It is suggested that DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa is as a potential risk factor for the development of normal human embryos that is associated with poor fertilization, impaired embryonic development, pregnancy loss, birth defects and childhood cancer. Present study evaluated the relationship between sperm DNA damage and PRM1, PRM2,BCL2 and BAX mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm in normozoospermic fertile and infertile men. Semen parameters according to the world health organization (WHO) guidelines, sperm DNA integrity using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay and mRNA expression of PRM1, PRM2,BCL2 and BAX in ejaculated sperm by real-time PCR were assessed in fertile (n=10) and normozoospermic infertile (n=17) men. Significant difference (p<0.05) was seen in sperm concentration between fertile and normozoospermic infertile men. Significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation was seen in men with unexplained infertility. DNA damage showed negative correlations with sperm motility and normal morphology. Sperm PRM1, PRM2 and BCL2 mRNA expressions were significantly (p<0.05) lower in normozoospermic infertile men than fertile group. Significant negative correlations were seen between DNA fragmentation and sperm PRM1, PRM2,BCL2 and BAX mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm. Our findings show that sperm DNA integrity and sperm mRNA expression of PRM1, PRM2, BCL2 and BAX have important clinical significance and could be considered as a complementary diagnostic tool in evaluation of fertility in normozoospermic infertile men.

It has been suggested that cigarette smoking adversely affects reproductive health and considered as a risk factor for male infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of cigarette smoking on seminal oxidative parameters, sperm quality and Fertilin β, BCL2 and HSP70 expression in ejaculated sperm. Semen samples were obtained and the objects were divided into four groups; non-smokers and mild (from 1 to 10 cigarettes per day), moderate (from 10 to 20 cigarettes per day) and heavy (up to 20 cigarettes per day) smokers. Conventional seminal parameters, sperm membrane, acrosomal and DNA integrity, seminal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Fertilin β, BCL2, BAX and HSP70 mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm were analyzed. Sperm motility, viability and normal morphology, sperm membrane and DNA integrity were lower significantly (p<0.05) in heavy smokers than nonsmokers men. Higher levels (p<0.05) of MDA and lower activities (p<0.05) of SOD and GPx was seen in seminal plasma of heavy smokers men. Sperm fertilin β, BCL2 and HSP70 mRNA expressions were significantly (p<0.05) lower in heavy smokers than nonsmokers men. Sperm BAX mRNA expressions were significantly (p<0.05) higher in heavy smokers than nonsmokers men. Our results demonstrate that cigarette smoking induce oxidative stress and has detrimental effects on sperm quality and fertilin β, BCL2 and HSP70 mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm.

Early diagnosis of congenital anomalies at early pregnancy can prevent the birth of abnormal children that associated with economical, social and cultural results for families and societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the screening results of down syndrome during the first trimester of pregnancy in women aged under and over 35 years in Ahvaz. Present study was done on 7192 pregnant women within the gestational age range of 11 to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestational age in Narges laboratory. Nuchal translucency (NT) thickness and crown-rump length (CRL) in fetus were measured sounographically. Maternal serum free β-hCG and PAPP-A were analysed. There ws no significant difference in NT thickness in fetus betweeen women under 35 years and older 35 years. Significant correlation (p<0.05) was seen between maternal age and CRL in fetus. Significant difference (p<0.05) was seen in PAPP-A levels in blood of women under 35 years than older 35 years. There ws no significant difference in maternal serum free β-hCG betweeen women under 35 years and older 35 years. Frequency of high risk women according to combined results of NT thickness and CRL in fetus was 4.8 and 1.1 in women aged under and over 35 years, respectively, in first-trimester screening of down syndrome. Frequency of high risk women according to triple combined tests was 2.6 and 11.2 in women aged under and over 35 years, respectively, in first-trimester screening of down syndrome. Present study show This study provides the first estimates of maternal age-specific prevalence of trisomy 21 for women aged under and over 35 years in khuzestan province.

