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Editorial 2 1 566 2 More than three decades have passed from the application of assisted reproductive techniques in the treatment of infertility and birth of the first in vitro fertilized baby. Nevertheless, we have witnessed a revolution in infertility research and provision of its treatment services in the past thirty-three years (1). <br>One of these developments was made possible by the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 1993. This method offered treatment of a wide spectrum of infertile men with a very limited number of spermatozoa in the semen or testicular tissue that would not have had other treatment options earlier (2).<br>Recognition of adult and embryonic stem cells and their applications in biology and medicine, especially in regenerative medicine, is another key area of interest (3). <br>One of the recent remarkable revolutions is the use of vitrification (ultra-rapid freezing) of gametes and reproductive tissues such as the ovaries for fertility preservation (4). Formerly, slow freezing was performed by means of programmable equipment with survival rates less than 50% for embryos and less than 10% for oocytes as most of the tissues and gametes lost their viability due to the damages during the freeze-thawing process, which in turn limited the success rate of treatment cycles using frozen embryos and gametes.<br>Vitrification has revolutionized gametes and human fertility preservation, as it offers a post-thawed embryo viability rate of about 100% without fears of reduced quality or cell damage (5). <br>The first article of the current issue comprehensively addresses the importance of cryopreservation for fertility preservation and explores the drastic changes it has brought about in infertility research and treatment via comparison of slow and ultra rapid methods. <br>Reproduction, infertility research and treatment procedures face numerous known and unknown challenges with resultant limitations in research and treatment success rates. However, regarding the importance of fertility in human life and the vast ongoing research in this field, we would undoubtedly witness important discoveries in future, such as the possibility to select embryos with a maximum potential for implantation and an increased ART success rate, reduced number of transferred embryos and avoidance of multiple pregnancies (6). <br>The possibility to select the kind of spermatozoa and ova with high potentials for producing good quality embryos could be another upcoming issue. Regeneration of gametes or reproductive tissues from stem cells or some other resources in sterile patients would be another challenging area in this field (7). Nevertheless, solid research would undoubtedly result in noticeable breakthroughs in the near future. <br><br> 01 2 Mohammad Reza MR Sadeghi محمدرضا صادقی Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief Iran No Keyword 566.pdf Mansour R. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a state of the art technique. Hum Reprod Update. 1998;4(1):43-56. Review.##Palermo G, Joris H, Devroey P, Van Steirteghem AC. Pregnancies after intracytoplasmic injection of single sperm-atozoon into an oocyte. Lancet. 1992;340(8810):17-8.##Kubota H, Brinster RL. Technology insight: In vitro culture of spermatogonial stem cells and their potential therapeutic uses. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(2):99-108. Review.##Liebermann J, Nawroth F, Isachenko V, Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Tucker MJ. Potential importance of vitrification in reproductive medicine. Biol Reprod. 2002;67(6):1671-80. Review.##Liebermann J. Vitrification of human blastocysts: an update. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;19 Suppl 4:4328.##Wittemer C, Bettahar-Lebugle K, Ohl J, Rongières C, Nisand I, Gerlinger P. Zygote evaluation: an efficient tool for embryo selection. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(12):2591-7.##Nayernia K, Nolte J, Michelmann HW, Lee JH, Rathsack K, Drusenheimer N, et al. In vitro-differentiated embryonic stem cells give rise to male gametes that can generate offspring mice. Dev Cell. 2006;11(1):125-32.##

Techniques for Ovarian Tissue, Whole Ovary, Oocyte and Embryo Cryopreservation 2 1 2 In recent years, preservation of fertility in women has been of great importance, especially in patients exposed to deleterious conditions on fertility. Thus, cryopre-servation of human gametes, embryos and ovarian tissue has become an essential part of assisted reproduction. This approach limits the number of embryos transferred, while supernumerary oocytes and/ or embryos can be used in subsequent treatment cycles. Furthermore, cryopreservation reduces the potential risk of hyperstimulation syndrome. Cryopreservation is carried out by two techniques; the slow freezing method, and the more recent rapid procedure called vitrification technology. Recently due the success and simplicity of vitrification, the balance between those two methods has been changed in advantage of vitrification. The use of slow freezing method has become controversial due to its difficulties, expense and respective low success rates in artificial reproduction. Therefore, vitrification seems to win the battle and will be the cryopreservation method of the future. 03 11 Batuhan B Özmen باتوهان عزمان Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology, Artificial Reproduction Center, University of Ankara Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Artificial Reproduction Center, University of Ankara Turkey Safaa S Al-Hassani صفا الحسنی Infertility Research Center, UKSH University Infertility Research Center, UKSH University Germany sf_alhasani@hotmail.com BlastocystCryopreservationEmbryoFertility preservationOvarian tissueOvaryPN ZygotesVitrification 404.pdf Trounson A, Mohr L. Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer of an eight-cell embryo. Nature. 1983;305(5936):707-9.##Chen C. Pregnancy after human oocyte cryopreser-vation. Lancet. 1986;1(8486):884-6.##Al-Hasani S, Diedrich K, van der Ven H, Reinecke A, Hartje M, Krebs D. Cryopreservation of human oocytes. Hum Reprod. 1987;2(8):695-700.##Spallanzani L. Opuscoli di Fisica Anamale e Vegitabile Opuscola II. Observationi e sperienze intorno ai vermi celli spermatica dell homo e degli animali. Modena 1776.##van Uem JF, Siebzehnrübl ER, Schuh B, Koch R, Trotnow S, Lang N. Birth after cryopreservation of unfertilized oocytes. Lancet. 1987;1(8535):752-3.##Kuleshova LL, Lopata A. Vitrification can be more favorable than slow cooling. Fertil Steril. 2002;78 (3):449-54.##Katayama KP, Stehlik J, Kuwayama M, Kato O, Stehlik E. High survival rate of vitrified human oocytes results in clinical pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 2003;80(1):223-4.##Testart J, Lassalle B, Belaisch-Allart J, Forman R, Frydman R. Cryopreservation does not affect future of human fertilised eggs. Lancet. 1986;2(8506):569.##Ménézo Y, Nicollet B, Herbaut N, André D. Freez-ing cocultured human blastocysts. Fertil Steril. 1992;58(5):977-80.##Fabbri R, Porcu E, Marsella T, Rocchetta G, Venturoli S, Flamigni C. Human oocyte cryopre-servation: new perspectives regarding oocyte survival. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(3):411-6.##Fosas N, Marina F, Torres PJ, Jové I, Martín P, Pérez N, et al. The births of five Spanish babies from cryopreserved donated oocytes. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(7):1417-21.##Veeck LL. Does the developmental stage at freeze impact on clinical results post-thaw? Reprod Biomed Online. 2003;6(3):367-74.##Rall WF, Fahy GM. Ice-free cryopreservation of mouse embryos at -196 degrees C by vitrification. Nature. 1985;313(6003):573-5.##Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Kato O, Leibo SP. Highly efficient vitrification method for cryopreservation of human oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005; 11(3):300-8.##Vajta G, Nagy ZP. Are programmable freezers still needed in the embryo laboratory? Review on vitrification. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12(6): 779-96. Review.##Fuller B, Paynter S, Watson P. Cryopreservation of human gametes and embryos. In: Fuller B, Lane N, Benson E, editors. Life in the frozen state. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2004. p. 505-41.##Mazur P. Equilibrium, quasi-equilibrium and non-equilibrium freezing of mammalian embryos. Cell Biophys. 1990;17(1):53-92.##Aman RR, Parks JE. Effects of cooling and rewarming on the meiotic spindle and chromo-somes of in vitro-matured bovine oocytes. Biol Reprod. 1994;50(1):103-10.##Fuller B, Paynter S. Fundamentals of cryobiology in reproductive medicine. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004;9(6):680-91. Review.##Kuleshova LL, Lopata A. Vitrification can be more favorable than slow cooling. Fertil Steril. 