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Abstract Background The gene expression of anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR2) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in cumulus cells (CCs) isolated from mature and immature oocytes was studied as a possible non-invasive approach for determining oocyte maturity and quality. The CCs of 100 infertile women with different etiologic factors were subdivided into control (CCs from MII) and case (CCs from GV) group. Q-PCR was used to evaluate FSHR and AMHR2 mRNA expression levels in CCs from mature and immature oocytes. Results AMHR2 and FSHR genes are significantly overexpressed (4–6 fold) in CCs from immature relative to mature oocyte. The expression level of AMHR2 gene in terms of etiologic subgroups is significantly different (P value 0.000). FSHR mRNA expression levels in CCs show no significant difference regarding etiologic subgroups (P value 0.575). Conclusion It seems that determining the expression level of AMHR2 and FSHR genes in CCs could help to understanding molecular mechanism of oocyte maturation process. more...

Background: Synchronization between the embryonic stage and the uterine endometrial lining is important in the outcomes of the vitrified-warmed embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of the exact synchronization between the cleavage stage of embryos and the duration of progesterone administration on the improvement of clinical outcomes in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Materials and Methods: 312 FET cycles were categorized into two groups: (A) day-3 ET after three days of progesterone administration (n = 177) and (B) day-2 or -4 ET after three days of progesterone administration (n = 135). Group B was further divided into two subgroups: B1: day-2 ET cycles, that the stage of embryos were less than the administrated progesterone and B2: day-4 ET cycles, that the stage of embryos were more than the administrated progesterone. The clinical outcome measures were compared between the groups. Results: The pregnancy outcomes between groups A and B showed a significant differences in the chemical (40.1% vs 27.4%; p = 0.010) and clinical pregnancies (32.8% vs 22.2%; p = 0.040), respectively. The rate of miscarriage tended to be higher and live birth rate tended to be lower in group B than in group A. Also, significantly higher rates were noted in chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth in group A when compared with subgroup B2. Conclusion: Higher rates of pregnancy and live birth were achieved in day-3 ET after three days of progesterone administration in FET cycles. more...

Objective: The aim of this study was to screen the potential of human embryos to develop into expanding blastocysts following in vitro embryo splitting and then assess the quality of the generated blastocysts based on chromosomal characteristics and using morphokinetics. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 82 good quality cleavage-stage donated embryos (8- 14 cells) were used (24 embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage as controls and 58 embryos underwent in vitro splitting). After in vitro splitting, the blastomere donor and blastomere recipient embryos were named twin A and twin B, respectively. Morphokinetics and morphological parameters were evaluated using a time-lapse system in the blastocysts developed from twin embryos. Aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y were analyzed in the twin blastocysts. Results: Following in vitro splitting, of the 116 resulting twin embryos, 80 (69%) developed to the expanded blastocyst (EBL) stage compared to 21 (87.5%) embryos in the control group (P>0.05). The morphokinetics analysis suggested that the developmental time-points were influenced by the in vitro splitting. Moreover, the blastocysts developed from A and B twins had impaired morphology compared to controls. Regarding chromosome abnormalities, there was no significant difference in the rate of aneuploidy or mosaicism between the different groups. Conclusion: This study showed that while no chromosomal abnormalities were seen, in vitro embryo splitting may affect the embryo morphokinetics. more...

Background: Preparation of endometrial thickness in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) is extremely important, particularly in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of FET cycles among RIF women, based on the effects of administering gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist prior to estrogen-progesterone preparation of the endometrium. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 67 infertile women who were candidates for FET were divided into two groups: A) case group (n = 34), treated with GnRH agonist prior to endometrial preparation and B) control group (n = 33), which received the routine protocol. (6 mg daily estradiol started from second day) The clinical outcomes) including chemical and clinical pregnancy, in addition to implantation rates, were compared between the two groups. Results: The results showed no significant differences in women's age (p = 0.558), duration (p = 0.540), type (p = 0.562), and cause of infertility (p = 0.699). Regarding pregnancy and implantation rates, there was a trend toward an increase in the case group; however, differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although our results showed no significant differences between groups. Because there are trends to better results in case group larger sample size may show significant difference. more...

