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Normal Morphology (normal + morphology)
Selected AbstractsSynthesis of Nonwoven Nanofibers by Electrospinning , A Promising Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 8 2010N. Naveen PHB nanofibers are synthesized by electrospinning of a PHB solution prepared using HFIP as the solvent. The nanofibrous scaffold supports rapid cell growth with normal morphology and attains a viability of 87% after 48,h. Kanamycin sulphate-loaded PHB nanofiber mats are synthesized, with the antibiotic on the surface and sandwiched within the nanofiber mats: their antimicrobial property is proved by the good zone of inhibition tested against Staphylococcus aureus. The drug shows more than 95% release within 8,h. These results indicate that nanofibers loaded with the antibiotic have potential applications as a template for tissue engineering and as a drug carrier. [source] A radialization factor in normal cortical plate restores disorganized radial glia and disrupted migration in a model of cortical dysplasiaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2003Thomas A. Hasling Abstract Treatment of pregnant ferrets on embryonic day 24 (E24) with the antimitotic methylazoxy methanol (MAM) leads to a specific constellation of effects in newborn kits, which include a very thin and poorly laminated neocortex, disruption of radial glial cell morphology with early differentiation into astrocytes, and abnormal positioning of Cajal,Retzius cells. We suggest that MAM treatment on E24 results in this model of cortical dysplasia by eliminating a population of cells that produce a factor capable of maintaining radial glia in their normal morphology. The abnormal radial glia, either alone or in combination with other abnormal features, are likely to prevent proper migration into the cortical plate. To test the possibility that normal cortex can provide the missing substance that influences radial glia, slices of E24 MAM-treated cortex were removed at postnatal day 0 (P0) and cultured adjacent to explants of P0 normal cortical plate. By labelling a small number of cells with injections of fluorescent dextrans into the cultured slices, we found that abnormal radial glia in MAM treated slices cocultured adjacent to normal cortical plate were restored toward normal, in comparison to E24 MAM treated slices cultured alone and in other control conditions. We also found that abnormally positioned Cajal,Retzius cells move into the marginal zone and that neurons are able to migrate into the cortical plate more effectively in the coculture condition. These data indicate that normal cortical plate of ferrets contains a factor causing radial glia to maintain their elongated morphology; the improved position of radial glia encourages repositioning of Cajal,Retzius cells and improved neuronal migration into the cortical plate. [source] EMBRYO YELLOW gene, encoding a subunit of the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex, is required for appropriate cell expansion and meristem organization in Arabidopsis thalianaGENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2008Takaaki Ishikawa We identified an embryo yellow (eye) mutation in Arabidopsis that leads to the abnormal coloration and morphology of embryos. The eye mutant formed bushy plants, with aberrant organization of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and unexpanded leaves with irregular phyllotaxy. The epidermal cells of the eye mutant were much smaller than that of the wild-type. Thus, EYE is required for expansion of cells and organs, and for formation of the organized SAM. Hydrophobic layers of epidermal cells were also disrupted, suggesting that EYE might be involved in the generation of the extra-cellular matrix. The mutated gene encoded a protein that is homologous to Cog7, a subunit of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex, which is required for the normal morphology and function of the Golgi appratus. The eye mutation caused mislocalization of a Golgi protein. In addition, the size of the Golgi apparatus was also altered. Thus, EYE might be involved in transport or retention of Golgi-localized proteins and in maintenance of Golgi morphology. We propose that some Golgi-localized proteins, distributions of which are controlled by EYE, play important roles in expansion of cells and organs, and in formation of the properly organized SAM in plants. [source] Semen quality in fertile US men in relation to geographical area and pesticide exposureINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2006Shanna H. Swan Summary We conducted the first US study to compare semen quality among study centres using standardized methods and strict quality control. We present data on semen quality in partners of 493 pregnant women recruited through prenatal clinics in four US cities during 1999,2001. Sperm concentration, semen volume and motility were determined at the centres and morphology was assessed at a central laboratory. While between-centre differences in sperm morphology and sample volume were small, sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in Columbia, MO (MO) relative to men in New York, NY, Minneapolis, MN and Los Angeles, CA; total number of motile sperm was 113 × 106 in MO and 162, 201 and 196 × 106 in CA, MN and NY respectively. Differences among centres remained significant in multivariate models that controlled for abstinence time, semen analysis time, age, race, smoking, history of sexually transmitted disease and recent fever (all p -values <0.01). We hypothesized that poorer sperm concentration and motility in MO men relative to other centres might be related to agricultural pesticides that are commonly used in the mid-west. We investigated this hypothesis by conducting a nested case,control study within the MO cohort. We selected 25 men in this cohort for whom all semen parameters (concentration, % normal morphology and % motile) were low as cases and an equal number of men for whom all semen parameters were within normal limits as controls. We measured metabolites of eight non-persistent, current-use