Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

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.

64-69

Authors: Derouiche Samir, Doudi Dalal, Atia Noura

Objective: To determine the effects of routine iron supplementation on oxidative stress markers in pregnant women. Methods: This study enrolled 122 pregnant women aged between 20-38 years throughout three stages of pregnancy: beginning with pregnancy, until the twentieth week and up to the thirtieth week. They were divided into two groups: 61 pregnant women not supplemented with iron (the control group), and 61 pregnant women supplemented with iron (the iron group). Blood samples were collected and protein, iron, uric acid, total bilirubin level and oxidative stress status were estimated using molecular spectrophotometric method. Copper levels were estimated by using atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Results: Iron, protein and copper concentrations were significantly increased (P<0.05) at 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy and hemoglobin level was significantly increased (P<0.05) at the beginning of pregnancy and until 20 weeks in the iron group compared to the control group. In addition, levels of serum uric acid, serum total bilirubin and malondialdehyde in serum and erythrocytes were significantly increased at 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy whereas the reduced glutathione level was significantly decreased in serum (30 weeks of pregnancy) and erythrocytes (20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy) in the iron group as compared to the control group. Serum oxygen radical absorbance capacity was not significantly changed. There was a significant positive correlation between serum iron level and serum copper, malondialdehyde level in serum and erythrocytes in pregnant women supplemented with iron. Conclusions: Iron supplement at 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy plays a role in the development of oxidative stress which is the origin of several maternal-fetal complications.

77-82

Authors: Preethi Concessao, Laxminarayana Kurady Bairy, Archana Parampalli Raghavendra

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Mucuna (M.) pruriens against arsenic-induced testicular impairment in albino mice. Methods: Thirty-six male albino mice were divided into six groups, with 6 mice in each group. Group 1 received drinking water as the normal control. Groups 2 to 6 received sodium arsenite (40 mg/L) in drinking water. Group 3 received sodium arsenite (40 mg/L) and 300 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of N-acetylcysteine. Group 4 received sodium arsenite (40 mg/L) and 500 mg/kg b.w. of M. pruriens. Group 5 received sodium arsenite (40 mg/L) and 1 000 mg/kg b.w. of M. pruriens. Group 6 received sodium arsenite (40 mg/L) and 2 000 mg/kg b.w. of M. pruriens. N-acetylcysteine and M. pruriens were administered orally once a day. Animals were subjected to the above treatments for 45 days. Animals were sacrificed with overdose of ketamine 24 h following drug administration. The testis was used for biochemical estimations (lipid peroxidation and glutathione), and the epididymis was used to determine the sperm count and morphology. Results: Sodium arsenite significantly decreased (P<0.01) the sperm count and glutathione levels of the testis. It significantly increased (P<0.01) the abnormal architecture of the spermatozoa and lipid peroxidation levels. Treatment with M. pruriens significantly increased the sperm count and the glutathione levels [500 mg/kg b.w. and 1 000 mg/kg b.w. (P<0.01)]. A significant decrease in sperm abnormality and lipid peroxidation levels [500 mg/kg b.w. and 1 000 mg/kg b.w. (P<0.01)] was also observed. Conclusions: The perturbed sperm parameters and antioxidant levels of the arsenic insulted testis are attenuated by 500 mg/kg b.w. and 1 000 mg/kg b.w. M. pruriens.

89-95

Authors: Maryam Hassanzadeh Moghadam, Mehrdad Shariati, Sirous Naeimi, Mohammad Amin Edalatmanesh

Objective: To study the influence of N-acetylcysteine on the pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and protamine expression level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Methods: Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups, with 7 rats in each group. The control group left untreated; the streptozotocin group only received 50 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin intraperitoneally for 5 days to induce diabetes; the N-acetylcysteine group only received 200 mg/kg body weight N-acetylcysteine intraperitoneally, and the streptozotocin+N- acetylcysteine groups 1, 2 and 3 received 50 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneally for 5 days to induce diabetes and then received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight doses of N-acetylcysteine intraperitoneally for 28 days, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, and real-time PCR was applied for measuring protamine expression level. Results: Compared to the control and N-acetylcysteine groups, a significant decrease in the body weight, testicular weight and levels of testosterone and protamine expression was observed in the streptozotocin group and the streptozotocin+N-acetylcysteine groups 1 and 2. On the contrary, the levels of LH and FSH increased significantly. In the streptozotocin+N-acetylcysteine group 3, the body weight, testicular weight and expression level of protamine were significantly higher than those of the streptozotocin group. In the streptozotocin+N-acetylcysteine groups, testosterone and LH levels were significantly higher than and lower than the streptozotocin group, respectively. In the streptozotocin+N- acetylcysteine groups 2 and 3, the level of FSH was significantly lower than that of the streptozotocin group and streptozotocin+N- acetylcysteine group 1. Furthermore, a significant increase in the expression level of protamine was observed in the streptozotocin+N- acetylcysteine groups 2 and 3 when compared to the streptozotocin group and streptozotocin+N-acetylcysteine group 1. Conclusions: N-acetylcysteine in an optimal dose of 400 mg/kg body weight has a protective influence on the pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and also on the expression level of protamine in diabetic male rats.

