Papers by Tahereh Rahiminia
The Non Stress Test (NST) is a main assessment tool for fetal wellbeing; however, it has a high r... more The Non Stress Test (NST) is a main assessment tool for fetal wellbeing; however, it has a high rate of false-positive results. External stimulation with halogen light has been recommended to aid in provoking fetal response, decreasing false-positive results and promoting the test. This study aimed to assess the effect of halogen light stimulation on nonreactive pattern of NST. Methods & Materials: From 850 women who underwent NSTs, 50 women with singleton and cephalic fetuses who had nonreactive NSTs were allocated to receive halogen light stimulation through a halogen light source of 1,000,000 candle power. The light was applied to the lower abdomen above symphysis pubis over fetal head for 10 seconds. Results were compared to BPP scores as a backup test. We used mean± SD, chi-square Test and Fisher's Exact Test. The < α 0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: Following stimulation, 68% of nonreactive results changed to reactive patterns. In half of the cases, first acceleration occurred in less than two minutes. Almost 90% of fetuses had reactive pattern within nine minutes. Conclusion: Halogen light stimulation decreased the incidence of non reactive tests and testing time. Halogen light stimulation is safe and efficient in fetal well being assessment.
Sarem Journal of Reproductive Medicine
Aims: Folic acid is a prominent intermediary in transferring the methyl groups in DNA synthesis, ... more Aims: Folic acid is a prominent intermediary in transferring the methyl groups in DNA synthesis, stability, and integrity. Material and methods: In this study, we divided one hundred subjects into three groups as the controls, as well as two randomly intervention groups such as first treatment (vitamin E 400 IU and selenium 200 μg per day) and second treatment (selenium 200 μg, folic acid 5 mg daily, & vitamin E 400 IU). The DNA methylation percentages, the sperm chromatin/DNA quality, and DNMTs expressions profiles were evaluated before and after each intervention using ELISA, cytochemical tests, and qRT-PCR, respectively. Results: Sperm parameters were considerably enhanced in comparison to the threedrug group. Moreover, sperm decondensation and fragmentation of sperm DNA in the three-drug group were significantly lower than in the two-drug group. The global methylation of sperm DNA in the three-drug group was significantly reduced compared to pre-intervention. Conclusion: The increased global methylation has an association with the declined sperm parameters as well as chromatin integrity. The expression of DNMTs was not affected by the intervention. The utilization of folic¬ acid could ameliorate sperm quality and epigenetic features in terms of balancing the status of global methylation, increasing DNA integrity and chromatin, and also improving the sperm parameters.
International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine, 2021
Background Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) are widely used in many compounds. Recent e... more Background Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) are widely used in many compounds. Recent evidence has displayed some cytotoxic effects of TiO 2 NPs on male reproduction. Objective The effects of TiO 2 NP administration on sperm parameters and chromatin and seminiferous histopathology of male mice were investigated. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 32 NMRI male mice (35 ± 3 gr, 8-12-week-old) were divided into four groups (n = 8/each): treated groups were fed orally with 2.5 (group I), 5 (group II) and 10 (group III) mg/kg/day TiO 2 NPs for 40 days and the control group received phosphate buffered saline. Sperm parameters, DNA integrity and chromatin quality were assessed using chromomycin A3, aniline blue, toluidine blue staining and TUNEL. Hematoxylin eosin staining was performed to measure spermatogenic cells and the total diameter of seminiferous tubules. Also, sex hormone and malondyaldehyde levels were measured. Results Abnormal sperm tails rose in group...
Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2020
Background and Aim: All studies on mammals and rodents have revealed the presence of protamine 1 ... more Background and Aim: All studies on mammals and rodents have revealed the presence of protamine 1 (P1) and protamine 2 (P2) in the sperm which is indicative of the expression of these two genes at different molecular levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of protamine and its disorders on male fertility potential. Materials and Methods: Using keywords of sperm, protamine, male infertility, and chromatin we searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases between 1980 and 2020. Results: Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology in the patients with variable P1/P2 ratios were significantly reduced compared to those in the individuals with normal P1/P2 ratios which were directly associated with reduced fertility rate. The most common protamine abnormality in the infertile men was increased P1/P2 ratio which was frequently associated with a decreased level of P2 and increased level of P2 precursors. Increased levels of histone B2 (H2B) in sperm and lower levels of protamine have been reported. Any disturbances in the histone expression process cause inconvenient early chromatin condensation, transcription arrest, as well as spermatogenesis failures. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the protamine transcripts ratio can be used as a marker for male fertility. Histones/protamines mRNAs ratios are important for sperm quality and therefore can be used as predictors for male infertility. Altered levels of protamines may result in an increased susceptibility to injury in the sperm DNA causing infertility or poor outcome in assisted reproduction.
Journal of Reproduction & Infertility, 2019
Background: Male infertility is defined as a man lost his ability to fertilize a fertile female n... more Background: Male infertility is defined as a man lost his ability to fertilize a fertile female naturally. Diagnosis of male infertility cannot be made just according to basic semen analysis. It is necessity to have specific tests for evaluation of chromatin integrity. In this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the sperm chromatin quality in fertile men and infertile subgroup. Methods: Among 1386 couples, 342 men were categorized into normospermia and 1044 were infertile and they were referred to Yazd Research and Clinical Center for infertility treatment. Standard semen analysis and sperm nuclear maturity tests including aniline blue (AB) and toluidine blue (TB) staining were done. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean value of TB staining was significantly higher in infertile group compared to normospermic group (p=0.005). Mean of sperm normal morphology was lower in idiopathic infertile men in comparison wi...
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2020
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting many human physiological s... more Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting many human physiological systems and tissues, including the reproductive organs in men. The age of individuals suffering from this disease has been falling rapidly in recent years. This study compared the effect of DM on sperm parameters, chromatin quality, and apoptosis, as well as the expression profile of protamine genes in men with and without DM using molecular and cytochemical assays. Sixty semen samples from the control group (N ¼ 30) and case group (N ¼ 30) were collected. There was a significant decrease in the percentages of sperm parameters in cases versus the controls (p˂0.05). Despite significantly higher percentages detected in spermatozoa with AB þ , CMA3 þ , and TUNEL þ , no change was demonstrated regarding protamines mRNA levels, as well as the P1/P2 ratios in cases in comparison with controls. In contrast, significant positive correlations were found between the quantity of P1 and P2 transcripts (r ¼ 0.944, p < .001). The data indicated that DM not only caused a decrease in the quality of sperm parameters but also affected the sperm maturation process by increasing the substantial implications in the sperm DNA/chromatin levels of DM patients. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting many human physiological systems and tissues, including the reproductive organs in men. The age of individuals suffering from this disease has been falling rapidly in recent years. What do the results of this study add? We found that DM not only caused a decrease in the quality of the sperm parameters, including motility and concentration, and an increase in morphological abnormalities but also affected the sperm maturation process by increasing the substantial implications in sperm DNA/chromatin levels of DM patients. Despite there being no significant difference in the mRNA levels of protamines between the two groups, our findings showed a positive correlation between the mRNA levels of P1 and progressive sperm motility. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Based on the results of this study, chromatin and DNA assessments can have important implications for increasing fertility, as complementary tests, in combination with routine laboratory tests. Since sperm standard parameters are not capable of examining the condition of the sperm nucleus, men with abnormal sperm DNA can also have normal spermatogram, and diabetes is prevalent in reproductive age.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 2019