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) was shown to have harmful effects on male reproductive system. Objective: To investigate probable effects of daily administration of MA on sperm parameters and chromatin/DNA integrity in mouse. Material and Methods: Thirty-five NMRI male mice were divided into five groups including low, medium, and high dosage groups which were injected intraperitoneally with 4, 8 and 15 mg/kg/day for 35 days, respectively. Normal saline was injected in sham group and no medications were used in control group. Then, the mice were killed and caudal epididymis of each animal was cut and placed in Ham’s F10 medium for sperm retrieval. To evaluate sperm chromatin abnormalities, the aniline blue, toluidine blue and chromomycine A3 were used. For sperm DNA integrity and apoptosis, the acridine orange, sperm chromatin dispersion, and TUNEL assay were applied. For sperm morphology, Papanicolaou staining was done Results: Normal morphology and progressive motility of spermatozoa decreased in medium and high dosage groups in comparison with the control group (p=0.035). There was a significant increase in rate of aniline blue, toluidine blue, and chromomycine A3 positive spermatozoa in high dosage group. In a similar manner, there was an increase in rates of acridine orange, TUNEL and sperm chromatin dispersion positive sperm cells in high dosage group with respect to others. Conclusion: MA abuse in a dose-dependent manner could have detrimental effects on male reproductive indices including sperm parameters and sperm chromatin/DNA integrity in mice. more...

Objective: The purpose was to establish whether the advanced male age may influence the outcomes in a controlled assisted reproductive technology (ART) program. Design: This is an experimental study. Setting: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility of Yazd. Sample: A total of 63 men undergoing ART cycles. Material: In a retrospective study, the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in ART cycles in two groups of patients was studied. Patients regarding etiology of infertility were divided into two groups: (A) male factor infertility (n = 47), and (B) female factor infertility (n = 16). Sperm parameters, ART cycle characteristics and clinical outcomes were assessed between two groups. Main outcome measures: Clinical outcomes of ART in advanced aged men. Results: There were no significant differences in rates of sperm count and morphology between two groups, but the rate of spermatozoa with progressive motility were higher in group B in comparison with A (P = 0.002). The rates of high quality embryos, pregnancy and live birth showed no significant differences between the groups (P = 0.4, P = 0.4, P = 0.2, respectively). Conclusion: It appears that the clinical outcome of ART in male and female factor infertility was not influenced by advanced paternal age. more...

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) was shown to have harmful effects on malereproductive system. Objective: To investigate probable effects of daily administration of MA on spermparameters and chromatin/DNA integrity in mouse. Material and Methods: Thirty-five NMRI male mice were divided into five groupsincluding low, medium, and high dosage groups which were injectedintraperitoneally with 4, 8 and 15 mg/kg/day for 35 days, respectively. Normalsaline was injected in sham group and no medications were used in control group.Then, the mice were killed and caudal epididymis of each animal was cut and placedin Ham’s F10 medium for sperm retrieval. To evaluate sperm chromatinabnormalities, the aniline blue, toluidine blue and chromomycine A3 were used. Forsperm DNA integrity and apoptosis, the acridine orange, sperm chromatindispersion, and TUNEL assay were applied. For sperm morphology, Papanicolaoustaining was done Results: Normal morphology and progressive motility of spermatozoa decreased inmedium and high dosage groups in comparison with the control group (p=0.035).There was a significant increase in rate of aniline blue, toluidine blue, andchromomycine A3 positive spermatozoa in high dosage group. In a similar manner,there was an increase in rates of acridine orange, TUNEL and sperm chromatindispersion positive sperm cells in high dosage group with respect to others. Conclusion: MA abuse in a dose-dependent manner could have detrimental effectson male reproductive indices including sperm parameters and spermchromatin/DNA integrity in mice more...