104-108

Authors: Wan-Nor Fitri, Haron Wahid, Putra Tengku Rinalfi, Dana Raj, Yawah Donny, Latip Qayyum, Ab Aziz Abdul Malek

Objective: To evaluate normal spermatozoa morphometry and ultrastructure in estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Methods: Four adult male crocodiles aged between 12-15 years, with an average snout to tail length of (3.15±0.01) m were selected for this study. Manipulation of the phallus digitally from the base of the penis was performed on four adult male crocodiles to facilitate the flow of semen to the sulcus. Semen was collected from all individuals for spermatozoa morphometry and ultrastructure study. Morphometry analysis was performed from eosin-nigrosin stained spermatozoa sample. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to observe the surface ultrastructure of spermatozoa. Results: The morphology of crocodile spermatozoa was made up of acrosome, head, and tail which corresponded to (5.55±1.20) µm, (12.74±1.57) µm, and (70.67±4.40) µm, respectively. The total length of spermatozoa in estuarine crocodile was measured at (88.96±0.52) µm. The most common spermatozoa abnormalities found in the samples were cytoplasmic droplets. Conclusions: Normal morphology, morphometry of spermatozoa in estuarine crocodile which are vermiform shaped-head with a long tail along with questionably high cytoplasmic droplets count are described in this study.

261-266

Authors: Chloé Brits, Katie Feenan, Vince Chapple, Phillip L. Matson, Yan-he Liu

Objective: To investigate morphokinetic characteristics of embryos displaying either reverse cleavage or direct cleavage during the first, second or third cleavage cycle. Methods: A total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women [aged (35.0±4.6) years] were included for reverse cleavage analysis, and a total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women [aged (33.8 ±4.3) years] were included for direct cleavage analysis in this study. Using a sibling-embryo design, morphokinetic profiles (both before and after the onset of abnormal event) of embryos displaying reverse cleavage (n=241) or direct cleavage (n=244) were compared with their unaffected siblings (the controls) in the first, second and third cell cycles (n=32, n=142, n=562; n=195, n=412, n=205, respectively), at different developmental stages up to day 3. Results: Direct cleavage embryos demonstrated significantly delayed cleavage rates prior to the event regardless of developmental stage of the occurrence, while reverse cleavage embryos showed similar cleavage rates to their unaffected siblings. Post event, direct cleavage embryos sped up cleavage rates while reverse cleavage embryos slowed down. Conclusions: Altered morphokinetic profiles are displayed by direct cleavage embryos both before and after their occurrence and reverse cleavage embryos after the occurrence, which could potentially confound morphokinetic comparisons if not separated from their unaffected sibling embryos. Further study is warranted in order to fully understand the biological mechanisms of such events.

275-282

Authors: Sudtida Bunsueb, Supatcharee Arun, Arada Chaiyamoon, Alexander Tsang-Hsien Wu, Sitthichai Iamsaard

Objective: To identify the alteration of tyrosine phosphorylated protein expression in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control and letrozole-induced PCOS groups. The oestrus cycle of rats was performed by vaginal smear. Sex hormones and morphology of the ovary, oviduct, and uterus were observed. Expressions and intensity of androgen receptor and tyrosine phosphorylated proteins of reproductive organs were investigated by Western blot. Results: Various polycysts and increased androgen receptor expression were present in the ovary of the PCOS group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosteone were significantly higher in the PCOS group while progesterone and estradiol levels were significantly decreased as compared with the control group (P<0.05). Only the size of uterus in the PCOS group was significantly smaller than the control group. However, the density of collagen fibers observed in PCOS uterus was greater than the control group. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were significantly overexpressed in ovary (52, 42, and 28 kDa), oviduct (72, 56, 42, and 28 kDa), and uterus (53 and 42 kDa) of the PCOS group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Presence of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in the ovary, oviduct and uterus suggests that overexpression of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins may be involved in potential mechanism of female infertility especially in PCOS.

