Iraqi Journal of Embryos and Infertility Researches

Correlation Between Endometrial Thickness and Pregnancy Outcome in Iraqi Women Undergoing ICSI

Rwuidh Ibraheem, Lubna A. Al-Anbari, Rehab Sh. Al-Maliki — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: During the process of embryo development, endometrial receptivity is very important for the successful implantation of blastocysts. This research investigated the influence of endometrial thickness at the day of oocyte retrieval and fresh embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in Iraqi women who are undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Women from Iraq are taking part in this investigation. Participating in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with the use of ICSI was a group of 44 women who were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and had unexplained infertility. During the phases of oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, there were significant differences seen between the two groups (p-values of 0.003 and 0.049), respectively. There were a total of 44 individuals, and 31 of them had negative pregnancy test results. The remaining 13 persons was positive findings. These results illustrate the importance of endometrial thickness in influencing the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies in achieving pregnancies.

Effect of Follicular Fluid and Serum Irisin on Oocyte and Embryo Quality in PCOS Women Undergoing ICSI Cycle

Sundus A. Dawood, Hayder A. L. Mossa , Mufeeda A. Jwad — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a group of clinically distinct
endocrine conditions. Insulin resistance-related proteins are involved in
PCOS pathogenesis. Irisin is a new myokine that functions similarly to
adipokines. Irisin has been linked to insulin resistance and metabolic
syndrome. There have been conflicting findings regarding irisin levels and
their connection to hormonal and metabolic alterations in PCOS .This study
aimed to compare the levels of irisin in follicular fluid and serum between
women with PCOS and healthy women and correlate them with oocyte and
embryo quality in women undergoing the ICSI cycle .Ninety infertile Iraqi
women were enrolled, 46 women with PCOS and 44 weight-matched non
PCOS controls, in whom ICSI was done for them and evaluated the level of
follicular fluid, serum Irisin, and insulin level with measure of Homeostasis
Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and correlate them to
with oocyte and embryo quality. HOMA-IR, FF, and serum irisin levels in
PCOS considerably increased. (P ≤ 0.01).
In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between Irisin levels
in follicular fluid and serum with MII oocyte, oocyte maturity rate, and grade
1 embryo. The serum, follicular fluid Irisin, and HOMA-IR were significantly
higher in PCOS than in control cases, which may cause a reduction in oocyte
maturation, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome.

Evaluation of Seminal Plasma IL-17 and IL-25 and its Relation with Serum Anti-Sperm Antibody among Infertile Men

Fahad Oleiwi, Chateen Pambuk, Mousa Al-Humesh — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

It is known that structural elements like the “blood-testis barrier” (BTB) and systemic and local tolerance mechanisms help to maintain testicular homeostasis, which shields germ cells and mature sperms from immune attack. Any damage to this barrier could result in immune attack and may lead to infertility.

This study aims to look at the correlation between male infertility and immunological factors (IL-17, IL-25, and anti-sperm antibody). During the months of October 2021 and July 2022, a total of 144 samples were taken from patients who sought to have infertility tested. The subjects' semen specimens were taken in order to perform the ELISA tests for IL-17, IL-25, and ASA.

The levels of ASA, IL-17 and IL-25 differed significantly (P≤ 0.05) across study groups, according to the results of immunological parameters.

The results of the correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between IL-17 and IL-25, but not between those two interleukins and ASA. Although there was theoretically a positive link in this study, it was very weak and not significant.

The findings suggest that IL-17, IL-25, and ASA influence seminal fluid parameters, which in turn affect male fertility.

Differential Levels of DHEAS and Inflammatory Cytokines in Obese and Non-Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Comparative Study

Huda Mahdi, Wasan A. Al-Jubory — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with symptoms diverse clinical manifestations. Obesity, a common comorbidity in PCOS, may exacerbate its and lead to varied hormonal and inflammatory profiles. This study aimed to compare serum DHEAS, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels between obese and non-obese women with PCOS, providing insights into the intricate interplay between obesity, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation in this condition and offering potential pathways for enhancing fertility treatment outcomes in this challenging patient population.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data was analyzed from sixty -five women diagnosed with PCOS, categorized into two groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI): Thirty-eight were non-obese (BMI < 30) and twenty-seven obese women (BMI ≥ 30). Serum samples were collected to measure DHEAS, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels using the ELIZA kit. These measures were then compared between the two groups to ascertain any significant differences.

