Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

102-112

Authors: Arijit Chakraborty

To prevent iodine deficiency disorders, the universal salt iodization programme has been introduced all over the globe, including environmentally iodine sufficient regions irrespective of their iodine status. As a result, iodine-induced thyroid dysfunctions namely hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroid diseases, endemic goiter and even thyroid cancer including infertility, still births, abortions and embryo toxicity have emerged as a major public health problem. In other words, the consequence of iodine deficiency and excess is almost ‘U’-shaped. Hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency affects reproductive functions of organisms; however, such undesirable effects of iodine overload on male gonadal physiology together with hormonal profiles are yet to be adequately explored. The discovery of iodide transporter in the testis justifies an independent role of iodine in male reproductive function, which is not entirely known. Recent studies on human subjects and animal models are now revealing further perceptions into the effect of excess iodine on male infertility with euthyroid status. Excess iodine exposure has been linked with deterioration of structural and functional changes of testis leading to compromised spermatogenesis by affecting various cellular and molecular signaling pathways culminating into disrupted the blood-testis barrier and cytoskeleton. This review provides an update and summarizes various novel insights of excess iodine exposure on reproduction by establishing the independent role of iodine on male reproductive endocrinology, which might help in formulating future strategies to prevent iodine-induced male infertility, an emerging global concern, especially in the post-salt iodization era.

121-126

Authors: Zhila Khodabandeh, Vahid Nejati, Ali Shalizar-Jalali, Gholamreza Najafi, Fatemeh Rahmani

Objective: To scrutinize the protective role of royal jelly as an anti- oxidant on nicotine-induced changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, p53 expression, in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate, and early embryo development in adult female rats. Methods: A total of 56 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n=7 in each group). Group 1 served as an untreated control group, group 2, 3 and 4 received nicotine at a dose of 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg/kg respectively, group 5 received royal jelly at a dose of 100.00 mg/kg, and group 6, 7 and 8 received 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg/kg nicotine, respectively, with 100.00 mg/kg body weight royal jelly. Nicotine and royal jelly were administered daily for 49 days in the experimental groups intra-peritoneally and orally, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, p53 expression, IVF rate and early embryo development as well as MDA concentration were measured. Results: The IVF rate, number of cumulus oocytes, two-cell embryos and blastocysts decreased in the nicotine-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, p53 mRNA expression and MDA levels increased in the nicotine-treated groups. Royal jelly co-administration led to partial improvement in the aforementioned parameters. Conclusions: Royal jelly may have a repro-protective effect in nicotine-administered female rats in terms of its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

137-144

Authors: Mimi-Sophia Sarbandi, Nor-Ashikin Mohamed Noor Khan, Nor-Shahida Abdul Rahman, Zolkapli Eshak, Fathiah Abdullah, Mastura Abd Malek, Aqila-Akmal Mohammad Kamal

Objective: To observe the effects of vitamin E on post-vitrification preimplantation development, gross morphology as well as mitochondrial distribution and ultrastructure. Methods: Twenty-four female C57BL/6NTac mice, aged 12-16 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups. Group A did not receive any treatment and served as the control group. Group B was treated with corn oil stripped of tocopherols and served as the vehicle group. Group C was treated with 60 mg/kg body weight of tocotrienol-rich-fraction with corn oil stripped of tocopherols. Group D was treated with 60 mg/kg body weight of alpha-tocopherol with corn oil stripped of tocopherols. All treatments were administered orally for 7 consecutive days. After superovulation and mating with fertile males, 2-cell stage embryos were harvested for vitrification. Post vitrification development in vitro, gross morphology and ultrastructure were compared between groups. Results: The number of 2 and 8-cell embryo, and blastocysts in the treatment and control groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Following vitrification, all 2-cell embryos had equal-sized blastomeres and intact zona pellucida. Mitochondrial aggregation toward the perinuclear region was seen in all of the treatment groups. Both groups C and D had vacuolated mitochondria, which was reflected in the trend of preimplantation development reduction. Conclusions: Vitamin E supplementation of 60 mg/kg body weight does not improve the viability of healthy embryos according to this study. As a result, the most effective dose of vitamin E supplementation may be determined by the initial quality of the embryos.

