ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The underlying cause of seasonal infertility in humans is unclear, but is likely to be multifactorial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the pregnancy rates among infertile women who underwent induced ovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) with the season in which the fertility treatment was performed. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 466 patients who were treated in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility outpatient clinic of a tertiary-level women’s healthcare and maternity hospital. METHODS: Retrospective demographic, hormonal and ultrasonographic data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Clomiphene citrate or gonadotropin medications were used for induced ovulation. The patients were divided into four groups according to the season (spring, winter, autumn and summer) in which fertility treatment was received. Clinical pregnancy rates were calculated and compared between these four groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the seasonal groups in terms of age, infertility type, ovarian reserve tests, duration of infertility, medications used or length of stimulation. A total of 337 patients (72.3%) were treated with clomiphene citrate and 129 (27.7%) with gonadotropin; no significant difference between these two groups was observed. The clinical pregnancy rates for the spring, winter, autumn and summer groups were 15.6% (n = 24), 8.6% (n = 9), 11.5% (n = 13) and 7.4% (n = 7), respectively (P = 0.174). CONCLUSIONS: Although the spring group had the highest pregnancy rate, the rates of successful IUI did not differ significantly between the seasonal groups.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of cigarette smoke exposure on lung and the protective role of Omega 3 and Vitamin D against these toxic effects biochemically and histologically. 28 pregnant Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. The first group was control group; the second group was exposed to smoke of 10 cigarette by puff device 2 hours/day after pregnancy; the third group was exposed to cigarette smoke together with Omega 3 (0.5 mg/kg/day) and the fourth group was exposed to cigarette smoke together with vitamin D (42 microgram/kg/day). Finally, lung tissue sections of the newborn rats were stained with Hemotoxilen eosine and Masson tricromite. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fluorescent Oxidation Products (FOU) levels were measured. Fetal weights and the number of fetuses were significantly lower in the group received only cigarette smoke (both p<0.001). Histopathologically, pulmonary volume, number of developed alveols and parenchyma elasticity decreased significantly, meanwhile interstitial tissue increased, elastin and collagen did not develop adequately. Histopathologic changes significantly decreased in the group given Omega 3 and Vitamin D. Statistically, MDA and FOU levels were found to be higher in the group exposed to cigarette smoke compared to the control group, and MDA and FOU levels were lower in the group given Omega 3 along with cigarette smoke (p<0.001). Cigarette smoke caused histologically significant damage to fetal lung tissue, oxidative stress and increased MDA and FOU levels. This damage was significantly reduced with Omega 3 and Vitamine D supplementation. Omega 3 is an important antioxidant; vitamin D has no significant antioxidant effect.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos tóxicos de la exposición al humo de cigarrillo en el pulmón, y el papel protector de Omega 3 y la Vitamina D contra esos efectos. 28 ratas Wistar albino preñadas fueron separadas en cuatro grupos. El primer grupo grupo control; el segundo grupo estuvo expuesto al humo de 10 cigarrillos por dispositivo de inhalación 2 horas / día después de la preñez; el tercer grupo se expuso al humo del cigarrillo junto con Omega 3 (0,5 mg / kg / día) y el cuarto grupo se expuso al humo del cigarrillo junto con vitamina D (42 microgramos / kg / día). Secciones de tejido pulmonar de las ratas recién nacidas se tiñeron con Hematoxilina Eosina y tricrómico de Masson. Se midieron los niveles de malondialdehído (MDA) y productos de oxidación fluorescente (POF). Los pesos fetales y el número de fetos fueron significativamente más bajos en el grupo que recibió solamente humo de cigarrillo (ambos p <0,001). Histopatológicamente, el volumen pulmonar, el número de alveolos desarrollados y la elasticidad del parénquima disminuyeron significativamente; mientras que el tejido intersticial aumentó y la elastina y el colágeno no se desarrollaron adecuadamente. Los cambios histopatológicos disminuyeron significativamente en el grupo que recibió Omega 3 y Vitamina D. Estadísticamente, se encontró que los niveles de MDA y POF eran más altos en el grupo expuesto al humo de cigarrillo en comparación con el grupo control, además los niveles de MDA y POF fueron más bajos en el grupo que recibió Omega 3 junto con el humo del cigarrillo (p <0,001). El humo del cigarrillo causó daños histológicamente significativos en el tejido pulmonar fetal, el estrés oxidativo y el aumento de los niveles de MDA y FOU. Este daño se redujo significativamente con los suplementos de Omega 3 y Vitamina D. El omega 3 es un importante antioxidante; la vitamina D no tiene ningún efecto antioxidante significativo.