291-297

Authors: Edmund Chidiebere Mbegbu, Ikechukwu Reginald Obidike

Objective: To evaluate the development of ovarian follicles in female albino rats following vitamin D3 supplementation. Methods: Eighteen prepubertal female albino rats, aged 3-4 weeks, weighing (70.25±9.16) g, were assigned to three groups (n=6 in each group). Group A was treated with 5.00 mL/kg of distilled water and served as the control group, group B was treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water, and group C was treated with 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water. All treatments were administered orally, twice weekly for 28 days. Blood and ovaries were harvested under anaesthesia. Serum vitamin D3 levels were determined by using spectrophotometric method. Ovaries were processed for histology and every10th hematoxylin and eosin stained-section was selected for histomorphometry. The number of follicles at each developmental stage was estimated. Results: Both 0.025 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum concentrations of vitamin D3 and calcium (P<0.05), but did not alter inorganic phosphorus concentration (P>0.05). The control group had fewer growing follicles (primary, secondary and antral follicles) and more nongrowing follicles (primordial and atretic follicles) when compared with the vitamin D3-supplemented groups (P<0.05). Vitamin D3 at 0.025 mg/kg significantly increased antral follicles and corpora lutea counts (P<0.05). Vitamin D3 at 0.125 mg/kg significantly increased total, primordial and atretic follicles counts (P<0.05), but significantly decreased primary, secondary, antral follicles count, ovarian weight, relative ovarian weight, and ovarian surface area when compared with the control group and rats treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3 (P<0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D3 supplementation at 0.025 mg/kg can enhance optimal ovarian follicle recruitment and development in female rats.

215-222

Authors: Pratibha Rathod, Trupti Patel, Ajesh Desai, Divya Chandel

The etiology of preterm birth is mostly underestimated in developing countries. Current presumptions are that both environmental and genetic factors contribute towards its onset and are responsible for the higher frequency of neonatal deaths. Despite there being considerable scientific data on preterm births across the world, the frequency of its occurrence and threat to the survival of neonates are alarming. It is important that variations among populations should be considered as the socioeconomic status, climatic zones and other genetic, as well as epidemiological factors vary, so as to draw definitive conclusions on the pathogenesis of preterm birth. Predictive biomarkers, prevention and optimum treatment strategies are still being discovered, but with well-designed studies and collaborative efforts, maternal and child healthcare can be prioritized. The purpose of this review is to understand the contributing factors of preterm birth as it is a critical issue and needs in-depth understanding with planned scientific studies to decrease the rate of preterm birth and complication related to it. Furthermore, the review enlists various factors linked to preterm birth viz., high maternal age, psychological state, environmental contaminants, infection, cervical length, addiction, cytokine interaction, preeclampsia, genetic composition, ethnicity, oxidative stress and microRNAs. We have summarized the status of preterm birth, its causes, and future line of work required to prevent mortality of mother and neonate that will help us design successful studies which aim to reduce preterm births effectively.

230-238

Authors: Rupavath Chandrashekhar, Bakshi Vasudha, Jagruthi Jeripothula, Nelavelli Lakshmi Bhavani, Bhavani Ram

Objective: To investigate the potential activity of protocatechuic acid in female Wistar rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups of six each. Group 1 received 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose orally and served as the normal control group; group 2 was treated orally with 1 mg/kg of letrozole daily for 21 days and served as the PCOS induced group; group 3 was orally administered with letrozole of 1 mg/kg for 21 days and further administered with standard drug of clomiphene citrate at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight in 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose per oral and served as the standard group; groups 4 and 5 were administered with letrozole of 1 mg/kg for 21 days and further treated with protocatechuic acid orally at low dose of 5 mg/kg body weight and high dose of 15 mg/kg body weight respectively for 15 days. At the end of the study period, rats were subjected for the estimation of invasive blood pressure and heart rate, biochemical estimations and antioxidant assay. In addition, ovarian histomorphology was examined. Results: The PCOS was confirmed in the letrozole induced rats with increased concentration of androgen, abnormal lipid levels, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and also depletion of antioxidants. After protocatechuic acid treatment, the increased levels of testosterone due to induction of PCOS were restored to normal levels. Additionally, there was a consistent decrease in luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels in the treatment groups, followed by decrease in the number of cysts after treatment with protocatechuic acid. Histopathological observations showed a remarkable recovery of the ovarian tissue and the presence of normalized structure of antral follicle. Protocatechuic acid treatment restored all the parameters to normalcy and abolished cysts formation in ovaries of female rats. Conclusions: Protocatechuic acid shows potential protective effects in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. The protective effect is comparable to that of clomiphene citrate and thus shows its potential in the treatment of PCOS.