11-20

Authors: Temidayo S. Omolaoye, Shantal Windvogel, Stefan S. du Plessis

Objective: To investigate the testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis status, as well as the sperm functional parameters in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats following treatment with rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) and sutherlandia (Lessertia frutescens) infusions. Methods: Diabetes was induced by injecting fourteen-week-old adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg body weight). Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: the vehicle group received 0.1 M citrate buffer, the diabetic control group received 45 mg/kg STZ, the diabetic+rooibos group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 2.0% rooibos, the diabetic+honeybush group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 4.0% honeybush, and the diabetic+sutherlandia group received 45 mg/kg STZ + 0.2% sutherlandia. Rats were sacrificed 7 weeks after induction of diabetes mellitus. The testes and epididymides were harvested and weighed after induction. Spermatozoa were retrieved from the cauda epididymis for motility, concentration, and morphology analysis, and the testis was used for all biochemical assays. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring malondialdehyde levels, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while apoptotic biomarkers were evaluated by Western blotting assays. Results: After induction of diabetes, rats in the diabetic control group, diabetic+rooibos group, diabetic+honeybush group, and diabetic+sutherlandia group presented with significantly elevated blood glucose levels as compared with the vehicle group (P<0.001). Rats in the diabetic control group had a reduction in sperm progressive motility, while rats in the diabetic+rooibos group and the diabetic+sutherlandia group displayed an increase in progressive motility as compared with the diabetic control group. The diabetic control animals showed a 40.0% decrease in sperm concentration when compared to the vehicle group, and there were no significant differences in sperm kinematic and speed parameters between the groups. In addition, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa was increased by 13.0%, 16.0%, and 15.0% after treatment with rooibos, honeybush, and sutherlandia, respectively and the rats in the diabetic+infusion groups also displayed an increase in superoxide dismutase activity when compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusions: Rooibos, honeybush and sutherlandia infusions may partly alleviate diabetes-induced sperm function impairment by reducing oxidative stress.

29-35

Authors: Jonah Sydney Aprioku, Benjamin Toochukwu Okpe, Doupere Ben

Objective: To investigate the effects of 30-day treatment with therapeutic dose equivalent levels of tramadol on serum testosterone level, sperm parameters, and testicular histology in rats. Methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats were equally divided into seven groups. Group 1 (the control group) received distilled water (0.5 mL) daily for 30 days. Groups 2-4 were gavaged with therapeutic dose equivalent levels of tramadol (1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 mg/kg/day body weight, respectively) in two equal divided doses for 30 consecutive days, and sacrificed on day 31. Groups 5-7 received similar tramadol treatments as above but they were allowed for another 30 days to recover after receiving the last dose and sacrificed on day 61 for reversibility study. Serum testosterone level and epididymal sperm were analyzed, and histopathological examination of the testis was carried out. Results: Tramadol treatment significantly decreased serum testosterone levels compared with the control group. Furthermore, tramadol treatment inhibited sperm motility and significantly and dose-dependently decreased sperm count and viability compared with the control group. In addition, tramadol significantly increased morphological abnormalities in sperm (P<0.05). The above effects of tramadol were reduced in the reversible groups. Testis histopathological examination revealed disintegrated cell architecture, eroded and atrophied seminiferous tubules, and a marked decrease in the number of spermatogenic cells in the tramadol treated groups. The histopathological changes were restored in the reversible groups, but improvement was not complete in the 5.00 mg/kg tramadol treated reversible group. Conclusions: Long term treatment with tramadol at clinical dose levels may adversely affect testosterone level, sperm parameters, and testicular histology, but they are reversible at lower doses.

