Oxidative stress (OS), a state characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and antioxidant defenses, has been identified to play a key role in the pathogenesis of subfertility in both males and females. The adverse effects of OS on sperm quality and functions have been well documented. In females, on the other hand, the impact of OS on oocytes and reproductive functions remains unclear. This imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants can lead to a number of reproductive diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and unexplained infertility. Pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia, can also develop in response to OS. Studies have shown that extremes of body weight and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and recreational drug use can promote excess free radical production, which could affect fertility. Exposures to environmental pollutants are of increasing concern, as they too have been found to trigger oxidative states, possibly contributing to female infertility. This article will review the currently available literature on the roles of reactive species and OS in both normal and abnormal reproductive physiological processes. Antioxidant supplementation may be effective in controlling the production of ROS and continues to be explored as a potential strategy to overcome reproductive disorders associated with infertility. However, investigations conducted to date have been through animal or in vitro studies, which have produced largely conflicting results. The impact of OS on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) will be addressed, in addition to the possible benefits of antioxidant supplementation of ART culture media to increase the likelihood for ART success. Future randomized controlled clinical trials on humans are necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which OS affects female reproductive abilities, and will facilitate further explorations of the possible benefits of antioxidants to treat infertility.

Background Study: There are various health disorders among women which might lead to various healthcare complications. In such cases, lack of awareness is one of the primary reasons for prolonged identification or poor disease self-management. Additionally, the freeness or comfort in discussing or gaining information can be a major limitation in managing such diseases. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one such disorder among the women which can occur at reproductive age, and may cause infertility. The occurrence of disease at such a young age could lead to stress among the patients, and it also has major complications which can affect the health and lifestyles of the people diagnosed with PCOS. Therefore, it is very essential to increase the awareness about the disease and its self-management practices among the women.Study Aim: The purpose of this study is to identify the level of awareness about PCOS among the Saudi women.Study Design: An online survey questionnaire is used for collecting the knowledge levels of Saudi women with PCOS, in the aspects of physiology of female reproductive systems, knowledge of pathophysiology of PCOS, complications associated with PCOS, and self-management techniques. Results:A minimal awareness about signs, symptoms, complications and self-management approaches of PCOS was observed in more than 60% of the motivated sample population. Conclusion:It is observed and suggested that the perception of long-term metabolic effects of PCOS on the health of affected individual needs to be optimized. Effective methods for increasing awareness using internet and communication technologies should be developed and promoted among the women.

Varieties of studies have been used to investigate the health benefits of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis); however, more research is needed to examine if its nano form may be utilized to treat or prevent several chronic diseases. So, we designed this study to explore the effect and the cellular intracellular mechanisms by which Arthrospira platensis Nanoparticles (NSP) alleviates the testicular injury induced by diabetes in male Wistar rats. Eighty Wistar male rats (n = 80) were randomly allocated into eight groups. Group 1 is untreated rats (control), Group 2 including STZinduced diabetic rats with 65 mg/kg body weight STZ (STZ-diabetic), Group 3-5: including diabetic rats treated with NSP1, NSP2, and NSP3 at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg body weight, respectively, once daily orally by the aid of gastric gavage for 12 consecutive weeks and groups 6-8 include normal rats received NSP (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg body weight once daily orally. The identical volume of normal saline was injected into both control and diabetic rats. After 12 weeks of diabetes induction, the rats were killed. According to our findings, NSP administration to diabetic rats enhances the total body weight and the weight of testes and accessory glands; in addition, NSP significantly reduced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde in testicular tissue improved sperm parameters. Intriguingly, it raises testicular GSH and SOD activity by a significant amount (p < 0.05). As well, Oral administration of NSP to diabetic rats resulted in a decrease in the blood glucose levels, HA1C, induced in the diabetic group, which overcame the diabetic complications NSP caused down-regulation of apoptotic genes with upregulation of BCL-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05) and prominent up-regulation of steroidogenesis genes expression level in testes in comparison to the diabetic rats which resulted in improving the decreased levels of testosterone hormone, FSH, and LH induced by diabetes. In the same way, our histopathological findings support our biochemical and molecular findings; in conclusion, NSP exerted a protective effect against reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes not only through its high antioxidant and hypoglycemic action but also through its down-regulation of Apoptotic genes and up-regulation of steroidogenesis regulatory genes expression level in diabetic testes.

BACKGROUND:Thirty-three percent of infertility due to paternal factors, there are an increasing proportion of couples who decide to conceive by assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The outcome prediction is pivotal for decision making.AIM:We aimed to study the pregnancy outcomes of different ART with male factors infertility.METHODS:This is retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One hundred fifteen patients’ records reviewed using a structured checklist to collect demographic data, sperm (concentration, motility, and morphology). Female with significant infertility factor were excluded. Chi-square was used for the outcome of various ART.RESULTS:Out of 115 couples with male factors; treated by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI); the mean age was 35.2 ± 6.3 years for men and 29.7 ± 5.1 for females. IVF had the highest success rate overall and had a high pregnancy rate with oligospermia and asthenospermia. ICSI has a good outcome for those with azoospermia, severe oligospermia, and teratozoospermia. IUI must be tried as a first line treatment when semen concentration is more than 10 million sperm/ml. all are not significant (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION:No significant differences were reported in the pregnancy outcome between various assisted reproductive techniques, smoking, type of infertility and medication.

Background: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile health technology such as private social network (PCOS system) in creating awareness about the disease management among the women diagnosed with the polycystic ovarian syndrome.Methods: A pilot study was conducted in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The study was carried out for a period of three months using a private social network as an intervention. The private social network is used as an interface to educate and create awareness among the participants in the study. Fifty women diagnosed with PCOS were randomly selected and were distributed in to control group (doesn't use PCOS system) and intervention group (use the private social network). The level of the polycystic ovarian syndrome awareness was measured using a structured questionnaire at the beginning and end of the follow-up period.Results: More than 80 posts and 10 pictures contain data about PCOS were conveyed by medical staff. Also, about 120 private SMS messages between medical staff and the patients were refined. The after effects of this investigation demonstrated that the intervention had better awareness about polycystic ovary syndrome management compared to the control group (F =18.25; P<0.0001).Conclusions: This study of the private social network among the PCOS patients demonstrated that mobile health technology such as the private social network can substantially enhance the PCOS disease awareness levels among Saudi women. The PCOS System can also help in reducing the costs as most of the disease management process is handled over the application through the messages and feedbacks is provided through the application, and in saving time by avoiding hospital visits. This study is first-of-its kind conducted in Saudi Arabia.