Abedpour; Mojdeh Salehnia; Nassim Ghorbanmehr
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 59-66
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) known as a serum-derived growth factor, is involved in several cell physiological functions in the female reproductive system including: oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization and embryo implantation by its transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. The aim of the present ...
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Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) known as a serum-derived growth factor, is involved in several cell physiological functions in the female reproductive system including: oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization and embryo implantation by its transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of LPA on in vitro follicular development of mouse ovarian tissue. Neonatal mouse ovarian tissues were cultured in five different concentrations of LPA (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µM). The developmental competence and the function of cultured ovarian tissue were assessed by morphological study using hematoxylin and eosin staining and hormonal analysis. The expression of LPA receptor (LPAR 1-4) genes were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The proportion of preantral follicles and the level of E2 hormone were significantly higher in the 20 µM LPA-treated group than those in the other treatment groups. There was a significant difference in the expression of LPAR 1-4 genes in 20 µM LPA treated group in comparison with 0 µM LPA (control group) treated and non-cultured groups. In addition, the expression of LPAR1 gene was higher than other receptor genes in all studied groups. In conclusion supplementation of the media with 20 µM LPA, could improve the survival and developmental potential of follicles and it had positive effects on cell function and stimulation of E2 synthesis in mouse whole ovarian tissues.
Embryology
Farkhondeh Pooyanfar; Tahereh Foroutan; Mojtaba Dashtizad
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 87-92
Abstract
Although the rate of blastocysts implantation of embryos is higher than previous stages but their survival rate is lower than them, which could be attributed to the completely filled blastocoel cavity with liquid and increased possibility of the formation of ice crystals. This liquid could prevent the ...
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Although the rate of blastocysts implantation of embryos is higher than previous stages but their survival rate is lower than them, which could be attributed to the completely filled blastocoel cavity with liquid and increased possibility of the formation of ice crystals. This liquid could prevent the penetration of cryoprotecting materials into the embryos. In this study, we reduced the volume of blastocoel before vitrification and compared survival rate and quality of in vitro embryos through klf4 gene expression with control group. In vitro mouse blastocysts were divided into three groups. In group 1, the blastocoel volume of blastocysts were reduced before vitrification and warming. In group 2, blastocysts were just vitrified and warmed and the blastocysts of group 3 (control group) were not undergone any specific treatment and were not vitrified. The expression ofklf4 gene was assessed using real-time PCR technique. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s post hoc tests. Our results showed that blastocoel volume reduction before vitrification significantly increased the hatching rate of the blastocysts from the zona pellucida and klf4 gene expression compared to vitrified group. Blastocoel volume reduction before vitrification could be used as an efficient method for improving the rate of in vitro fertilization.
Pharmacology
Alireza Nourian; Ali Soleimanzadeh; Ali Shalizar Jalali; Gholamreza Najafi
Volume 8, Issue 4 , December 2017, , Pages 341-345
Abstract
Bisphenol-S (BPS) is a new bisphenol-A substitute widely used in many plastic products. Bisphenol-A as a main member of bisphenol family has been known as an endocrine system disrupter chemical compound. Like other members of bisphenol family, there is public health concern about the toxic effects of ...
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Bisphenol-S (BPS) is a new bisphenol-A substitute widely used in many plastic products. Bisphenol-A as a main member of bisphenol family has been known as an endocrine system disrupter chemical compound. Like other members of bisphenol family, there is public health concern about the toxic effects of BPS on reproductive system, thus, we examined BPS effects on in vitro fertilization (IVF) potential and oxidative stress status in a murine model. Adult female mice (n = 70) were randomly divided into control and BPS-treated groups. Bisphenol-S was administered at doses of 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 µg kg-1 body weight per day intraperitoneally for 21 consecutive days. Twenty-Four hr after the last treatment, five mice in each group were super-ovulated and the oocytes were harvested for IVF. All ovaries were collected and used for biochemical factors analyses. Bisphenol-S exposure at doses more than 10 µg kg-1 induced developmental arrest of pre-implantation embryos. Further, lipid peroxidation measurement in ovaries indicated that all doses of BPS cause oxidative stress in female mice. In conclusion, BPS administration even in low doses can result in female reproductive toxicities and oxidative stress in mice.