43-48

Authors: Kambulu Lukusa, Abubeker Hassen, Khoboso C. Lehloenya

Objective: To evaluate the effect of cooling rates, selenium supplementation, and three semen extenders on cooled and frozenthawed Saanen buck sperm. Methods: Twenty Saanen bucks were divided into two groups: the selenium supplemented group and the control group. Ejaculates were collected once weekly by artificial vagina. The first experiment examined the effects of cooling rates and selenium supplementation on semen characteristics of Saanen bucks. Pooled semen was diluted with triladyl extender and split into two aliquots for slow and fast cooling. The second experiment explored the effect of selenium supplementation and semen extenders on post-cryopreserved sperm quality. Ejaculates from each group were divided into three aliquots and diluted with three extenders (i.e. clarified egg-yolk, whole egg yolk, Tris without egg-yolk extenders). All samples were cooled for 2 h at 4 曟 and frozen at −196 曟 for 24 h. The sperm characteristics such as sperm motility, acrosome integrity, normal morphology, and viability were evaluated by using a phase-contrast microscope. Results: In the first experiment, all sperm characteristics were significantly increased in selenium supplemented samples when slow cooling was used (P<0.05). In the second experiment, in cooled semen, sperm motility and viability were significantly increased in both clarified egg yolk and Tris without egg yolk extenders in selenium supplemented samples as compared with whole egg yolk extender, respectively (P<0.05). After freezing-thawing, all sperm parameters of selenium supplemented samples in clarified egg yolk extender were significantly greater than those in Tris without egg yolk extender (P<0.05). However, normal morphology and acrosome integrity of selenium supplemented samples in whole egg yolk extender were similar to those of selenium supplemented samples in clarified egg yolk extender. Conclusions: The characteristics of cooled and post-cryopreserved sperm are greater when clarified egg yolk extender is used in semen from selenium supplemented bucks.

155-161

Authors: Maria Ruth B. Pineda-Cortel, Karlo Baybayan, Peter Louie Bello, Latiffa Lois Camenforte, Stefany Jane Ching, Kathleen Conti, Jeremiah Jose Ignacio, Jiovanni Diaz, Adrian Villavieja, Jefferyl Kae Pandac, Emilyn U. Alejandro

Objective: To investigate the possible association between rs7754840 and rs7756992 polymorphisms of CDKAL1 gene and susceptibility to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a Filipino pregnant population. Methods: A total of 101 patients with GDM and 99 women without GDM were included. Two CDKAL1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely rs7754840 and rs7756992, were genotyped by using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Mann￾ Whitney U test, median and interquartile range were used to describe physical and biochemical characteristics. The differences in the genotype and allele distribution of the target genetic variants among the two groups of participants were assessed by using Chi￾ square test. Conformity to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested prior to conducting further analysis. Multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the effects of the genotype models on GDM development. Results: There was no observed correlation between the genotypes of the rs7754840 SNP and oral glucose tolerance test parameters. Consequently, there was no significant association between genetic models of the rs7754840 SNP and GDM risk (additive OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.82-2.50, P=0.21; dominant OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.57-2.59, P=0.62; recessive OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.86-3.09, P=0.13). Conclusions:The results of this study suggest no association between CDKAL1 gene variant rs7754840 and GDM development in Filipino pregnant women. Further studies with a larger population should be performed to validate our findings.

176-186

Authors: Temidayo S. Omolaoye , Stefan S. du Plessis

Objective: To evaluate the testis and the cauda epididymis after treating both healthy and diabetic rats with rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia), and sutherlandia(Lessertia frutescens), respectively. Methods:Ninety male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n=10 per group). Fifty rats were randomized to receive tap water, 0.1 M citrate buffer, 2.0% fermented rooibos, 4.0% fermented honeybush, or 0.2% unfermented sutherlandia. Diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 45 mg/kg in 40 rats. The diabetic rats were randomized to receive tap water, 2.0% fermented rooibos, 4.0% fermented honeybush, or 0.2% unfermented sutherlandia. Rats were sacrificed after seven weeks of diabetic induction. Blood was collected for hormonal assay, while the testes and caudal epididymis were retrieved for histomorphological evaluations. Results: Diabetic rats treated with 2.0% fermented rooibos exhibited a significant increase in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) versus the vehicle group (P=0.002), and a 3.6% decrease compared to the diabetic control group (P>0.05). Diabetic rats treated with honeybush or sutherlandia showed 23.6% and 15.4% decrease in FPG when compared to the diabetic control group, respectively (both P>0.05). The diabetic control rats had a significant decrease in the percentage of histologically normal seminiferous tubules compared to the control group (P=0.049). There was 21.0%, 14.0%, and 5.4% rise in the percentage of normal seminiferous tubules in diabetic rats receiving rooibos, honeybush or sutherlandia, respectively, compared to the diabetic control group. The infusion control groups (rooibos, honeybush and sutherlandia) showed normal seminiferous tubules, presence of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen, and had normal overall architecture. Both testicular and epididymal morphology were altered in the diabetic control group, but these disruptions were mildly ameliorated by rooibos, honeybush, and sutherlandia. Conclusions: The detrimental effects of diabetes on the histomorphological architecture of the testis and epididymis are mildly ameliorated by the infusions (2.0% fermented rooibos, 4.0% fermented honeybush, and 0.2% unfermented sutherlandia).

56-67

Authors: Olalekan Bukunmi Ogunro, Musa Toyin Yakubu

Objective: To investigate the impact of ethanol extract of Spondias (S.) mombin leaves on the biochemical parameters of testicular function, hormonal profile, sperm profile and reproductive outcomes of guinea pigs. Methods: Sexually matured male [(1000.40±8.12) g] and female [(810.00±7.09) g] guinea pigs were used. In testicular function study, a total of 24 male guinea pigs were randomised into 4 groups of 6 guinea pigs each. Group A (control) was orally administered 1 mL of physiological saline, once daily for 60 days while groups B, C and D were treated like the control group except that they were orally administered 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves. For the fertility study, the same animal groupings and treatments in the testicular function study were adopted. The male guinea pigs were paired with the females (1:1) and afterwards examined for pregnancy outcomes. Results: The ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves contained saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, phenolics, phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides, cardenolides and dienolides with saponins (4.80 mg/mL) occurring the most whilst cardenolides and dienolides (0.08 mg/mL) were the least. The ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves significantly and dose dependently reduced the activities of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, malic enzyme, 17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, catalase and superoxide dismutase as well as levels of testosterone, glycogen, total protein and ascorbic acid in the testes when compared with the control group (P<0.05). All the doses of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves also reduced the levels of sorbitol dehydrogenase, 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and sialic acid whereas the levels of testicular acid phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase and cholesterol increased dose dependently (P<0.05). The serum luteinising hormone, testosterone and estradiol were reduced after the administration of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves whereas levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone increased significantly. The 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves increased the testosterone/estradiol ratios whilst the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves decreased it. The sperm motility, sperm count, normal sperm morphology, sperm density, sperm viability and semen viscosity were significantly reduced in the ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves-treated guinea pigs (P<0.05) whereas the head-, tail- and neck-defects increased significantly when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In contrast, the semen volume and pH were not significantly altered by the ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves (P>0.05). The ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves at both 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the total number, circumference, weight and length of the pups whereas the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves-treated rats did not produce any pup. The 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves induced degenerative and necrotic changes in the seminiferous tubules with vacuoles in the germinal epithelium and a few to complete absence of spermatozoa. In all of these, the 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of S. mombin leaves produced the most pronounced alteration on the parameters. Conclusions: S. mombin leaves have induced infertility in the male guinea pigs via endocrine dysregulation, anti-spermatogenic activity, testicular dysfunction and oxidative stress and made possible by the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, phenolics, and cardiac glycosides.

75-81

Authors: Jaya Vejayan, Yasmin Amira Che Yahya , Srikumar Chakravarthi, Halijah Ibrahim, Aida Yun

Objective: To study the aphrodisiac potential of Polyalthia (P.) bullata in fowl. Methods: In this study, testosterone, as an indicator of the aphrodisiac potential of P. bullata, was investigated for its release from TM3 Leydig cells grown in vitro and in 4 fowls given capsules containing P. bullata at a dose of 10 mg in each capsule twice a day, for 50 days. In the latter in vivo evaluation, mating behaviours were additionally determined after the treated fowls were released to the individual hens, and their testes and liver were dissected for histological examinations. Blood drawn from the fowls was assessed for any changes in diagnostic parameters. Results: In the in vitro test (TM3 Leydig cells), P. bullata was able to increase testosterone to 0.48 nmol/L within 72 h of incubation, compared to the untreated control with only 0.18 nmol/L, i.e., an increase of 170%. In the in vivo test, outcomes in the fowls dosed with P. bullata showed similar positive elevations of testosterone to (9.72±1.10) nmol/L in comparison to the controls that showed a level of only (4.05±0.84) nmol/L. Total frequencies of mating behaviours were observed (wing flapping, body shakes, crowing and beak pecking) to be 23 counts for the test compared to only 15 for the control fowls. Histological examination of the male reproductive organs provided evidence of testosterone boosting based on an observable increase in the activity at the seminiferous tubules of testis tissues without any damaging effects, compared to the controls. In the nine diagnostic blood parameters assessed, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase, none was remarkably elevated compared to the controls. The histological changes in the liver were not severe and mainly consisted of only localized moderate but recoverable obstructions and swellings of the vessels and tubules. Conclusions: P. bullata is able to boost testosterone both in vitro and in vivo, with no acute toxicities.

90-96

Authors: Rosario Santiago-Rodriguez, Alma L. Alvarez-Guerrero, Fernando Garcia-Gonzalez, Alicia Alcantar-Rodriguez, Alfredo Medrano

Objective: To evaluate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropins (hCG) and equine chorionic gonadotropins (eCG) on in vitro gilt oocyte maturation and embryonic development, using frozen semen for fertilization. Methods: Two independent experiments (6 replicates each) were carried out to evaluate gilt oocyte maturation, and fertilization and embryonic development by using ovaries from a local abattoir. Totally, 712 oocytes were randomly distributed in four-well dishes to receive Novormon (eCG 5.0 IU), PG600 (eCG 5.0 IU and hCG 2.5 IU), Chorulon (hCG 5.0 IU), or no hormones. Oocytes were incubated with 5% CO 2 , 95% air and saturation humidity at 39 ℃ for 44 h. Maturation of the oocytes to metaphase Ⅱ was assessed by using the aceto-orcein technique. In addition, 741 oocytes were used and randomly distributed in four-well dishes, and then oocyte maturation was carried out as mentioned, but matured oocytes were washed and placed in fertilization medium with frozen-thawed sperm. Gametes were co-incubated for 7 h, and then washed and placed in development medium, and incubated for further 7 days, at which time embryonic development was evaluated. Fertilization and embryo development media were not supplemented with the studied hormones. Results: Novormon (eCG) and PG600 (eCG+hCG) treatments significantly improved the percentages of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes compared to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, a significant increase was also observed in the young blastocyst stage between the control group and the PG600 treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Hormonal products Novormon (eCG) and PG600 (eCG+hCG) can obtain the highest percentages of in vitro maturation in gilt oocytes; however, this effect is not transferred to fertilization rates.

118-123

Authors: Ivan Sini, Nining Handayani, Adinda Pratiwi, Arie A Polim, Arief Boediono

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of blastocyst elective single embryo transfer (eSET) and double embryo transfer (DET) in reducing low birth weight, preterm birth, and perinatal mortality in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles of Indonesian women. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Morula IVF Clinic, Jakarta, Indonesia. A total of 179 women who underwent either eSET or DET and had met the eligibility criteria were included. Seventy-six women underwent eSET while 103 underwent DET in their IVF cycles. Low birth-weight rate, preterm birth rate, and perinatal mortality rate of both groups were measured as the primary study outcomes. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate, Apgar score, multiple pregnancy, and maternal complications during pregnancy were also evaluated. Results: The risk of low birth weight [odds ratio (OR)=0.21, 95% confidential interval (CI): 0.10-0.45, P<0.001] and preterm birth (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.49, P<0.001) was significantly lower in the eSET group compared with the DET group. Furthermore, eSET efficiently reduced the incidence of NICU admission and multiple pregnancy (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in terms of perinatal mortality rate, Apgar score, and maternal complications including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia as well as pregnancy-induced hypertension (P≥0.05). However, a lower incidence of antepartum hemorrhage was noticed in the eSET group than in the DET group (P=0.03). Conclusions: Compared with DET, infants conceived through IVF cycles with eSET have a significantly lower risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and NICU admissions. Moreover, eSET is shown to reduce multiple pregnancy rate, yet no significant differences are observed in the perinatal mortality rates, Apgar score and maternal complications (except for the incidence of antepartum hemorrhage) between both groups.