Results: The study found significantly higher serum DHEAS levels in non-obese PCOS patients compared to their obese counterparts (p = 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels between the two groups (TNF-α p = 0.58; IL-10 p = 0.13).

Conclusion: Serum DHEAS were significantly higher in non-obese compared to their obese counterparts’ women with PCOS. In contrast, no significant variance was found regarding S.TNF-α and S.IL-10 between the two groups.

Evaluation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) Levels in Blood Serum and Follicular Fluid (Predictive Marker) and its Effect on Oocytes Maturity in Iraqi Infertile Females Undergoing ICSI Protocol

Samhar F. Alwan, Rana A. R. Alsaadi, Hayder A. L. Mossa — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT

Background: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 was expression in serum and follicular fluid has a direct role in maturity of oocytes and successful pregnancy outcome, which plays a crucial role in regulating fibrinolysis during pregnancy period by blocks the action of other protein called plasminogen activators.

Objective: Assessment the Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 level in blood serum and follicular fluid as predictive marker of pregnancy and its effected on oocytes maturity in Iraqi infertile females undergoing ICSI protocol.

Materials and Methods: This study included Sixty-nine infertile female with mean age was (33.03 ±5.97) years, attended to High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University (Baghdad / Iraq), they underwent ICSI program, during a period from October 2022 till February 2023. All infertile female has same inclusion and exclusion criteria. Also, every female was asked some information including age, duration of infertility, body mass index (kg/m²), type of infertility, causes of infertility and hormonal assay, virology assay, husband’s seminal fluid analysis, and ultrasonography picture.

All females undergone ovarian stimulation with antagonist protocol and received recombinant follicle stimulating hormone, at the cycle day two. The serum and follicular fluid was collected from each female at the day of oocyte retrieval, for PAI estimation using Elisa kit (Diagnostic/ USA).

The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and Microsoft office 2010.

Results: The results showed that serum PAI-1 levels at the day of oocytes retrievals were significantly lower in positive pregnancy women comparison with non-pregnant women (p < 0.05); Yet no significant follicular fluid PAI-1 levels were noted in comparison with non-pregnant women. There was a negative significant correlation (p > 0.05) of serum and follicular fluid PAI-1 levels at the day of oocytes retrieval according to oocytes ICSI outcome.

Conclusions: The results of present study concluded that evaluation of serum PAI-1 levels can be used as a promising parameter for the prediction of pregnancy outcome between pregnant and non-pregnant females. It is assumed that pregnancy rate was affected by PAI-1level during ICSI cycles.

Keywords: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 PAI-1, ICSI protocol, Blastocysts.

Corresponding author: should be addressed (Email: [email protected]).

Effects of Sperm Mitochondrial Activity on Motility, Parameter of Human Fertility

Alaa Ahmed, Thaer M. Farhan — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mitochondria play a significant key in sperm metabolism as well as power generation. The mitochondria nucleolus is essential for several sperm activities. such as sperm capping, hyper activation, and acrosome reactions and oocyte fusion, mitochondrial membrane potential can be used to study sperm mitochondrial activity, the mitochondrial integrity of sperm evaluated by examination of mitochondrial membrane potential MMP, which may be achieved by using fluorescent dyes like JC-1 probe is composed of 5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tcarbocyanine iodide.

Objectives study: to study the correlation between mitochondrial membrane potential Red MMP and sperm motility.

Materials and methods: This study included 42 male's samples who were separated into two groups. (21 normomozoospermia, 21 asthenozoospermia) through the period of attendance to infertility clinic at High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al- Nahrain University and Um Al-Banin Center for management and in vitro fertilization the collected semen were obtained and seminal fluid analysis was assisted according to (WHO,2021). fluorescent staining of the sample prepared is done by using MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1) was performed.