2002;78 (3):449-54.##Kuleshova L, Gianaroli L, Magli C, Ferraretti A, Trounson A. Birth following vitrification of a small number of human oocytes: case report. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(12):3077-9.##Yoon TK, Kim TJ, Park SE, Hong SW, Ko JJ, Chung HM, et al. Live births after vitrification of oocytes in a stimulated in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(6):1323-6.##Yoon TK, Chung HM, Lim JM, Han SY, Ko JJ, Cha KY. Pregnancy and delivery of healthy infants developed from vitrified oocytes in a stimulated in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program. Fertil Steril. 2000;74(1):180-1.##Johnson MH, Pickering SJ. The effect of dimethylsulphoxide on the microtubular system of the mouse oocyte. Development. 1987;100(2):313-24.##Vanderzwalmen P, Bertin G, Debauche Ch, Standaert V, van Roosendaal E, Vandervorst M, et al. Births after vitrification at morula and blastocyst stages: effect of artificial reduction of the blastocoelic cavity before vitrification. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(3):744-51.##Mukaida T, Nakamura S, Tomiyama T, Wada S, Kasai M, Takahashi K. Successful birth after transfer of vitrified human blastocysts with use of a cryoloop containerless technique. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(3):618-20.##Katayama KP, Stehlik J, Kuwayama M, Kato O, Stehlik E. High survival rate of vitrified human oocytes results in clinical pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 2003;80(1):223-4.##Bielanski A, Nadin-Davis S, Sapp T, Lutze-Wallace C. Viral contamination of embryos cryo-preserved in liquid nitrogen. Cryobiology. 2000;40 (2):110-6.##Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Ieda S, Kato O. Comparison of open and closed methods for vitrification of human embryos and the elimination of potential contamination. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11(5):608-14.##Liebermann J, Tucker MJ. Effect of carrier system on the yield of human oocytes and embryos as assessed by survival and developmental potential after vitrification. Reproduction. 2002;124(4):483-9.##Kumasako Y, Kumon M, Utsunomiya T, Araki Y. Successful pregnancy after the vitrification of zygotes using commercial vitrification solutions and conventional straws to protect against infec-tions in liquid nitrogen. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2005;22(1):33-5.##Bielanski A, Bergeron H, Lau PC, Devenish J. Microbial contamination of embryos and semen during long term banking in liquid nitrogen. Cryobiology. 2003;46(2):146-52.##Bielanski A, Vajta G. Risk of contamination of germplasm during cryopreservation and cryobank-ing in IVF units. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(10):2457-67.##Veeck LL, Amundson CH, Brothman LJ, DeScisciolo C, Maloney MK, Muasher SJ, et al. Significantly enhanced pregnancy rates per cycle through cryopreservation and thaw of pronuclear stage oocytes. Fertil Steril. 1993;59(6):1202-7.##Porcu E, Fabbri R, Damiano G, Giunchi S, Fratto R, Ciotti PM, et al. Clinical experience and appli-cations of oocyte cryopreservation. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2000;169(1-2):33-7. Review.##Chen CK, Wang CW, Tsai WJ, Hsieh LL, Wang HS, Soong YK. Evaluation of meiotic spindles in thawed oocytes after vitrification using polarized light microscopy. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(3):666-72.##Testart J, Lassalle B, Belaisch-Allart J, Hazout A, Forman R, Rainhorn JD, et al. High pregnancy rate after early human embryo freezing. Fertil Steril. 1986;46(2):268-72.##Porcu E, Fabbri R, Seracchioli R, Ciotti PM, Magrini O, Flamigni C. Birth of a healthy female after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopre-served human oocytes. Fertil Steril. 1997;68(4): 724-6.##Cobo A, Rubio C, Gerli S, Ruiz A, Pellicer A, Remohí J. Use of fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the chromosomal status of embryos obtained from cryopreserved oocytes. Fertil Steril. 2001;75(2):354-60.##Gook DA, Osborn SM, Bourne H, Johnston WI. Fertilization of human oocytes following cryopre-servation; normal karyotypes and absence of stray chromosomes. Hum Reprod. 1994;9(4):684-91.##Rienzi L, Martinez F, Ubaldi F, Minasi MG, Iacobelli M, Tesarik J, et al. Polscope analysis of meiotic spindle changes in living metaphase II human oocytes during the freezing and thawing procedures. Hum Reprod. 2004;19(3):655-9.##Koutlaki N, Schoepper B, Maroulis G, Diedrich K, Al-Hasani S. Human oocyte cryopreservation: past, present and future. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006; 13(3):427-36.##Mandelbaum J, Anastasiou O, Lévy R, Guérin JF, de Larouzière V, Antoine JM. Effects of cryo-preservation on the meiotic spindle of human oocytes. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004; 113 Suppl 1:S17-23.##Antinori M, Licata E, Dani G, Cerusico F, Versaci C, Antinori S. Cryotop vitrification of human oocytes results in high survival rate and healthy deliveries. Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;14(1):72-9.##Kuwayama M. Highly efficient vitrification for cryopreservation of human oocytes and embryos: the Cryotop method. Theriogenology. 2007;67(1): 73-80.##Goud A, Goud P, Qian C, Van der Elst J, Van Maele G, Dhont M. Cryopreservation of human germinal vesicle stage and in vitro matured M II oocytes: influence of cryopreservation media on the survival, fertilization, and early cleavage div-isions. Fertil Steril. 2000;74(3):487-94.##Tucker MJ, Wright G, Morton PC, Massey JB. Birth after cryopreservation of immature oocytes with subsequent in vitro maturation. Fertil Steril. 1998;70(3):578-9.##Cha KY, Chung HM, Lim JM, Ko JJ, Han SY, Choi DH, et al. Freezing immature oocytes. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2000;169(1-2):43-7. Review.##Edgar DH, Bourne H, Speirs AL, McBain JC. A quantitative analysis of the impact of cryopre-servation on the implantation potential of human early cleavage stage embryos. Hum Reprod. 2000; 15(1):175-9.##Guerif F, Bidault R, Cadoret V, Couet ML, Lansac J, Royere D. Parameters guiding selection of best embryos for transfer after cryopreservation: a reappraisal. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(5):1321-6.##El-Toukhy T, Khalaf Y, Al-Darazi K, Andritsos V, Taylor A, Braude P. Effect of blastomere loss on the outcome of frozen embryo replacement cycles. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(5):1106-11.##Menezo Y. Cryopreservation of IVF embryos: which stage? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004;113 Suppl 1:S28-32. Review.##Alikani M, Calderon G, Tomkin G, Garrisi J, Kokot M, Cohen J. Cleavage anomalies in early human embryos and survival after prolonged culture in-vitro. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(12):2634-43.##Yokota Y, Sato S, Yokota M, Ishikawa Y, Makita M, Asada T, et al. Successful pregnancy following blastocyst vitrification: case report. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(8):1802-3.##Mukaida T, Wada S, Takahashi K, Pedro PB, An TZ, Kasai M. Vitrification of human embryos based on the assessment of suitable conditions for 8-cell mouse embryos. Hum Reprod. 1998;13(1O): 2874-9.##Saito H, Ishida GM, Kaneko T, Kawachiya S, Ohta N, Takahashi T, et al. Application of vitrification to human embryo freezing. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2000;49(3):145-9.##El-Danasouri I, Selman H. Successful pregnancies and deliveries after a simple vitrification protocol for day 3 human embryos. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(2): 400-2.##Zhu GJ, Jin L, Zhang HW, Li YF, Wei YL, Hu J. [Vitrification of human cleaved embryos in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2005;40(10):682-4. Chinese.##Hredzák R, Ostró A, Zdilová V, Toporcerová S, Kacmárik J. [Clinical experience with a modified method of human embryo vitrification]. Ceska Gynekol. 2005;70(2):99-103. Slovak.##Rama Raju GA, Haranath GB, Krishna KM, Prakash GJ, Madan K. Vitrification of human 8-cell embryos, a modified protocol for better pregnancy rates. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11 (4):434-7.##Al-Hasani S, Ozmen B, Koutlaki N, Schoepper B, Diedrich K, Schultze-Mosgau A. Three years of routine vitrification of human zygotes: is it still fair to advocate slow-rate freezing? Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;14(3):288-93.##Selman HA, El-Danasouri I. Pregnancies derived from vitrified human zygotes. Fertil Steril. 2002;77 (2):422-3.##Jelinkova L, Selman HA, Arav A, Strehler E, Reeka N, Sterzik K. Twin pregnancy after vitrification of 2-pronuclei human embryos. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(2):412-4.##Mukaida T, Nakamura S, Tomiyama T, Wada S, Oka C, Kasai M, et al. Vitrification of human blastocysts using cryoloops: clinical outcome of 223 cycles. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(2):384-91.##Mukaida T, Takahashi K, Kasai M. Blastocyst cryopreservation: ultrarapid vitrification using cryoloop technique. Reprod Biomed Online. 2003; 6(2):221-5. Review.##Schröder AK, Banz C, Katalinic A, Al-Hasani S, Weiss JM, Diedrich K, et al. Counselling on cryopreservation of pronucleated oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2003;6(1):69-74.##Desai N, Blackmon H, Szeptycki J, Goldfarb J. Cryoloop vitrification of human day 3 cleavage-stage embryos: post-vitrification development, pregnancy outcomes and live births. Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;14(2):208-13.##Youssry M, Ozmen B, Zohni K, Diedrich K, Al-Hasani S. 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Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Iranian Pregnant Women; a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis 2 1 2 Introduction: Anemia, particularly Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), is the most common hematological disorder during pregnancy with considerable complications in both mothers and fetuses. The estimation of anemia prevalence is an important step for health policy makers. Despite being considered a hot topic in epidemiological studies in Iran for the last twenty years, lack of a comprehensive overview on the findings encouraged the authors to carry out this study.Materials and Methods: All published papers in main national and international databases were systematically searched for some specific keywords to find the related studies between the years 1993 and 2007. All published studies which had reported the prevalence of anemia were included in the study except studies on refugees, patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with thalassemia or cancer or other selective subpopulations. Two trained reviewers independently assessed the inclusion/exclusion criteria and the quality of the selected papers, summarized them and eventually analyzed the data.Results: Ten eligible papers including 11,037 participants were entered into the analysis. The maximum and minimum reported prevalence rates of anemia during pregnancy were 4.3% and 21.5%, respectively. The overall estimate of anemia prevalence in Iranian pregnant women was 13.6 (95% CI: 8.3 - 18.9). Excluding the only out-layer from the meta-analysis, the overall estimated prevalence was 12.4% (95% CI: 9.6% - 17.9%).Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in Iranian women during pregnancy is considerably lower than that of most EMRO countries or the one reported by WHO for Iran (> 40%) which had been performed on a small group 16 years ago. The lower prevalence rate of anemia in pregnant women versus the regional rates could be due to the improvements of the national health system and prenatal programs in recent years. 17 25 Esmat E Barooti عصمت باروتی Department of Obstet . and Gynecol Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences University Department of Obstet . and Gynecol Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences University Iran Mohammad M Rezazadehkermani محمد رضازاده‌کرمانی Medical Students Research Center, Vice-Chancellor for Research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Medical Students Research Center, Vice-Chancellor for Research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran Behnam B Sadeghirad بهنام صادقی راد Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran Shahrzad Sh Motaghipisheh شهرزاد متقی پیشه School of Veterinary, Shahid Bahonar University School of Veterinary, Shahid Bahonar University Iran Soodabeh S Tayeri سودابه طائری Women&#39;s Health Affairs Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education Women's Health Affairs Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education Iran Minoo M Arabi مینو عربی Women&#39;s Health Affairs Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education Women's Health Affairs Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education Iran Saman S Salahi سامان صلاحی Medical Students Research Center, Vice-Chancellor for Research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Medical Students Research Center, Vice-Chancellor for Research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran Ali-Akbar AA Haghdoost علی اکبر حق دوست Physiology Research Center, Department of Epidemiology &amp; Biostatistics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Physiology Research Center, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran ahaghdoost@kmu.ac.ir AnemiaHemoglobinMeta-analysisIranPregnancySystematic review 405.pdf Gautam CS, Saha L, Sekhri K, Saha PK. Iron defi-ciency in pregnancy and the rationality of iron sup-plements prescribed during pregnancy. Medscape J Med. 2008;10(12):283.##Malee M. Anemia in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2008; 112(1):201-7.##De Benoist B, McLean E, Egli I, Cogswell M. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993–2005, WHO Global Database on Anemia. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008. p. 21.##Safavi M, Sheykh Aleslam R, Naghavi M, Abdol-lahi Z, Sadeghian Sharif S, Sadegh zadeh E, et al. [Prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia among Iranian Pregnant woman, Spring 2001]. Iran J Epidemiol. 2006;1(4):1-10. Persian.##Khademi Z, Shahi A, Farshid Far GhR, Zare Sh, Vaziri F. [Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referred to Shariati hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran]. Hormozgan Med J. 2004;8(1): 27-31. Persian.##Navidian A, Ebrahimi Tabas E, Sarani H, Ghalge M, Yaghobinia F. [The prevalence of Iron-deficiency anemia in the pregnant women referring to health centers in Zahedan]. J Reprod Infertil. 2006;7(2): 132-8. Persian.##Borna S, Borna H, Ghanbari Z, Khezrdoost S. Anemia and factors that affect it in pregnancy. Tehran Univ Med J. 2005;63(6):448-52.##Davaritanha F, Kaveh M, Salehi B. [Incidence of anemia in pregnancy and its relationship with maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome]. Hayat. 2005;11(24,25):23-31. Persian.##Haghdoost AA, Sadeghirad B, Hajarizadeh B, Mirzazadeh A. The Application of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Concepts in Summar-izing the Findings of Observational Studies. Iran J Psychiatry. 2007;2(4):132-6.##Baig-Ansari N, Badruddin SH, Karmaliani R, Harris H, Jehan I, Pasha O, et al. Anemia preva-lence and risk factors in pregnant women in an urban area of Pakistan. Food Nutr Bull. 2008;29 (2):132-9.##Khosla AH, Dahiya P, Dahiya K. Burden of chronic severe anemia in obstetric patients in rural north India. Indian J Med Sci. 2002;56(5):222-4.##Stroup DF, Berlin JA, Morton SC, Olkin I, Williamson GD, Rennie D, et al. Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: a proposal for reporting. JAMA. 2000;283(15):2008-12.##Moher D, Tetzlaff J, Tricco AC, Sampson M, Altman DG. Epidemiology and reporting charac-teristics of systematic reviews. PLoS Med. 2007;4 (3):e78.##Heidarnia MA, Entezari A, Moein M, Mehrabi Y, Pourpak Z. [Prevalence of asthma symptom in Iran: a meta-analysis]. J Res Med Sci. 2007;31(3): 217-25. Persian.##Haghdoost AA, Rezazadeh-Kermani M, Sadghirad B, Baradaran HR. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the Islamic Republic of Iran: systematic review and meta-analysis. East Mediterr Health J. 2009;15(3): 591-9.##Haghdoost AA, Sadeghirad B, Rezazadehkermani M. Epidemiology and heterogeneity of hyperten-sion in Iran: a systematic review. Arch Iran Med. 2008;11(4):444-52. Review.##Mirzazadeh A, Sadeghirad B, Haghdoost AA, Bahrein F, Rezazadeh Kermani M. The prevalence of obesity in Iran in recent decade; a systematic review and meta-analysis study. Iran J Public Health. 2009;38(3):1-11.##Entezari A, Mehrabi Y, Varesvazirian M, Pourpak Z, Moin M. A systematic review of recent asthma symptom surveys in Iranian children. Chron Respir Dis. 2009;6(2):109-14.##Ma AG, Schouten E, Wang Y, Xu RX, Zheng MC, Li Y, et al. Anemia prevalence among pregnant women and birth weight in five areas in China. Med Princ Pract. 2009;18(5):368-72.##Ebrahimi Tabarsi A. [Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Zahedan pregnant women referred to health centers of Zahedan University of medical science] [Medical Doctor's thesis]. Kerman (Iran): Kerman University of Medical Sciences; 1994. Results 5; p. 96-9. Persian.##Gopalan C. Current food and nutrition situation in south Asian and south-east Asian countries. Biomed Environ Sci. 1996;9(2-3):102-16.##Levy A, Fraser D, Katz M, Mazor M, Sheiner E. Maternal anemia during pregnancy is an independ-ent risk factor for low birthweight and preterm delivery. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005; 122(2):182-6.##van den Broek N. Anaemia in pregnancy in devel-oping countries. