The genetic and nongenetic factors affecting the elemental composition of animal and human tissues are presented. Genetic factors include: (1) some well-known inherited diseases that affect copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese and selenium metabolism; (2) animal species differences and (3) breed differences within animal species. The nongenetic factors include regional variation, dietary co...

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ultrasonographic findings and serum progesterone and cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels in threatened miscarriage and to predict pregnancy outcome. MaterialsAndMethods In a prospective comparative case-control study, serum CA-125 and progesterone levels were measured for 100 pregnant women with threatened miscarriage who ...

BACKGROUND Disrupted maternal prenatal cortisol production influences offspring development. Factors influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis include social (e.g., stressful life events) and physical/chemical (e.g., toxic metals) pollutants. Mercury (Hg) is a common contaminant of fish and exposure is widespread in the US. No prior study has examined the joint associations of stress ...

BACKGROUND Laboratory workers are commonly exposed to chemical, biological and physical agents. They also may adopt poor postures for long periods and be engaged in moving and handling. These factors may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome in female laboratory workers. AIMS To assess whether laboratory work during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHOD...

Stress is the way that our body responds to something that is out of the normal. When we are under stress, our body makes chemical and physical changes to try to maintain it. Everyone responds to stressful status in their own way. Researches show anxiety and stress during pregnancy can have both immediate and long-term effects on her offspring. In addition, the emotional state of the pregnant m...

BACKGROUND Since increased LH in the early follicular phase in PCOS patients especially in GnRH antagonist protocol could be associated with reduced oocyte quality and pregnancy and impared implantation. The current study was conducted to determine ART outcomes in GnRH antagonist protocol (flexible) and long GnRH agonist protocol and compare them with adding GnRH antagonist in GnRH antagonist (...

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improve during pregnancy, a phenomenon that was found to be associated with N-glycosylation changes of immunoglobulin G. Recent advances in high-throughput glycosylation analysis allow the assessment of the N-glycome of human sera as well. The aim of this study was to identify new protein N-glycosylation properties that associate with changes in RA disease ...

BACKGROUND Implantation is one of the essential steps for the success of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Their success depends on three main factors: embryo quality, endometrial receptivity (ER), and synchrony between embryo and endometrium. There are various factors that regulate the complex process of implantation. In this regard, one may refer to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as...

To investigate the changes in nitric oxide (NO) production during and after normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, we measured serum nitrates and nitrites (NOx) concentrations and serum iron markers in 347 subjects. Serum NOx concentrations were determined after reduction of nitrates to nitrites using the Griess reaction. Serum iron and serum ferritin were assayed usin...

BACKGROUND Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is the absence of implantation after three consecutive In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles with transferring at least four good quality embryos in a minimum of three fresh or frozen cycles in a woman under 40 years. The definition and management of RIF is under constant scrutiny. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Granulocyte colony stimula...