 

There have been evidences that highlight reproductive impairments in men with a high body mass index (BMI). Our study was undertaken to investigate relationship between BMI with sperm quality, seminal oxidative parameters and PRM1, PRM2, BCL2 and HSP70 mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm. Semen samples were obtained and the objects were divided into three groups based upon calculated BMI values; normal (20-24 kg/m2), overweight (25-30 kg/m2) and obese >30 kg/m2). Conventional seminal parameters, sperm membrane, acrosomal and DNA integrity, seminal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and PRM1, PRM2, BCL2 and HSP70 mRNA expression in ejaculated sperm were analyzed. Sperm concentration, motility and viability and sperm membrane and DNA integrity were lower significantly (p<0.05) in obese men than normal BMI group. There were higher levels (p<0.05) of MDA in seminal plasma of obese men. Significant difference was seen in activity of seminal plasma SOD between groups. Sperm PRM1 and HSP70 mRNA expressions were significantly (p<0.05) lower in obese men than normal BMI group. Our study indicates that obesity has detrimental effects on sperm quality and sperm PRM1 and HSP70 mRNA expression and is associated with a higher level of sperm DNA damage and seminal lipid peroxidation. So, present study suggests that BMI is as a risk factor that should be evaluate in men attending to infertility clinics during fertility assessment.

 

 Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in average paternal age. Paternal age has also been demonstrated to impact reproductive and fertility outcomes including increased time to pregnancy, decreased pregnancy rates, decrease in IVF/ICSI success rate and increasing rate of preterm bir th. Present study was done to investigate the effects of male age on sperm parameters and PRM1, PRM2 and BCL2 expression in ejaculated sperm in normozoospermic men. Semen samples from men without known fertility problems were obtained. The objects were divided into six groups: 20-25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40, 41-45 years and ≥45 years. Sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology, sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity and mRNA expression of PRM1, PRM2 and BCL2 in ejaculated sperm were analyzed. Highest levels of sperm concentration (75.4±14.3), motility (47.5±12.0) and normal morphology (15.8±5.7) observed in groups 20-25, 20-25 and 31-35 years, respectively. Significant declines (p<0.05) were seen in sperm motility and normal morphology after 45 years old in compared to men in younger age groups. Significant negative correlations were seen between sperm membrane (r=-0.323, p<0.05), acrosomal (r=-0.421, p= p<0.05) and DNA integrity (r=-0.385, p<0.05) with age of men. Expression of PRM1, PRM2 and BCL2 was significantly (p<0.05) lower in older (≥40 years) men than younger groups. expressions of BAX were significantly (p<0.05) higher in older (≥40 years) men than younger groups.Our findings demonstrate age-related changes in sperm quality and expression of PRM1, PRM2 and BCL2 and suggest that sperm expression profile can be helpful in the prediction of male infertility.

Surname: Hassanpour Name: Ali
Title: Evaluation of oxidative stress and HSP70 and HSP90 pattern expression in ejaculated sperm of men in couples with unexplained infertility
Supervisor: Dr. Mehran Dorostghoal and Dr. Hamid Galedari
Advisor: Dr. Masoud Hemadi
Degree: MSc
University: Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
Department: Biology Faculty :Science
Key words: Unexplained male infertility, Oxidative stress, Lipid peroxidation, HSP70, HSP90.

Several evidences suggest that imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma leads to oxidative stress resulting in male infertility. Present study was done to identifying clinical significance of seminal oxidative stress and HSP70 and HSP90 expression in male infertility practice. Semen parameters, seminal plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and mRNA expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in ejaculated sperm were assessed in fertile (n=10) and normozoospermic infertile (n=17) men. Higher levels (p<0.05) of MDA and lower activities (p<0.05) of SOD and GPx was seen in seminal plasma of normozoospermic infertile men. Significant negative correlations observed between seminal MDA levels and sperm motility and normal morphology. Expression of HSP70 and HSP90 was significantly (p<0.05) lower in normozoospermic infertile men than fertile group. Significant negative correlation was seen between HSP90 expression in ejaculated sperm and seminal MDA. Our findings indicate oxidative stress is a major factor in etiology of unexplained male infertility and evaluation of seminal antioxidant status and sperm expression of HSP70 and HSP90 can be helpful in the prediction of male infertility.