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998;105 (4):385-90. Review.##Toteja GS, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Saxena BN, Ahmed FU, Singh RP, et al. Prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls in 16 districts of India. Food Nutr Bull. 2006;27(4):311-5.##Bagchi K. Iron deficiency anaemia--an old enemy. East Mediterr Health J. 2004;10(6):754-60.Review.##Nejat S, Majdzadeh SR, Heshmat R, Noorizadeh F, Etemadi A. [A practical guide for assessing prior-ities in health research and interventions on risk factors]. Payesh. 2004;3(3):177-84. Persian.##Salarilak S, Rabiipoor S, Ebrahimpoor-Azar F, Noori-Saidloo S. [Assessing the role of gaps between pregnancies on iron storage of pregnant mothers referred to health centers of Uremia city]. Urmia Med J. 1999;10(4):293-300. Persian.##Jalali M, Siassi F, Ghiasvand R, Jarollahi N, Gheibi F, Fatehi F, et al. [Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Eslamshahr]. J Kerman Univ Med Sci. 2005;12(4):271-7. Persian.##Kalantari N, Samadanian F, Karim abadeh N, Valaei N. [The efficacy of Iron supplementation during pregnancy in Isfahan province, 1999]. Pajoohandeh. 2003;8(3):161-70. Persian.##Asnafi N, Sina S, Miri S. [Prevalence of anemia and its relationship with mother’s age and gesta-tional age in pregnant women visiting Yahyanejad hospital of Babol in 2000]. J Reprod Infertil. 2003; 4(3):213-9. Persian.##Hajian KO, Asnafi N. [The relationship between maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels with neonatal pregnancy complication at birth]. Danesh-var Med. 2006;13(64):33-8. Persian.##Latifzadeh SZ, Kazemi A. [Prevalence of iron defi-ciency in pregnant women and their neonate in teaching hospitals of Tehran]. J Iran Univ Med Sci. 1998;5(1):56-62. Persian.##Ghasemzadeh S, Markazimoghadam N, Aminian M. [Erythrocyte parameters changes through out pregnancy in women referred to gynecology and obstetrics clinic at Khanevadeh medical center at 2004-2005 year]. J Army Univ Med Sci. 2006;4 (3):915-22. Persian.##Rahbar N, Ghorbani R, Khansoltani S, Rashme-karim M. [Prevalence of anemia and some of the related individual factors in the third trimester of the pregnancy in women referred to Semnan university of medical sciences clinics, 1999]. Koomesh. 2000;1(4):31-7. Persian.##Karimi M, Kadivar R, Yarmohammadi H. Assess-ment of the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia, by serum ferritin, in pregnant women of Southern Iran. Med Sci Monit. 2002;8(7):CR488-92.##Yazdani M, Tadbiri M, Shakeri S. Maternal hemo-globin level, prematurity, and low birth weight. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2004;85(2):163-4.##Fararooei M, Vakili M, Akbartabar M. [Prevalence of pregnancy risk factors in pregnant women referred to Fars province health centers]. Armagha-ne Danesh. 1999;4(15,16):9-14. 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Effects of Timing on Cell Biopsy from Pre-compacted Morula Stage Bovine Embryos on Subsequent Embryonic Development 2 1 2 Introduction: Embryo biopsy has potential applications in molecular research processes in domestic animals, besides its application in sex determination in embryo transfer programs. The objective of the present study was to assess the in vitro development of bovine embryos biopsied on different days of precompacted morula stage. Materials and Methods: Slaughterhouse-derived oocytes were matured in vitro, fertilized (Day-0) by frozen-thawed, Percol-separated spermatozoa and cultured on oviductal cell monolayer. The embryos were subjected to cell biopsy on Days 2, 3, and 4 postinsemination at 4-16-cell stages. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Chi-squared tests (SigmaStat, version 2). A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Biopsies carried out at 16-cell stage (Day-4) resulted in 94% of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the ones biopsied at 8-cell stage on Day-4 (64%), and those undergoing the procedure on Day-3 (49% and 46% at 4-cell and 8-cell stages, respectively) and Day-2 (39% and 33% at 4-cell and 8-cell stages, respectively). No significant differences were observed between biopsied and non-biopsied embryos on a given day. The total cell number in biopsy-derived blastocysts ranged between 103 and 135. The difference in the number of total cells, dead cells and cell allocation to trophectoderm and inner cell mass between non-biopsied and biopsy-derived blastocysts was insignificant.Conclusion: Biopsy of bovine embryos at 4-16-cell stages had no adverse effects on in vitro developmental potentials and the 16-cell stage embryos, biopsied on Day-4 was the best stage for blastomere removal. 25 33 Abolfazl A Shirazi ابوالفضل شیرازی Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Iran a.shirazi@avicenna.ac.ir Sara S Borjian سارا برجیان Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Iran Hassan H Nazari حسن نظری Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Iran Ebrahim E Ahmadi ابراهیم احمدی Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Iran Banafsheh B Heidari بنفشه حیدری Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Amin A Bahiraee امین بحیرایی Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Department of Cloning and Stem cell, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University Iran BiopsyBovineEmbryoFertilizationIn VitroPrecompacted morula 406.pdf Chrenek P, Boulanger L, Heyman Y, Uhrin P, Laurincik J, Bulla J, et al. Sexing and multiple geno-type analysis from a single cell of bovine embryo. Theriogenology. 2001;55(5):1071-81.##Lopes RF, Forell F, Oliveira AT, Rodrigues JL. Splitting and biopsy for bovine embryo sexing under field conditions. Theriogenology. 2001;56(9):1383-92.##Kageyama S, Hirayama H, Moriyasu S, Inaba M, Ito D, Ohta H, Sawai K, et al. Genetic diagnosis of band 3 deficiency and sexing in bovine preimplantation embryos. J Vet Med Sci. 2006;68(4):319-23.##Bowen RA, Reed ML, Schnieke A, Seidel GE Jr, Stacey A, Thomas WK, et al. Transgenic cattle resulting from biopsied embryos: expression of c-ski in a transgenic calf. Biol Reprod. 1994;50(3):664-8.##Hyttinen JM, Peura T, Tolvanen M, Aalto J, Jänne J. Detection of microinjected genes in bovine preim-plantation embryos with combined DNA digestion and polymerase chain reaction. Mol Reprod Dev. 1996;43(2):150-7.##Gustafsson H, Jaakma U, Shamsuddin M. Viability of fresh and frozen-thawed biopsied bovine em-bryos. Acta Vet Scand. 1994;35(3):217-22.##Thibier M, Nibart M. The sexing of bovine embryos in the field. Theriogenology. 1995;43(1):71-80.##Gianaroli L. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: polar body and embryo biopsy. Hum Reprod. 2000; 15 Suppl 4:69-75.##Harper JC, Delhanty JD. Detection of chromosomal abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos using FISH. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1996;13(2):137-9.##Vajta G, Holm P, Greve T, Callesen H. Compari-son of two manipulation methods to produce in vitro fertilized, biopsied and vitrified bovine embryos. Theriogenology. 1997;47(2):501-9.##Tervit HR, Whittingham DG, Rowson LE. Suc-cessful culture in vitro of sheep and cattle ova. J Reprod Fertil. 1972;30(3):493-7.##Chatzimeletiou K, Picton HM, Handyside AH. Use of a non-contact, infrared laser for zona drilling of mouse embryos: assessment of immediate effects on blastomere viability. Reprod Biomed Online. 2001;2(3):178-187.##Jones AE, Wright G, Kort HI, Straub RJ, Nagy ZP. Comparison of laser-assisted hatching and acid-ified Tyrode's hatching by evaluation of blastocyst development rates in sibling embryos: a prospect-ive randomized trial. Fertil Steril. 2006;85 (2):487-91.##Phophong P, Doshi A, Harper JC. Comparison of embryonic development in cleavage stage mouse embryo biopsy between acid Tyrode's solution and laser assisted techniques. J Med Assoc Thai. 2001; 84(8):1190-8.##Chatzimeletiou K, Morrison EE, Panagiotidis Y, Prapas N, Prapas Y, Rutherford AJ, et al. Compari-son of effects of zona drilling by non-contact infrared laser or acid Tyrode's on the development of human biopsied embryos as revealed by blasto-mere viability, cytoskeletal analysis and molecular cytogenetics. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11(6): 697-710.##Goossens V, De Rycke M, De Vos A, Staessen C, Michiels A, Verpoest W, et al. Diagnostic effi-ciency, embryonic development and clinical out-come after the biopsy of one or two blastomeres for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Hum Reprod. 2008;23(3):481-92.##Naitana S, Loi P, Ledda S, Cappai P, Dattena M, Bogliolo L, et al. Effect of biopsy and vitrification on in vitro survival of ovine embryos at different stages of development. Theriogenology. 1996;46 (5):813-24.##Krzyminska UB, Lutjen J, O'Neill C. Assessment of the viability and pregnancy potential of mouse embryos biopsied at different preimplantation stages of development. Hum Reprod. 