The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of experimentally induced diabetes on (a) germ cells, (b) in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rate, and (c) gap junction and cell adhesion molecule gene and protein expressions during the early blastocyst period. Germ cells were obtained from healthy and diabetic rats, analyzed for number, motility, and morphology, and used for IVF. After reaching the early blastocyst stage, the expressions of genes encoding gap junction proteins and cell adhesion molecules were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Histomorphologically and immunohistochemically analyses were also performed. Diabetes significantly affected sperm number and motility and the development of oocytes. Gene expressions of β-catenin and connexin family members and protein expressions of E-cadherin and connexin-43 significantly decreased in groups including germ cells isolated from diabetic rats. Connective tissue growth factor expression increased in groups that included sperm cells isolated from diabetic male rats, whereas mucin-1 expression increased in the group that included oocytes isolated from diabetic female rats paired with sperm cells isolated from healthy male rats. In summary, experimentally induced diabetes was found to influence gap junctions, cell adhesion molecules, and associated proteins which all have important roles in germ cell maturation, fertilization, and development.

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The aim of this study was firstly to determine the relationship between estrous cycle and oxidative stress in reproductive tissues in bitches. This research was performed in twenty-nine healthy bitches from different breeds and of varied ages (the range was 2-5 years) that were brought to the clinic for routine ovariohysterectomy. The stages of estrous cycle were detected using by vaginal cytology, blood progesterone level and histological findings. Ovarian, oviduct and uterine tissues were taken into Eppendorf tubes for oxidative stress index and stored at -80°C until analyses. Also, another part of these tissues were fixed in 10% formalin solution. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values in the reproductive tissues in concerning estrous cycle stages. However, there were remarkable correlations between oxidative stress parameters and reproductive tissues in different estrus stages in bitches. In conclusion, the physiological values of TAS and TOS concentration, and OSI in the ovarian, oviduct and uterine tissues during estrous cycle were firstly defined in this article. The serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis was also determined in the estrous cycle of bitches. We have found that there are remarkable variations of oxidative stress balance in the ovary, oviduct and uterus concurrently, during estrous cycle in the bitches. Besides, significant correlations between oxidative stress parameters and estrous cycle stages in the reproductive tissues were observed in the present study.

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