Introduction. Freezing of ovarian tissue is used for preservation of fertility. The freezing-thawing process is accompanied by oxidative stress and induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis is a complex process that has been studied in animal models. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of selenium on suppression of apoptosis during vitrification-thawing process of mice ovary via studying expression of apoptosis-related genes, and also, we aimed to design statistical models for the roles of single genes and gene-gene interactions in suppression of apoptosis. Methods. A total of 10 right ovary samples from 10 mice were randomly divided into two groups of selenium treatment (at dose 5 μg/ml sodium selenite, through adding to the media) and control group. Vitrification-thawing process was done according to the existed protocols. Real-time PCR was used for gene expression study. The apoptosis gene profile included P53, Bax, Fas, and Bcl-2. General linear model was applied to study single gene associations and gene-gene interactions. Results. From the studied genes, P53 showed a significant downregulation in the selenium group in comparison to the control group (∆∆CT=1.96; P=0.013; relative expression RE=0.28). Bcl-2 showed a significant upregulation in the selenium group in comparison to the control group (∆∆CT=−2.49; P<0.001; RE=3.49). No significant result was found for other genes. According to the multiple models, Bcl-2 showed a protective single gene association (beta=−0.33; P=0.032), and Fas∗Bcl-2 interaction was significantly positive (beta=0.19; P=0.036). Conclusion. Addition of selenium to cryomedia of vitrification-thawing process could reduce the apoptosis induced by freezing-thawing stress in mice ovary via downregulation of P53 and upregulation of Bcl-2 at transcription level. Multivariable statistical models should be performed in future researches to study biological systems.
Background: Inhibiting the effect of aspirin on prostaglandin results in corpus luteum maintenance in pregnant mice. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells activate between 5 -7 days of pregnancy. uNK cell differentiation is indirectly regulated by ovarian hormones. Immune cells have important roles in the endometrium at early pregnancy stages. Although low-dose aspirin is effective on ovarian hormones, the effect of low-dose aspirin on the uNK cell population at early pregnancy stages is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low-dose aspirin on uNK cells at day seven of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Adult female mice were coupled and divided into two groups (control and experimental). Thereafter, mice in the experimental group received 7.5 mg/kg aspirin twice a day for one week. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of the level of ovarian hormones at day seven of pregnancy and finally the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and uterine horns were removed for histological study. Periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining was performed for uNK cell counting. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS software. Results: The ovarian hormones level showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the uNK cell population showed a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Increased ovarian hormones due to low-dose aspirin administration resulted in decline in the uNK cells number, which may be effective in successful pregnancy.
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