Embryology
Vida Sadat Kazemein Jasemi; Firooz Samadi; Hussein Eimani; Saeed Hasani; Rouhollah Fathi; Abdolhossein Shahverdi; Fatemeh Shahi Sadrabadi
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2017, , Pages 243-249
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effects of applying 1 mT static magnetic field (SMF) during the vitrification process, on the viability of ovarian follicles after vitrification-warming and autotransplantation. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, ovaries of female NMRI ...
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This study was designed to investigate the effects of applying 1 mT static magnetic field (SMF) during the vitrification process, on the viability of ovarian follicles after vitrification-warming and autotransplantation. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, ovaries of female NMRI mice (6 to 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups: 1- Freshly isolated ovaries fixed in Bouin solution (control group), 2- Ovaries vitrified-warmed without exposure to magnetic field (V1 group) and 3- Ovaries exposed to magnetic field during equilibration step of the vitrification process (V2 group). In the second phase, the vitrified (V1 and V2 groups) and fresh ovarian tissues were autografted into the back muscles of the mice from which the ovaries were extracted. In both phases, morphological aspects and molecular characteristics of active-apoptotic caspase-3 antibody were evaluated. Results indicated the lower percentages of morphologically intact primordial, primary and antral follicles in the V1 group (67.6, 49.5 and 17.6%, respectively) than those of control (97.3, 85.4 and 42.1%, respectively) and V2 (94.1, 78.8 and 40.9%, respectively) groups. In addition, the mean percentages of morphologically intact follicles in the V1 group were statistically lower than those in other groups, after transplantation. The rate of apoptosis in preantral follicles of the V1 group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. It was concluded that exposure of mice ovaries to SMF during vitrification resulted in greater resistance to injuries.
Theriogenology
Hossein Hassanpour; Valiallah Khalaji-Pirbalouty; Manoochehr Adibi; Hassan Nazari
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2017, , Pages 251-257
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors of transcription factors composed of three family members: PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of PPARs in the estradiol production via follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in ...
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Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors of transcription factors composed of three family members: PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of PPARs in the estradiol production via follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the ovine Sertoli cells. At the first step, transcripts of PPARα, PPARβ /δ and PPARγ were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the ovine Sertoli cells in vitro after FSH treatment. PPARγ transcript was increased in FSH-treated cells while PPARα and PPAR β /δ transcripts were unchanged. At the second step, Pioglitazone as PPARγ agonist and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide (GW9662) as PPARγ antagonist were used in the FSH-treated Sertoli cells and then, the estradiol production and aromatase transcript were evaluated. Aromatase transcript was increased by pioglitazone in the FSH-treated Sertoli cells while GW9662 did not change its transcript. The estradiol production was increased by low concentrations of pioglitazone in FSH-treated Sertoli cells while the production of this hormone was decreased by the high concentration of Pioglitazone. The GW9662 did not change the production of estradiol in FSH-treated Sertoli cells. It is concluded that FSH regulates the estradiol production and aromatase expression in a way independently of PPARβ/δ and PPARα activation, although FSH increases the transcript of PPARγ and in this way, it could affect (mostly increase) aromatase transcript and estradiol production. Probably, this effect of FSH in the estradiol production via PPARγ is only a servo-assist mechanism which if it was inhibited, the estradiol production was not considerably affected.
Theriogenology
Sahar Nouri Gharajelar; Rajab Ali Sadrkhanloo; Masoud Onsori; Adel Saberivand
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 235-239
Abstract
Cryopreservation has the capacity to extend spermatozoa’s lifespan and viability. In addition, the semen samples can be collected, preserved and stored or sent to distant locations and still be used long after the death of the semen donor. In this study for the vitrification of dog sperm (fresh ...
