Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

357-360

Authors: Muslim Akmal, Aulanni'am Aulanni'am, M. Aris Widodo, Sutiman B. Sumitro, Basuki B. Purnomo, Widodo

Objective To prove that the decrease in the expression of protamine 2 affects the fertilization ability and the number of child production. Methods During the development stage of elongating spermatids, human spermatozoa chromatin undergoes a complex transition where histone is extensively replaced by protamine. Histone substitution by protamine 1 and 2 plays a significant role in condensing chromatin required to induce the quality of potent spermatozoa. The substitution also has a key role in protecting spermatozoa from effects of free radicals which can degrade the spermatozoa quality. Results The results revealed that protamine deficiency instigated a severe disruption of spermatogenesis affecting male infertility. In addition, the protamine expression disorder caused a decrease in number, motility, and morphology of spermatozoa. Conclusion Our results of a study in mice confirmed that inhibin B injection caused a reduction in the expression of protamine 2 in cauda epididymis. It has implications in the decrease of motility, concentration, and spermatozoa viability so that it affects the fertilization ability and the number of child production.

365-370

Authors: Theresia B. Temu, Gilead Masenga, Joseph Obure, Dominic Mosha, Michael J. Mahande

Objective Preterm delivery is the second most leading cause of under-five deaths in the world and has been associated with poor neonatal outcomes especially in developing countries where management of severe and extreme preterm new-born is a challenge. This study aimed to determine maternal and obstetric factors associated with preterm delivery among women who delivered at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Methods This was unmatched case-control study conducted at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre between April and May, 2014. A total of 1 143 women were recorded to have delivered during the study period. Of these, 162 had preterm delivery which comprised the case group while controls were selected from women who had term birth (n = 209) making a final sample size of 371 women. All participants were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to determine factors associated with preterm delivery. Additional data were extracted from maternal clinic cards and hospital records. Data analysis was performed using statistical package for social science version 20.0. Odds ratios with 95% CI for factors associated with preterm delivery were estimated in a multivariate logistic regression models. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of preterm birth was 14.2%. Numerous factors were associated with preterm delivery including living alone (AOR 5.26, 95% CI: 1.11–25.14), no formal education (AOR 1.2, 95% CI: 3.55–4.06), heavy physical works during pregnancy (AOR 3.13, 95% CI: 1.44–6.81), being a peasant (AOR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.16–4.33), business women (OR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.44–5.74), and history of still birth (OR 4.93; 95% CI: 1.59–15.35). Furthermore, history of miscarriage (OR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.02–3.31), preeclampsia (OR 6.83, 95% CI: 2.92–15.96), placenta previa (OR 7.54, 95% CI: 1.65–34.51), abruption placenta (OR 4.04, 95% CI: 1.08–15.17), Caesarean section delivery (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06–2.43), inadequate ANC visits <4 (OR 3.25, 95% CI: 2.04–5.19), multiple pregnancy (OR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.15–6.61), low birth weight (OR 34.27, 95% CI: 15.93–73.7) and UTIs during pregnancy (OR 1.678, 95% CI: 1.064–2.649) were also independently associated with preterm delivery. Conclusion The risk factors for preterm delivery identified in this study are consistent with previous studies. Clinicians and other health care providers should routinely assess women at high risk of preterm delivery during prenatal care to prevent the occurrence of preterm delivery and associated adverse perinatal outcomes.

