Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

Pages 90-96

Authors: Melissa Stemp, Peter Roberts, Allison McClements, Vincent Chapple, Jay Natalwala, Michael Black, Phillip Matson

Objective Biomarkers associated with cancer screening (CA125, CA15‐3, CA72‐4, total prostate specific antigen [tPSA]) and the monitoring of pregnancy (pregnancy associated plasma protein‐A [PAPP‐A]) were measured during natural and stimulated ovarian cycles in disease‐free non-pregnant women to determine if they could reflect normal events relating to ovulation and/or endometrial changes. Methods A total of 73 blood samples (10 women) collected throughout the natural menstrual cycle, and 64 blood samples (11 women) taken during stimulated ovarian cycles, were analysed on the Roche Cobas e411 automated analyser. Results Detectable levels of tPSA were measured in at least one point in the cycle in 6/10 of women in the natural cycle and 10/11 of women in stimulated cycles, and CA72-4 was detected in only 12/21 women tested. Concentrations of CA125, tPSA, CA15‐3 and CA72‐4 showed no significant difference between the natural and stimulated ovarian cycle groups. On average the mean PAPP‐A of the natural group was (2.41±0.58) mIU/L higher than the stimulated group (t=4.10, P< 0.001). CA125 and CA15‐3 results were both significantly influenced by the stage of the cycle (P<0.0001), whereas tPSA and PAPP‐A concentrations revealed no significant changes (P≥0.65). CA72‐4 was not affected by the stage of the cycle nor ovarian stimulation. Conclusion Ovarian stimulation reduced serum PAPP‐A levels, CA125 and CA15‐3 levels were generally unaffected by ovarian stimulation but displayed cyclical changes throughout both natural and stimulated cycles, whilst tPSA and CA72-4 were not affected by the stage of the cycle or ovarian stimulation.

Pages 106-109

Authors: Elly Dwi Wahyuni, Cory Chorajon Situmorang, Yuyun Yueniwati, Wisnu Barlianto, Pande Made Dwijayasa

Objective To investigate whether combination of vitamin C and E able to inhibit decreasing angiogenesis, endometrial thickness, and α-estrogen receptor level in female rats receiving orally MSG-treatment. Methods Twenty five female Wistar rats were divided into five group, control group, MSG [140 mg/200 gram body weight (bw)] group non treated and treated with combined vitamin C (0.2; 0.4; or 0.8 mg/g bw) and E (0.04 IU/g bw). Analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level were done by immunohistochemistry technique. Analysis of the number of arteriole and thickness of endometrium was done histopathologically with hematoxylin eosin staining. Analysis of uterus α-estrogen receptor was done using flowcytometer. Results The expression of VEGF, number of arteriole, thickness of endometrium, and α-estrogen receptor were significantly lower in MSG-treatment group compared to control group (P < 0.05). Second and third dose of combined vitamin C and E significantly increased VEGF level and number of arteriole compared to MSG-treatment group (P < 0.05), to reach similar level in control group (P > 0.05). Administration of vitamin C and E significanlty increased the thickness of endometrium, and expression of α-estrogen receptor compared to MSG-treatment group (P < 0.05), reaching the number in the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusions The present data suggesting that combined vitamin C and E able to inhibit endometrial toxicity caused by orally MSG treatment via modulating angiogenesis, increase endometrial thickness and expression of α-estrogen receptor.

Pages 116-120

Authors: Jaime Gosálvez, Stephen Johnston, Carmen López-Fernández, Altea Gosálbez, Francisca Arroyo, Jose Luís Fernández, Juan GÁlvarez

Objective To investigate the DNA longevity characteristics associated with each resultant fraction following density gradient centrifugation (DGC) in comparison to that of the original neat ejaculated sample. Methods An aliquot of neat semen (NSS) collected from 7 patients was processed using DGC resulting in 3 fractions; Fraction 1: seminal plasma/40% gradient interface (GI); Fraction 2: 40%GI/80%GI; Fraction 3: 80%GI/pellet. An aliquot of each fraction and NSS was cryopreserved, thawed and incubated at 37 ° for 24h; the increase of sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed using the Dyn-Halosperm assay following 0, 3, 6 and 24h of incubation. Results While there was a significant reduction in the incidence of baseline sperm DNA fragmentation following DGC in Fraction 3, sperm DNA longevity was shown to be higher in the NSS than in any other sub-population following incubation. The highest levels of baseline DNA damage were found in Fractions 1 and 2; these fractions also showed the highest rate DNA fragmentation following incubation, subsequently exhibiting the lowest DNA longevity. Conclusion 1) Unnecessary incubation of spermatozoa prior to artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, should be avoided, since sperm DNA longevity is significantly reduced after ex vivo sperm handling and 2) Although sperm selection by DCG significantly reduces the baseline levels of SDF of sperm in Fraction 3, sperm DNA longevity in this fraction was ultimately lower following 24 h incubation when compared to sperm recovered from non-centrifuged NSS.