Results: showed a positive significant correlation between sperm motility percentage and red MMP intensity (p < 0.001). The mitochondrial activity plays essential function in sperm motility and male fertility.

The Effect of Smoking on the Apoptotic Marker (Caspase-3) of Human Sperm

Mohanad Mohammed, Muayad Saribet, Rehab Sh. Al-Maliki — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The ability of human sperm to fertilize can be compromised both in vivo and in vitro by the toxins found in cigarette smoke, which can lower sperm mitochondrial activity and harm chromatin structure.

Aim of the study: to study the effect of smoking on the apoptotic marker (caspase-3) of human sperm.

Patients, materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 semen sample of sub-fertile men, they were divided into smokers (35 patients) and non-smokers (45 patients). All the semen samples after seminal fluid analysis underwent HOST test and grading (A-G) according to the WHO 2021 criteria then the slides smeared and stained with immunocytochemistry kit for Caspase-3 apoptotic marker.

Results: There was no significant effect of smoking in the concentration of caspase-3 expression, in spite of high presentation of both grades A and G in smoker group (p = 0.57, 0.56 respectively).

Conclusion: Smoking has a negative impact on the DNA integrity of sperm as it increases the apoptotic marker within the smoker group.

Evaluation of SFRP5 Role in Relevance to BMI in Prediction of Pregnancy in a Sample of Iraqi Infertile Females Undergoing ICSI

Hameedah A. Al-Asade, Hayder A. L. Mossa , Mufeeda A. Jwad — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and obesity are related. These macrophage cells influence adipose tissue by releasing many bioactive chemicals, including the wingless-type MMTV integration site family 5a (wnt5a) glycopeptides and the more traditional cytokines. Healthy adipocytes can release the wnt5a inhibitor Secreted frizzled-related protein 5(SFRP5). However, this protective effect was found to be reduced in obesity. This study aimed to assess the effect of follicular and serum levels of SFRP5 as well as serum and follicular levels of wnt5a on ICSI outcome and determine the potential roles of SFRP5 as a predictor of positive pregnancy in Iraqi infertile females undergoing ICSI with different body mass index.

Patients and methods: Ninety infertile females who received intracytoplasmic sperm injection and had various infertility factors between 18 and 45 years participated in this prospective clinical cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the "High Institute of Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies/Reproductive Physiology/Al- Nahrain University/Baghdad/Iraq" infertility clinic from September 2021 to July 2023. Three groups of those patients were created based on the patient's body mass index scores. Antagonist ovarian hyperstimulation protocol was applied to all enrolled infertile women. The total gonadotrophin dose used was calculated. Follicular fluid, serum SFRP5, and serum and follicular fluid wnt5a levels were measured for all participants on the day of ovum pickup. In addition, ICSI outcomes were determined.

Results: There was a significant difference in the mean total gonadotrophin dose used among the three studied groups (p = 0.023), higher in overweight and obese females than normal-weight females. There was a positive significant correlation between serum plus follicular fluid wnt5a and total gonadotropin dose used (r= 0.286 and p-value=0.006, r=0.247 and p = 0.0.019, respectively). Serum and follicular fluid SFRP5 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in normal-weight females. There were higher serum (p-value=0.002) and follicular fluids (p-value=0.005) SFRP5 levels in pregnant females. The cutoff values for serum and follicular fluid SFRP5 were ≥15.86 (ng/ml) and ≥ 11.3(ng/ml), respectively, as predictors of positive pregnancy in women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles.

Conclusion: Both SFRP5 and wnt5a glycoproteins were detected in infertile women's serum and follicular fluid. Serum and follicular fluid secreted frizzled-related protein 5 level positively associated with ICSI outcome. The cutoff values for serum and follicular fluid SFRP5 were ≥15.86 (ng/ml) and ≥ 11.3(ng/ml), respectively, as predictors of positive pregnancy in women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles.