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In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes is a valuable method to enhance the rate of mature oocytes available for fertilisation. In the current study, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) was employed in IVM medium of immature oocytes. Harvested germinal vesicle stage oocytes with cumulus cells from female mature BALB/c mice divided into two groups of control and experiment. In the experimental group, GV oocytes matured in the IVM medium supplemented with 5% PRP, while in the control group, GV oocytes matured in the IVM medium without PRP. The percentage of GV, MI, MII and degenerated oocytes, zona pellucida thickness, perivitelline space size, diameter of mature oocytes, gene expression of apoptosis‐related factors and subsequent development of matured oocytes were assessed. The PRP group displayed significantly improved outcomes in various parameters, including a higher proportion of MII and fertilised oocytes, cleavage and blastocyst embryos, compared to the control group. Moreover, the thickness of the zona pellucida was significantly lower in the PRP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the PRP group demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of transcripts associated with apoptosis (Bax and caspase‐3); however, in the PRP group, a substantial increase in the expression of Bcl2l1, an apoptosis inhibitor, was observed when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, addition of PRP to the IVM culture media significantly increased oocyte maturation rate, leading to improved fertilisation and subsequent embryonic development. This enhancement highlights the positive influence of PRP on overall in vitro maturation efficiency and early embryonic stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: When joints are harmed due to injury, inheritance, or aging, it is difficult for the body to heal damaged cartilage. This is a major cause of pain and disability worldwide. With increasing life expectancy, millions of adults are affected, and enormous costs are imposed on health care systems. Scientists are attempting to use stem cells to create new cartilage-like tissue as a potential solution. However, the most suitable stem cell type for cartilage repair has not been defined. This study compared the ability to generate cartilage-like tissue by using two stem cell types that were derived from human bone marrow and dental pulp. To produce cartilage, the tissue's environment should be simulated for stem cells in a laboratory. Therefore, the low-oxygen tension of joint cartilage was simulated using a simple and inexpensive chemical, cobalt chloride. The results showed that dental pulp stem cells could produce higher quality tissue that closely resembled human joint cartilage in terms of its structure and organization that could form the primary base of normal function. While further research is necessary, these initial findings represent a promising step toward using stem cells more beneficially to enhance a patient's quality of life. The limited self-repair capacity of articular cartilage is a challenge for healing injuries. While mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising approach for tissue regeneration, the criteria for selecting a suitable cell source remain undefined. To propose a molecular criterion, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) with a Hox-negative expression pattern and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs), which actively express Hox genes, were differentiated towards chondrocytes in 3D pellets, employing a two-step protocol. The MSCs' response to preconditioning by cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a hypoxia-mimicking agent, was explored in an assessment of the chondrogenic differentiation's efficiency using morphological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and biochemical experiments. The preconditioned DPSC pellets exhibited significantly elevated levels of collagen II and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and reduced levels of the hypertrophic marker collagen X. No significant effect on GAGs production was observed in the preconditioned BMSC pellets, but collagen II and collagen X levels were elevated. While preconditioning did not modify the ALP specific activity in either cell type, it was notably lower in the DPSCs differentiated pellets compared to their BMSCs counterparts. These results could be interpreted as demonstrating the higher plasticity of DPSCs compared to BMSCs, suggesting the contribution of their unique molecular characteristics, including their negative Hox expression pattern, to promote a chondrogenic differentiation potential. Consequently, DPSCs could be considered compelling candidates for future cartilage cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are demonstrated to promote the repair of mandibular defects. Objectives: This study investigated the mechanical properties and calcium content at the tooth extraction site in a rat model exposed to LLLT (λ = 808 nm) with or without PRP. Methods: In this experimental rat model study, the left first molar maxillary teeth were extracted in twenty male rats. Then, the animals were randomly divided into four groups. Group one: after extraction, the extraction sockets were treated with 0.9Wgallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser irradiation for five minutes every 72 hours for the next 12 days (4 times overall); group two: PRP was placed in the extraction sockets; group three: a combination of both treatments (LLLT+PRP) was applied; group four: the extraction sockets remained untreated (the control group). All rats were sacrificed 30 days post-operative. All bone blocks of the extracted socket were prepared for mechanical strength and calcium content analyses. Mann-Whitney test, one-way ANOVA test, and post hoc Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) were used to analyze the data. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. All analyses were performed by SPSS 16.0. The graph is illustrated in the graph pad 5. Results: The compressive strength in the laser group was significantly higher than in the control and PRP-treated groups (P = 0.0001 and 0.00044, respectively). Compared to the control and PRP groups, the effects of a combination of PRP and LLLT mechanical strength were statistically similar. Calcium content was influenced by none of the treatments. Conclusions: The mechanical strength of the bone blocks was significantly stronger in the LLLT group than in the other groups. PRP alone or combined with LLLT demonstrated a synergistic impact on neither mechanical strength nor calcium content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In infertility clinics, preserving high-quality spermatozoa for a long time is a necessity. Pentoxifylline (PT) and L-carnitine (LC) are effective in improving sperm motility as well as protecting the sperm membrane. The present study aimed to investigate the protective impacts of PT and LC on the quality of the normal sperm motility, protamine content, and viability on prolonged storage for 12 days at 4-6°C. Materials and Methods: The present experimental work included 26 samples, which were first prepared based on the swim-up technique, of normozoospermic men. They were divided into three aliquots as untreated control, LC-treated, and PT-treated groups and incubated for up to 12 days at 4-6°C. Thereafter, chromatin maturity, sperm viability, and motility were assessed on 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, and 12 days. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The obtained data revealed that PT supplementation increased the percentage of motile spermatozoa in comparison with control and LC-treated specimens. On the other hand, LC supplementation increased the percentage of viable spermatozoa in comparison with the PT-treated and control samples. During the 12-day storage, the percentage of spermatozoa with a normal protamine content was nearly unchanged in the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Although LC supplementation can be considered a better alternative than PT for preserving sperm viability, PT could better preserve sperm motility compared to LC during 12 days at 4-6°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ginger in Iranian traditional medicine is known as an effective plant in reducing menopausal symptoms and treating osteoporosis. Therefore, in this study, the effects of ginger on the skeletal system in the fetus and the level of bone formation factors in the mice were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 pregnant Balb/c mice were equally divided into four groups 1) control group 2) group receiving 100 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally, 3) group receiving 500 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally and 4) group receiving 1000 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract orally. Alizarin Red S and Alcian Blue staining methods were used to examine the embryo skeletal system. Osteogenesis length and bony area of femur and tibia as well as the length, width, and height of the skull in the embryos were measured. Blood samples were taken on the 19th day of pregnancy to evaluate bone formation factors in pregnant mice and biochemical factors were measured in blood samples. Results: Evaluations showed that the length of femur and tibia and osteogenesis index in the treated groups relatively increased compared to the control group. Biochemical studies showed a significant increase in calcium, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase levels in the group receiving 1000 mg/kg ginger hydroalcoholic extract compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that ginger hydroalcoholic extract can be effective in increasing osteogenesis in the embryos and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]