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OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the mRNA expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the sperm of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) and teratozoospermic (TER) men compared to normozoospermic (NOR) men, as well as the relationships between GABA receptor expression and sperm parameters, fertilization rate, and embryo quality. METHODS: The mRNA expression of GABA A-α1 and GABA B-R2 receptors in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in three groups of patients: NOR (n=32), OAT (n=22), and TER (n=45). The fertilization rate and embryo quality were assessed in 35 patients undergoing Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI; 10 NOR, 10 OAT, and 15 TER men). RESULTS: OAT men had significantly higher mRNA expression of GABA A-α1 and GABA B-R2 receptors in sperm than NOR men; however, the difference between TER and NOR men was not significant. High levels of these receptors were significantly correlated with low sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, as well as the rate of good-quality embryos (GQEs) at the cleavage stage after ICSI. Patients whose female partners had a >50% GQE rate at the cleavage stage had significantly lower levels of GABA A-α1 receptor expression than those whose partners had a ≤50% GQE rate. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that mRNA levels of GABA receptors in human sperm are correlated with poor sperm quality and associated with embryo development after ICSI treatment. The GABA A-α1 receptor in sperm has a stronger relationship with embryo quality at the cleavage stage than the GABA B-R2 receptor.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Asparagus racemosus (AR) is well known as an Ayurvedic rasayana which used traditionally by Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders and prevent aging. In our previous study it was found that ethanol AR root extract can improve learning and memory impairment, induced by an ovariectomy, but the extract's mechanisms as a neuroprotective property are still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to examine the effects and mechanisms of ethanol AR root extract on the alteration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups, 4 groups underwent ovariectomy, and one group was designed to be the sham control group. Two groups were gavaged with propylene glycol for sham, and a second group similarly prepared for OVX. Two further groups of OVX rats were gavaged once daily, one group with 100 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol AR root extract and the second group with 1000 mg/kg b.w. of ethanol AR root extract. The fifth group was gavaged once daily with 0.1 mg/kg b.w. of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE). BDNF, ERα and ERß expression were evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: The western blot analysis revealed that the OVX rats showed a significant decrease in BDNF and a down-regulation of ERα and ERß in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. It was also demonstrated that EE and AR root extract increased BDNF, ERα and ERß in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, the enhancement of BDNF and ERs up-regulation may be involved in the neuroprotective effects of ethanol AR root extract in ovariectomized rat.

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BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer, very common in females of the developing world, has a long premalignant period. Primary and secondary prevention can reduce the incidence. The Pap smear is the main screening modality in Thailand but the coverage is rather poor. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical workers in Naresuan university hospital who met the WHO guidelines for screening. METHODS: A questionnaire covering general characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices about cervical cancer screening was administered and the data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The majority of the 78 included participants were nurses with an education mostly more than diploma level. Knowledge about the importance of the Pap smear, early detection and the treatment of early stage cervical cancer was adequate (90.9 % and 81.6%, respectively) but awarness of cervical cancer risk factors was quite low. The most frequent reasons for avoiding Pap smear screening were fear of vaginal examination (27.6%), embarrassment (26.3%), lack of any symptoms (22.4%) and being busy (17%). CONCLUSION: The Pap smear is appropriate for detection of premalignant lesions of cervical cancer in Thailand but the coverage is still low. Although this study was performed with medical workers, their compliance with screening recommendations was still low. If we can improve the knowledge and attitudes about Pap smear cervical cancer screening in such experts, they should be able to readily provide appropriate and accurate information to the population to motivate the general population to join screening programs.

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Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a congenital anomaly, that is characterized by a triad of optic nerve hypoplasia, structural brain defects, and hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. This condition is very rare and it has never been reported in a Thai population. In the present report, the authors described two SOD cases that presented with primary amenorrhea and abnormal pubertal development. Clinical features. Possible etiology of this condition was reviewed

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AIM: To study the rate of blastocyst formation in 4-cell mouse embryos after laser destruction of one blastomere, with or without microsurgical removal of the destroyed blastomere. METHODS: Mouse embryos were randomly allocated to two control and two experimented groups. Control embryos were either non-manipulated (117 embryos) or underwent laser ablation of zona only (114 embryos). Experimented embryos had laser destruction of zona and the adjacent blastomeres. Destroyed blastomeres were either left in situ (115 embryos) or were microsurgically removed (107 embryos). They were cultured in sequential media for 72 h and were assessed for cleavage/morula arrest and blastocyst formation rates. RESULTS: Embryos arrested at cleavage/morula stages were higher when destroyed blastomeres remained in situ (30.4%) than when they were immediately removed (15.0%, P < 0.05). Blastocysts in the group with immediate removal of the destroyed blastomeres (85%) were significantly higher than when destroyed blastomeres were left in situ (69.6%, P < 0.05). Blastocyst formation in the repaired embryos was significantly lower than the non-manipulated (91.5%) and the manipulated controls (94.8%, P < 0.05). Hatching blastocysts were highest in control embryos with zonal ablation (72.8%). Proportions of hatching/hatched blastocysts in embryos, with or without removal of destroyed blastomeres, were not significantly different (39.3% and 33.9%, respectively). The percentage of embryonic loss during an attempt at microsurgical repair was 6.1%. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical removal of destroyed blastomere was effective in restoring blastocyst development. It could reduce the rate of cleavage/morula arrest.

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