Effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells cultured under hypoxia to increase the fertility rate in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplanted into the testes of rats with testicular failure can help rescue fertility. However, the low viability of transplanted MSCs limits the success of this treatment. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of MSCs cultured under hypoxia to increase the fertility rate in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Materials and Methods: Bone marrow-derived MSCs (200 million cells/rat) were transplanted into male rat models with induced infertility (10 rats/treatment group) after 4 days of culture in 21% O2 (normoxia) and 1% O2 (hypoxia). Ten fertile and 10 untreated infertile rats served as controls. In the infertile male rats that had been fasted from food for 5 days, the fasting condition induced malnutrition and then resulted in testicular failure. Results: The results indicated that the MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions were more effective than those cultured in normoxic conditions as a treatment for testicular failure in infertile male rats based on the increased number of cells expressing p63 as a quiescent cell marker and ETV5 as a transcription factor expressed in Sertoli and germ cells. Furthermore, the structure of the seminiferous tubules, which contain spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, and spermatid, Sertoli, and Leydig cells, was improved in infertile male rats treated with the MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions. Conclusion: The testicular transplantation of MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions was an effective treatment for testicular failure in rats.

Fertility Protection, A Novel Concept: Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Protect against Chemotherapy-Induced Testicular Cytotoxicity

“…A single intravenous administration of two million MSCs counteracted the deleterious effects of DOX on body and testicular weight, sperm quality, and fertility outcomes, similar to our study [ 58 ]. Testicular transplantation of 200 million hypoxic BM-MSCs improved fertility as well as restored the structure of primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatid, Sertoli, and Leydig cells in an adult infertile rat model [ 59 ]. A recent study in rats showed that CP caused testicular damage, resulting in reduced serum testosterone concentration and thus increased pituitary gland production of the hormones FSH and LH.…”

Cut-off Point of Ki-67 Proliferation Marker in Differentiating Premalignant and Malignant Prostatic Lesions

“…The method for identification of basal cells was using immunohistochemistry p63 and high molecular weight cytokeratin. P63 immunohistochemistry has more reliability to identify basal cells than high molecular cytokeratin (14,15). Because of these reasons, in this study, we used p63 immunohistochemistry before we did Ki67 staining to define premalignant and malignant lesions to make sure of the diagnosis, so we could define an accurate cut-off point for the premalignant and malignant lesions.…”

Effectiveness of forest honey (Apis dorsata) as therapy for ovarian failure causing malnutrition

“…3 PEM accompanied by diarrhea has been reported to contribute >50% of deaths among children. 4 In experimental animals, PEM causes infertility due to intestinal 5 and liver degeneration, 6 which may progress to testicular [7][8][9] and ovarian degeneration. 10 Malnutrition is closely related to oxidative stress, which is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that causes damage to cellular components, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids.…”

“…3 PEM accompanied by diarrhea has been reported to contribute >50% of deaths among children. 4 In experimental animals, PEM causes infertility due to intestinal 5 and liver degeneration, 6 which may progress to testicular 7 – 9 and ovarian degeneration. 10 …”

“…According to several previous studies, PEM can be overcome by honey administration. 7 – 9 , 16 Honey has various benefits both as a food source and for medicinal purposes, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant properties. 17 – 19 Honey consists of various compounds, which are divided into major and minor compounds.…”