1990;5(2): 203-8.##Takeuchi K, Sandow BA, Morsy M, Kaufmann RA, Beebe SJ, Hodgen GD. Preclinical models for human pre-embryo biopsy and genetic diagnosis. I. Efficiency and normalcy of mouse pre-embryo development after different biopsy techniques. Fertil Steril. 1992;57(2):425-30.##Pierce KE, Michalopoulos J, Kiessling AA, Seibel MM, Zilberstein M. Preimplantation development of mouse and human embryos biopsied at cleavage stages using a modified displacement technique. Hum Reprod. 1997;12(2):351-6.##Tarín JJ, Conaghan J, Winston RM, Handyside AH. Human embryo biopsy on the 2nd day after insemination for preimplantation diagnosis: re-moval of a quarter of embryo retards cleavage. Fertil Steril. 1992;58(5):970-6.##Roudebush WE, Kim JG, Minhas BS, Dodson MG. Survival and cell acquisition rates after preim-plantation embryo biopsy: use of two mechanical techniques and two mouse strains. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;162(4):1084-90.##Macháty Z, Páldi A, Csáki T, Varga Z, Kiss I, Bárándi Z, et al. Biopsy and sex determination by PCR of IVF bovine embryos. J Reprod Fertil. 1993;98(2):467-70.##Park JH, Lee JH, Choi KM, Joung SY, Kim JY, Chung GM, et al. Rapid sexing of preimplantation bovine embryo using consecutive and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with biopsied single blastomere. Theriogenology. 2001;55(9): 1843-53.##Lee JH, Park JH, Lee SH, Park CS, Jin DI. Sexing using single blastomere derived from IVF bovine embryos by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Theriogenology. 2004;62(8):1452-8.##Kubisch HM, Johnson KM. The effects of blasto-mere biopsy and oxygen tension on bovine embryo development, rate of apoptosis and interferon-tau secretion. Reprod Domest Anim. 2007;42(5):509-15.##Hardy K, Martin KL, Leese HJ, Winston RM, Handyside AH. Human preimplantation develop-ment in vitro is not adversely affected by biopsy at the 8-cell stage. Hum Reprod. 1990;5(6):708-14.##Ao A, Handyside A, Winston RM. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (delta F508). Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1996;65(1):7-10. Review.##Lucas-Hahn A. Status of cryopreserving microma-nipulated bovine embryos. Embryo Transfer News. 1992;10:18-23.##Lechniak D, Pers-Kamczyc E, Pawlak P. Timing of the first zygotic cleavage as a marker of develop-mental potential of mammalian embryos. Reprod Biol. 2008;8(1):23-42.##Scenna FN, Edwards JL, Rohrbach NR, Hockett ME, Saxton AM, Schrick FN. Detrimental effects of prostaglandin F2alpha on preimplantation bo-vine embryos. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 2004;73(3-4):215-26.##Kim JH, Hubbard NE, Ziboh V, Erickson KL. Conjugated linoleic acid reduction of murine mammary tumor cell growth through 5-hydro-xyeicosatetraenoic acid. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2005;1687(1-3):103-9.##Rodriguez-Sallaberry C, Caldari-Torres C, Greene ES, Badinga L. Conjugated linoleic acid reduces phorbol ester-induced prostaglandin F2alpha pro-duction by bovine endometrial cells. J Dairy Sci. 2006;89(10):3826-32.##Wang LS, Huang YW, Liu S, Chang HL, Ye W, Shu S, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) modu-lates prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling in canine mammary cells. Anticancer Res. 2006;26(2A):889-98.##Moley KH, Chi MM, Knudson CM, Korsmeyer SJ, Mueckler MM. Hyperglycemia induces apoptosis in pre-implantation embryos through cell death effector pathways. Nat Med. 1998;4(12):1421-4.##Paula-Lopes FF, Hansen PJ. Heat shock-induced apoptosis in preimplantation bovine embryos is a developmentally regulated phenomenon. Biol Reprod. 2002;66(4):1169-77.##Jimenez-Macedo AR, Paramio MT, Anguita B, Morato R, Romaguera R, Mogas T, et al. Effect of ICSI and embryo biopsy on embryo development and apoptosis according to oocyte diameter in pre-pubertal goats. Theriogenology. 2007;67(8):1399-408.##

Association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) +405 G>C Polymorphism with Endometriosis in an Iranian Population 2 1 2 Introduction: Angiogenesis, growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is a crucial physiological process for tissue regeneration. This state is also seen in pathological processes such as malignancies and endometriosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability which is known to play an important role in the development of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between +405 G>C VEGF polymorphism and endometriosis in an Iranian population.Materials and Methods: The study population was comprised of 105 women with and 150 women without laparoscopic evidence of endometriosis. Genomic DNA from blood cells was extracted using salting out method. Genotype and allele frequency of +405 G>C polymorphism was compared between women with endometriosis and the controls using PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software. Chi-squared test and odds ratio plus 95% confidence interval were determined. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: While the +405 VEGF genotype frequencies in the case group were 41.3% G/G, 46.2% C/G and %12.5 C/C, they were 32% GG, %53.3 GC and 14.7% CC in the control group. The distribution of three genotypes and allele frequencies of +405 G>C VEGF polymorphism between the case and control groups did not demonstrate any significant difference.Conclusion: In contrast to previous studies, no significant correlation was found between +405 G>C VEGF polymorphism and endometriosis. Since this was the first study in an Iranian population, further investigation with bigger sample sizes may be indicated to be able to generalize the findings. 33 38 Taktom T Memariani تکتم معماریانی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Kioomars K Salimi Nejad کیومرث سلیمی‌نژاد Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Kourosh K Kamali Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Adel A Shervin عادل شروین Gynecological Surgery Ward, Tehran Clinic Hospital Gynecological Surgery Ward, Tehran Clinic Hospital Iran Behrokh B Mohajer-Maghari بهرخ مهاجر Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Mohammad Mehdi MM Akhondi محمدمهدی آخوندی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Hamid Reza HR Khorram Khorshid حمیدرضا خرم‌خورشید Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran h.khorramkhorshid@avicenna.ac.ir AngiogenesisEndometriosisPolymorphismVascular endothelial growth factor 407.pdf Olive DL, Schwartz LB. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(24):1759-69.##Kim SH, Choi YM, Choung SH, Jun JK, Kim JG, Moon SY. Vascular endothelial growth factor gene 405 C/G polymorphism is associated with suscep-tibility to advanced stage endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2005;20(10):2904-8.##Duignan NM, Jordan JA, Coughlan BM, Logan-Edwards R. One thousand consecutive cases of diagnostic laparoscopy. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1972;79(11):1016-24.##Williams TJ, Pratt JH. Endometriosis in 1,000 consecutive celiotomies: incidence and manage-ment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1977;129 (3):245-50.##Bhanoori M, Arvind Babu K, Pavankumar Reddy NG, Lakshmi Rao K, Zondervan K, Deenadayal M, et al. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 405 G>C 5'-untranslated region poly-morphism and increased risk of endometriosis in South Indian women: a case control study. Hum Reprod. 2005;20(7):1844-9.##Taylor RN, Lebovic DI, Mueller MD. Angiogenic factors in endometriosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002; 955:89-100.##McLaren J. Vascular endothelial growth factor and endometriotic angiogenesis. Hum Reprod Update. 2000;6(1):45-55.##Bourlev V, Volkov N, Pavlovitch S, Lets N, Larsson A, Olovsson M. The relationship between micro-vessel density, proliferative activity and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its receptors in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions. Reproduction. 2006;132(3):501-9.##Ikuhashi Y, Yoshida S, Kennedy S, Zondervan K, Takemura N, Deguchi M, et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor 936 C/T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of endometriosis in a Japanese population. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(11):1352-8.##Hyder SM, Nawaz Z, Chiappetta C, Stancel GM. Identification of functional estrogen response elements in the gene coding for the potent angio-genic factor vascular endothelial growth factor. Cancer Res. 2000;60(12):3183-90.##Mueller MD, Vigne JL, Minchenko A, Lebovic DI, Leitman DC, Taylor RN. Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transcript-tion by estrogen receptors alpha and beta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000;97(20):10972-7.##Donnez J, Smoes P, Gillerot S, Casanas-Roux F, Nisolle M. