per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 1 11 article Hosein Bahar Vand 1 Mehrnaz Azar Nia 2 Kazem Parivar 3 Saeed Kazemi Ashtiani 4 Stem Cell Group, Royant Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. Purpose: To investigate the effect of cardiogel and matrigel on the ultrastructure of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. ECM: Extracellular Matrix derived from cardiac fibroblasts (cardiogel), commercial extracellular matrix (matrigel) and control group (without ECM) were cultured for up to 21 days. Ultrastructural properties of cardiomyocytes were evaluated by transmitting electron microscopy (TEM). On the fourteenth day in cardiomyocytes showed cardiogel and on the twenty-first day of culture in all groups, the above structures appeared. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that it is possible to produce mature cardiomyocytes (ultrastructurally) from stem cells Embryonic and fibroblast-derived cardiogels are effective in the faster maturation of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-374-en.pdf Embryonic stem cells Ultrastructure of cardiomyocyte Cardiogel Extracellular matrix per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 13 21 article Majid Katebi 1 Mansoureh Movahedin 2 Mir Abbas Abdol Vahabi 3 Mohammad Akbari 4 Farid Abolhasani 5 Ali Sobhani 6 Purpose: To evaluate the changes that occur in the motility parameters of progesterone treated sperms during the course of hyperactivation. Materials and Methods: Spermatozoa treated with different doses of progesterone were videotaped after 10 min and 90 min. For each sperm, 1 sec. of movement of the head-midpiece junction was traced from the videotape. For each tracing, seven motility parameters were studied using computer assisted image analysis. Results: For all the progesterone treated spermatozoa, motility rates differed significantly from that of the control group after 90 occurred during 10 min. of incubation. With treatment of 1mg/ml progesterone, the hyperactivated motility pattern of spermatozoa occurred 90 min. after incubation similar to that in the control group, showing that a low dose of progesterone is unable to induce hyperactivation. Conclusion: Progesterone induces hyperactivation in mouse sperm and reduces the motility rate during the time. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-375-en.pdf Progesterone Hyperactivation Spermatozoa Mouse per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 23 27 article Behnaz Sheykh Al-eslami 1 Mozhdeh Saleh Nia 2 Mojtaba Reza Zadeh 3 Anatomy Department, Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. Purpose: Granulose Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) is a lympho- heamatopoietic actor, secreted in the reproductive system. Murine pre- implantation embryos express GM-CSF receptors. In his study, the capacity of eight cell mouse embryos was studied in the presence and absence of GM-CSF. Materials and Methods: Female NMRI mice were super ovulated using Pregnant Mare Serum gonadotropin (pMSG) and human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) injections at 48h intervals. To collect the ight cell embryos, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 72 h post hCG injection. The embryos ere cultured in the following two groups: one group as the control was cultured in T6 medium supplemented with 5 mg/ml Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), and the other group was cultured in T6 medium supplemented with 5 mg/ml BSA and 2 ng/ml GM-CSF. Developmental rates of embryos were assessed on a daily basis. The blastocysts were stained and their total cell number was counted. The diameters of the blastocysts were measured using a calibrated eye piece. Results: The developmental rates of eight cell embryos to blastocysts stage in the control and GM-CSF groups were 77.86% and 88.62%, and the diameters of blastocysts in these groups were 134.11 and 138.97 micrometer, respectively. In addition, the total cell number of blastocysts in these groups was 81.00 and 90.60. Our results showed that early cleavage rates of embryos in the presence of GM-CSF improved, and that the total cell number and blastocysts diameter, in particular, showed significant differences between the groups (p<0.005) .Conclusion: It seems that the GM-CSF is a suitable embryotrophic factor. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-376-en.pdf Gm-Csf Eight cell embryos Blastocyst per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 29 41 article Neda Naghshi Zadian 1 Hosein Eimani 2 Mohammad Hosein Nasr Esfahani 3 Shahnaz Razavi 4 Hosein Mozdarani 5 Mohammad Mardani 6 Embryology Department, Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran. Purpose: After aneuploidy, failure of oocyte activation, resulting in premature chromosomal condensation (PCC), is considered as the second cause of failed fertilization post ICSI. Oocyte quality has been shown to affect PCC formation, and since this study sought to evaluate the effect of sperm chromatin anomalies on the PCC, mice metaphase II oocytes were used. Materials and Methods: Metaphase II oocytes were obtained from mice. Simultaneously, semen samples obtained from infertile men were evaluated for protamine deficiency using chromomycin A3 (CMA3). Then the samples were divided into protamine deficient or normal. After that the collected oocytes were inseminated by direct intracytoplasmic sperm injection with sperms from the aforementioned groups. After 3h, the injected oocytes were transferred to medium containing clocimde. 