The effect of vitrification on maturation and ultrastructure of in-vitro matured human oocytes
Volume 7, Issue 1, Spring 2016, Pages 33-44
https://doi.org/10.52547/JCT.7.1.33
A Sh, A H
Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the possible effects of vitrification on maturation rate and ultrastructural morphology of in-vitro matured human oocytes. Material and Methods: A total of 292 immature Germinal Vesicle (GV) and Metaphase I (MI) oocytes obtained from infertile patients were allocated into two groups: (i) GV oocytes (n=145), (ii) MI oocytes (n=147) . Oocytes were first vitrified and then matured in-vitro. Supernumerary fresh in-vivo matured oocytes (n=10) were used as control. in-vitro maturation media was Ham’s F10 supplemented with FSH+LH and human follicular fluid. After 36h of incubation, the oocytes were investigated for nuclear maturation and ultrastructural changes . Results: The rate of survival and degeneration was significantly higher in Metaphase I than GV group. But, Oocyte maturation rates were not significant between groups (p < 0.06). In addition, the rate of oocyte arrest was significantly higher in MI oocytes in comparisson with GV oocytes. Ultrastructurally; a drastic reduction was observed in amount of cortical granules at the cortex of vitrified-warmed GV and MI oocytes , In addition, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed vacuoles and small mitochondria-Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum aggregates in the ooplasm of oocytes. conclusion: Freeze/thawing procedures are associated with ultrastructural alterations in specific oocyte microdomains, presumably related to the reduced competence of cryopreserved oocytes to maturation.
Effect of Acetyl salicylic acid on CA1 hippocampal neurons and spatial learning following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in male rats
Volume 5, Issue 2, Summer 2014, Pages 139-147
https://doi.org/10.52547/JCT.5.2.139
A Sh, SH E, V Sh, R M
Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ASA (acetyl salicylic acid) on pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 sector and spatial learning following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Material and Methods: Forty-nine male rat were randomly divided into control, sham, vehicle, ischemia and ASA (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) groups. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by 20 min of MCAO. Animals received ASA or Vehicle by i.p 30 min after stroke onset. Four days after ischemia, animals were subjected to 4 days of training in the Morris water maze (MWM) with the invisible platform to test spatial learning. At the end of behavioral test, rats were sacrificed and pyramidal neurons in the CA1 sector were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and observed by light microscope. Results: MWM showed that the MCAO caused disturbance of spatial learning in rats, and ASA treatment could not improve the spatial learning function. But, ASA treatment significantly reduced the number of degenerating neurons in hippocampal CA1 region compared with vehicle group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that ASA injection, 30 min after stroke onset in rat decreases neuronal injuries following ischemia.