The regulatory roles of Smad2/3 protein and gene expression in granulosa cells of germinal vesicle and metaphase II oocytes in polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case-control study.

Background: The impaired functions of granulosa cells (GCs) in the delayed development and immaturity of oocytes have been reported in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs). Even with ovarian stimulation, a large number of oocytes in these patients are still in the stage germinal vesicle (GV).

Objective: The levels of Smad2/3, phosphorylated Smad2/3 (P-Smad2/3), the expression of , , and genes in the GCs surrounding metaphase II (MII) or GV oocytes in PCOs women were investigated.

The Boosting Effects of Melatonin on the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most critical disorders, which affects approximately 20% of women of childbearing age and melatonin supplementation in these women can be effective. However, human studies in this area are particularly limited to IVF candidates. The aim of this clinical trial study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) in PCOS involved women.

Ozonation-pelleting of nitrogen-enriched wheat straw: Towards improved pellet properties, enhanced digestibility, and reduced methane emissions.

The livestock industry needs to use crop straws that are highly digestible to improve feed productivity and reduce ruminal methane emissions. Hence, this study aimed to use the ozonation and pelleting processes to enhance the digestibility and reduce the ruminal methane emissions of wheat straw enriched with two nitrogen sources (i.e.

Highly digestible nitrogen-enriched straw upgraded by ozone-urea pretreatment: Digestibility metrics and energy-economic analysis.

Ozone is a powerful oxidative gas widely used as a green pretreatment to enhance the delignification of cereal straws. Urea pretreatment can enrich straws with nitrogen to make them more accessible to anaerobic microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ozone-urea pretreatment on the digestibility of wheat straw (i.

Association between seminal plasma neopterin and oxidative stress in male infertility: A case-control study.

Background: Neopterin is a significant and sensitive marker in estimating the activity of cellular immune system. Oxidative stress plays a role in the etiology of male infertility. Increased reactive oxygen species is accompanied with increase in neopterin level.

Serum levels of lycopene, beta-carotene, and retinol and their correlation with sperm DNA damage in normospermic and infertile men.

Background: Oxidative stress in reproductive system leads to sperm DNA damage and sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of male infertility, especially in idiopathic cases. Antioxidants such as carotenoids function against free radical damages.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of lycopene, beta-carotene and retinol in serum and their relationship with sperm DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in infertile and normospermic males.

Association of G22A and A4223C ADA1 gene polymorphisms and ADA activity with PCOS.

Adenosine deaminase-1 (ADA1) regulates the concentration of adenosine as the main modulator of oocyte maturation. There is compelling evidence for the association of ADA1 gene polymorphisms with many diseases but the importance of ADA1 polymorphisms in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been studied before. This study investigates serum total ADA activity (tADA), ADA1 and ADA2 isoenzyme activities, and genotype and allele frequencies of G22A and A4223C polymorphisms in healthy and PCOS women.

PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF GLUTATHIONE SUPPLEMENTATION AGAINST OXIDATIVE STRESS DURING CRYOPRESERVATION OF HUMAN SPERMATOZOA.

Background: Freeze damage is one of the most important factors which impair the membrane and DNA integrity of sperm cells.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate glutathione (GSH) supplementation on human spermatozoa cryopreservation. We determined sperm motility and viability, sperm lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and superoxide (O(2)(-)).

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and MMP9/NGAL complex activity in women with PCOS.

It is believed that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in follicular development and pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, conflicting results are available about the alteration of MMP2 and MMP9 concentrations or activities in PCOS. In fact, there is no study entirely investigating both concentration and activity of these MMPs and serum levels of their tissue inhibitors TIMP2 and TIMP1, as well as lipocalin-bound form of MMP9 (MMP9/NGAL).

The Role of G22 A Adenosine Deaminase 1 Gene Polymorphism and the Activities of ADA Isoenzymes in Fertile and Infertile Men.

Objective: To evaluate frequency distribution of adenosine deaminase 1 (ADA1) G22 A alleles and genotypes in fertile and infertile men.

Methods: In this study we evaluate frequency distribution of ADA1 G22 A alleles and genotypes in 200 fertile and 200 infertile men. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was used for determining ADA1 G22 A variants.

Influence of BHT inclusion on post-thaw attributes of human semen.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) supplemented cryopreservation medium on sperm parameters during the freeze-thaw process. In addition, sperm lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. Semen samples were obtained from 75 donors.

Comparison of the DNA Fragmentation and the Sperm Parameters after Processing by the Density Gradient and the Swim up Methods.

Introduction: The swim up and the density-gradient centrifugation are the two main techniques which are used to separate the viable motile sperm fraction in the assisted reproductive technology. However, there are several published studies about these methods, but there is no sufficient evidence for recommending the superiority of one of them. This study was designed to study the efficiency of the swim-up and the density gradient techniques to recover the spermatozoa with a high degree of motility, a normal morphology and a low level of DNA fragmentation.

Genetic variation of hormone sensitive lipase and male infertility.

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) is a triacylglycerol hydrolase and cholesterol esterase that is essential for male fertility. The aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of C-60G polymorphism of HSL gene and alleles in fertile and infertile males living in Hamadan, Iran. In addition, lipase activity was determined in these two groups.