Search

Defective sperm function has been identified as the most common cause of infertility. The objective of this study was to review recent findings on the effects of various antioxidants on male fertility. High amounts of poly unsaturated fatty acid are found in the mammalian spermatozoa membranes, thereby making them susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Although, free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play major roles in reproduction, they are strongly associated with oxidative stress. Furthermore, factors such as obesity, inflammation, pollutants and cigarette smoking are negatively correlated with spermatogenesis. Endogenous antioxidants system exists to mediate these damages. In a normal physiological state, the seminal plasma contains antioxidant enzyme mechanism that is capable of quenching these ROS as well as protecting the spermatozoa against any likely damage. However, high level of ROS triggered by inflammatory cells and oxidation of fatty acid in obese subjects may down play antioxidant mechanism resulting in oxidative stress. Evaluation of such oxidative stress is the first step in the treatment of male infertility through administration of suitable antioxidant. Notably, antioxidant such as vitamin E and C, carotenoids and carnitine have been found beneficial in restoring a balance between ROS generation and scavenging activities. There are emerging evidences that herbal products can also boost male reproductive functions. Nonetheless, a good lifestyle, regular exercise, avoidance of stress and observing safety rules at work are habits that can reverse male infertility.

Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) treatment has been used worldwide for couples to achieve pregnancy. Several studies have shown the perinatal effects of ART methods to the mothers and foetus and also medical problems that are associated with ART children. Thus, this research aims to provide novel information on the dental development status among ART children as compared with natural conceived (NC). A total of forty children were invited to participate in this study. Twenty of them were ART children and the other twenty participants were NC children. The participants were selected through the convenience sampling method from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The participants were aged- and gender-matched. Demographic data was recorded and dental clinical examination was conducted. Dental age estimation was performed using the Willem's method on the orthopantomograph (OPG) taken. The median incomes for both groups were higher than the median income of Pahang state (RM 3979). The parental educational level showed 20:80 and 13:87 in percentage ratio of secondary to tertiary level for ART and NC group respectively. Regarding dental development, both ART and NC groups exhibits similar dental development rate (p>0.05) according to the age. Our study concluded that there is no significant difference in dental development between ART and NC children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azoospermia is present in 15% of infertile cases and it is a major concern due to inability to produce sperm. Most of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) clinics abroad has been using sperm donation via sperm bank facilities as a solution for infertile couple to have their own offspring. In Islam, it is forbidden to use sample from male other than their spouse. It is according to maqasid syari'ah to ensure the heredity of the human being. Based on the latest technology, one approach of stem cell differentiation process had been established to produce mature cells from primitive or immature cells (stem cells). This technology is in line with the concept of maqasid syari'ah since we are using the cells from one person. We try to adopt this technology to study the potential of testicular cells from non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA) patient to undergo in vitro spermatogenesis. Samples were cultured in modified human embryonic stem cells (HESC) media with specific growth factors; basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Protein expressions were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining on day 49 and 90 of culture. Results show spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSC-like cells) colonies formed after 14 to 21 days, the cells were expanding successfully and were stable for 49 days duration. Then SSCs differentiated into later stage of spermatogenesis on day 90. Four specifics SSCs protein markers were identified on day 49; ITGA1, ITGB1, CD9 and GFRA1 whereas SCP3 and TP1 proteins were expressed on day 90. This in vitro spermatogenesis suggests a possible approach for future for Muslim NOA patients in order to have their own children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (bHCG) mRNA in early cleavage cell stages is important in predicting embryo viability at blastocyst stage of development. Embryo viability is crucial for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment to be successful in terms of increment of implantation and pregnancy rate. In order to establish fertilization outside the human body, optimum condition mimicking the natural body environment like hormones and growth factors as well as impeccable timing must be established. Imam Muslim narrated from Hudhayfa ibn Asad that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "After the sperm-andovum drop (nut.fa) has been [in the uterus] forty-two days, Allah sends it an angel that gives it form and fashions its hearing, sight, skin, flesh, and skeleton". Therefore the aim of this study is to find the significant association of bHCG expression with early cell stage cleavages and its relationship as predictive marker for potential embryo implantation. Our study focuses on leftover frozen embryos from eight patients consists of six pregnant patients and two non-pregnant patients. We assessed the human bHCG mRNA expression at different cell cleavage stages in these frozen embryos using reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results