247-254

Authors: Pradeep Nag, Ankur Sharma, Elango Kamaraj, Arumugam Kumaresan, Tirtha Kumar Datta, Ayyasamy Manimaran, Nilendu Paul, Sakthivel Jeyakumar, Kerekoppa P. Ramesha

Objective: To assess the stability of 10 candidate internal control genes (ICGs), namely GAPDH, ACTB, RPL23, RPS15A, ATPSF1, GLUT5, HMBS, ATP2B4, PPIA, and BRP to normalize the transcriptional data from testes samples of Zebu and crossbred bulls. Methods: Total RNA was isolated from testicular tissue of Zebu and crossbred bulls (n=6 each) between 2-8 years of age. cDNA was synthesized, and the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. The cycle threshold values were used for the analysis of the stability of ICGs. Four different statistical algorithms: geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder, were used to assess the stability of these genes. Results: ATPSF1, HMBS, PPIA, and RPS15A were the most reliable and stable ICGs for Zebu testes, and ATPSF1, RPL23, and PPIA for crossbred testes. Conclusions: A panel of stable ICGs (ATPSF1, HMBS, PPIA, RPS15A for Zebu and ATPSF1, RPL23, and PPIA for crossbred) for normalization of gene expression data in testes samples can be helpful for researchers to conduct functional genomics studies at the testicular level in cattle bulls.

166-173

Authors: Laishram Kipjen Singh, Manas Kumar Patra, Girish Kumar Mishra, Abhishek Chandra Saxena, Ujjwal Kumar De, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Harendra Kumar, Krishnaswamy Narayanan

Pyometra is one of the most common uterine pathologies of intact bitch at middle to advanced age. In the early stages, the disease shows subtle changes, making diagnosis a challenge. In contrast, at later stages, it manifests as potentially life-threatening systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Ultrasonographic examination of the uterus aids in the diagnosis, although it has limitation in ascertaining the clinical severity of pyometra. Moreover, differentiation of cystic endometrial hyperplasia from pyometra could not be discerned with greater accuracy. Therefore, false negative diagnosis of pyometra patients leads to development of systemic inflammatory response, which delays administration of therapies and results in deaths during early course of treatment. Further, indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials at higher dose in false positive cases considerably contributes to the rising pool of drug resistant pathogens, thereby increasing the risk of case fatality due to sepsis in a long-term. Monitoring the circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, endotoxin, growth factors and inflammatory mediators is the current trend in pyometra research, especially for developing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The present review deals with the prospects of developing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in the canine pyometra.

182-191

Authors: Mitra Zandi, Sahar Dabaghi, Narges Bagheri-Lankarani, Reza Omani-Samani, Mojtaba Naderi-Taheri

Objective: To elucidate theoretically the safety and identity of mothers receiving egg and the process of becoming a mother. Methods: This study was conducted during 7 months from July 2018 to January 2019 by using a grounded theory approach. Infertile women at the gestational age who received oocyte were selected with purposive sampling method and then entered the study using theoretical sampling. Mothers who had not decided definitely to participate and had not started the treatment course yet were excluded from the study. The participating mothers were 28- 44 years old with a mean age of (37.00±2.49) years. A total of 30 interviews were performed. Data were collected by unstructured deep interviews and field notes. The interview duration ranged between 19 to 74 min with a mean time of 40 min and they were performed individually. Results: Data analysis showed that “feeling of insecurity in personal and familial identity” formed in the context of “exposure to sociocultural constraints” was the main problem of mothers receiving donated oocyte. This led to a set of coping strategies as “gradual acceptance”, “attempts to maintain the marital life”, “sensitivity in selecting donor”, “sensitivity in fetal care”, “seeking information and consultation”, “challenging the internal restlessness”, and “treatment follow-up”, all indicating the concept of “protection of personal and familial identity” as the core variable. Conclusions: The challenge faced by Iranian mothers receiving donated oocyte in the constrained sociocultural context forms a multilateral and all-inclusive insecurity.

197-203

Authors: Clifford N Abiaezute, Chike F Oguejiofor, Innocent C Nwaogu, Ikechukwu R Obidike, Udensi M Igwebuike

Objective: To investigate seasonal changes in some reproductive characteristics of the male African straw-colored fruit bat [Eidolon (E.) helvum] in a tropical rain forest area of South-East Nigeria. Methods: Spermatozoal characteristics in the testes and cauda epididymides, testicular histology, and the circulating levels of the reproductive hormones, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were evaluated in male bats captured in late January (peak dry season), late May (early rainy season) and late September (late rainy season) of 2019. The bats were captured in Obiagu community in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance. Results: There were high serum concentrations of testosterone in early and late rainy season and of luteinizing hormone in early rainy season, but the concentrations of both hormones were low during peak dry season. These hormonal changes corresponded with the testicular seminiferous and spermatogenic activities and testicular and epididymal sperm concentrations, which were also maximal during early and late rainy season but minimal during peak dry season. Epididymal sperm motility and vitality were also high in early and late rainy season but low in peak dry season, while sperm morphological abnormalities were low in early and late rainy season but elevated in peak dry season. There was histological evidence that spermatogenesis did not cease completely during testis regression, but continued at a reduced rate during the dry season. Conclusions: The findings do not support concurrent epididymal sperm storage with testis regression in E. helvum. Altogether, these indicate that seasonal changes significantly alter sperm characteristics, testicular histology and circulating levels of reproductive hormones in E. helvum within the study area.