Numerous reagents were employed for differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into m... more Numerous reagents were employed for differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into male germ cells; however, the induction procedure was ineffective. The aim of this study was to improve the in vitro differentiation of mice iPSCs (miPSCs) into male germ cells with retinoic acid (RA) and progesterone (P). miPSCs were differentiated to embryoid bodies (EBs) in suspension with RA with or without progesterone for 0, 4, and 7 days. Then, the expression of certain genes at different stages of male germ cell development including Ddx4 (pre meiosis), Stra8 (meiosis), AKAP3 (post meiosis), and Mvh protein was examined in RNA and/or protein levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction or flow cytometry, respectively. The Stra8 gene expression increased in the RA groups on all days. But, expression of this gene declined in RA + P groups. In addition, an increased expression of Ddx4 gene was observed on day 0 in the P group. Also, a significant upregulation was observed in the expression of AKAP3 gene in the RA + P group on days 0 and 4. However, gene expression decreased in P and RA groups on day 7. The expression of Mvh protein significantly increased in the RA group on day 7. The Mvh expression was also enhanced in the P group on day 4, but it decreased on day 7, while this protein upregulated on day 0 and 7 in the RA + P group. The miPSCs have the capacity for in vitro differentiation into male germ cells by RA and/or progesterone. However, the effects of these inducers depend on the type of combination and an effective time. K E Y W O R D S differentiation, induced pluripotent stem cells, male germ cells, progesterone, retinoic acid 1 | INTRODUCTION Many couples with the infertility problem encounter environmental and genetic factors. 1,2 Today, assisted reproductive technology helps patients to treat their infertility problems that otherwise wasn't possible with common cures. However, patients with abnormal eggs or azoosperima and mutation in germ cells cannot take advantage of assisted reproductive technology. 3,4 According to the research, under certain conditions the stem cells can differentiate into germs cells that opens an avenue for treating infertility. 5-7 Stem cells, as undifferentiated cells, exist in all stages of life, i.e. embryonic, fetal, and adult stages, and create differentiated cells that in turn How to cite this article: Mahabadi JA, Tameh AA, Talaei SA, et al. Retinoic acid and/or progesterone differentiate mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into male germ cells in vitro.
Human Fertility, 2019
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferases (... more This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) such as DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA and sperm global DNA methylation with protamine transcripts in the sperm from men with severe sperm abnormalities. Sperm from each semen sample were isolated using a standard gradient isolation procedure by layering 1 mL of 40% (v/v) density gradient medium over 1 mL of 80% (v/v). A total of 30 oligoasthenoteratozoospermic ejaculates (OAT) and 30 normozoospermic ejaculates as controls were compared using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for mRNA expression of DNMT1, 3A, 3B, protamine1 (P1) and protamine2 (P2). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect global DNA methylation in sperm. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In OAT ejaculates, the increased level of DNMT3A, 3B mRNA, sperm global methylation, P1 plus P2 mRNA and decrease of P1-P2 ratio were significantly different. Also the content of protamine transcript was not correlated with sperm parameters. The increased total protamine transcript levels were associated with increased mRNA methyltransferases. The increase of DNMT1 may lead to an increased level of global methylation.
International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, 2016
Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) during critical phases of sper... more Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) during critical phases of spermiogenesis. However, the level of seminal ROS is restricted by seminal antioxidants which have beneficial effects on sperm parameters and developmental potentials. Mitochondria and sperm plasma membrane are two major sites of ROS generation in sperm cells. Besides, leukocytes including polymer phonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and macrophages produce broad category of molecules including oxygen free radicals, non-radical species and reactive nitrogen species. Physiological role of ROS increase the intracellular cAMP which then activate protein kinase in male reproductive system. This indicates that spermatozoa need small amounts of ROS to acquire the ability of nuclear maturation regulation and condensation to fertilize the oocyte. There is a long list of intrinsic and extrinsic factors which can induce oxidative stress to interact with lipids, proteins and DNA molecules. As a result, we have lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, axonemal damage, denaturation of the enzymes, over generation of superoxide in the mitochondria, lower antioxidant activity and finally abnormal spermatogenesis. If oxidative stress is considered as one of the main cause of DNA damage in the germ cells, then there should be good reason for antioxidant therapy in these conditions.
Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine, 2018
To investigate sperm chromatin/DNA integrity, global DNA methylation, and mRNA transcription in m... more To investigate sperm chromatin/DNA integrity, global DNA methylation, and mRNA transcription in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) compared with normozoospermic men. Semen samples from 32 OAT patients who comprised the case group and 32 normozoospermic men who comprised the control group were isolated and purified using a standard gradient isolation procedure according to World Health Organization criteria. , , and transcripts were then compared between groups using real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Global DNA methylation in sperm was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protamine deficiency and the proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa were evaluated using chromomycin A3 (CMA3), aniline blue (AB), and toluidine blue (TB) staining, as well as the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The -values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Significantly higher proporti...
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology, 2018
Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on sperm parameters, sperm chromatin q... more Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on sperm parameters, sperm chromatin quality and apoptosis resulted of vitrification in neat semen and prepared spermatozoa of normozoospermic samples. Forty semen samples from normozoospermic men were included in this prospective study. Each sample was divided into five groups. Group I: control or fresh semen, group II: semen prepared by swim-up method and then vitrified, group III: neat semen was vitrified, group IV: vitamin C (600 μM) was added to prepared spermatozoa and then vitrified and group V: vitamin C (600 μM) was added to neat semen and then vitrified. After warming, sperm analysis was done accordingly. For evaluating the sperm chromatin/DNA integrity status and acrosome reaction, we used toluidine blue (TB), acridine orange (AO), terminal transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin end labeling (TUNEL) and double staining tests. All of the sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology and viability) ha...
International journal of reproductive biomedicine (Yazd, Iran), 2017
The sperm DNA damage may occur in testis, genital ducts, and also after ejaculation. Mechanisms a... more The sperm DNA damage may occur in testis, genital ducts, and also after ejaculation. Mechanisms altering chromatin remodeling are abortive apoptosis and oxidative stress resulting from reactive oxygen species. Three classifications of intratesticular, post-testicular, and external factors have been correlated with increased levels of human sperm DNA damage which can affect the potential of fertility. Lifestyle, environment, medical, and iatrogenic factors might be considered to cause dysmetabolism to make distracting interactions and endocrine disrupting compounds. As a result, these may induce chromatin/DNA alteration in germ cells, which may be transmitted across generations with phenotypic consequencesAlcohol consumption may not increase the rate of sperm residual histones and protamine deficiency; however, it causes an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation and apoptosisIn a medical problem as spinal cord injury, poor semen parameters and sperm DNA dama...
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017
Objective: Presence of vitrification method in sperm freezing and the introduction of solid surfa... more Objective: Presence of vitrification method in sperm freezing and the introduction of solid surface vitrification beside rapid freezing in vapour, opens an easy and safe way to help infertility centres. While the effects of cryopreservation on motility, morphology and viability of sperm are documented, the question of the probable alteration of sperm DNA, chromatin and acrosome integrity after freezing and thawing procedures in different methods is still controversial. Materials and methods: Normal sample were collected according to WHO strict criteria. Sperm suspensions were mixed 1:1 with 0.5 M sucrose and divided into four equal aliquots for freezing: fresh, nitrogen direct immersion vitrification (Vit), solid surface vitrification (SSV) and in vapour (Vapour). Sperm suspensions were transferred into a 0.25 ml sterile plastic. Then straw was inserted inside the 0.5 ml straw. For thawing, the straws were immersed in a 42 C water bath. Beside the sperm parameters, we assessed the acrosome reaction by double staining, chromatin integrity by toluidine blue (Tb) and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and DNA integrity by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) respectively. Results: In progressive motility, the highest rate occurred in Vit (39.9 ± 13.3). Moreover, the lowest rate of immotile sperm was in Vit (32.7 ± 16.3). In normal morphology, the group Vit was similar to the fresh, while SSV and Vapour were significantly different from the fresh. The percentage of acrosome-reacted sperms was more in Vit (81.3 ± 10.2) than the fresh group. TUNELþ results showed that DNA fragmentation was significantly increased in Vit (p-value ¼ 0.025). While in SSV and Vapour results were comparable to fresh. There was a significant correlation between TUNELþ and normal morphology, TB, CMA3 and presence of intact acrosome. Conclusion: Sperm in Vapour was healthier in terms of DNA, chromatin and acrosome integrity. In contrast of higher motility and normal morphology; DNA, chromatin and acrosome integrity were decreased in Vit. However, these findings were more acceptable in SSV or Vapour.
Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 2016
To examine the effect of co-culture system with CCs on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature ... more To examine the effect of co-culture system with CCs on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes retrieved from mice. Design: This is an experimental study. Setting: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility of Yazd. Sample: A total of 144 oocytes from 5 to 6 weeks mice. Material: After dissecting ovaries, denuded GVs (DGVs) were considered as control group and put in IVM medium. In cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) as exp I, intact COCs were put in IVM medium and observed for maturation after 24 h and 48 h. In exp II, GVs were co-cultured with mature CCs. For exp II, COCs were incubated for 30 min before removing oocytes. Then, denuded mature oocytes were removed and the remaining CCs were used to culture denuded GVs recovered from ovaries. Main outcome measures: Maturation rates of oocytes after 24 h and 48 h. Results: The rate of oocyte maturation was 77.36 ± 14.4 in control group. In exp I and exp II, the rates of maturation were 91.32 ± 22.5 and 63.33 ± 7.4, respectively (P = 0.04). However, maturation rate did not increase after 24 h. The maturation rate in metaphase I (MI) oocytes was as low as 15% in different groups at 24 h and did not increase by 48 h. Degeneration rate was increased from time 0 to 48 h, but not significant in different times. Conclusion: Presence of intact COCs significantly improved the oocyte maturation rates in animal model. However, co-culture of GVs with mature CCs did not improve IVM program in mice.
Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 2013
One of the first-line assessment tools for fetal surveillance is nonstress test (NST), although i... more One of the first-line assessment tools for fetal surveillance is nonstress test (NST), although it is limited by a high rate of false-nonreactive results. This study was performed to investigate if external stimulation from vibroacoustic and halogen light could help in provoking fetal responsiveness and altering NST results. This is a clinical trial. Sampling was done from April to July 2010. One hundred pregnant women with nonreactive NST for 20 min were allocated in two groups: Vibroacoustic stimulated NST (VNST, n = 50) who received vibration from a standard fetal vibratory stimulator and halogen light stimulated NST (LNST, n = 50) who received a halogen light source for 3 and 10 sec, respectively. Results were compared together and then compared to biophysical profile (BPP) scores as a backup test. We used Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test to compare the variables in the two groups through SPSS version 14. P < 0.05 was considered as statistical...
International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, 2017
The sperm DNA damage may occur in testis, genital ducts, and also after ejaculation. Mechanisms a... more The sperm DNA damage may occur in testis, genital ducts, and also after ejaculation. Mechanisms altering chromatin remodeling are abortive apoptosis and oxidative stress resulting from reactive oxygen species. Three classifications of intratesticular, post-testicular, and external factors have been correlated with increased levels of sperm DNA damage which can affect the potential of fertility. Alcohol consumption may not increase the rate of sperm residual histones and protamine deficiency; however, it causes an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. In a medical problem as spinal cord injury, poor semen parameters and sperm DNA damage were reported. Infection induces reactive oxygen species production, decreases the total antioxidant capacity and sperm DNA fragmentation or antigen production that lead to sperm dysfunctions and DNA fragmentation. While reactive oxygen species generation increases with age, oxidative stress may be responsible for the age-dependent sperm DNA damage. The exposing of reproductive organs in older men to oxidative stress for a long time may produce more DNA-damaged spermatozoa than youngers. Examining the sperm chromatin quality in testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients prior to chemotherapy demonstrated the high incidence of DNA damage and low compaction in spermatozoa at the time of diagnosis. In chemotherapy cycles with genotoxic agents in cancer patients, an increase in sperm DNA damage was shown after treatment. In overall, those factors occurring during the prenatal or the adult life alter the distribution of proteins associated with sperm chromatin induce changes in germ cells which can be detected in infertile patients.
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Papers by Tahereh Rahiminia