https://www.jri.ir/ "Journal of Reproduction & Infertility" is owned, published, and copyrighted by ©2009 Avicenna Research Institute. No parts of this journal may be reproduced in any form or by any means unless properly referenced or sent a notification letter through www.jri.ir en <p>Background: Due to common use of methylphenidate (MPH) for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the role of the reproductive system in the production of gametes, studying the effects of this medication on the morphometry of testes, serum testosterone concentration, leydig cells function, and fertility rate was the aim of this study. Methods: Twenty seven male mice (Balb/C), eight weeks old, were randomly divided into one control and two treated groups. After weighing the mice, the treated groups received MPH (produced in Novartis company) at the doses of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg for 40 days. The control group received only normal saline. Subsequently, after weighing the animals, the weights of testes, dimensions of the testis, and the serum testosterone concentration were measured in six mice belonging to each group. After tissue processing, the samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, then the leydig cells were counted. In order to assess male fertility in each group, 3 male mice were chosen and each of them was kept with three female mice in a separate cage. After 10 days, the fertility rates of the male mice were determined by counting the number of embryos in uterus and the corpora lutea in their ovaries. Results: The results of this study revealed that prescription of different doses of MPH can cause a significant decrease of the body weight. It reduces the number of leydig cells, too (p&lt;0.01). Moreover, serum testosterone concentration (67.72&plusmn;8.24 ng/ml in control group and 0.302&plusmn;0.416 ng/ml after treatment with 2 mg/kg/day MPH) and fertility rate (95.42%&plusmn;4.68% in control group and 64.96%&plusmn;18.51% after treatment with 2 mg/kg/day MPH) of the male mice declined significantly in the treated groups compared with the control group (p&lt;0.01), but it did not cause any changes in the weight or morphometric parameters of testes. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that MPH can negatively affect serum testosterone concentration and fertility rate of the male mice by decreasing the number of leydig cells and reducing the body weight.</p> https://www.jri.ir/article/497 Lineage in the Islamic law is one of the most basic human rights each individual inherits from his family. When modern assisted reproductive technologies appeared in recent decades, the issue of lineage and the child’s rights did not encounter serious challenges. But with the advent of these technologies, the issue of the child’s lineage resulting from new technologies has become the center of attention. These technologies have a large share in the field of medicine. A new technique known as cloning has entered the realm of science and technology. Considering the possibility of the widespread use of this technique, the subject of cloned child’s lineage and his/her rights would be one of the major issues related to this subject. In this paper, the authors have examined the various aspects of the subject and the opinions of theologians in this regard in order to present a best solution to this issue. In fact, the fundamental concern in this paper is to figure out the relationship between the cloned child, the cell donor, the egg donor and the owner of the uterus. In this paper, after considering the concepts of the parentage and identical twins’ relationship would be explored and then a detailed analysis of the parental relationship and the Shiite jurisprudence scholars' opinion on these issues would be presented. Finally, the rights of cloned children would be taken into consideration. https://www.jri.ir/article/500 <p>Background: A qualitative study was carried out on 200 pregnant women attending obstetric offices and Imam Ali Women&#39;s Clinic in Zahedan, Iran during January 2010 to August 2011. Twenty-nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 5-8 participants in each group were formed. The study included women in the third trimester of pregnancy with the intention or decision to undergo elective cesarean section. The women&#39;s views were explored and analyzed in group sessions. Subsequently, the responses were divided into four major categories. The majority (50%) of the opinions expressed were psychological in origin, or stemmed from low perceived behavioral control, improper subjective norms, or wrong attitudes about vaginal delivery. Methods: Twenty-nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 5-8 participants in each group were formed. The study included women in the third trimester of pregnancy with the intention or decision to undergo elective cesarean section. The women&#39;s views were explored and analyzed in group sessions. Results: The responses were divided into four major categories. The majority (50%) of the opinions expressed were psychological in origin, or stemmed from low perceived behavioral control, improper subjective norms, or wrong attitudes about vaginal delivery. Conclusion: It is necessary to hold psychological skills training classes for pregnant women and their husbands to persuade them attend group discussion sessions to increase their control on perceived behavior, highlight their positive attitudes and direct them toward natural vaginal delivery.