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 1998;13 (6):1686-90.##Tan XJ, Lang JH, Liu DY, Shen K, Leng JH, Zhu L. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombospondin-1 mRNA in patients with endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2002;78(1):148-53.##McLaren J, Prentice A, Charnock-Jones DS, Millican SA, Muller KH, Sharkey AM, et al. Vas-cular endothelial growth factor is produced by peritoneal fluid macrophages in endometriosis and is regulated by ovarian steroids. J Clin Invest. 1996;98(2):482-9.##Matalliotakis IM, Goumenou AG, Koumantakis GE, Neonaki MA, Koumantakis EE, Dionysso-poulou E, et al. Serum concentrations of growth factors in women with and without endometriosis: the action of anti-endometriosis medicines. Int Immunopharmacol. 2003;3(1):81-9.##Brogan IJ, Khan N, Isaac K, Hutchinson JA, Pravica V, Hutchinson IV. Novel polymorphisms in the promoter and 5' UTR regions of the human vascular endothelial growth factor gene. Hum Immunol. 1999;60(12):1245-9.##Watson CJ, Webb NJ, Bottomley MJ, Brenchley PE. Identification of polymorphisms within the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene: correlation with variation in VEGF protein produc-tion. Cytokine. 2000;12(8):1232-5.##Ray D, Mishra M, Ralph S, Read I, Davies R, Brenchley P. Association of the VEGF gene with proliferative diabetic retinopathy but not protein-uria in diabetes. Diabetes. 2004;53(3):861-4.##Lin CC, Wu HC, Tsai FJ, Chen HY, Chen WC. Vascular endothelial growth factor gene-460 C/T polymorphism is a biomarker for prostate cancer. Urology. 2003;62(2):374-7.##Krippl P, Langsenlehner U, Renner W, Yazdani-Biuki B, Wolf G, Wascher TC, et al. A common 936 C/T gene polymorphism of vascular endo-thelial growth factor is associated with decreased breast cancer risk. Int J Cancer. 2003;106(4):468-71.##Hsieh YY, Chang CC, Tsai FJ, Yeh LS, Lin CC, Peng CT. T allele for VEGF gene-460 poly-morphism at the 5'-untranslated region: association with a higher susceptibility to endometriosis. J Reprod Med. 2004;49(6):468-72.##Awata T, Inoue K, Kurihara S, Ohkubo T, Wata-nabe M, Inukai K, et al. A common polymorphism in the 5'-untranslated region of the VEGF gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 2002;51(5):1635-9.##Young HS, Summers AM, Bhushan M, Brenchley PE, Griffiths CE. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor in psoriasis of early onset. J Invest Dermatol. 2004;122(1):209-15.##Vincenti V, Cassano C, Rocchi M, Persico G. As-signment of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene to human chromosome 6p21.3. Circulation. 1996;93(8):1493-5.##Akiri G, Nahari D, Finkelstein Y, Le SY, Elroy-Stein O, Levi BZ. Regulation of vascular endo-thelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is medi-ated by internal initiation of translation and alterna-tive initiation of transcription. Oncogene. 1998;17 (2):227-36.##Gentilini D, Somigliana E, Vigano P, Vignali M, Busacca M, Di Blasio AM. The vascular endo-thelial growth factor 405 G>C polymorphism in endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2008;23(1):211-5.##Zondervan KT, Cardon LR, Kennedy SH. What makes a good case-control study? Design issues for complex traits such as endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(6):1415-23.##

Comparing Seminal Plasma Biomarkers between Normospermic and Azoospermic Men 2 1 2 Introduction: Azoospermia affects more than 10% - 15% of infertile male subjects attending infertilty clinics. At present, testicular biopsy is the golden standard procedure for evaluating spermatogenesis status in men with azoospermia . Semen collection and analysis is a non-invasive method and has proven to be valuable in the evaluation of spermatogenesis. Identification of seminal plasma markers with testicular or extra-testicular origins have a great value in predicting the prescence of sperm in testicular tissue and presumptive cause of azoospermia. The aim of this study was to find such markers by comparing the content of seminal plasma using different methods in normospermic and azoospermic men.Matherials and Methods: Semen samples were collected from 200 men attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic (AIC) in Tehran, Iran. Semen samples were analysed according to WHO guidlines. The subjects were divided into two groups: normospermic (n = 100; group one) and azoospermic men (n = 100; group two) according to semen analysis results. Seminal plasma was separated by high speed centrifuagation and stored in -20° C. Four markers including fructose, neutral alpha glucosidase (NαG), inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured in seminal plasma. Fructose and NαG were evaluated by spectrophotometry, while inhibin B and AMH were assessed by ELISA method. The spermatogenesis status in the azoospermic group was evaluated by histopathological method following testicular biopsy.Results: Fructose concentration showed no difference between the two groups. However, it was significantly correlated with sperm count (p < 0.01, r = -0.408). Seminal plasma inhibin B (OR: 1.01; 95%: CI: 1.005 - 1.016), AMH (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.17 - 2.28) and NαG, (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.1) levels were higher in normospermic subjects compared to azoospermic men. There were significant differences in inhibin B and AMH concentrations between the two groups based on the presence or absence of mature sperm in testicular biopsies (p < 0.01). Inhibin B concentration was positively correlated with sperm count in the normospermic group, however, NαG concentration correlated with sperm count of normospermic men (p < 0.01, r = 0.345) and the subjects’age in both groups.Conclusion: Inhibin B and AMH were correlated with the presence of sperm in testicular tissue samples. According to non-specific changes in inhibin B and AMH concentrations, identification of more specific molecular markers in seminal plasma to definitely evaluate the status of spermatogenesis is recommended. 39 47 Soudabeh S Sabetian سودابه ثابتیان Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Iran Ali M AM Ardekani Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Mahshid M Hodjat مهشید حجت Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Iran Mohammad Mehdi MM Akhondi محمدمهدی آخوندی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Haleh H Soltanghoraee هاله سلطان قرایی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Naser N Amirjannati ناصر امیرجنتی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Niknam N Lakpour نیکنام لک‌پور Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Mohammad Reza MR Sadeghi محمدرضا صادقی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran sadeghi@avicenna.ac.ir Anti-Mullerian HormoneAzoospermiaFructoseInhibin BMale infertilityNeutral alpha glucosidaseSeminal plasmaSpermatogenesis 410.pdf Sharlip ID, Jarow JP, Belker AM, Lipshultz LI, Sigman M, Thomas AJ, et al. Best practice policies for male infertility. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(5):873-82.##Thonneau P, Marchand S, Tallec A, Ferial ML, Ducot B, Lansac J, et al. Incidence and main causes of infertility in a resident population (1,850,000) of three French regions (1988-1989). Hum Reprod. 1991;6(6):811-6.##Brugh VM 3rd, Lipshultz LI. Male factor infertility: evaluation and management. Med Clin North Am. 2004;88(2):367-85.##Song GJ, Lee H, Park Y, Lee HJ, Lee YS, Seo JT, et al. Expression pattern of germ cell-specific genes in the testis of patients with nonobstructive azoosperm-ia: usefulness as a molecular marker to predict the presence of testicular sperm. Fertil Steril. 2000;73 (6):1104-8.##Jarow JP, Espeland MA, Lipshultz LI. Evaluation of the azoospermic patient. J Urol. 1989;142(1):62-5.##Anguiano A, Oates RD, Amos JA, Dean M, Gerrard B, Stewart C, et al. Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens. A primarily genital form of cystic fibrosis. JAMA. 1992;267(13):1794-7.##Sobek A, Hrbková K, Mucha Z, Vodicka J, Tesarová M, Zát'ura F, et al. Infertility treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Acta Univ Palacki Olomuc Fac Med. 1998;141:83-5.##Mercan R, Urman B, Alatas C, Aksoy S, Nuhoglu A, Moldenhauer JS, et al. Outcome of testicular sperm retrieval procedures in non-obstructive azoo-spermia: percutaneous aspiration versus open bi-opsy. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(7):1548-51.##Moldenhauer JS, Ostermeier GC, Johnson A, Dia-mond MP, Krawetz SA. Diagnosing male factor infertility using microarrays. J Androl. 2003;24(6): 783-9.##Kumanov P, Nandipati KC, Tomova A, Robeva R, Agarwal A. Significance of inhibin in reproductive pathophysiology and current clinical applications. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;10(6):786-812.