Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: One of main challenges in worldwide is increasing rate of depression and sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant drug consumption. Regarding the role of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis, this study investigated the effect of duloxetine on viability, apoptosis and expression of Bax and Cx43 (Connexin 43) expression in Sertoli cells.
Material and Methods: TM4 Sertoli cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 2.5% FBS, 5% horse serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Cells were treated with different doses of duloxetine (3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 µg/ml) for 24 to 72 hours. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. The rate of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR was performed to evaluate of Bax (proapoptotic gene) and Cx43 (essential for spermatogenesis) genes.
Results: Duloxetine reduced cell survival in a dose and time-dependent manner. On the basis of

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effective infertility factors of physoaline compounds on the adult reproductive system of Balb/C adult female.
Material and Methods: The above experiment was performed by preparing the aqueous extract of the plant and selecting three doses of 7.5g/kg,9g/kg and 15g/kg;Simultaneously with the experimental groups,the distilled water sham group was injected and the control group was kept intact.Vaginal stromal smear cycles were prepared to examine different stages.One hour after the last injection,the mice were given blood samples and then killed by chloroform and their uterus and ovaries were prepared for histological studies.
Results: Statistical studies have shown that injecting 7.5g/kg of extract reduces estrogen and restores 33% of fertility in mice. Also, at a dose of 9 g/kg, the mice were initially infertile, but one month after the last injection, 16.5% of the mice showed a return to fertility and a significant increase in progesterone.
Conclusion: According to the results, it is probably because physalines have a pseudo-steroidal structure. The receptor is occupied by physaline and can cause abnormalities in the growth and development of oocytes, uterine tissue cells and ovaries, and infertility.
 

Abstract Aim: The main goal of this study is to determine optimum conditions for mouse 2-celled and 4-celled single blastomeres for high-qualified development into a blastocyst and the production of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from these blastocysts without the presence of feeder cells.
Material and methods: At first step, 2 and 4-celled embryos were collected from oviducts. Blastomeres were isolated and cultured in 1 and 5µl of medium in the conditions single, group and with intact embryos. Then, the resultant blastocysts were cultured on gelatin-coated dishes for ESCs production. The expression of specific markers for both blastocysts and ESCs were analyzed with immunocytochemistry and PCR.
Results: The results revealed that the volume 1µl was better than 5µl and co-culture with embryos and group culture significantly better supported blastocyst development than single culture. Based on Oct4 expression in the ICM of blastocysts, cell count was performed and also showed significant increase in blastocyst quality. We also demonstrated that 4-celled blastomeres not only have heterogeneity in the potential of development among them, but also have lower potential than 2-celled blastomeres. Finally, it was also shown that, single culture derived-blastocysts could generate embryonic stem cells in the specific medium and these cells showed the differentiation potential into different cells.
Conclusion: The method of the present study for the evaluation of single blastomeres developmental potential and the production of ESCs can be used for other species. The production of ESCs without feeder cells in human is an important and big challenge.