Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

49-55

Authors: Hossein Yazdekhasti, Jalil Hosseini, Zahra Rajabi, Maryam Hosseinzadeh Shirzeyli, Fereshte Aliakbari

Previous attempts have indicated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a valuable source and candidate and new approach for tissue engineering and reproductive medicine. MSCs have this potential to be induced and differentiated in an appropriate in vivo and in vitro condition toward various cell lineages and then they can be applied in cell therapies and clinical applications. During recent two decades, various sources have demonstrated they are a great source for MSCs, including bone marrow, the human umbilical cord as well as Wharton’s jelly. Due to discarding after birth, easily accessible cells and less ethical concerns, these cells have attracted more and more scientists’ attention. Infertility and reproduction diseases have provided special opportunity to examine the efficiency of MSCs in this kind of application. Based on recent investigations, MSCs embedded in Wharton’s jelly tissue are more appealing for cell therapies, especially in infertility treatment purposes. So, differentiation of MSCs embedded in Wharton’s jelly tissue into germ layer cells for cell-based therapy purposes is now under intensive study.

62-71

Authors: Hammad Ahmad Gakhar, Ishrat Waheed, Taseer Ahmad, Naeem-ur-rahman

Objective: To test the effect of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) blockers on the motility and viability of human sperm in-vitro and to evaluate the tested compounds as potential contact spermicidal. Methods: Sperm samples were obtained from healthy nonsmoking volunteers of age 25-30 years who had not taken any drug 3 months before and during the course of the study. The effect of VGSCs blockers evaluated from two pharmacological classes including antiarrhythmic (amiodarone, procainamide and disopyramide) and antiepileptic (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, and lamotrigine) drugs. They were tested on the in-vitro motility and viability of human sperm using Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer. Results: All tested drugs except oxcarbazepine showed dose dependent inhibition of total motility with significant reduction (P<0.05) at the maximum concentration of 200 μM when compared with the control. The concentrations of drugs that reduced total sperm motility to 50% of control (half maximal inhibitory concentration) were 2.76, 14.16 and 20.29 μM for phenytoin, lamotrigine and carbamazepine, respectively; and 2.53, 5.32 and 0.37 μM for amiodarone, procainamide and disopyramide, respectively. The anti-motility effects were reversible to various degrees. There was statistically insignificant difference in the inhibition of sperm viability among amiodarone, procainamide and disopyramide. Phenytoin demonstrated the most potent spermicidal action. Conclusions: VGSCs blockers have significant adverse effects on in-vitro motility of human spermatozoa. So in-vivo studies are required to determine their potential toxicological effects on human semen quality, which is an important factor regarding fertility. Moreover, these drugs have the potential to be developed into contact spermicidal.

79-86

Authors: Madhusmita Panda, Asmita, Sandeep Kumar, Purusottam Mishra, Mahesh Chandra Sahu, Sachinandan De, Tirtha Kumar Datta, Rakesh Kumar

Objective: To understand the level of progesterone (P4) in different quality of buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and further to evaluate the effect of exogenous P4 supplementation on maturation and subsequent developmental ability of poor quality brilliant cresyl blue (BCB- ) COCs. Methods: Progesterone secreted by different quality of buffalo oocytes was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the concentration differences were translated into P4 doses to be incorporated in the maturation medium of BCB-ve COCs followed by expression analysis of genes involved in the cumulus expansion, extracellular matrix disintegration and progesterone receptor signalling. In addition, the study also evaluated the effect of exogenous P4 on sperm-cumulus interaction. Results: More than 10-fold upregulated expression of progesterone receptor in P4 supplemented oocytes signified that P4 might be acting predominantly through this receptor. Also, exogenous P4 supplementation had significant effect on transcatheter arterial chemoembolization protease regulated by P4- progesterone receptor pathway which in turn had an important role in extracellular matrix disintegration. On the contrary, cumulus expansion genes HAS2, TNFAIP6, AREG were not altered upon P4 supplementation. Also, it was observed that P4 addition did facilitate passage of significantly more number of spermatozoa through P4 treated cumulus cells. Further, incorporation of different doses of P4 did not improve significantly the cleavage and blastocyst rates of BCB-ve COCs. Conclusions: Different qualities of buffalo COCs secrete substantially diverse levels of P4, and its supplementation has a role in oocyte maturation via modulation of cumulus characteristics but perhaps not fertilization.

93-96

Authors: El-Sheshtawy RI, El-Nattat WS

Objective: To evaluate effect of tris-extender supplemented with various concentrations of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) on bull semen preservability. Methods: Pooled bull semen were extended with tris-citrate-fructose egg yolk diluent (control, 0% strawberry) and various concentrations of tris strawberry (TSB) (1%-6%) to achieve 60 million motile spermatozoa per milliliter. Extended semen were subjected to semen freezing protocol. Semen assessment including motility, alive%, abnormality%, intact sperm membrane (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and conception rate were carried out for both chilled and frozen semen. Results: Results showed that sperm motility after chilling was enhanced in groups treated with various concentrations of TSB from 1% to 5% and exhibited higher significance (P<0.000 1) at 6-day post-chilling. In frozen semen, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% concentrations gave the best significance (P<0.000 1) on sperm motility in comparison with the control. Concentration 1% revealed the highest significance (P<0.000 1) on alive% as compared to the control. Hypoosmotic swelling test was maintained as the control. Concentration 3% gave the lowest significance (P<0.000 1) considering abnormality%. The conception rate upon using frozen semen in insemination showed higher conception rate in concentrations of 5% and 6% in cattle. Conclusions: It is concluded that 1%-5% concentrations of TSB ameliorate bull semen characteristics after chilling, and 3%-6% concentrations of TSB improve bull semen characteristics after freezing. Higher conception rate exists in 5% and 6% concentration of TSB.