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Background Recent evidence suggests that routine semen analysis has limited power to predict male fertility. Several efforts have been made to best discriminate between fertile and subfertile men using several sperm features. So, there is a need to more reliable assays for providing molecular data to evaluate sperm quality and predict male fertility. Objectives Present study aimed to investigate relationship between sperm miR-26a-5p and its target PTEN transcript content and sperm parameters in unexplained infertile and healthy fertile men. Materials and methods Sperm parameters and transcript content of miR-26a-5p and PTEN in ejaculated spermatozoa were assessed in fertile (n = 15) and normozoospermic infertile (n = 15) men. Results Sperm transcript levels of miR-26a-5p were lower in unexplained infertile men than in fertile controls (P = .021). High sperm PTEN expression is correlated with low miR-26a-5p transcript levels in ejaculated spermatozoa. High levels of sperm miR-26a-5p transcript were associated with high sperm motility and normal morphology. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated miR-26a-5p has a fairly good diagnostic value to distinguish fertile and unexplained infertile men with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.747 (95% confidence interval: 0.560-0.933; P = .021). Discussion This study suggests that sperm miR-26a-5p and its target PTEN transcript content may contribute to infertility etiology in unexplained infertile patients. Conclusion miR-26a-5p has a potential to use as a diagnostic biomarker and provide new therapeutic approaches for male infertility.

Background: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been used as an option for couples with the possibility of having a baby with a genetic disorder. The common method for performing this test involves isolating 1 cell from day 3 or a few cells from day 5 embryos and performing genetic studies on the cell-extracted DNA. This method is invasive and can cause abortion after implantation in the uterus. Because of this, 2 noninvasive methods for performing a PGD have been studied: PGD using blastocyst fluid and PGD using embryo culture medium. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect the Y chromosome using cell-free DNA within a culture medium for gender prediction of blastocysts. Materials and Methods: In this study, the gender of 30 embryos on day 5 was determined using embryonic DNA extraction from the culture medium and the PCR technique to evaluate the sex-determining region Y and fragile X mental retardation genes. Then, the accuracy was assessed using ultrasound. Results: The results of the PCR technique showed that 7 embryos were male, but an ultrasound revealed that 13 were male. Conclusion: The given results indicated that, because of the low amount of DNA extracted from the culture medium, the diagnosis of the existence of the Y chromosome by this method is still not accurate enough for detecting the gender of the embryo. Key words: Preimplantation diagnosis, Embryo implantation, Culture media, Blastocyst, Polymerase chain reaction.

Citation Hemadi M, Shokri S, Pourmatroud E, Moramezi F, Khodadai A. Follicular dynamic and immunoreactions of the vitrified ovarian graft after host treatment with variable regimens of melatonin. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67: 401–412 Problem This study investigates dose-dependent effects of melatonin on ovarian graft. Method of Study Vitrified-thawed whole ovaries of newborn mice were grafted into ovariectomized mature ones. Melatonin (20, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) was administrated to separate groups of host mice for 32 days. IgM and IgG antibodies, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and melatonin in recipient’s blood were measured. Subsequent survival of the grafted ovaries was scored. An assessment of follicular morphology was performed using TUNEL assay and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results The administration of melatonin did not disturb the circadian rhythm of melatonin concentration. The ovarian graft lifespan was prolonged at 200 mg/kg/day melatonin (P

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the most common clinical problems in gynecology. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) and hysteroscopy are two diagnostic methods for patients with AUB. For most of the patients with AUB, diagnostic hysteroscopy can be done in clinic with minimal discomfort and much lower expense than operative room. Materials and Methods: In our clinical trial study, from March 21, 2005 to March 20, 2007, patients with AUB in Ahwaz Imam Khomayni hospital, after history and physical examinations underwent TVS. Of those, 147 patients with normal TVS entered the study and were considered for outpatient hysteroscopy. Patients with endometrial cavity lesion were scheduled for operation room, and those with empty endometrial cavity aspiration biopsy were done outpatiently. Specimens were sent to pathologist for examination. Results: All the patients were divided into three groups: group 1 or minority was under 30 years old (7 women), group 2 was 30-40 years, and group 3 or majority was over 40 years old (96 women). 115 patients (78.2%) had normal and 32 patients (21.8%) had abnormal hysteroscopic results. 116 patients (78.8%) had normal and 31 patients (21.2%) had abnormal pathologic results; moreover, cervical canal polyp was the most common lesion hysteroscopically and pathologically in all groups. Conclusion: Of 147 patients (100%) with AUB and normal TVS, 32 patients (21.8%) were abnormal hysteroscopically. Cervical canal polyps may be missed by transvaginal sonography, but can be diagnosed by hysteroscopy. In patients with AUB and normal TVS, hysteroscopy can be used as the second step.