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigation the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on the implantation and pregnancy outcomes in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Design: This is a cross sectional retrospective study. Setting: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility of Yazd. Materials and methods: Totally, 200 FET cycles categorized into two groups: (A) hCG treatment group (N = 100), the patients received 3 doses of hCG after embryo transfer (ET); and (B) control group (N = 100), the patients received routine protocol. Finally, chemical and clinical pregnancy, and also implantation rates were compared between two groups. Results: All the cycles into two groups were matched regarding to demographic and basic characteristics. Moreover, there were significant differences between groups regarding chemical pregnancy (P = 0.048), clinical pregnancy (P = 0.041). There was a trend towards decrease of miscarriage rate in hCG treatment group, although differences were not significant (P = 0.434). Conclusion: Findings revealed an improvement in pregnancy rates following hCG administration in FET cycles. Keywords: Human chorionic gonadotropin, Frozen-thawed embryo transfer, Pregnancy outcome, Implantation rate more...

Objective: Oocyte cryopreservation provides an important alternative for fertility preservation for women who will be treated with cytotoxic drugs. However, it can cause spindle disorganization of microtubules, putting the zygote at risk for aneuploidy. Paclitaxel is known to stabilize the microtubules that constitute the spindle. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitable concentration of paclitaxel for adding to the vitrification media to improve the developmental potential of post-thawed mature oocytes to blastocyst formation in mice. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 MII oocytes were retrieved from superovulated mice, and were divided into three groups of control, Experimental I, and Experimental II. Oocytes in Experimental I and Experimental II were cryopreserved in the presence of 0.5μM or 1μM of paclitaxel in vitrification media, respectively. After thawing, all oocytes were incubated in G-IVF medium for 1 hour. From each group,12 oocytes were selected for viability evaluation by Hoechst/propidium iodide nuclear staining. Standard in vitro fertilization was performed on the rest of the oocytes and embryo development was followed to the blastocyst stage. Results: Fertilization rate was not significantly different between the three groups. However, the cleavage rate (55%) in Experimental II group was significantly lower compared to Experimental I (88%) and control groups (83%). There was a detectable difference between the three groups at the blastocyst rate (Experimental I and control groups, p = 0.004; Experimental II vs. control and Experimental I, p < 0.001). The highest rates of parthenogenesis and arrest were in Experimental II (16% and 21%, respectively) compared with control (6% and 5%, respectively) and Experimental I (5% and 3%, respectively). There was also a significant decrease in viability rate of oocytes in Experimental II compared to the other groups. Conclusion: A high concentration of paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, interrupted the mouse oocyte competency when supplemented to vitrification media. Consequently, the optimal concentration of this cytoskeleton stabilizer may improve the post-thawed developmental abilities of oocytes. more...

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide is a chemo-therapeutic agent in the treatment of the various cancers and autoimmune diseases. This composition has cytotoxic and clastogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, protective effect of methanol extracts of thymus vulgaris against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mouse bone marrow cells by the micronucleus test.Materials and Methods: In this study, the concentrations of extracts 375, 750, 1500 mg/kg body weight (bw) were injected intraperitoneally (ip), into mice for seven consecutive days. One hour after the last injection, cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg bw intraperitoneally (ip) have been injected into mice. 24h after cyclophosphamide injection, the animals were sacrificed and samples of bone marrow were prepared and stained using standard methods. For each sample, 1000 cells of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and the same frequence of normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) and cells containing micronucleus of these were counted.Results: Cyclophosphamide increased the frequency of micronuclei polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) and decreased cell proliferation (PCE/PCE+NCE). All doses of extracts significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency ratio (PConclusion: Thymus extract is able to reduce the clastogenic and cytotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide, seems to extract due to its antioxidant properties, has a protective role. more...