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Cryopreservation has the capacity to extend spermatozoa’s lifespan and viability. In addition, the semen samples can be collected, preserved and stored or sent to distant locations and still be used long after the death of the semen donor. In this study for the vitrification of dog sperm (fresh and swum-up sperm), different cryopreservation mediums on the basis of glycerol, milk and egg yolk were used. Then, all of the samples were vitrified in the liquid nitrogen and thawed at least 48 hr later for re-examination of sperm parameters. The sperm parameters before and after cryopreservation in all groups were compared. It was found that during vitrification process, spermatozoa were damaged by the mechanical blows in centrifugation during swim-up processing, so they had less resistance than fresh semen. The examination of different cryoprotectants revealed that milk has better effects on the cryopreservation of semen than glycerol and egg yolk. With the comparison of the effects of glycerol and egg yolk as cryoprotectants, it was found that glycerol had better effects than egg yolk on the cryopreservation of the semen. In conclusion, milk might be used as a cryoprotectant instead of glycerol for canine sperm cryopreservation.
Embryology
Adonis Pino; Arlenis Pérez; Aine Seavers; Guillermo Hermo
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 267-270
Abstract
Caudal duplication (dipygus) is an uncommon pathologic of conjoined twinning. The conjoined malformation is classified according to the nature and site of the union. We report the presence of this malformation in a female crossbreed puppy. The puppy was delivered by caesarean section following a prolonged ...
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Caudal duplication (dipygus) is an uncommon pathologic of conjoined twinning. The conjoined malformation is classified according to the nature and site of the union. We report the presence of this malformation in a female crossbreed puppy. The puppy was delivered by caesarean section following a prolonged period of dystocia. External findings showed a single head (monocephalus) and a normal cranium with no fissure in the medial line detected. The thorax displayed a caudal duplication arising from the lumbosacral region (rachipagus). The puppy had three upper limbs, a right and left, and a third limb in the dorsal region where the bifurcation began. The subsequent caudal duplication appeared symmetrical. Necropsy revealed internal abnormalities consisting of a complete duplication of the urogenital system and a duplication of the large intestines arising from a bifurcation of the caudal ileum. Considering the morphophysiological description the malformation described would be classified as the first case in the dog of a monocephalus rachipagus tribrachius tetrapus.
Theriogenology
Lubna Hamid Tahtamouni; Rema Ahmad Al-Khateeb; Reem Nasser Abdellatif; Zainab Ali Al-Mazaydeh; Salem Refaat Yasin; Samer Al-Gharabli; Ali Zuhair Elkarmi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 89-97
Abstract
Taraxacum officinale has been used in Jordan folk medicine to treat male infertility. A recent study has proved a contradictory effect of the whole plant aqueous extract. The aim of the current study was to determine if the leaves of T. officinale have similar anti-fertility activities, and whether this ...
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Taraxacum officinale has been used in Jordan folk medicine to treat male infertility. A recent study has proved a contradictory effect of the whole plant aqueous extract. The aim of the current study was to determine if the leaves of T. officinale have similar anti-fertility activities, and whether this effect is mediated through the regulation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Fifty adult male rats were divided into five groups. Two groups were gavaged with 1/10 of LD50 of T. officinale whole plant (1.06 g kg-1 body weight) or leaves (2.30 g kg-1 body weight) aqueous extract; while two groups were gavaged with 1/20 of LD50 of T. officinale whole plant (2.13 g kg-1) or leaves (4.60 g kg-1) extract. The control group received distilled water. Oral administration of T. officinale (whole plant and leaves aqueous extract) caused a significant decrease in testis and seminal vesicle weight, a reduction in serum testosterone concentration, impaired sperm parameters, and a decrease in pregnancy parameters. Testicular histology of treated rats showed structural changes such as hypoplasia of germ cells, reduction in the thickness of germinal epithelium, arrest of spermatogenesis at spermatid stage (late maturation arrest) and reduction in the number of Leydig cells. Gene expression levels of two SSCs markers (GFRα1 and CSF1) responsible for self-renewal were relatively counter-balanced. In conclusion, T. officinale whole plant and leaves aqueous extracts changed the gene expression of two SSCs markers leading to the imbalance between spermatogonia self-renewal and differentiation causing late maturation arrest.