 

Surname: Khodadadi Name: Sara
Title: Evaluation of PSG1, HLA-E and Fertilin β pattern expression in ejaculated sperm of men in couples with unexplained infertility
Supervisor: Dr. Mehran Dorostghoal and Dr. Hamid Galedari
Advisor: Dr. Masoud Hemadi
Degree: MSc
University: Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
Department: Biology Faculty :Science
Key words: Unexplained infertility, Semen quality, Normozoospermic men, PSG1, HLA-E, Fertilin β.

Abstract
Investigation of the male partner in infertile couple is mainly based on the conventional semen analysis, which includes assessment of sperm concentration, motility and morphology. These parameters have, however, a limited power in regard to prediction of chance of conception and can only in selected cases point to options for specific therapeutic measures. To overcome these limitations, a number of new sperm tests have been developed. Present study was done to evaluated whether sperm expression profile could reflect the quality of spermatozoa and could be more informative for predicting the fertilizing ability of normozoospermic men. Semen parameters, sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity and mRNA expression of PSG1, HLA-E and Fertilin β in ejaculated sperm were assessed in fertile (n=10) and normozoospermic infertile (n=17) men.
Sperm concentration and viability was significantly lower in normozoospermic infertile men. No significant differences were observed in sperm motility, normal morphology, membrane and acrosomal integrity between fertile and infertile men. Expression of HLA-E and Fertilin β was significantly (p<0.05) lower in normozoospermic infertile men than fertile group. No significant difference was observed in sperm mRNA content of PSG1between fertile and infertile men. Our findings show that mRNA content of HLA-E and Fertilin β could reflect the quality of spermatozoa in etiology of unexplained male infertility and indicate sperm expression profile can be helpful in in the prediction of male infertility.

 

To investigate role of seminal prolactin on men fertilizing capacity, present study evaluated correlation between seminal prolactin (PRL) levels and semen quality, sperm DNA integrity and oxidative stress parameters. Semen parameters, sperm membrane and DNA integrity and seminal levels of PRL, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidise (GPx) were assessed in normozospermic (n=38), oligozospermic (n=36), asthenozospermic (n=42) and oligoasthenozospermic (n=35) men. Seminal PRL concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in normozospermic than oligozoospermic, asthnozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic men. Significant (p<0.05) higher levels of seminal MDA were seen in infertile than normozospermic men. Concentrations of seminal SOD and GPx were significantly (p<0.05) higher in normozospermic than infertile men. Significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was seen between seminal PRL levels and sperm count, motility and membrane and DNA integrity in men. Seminal PRL levels negatively correlated (p<0.05) with seminal MDA levels. Also, significant (p<0.05) positive correlations were seen between seminal PRL concentrations and activities of seminal SOD and GPx. These findings show the association of seminal PRL with sperm quality and oxidative stress parameters and its role in male fertility.

Several evidences suggest that imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma leads to oxidative stress resulting in male infertility. Zinc (Zn) is a seminal antioxidant that hypothesized its deficiency may contribute to low semen quality. Present study was done to evaluate Zn and oxidative stress parameters levels in seminal plasma and their correlations with men semen quality and sperm DNA integrity in Ahvaz. Semen parameters, sperm membrane and DNA integrity and seminal levels of Zn, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed in normozospermic (n=40), oligozospermic (n=38), asthenozospermic (n=47) and oligoasthenozospermic (n=33) men. Zn concentrations in seminal plasma of normozospermic men were significantly (p<0.05) higher than infertile groups. MDA levels in infertile men were significantly (p<0.05) higher than fertile group. Levels of SOD and GPx in seminal plasma of normozospermic men were significantly (p<0.05) higher than infertile groups. Significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was seen between Zn levels and sperm count, motility, normal morphology and membrane and DNA integrity. Zn levels significantly (p<0.05) were correlated negatively with MDA and positively with SOD and GPx seminal levels. The results indicate oxidative stress is a major factor in etiology of male infertility and evaluation of seminal zinc and antioxidant status can be helpful in men attending to infertility clinics during fertility assessment.