Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

Pages 169-176

Authors: Frank H. Comhaire, Wim Decleer

Objective To assess the possible benefit of food supplementation with the nutriceutical Improve® for the treatment of the infertile couple. Methods The treatment of diseases causing male or female infertility should be completed by the prescription of a judiciously formulated composite nutriceutical (Improve® Nutriphyt Inc, Oostkamp, Belgium) which counteracts the pathogenic mechanisms involved in sperm and oocyte dysfunction, enhances cellular energy production, corrects oxidation-induced damage to the cell membrane and to DNA, and repairs mitochondrial insufficiency. The efficiency of this nutraceutical was tested in controlled trials and in assisted reproduction, including 1 888 infertile couples. Results Complementary food supplementation with the nutriceutical Improve® plus linseed oil improved the quantity and functional quality of spermatozoa, significantly increasing their fertilizing potential. This supplement with added fish oil enhanced female fertility with higher probablity of natural conception and ongoing pregnancy using techniques of assisted reproduction. Conclusions Complementary food supplementation with the nutriceutical Improve® has significant beneficial effects for the treatment of the infertile couple and reduces the cost per delivery. Keywords Nutriceutical; Food supplement; Infertility; Assisted reproduction; Varicocele; Oligozoospermia; Endometriosis; In vitro fertilization

Pages 183-186

Authors: Deepika Jaiswal , Udai Shankar Dwivedi , Neeraj Kumar Agrawal , Sameer Trivedi, Kiran Singh

Objective To study the role and association of functional variations present in FAS gene with idiopathic male infertility. Methods The case-control study comprised of two groups: 160 idiopathic infertile nonobstructive azoospermia patients and 200 fertile healthy control men. Genotyping for single-nucleotide polymorphism of FAS-670 A/G (rs1800682) and FAS-1377 G/A (rs2234767) was done by PCR-RFLP method. DNA sequencing was used to ascertain PCR-RFLP results. For FAS-670 A/G and FAS-1377 G/A functional polymorphism, allele and genotype distribution were evaluated using Chi-square test. Results Allele and genotype distribution did not differ significantly between patients and controls for FAS-670 A/G and FAS-1377 G/A. Conclusions Human male infertility is a complex disorder and thus other genetic or environmental factors may be contributing to the complex etiology. Keywords Polymorphism; Male infertility; FAS-670; Apoptosis; FAS-1377

Pages 193-197

Authors: Ibrahim A. Abdelazim, Maha M. Belal

Objective To detect the role of magnetic resonance imaging in refining the diagnosis of suspected fetal renal anomalies detected during screening sonography. Methods 54 pregnant women, with suspected fetal renal anomalies detected during routine ultrasound screening, were rescanned by MRI to refine the diagnosis of the suspected renal anomalies. The pregnancy outcome was examined externally and by postnatal ultrasonography. Results 54 cases of suspected renal anomalies detected during screening sonography of 8 400 pregnant women (0.6%), were rescanned by MRI in this study. The MRI diagnosed, 29 (53.7%) cases of parenchymal renal disease, 20 (37.0%) cases of hydronephrosis, 3 (5.6%) cases of single renal cyst and 2 (3.7%) cases of megacystis + hydroureter. The amniotic fluid volume was normal in 33 (61.0%) cases, while it was decreased in 21 (39.0%) cases. Two cases of chromosomal aberration (3.7%) were detected in the studied cases. During antenatal follow up of the prenatal diagnosed cases with renal anomalies 2 cases of bilateral RA (Potter's syndrome died in utero = IUFD) and out of 52 live births 1 case of NND occurred due to bilateral MCKD with trisomy 18. In this study, when the prenatal findings were compared with the postnatal findings, the MRI was 89.5% accurate, while the prenatal ultrasound was 85% accurate in diagnosing fetal renal anomalies. Conclusion The MRI can be used as a complementary adjunctive modality with excellent tissue contrast especially in equivocal cases or inconclusive sonographic findings. Keywords The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Fetal; Renal anomalies

Pages 203-211

Authors: Gurunathgouda patil , V Girish Kumar , SG Ramachandra , AJ Rao , S Nandi