have shown three out of eight patients with five to ten cells of blastomeres were expressed with bHCG. This study indicated that bHCG was expressed on frozethawed late cleavage stage of embryos in IVF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcome of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in pregnancy Method: A cross sectional study with descriptive analysis of the retrospective data collected from the electronic medical records, of 249 women with ovarian cystectomy from January 2000 until June 2007. We then focused on 37 out of 41 pregnant cases who had laparoscopic cystectomy performed. Results: The mean age was 28.3 years old. The gestational age ranges from 5 weeks to 20 weeks. The mean gestation in which the surgery was performed was 14 weeks. The duration of surgery was 86.3 minutes and average blood loss was 170 mls. Only one case was converted to laparotomy. There were no visceral injuries in this series. There was no miscarriage, contractions or per vaginal bleeding post operatively. Two patients had wound infection and were treated as outpatient. One had preterm contraction at 28 weeks but the pregnancy progressed till term. The duration of hospital stay was 3.9 days. The average gestation age of delivery was 37.5 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.9 kg. There was no admission to the neonatal intensive care and the AS were 9/10. However there was 1 fresh still birth but it was due to abruptio placenta. The commonest tumours were mature teratoma, cystadenoma and endometrioma. Conclusion: Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in pregnant women is safe and feasible. However further randomized controlled trials with a large sample size should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are classified as a unique adult stem cells that have capability to propagate, differentiate, and transmit genetic information to the next generation. Studies on human SSCs may help resolve male infertility problems, especially in azoospermia patients. Therefore, this study aims to propagate SSCs in-vitro with a presence of growth factor and detect SSC-specific protein cell surface markers. Methods: The sample was derived from non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA) patient. The disassociation of SSCs was done using trypsin. Specific cultures in serum-free media with added basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were developed to support self-renewal division. This undifferentiated protocol was performed for 49 days. Cells were analysed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 49. Results: Human SSCs began to aggregate and form colonies after 14 to 21 days in specific culture. Then, the cells were successful expanded and remained stable for a duration of 49 days. Four specifics markers were identified using immunofluorescence in SSCs on day 49: ITGα6, ITGβ1, CD9, and GFRα1. Conclusion: This approach of using in vitro culture with additional growth factor is able to propagate SSCs from non-obstructive azoospermia patient via detection of protein cell surface markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: FertiQoL questionnaire was developed and validated in 2011. It has been widely used and translated into many languages to measure QoL among infertile individuals. The use of translated psychometric tools is often subjected to cross-cultural variations. The objective of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Malaysian FertiQoL. Methods: A study was conducted among attendees of a public infertility clinic. Demographic details were collected and respondents answered the Malaysian FertiQoL. The questionnaire consists of 34 items. Factor analysis and internal consistency were analysed using SPSS v24. Results: Data from 175 respondents were analysed. Mean age is 32.1 ±3.8 SD with 56.6% female and 43.4% male. KMO index were 0.826 and significant Bartlett's test for sphericity. For Treatment domain, factor loadings for items T2 and T5 were < 0.32 but for all other items were acceptable between 0.32 - 0.80 with no cross loadings and Cronbach alpha for environment (0.717) and tolerability (0.660). For Core items, Q4, Q6 and Q14 loaded onto different domains and Q19 had poor factor loading. All other items were acceptable. Cronbach alpha for specific domains were emotional (0.788) mind-body (0.829), relational (0.639) and social (0.666). Cronbach alpha for emotional, relational, social improved to 0.857, 0.643 and 0.732 if Q4, Q6 and Q14 were omitted respectively. Conclusion: The study identified six items that affected the psychometric validity of the questionnaire and maybe explained by language or cross-cultural reasons. However, the Malaysian FertiQoL can still be useful to measure QoL in those with infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used anti-neoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that is associated with adverse side effects including reproductive toxicity. Aquilaria malaccensis (AM) is a traditional medicinal plant which was reported to exhibit high anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of AM leaves extract on sperm quality following toxic exposure to CP. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into eight groups of six rats (n = 6): control, CP only (200 mg kg-1), AM only (100 mg kg-1, 300 mg kg-1 and 500 mg kg-1) and CP + AM (100 mg kg-1, 300 mg kg-1 and 500 mg kg-1). Animals were sacrificed after 63 days of treatment and the sperm from the caudal epididymis was taken for sperm analysis. Results: The body and the reproductive organs weight, sperm count and motility did not differ between CP and other groups (P > 0.05). A significant increase (P < 0.05) in percentage of the dead and abnormal sperm were seen in the CP alone treated group compared to the control group. Co-administration of AM to the CP exposed rats significantly reduced the (P < 0.05) percentage of abnormal sperm as compared to the CP only group. Conclusion: Overall, the present results represent the potential of AM to protect against CP induced reproductive toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]