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Three successive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks have passed since the last menstrual cycle are considered Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL). Progesterone is crucial for the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. Due to its well-established safety profile, hormonal therapy with dydrogesterone (Duphaston) is used globally to support luteal function and lower the risk of pregnancy loss in women with URPL. Aim. Estimate the concentration of progesterone, estradiol, progesterone induce blocking factor and epithelial - cadherin in women's with RPL compared to control (fertile women) and known the correlation between them. Methods. Blood samples obtained from (70) women with RPL (35 RPL without treatment and 35 RPL with treatment) from different infertility clinics in Iraq. Also, 36 fertile women's as control. All groups are matched in BMI and age. Result. The concentration of these hormones were significantly decrease (p

Background: The Spanish black radish, which is grown all over the world and is full of useful nutrients, helps in the therapy of many illnesses. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Spanish black radish extracts against benzene-induced leukemia in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 rats were purchased from the animal house at the College of Pharmacy, University of Karbala, Iraq. Benzene was used for the induction of leukemia in experimental animals. An extract of black radish was set after mixing up 50 g of the finely powdered plant material with two solvents (500 mL of 100% ethanol or water). After leukemia induction, rats were randomly divided into seven groups: first group, negative control group; second group, positive control group; third group, (lack radish aqueous extract 100 mg/kg; fourth group, black radish aqueous extract 200 mg/kg; fifth group, black radish ethanol extract 100 mg/kg; sixth group, black radish ethanol extract 200 mg/kg; and seventh group, cyclophosphamide 5 mg/kg. Results: Leukemia induction resulted in a severe increase in the total leukocyte count and a severe decrease in red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelet levels of the experimental animals. However, there were no significant differences between the negatively treated group and the benzene-treated group regarding platelet count. Posttreatment with Spanish black radish extracts, especially the aqueous plant extract, shows an improvement in blood profiles compared to the benzene-treated group. Conclusion: Our study indicates that Spanish black radish might be a promising natural, antileukemic source.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and receptors (BMPR-1A, BMPR-1B, BMPR-2) have been shown to be vital for female reproduction, while their roles in males are poorly described. Our study was undertaken to specify the function of BMPR-1B in steroidogenic enzyme gene expression, testosterone production and reproductive development in male mice, given that Bmpr1b mRNA is expressed in mouse testis and Bmpr1b knockout results in compromised fertility. Male mice were passively immunized for 6 days with anti-BMPR-1B in the presence or absence of exogenous gonadotrophins. We then measured the effects of anti-BMPR-1B on testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms (Hsd3b1, Hsd3b6, and Hsd17b3) and aromatase (Cyp19) mRNA expression, testicular and serum testosterone levels, and testis and seminal vesicle weight. In vitro testosterone production in response to anti-BMPR-1B was determined using testicular culture, and Leydig cell culture in the presence or absence of gonadotrophins. In Leydig cell culture the contribution of seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells were examined by preconditioning the media with these testicular constituents. In adult mice, anti-BMPR-1B increased testosterone and Hsd3b1 but decreased Hsd3b6 and Cyp19 mRNA. In adult testicular culture and seminiferous tubule conditioned Leydig cell culture, antiBMPR-1B reduced testosterone, while in normal and Leydig cell conditioned Leydig cell culture it increased testosterone levels. In pubertal mice, anti-BMPR-1B reduced gonadotrophin stimulated seminal vesicle growth. In conclusion, BMPR-1B has specific developmental functions in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of testicular steroidogenic enzyme gene expression and testosterone production in adults and in the development of seminal vesicles during puberty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Depending on the antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties of Matricaria Chamomile (MC), the current study aimed to investigate if MC could protect testicles against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage. Methods: 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups (n=6/each) as follows. G1, the control group was given a single oral daily dose of distilled water (D.W) for 30 days; G2, (MTX group) rats were administered a single oral daily dose of D.W. and in day 28 the animals have received a single IP dosage of MTX; G3 six rats were given an aqueous extract of chamomile flowers at a dose of 200 mg/kg dissolved in 1 ml D.W. and on day 28 the rats have received a single intraperitoneal dose of MTX, and the last group was six rats received a methanolic extract of chamomile flowers at a dose of 200 mg/kg dissolved in 1 ml D.W. and on the day 28 the animals were received a one dosage intraperitoneal of MTX. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized and sacrificed, blood was also collected for the biochemical test as well as the testicular tissues were removed for histology examination. Results: According to biochemical assessments, notably there was no significant difference between the MTX and the other studied groups. In terms of histological examinations of animals treated with MTX, several pathological changes including vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a reduced population of germinal epithelium were seen as compared to the control. Animals of G3 and G4 (pre-treatment with equates and alcoholic extract of MC before MTX administration) also showed some notable histopathological changes including disorganization of seminiferous tubules and tubular vacuolation. Conclusion: When comparing the control group, examination of testes with H&E staining showed that pre-treatment with Matricaria Chamomile did not affect MTX-induced testicular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known to share a mutual effect regulating neuronal and reproduction functions. Aim: To estimate the correlation of NGF with semen parameters, age, Body Mass Index, smoking and infertility duration. Materials and Methods: Semen samples from 121 infertile males (40 asthenozoospermia, 41 oligoasthenozoospermia) and 40 normospermia (controls) were analyzed for NGF by ELIZA assay. Sperm parameters were assessed using the World Health Organization guidelines. Results: The serum content of NGF positively correlated with age (r= 0.0367; p<0.018) in oligoasthenozoospermic subjects; yet the correlation did not reach a significant level in total infertile males (asthenozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic). No correlation was found between NGF in serum and seminal plasma and BMI, smoking status and infertility duration. Conclusion: The study showed that Serum NGF positively correlated with age. Additional study using a large sample size is required to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The determination of sperm DNA fragmentation, as a significant addition to semen routine examination, has been applied in some medical andrology laboratories. This study aimed to determine the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) and semen quality and antioxidant and fertility status. Methods: Semen samples from 88 infertile males (36 asthenozoospermia, 22 oligoasthenozoospermia) and 30 normospermia were analyzed for sperm DNA fragmentation. Sperm parameters were assessed using the World Health Organization guidelines. Results: After their sperm DFI was examined, it was found that the sperm DFI of asthenozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic patients were higher than the normozoospermic males. The activity of SOD in seminal plasma was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in oligoasthenozoospermic subjects as compared to normospermic groups. Significant differences were noted in spermatozoa SOD activity between normospermic and asthenozoospermic compared to oligoasthenozoospermic subjects. The results showed that sperm DFI was positively related to infertility duration.while negatively related to progressive motility and seminal plasma catalase. Correlations between seminal antioxidant status and semen parameters were also evaluated in this study. Spermatozoal SOD activity showed a significant correlation with sperm concentration. Conclusion: Sperm DNA fragmentation is one of the main source of male infertility, which associated with poor fertility outcomes in couples. Our results have shown that sperm DNA fragmentation index was almost significantly linked to all values reflecting semen quality, indicating that sperm DFI might be an important cause leading to the decline of semen parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]