##Jenkins AD, Turner TT, Howards SS. Physiology of the male reproductive system. Urol Clin North Am. 1978;5(3):437-50.##Andersson AM. Inhibin B in the assessment of seminiferous tubular function. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;14(3):389-97.##Blumenfeld Z, Ritter M. Inhibin, activin, and follistatin in human fetal pituitary and gonadal physiology. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001;943:34-48.##Fujisawa M, Yamasaki T, Okada H, Kamidono S. The significance of anti-Müllerian hormone con-centration in seminal plasma for spermatogenesis. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(4):968-70.##Rey R. Assessment of seminiferous tubule function (anti-müllerian hormone). Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;14(3):399-408.##Mahmoud AM, Geslevich J, Kint J, Depuydt C, Huysse L, Zalata A, et al. Seminal plasma alpha-glucosidase activity and male infertility. Hum Reprod. 1998;13(3):591-5.##Zöpfgen A, Priem F, Sudhoff F, Jung K, Lenk S, Loening SA, et al. Relationship between semen quality and the seminal plasma components carni-tine, alpha-glucosidase, fructose, citrate and granu-locyte elastase in infertile men compared with a normal population. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(4):840-5.##Aumüller G, Riva A. Morphology and functions of the human seminal vesicle. Andrologia. 1992;24 (4):183-96.##Tournaye H, Verheyen G, Nagy P, Ubaldi F, Goossens A, Silber S, et al. Are there any predict-ive factors for successful testicular sperm recovery in azoospermic patients? Hum Reprod. 1997;12(1): 80-6.##Ezeh UI, Taub NA, Moore HD, Cooke ID. Establishment of predictive variables associated with testicular sperm retrieval in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(4): 1005-12.##El Garem YF, El Arini AF, El Beheiry AH, Zeid SA, Comhaire FH. Possible relationship between seminal plasma inhibin B and spermatogenesis in patients with azoospermia. J Androl. 2002;23(6): 825-9.##Paquin R, Chapdelaine P, Dubé JY, Tremblay RR. Similar biochemical properties of human seminal plasma and epididymal alpha-1,4-glucosidase. J Androl. 1984;5(4):277-82.##Henkel R, Maass G, Schuppe HC, Jung A, Schubert J, Schill WB. Seasonal changes of neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in human semen. J Androl. 2006;27(1):34-9.##Sandoval L, Diaz M, Rivas F. Alpha-1,4-gluco-sidase activity and the presence of germinal epithelium cells in the semen for differential diagnosis of obstructive and nonobstructive azoo-spermia. Arch Androl. 1995;35(2):155-8.##Duan L, Er X, Zhao J, Duan L, Liu Q, Liu R, et al. [Analysis of the relative etiology of non-obstruct-ive azoospermia]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2004;10 (8):616-8, 622. Chinese.##Gonzales GF, Garcia-Hjarles MA, Gutierrez R, Guerra-Garcia R. The secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and its relationship to sperm motility: effects of infection in the male reproduct-ive tract. Int J Androl. 1989;12(4):286-94.##Mann T. Fructose, polyols, and organic acids. In: Nam T, editor. The Biochemistry of Semen and of the Male Reproductive Tract. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd; 1964. p. 273-44.##Buckett WM, Lewis-Jones DI. Fructose concentra-tions in seminal plasma from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Arch Androl. 2002;48(1): 23-7.##Duvilla E, Lejeune H, Trombert-Paviot B, Gentil-Perret A, Tostain J, Levy R. Significance of inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone in seminal plasma: a preliminary study. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(2):444-8.##El Garem YF, El Arini AF, El Beheiry AH, Zeid SA, Comhaire FH. Possible relationship between seminal plasma inhibin B and spermatogenesis in patients with azoospermia. J Androl. 2002;23(6): 825-9.##Fénichel P, Rey R, Poggioli S, Donzeau M, Chevallier D, Pointis G. Anti-Müllerian hormone as a seminal marker for spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermia. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(8): 2020-4.##Baarends WM, Hoogerbrugge JW, Post M, Visser JA, De Rooij DG, Parvinen M, et al. Anti-müllerian hormone and anti-müllerian hormone type II receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expres-sion during postnatal testis development and in the adult testis of the rat. Endocrinology. 1995;136 (12):5614-22.##Aydos K, Demirel LC, Baltaci V, Unlü C. Enzymatic digestion plus mechanical searching improves testicular sperm retrieval in non-obstruct-ive azoospermia cases. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005;120(1):80-6.##Tsujimura A, Matsumiya K, Miyagawa Y, Takao T, Fujita K, Koga M, et al. Prediction of successful outcome of microdissection testicular sperm ex-traction in men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia. J Urol. 2004;172(5 Pt 1):1944-7.##Mostafa T, Amer MK, Abdel-Malak G, Nsser TA, Zohdy W, Ashour S, et al. Seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone level correlates with semen parameters but does not predict success of testicu-lar sperm extraction (TESE). Asian J Androl. 2007; 9(2):265-70.##Tunc L, Kirac M, Gurocak S, Yucel A, Kupeli B, Alkibay T, et al. Can serum Inhibin B and FSH levels, testicular histology and volume predict the outcome of testicular sperm extraction in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia? 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Serum Leptin Levels in Women with Immunological Recurrent Abortion 2 1 2 Introduction: Recurrent abortion (RA) may be a consequence of aberrant expression of immunological factors during pregnancy. Although the relative importance of immunological factors in human reproduction remains controversial, substantial evidence suggests that autoantibodies contribute to reproductive failure. Production of such antibodies is under the control of cytokines; and leptin, besides its role in reproductive success, has a profound effect on directing the cytokine profile toward Th1 (cellular) pattern. Therefore, the present study was performed to assess serum leptin levels in women with immunological recurrent abortion.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 250 women who attended Avicenna Infertility Clinic with RA were screened for known causes of abortion from July to December 2008 in Tehran, Iran. Eighty-one patients with normal karyotypes and hormonal profile with normal ovaries and uterus and no signs of infection were categorized as patients with immunological (IRA, n = 39) or unexplained (URA, n = 42) recurrent abortion based on presence or absence of autoantibodies. After blood sampling, levels of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA), lupus anti-coagulant antibody (LACAb), anti-phospholipid antibody (APA), anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) and anti-thrombin III antibody (ATIIIAb) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA).Results: In IRA group, 9 (23.1%), 24 (61.5%), 25(64.1%) and 1 (2.6%) women were above the normal cut-off point for ANA, TgAbs, TPOAbs and AT-III Abs, respectively. IRA patients had normal values of LACAbs, APA and ACA. With normal level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), IRA and URA groups had similar serum leptin levels (23.7  13.2 ng/ml vs. 22.7  12.5 ng/ml, respectively). Serum leptin concentrations showed a positive correlation with weight and BMI in both groups.Conclusion: This study suggests that serum leptin levels are higher in IRA and URA patients than normal women. The findings of this study suggest the need for a more comprehensive study and comparison of leptin levels in IRA and URA patients to women with no history of miscarriages. 47 53 Saeed S Zarei سعید زارعی Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Iran Haleh H Soltanghoraee هاله سلطان قرایی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Afsaneh A Mohammadzadeh افسانه محمدزاده Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Soheila S Arefi سهیلا عارفی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Amir Hassan AH Zarnani امیرحسن زرنانی Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Iran Farah F Idali فرح ایده‌آلی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Banafsheh B Tavangar بنفشه توانگر Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Iran Elham E Savadi-Shiraz Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Narges N Moshref Behzad نرگس مشرف بهزاد Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Mahmood M Jeddi-Tehrani محمود جدی‌تهرانی Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR) Iran mahjed@avicenna.ac.ir AutoantibodyImmunologicalLeptinPregnancyRecurrent abortionSpontaneous abortion 411.pdf Cramer DW, Wise LA. The epidemiology of recur-rent pregnancy loss. Semin Reprod Med. 2000;18 (4):331-9.##Gleicher N, Friberg J. IgM gammopathy and the lupus anticoagulant syndrome in habitual aborters. JAMA. 1985;253(22):3278-81.