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ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Studies confirm that a number of nutritional and environmental factors may negatively affect spermatogenesis and cause male infertility. Carnitine is an important factor for sperm motility. Carnitine deficiency decreases sperm motility and may cause male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carnitine on sperm parameters in infertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia. Materials & Methods: This study is a before and after clinical trial performed on 40 asthenospermia men who were treated with 750 mg per/day carnitine in Fatemieh infertility research center in years 2006-2007. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS10 and paired T-test Results: The results showed a significant increase in sperm concentration, morphology, sperm total motility and rapid progressive motility after treatment by carnitine (p<0.05). Conclusion: Carnitine supplementation has a significant effect on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic asthenospermia.

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Introduction & Objective: Today, cryopreservation of the human sperm is a common technique for treating infertility. It has been indicated that cryopreservation by different methods decrease the sperm motility and viability in fertile men, but still effect of freezing of the sperm by vitrification method have not been evaluated on sperm parameters and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitrification of sperm of fertile men on different sperm parameters (motility, morphology, viability and count) and apoptosis after thawing. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study which was conducted at Yazd Infertility Research and Clinical Center in 2009, seventeen semen samples were collected by masturbation from people who came to this centre. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO standards. Smear was provided from these samples and fixed for TUNEL staining. Some samples were directly cryopreserved by cryoloope in liquid nitrogen and stored at least for Seven days. After thawing, samples were evaluated for sperm parameters. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using paired T-test and Willcoxon statistical test. Results: The progressive movement of sperm was significantly decreased by vitrification. Also significant decrease in viability and morphology of the sperm and increase in the rate of apoptosis was observed after vitrification. The amount of apoptosis had negatively correlated with normal parameters of spermatozoa (especially progressive motility and viability). Conclusion: These results indicated that vitrification is harmful for sperm parameters and of apoptosis rate in fertile men. However, the apoptosis rate was lower compared to other freezing methods.

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Abstract Background & aim: The main aim of this study was to determine the irrational beliefs and emotions associated with the sexual desire of infertile women in Shiraz. Methods: one hundred infertile women were selected by simple random method and examined with Tangi’s test of self conscious affect, Jonse’s irrational beliefs, and Hulbert’s index sexual desire. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Results: Results showed that there was a linear relation between irrational beliefs and self conscious affect with rate of sexual desire and irrational beliefs had reversal impact on sexual desire. Two subscale perfectionism and high self had reversal affect on sexual desire in infertile women. Conclusions: This study showed that infertility threatens women’s mental health. Key words: Self Conscious Affect, Irrational Believes, Sexual Desire, Infertility Women

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Abstract Background & aim: One of the main genetic factors of infertility is the deletions in the chromosome Y. Accordingly this study was conducted to determine the frequency of microdeletion of AZF region in infertile men of Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, 100 infertile men referred to the Infertility Center of Isfahan and 100 fertile men as controls were randomly selected. Genomic DNA was extracted from their blood and amplified by sequence tagged sites-polymerase chain reaction (STS-PCR) method. The presence of microdeletion in AZF locus was diagnosed. Results: No AZFa, AZFb or AZFc deletions were found in the control group. Microdeletions were observed in one patient in AZFb region, eight patients in AZFc region and two patients in AZFa region. Conclusion: The incidence of Yq microdeletions in Iranian population is similar to the international frequency. Our data agree with other studies regarding microdeletions of AZFc, but for microdeletions of AZFa (2%) our results show smaller frequency and differ significantly with many studies. Key words: Infertility, Y chromosome, Microdeletion

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Abstract Background & aim: Considering the fact that infertility causes infertility problems in the marital relationship so, this study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of short-term couples therapy self-regulation on marital intimacy of infertile. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 20 couples were selected for sampling then they randomly into two experimental and control groups and each group was assigned 10 couples. Marital Intimacy scale was used to collect the data. Experimental intervention (self-regulatory couple therapy) was conducted on the experimental group for 8 sessions in duration of 90 minute per week. One month after completion of the training program, both groups were post-tested. Repeated measure was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that infertile couples marital intimacy increased self treatment groups compared with the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Short-term couple's therapy self-regulation is effective for increasing marital intimacy. Key words: Self-regulation, Couple Therapy, Marital Intimacy, Infertility

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Abstract Background & aim: infertility and the attitude of the society toward it, makes women and even men deal with many emotional disturbances. Infertile women tolerate more stress than fertile women. Stress can reduce the amount of happiness and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of stress management skills training (cognitive-behavioral) on happiness of infertile women. Methods: In this clinical-trial study, the cases of infertile women who were referred to the Infertility Center of Shiraz in the summer of 2011were studied. A total of 24 infertile women with high stress scores were selected by purposive sampling and divided into two experimental and control groups. The stress management training (cognitive-behavioral) was instructed during 10 weekly sessions on the target group. Using Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, a pre-test and a post-test was completed. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and ANCOVA. Results: The difference between the mean happiness was significant after controlling of the pretest variables in the two groups. The mean scored happiness of the experimental group significantly increased compared to the control group in the post-test (P=0.0001). Conclusion: The results indicated that the control effectiveness of stress management therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy on happiness levels of infertile women. Key words: Happiness, Cognitive- Behavioral, Stress Management, Infertility

