Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI), whether administered with or without ovarian stimulation, is regarded as a first-line intervention among assisted reproductive technologies for the treatment of infertility. The growing success rates associated with this technique have led many infertile couples to consider it as a preferred initial therapeutic option. Aim of Sutdy: This study aimed to generate local data to evaluate the relationship between immunological markers—such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL)—as well as follicular parameters, endometrial thickness, and waist-to-hip ratio, with intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes. The ultimate goal was to improve infertility treatment strategies within the Iraqi community, particularly given the limited local research available in Kirkuk. Methods: The study involved 96 infertile women who underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI) from December 2023 to February 2025. The association between the variables and pregnancy rates was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Significant differences in follicle size were observed between IUI responders and non-responders across all age groups except the oldest. Endometrial thickness on insemination day differed significantly only in the two older groups. Other variables—number of oocytes, TNF, aPL, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)—showed no significant differences across all ages. Conclusion: The pregnancy rate decreases with the reduction of both endometrial thickness and follicle size, which may reduce the effectiveness of IUI in women experiencing these conditions. Conclusion: IUI outcomes are influenced by immunological and physiological characteristics, necessitating the management of related conditions before proceeding with IUI treatment.

The effects of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) pollution on soil physicochemical characteristics, including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), and organic matter (OM), are examined in greater detail in this study. We used soils exposed to increasing concentrations of heavy metals, two ornamental plant species (Acacia and Nerium), and unplanted controls in our three-month-long trials. The results showed a distinct trend of soil acidification with increasing metal concentrations, particularly in the presence of cadmium stress. While Pb and Zn caused minor decreases in CEC values that were not statistically significant, we saw a considerable decline in CEC values in soils polluted with Cd, especially in the unplanted groups. With no discernible variations, EC values increased slightly across all treatments but remained within acceptable bounds. Similarly, when metal levels increased over time, the amount of organic matter reduced, but this impact was more noticeable in soils that were polluted with Cd. Nerium continuously fared better than Acacia among the plant species in preserving greater CEC and OM levels. However, only the CEC under Cd contamination (Table 4) exhibited significant variations across treatments, whereas the remaining metrics showed no statistical significance, according to our statistical analyses using the LSD test (P<0.05). These findings highlight the need of carrying out long-term phytoremediation studies to get a deeper comprehension of the sustainable function of ornamental plants in heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Infertility is a global health concern, with growing evidence suggesting that environmental and toxic chemicals contribute significantly to its prevalence. Propoxur, a widely used pesticide for controlling mosquitoes, insects, and pests, has been implicated in gonadotoxicity, primarily through oxidative stress mechanisms affecting male reproductive organs. This study investigates the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol on propoxur-induced gonadotoxicity in male Wistar rats, focusing on biochemical markers, hormonal levels, and histological alterations in the testes. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=5 per group): Control (Group I), Propoxur-treated (Group II), Alpha-tocopherol-treated (Group III), and Propoxur plus Alpha-tocopherol-treated (Group IV). Biochemical assays, oxidative stress markers—including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)—and histological analyses were conducted. Propoxur administration resulted in a significant increase in MDA and ROS levels (P<0.05), alongside a significant reduction in SOD activity (P<0.05), indicating oxidative stress-induced damage. Histological examination of testes from the propoxur-treated group revealed pronounced disruption of the seminiferous tubules. In contrast, co-administration of alpha-tocopherol significantly attenuated these alterations, as evidenced by restored antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced lipid peroxidation, and preserved testicular architecture. Alpha-tocopherol demonstrates a protective effect against propoxur-induced gonadotoxicity by mitigating oxidative stress and reversing histological damage to the seminiferous tubules. These findings suggest its potential therapeutic role in protecting male reproductive health against environmental toxicants.