The interaction between follicular fluid total antioxidant capacity, infertility and early reproductive outcomes during in vitro fertilization.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether the relationship between antioxidant capacity of follicular fluid and early reproductive outcomes is influenced by the cause of infertility, polycystic ovarian morphology, age and smoking.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study performed in an assisted conception unit and a teaching hospital. The study cohort was 34 women undergoing IVF treatment.

Exposure to treated sewage effluent disrupts reproduction and development in the seasonally breeding Ramshorn snail (subclass: Pulmonata, Planorbarius corneus).

Experiments were conducted to assess the impacts of exposure to sewage treatment works (STW) effluent upon the growth, reproductive function, and sexual development of the European mollusc, Planorbarius corneus under seasonally varying temperatures and photoperiodic conditions. In river water, a clear seasonal change in the number and weight of egg masses (during both 2003 and 2004), and in the number of eggs produced, was found, providing evidence for profound effects of both changing temperature and photoperiod on reproduction. Exposure to STW effluent caused disturbances in this seasonal reproductive cycle at all concentrations tested.

Plants used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of male infertility possess antioxidant and anti-oestrogenic activity.

In this study Chinese herbs commonly used in the treatment of male infertility were investigated for relevant biochemical activity. Male factor infertility predominantly arises via barriers to, or defects in, spermatogenesis. The process of spermatogenesis is under strict endocrine control; in addition oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility with significant levels of reactive oxygen species detected in 25% of infertile males.