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Background & Aim: According to the maternal health, and the fact that cytomegalovirus infection is associated with abortion and the incidence of fetal malformations, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalance of cytomegalovirus infection of women in the reproductive age. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on women of childbearing referred to Yasuj Mofatteh clinic in 2013. Ninety-four eligible women (married women aged 17 to 45 years) were selected by random-stratified sampling. After completing the questionnaire which included demographic and clinical characteristics, blood samples were collected and IgG & IgM antibodies titers against CMV were measured by ELISA. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS and statistical tests and independent T-test & chi-square. Results: 98.9% of the participants (93 eligible women) were positive for anti-CMV IgG antibody, whereas the IgM antibody in only one patient (1.1 %) was border line. Also no significant association was observed between the IgG and IgM antibodies and clinical manifestations with demographic variables. Moreover, the titer of IgG and IgM antibodies and clinical manifestations associated with demographic variables was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that exposure to cytomegalovirus in women at childbearing age was significant in Yasuj and need serious care in order to prevent complications and congenital malformation felt in this group.

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Background & aim: Medicinal plants with natural active substances and with lower side effects could be used as effective drugs in the treatment of many diseases. In recent years, the effects of reducing blood sugar, lipids, pain relief back pain of Ducrosia anethifolia has have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducrosia anethifolia on Testosterone hormone and the histological changes of testicle in male adult rats.

Methods: The present experimental study was conducted on 56 male adult Wistar rats.  The animals were divided into five groups: the control group (without treatment), the sham group (received the solution via gavage for 21 days). The experimental group 1, 2, 3 received hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducrosia anethifolia with 140,280,560 mg/kg dose per the body weight were gavaged for 21 subsequent days. On 22^nd day, the animals were euthanized and the rat testes placed in 10% formalin for evaluating the histological changes. The 5 micron- sections from testicle were provided and stained by the hematoxylin - eosin method. The blood serums were collected and the level of testosterone was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and Duncan test and ANOVA at the significant level (p <0.05).

Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in the number of spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa and testosterone levels in Groups 1, 2 and 3 compared with the control group and the sham group.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the Ducrosia anethifolia extract reduces the number of germ cells, the level of testosterone and spermatogenesis in male Wistar rats.

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Background & aim: Infertility is an important medical and social issue in all societies. Access to accurate and up-to-date infertility statistics and related causes can be useful in formulating policies to assist infertile couples and refer them to infertility centers and their treatment and resolution of problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine and investigate the prevalence of infertility in Boyer-Ahmad district based on the SIB system from 2016 to 2018.
 
Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 1536 couples who were referred to all health centers in Boyer Ahmad district affiliated to Yasuj University of Medical Sciences during 2016-2018. The data were collected by interview using a researcher-constructed questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 at the descriptive level. Quantitative descriptive data are presented as mean (standard deviation) and qualitative in the form of frequency (percentage).
 
Results: In the present study, the mean (SD) age of infertile women was 38/6 ± 01/33 and men age 39/8 ± 45/38 years. The prevalence of infertility in Boyerahmad was 8.13%, of which 44.06% had primary infertility and 55.93% had secondary infertility. The mean (standard deviation) of women was 27.93±5.49. In primary infertility, 42.3% were female, 26.9% were mixed, 23.1% were male and 7.7% were idiopathic.
 
Conclusion: The prevalence of infertility in Boyer Ahmad district was lower than the national rate and previous studies. In the frequency distribution of infertility type, secondary infertility was more frequent. Regarding sampling based on SIB system and differences in infertility statistics in the province compared to Iran and the world, this finding may be due to the low number of infertile couples surveyed due to lack of information on infertile women in SIB system. Therefore, further steps are recommended to lower the deficiencies of the SIB system in order to obtain accurate population statistics of infertile women. Providing more health facilities in government centers correspondingly seems to help.
 
 
 
 

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Background & aim: Addictive substances by disturbing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis can affect the reproductive system and affect the secretion of gonadotropins. Morphine significantly reduces plasma LH levels. This poses a serious threat to fertility and pregnancy by causing abnormal changes in the cell structure and endometrial tissue. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of morphine consumption on the final stages of oocyte meiosis in culture and in vitro fertilization in mice.
 
Methods: In the present experimental study conducted at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2013, sixteen female mice weighing an average of 20-24 g were divided into treatment and control groups. During three weeks, the treatment group had free access to water impregnated with morphine sulfate (0.4 mg / ml). To stimulate ovulation, serum gonadotropin was injected into pregnant mares and the animals were sacrificed after 48 hours. The cumulus-euphorus complex was extracted from the ovaries and transferred to the enriched medium. After 24 hours, the number of oocytes containing the first polar body (metaphase II egg) was recorded and transferred to the fertilization medium. Sperms were extracted from vas deferens of male mice and after preliminary steps such as centrifugation and incubation, they were transferred to the fertilization medium under appropriate conditions. Data were analyzed using t-test and chi-square statistical tests.
 
Results: The mean ovarian weight of the control and treatment groups were 6.7 and 7.3 mg, respectively (p=0.7) in the control group out of 128 metaphase I eggs, 89 metaphase II eggs (69.53%) and in treatment group out of 140 metaphase I, 99 metaphase II oocytes (70.71%) were extracted (p = 0.051). The control group had 29 cases of positive fertilization out of 89 metaphase II eggs (32.57%) and the treatment group had 31 positive fertilization cases (31.31%) out of 99 metaphase II eggs (p = 0.21).
 
Conclusion: It seems that despite the dependence of the animal, morphine did not interfere with the resumption and completion of meiosis and thus the ability of the egg to reproduce in the culture medium was not impaired.