A study was undertaken with an objective of two dimensional SDS-PAGE analysis of protein profile in tissues of all caput, corpus and cauda of epididymis in both castrated and normal bulls and identification of androgen dependent protein/s in the epididymal tissues of bull (Bos taurus). Two dimensional SDS-PAGE analysis for protein spots of different molecular weight (MW) with pI 3.5 to 7.35 and pI > 7.35 to 9.3 between the three regions in the normal and castrated bull as well as between normal and castrated bull of a particular region revealed significant differences. Similarly, comparison between the three regions of the normal and castrated bull epididymis for the number of protein spots irrespective of the MW in pI range of 3.5 to 7.35 and pI range > 7.35 to 9.3 revealed significant differences. The number of protein spots found to be significantly higher in caput, corpus and cauda epididymis of the normal bull when compared to similar region of the castrated bull epididymis. Most of the proteins, which are secreted, are having MW between 20 and 85 kDa. Six proteins, which are known to be highly dependent on androgens, are also of acidic in nature except for one protein having basic pH. A protein spot (pI: 6.55–6.85, and MW: <20 kDa) which appeared at the same site in all the three regions of the epididymis in the normal bull but was absent at the same site in all the three regions of the castrated bull was subjected for identification of the protein by MALDI-MS. The results revealed that this protein is an interferon-stimulated protein and it could be ISG15/UCRP. Keywords SDS PAGE; Epididymal tissue; Androgen dependant protein; Bos taurus

Pages 217-223

Authors: József Gábor Joó, Ákos Csaba, Zsanett Szigeti, Judit Nagy Oroszné, János Rigó jr

Abstract Objective To review major chromosome translocation, with special regard to the clinical differences between balanced and unbalanced, as well as de novo and inherited cases. Methods The authors have included cases of major chromosome translocations detected during a 20-year period. Among the 28 cases, 25 patients carried balanced and 3 were affected by unbalanced translocations. Results In cases of balanced translocation, maternal age ranged between 26 and 42 years, with a median age value of (30.5±2.67) years, while in unbalanced translocations the values were between 24-37 with a median age of (30.5±4.59) years. In three cases (13%) of balanced translocations in the patient's history previous chromosomal aberrations had been recorded. In nine cases of the same group (39%) previous miscarriages were reported. In cases in which balanced translocation was suspected, karyotyping was done in the 16th-23rd gestational weeks. In three cases of unbalanced translocation, karyotyping was performed in weeks 18 or 19. Among the 28 cases examined by us, 12 carried reciprocal and 16 were affected by Robertsonian translocations. If the involvement of chromosomes in balanced translocations was concerned, chromosome 14 was found to be overwhelmingly affected. In 14 of the 25 cases (56%) examined by us, this chromosome was definitely affected by translocation. Frequently occurring translocations in chromosomes 1, 13 and 22 are also worth mentioning. Conclusions Ultrasonography performed after karyotyping-in the cases of balanced translocations-and the results of fetal echocardiography-if such imaging was done at all-provide important information about the prognosis of the fetus. In case of sonographically normal fetal anatomy the good outcome of pregnancy is probable, while in cases of unbalanced translocations the sonography reconfirms the chances of poor outcome. Keywords Translocation; Balanced; Unbalanced; Karyotyping; Fetal echocardiography; Patient's history; Serum-alfa fetoprotein screening

Pages 231-232

Authors: O.I. Azawi, D.M. Aziz, O.H. Al-Hyani

An eight years old cow in last month of gestation was presented by its owner to the clinic of Veterinary Medicine College, University of Mosul. The cow was suffering from a complicated case of vaginal and cervical prolapse. The complication included tearing of the vaginal floor and herniation of the urinary bladder through the tearing of vagina. The cow was treated under the caudal epidural anesthesia. Firstly the herniated urinary bladder was emptied and replaced to its correct position, then the tearing of vaginal wall was repaired, and finally the prolapsed vagina and cervix was replaced to its correct place. Keywords Cow; Vaginal prolapse; Herniation; Urinary bladder

Pages 236-237

Authors: Viroj Wiwanitkit

Hyperestrogenemia is an important reproductive hormone abnormality. This condition is not common in male patients. In this report, the author presents a case study on hyperestrogenemia with increased blood mercury level. The metalloestrogen phenomenon is discussed. Keywords Hyperestrogenemia; Mercury; Metalloestrogen

Pages 247-252

Authors: Vincenza Rita Lo Vasco

The regulation of calcium concentration triggers physiological events in all cell types. Unregulated elevation in calcium concentrations is often cytotoxic. In fact, uncontrolled calcium levels alter proteins' function, apoptosis regulation, as well as proliferation, secretion and contraction. Calcium levels are tightly regulated. A great interest was paid to signal transduction pathways for their role in mammalian reproduction. The role of phosphoinositide (PI) signal transduction pathway and related phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes in the regulation of calcium levels was actively studied and characterized. However, the role of PI signaling and PI-PLC enzymes in the endometrium is far to be completely highlighted. In the present review the role of PI, the expression of selected PI-PLC enzymes and the crosstalk with further signaling systems in the endometrium will be discussed. Keywords Abortion; Women's right; United States