Summary:
Background: the immune system differentiates between the endogenous and exogenous bodies that inter the body. The break-down of blood-testis barrier results in the production of antisperm antibodies. This may occur in the case of an infection to the prostate, seminal vesicle and epididymes. Antisperm antibodies (ASA) cause sperm agglutination and affect sperm motility, viability and sperm migration in the female reproductive tract. ASA also impair fertilization process. The objective of the present work was to study the effect of prednisolone on sperm motility index (SMI), viability and sperm penetration assay (SPA) in immunologically infertile men.
Materials and methods: The semen and serum samples of 140 infertile men were examined by microagglutination test and slide agglutination test to detect ASA and sperm agglutination. Semen fliud analysis was performed to report sperm motility index (SMI), sperm viability and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). Sperm penetration assay was done to record sperm penetration rate (SPR), sperm decondensation rate (SDR) and sperm penetration index (SPI). Men with positive ASA were treated with prednisolone and considered as treated group Prednisolone was given orally in a dose of 5 mg three times daily for three months. The semen analysis, SMI HOST and SPA were performed before and after treatment with prednisolone. The number of semen samples in the treated group was 144 and in the control fertile group was 80. HOST-SPA positive semen was exposed to antisperm antibodies separation (ASAS) and invitro sperm activation prior to intra-uterine insemination.
Results: The SMI was significantly higher in the post-treated group compared to pretreated group (240 vs. 52.5, P<0.0l). The SPI in the control group was significantly higher than the post and pre-treated groups. The HOST and viability test results were significantly increased in the post-treated group compared to pre-treated group (73.42 vs. 48.56 and 71.36 vs, 50. 74 respectively, P<0.01). The sperm penetration rate, sperm decondensation rate and sperm penetration index were significantly increased in the post-treated vs. pre-treated groups (26.49 vs. 10.84, 10.91 vs. 3.47, P<0.05, 14.45 vs. 4.30, P<0.01 respectively). HOST-SPA positive semen was used for intra-uterine insemination (IUI). The semen was exposed to ASAS and in vitro activation prior to IUI and resulted in 42.86% pregnancy rate per cycle. The pregnancy was confirmed by the observation of gestation sac and viable fetal hear beet 5 weeks following IUI.
Conclusion: It was concluded from the results of the present study that treatment of immunological infertile men with prednisolone improves SMI, sperm viability and SPA results. The application of HOST-SPA positive semen for IUI resulted in successful pregnancy. The authors indicate that these viable spermatozoa with high fertilizable potential could be used for IVF and/or ICSI in immunologically infertile men.
With and without the use of magnetic fields, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using the hydrothermal method at extremely high temperatures and pressures. Titanium tetra isopropoxide [Ti(C12H28O4)] was used for the preparation, which was performed at pH 7 and under temperatures of 160 and 190 ˚C. UV spectroscopy, XRD crystallography, FE-SEM microscopy were used for characterizations. From UV spectroscopy, the energy gap values were clearly affected by the increase in temperature and the presence of the magnetic field. At the temperatures of 160 and 190 oC for TiO2 without magnetic field, FE-SEM microscopy images have shown an average c
... Show MoreThe improvement of the mechanical soil characteristics of jet grouting technique is very attractive. The jet grouted soil cement columns in soft is a complicated issue because it depends on a number of factors such as, soil nature, mixture, influence among soil and grouting materials, jetting force of nozzle, jet grouting and water flow rate, rotation and lifting speed. This paper discusses the estimation of shear strength parameters of soil-cement column (soilcrete) in soft clayey soil based on the relationships between the unconfined compressive and split tensile strength for the soilcrete and the effect of the jet grouting and water pressure in the values of cohesion and internal f
The impact of smoking on human health is remarkable and can lead to death. This research was performed to test the effects of cigarette smoking on some parameters that are considered as signs of critical problems in human body. The study was carried out on fifty Iraqi male smokers in Baghdad city, who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least 15 years. The group includes 25 male smokers with an age range of 20 -55 years and 25 male non-smokers who were collected with the same range of age for statistical comparison. The results of the study revealed significant increases in blood parameters, including hemoglobin (Hb, 16.0917 (g/dl) , packed cell volume (PCV, 49.2%), red blood cells (RBC, 5.4763 X1012/L), white blood cell (WBC, 1
... Show MoreBackground: In this study we evaluate the effect of plasma treatment (oxygen and argon) gas in two different exposure times on the surface of heat cure and light cure acrylic resin. Materials and method: 100 specimens of heat cure and light cure acrylic resin were fabricated. The measurements of the samples were (75mm, 25mm and 4.5mm) length, width and depth respectively with stopper of 3mm depth. Two types of gas used oxygen and argon in (5,10) min by using (DC-glow discharge plasma device) then we apply cold cure soft lining material, with the help of Instron machine we test the shear stress value. Results: A highly significant effect after argon and oxygen gases treatment in both 5 and 10 min exposure times on shear bond strength to soft
... Show MoreIn this research, the influence of the fermentation treatments and baking in Iraqi’s flour type (Ibaa 99, Al-rashed, Tamus, Abu-grabe) and Turkish flour type (Muaamel) on phytic acid was investigated. In whole wheat flour, the phytic acid was (1500, 1290, 1450, 1230, 1440 ( mg/ 100 g flour respectively, and the inorganic phosphorous was (29.18, 25.15, 23.89, 20.85, 22.83) mg/100 g flour respectively. The dough prepared from flour with a higher phytic acid content also contained higher amount of phytic acid. During fermentation, degradation of phytic acid occurred. The cumulative loss of phytic acid after fermentation in all type of dough was ~ 23, 22, 34, 26 and 27% respectively،While increased of inorganic phosphorous occurred. The c
... Show MoreBackground: Various herbal extracts are known to provide therapeutic benefits in the oral cavity when used topically. One of these herbs is cardamom which is a dried fruit of the tall permanent herbaceous plant, have its place in the family Zingiberaceae.
Objectives: Test the effect of green and black cardamom extracts on Lactobacilli in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% and de-ionized water.
Materials and methods: Dried fruits of green and black cardamom were extracted by using alcohol 70% ethanol. Saliva was collected from seven volunteers. Agar well technique with different concentrations of green and black cardamom extracts was used to test the sensitivities of Lactobacilli, as well the effects
The present research has investigated the effect of microwave energy on improving the flow properties of heavy crude oil. The fragmentation of crude oil molecules was carried out with and without using 1 and 10 wt. % concentration of various types of H-donors like tetralin, cyclohexane, and naphtha. Microwave power of 320, 385, and 540 W and radiation time 1-9 min, and temperature were studied. The kinematic viscosity and asphaltene content were measured for evaluation the improving of heavy crude oil.
Results show that viscosity of crude oil decreased with increase H-donor concentration, a maximum percentage of viscosity reduction was10.63 % for tetralin at 6 min radiation time, while 8.67%, and 7.34% for cycl
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