##Xu L, Chang V, Murphy A, Rock JA, Damewood M, Schlaff W, et al. Antinuclear antibodies in sera of patients with recurrent pregnancy wastage. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;163(5 Pt 1):1493-7.##Stagnaro-Green A, Roman SH, Cobin RH, el-Harazy E, Alvarez-Marfany M, Davies TF. Detec-tion of at-risk pregnancy by means of highly sensitive assays for thyroid autoantibodies. JAMA. 1990;264(11):1422-5.##Stricker RB, Winger EE. Update on treatment of immunologic abortion with low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2005;54 (6):390-6.##He J, Wang H, Zhao JX, Li ZG. [Establishment of Sjogren's syndrome models by immunization with alpha-Fodrin: experiment with mice]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2008;88(33):2360-3. Chinese.##Mosaad YM, Metwally SS, Auf FA, AbdEL-Samee ER, el-Deek B, Limon NI, et al. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and IL-18) in immune rheumatic diseases: relation with disease activity and auto-antibodies production. Egypt J Immunol. 2003;10 (2):19-26.##Spadaro M, Amendolea MA, Mazzucconi MG, Fantozzi R, Di Lello R, Zangari P, et al. Autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis: study of a wide spectrum of autoantibodies. Mult Scler. 1999;5(2): 121-5.##Enghard P, Langnickel D, Riemekasten G. T cell cytokine imbalance towards production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in NZB/W F1 lupus-prone mice is associated with autoantibody levels and nephritis. Scand J Rheumatol. 2006;35(3):209-16.##Graphou O, Chioti A, Pantazi A, Tsukoura C, Kontopoulou V, Guorgiadou E, et al. Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment on the Th1/Th2 balance in women with recurrent spontan-eous abortions. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2003;49 (1):21-9.##Zhang JA, Zhang J, Xu L, Mar H, Wu XY. [Measurement of IL-12 and IL-18 in sera of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease]. Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2006;22(5):630-2. Chinese.##Gérard AC, Boucquey M, van den Hove MF, Colin IM. Expression of TPO and ThOXs in human thyrocytes is downregulated by IL-1alpha/IFN-gamma, an effect partially mediated by nitric oxide. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;291 (2):E242-53.##Förster G, Otto E, Hansen C, Ochs K, Kahaly G. Analysis of orbital T cells in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Clin Exp Immunol. 1998;112(3): 427-34.##Clark DA, Ding JW, Chaouat G, Coulam CB, August C, Levy GA. The emerging role of immunoregulation of fibrinogen-related procoagu-lant Fgl2 in the success or spontaneous abortion of early pregnancy in mice and humans. Am J Reprod Immunol. 1999;42(1):37-43##Zhang Y, Proenca R, Maffei M, Barone M, Leopold L, Friedman JM. Positional cloning of the mouse obese gene and its human homologue. Nature.1994;372(6505):425-32.##Chehab FF, Lim ME, Lu R. Correction of the sterility defect in homozygous obese female mice by treatment with the human recombinant leptin. Nat Genet. 1996;12(3):318-20.##Masuzaki H, Ogawa Y, Isse N, Satoh N, Okazaki T, Shigemoto M, et al. Human obese gene expression. Adipocyte-specific expression and regional differences in the adipose tissue. Diabetes. 1995;44(7):855-8.##Schubring C, Kiess W, Englaro P, Rascher W, Dötsch J, Hanitsch S, et al. Levels of leptin in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and arterial and venous cord blood: relation to neonatal and placental weight. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997; 82(5):1480-3.##Malik NM, Carter ND, Wilson CA, Scaramuzzi RJ, Stock MJ, Murray JF. Leptin expression in the fetus and placenta during mouse pregnancy. Placenta. 2005;26(1):47-52.##Lord GM, Matarese G, Howard JK, Baker RJ, Bloom SR, Lechler RI. Leptin modulates the T-cell immune response and reverses starvation-induced immunosuppression. 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Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS: Do Iranian Pregnant Mothers Know about it? 2 1 2 Introduction: Nowadays, HIV is mostly spreading in Asian countries. One of the important routes for HIV transmission in these countries is the vertical route which infects 35% to 45% of newborns. Mother’s education, drug prophylaxis and Cesarean section, accompanied by banning breastfeeding will decrease this rate to 2%. Therefore, mothers’ knowledge about Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) has a great role in HIV/AIDS prevention. This study was designed to evaluate knowledge of pregnant women about HIV, its vertical transmission and prevention in Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1577 pregnant women aged 15 - 46 years who were attending prenatal care clinics in Tehran, Iran. The research material was a questionnaire which was completed daily by trained midwives. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation and linear regression with a significance level of p = 0.05.Results: About 16.5% of the participants had good knowledge about HIV/AIDS and 54.1% about its transmission routes but awareness about its prevention was only 5.7%. Fifty-seven percent of the participant had not been tested for HIV earlier and 20.2% were not willing to undergo such tests. About 86.2% of the participants had no idea about the availability of drug prophylaxis in Iran for PMTCT.Conclusion: The fact that 28.2% of the participants were not willing to undergo HIV testing reflects negative attitude about HIV infection. Although the overall awareness about the infection and its transmission was good but knowledge about its prevention especially by PMTCT and its availability in Iran was low. Educational programs through mass media or prenatal care programs by focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention maybe useful. 53 58 Madjid M Tarahomi مجید ترحمی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Farhad F Yaghmaie فرهاد یغمایی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran yaghmaie@avicenna.ac.ir Sorour S Asadi سرور اسدی Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Iran Soheila S Asgari سهیلا عسگری Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Farnaz F Fatemi فرناز فاطمی Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Hojjat H Zeraati حجت زراعتی Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iran Leili L Chamani Tabriz لیلی چمنی تبریز Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR Iran Human immunodeficiency virusKnowledgePregnancyPreventing Mother-to-Child Transmission 412.pdf Mazloomy SS, Shirvani-Anarak M, Tafti Dehghani AA, Tabibnejad N, Sheikhha MH. 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Spontaneous Pregnancy in Primary Amenorrhea; a Case Report 2 1 2 Introduction: Primary ovarian failure (POF) is a syndrome composed of amenorrhea, estrogen deficiency and Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) of menopausal ranges in young women. In this article, we report a case of primary amenorrhea that presented with full term pregnancy.Case Presentation: A 29-year old woman with a history of primary amenorrhea attended hospital with full term pregnancy. She had experienced a few episodes of withdrawal bleeding on hormonal treatment initially and she had conceived spontaneously. Subsequently, she had uneventful pregnancy and caesarean delivery on maternal request. Conclusion: This case was presented to emphasize the real chances of spontaneous conceptions due to intermittent and unpredictable ovarian function in patients with POI. Nevertheless, egg donation is still considered the best option for infertility in such women. 59 61 Ananya A Das آنانیا داس Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health &amp; Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) India mailmedrananyadas@rediffmail.com Tulon T Borah تولون بوراه Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health &amp; Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) India Subrat S Panda سوبرت پاندا Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health &amp; Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) India Estrogen deficiencyFollicular stimulating hormonePregnancyPrimary amenorrheaPrimary ovarian insufficiency 414.pdf Albright F, Smith PH, Fraser R. A syndrome charac-terized by primary ovarian insufficiency and decreased stature: Report of 11 Cases with a Digression on Hormonal Control of Axillary and Pubic Hair. Am J Med Sci. 1942;204(5):625-48.##Rebar RW, Erickson GF, Yen SS. Idiopathic premature ovarian failure: clinical and endocrine characteristics. Fertil Steril. 1982;37(1):35-41.##Rebar RW, Connolly HV. Clinical features of young women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril. 1990;53(5):804-10.##Wright CS, Jacobs HS. Spontaneous pregnancy in a patient with hypergonadotrophic ovarian failure. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1979;86(5):389-92.##