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Cytokines in follicular fluid (FF) are important for reproduction as they modulate oocyte maturation and ovulation which influence subsequent fertilization, development of early embryo and potential for implantation. We evaluated FF cytokines in women who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and their association with fertilized oocytes, embryo quality and pregnancy outcome. FF belonging to 38 patients including 18 polycystic ovary (PCO) and 20 male/unexplained infertility patients were investigated for granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukins (IL-4 and IL-2) by bead-based sandwich immunoassay. Our findings revealed that on the day of oocyte retrieval, G-CSF was positively correlated with the number of fertilized oocytes, while TNFα detection was associated with reduced number of fertilized oocytes. Only G-CSF showed significant positive effect to the pregnancy outcome although the cytokines studied were not associated with embryo quality. PCO as the cause of infertility did not show an association with cytokines in FF. The functions of cytokines in reproduction are likely to be complex, and cytokine evaluation may offer insight to the understanding of the mechanisms leading to success or failure of assisted reproduction.

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The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence and causes of ovarian inactvity and evaluate the efficacy of single administration of GnRH for treatment of inactive ovaries in dairy cows. Two experiments were carried out to fulfill the aims of the study. In experiment 1, 122 cows which had not shown estrous signs ≥ 45 after calving were examined twice by transrectal ultrasonography at a 7-10 day interval to diagnose the causes of anestrous and assess the incidence of ovarian inactivity. In Experiment 2, blood samples were collected from 30 cows with ovarian inactivity and 13 cyclic cows to comapre the blood concentration of insuline, glucose, calcium and phosphorus between the two types of cows. Cows (n=30) suffering from ovarian inactivity were treated with either 500 µg gonadorelin acetate intramuscular (G1; n=20) or saline intramuscular (G2; n=10). The ovaries of cows in G1 and G2 were examined by transrectal palpation twice before and twice after the treatment at a week interval. After transrectal palpation, blood samples were collected from cows for assessment of progesterone, insulin and glucose. Also the cows were observed for estrous signs and those cows showed estrus were inseminated. In Experiment 1, silent or unobserved estrus (47.5%), inactive ovaries (41%), cystic ovaries (9%) and pyometra (2.5%) were the reasons of anestrous in the Ovarian Inactivity In Dairy Cows: The Incidence, Causes ... A. Karen et., al.

Purpose: This study was carried out to assess the effect of different types of ligatures on the rate of canine retraction. Materials and Methods: 14 participants requiring extraction of upper first premolars, were randomly assigned into 2 groups; group 1 had passive self-ligating bracket on the upper right canine, figure of 8 module ligature on the upper left canine and group 2 also had self-ligating bracket on the upper right canine, and slide-low friction elastic module on the left side. Canines retraction were done under 150 gm of force using a 9 mm nickel-titanium closed-coil spring .Alginate impression was taken at the onset of canine retraction(T0), and every month (T1-T4). Study casts were fabricated and then scanned with a 3D scanner. Results: The statistical analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the rate of canine retraction between the 2 groups, and between the control and intervention sides within each group. Conclusion: The difference in rate of upper canine retraction between self-ligation brackets, figure of 8 elastic module and slide -low friction ligature was not statistically significant.