Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

1-8

Authors: Thabat J. Al-Maiahy, Ali I. Al-Gareeb, Hayder M. Al-kuraishy

Objective: To find the association between testosterone serum levels and severity of late onset pre-eclampsia. Methods: This case-control study involved 34 patients with preeclampsia and 24 healthy control pregnant women matched for gestational and maternal age. The recruited pregnant women were divided into two groups: the pre-eclampsia group (34 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia) and the control group (24 healthy pregnant women). Lipid profile, blood urea, serum creatinine, proteinuria, total serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and free androgen index were evaluated. Moreover, body mass index and blood pressure profile were measured. Results: There were high systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the pregnant women with late-onset pre-eclampsia when compared with healthy pregnant women (P<0.01). Total serum testosterone was higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women (P=0.001). The free androgen index was higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women (P=0.001). Sex hormone binding globulin level was low in women with pre-eclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women (P=0.001). High total serum testosterone was significantly correlated with all measured variables (P=0.001), except for body mass index and pulse pressure (both P=0.070). Smoking habit was low in those patients compared with healthy pregnant women. Meanwhile, total serum testosterone serum level was significantly correlated with number of cesarean sections (r=0.86, P<0.01) and nulliparty (r=0.56, P<0.01). Conclusions: Late onset pre-eclampsia in pregnant women is associated with high serum levels of total serum testosterone, free androgen index, low sex hormone binding globulin, low smoking habit with positive history for nulliparity and caesarean sections that are correlated with high blood pressure profiles. Therefore, high total serum testosterone which is correlated with most of risk factors of late-onset pre-eclampsia is regarded as a proxy biomarker reflecting the severity of late onset pre-eclampsia.

16-21

Authors: Dono Indarto, Budiyanti Wiboworini, Amelya A. Ayusari, Arisanty N. Restuti, Isnar N. Alfiyah, Aniki Puspita, Yohanes C. Wibowo, Yoga M. Pratama

Objective: To assess the association between genetic variants of transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) exon 4 and anemia status and to describe the expression levels of several cytokines, hepcidin, soluble transferrin receptor and erythropoietin. Methods: Institutional based comparative study was done randomly to recruit 106 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in three different health centers in Boyolali Regency, Central Java from May 2015 to September 2015. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of selected pregnant women and sequencing was done for TFR2 exon 4. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to measure the expression levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 4, transforming growth factor β and iron-metabolism related proteins such as hepcidin, soluble transferrin receptor, and erythropoietin. Gene alignment was performed by using a CLUSTAL W program. Collected data were analyzed statistically by using parametric and nonparametric tests with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 20.0 for Windows. Results: Three novel genetic variants from TFR2 exon 4 (position 603, 605 and 606) were associated with anemia status. Moreover, the expression levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 4, transforming growth factor β and erythropoietin were higher in anemic pregnant women than those of nonanemic pregnant women but only erythropoietin level reached statistical significance. These results were followed by decreases of hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor levels. Conclusions: Various factors contribute to anemia prevalence among pregnant women in Boyoali Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Our novel findings showed that TFR2 exon 4 has 3 mutational sites in position 603, 605 and 606. These novel genetic variants may provide a new insight into the role of TFR2 in anemia.

31-36

Authors: Mandeep Kaur, Avtar Chand Rana, Sunil Kumar

Objective: To assess the estrogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Clitoria (C.)ternatea leaves in female Wistar rats. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of C. ternatea leaves prepared by using cold maceration method was tested for estrogenic activity. An acute toxicity study was conducted to estimate the safe dose using OECD 423 guidelines. For estrogenic activity, ovariectomized female rats were divided into four groups, with 6 rats in each group. The control and standard groups were administered with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose orally and estradiol valerate at 1 μg/rat/day subcutaneously, respectively. The third group was administered with hydroalcoholic extract of C. ternatea at the dose 500 mg/kg body weight orally and the fourth group was administered with hydroalcoholic extract of C. ternatea at the dose 500 mg/kg body weight orally along with estradiol valerate at dose 1 μg/rat/day subcutaneously. All treatments lasted for 7 consecutive days and estrogenic activity was assessed by observing vaginal cornfication. On day 8, all animals were sacrificed and uterine horns were dissected out. Utrine weight was measured and blood serum was further processed for the estimation of biochemical parameters like cholesterol, total proteins, alkaline phosphatase and estrogen by autoanylser. Histological studies of uterus were also carried out. Results: Acute toxicity studies indicated the hydroalcoholic extract of C. ternatea leave was found to be safe up to the dose level of 2 000 mg/kg. Oral administration of C. ternatea extract at the dose 500 mg/kg body weight and and estradiol valerate (1 μg/rat/day) caused morphological changes i.e. increase in uterine weight, vaginal opening and cornification of cells; biochemical changes i.e. increase in cholesterol, total protein, alkaline phosphatase and estrogen contents; histological changes i.e. increase in uterine diameter, thickness and height of endometrium. Simultaneous administration of C. ternatea extract with estradiol valerate showed a synergistic effect. Histological investigations further confirmed the strong estrogenic nature of C. ternatea extract. Conclusions: C. ternatea extract (500 mg/kg) showed a significant estrogenic activity which is also supported by biochemical and histological studies. So, on the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that C. ternatea can be used as an alternative to synthetic oral contraceptives.

44-48

Authors: Seyed Morteza Aghamiri, Mohammad Rahim Ahmadi, Masoud Haghkhah, Abdollah Derakhshandeh

Objective: To investigate the bacterial infections in repeat breeder dairy cows and to evaluate the treatment effects of hyperimmune serum against two main endometritis bacteria, Escherichia (E.) coli and Trueperella pyogenes. Methods: A total of 29 Holstein multiparous cows with three or more unsuccessful artificial inseminations were carried out and examined to confirm the absence of reproductive tract abnormality and vaginal discharges. Uterine lavage was performed to collect uterine samples for bacterial and fungal cultures. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done to detect Trueperella pyogenes, E. coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Prevotella melaninogenicus. The cytological study was done on cervical mucus. The hyperimmune serums produced against Trueperella pyogenes and E. coli were infused into the uterus of repeat breeder cows and two doses of prostaglandin F2α were administrated intramuscularly within 14 days' interval. Results: There were 10 positive samples in the bacterial culture with 19 isolations and no growth of the main causative bacteria of endometritis. In the PCR method, no Trueperella pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Prevotella melaninogenicus were found. However, 11 positive samples of E. coli were identified by PCR. Cladosporium was detected in one case of repeat breeder cows. The median (interquartile range) of neutrophils in vaginal discharge was 12 (22.5). Eighteen from twenty-nine (62.1%) repeat breeder and eight from eleven (72%) cows with E. coli infections in PCR were made pregnant in the first artificial insemination after treatment by intrauterine infusion of hyperimmune serum and prostaglandin F2α. Conclusions: Intrauterine administration of hyperimmune serum could be an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of repeat breeder cows.