Theriogenology
Hamid Reza Shafiei Sheykhani; Rooz Ali Batavani; Gholam Reza Najafi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 99-104
Abstract
Leptin, the 16-kDa product of the obese (ob) gene, primarily secreted from adipose tissue, has been implicated to play an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. This study investigated protective effect of leptin on trichostatin A-induced apoptotic on in vitro maturation ...
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Leptin, the 16-kDa product of the obese (ob) gene, primarily secreted from adipose tissue, has been implicated to play an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. This study investigated protective effect of leptin on trichostatin A-induced apoptotic on in vitro maturation ratio of buffalo oocytes. Ovaries were collected from abattoir and were transported immediately to the laboratory by a thermos flask containing sterile normal saline with antibiotics. Oocytes were aspirated from 2 to 8 mm visible follicles. Oocytes were placed in a culture plate and then incubated at 38.5 ˚C with 5% CO2 in air for 24 hr. The maturation of oocytes was evaluated under a stereomicroscope. The FITC-Annexin V and propidium iodide staining method was used to detect oocyte apoptosis. In leptin treated groups with 0, 10, 50 and 100 ng mL-1 and groups that apoptosis was induced, the percentage of oocytes maturation was 77.03, 86.12, 85.08, and 79.89% and 59.96, 56.93 and 51.98, respectively, while the percentage of apoptosis was 8.83, 7.90, 8.58, and 9.39%, and 10.37, 11.57 and 12.03, respectively. Our findings showed that addition of 10 and 50 ng mL-1 leptin to IVM medium of buffalo oocytes could increase oocyte nuclear maturation, and could decrease oocyte apoptosis when trichostatin A added for inducing apoptosis.
Embryology
Mahmood Khaksary Mahabady; Mohammad Reza Gholami; Hossein Najafzadeh Varzi; Abolfazl Zende del; Mona Doostizadeh
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 133-138
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a drug commonly used to treat neoplastic disease and some autoimmune diseases. It is also a well-known and well-studied teratogen causing a variety of birth defects in fetuses of pregnant women treated with the drug. There are many reports that show the adverse effects of CP ...
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Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a drug commonly used to treat neoplastic disease and some autoimmune diseases. It is also a well-known and well-studied teratogen causing a variety of birth defects in fetuses of pregnant women treated with the drug. There are many reports that show the adverse effects of CP can be decreased by use of antioxidant drugs. It appears that, quercetin has antioxidant effect. The aim of this study was prevention or decrease of teratogenicity of CP in fetuses of rats by quercetin. This study was performed on 35 pregnant rats divided into six groups. Control group was received normal saline (5 mL kg-1, intraperitoneally) and 2-6 groups received a single dose of CP (15 mg kg-1), a single dose of quercetin (75 or 200 mg kg-1), CP plus quercetin (75 or 200 mg kg-1) intraperitoneally at 9th day of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and crown rump length were stained by alizarin red – alcian blue method and skeletal system were examined by stereomicroscope. The results showed that the cleft palate, exencephaly, spina bifida and omphalocele incidence were 55.56%, 27.77%, 33.34% and 11.11%, in fetuses of rat that received only CP, respectively. However, it decreased to 16.00%, 16.00%, 16.00% and 8.00% by quercetin (75 mg kg-1) and so to 12.90%, 12.90%, 6.45% and 3.28% by quercetin (200 mg kg-1), respectively. On the basis of results, quercetin significantly can decrease teratogenicity induced by CP.
Epidemiology
Faramarz Gharagozlou; Reza Youssefi; Mehdi Vojgani; Vahid Akbarinejad; Ghazaleh Rafiee
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 169-172
Abstract
Maternal testosterone has been indicated to affect sex ratio of offspring. The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of androgen receptor in this regard by blockade of androgen receptor using flutamide in female mice. Mice were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Mice in the control ...
