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Background and Objective: With respect to the antioxidant role of melatonin and retinoic acid, it seems to be effective both in the maturation and embryonic development. This study was done to investigate the effect of combination of melatonin and All-Trans retinoic acid (RA) on maturation, fertilization and embryonic development of immature mouse oocytes. Methods: In this experimental study, cumulus - oocyte complex (COCs) were recovered from 4-6 week old female mice NMRI and were divided into 6 maturation medium groups including control, sham, experiment 1(melatonin 100 nM, 1 and 2 µM), experiment 2 (retinoic acid 1, 2, 4, 6 µM), experiment 3 (melatonin 2 µM+RA 4 µM), experiment 4 (Mel 100nM + retinoic acid 4µM). The maturation rate was recorded after 24 hours of culture in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37°C. The matured oocytes were fertilized with sperm. Fertilization and embryonic development rates to the blastocyst stage were recorded. Results: Maturation rate in the control and sham groups were 50.6% and 49.4%, respectively. Maturation rate were 54.3%, 54.8%, 59.9% in melatonin group with concentrations of 100 nM, 1 and 2 µM, respectively. Maturation rate were 51.6%, 51%, 59% and 49.6% in t-RA group with concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 6 μM. Maturation rate were 60.4% and 54.2% in the experiment 3 and 4 groups, respectively. The maturation rates in the melatonin 2 µM, retinoic acid 4 µM and experiment 3 significantly increased in compare to control (P<0.05). The embryonic development rate in the melatonin with 100nM concentration and 4 µM of retinoic acid increased significantly compared to controls (P<0.05). Although, embryonic development rate in experiment 3 was higher than control, but lower in compare to melatonin 100 nM and the retinoic acid 4 µM. The embryonic development rate in experiment 4 significantly increased in compare to control (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combination of melatonin and All-Trans retinoic acid in medium culture increase maturation rate and improved embryonic development in dose dependent manner.

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Background and Objective: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and its receptor express in developing follicles, fetal and reproductive tissues. The serum G-CSF concentration significantly increases during the ovulatory phase in comparison with other phases, so G-CSF may have an important role in ovulation and the early cross-talk between mother and conceptus in both human and animal models. This study was done to evaluate the Effect of exogenous G-CSF on ovulation and pregnancy rate in NMRI mice.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 mature female and 10 male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into the control and treatment groups. All Ovaries were stimulated with intraperitoneal injections (IP) of 10 IU PMSG and after 48 hour by 10 IU hCG per mouse. The treatment group were recieved G-CSF (50mg/kg i.p.), at the time of PMSG administration, while the control group had the same volume of normal saline instead of G-CSF at the same time. 16-18 hours post-hCG administration, twenty female mice of both groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and ovulated oocytes were assessed. On day 16 post coitus, the rest of female mice of both groups were scarificed for withdrawing their fetuses to determine the effect of G-CSF on pregnancy rates.

Results: The ovulation rate in the treatment group (18.5±1.25) were significantly more than that of control (12.1±1.32) (P<0.05). The number of fetuses had no significant difference between control and treatment groups.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that exogenous G-CSF may affect on folliculogenesis and ovulation but the following pregnancy outcome was not impressed.

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Background and Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) located in the fallopian tube epithelial cells play a crucial role in the immunological response to sperm and pathogens. The present study aimed to compare the function and response of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in the presence of sperm under both physiological and pathological conditions in vitro.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, OE-E6/E7 cells were cultured with fresh sperm samples obtained from normozoospermic individuals (n=10) and specific ligands for TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in three groups consisting of sperm, specific ligands, and sperm + specific ligands. A control group was also included without adding sperm or ligand. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 secreted from OE-E6/E7 cells in all four groups were determined using the ELISA method.
Results: Exposure of sperm and specific ligands to TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in fallopian tube epithelial cells led to a significant increase in the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines. There was no significant difference in the secretion of these cytokines from OE-E6/E7 cells between the two groups of ligand and ligand + sperm.
Conclusion: The response of fallopian tube epithelial cells to sperm exposure through TLRs leads to an increase in cytokine secretion. However, simultaneous exposure of sperm and TLR-specific ligands does not result in a cumulative increase in cytokine secretion. Therefore, it is plausible that the TLR signaling pathway may be regulated negatively by some other factors. Further studies are required to investigate this issue.
 

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Background and Objective: Antioxidant apigenin (AP) is a natural, non-mutagenic, and less toxic flavonoid with pharmacological anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This antioxidant is easily received by the cell, binds to sperm DNA, and forms a DNA-AP complex, thereby protecting sperm DNA. The present study was conducted to determine the antioxidant effect of AP on human sperm quality after freezing-thawing.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 10 normozoospermic samples underwent freezing-thawing conditions, and sperm functional tests were investigated in different AP concentrations, including 0.4 mM, 0.2 mM, 0.1 mM, and 0.05 mM.
Results: The quality of total sperm parameters and functional tests decreased after freezing compared to before freezing. Among the AP concentrations, only in the 0.2 mM AP concentration, the improvement of the additional histone percentage, protamine deficiency, and sperm DNA health were observed compared to the control; this finding was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The use of AP with a concentration of 0.2 mM during freezing-thawing culminates in improving sperm functional tests.

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Background and Objective: Obesity and advancing age in men, in addition to numerous health problems, can negatively affect spermatogenesis and fertility potential. The present study aimed to determine the correlation of sperm parameters with age and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, semen parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology) of 7069 men referring to an infertility center in Isfahan were evaluated based on the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. BMI was calculated by dividing an individual’s weight (kg) by the square of their height (m).
Results: A weak positive correlation was observed between men’s BMI and age (P<0.001, r=0.07). Also semen volume (P<0.001, r=-0.02), sperm concentration (P<0.001, r=-0.02), and sperm count (P<0.001, r=-0.04) had a weak negative correlation with BMI. No statistically significant correlation was observed between sperm motility and BMI. Regarding men’s age, only a weak negative correlation was observed between this parameter and sperm motility (P<0.001, r=-0.04).
Conclusion: Increasing BMI and age in men may be associated with decreased sperm quality and fertility potential.