Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

151-154

Authors: Grasmane Adele, Purina-Liberte Katrina, Rots Dmitrijs, Miltina Inara, Rezeberga Dace

Objective: To analyze maternal and perinatal complication rates in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) twins and spontaneous twin pregnancies. Methods: The information on obstetric and perinatal outcomes and complications covering 95 IVF twins and 165 spontaneous twin pregnancies was collected from the medical records of Riga Maternity Hospital. Statistical analysis and adjustment for confounders was performed using the SPSS v24.0 software. The continuous data were compared using the t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for parametrical and non- parametrical data accordingly. The nominal data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The preterm labor risk, intrauterine growth restriction, fetus weight between IVF and spontaneous twins were not statistically significant (P>0.005). At the same time our study revealed a statistically significant association of gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension with IVF twin pregnancies (P=0.025 and P=0.003, respectively). Moreover, IVF twins had higher odds to be delivered by cesarean section (P=0.001). Conclusions: IVF twin pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of development of gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension than spontaneous twin pregnancies.

161-166

Authors: Bakar R Abdel-Halim, Walaa A Moselhy, Nermeen Atef Helmy

Objective: To evaluate copper and zinc concentrations in plasma and follicular fluid from cattle ovaries, and estimate the impact of rational concentrations of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs & ZnO-NPs) supplemented during in vitro maturation (IVM) against DNA damage of cumulus cells, glutathione content in oocytes and on consequent embryo development. Methods: Oocytes were obtained from 2 to 8 mm follicles by aspiration method for IVM. Replicates of experiments were performed on different days, with a separate batch of cumulus oocytes complex for each day. Results: The DNA damage of oocytes and cumulus cells significantly decreased with supplemental CuO-NPs or ZnO- NPs concentrations of 0.7 and 1.0 µg/mL in the IVM medium compared to medium without CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs (P < 0.01). Total glutathione concentrations in oocytes and cumulus cells significantly increased following supplementation with both 0.7 and 1.0 µg/mL CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs in comparison with 0 and 0.4 µg/mL CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs supplemented groups (P < 0.01). Supplementation of CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs during IVM medium at any concentration had no significant effect on cleavge rate. Both CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs significantly increased blastocyst rates when oocytes were matured with 0.7, 1.0 µg/mL CuO-NPs concentrations (P < 0.01). In contrast, addition of 1.5 µg/mL of CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs to the maturation media resulted in detrimental effects on the developmental competence of bovine oocytes confirming toxicity induced by CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs in high concentrations. Conclusions: CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs-treated bovine oocytes during IVM show low level of DNA fragmentation and increased intracellular glutathione content of cumulus cells. In vitro embryo development is improved by supplementation of rational concentrations of CuO-NPs or ZnO-NPs to culture media. Toxicity induced by CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs is confirmed in high concentrations.

172-177

Authors: Chike F. Oguejiofor, Izuchukwu S. Ochiogu, Okechi L. Okoro, Vitalis U. Ogbu

Objective: To evaluate the influence of unilateral cryptorchidism on semen and sperm characteristics in West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Methods: Semen was collected using electroejaculator from five unilaterally cryptorchid (UC) and five normal (non-cryptorchid) WAD bucks and analyzed for gross, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Results: Gross semen evaluation showed no differences between the groups in semen color, viscosity and pH, whereas the normal bucks yielded semen with significantly higher specific gravity (P=0.043 6) and volume (P=0.038 8) than the UC group. Following semen microscopic evaluation, the percentage of sperm vitality (live sperm) was not significantly different between both groups. However, UC bucks yielded semen with significantly lower sperm motility (P=0.038 7), sperm concentration per mL (P=0.002 0) and total sperm count per ejaculate (P=0.007 4). The percentage total sperm abnormality was also higher (P<0.000 1) in the semen of UC goats. Abnormalities observed included sperm with cytoplasmic droplets, looped tails, coiled tails and tailless heads. Sperm morphometry showed no differences in the sperm head length and head width between the groups. Biochemical semen evaluation did not reveal any differences between the groups in the concentration of seminal plasma total protein, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation level. Conclusions: Unilateral cryptorchidism significantly affected the quantity and quality of semen and spermatozoa in affected WAD bucks. Due to the hereditary attribute of the condition, it is recommended that animals with this condition should not be used in breeding to forestall increasing prevalence of cryptorchidism in goats.

185-190

Authors: Mohammad Rahim Ahmadi, Asghar Mogheiseh, Abdolah Mirzaei, Saeed Nazifi, Eisa Fallah

Objective: To confirm the efficacy of non-antibiotic treatment with prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) in dairy cows affected by severe clinical endometritis in (30±3) days in milk. Methods: Cows with clinical endometritis Ⅲ(n=399) were aligned into three groups randomly. The first group (n=115) received PGF2α, the second group (n=84) received intrauterine infusion (IUI) of oxytetracycline 10% + PGF2α,αand the third group (n=200) received IUI. Cows were inseminated following estrus. The pregnancy status, parity, calving and artificial insemination season, ovaries with corpus luteum at the time of treatment, dystocia, body condition score and treatment groups were included in data analysis. Results: Total pregnancy rate was 40.1% after the first insemination and 94.2% after the third insemination. Overall pregnancy rate of treated cows with IUI+PGF2α(84.5%) was significantly lower than the treated cows with PGF2α(98.3%) or IUI (96%) (P<0.05). The first service pregnancy rate of inseminated cows in summer (14.3%) was lower in comparison with cows inseminated in spring (40.4%), fall (41.4%) and winter (51.7%) (P<0.05). Conclusions: PGF2α could treat severe clinical endometritis in dairy cows with corpus luteum in comparison with other treatments.