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide is a chemo-therapeutic agent in the treatment of the various cancers and autoimmune diseases. This composition has cytotoxic and clastogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, protective effect of methanol extracts of thymus vulgaris against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mouse bone marrow cells by the micronucleus test.Materials and Methods: In this study, the concentrations of extracts 375, 750, 1500 mg/kg body weight (bw) were injected intraperitoneally (ip), into mice for seven consecutive days. One hour after the last injection, cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg bw intraperitoneally (ip) have been injected into mice. 24h after cyclophosphamide injection, the animals were sacrificed and samples of bone marrow were prepared and stained using standard methods. For each sample, 1000 cells of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and the same frequence of normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) and cells containing micronucleus of these were counted.Results: Cyclophosphamide increased the frequency of micronuclei polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) and decreased cell proliferation (PCE/PCE+NCE). All doses of extracts significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency ratio (P more...

Cyclophosphamide is a chemo-therapeutic agent used in the treatment of various cancers and autoimmune diseases. This composition has cytotoxic and clastogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of methanol extracts of Thymus vulgaris L. against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mouse bone marrow cells by the micronucleus test. The extract concentrations of 375, 750, 1500 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally (Ip) into mice for 7 consecutive days. One hour after the last injection, cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg Ip was injected. 24 hours after cyclophosphamide injection, the animals were killed and the samples of bone marrow were prepared and stained using the standard methods. For each sample, 1000 cells of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and the same number of normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) and the cells containing their micronucleus were counted. Cyclophosphamide increased the frequency of micronuclei polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) and decreased cell proliferation (PCE/PCE+NCE). All doses of extracts significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency ratio (P more...

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes collected from ovary has been proposed for fertility preservation. In addition, quality of oocytes post IVM is one of the factors determining its developmental competence. By using the non-invasive Polscope system, both meiotic spindle (MS) and zona pellucida (ZP) can be assessed in living oocytes. Objective: The aim was to investigate the developmental potential of immature oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue after IVM, as a method for fertility preservation, in patients with gynecological diseases. Materials and Methods: The ovarian cortex from 26 patients with malignant and benign diseases (21-45 years old), were obtained directly from collaborating hospitals, and transported to the IVF center on ice. In total 61 immature oocytes were aspirated, of which 18 (29.5%) were degenerated and discarded. The remaining 43 (70.5%) healthy oocytes were cultured in IVM culture media for 48 hr. The rate of maturity was assessed, and the ZP birefringence and MS were imaged with Polscope technology. Results: Overall 43 immature oocytes underwent IVM technology, of which 30.2% reached viable metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The ovarian tissues of 9 (34.6%) women were lacking oocytes at any stage. During polarized light microscopy examination, MS could be visualized only in one of the MII oocytes, but high ZP birefringence’s were observed in the majority of the oocytes post IVM (61.5%). Conclusion: Oocytes maturation post IVM from unstimulated ovaries showed a good developmental competence in gynecologic patients. Further studies should be performed to advance the oocyte maturation program, such as co-culture system, for fertility preservation. more...

This paper is a case report on the success of oocyte retrieval and good quality embryo development following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation at early pregnancy. A 30-year-old patient underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist long protocol. On the day of oocyte collection, a 5-week gestational sac was observed by exact sonography monitoring. However, via ultrasound guided follicle puncture, 7 oocytes were collected. After intarcytoplasmic sperm injection, 3 developed good quality embryos were cryopreserved. Moreover, the natural pregnancy was continued and finally a healthy live birth was achieved. Despite physiological hormonal changes during pregnancy, the follicular growth occurred and followed by oocyte retrieval and embryo development, subsequently. more...

In this paper, after collecting and comparing the effectiveness criteria, the most important criteria are determined and a new model for team members selection based on PROMETHEE is proposed. For this purpose, an experimental study was carried out on a team working in an Iranian engineering design company and according to the quantitative and qualitative criteria of team effectiveness, their weight and the characteristics of the candidates, the best options were selected for the target team. The criteria were categorized into four groups: individual, group, organizational, and occupational. Using the proposed method, the weight of the criteria directly affects the response and its algorithm implementation in DECISION LAB is simple and fast. The results of this method are compared with the results of GAHP group hierarchical structure method. In addition, the results are fully in line with the team's empirical findings and therefore the final selection is confirmed. more...