Pages 128-133

Authors: Niveen M. Daoud, Omaima H. Ezzo

Objective To learn more about reproductive physiology of adult female Arabian horses over a period of 24 months and to examine the effect of breed’s difference between Arabian and European female horses over a period of 36 months on the circulatory levels of both metabolic hormones (IGF-1 and leptin). Methods Thirty female Arabian mares and 22 European non pregnant brood mares exported from Swedish and Germany of ages from 3 to 7 years belonging to Mubarak Police Academy (Abaseia horse farm) was used. Rectal ultrasonography was conducted in Arabian horses to monitor ovarian activity which classified into cyclic ovarian activity, no ovarian activity, and ovarian tumor, pregnancy and postpartum mares were also included in this study. Blood samples from these mares were collected and analyzed for progesterone and Leptin, IGF-1 and Nitric oxide (NO). In the same time, blood samples were collected from Arabian and foreign breeds for IGF-1 and leptin analysis Results There are significant increase in the IGF-1 (778.1±15.7 ng/mL and NO concentrations (39.83±9.15 μM/mL) in case of ovarian tumor. Significant decrease in leptin concentration was recorded (0.61±0.31 ng/mL) in case of postpartum cases. Inactive ovaries mare and pregnant one recorded significant increase in progesterone levels (10.1±1.46 and 22.6±2.0 ng/mL, respectively). On other hand Leptin recorded significant decrease in Arabian horses than European horses (0.86± 0.14 vs. 1.73±1.34), while IGF-1 have no significant change between two breeds. Conclusion The knowledge of the normal and abnormal metabolic and sex hormones concentrations will help us to understand the role of these hormones in reproductive physiological and additionally, potential diagnostic and prognostic uses in both human and veterinary medicine, and will provide information for further research on this equine breeds as well as in human diseases.

Pages 142-149

Authors: Kristin K. Sznajder, Siobán D. Harlow, Sarah A. Burgard, Yan-rang Wang, Cheng Han, Jing Liu

Objective To assess the prevalence of urogenital infection symptoms and their association with occupational stress among women working in export production factories in China. Methods Six hundred and thirty-eight women workers in three factories in Tianjin, China were surveyed. Information was collected on women's demographic characteristics, levels of occupational stress, and urogenital infection symptoms. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results Among the 638 women who provided information on urogenital symptoms, 30.9% reported at least one symptom: 27.9% reported abnormal discharge, 2.4% reported genital sores, and 6.3% reported pain with urination. Feeling exhausted was associated with an increased risk for reporting genital sores [OR=1.35 (1.05, 1.73)] and pain with urination [OR=1.21 (1.06, 1.39)], while reporting low job security was significantly associated with reporting at least one symptom of urogenital infection [OR=1.51 (1.03, 2.20)]. Conclusions Many women working in China's export factories report symptoms of urogenital infection. Occupational stress may be linked to an increased risk for urogenital infection. Focused efforts are needed to improve accessibility to reproductive health services for women working in China's export production factories.

Pages 156-168

Authors: G N Purohit

Ovarian pathologies observed in the buffalo include developmental anomalies, inflammatory conditions and neoplasm's, the usual incidence of which has been observed to be low (0.1%–19.0%) in abattoir studies. Ovarian functional disorders are the most frequently observed clinical entities in buffalo and include conditions such as sub estrus, (7.4%–55.8%), persistent corpus luteum (0.54%) and ovarian cysts (0.5%–1.4%). The diagnostic approaches for ovarian hypofunction and ovarian pathologies include transrectal palpation and transrectal ultrasonography the efficiency of which continues to be suboptimal especially for unilateral small sized pathological conditions. Techniques such as laparoscopy have been utilized for visualization of buffalo ovaries however; their clinical use appears to be uncommon. The therapy of most ovarian pathologies except the functional disorders appears to be difficult. The prospects of surgical removal of ovaries in neoplastic ovarian pathologies are limited owing to the costs and loss of reproductive function under bilateral conditions. Oviductal pathologies in buffalo have been mentioned largely from abattoir studies and include salpingitis (0.2%–14.2%), hydrosalpinx (0.7%–14.2%), pyosalpinx (0.6%–11.9%), adhesions (1.5%–1.7%), congenital defects (0.2%) and oviductal blockage (1.2%–37.8%). The diagnosis of most oviductal pathologies in buffalo appears to be difficult except under conditions of gross enlargement. Under situations of bilateral involvement the therapy of most oviductal pathologies currently seems impractical as the reattainment of fertility appears to be difficult.