129-134

Authors: Farhang Abed, Morteza Fallah-Karkan, Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin, Pegah Naghizadeh, Fereshte Aliakbari, Hossein Yazdekhasti

Objective: To evaluate whether the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with alginate increases oocyte maturation following in vitro maturation. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 150 immature oocytes (germinal vesicle oocytes) from females who were candidates for assisted reproductive technology. The germinal vesicle oocytes were randomly placed in the control, alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups. The basic culture medium for oocytes culture (tissue culture medium 199, follicle-stimulating hormone 0.075 IU/mL, and fetal bovine serum 10%) was used in the control, alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups. For the treatment groups (alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups), alginate (8%) and VEGF (5 ng/mL) were added to the basic culture medium. After culture, immature oocytes were considered as oocytes unchanged in the nucleus whereas oocytes with a polar body were considered as mature oocytes (metaphase Ⅱ stage). The mature oocytes in each group were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and formed embryos were evaluated by reverse microscope. Results: The oocyte maturation rate (metaphase Ⅱ) significantly (P<0.05) increased in the alginate plus VEGF group as compared with the alginate alone and control groups during in vitro maturation. On day 2, the cleavage rates were significantly different in the matured oocytes between the treatment groups and the control group. The percentage of the two-cell stage, four-cell stage and eight-cell embryos was significantly higher in the treatment groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Supplementation of VEGF with alginate can improve oocyte maturation in culture media. VEGF with alginate may promote the quality of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of human oocytes in vitro.

142-147

Authors: Gayatri Rai, Narendra Namdev, Payal Mahobiya

Objective: To study the protective effect of ascorbic acid and curcumin against the abnormal estrous cycle and morphological changes in cells induced by repeated ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in female Wistar rats. Methods: Sixteen female sexually mature Wistar rats weighing 130-150 g and aged 12-16 weeks were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received normal food and water ad libitum. The UVB group was exposed to a dose of 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 h daily. The UVB+curcumin group received a dose of 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 h daily and also an oral dose of curcumin (25 mg/kg body weight) daily. The UVB+ascorbic acid group received a dose of 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 h daily and also an oral dose of ascorbic acid (250 mg/kg body weight) daily. All the treatments last for 15 consecutive days. Body and ovary weight and gonadosomatic index were measured. The stages (proestrus, estrus, metaestrus and diestrus) of the estrous cycle were determined by the cell types observed in the vaginal smear. Results: UVB radiation caused irregular alterations on the estrous cycle and morphological changes of the female Wistar rat as compared with the control group. Ascorbic acid and curcumin protected UVB-induced estrous phases and their cells. But curcumin showed greater protection than ascorbic acid. Conclusions: Ascorbic acid and curcumin at low doses can alleviate abnormal estrous cycle and morphological changes in cells induced by UVB radiations in female Wistar rats.

156-158

Authors: Hayder M. Al-kuraishy, Thabat J. Al-Maiahy, Ali I. Al-Gareeb, Rasha A. Musa, Zaid H. Ali

Rationale: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV2). Vertical transmission and clinical presentation of COVID-19 in pregnancy is still obscure. Additionally, the potential hazard of COVID-19 in pregnancy on the fetus and post-delivery risk for the neonate remain under investigations. Patient concern: A young-aged Asian pregnant woman with 28 weeks of gestation presented with fever, dyspnoea, headache, and joint pain with decreased fetal movement for about one week. Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia. Interventions: The patient was referred to the quarantine sector and was treated with chloroquine orally, intravenous fluid and other supportive treatment. Outcomes: After one week of treatment, the patient improved. Seventeen days after admission to hospital and at 30 weeks of gestation, she started vaginal preterm delivery of a viable healthy neonate with negative COVID-19 test for two occasions. Lessons: COVID-19 pneumonia during pregnancy presents with similar clinical presentation of non-pregnant women. COVID-19 pneumonia during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labour without evidence of vertical transmission.