</p> https://www.jri.ir/article/503 Background: In India, the impact of current Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) in reproductive health remains a neglected area of investigation. The present study evaluates if current Chlamydia infection is associated with any clinical complication that needs the attention of clinical investigators. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 896 women attending the Gynecology Out Patient for the detection of C. trachomatis infection. Polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose current C. trachomatis infection and ELISA for past infections. Bacterial vaginosis, Candida and Trichomonas were screened. The results of symptomatic and asymptomatic groups were compared. The data was analyzed using Epi Info version 6 and "Z" test. A probability value of p≤0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant association between current C. trachomatis infection with infertility when comparing infected fertile (18.6% vs. 9.4%, odds ratio: 2.19, p<0.0005) and uninfected infertile women (45.6% vs. 27.3%, odds ratio: 2.24, p<0.0001). Average infection rate was 12.1%, highest in women with infertility (18.6%) or with ectopic pregnancy (25%). Significant proportions of infected women with infertility (p<0.01) or with recent pregnancy (p<0.001) were asymptomatic. Follow up of infected women who became negative after treatment [28 women from infertility group and 9 women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA)] revealed live birth in 8 (21.6%) women within one year, 4 with infertility and 4 with RSA. Conclusion: Study findings suggests, association between current C. trachomatis infection and infertility. Absence of signs and symptoms associated with this infection highlights its diagnosis in women with a history of infertility and RSA for their better management, as revealed by live births with one year of follow up. https://www.jri.ir/article/509 Background: The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of bilateral uterine artery ligation (BUAL) on the ovarian follicular fate, and alterations in carbohydrate, lipid, lipase and serum levels of F9SH, LH, prolactin, estrogen and progesterone. Methods: Twenty-four mature female rabbits divided into two test and control-sham groups. The animals underwent ovariohystrectomy on days 23, 43 and 63 after BUAL. Later serum and tissue samples were processed for histological and biochemical analyses. Two-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analyses and p<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The ovaries from the case groups exhibited markedly increased atretic follicles, which were characterized by early antrum formation, ooplasmic vacoulation, granulosa cells dissociation and oocyte deformation. Lipid foci were remarkably present in the cytoplasm of oocytes, granulosa and theca cells in BUAL rabbits. Smaller sized atretic follicles showed higher lipid reactions than large ones. The PAS reaction was highly positive in zona pellucida (ZP), basement membrane, granulosa cells and follicular fluid of atretic follicles. Early atresiated follicles showed remarkable reaction sites for lipase. Significant (p<0.05) increase in serum levels of FSH, LH, progesterone, and prolactin was revealed in BUAL rabbits compared to the control group while serum levels of estrogen decreased time-dependently in the test groups. Conclusion: The current study suggests the critical role of the uterine artery in controlling ovulation and follicular growth. Moreover atresia processes might relate to lipid accumulation in the cells along with attenuation of lipase activity. https://www.jri.ir/article/510 Background: The abortifacient claim of Senna alata (S. alata) was scientifically validated recently with alkaloids speculated to be the bioactive agent. This speculation is yet to be substantiated or refuted by scientific evidence. The present study was aimed to investigate the pregnancy terminating effects of the alkaloids from S. alata leaves. Methods: Twenty four Pregnant rats (143.99±1.21 g) allocated randomly to four groups: A, B, C and D respectively received, 0.5 ml of distilled water, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the S. alata extracted alkaloids orally, once daily from day 10 until day 18 post-coitum. The indices of abortifacient were evaluated at the end of the exposure period. The results were analyzed by both the analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Thin-layer chromatographic separation produced five spots with Rf values of 0.28, 0.33, 0.39, 0.47 and 0.55 which gave positive reaction with Meyer’s and Wagner’s reagents, respectively. The number of implantation sites and corpora lutea, as well as the concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone, weight of uterus, uterine/ body weight ratio, glucose and cholesterol decreased significantly (p<0.05) whereas the resorption index, pre- and post-implantation losses, uterine protein content and alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly. None of the alkaloid treated animals presented with provoked vaginal opening or bleeding except fetal deaths. The alkaloid decreased the maternal weight gain, as well as feed and water intake. Conclusion: Overall, the alkaloids from S. alata leaves exhibited anti-implantation, anti-gonadotropic, anti-progesteronic, embryonic resorptive, feto-maternal toxic activities but not complete abortifacient. The alkaloids alone may not be the sole abortifacient bioactive agent in the leaf extract. https://www.jri.ir/article/512 Background: Testicular torsion is a medical emergency with catastrophic sequelae that deserves the same treatment considerations and concerted efforts in research as any other complicated medical condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pausinystalia macroceras (PM) bark extract on sperm quality and serum testosterone levels in testicular torsion in a rat model. Methods: Sixty-five (65) mature male Wistar rats apportioned randomly into four experimental groups of A to C; were further divided into four subgroups according to duration of torsion. Group D were the normal regular rats. Each group/subgroup comprised five rats. Testis maintained in the torted position (T) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hr in Group A (subgroups: AT1+PM, AT2+PM, AT3+PM, and AT4+PM). Group B (sub-groups: B1+PM, B2+PM, B3+PM, B4+PM) were shamoperated animals, which did not undergo torsion and served as the sham control group. Group C subgroups: CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 were torted as in A. All animals (except groups C and D) were treated by PM extract (0.1 g/kg b.w. per day) for 56 days. Group D rats were fed distilled water. Serum testosterone concentrations and sperm quality (motility and count) were measured. Analyses of variance with Scheffe’s post-hoc test were carried out on the data. Results: PM extract had a positive effect (significant; p<0.5) on the sperm count and motility in rats with testicular torsion compared to those not receiving the extract. There was also an increase in serum testosterone levels in the former groups. Conclusion: Treatment of rats following testicular torsion result to the enhancement of sperm production in comparison with untreated rats. https://www.jri.ir/article/513 Background: The purpose of present study was to evaluate the role of pre-ovulatory GnRH agonist therapy on IVF outcomes in GnRH antagonist cycles. Methods: In this prospective study we recruited 100 infertile women undergoing IVF cycles with GnRH antagonists. The patients were assigned to two groups: Group A (the study group, n=42) were assigned for receiving hCG+triptorelin for the final oocyte maturation and group B (the control group, n=58) were assigned for only hCG. The t-test, chi-square (2), and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. A p<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The results are presented by mean SD, and in percents (%). Results: LH levels significantly (p<0.001) increased in the study group on the day of oocyte retrieval. All embryological parameters including the number of mature oocytes, fertilization and cleavage rates, number of high quality embryos and number of cases whose embryos were frozen were non-significantly higher in the study group. There were small but non-significant improvements in the clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth and implantation rates in the study group. Conclusion: Administering a single dose of GnRH agonist before oocyte retrieval in antagonist cycles may be helpful in improving the pregnancy rate but the results need to be verified in a larger trials. https://www.jri.ir/article/514 https://www.jri.ir/article/576 <p>Background: We undertook this study to investigate the variation relationship of sperm associated antigen 11 (Spag11) mRNA expression and SPAG11E protein in the epididymis and spermatozoa of experimental left varicocele (ELV) rats. These findings could contribute to the understanding of the role of epididymal proteins in sperm functions and the mechanism of male infertility induced by varicocele.<br /> Methods: The ELV model was established in adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats. Four weeks after the operation, tissue distribution and changes in the expressions of Spag11 mRNA and SPAG11E protein caused by ELV in the whole of left epididymis and spermatozoa were studied using quantitative reverse transcription-polymer-ase chain reaction (RT-QPCR), immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Significant differences were identified using one-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Significance level (p) was fixed at 0.05.<br /> Results: The expected product of Spag11 was 96 bp that amplified by RT-QPCR was detected in the epididymal tissue and spermatozoa. SPAG11E protein was confined mainly to the supranuclear region of the principal cells and the stereocilium of the epididymal epithelium, it was concentrated on the acrosome and the tail of spermatozoa except the terminal piece. Statistical analyses of the images and the data indicated that Spag11 mRNA and SPAG11E protein expressions in the left epididymis and spermatozoa of ELV rats presented a considerable decrease (p&lt;0.001) compared with that of the corresponding control group.<br /> Conclusion: The expressions of Spag11 mRNA and SPAG11E protein declined markedly in ELV rats, which suggest that SPAG11E may not only play an important role in sperm maturation, but it may also be influenced by varicocele.</p> https://www.jri.ir/article/630