376-380

Authors: Adil Salim Elsheikh, Thoyba Faroug Fadul, Eiman Mohamed-Elkheir Aboagla, Ahmed Abdel Rahim Gameel

Objective To investigate the effects of supplementation of potassium bromate (KBrO3) to drinking water on the growth rate, pubertal weight, testis & epididymal weights and testicular histology of growing male rats. Methods Thirty male Wizard rat [age = 21 d, mean BW = (40.0 ± 5.3) g] were used. The rats were grouped into 5 treatment groups each group consist of 6 rats. T1 was offered drinking water supplemented with 100 mg, T2 200 mg, T3 300 mg, T4 400 mg/L KBrO3 for the duration of the experiment, while the control group was offered KBrO3 free water. The BW weights were taken weekly. Eight weeks after treatment the rats were sacrificed, testes & epididymae were excised and weighted. The testes were fixed and histopathological sections of 5–6 μm were made, stained with H & E and examined under light microscope. Results The results showed that the growth rate, pubertal weight, testes & epididymal weights and testicular histology of growing male rats were significantly (P < 0.001) affected with KBrO3 supplementation to drinking water. The growth rate of the control group and T1 (100 mg/L KBrO3) fit well a sigmoid pattern growth curve and no differences in their growth rates were recorded, while the sigmoid pattern of the growth curves of treatment T2, T3 and T4 was disrupted. No difference (P > 0.05) in BW between the control and T1 was recorded. However, it is clear that T2, T3 and T4 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the BW at puberty. Furthermore treatment groups recorded significantly (P < 0.001) low testicular and epididymal weights compared to the control. Supplementation of KBrO3 to drinking water caused serious changes in testicular tissue of the rats. The treatment rats' testes had distorted or even collapsed seminiferous tubules and narrow interstitial spaces. Upon magnification the seminiferous tubules appeared very narrow, mostly devoid of spermatogenesis and with no sperms. Conclusion Exposure of prepubertal rats to KBrO3 retards their growth, causes testicular hypoplasia and impairs spermatogenesis, which is a predictor of infertility or even sterility in the future.

387-390

Authors: Abdul Gofur, Sri Rahayu Lestari

Objective To analyze the effect of black soybean natto treatment on the recovery of the reproduction system in hypercholesterolemic male mice model. Methods Thirty male mice were divided into five groups, they were normal mice (K−), a hypercholesterolemic mice model (K+), a hypercholesterolemic mice model with 200 mg/kg BW of natto extract (P1), a hypercholesterolemic mice model treated with 400 mg/kg BB of natto extract (P2), and a hypercholesterolemic mice model treated with 800 mg/kg BB of natto extract (P3). Natto extract was given orally for 30 d. Results Black soybean natto extract influenced on reproduction system of male hypercholesterolemic mice by increasing the testosterone level and increasing the density and motility of sperm. Conclusion Black soybean natto extract is promising as hypercholesterolemic therapy for treating the male reproduction system.

395-399

Authors: Seyyed Jalil Taheri, Abbas Parham

Objective To investigate the expression of leptin and its functional receptor mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis in sheep oocytes. Methods Sheep ovaries were collected in reproductive season from abattoir and immediately were transported to the lab. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were aspirated from antral follicles and were denuded to obtain denuded oocytes. Total RNA of denuded oocytes was extracted, cDNA synthesis was carried out subsequently and cDNA was subjected to PCR amplification using specific designed primers. Results Gel electrophoresis of PCR products showed the amplification of 162 and 121-bp amplicons for leptin and functional leptin receptor respectively. Sequencing the amplified fragments also confirmed the results. Conclusions The result of present study reveals that leptin and its functional receptor (Ob-Rb) mRNA are expressed in sheep oocyte and further studies should investigate the role(s) of leptin on sheep oocyte physiology and embryo development.