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis séricos da sintetase nítrica induzível (INOS), da mieloperoxidase (MPO), do estado antioxidante total (EAT) e do estado oxidante total (EOT) em mulheres portadoras de insuficiência ovariana primária (IOP) e compará-las às mulheres férteis. Também examinamos os possíveis fatores de risco associados à IOP.MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo transversal caso-controle desenvolvido no Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. A população de estudo abrangeu 44 mulheres portadoras de IOP (grupo de estudo) e 36 mulheres férteis hígidas (grupo controle). Em todas as pacientes, foram determinados os níveis séricos de INOS, MPO, EAT e EOT.Os níveis de INOS e MPO foram determinados com o uso do teste ELISA e os níveis de EAT e EOT foram determinados mediante método colorimétrico. Analisou-se também a idade, o índice de massa corporal (IMC), os antecedentes obstétricos, tabagismo, histórico familiar, comorbidades, achados sonográficos, valores completos do hemograma, proteína C-reativa e níveis hormonais basais. O teste t de Student ou o teste U de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para comparar as variáveis contínuas entre os grupos; os dados categóricos foram avaliados pelo teste do χ2 de Pearson ou o teste exato de Fisher, conforme o caso. O método de regressão logística binária foi utilizado para identificar os fatores de risco para IOP.RESULTADOS: Encontramos níveis significativamente elevados de INOS (234,1±749,5 versus133,8±143,0; p=0,005), MPO (3.438,7±1.228,6 versus 2.481,9±1.230,1; p=0,001) e EOT (4,3±1,4 versus 3,6±1,4; p=0,02) nos soros do grupo estudo em relação ao grupo controle pareado por IMC e idade. Entretanto, as diferenças entre os níveis séricos de EAT nos dois grupos não foram significantes (1,7±0,2 versus 1,6±0,2; p=0,15). O método de regressão logística demonstrou que IMC <25 kg/m2, nuliparidade, histórico familiar de IOP, tabagismo e níveis séricos elevados de INOS, MPO e EOT foram fatores de risco independentes para IOP.CONCLUSÃO: Foram encontrados níveis aumentados de INOS, MPO e EOT em mulheres portadoras de IOP. Estes marcadores séricos podem ser promissores para o diagnóstico precoce de IOP. Novos estudos em larga escala são necessários para determinar se os marcadores de estresse oxidativo desempenham um papel no diagnóstico da IOP.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidative status (TOS) in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and to compare them with healthy fertile women. We also examined the possible risk factors associated with POI.METHODS: This cross-sectional case control study was conducted in Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. The study population consisted of 44 women with POI (study group) and 36 healthy fertile women (control group). In all patients, serum levels of INOS, MPO, TAS, and TOS were determined. INOS and MPO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay whereas colorimetric method was used for evaluating TAS and TOS levels. Age, body mass index (BMI), obstetric history, smoking status, family history, comorbidities, sonographic findings, complete blood count values, C-reactive protein and baseline hormone levels were also analyzed. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables between the groups; categorical data were evaluated by using Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact test, when appropriate. Binary logistic regression method was used to identify risk factors for POI.RESULTS: We found significantly elevated levels of INOS (234.1±749.5 versus133.8±143.0; p=0.005), MPO (3,438.7±1,228.6 versus 2,481.9±1,230.1; p=0.001), and TOS (4.3±1.4 versus 3.6±1.4; p=0.02) in the sera of the study group when compared to the BMI-age matched control group. However, difference in serum levels of TAS were not significant between the 2 groups (1.7±0.2 versus 1.6±0.2; p=0.15). Logistic regression method demonstrated that BMI <25 kg/m2, nulliparity, family history of POI, smoking, and elevated serum levels of INOS, MPO, and TOS were independent risk factors for POI.CONCLUSION: We found an increase in INOS, MPO, and TOS in women with POI. These serum markers may be promising in early diagnosis of POI. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether oxidative stress markers have a role in diagnosing POI.