19 h post insemination, the injected oocytes were assessed for the chromatin status using the Gimsa staining. Results: Percentage of intact or PCC sperms was significantly different between the oocytes injected with sperm from the two groups. The percentage of abnormal sperms was also significantly different between the two groups. A significant correlation was also observed between protamine deficiency with the percentage of PCC and sperm with intact head in the injected oocytes and also with the percentage of abnormal sperm. Conclusion: Protamine deficiency prone sperm to PCC and protamine deficient sperms or sperms with excessive histone have a higher chance of inducing PCC. With the increase in the percentage of protamine deficient sperm, the percentage of PCC in the injected oocytes increases, while the percentage of intact sperm decreases. This phenomenon may lead to lower fertilization rates post ICSI. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-377-en.pdf Protamine deficiency RCSR Fertilization PCC per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 43 48 article Mohammad Reza Nikravesh 1 Mahdi Jalali 2 Anatomy Department, Medicine Faculty, Mashhad University, Mashhad, Iran. Purpose: Maternal type-1 diabetes during pregnancy causes an increased rate of malformation in fetuses.Many studies have demonstrated that an increase in the plasma level of free 02 radicals may increase the rate of abnormalities in the offspring of diabetic mothers. Because vitamin E is an active antioxidant, it may be able to decrease free 02 radicals and protect fetuses against congenital malformations in diabetic mothers. In light of the aforementioned data, this study sought to investigate the role(s) of vitamin E in the prevention of fetal malformation in diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: 36 (12 normal and 24 alloxan-induced diabetic) virgin female balb/c mice were mated, and the vaginal plug was assigned day 0 of gestation. In the next phase, the pregnant diabetic mice were divided into 2groups (experimental 1 and 2) and received standard food diet and drinking water as did the control group. Experimental group 1 was treated daily by 150 mg/kg of vitamin E for 15 days, and group 2 received the same volume of distilled water. On day 18 th of gestation, all the pregnant mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and gross malformation in their fetuses was evaluated. Results: Our findings showed a significant difference between the average live fetuses and fetal weight and the crown rump length in group 1 as well as control as opposed to that in group 2. In addition, the rate of malformations (spina bifida, limb defects and skeletal defects) in group 1 (vitamin E treated) and control decreased significantly in contrast to that in the other group. Conclusion: Based on our data, it can be argued that vitamin E, by diminishing oxygen radical-related tissue damage, decreases the fetal malformation rate in diabetic mice. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-378-en.pdf Diabetes Vitamin E Fetal malformations Mouse per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 49 55 article Mohammad Reza Mahmoud Zadeh Sagheb 1 Zahra Heidari 2 Hooshang Rafigh Doost 3 Maryam Sar Bishegi 4 Histology Section, Anatomical Sciences Department, Zahedan Medical Sciences University, Zahedan, Iran. Purpose: To study the effects of lithium on the fetal rat's kidney and determine volumetric changes by an unbiased stereological method. Materials and Methods: Thirty female and ten male Sprague dawley rats were chosen. Following cohabitation and observation of spermatozoa in the vaginal smear, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups (n=10). Treatment and control groups received 50 mg/kg lithium carbonate in distilled water and the same volume of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection on 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th and 19th days of gestation, respectively. On 20th day of gestation, under deep anesthesia, the right kidneys of the rats were dissected and fixed in modified Lillie's solution. Then tissue processing was performed, and 5-micrometer sections were cut and stained with H & E. To determine the volume parameters of the kidneys, a stereological technique based on Cavalier's principle was used. Results: The study showed that lithium could cause a significant decrease in the glomerular volume (52%), total volume (44%) and volume of the cortex (42%) and medulla (49%) of the kidney. Conclusion: Administration of lithium during pregnancy has effects on the volume of different parts of fetal kidneys, especially on glomeruli. Since normal volumetric parameters are indicators of renal development, it seems that lithium causes some defects in the normal development of the kidney. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-379-en.pdf Lithium Kidney Stereology Rat per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 57 65 article Mohammad Reza Darabi Mahboob 1 Mohammad Hosein Nasr Esfahani 2 Hosein Bahar Vand 3 Hosein Imani 4 Mohammad Mardani 5 Department Of Embryology, Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran. Purpose: The values of embryonic stem-like cell and cloning are evident. Production of cloned tissue and animals can be achieved by aggregation and injection of these cells into a tetrapolid morula and blastocyst respectively. Tetraploid embryo is used as a feeder for growth and development of stem-like cell can be produced in vitro by electrofusion of two-cell embryos. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of voltages and durtions on developmental rates of bovine two cell electrofused tetraploid embryo and its comparison with control groups. Materials and Methods: After in vitro maturation and fertilization of cumulus oocyte complexes, two-cell embryos were categorized into three groups: I-Fused group (FG) include two-cell embryos fused by exposure to different voltages (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 & 1.5 kV/cm) and durations (20, 40, 60, 80 & 100 cs). 2- Exposed control group (ECG), two-cell embryos that remained unfused after electrofusion. 3- Unexposed control group (UCG), two-cell embryos culture without exposure to any electrofusion. The embryos from each group were cultured in SOFI and SOF2 and their developmental rates were compared in each group. Results: Increase voltage results in significantly lower developmental rate.The increased duration in high voltages caused decreased blastocyst formation rate, and in low voltage caused increased blastocyst formation rate.The developmental rate in ECG is as trend as FG, and significantly (p<0.05) they were lower related to UCG. Conclusion: The best blastocyst formation rate was obtained in 0.75 kV/cm for 60µs duration. http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-380-en.pdf Bovine Teraploid Electrofusion Voltage Development per 4 Anatomical Sciences Journal 17286158 17286158 2004-08 2 2 67 73 article Hasan Haghir 1 Parviz Mehr Aein 2 Anatomy Department, Mashhad Medical Sciences University, Mashhad, Iran. Purpose: This study was designed to determine sex differences in the surface anatomical parameters (surface area and thickness) of the left parahippocampal cortex in healthy right - handed subjects and right - handed subjects suffering from Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 72 normal human brains (38 males, 34 females); 11 brains were afflicted with Alzheimer's (4 males, 7 females) and 13 brains were stricken with Parkinson's (9 males, 4 females). The age of the males and females in each group was similar.The right and left hemispheres of each brain were used for neuropathological diagnoses and stereological analyses, respectively. Unbiased stereological methods (with point and linear grids) were employed, and photographs of 5mm serial coronal sections of the left hemispheres helped estimate the left parahippocampal cortex thickness and surface areas. The results were analyzed with t-student and non- parametrical Mann-Whitney statistical tests. Results: The outer surface areas of the left parahippocampal cortex in the right - handed healthy males and females were 18.8±6.3 and 16.6±5.1cm2, respectively. The inner surface areas of the left parahippocampal cortex in the right - handed healthy males and females were 14.7±6.1 and 14.3±5.1cm2, respectively. The mean surface areas of the left parahippocampal cortex in the right-handed healthy males and females were 16.8±6 and 15.5±5cm2, respectively. There were no significant differences in the outer, inner and mean surface areas of the left parahippocampal cortex between two sexes in the healthy right - handed subjects. The thickness of the left parahippocampal cortex in the right-handed healthy males and females was 3.1±0.9 and 2.7±0.7 mm, respectively. Therefore, the thickness of this cortex in the females was 12.9% the size of that in the males (p=0.03). The surface anatomical parameters (surface areas and thickness) of the left parahippocampal cortex were similar between two sexes in the patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The outer and mean surface areas of the left parahippocampal cortex in Parkinson's disease sufferers were similar between two sexes, but the inner surface area of this cortex in the Parkinsonian females was significantly smaller than that in the Parkinsonian males (p=0.05). The thickness of the left parahippocampal cortex in the Parkinsonian males had a tendency (0.05<p Conclusion: The left parahippocampal cortex in right - handed healthy males is thicker than that in right-handed females. The normal sexual difference in the left parahippocampal cortex thickness disappears in Alzheimer's disease. Although the left parahippocampal cortex in Parkinsonian females has a tendency to be thicker than that in Parkinsonian males, this difference is not significant. The changes of normal sexual dimorphism in the thickness of the left parahippocampal cortex in these two neurodegenerative diseases can be due to a more severe degeneration of this cortex in males.</p http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-381-en.pdf Sexual dimorphism Parahippocampal cortex Surface anatomy Alzheimer Parkinson