406-410

Authors: K. Kaneko

Objective To investigate the conception rate when cows showing clear signs of estrus and having both normal sized follicles and cystic follicles were artificially inseminated. Methods Thirty parous Holstein cows showing clear signs of estrus and having both normal sized follicles (diameter <25 mm) and cystic follicles (diameter ≥25 mm) simultaneously in their ovaries were artificially inseminated. Changes in the ovaries were observed using real-time ultrasonography for 25 d after artificial insemination. The concentration of plasma progesterone (P4) was measured simultaneously to monitor the function of the corpus luteum. Results The normal sized follicles ovulated in 21 out of 30 cows (ovulation rate: 70.0%), and 11 of these cows successfully conceived (conception rate: 36.7%) (Group C) while 10 cows did not conceive (Group NC). The maining 9 cows, normal sized follicles did not ovulate (Group NO). The change in P4 in cows that ovulated was similar to that in normal cows. Although there were no significant differences in median number and size of cystic follicles among the groups, all cows in Group C only had one cystic follicle. Conclusion These results support artificially inseminated of cows that show clear signs of estrus even if they have both cystic follicles and normal sized follicles, and especially when the cows have only one cystic follicle.

416-418

Authors: Gamal A. El-Sisy, Mohamed I. Shahba, Reda I. El-Sheshtawy

Objective To display the effect of different concentrations of glycerol, as a cryopreservative, on the quality of the frozen-thawed buffalo semen extended in TRIS extender enriched with disaccharides (trehalose or sucrose). Methods Semen samples were extended in Tris-Citric acid-Fructose-Egg yolk without addition of trehalose/sucrose and with 6.4% glycerol as a control (TFEG-C) and with the addition of Trehalose/Sucrose and different concentrations of glycerol to ensure 60 million motile spermatozoa mL−1. Semen cooled slowly up to 5 and equilibrated for 4 h. Semen was packed into 0.25 mL polyvinyl French straws. The straws were placed horizontally on a rack and frozen in a vapor 4 cm above liquid nitrogen (LN2) for 10 min then dipped in liquid LN2. Frozen straws were thawed at 37 °C for 1 min. The parameters studied were sperm motility, sperm viability, sperm abnormality, sperm membrane integrity (HOST), percent of normal intact acrosome and DNA fragmentation. Results The best sperm motility, sperm liveability, sperm abnormality, sperm cell membrane and DNA integrities appeared with TFES-G 5.5% (41.00 ± 2.08%, 70.40 ± 2.27%, 7.80 ± 1.19%, 68.10 ± 1.55%, 98.90 ± 0.50%, respectively) and TFES-G 7.3% (41.50 ± 1.98%, 70.70 ± 2.03%, 10.80 ± 0.88%, 69.30 ± 1.85% and 96.40 ± 0.88%, respectively). Conclusion From the present study, it can be concluded that addition of glycerol (5.5% or 7.3%) to Tris-Fructose-Egg yolk-Sucrose extender might help in improvement of the post-thawed characteristics of buffalo frozen semen.

428-433

Authors: Gamal A. El Sisy, Amal M. Abo El-Maaty, Zaher M. Rawash

Objective To investigate the antioxidant/oxidant levels in blood serum and seminal plasma of Arab stallion with different ages and their relation to semen quality. Methods Healthy Arabian stallions (n = 57), were divided into three groups. Young (5–10years), Moderate (11–16 years) and Old stallions (>16 years) were subjected to semen evaluation. Seminal plasma and blood samples were collected and stored at −20 °C for measuring glutathione reduced, nitric oxide, Malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, copper and zinc. Results Old stallions had significantly greater (P < 0.05) ejaculate volume, % live sperm, and total sperm number compared to young and moderate aged groups. The moderate age horses had significantly the lowest (P < 0.05) sperm concentration. Compared to young horses, serum zinc concentrations of moderate and old horses were significantly high (P < 0.0 001), but NO concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) low. Seminal plasma zinc, ascorbic acid and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05 and 0.01) high in young stallion group. No significant correlations were observed between seminal zinc, copper, MDA and semen variables. Meanwhile, significant negative correlations were observed between seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentration and all semen variables except total sperm number and sperm abnormities %. Significant correlations were observed between reduced glutathione and both of sperm motility and % of live sperm. Nitric oxide concentrations correlated directly with individual sperm motility but adversely with total sperm number. Conclusion Stallion age has significant effect on some semen variables, antioxidant/oxidant status of either blood serum or seminal plasma.