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Maternal testosterone has been indicated to affect sex ratio of offspring. The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of androgen receptor in this regard by blockade of androgen receptor using flutamide in female mice. Mice were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Mice in the control (n = 20) and treatment (n = 20) groups received 8 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection (8 IU) 47 hr later. In addition, mice in the control and treatment groups received four injections of ethanol-saline vehicle and flutamide solution (2.50 mg), respectively, started from 1 hr before eCG injection until hCG injection at 12-hr intervals. Conception rate was not different between the treatment (18/20: 90.00%) and control (19/20: 95.00%) groups (p > 0.05). Litter size was higher in the treatment (8.22 ± 0.26) than control (7.21 ± 0.28) group (p < 0.05). Male sex ratio was lower in the flutamide-treated mice (67/148: 45.30%) as compared with the untreated ones (80/137: 58.40%; odds ratio = 1.69; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results showed that androgen receptor blockade could skew sex ratio of offspring toward females implying that the effect of testosterone on sex ratio might be through binding to androgen receptor. In addition, the blockade of androgen receptor using flutamide appeared to enhance litter size.
Large Animal Internal Medicine
Behrokh Marzban Abbasabadi; Aliakbar Ahmadzadeh; Shahab Ramezanpour; Amir Reza Hajati Ziabari
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 177-179
Abstract
Dipygus is a teratological fetus with a double pelvis, genitals, and extremities. Congenital duplications in cattle are rare. Caudal duplication is more common in sheep and pigs while cranial duplications seem to be predominant in cattle.Asymmetric or parasitic conjoined twins consisting of an incomplete ...
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Dipygus is a teratological fetus with a double pelvis, genitals, and extremities. Congenital duplications in cattle are rare. Caudal duplication is more common in sheep and pigs while cranial duplications seem to be predominant in cattle.Asymmetric or parasitic conjoined twins consisting of an incomplete twin (parasite) attached to the body of a fully-developed twin (autosite).This report deals with a male Holstein calf with two extra limbs, in the pelvic region which were directed ventrally between the two normal hind limbs. The extra limbs were completely developed in one side and in other side just a bony mass were observed. So classification has been made as asymmetrical attached twins. The genital system was not affected and just one extra kidney-like structure was found. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first report of asymmetrical monocephalus dipygus (tetrapus dibrachius) in a male Holstein calf in Iran.
Embryology
Hossain Hassanpour; Ali Kadivar; Pejman Mirshokraei; Hassan Nazari; Azita Afzali; Maryam Badisanaye
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2015, , Pages 125-130
Abstract
Sertoli cells are an essential group of cells in seminiferous epithelium which provide nutritional and structural supports for spermatogenic cells via cell junctions. In this study, the gene expression of connexin-43, the most abundantly distributed gap junction protein of cells, was investigated in ...
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Sertoli cells are an essential group of cells in seminiferous epithelium which provide nutritional and structural supports for spermatogenic cells via cell junctions. In this study, the gene expression of connexin-43, the most abundantly distributed gap junction protein of cells, was investigated in ram Sertoli cells under mild and severe heat stresses with real-time quantitative PCR. Sertoli cells were isolated from testes of 10 lambs. After culture and 3 passages, they were treated with mild (39 ˚C) and severe (42 ˚C) heat stress for 6 hr. The results showed a significant reduction in the percentage of live cells under severe heat stress compared to the control group (32 ˚C), (p <0.05). Relative quantification analysis revealed significantly higher (3.80 fold increase) values of connexin-43 transcripts in severely heat stressed group than control group (p <0.05). It is concluded that challenging Sertoli cells with 42 ˚C heat could threaten their survival, and overexpression of connexin-43 may cause dysfunction of Sertoli cells due to heat stress. These findings can be useful to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in adverse effects of heat stress on male reproduction and enhance our understanding of its pathogenesis.