pesticides in urine samples the men had provided at the time of semen collection. Pesticide metabolite levels were elevated in cases compared with controls for the herbicides alachlor and atrazine, and for the insecticide diazinon (2-isopropoxy-4-methyl-pyrimidinol) (p -values for Wilcoxon rank test = 0.0007, 0.012, and 0.0004 for alachlor, atrazine and diazinon respectively). Men with higher levels of alachlor or diazinon were significantly more likely to be cases than men with low levels [odds ratios (OR) = 30.0, 16.7 for alachlor and diazinon respectively], as were men with atrazine over the limit of detection (OR = 11.3). These associations between current-use pesticides and reduced semen quality suggest that agricultural chemicals may have contributed to the reduced semen quality seen in fertile men from mid-Missouri. [source] Recovery of rat submandibular salivary gland function following removal of obstruction: a sialometrical and sialochemical studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Samira M. Osailan Summary Functional recovery of the rat submandibular gland following ligation of the main excretory duct was examined. Rat submandibular glands were ligated for 1, 4 and 8 weeks using a micro-clip with a plastic tube. Micro-clips were removed and glands were allowed to recover for periods of 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Submandibular glands were stimulated with autonomimetic drugs (methacholine and isoprenaline) and salivas were collected from atrophic or de-ligated and contralateral control glands. Glands recovered almost full size (92% of control gland) following 24 weeks of de-ligation. Saliva volume secreted by ligated/de-ligated (RSM) and control (LSM) glands were similar with different doses of agonists. Protein output expressed per gram of tissue wet weight was similar from both ligated/de-ligated and control glands with all doses of agonist. Sodium and chloride levels were higher from de-ligated glands than contralateral control glands. Protein electrophoresis showed similar profiles of salivary proteins in all samples with some minor differences. Acinar cells in de-ligated glands showed a normal morphology, as indicated by light microscopy, whilst granular ductal cells were fewer and contained fewer secretory granules. Sodium potassium ATPase staining of striated ducts in de-ligated glands was similar to that of control glands. It can be concluded that rat submandibular glands can regenerate following severe atrophy and secrete normal amounts of saliva containing broadly a full profile of secretory proteins. In contrast to acinar cells, ductal cells appear not to recover full function. [source] Variation in mammalian proximal femoral development: comparative analysis of two distinct ossification patternsJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 3 2007Maria A. Serrat Abstract The developmental anatomy of the proximal femur is complex. In some mammals, including humans, the femoral head and greater trochanter emerge as separate ossification centres within a common chondroepiphysis and remain separate throughout ontogeny. In other species, these secondary centres coalesce within the chondroepiphysis to form a single osseous epiphysis much like the proximal humerus. These differences in femoral ontogeny have not been previously addressed, yet are critical to an understanding of femoral mineralization and architecture across a wide range of mammals and may have key implications for understanding and treating hip abnormalities in humans. We evaluated femora from 70 mammalian species and categorized each according to the presence of a ,separate' or ,coalesced' proximal epiphysis based on visual assessment. We found that ossification type varies widely among mammals: taxa in the ,coalesced' group include marsupials, artiodactyls, perissodactyls, bats, carnivores and several primates, while the ,separate' group includes hominoids, many rodents, tree shrews and several marine species. There was no clear relationship to body size, phylogeny or locomotion, but qualitative and quantitative differences between the groups suggest that ossification type may be primarily an artefact of femoral shape and neck length. As some osseous abnormalities of the human hip appear to mimic the normal morphology of species with coalesced epiphyses, these results may provide insight into the aetiology and treatment of human hip disorders such as femoroacetabular impingement and early-onset osteoarthritis. [source] Sonographic spectrum of scrotal abnormalities in infertile menJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 8 2007Hussein S. Qublan Abstract Purpose. To use sonography to detect scrotal abnormalities in infertile men. Material and Methods. Two hundred thirty-four infertile men, including 176 oligospermic (sperm count < 10 × 106/ml), 58 azoospermic, and 150 normospermic men (control group) were evaluated prospectively for the presence of intra- and extratesticular abnormalities using high-frequency transducers and color Doppler imaging. Medical and surgical history, testicular volume, semen parameters, and hormonal levels were recorded. Results. A statistically significant increase in the prevalence of abnormal scrotal findings detected with sonography was observed in the study group compared with controls. These included variocele in 35.5% versus 16% (p < 0.01), hydrocele in 16.7% versus 8.7% (p < 0.05), testicular microlithiasis in 9.8% versus 2% (p < 0.01), epididymal enlargement in 9% versus 2.6% (p < 0.05), and epididymal cyst in 7.7% versus 2% (p < 0.05). Testicular tumor was not seen in either group. A statistically significant decrease in testicular volume, sperm concentration, normal morphology, and forward motility of the sperm was noted in the study group compared with controls (p < 0.01). Conclusion. The various intra- and extratesticular abnormalities were demonstrated in infertile men. Sonography should be used routinely in the work-up of male infertility. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007 [source] Computerized axiography in TMD patients before and after therapy with ,function generating bites'JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 2 2008M. G. PIANCINO Summary, The study evaluates the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) movements of patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) before and after therapy with the functional appliances of the ,function generating bite' (FGB) type. Thirty subjects suffering from TMD were selected and divided into two groups: group A (young patients: four males, nine females, mean age ± standard deviation: 13·3 ± 1·5 years); group B (adults: three males, 14 females, mean age ± standard deviation: 23·2 ± 4·4 years). A control group comprised 13 healthy subjects with perfect normal occlusion, TMD-free, was matched for age and sex with patient groups and was examined at T0 and after 12 months (T1). Computerized axiography was performed before and after therapy (average 13 months) with FGBs to evaluate any difference in condyle border movements. Results showed a statistically significant improvement after treatment, for groups A and B, in length, clicks, tracings with normal morphology, superimposition, deviations, regularity and return to starting position and speed (statistical analysis: chi-squared test) except for the symmetry of tracings which was significantly improved only for the young patient group. No statistically significant differences at time T0/T1 were found in the control group. In conclusion, the study shows that the TMJ tracings of TMD patients before and after therapy with ,FGB' significantly improve especially in young patients. FGB may be a useful appliance to improve TMJ function in young and adult TMD patients requiring orthodontic treatment. [source] Abstracts of the 8th Meeting of the Italian Peripheral Nerve Study Group: 84JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2003V Donadio The aim of the study is to determine the site of autonomic lesion in a patient with Holmes-Adie Syndrome (HAS) who subsequently developed generalized anhydrosis. We describe a 38-year-old woman who from age 33 showed a right pupil larger than the left and from age 34 complained of focal and, a year later, generalized anhydrosis. Neurological examination showed absent tendon reflexes and right mydriatic pupil. Brain MRI, EEG, motor and sensory conduction studies were normal. Serologic screening for autoimmune disease was negative. To determine the site of the autonomic lesion the patient underwent the following investigations: pupillary tests with a diluted solution of pilocarpine (0.062%) and adrenaline (0.1%); cardiovascular reflexes; thermoregulatory sweat test (TST); circadian rhythm of body core temperature (CRT°); sympathetic skin response (SSR); microneurography recording of skin sympathetic activity (SSA) from median and peroneal nerves, and muscle sympathetic activity (MSA) from peroneal nerve; skin biopsy to evaluated the eccrine glands. Pupillary tests showed postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation only of the right pupil. TST showed complete anhydrosis, SSR and SSA were absent and skin biopsy revealed normal morphology of the eccrine glands with hypotrophy of their structures. These results indicated a lesion of the postganglionic skin sympathetic fibers. Mechanisms for heat loss and conservation, cardiovascular reflexes and MSA were normal excluding a hypothalamic dysfunction or a more diffuse involvement of the autonomic nervous system. In conclusion, our patient showed a HAS associated with generalized anhydrosis and the autonomic investigations suggested underlying postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic lesions. [source] ON PENTAMPLEXUSSCHINDEWOLF, 1940 (ANTHOZOA, RUGOSA) AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATIVES AND ANALOGUESPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2009JERZY FEDOROWSKI Abstract:, Three ampleximorphic taxa are revised and their most important characters are discussed in terms of possible or apparent relationships. Re-interpretation of its early ontogeny allows the assignment of Pentamplexus Schindewolf, 1940 to the family Polycoeliidae de Fromentel, 1861. Stereolasma variabilisVojnovsky-Krieger, 1934 is established as the type species of Vojnovskytes gen. nov. It resembles the family Polycoeliidae in some characters and the Antiphyllidae Ilina, 1970 or the Laccophyllidae Grabau, 1928 in others. Thus, its family status is not established. Revision of the type material of Fasciculophyllum tripusSchindewolf, 1952 allows its inclusion within the new genus Silesamplus, probably related to the family Laccophyllidae Grabau, 1928. Amplexoid morphology is further shown to be inadequate for the establishment of relationships on the family or subfamily level. Early ontogeny is most important in that respect, but biform vs normal morphology in the tabularium and free vs contratingent development of minor septa must also be considered, where appropriate. [source] Update on Semen Technologies for Animal Breeding,REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2006JM Morrell Contents Despite the scale of the livestock breeding industry, where many millions of insemination doses are prepared each year, sperm preparation techniques are used infrequently in animal assisted reproduction compared with its human counterpart. However, some of the techniques used for human sperm preparation, for example, density gradient centrifugation, improve the quality of sperm preparations which is, in turn, reflected by an increased conception rate. The preparation technique separates motile spermatozoa with normal morphology and intact DNA from the total sperm population, leaving behind immature or senescent spermatozoa, morphologically abnormal ones and those with damaged DNA. Furthermore, the motile spermatozoa are removed from the seminal plasma which carries cells, cellular debris and reactive oxygen species, as well as pathogens. Gradient-prepared spermatozoa survive longer, either in liquid storage or when cryopreserved, and are free of bacteria and viral infectivity if prepared carefully. Preparation techniques such as density gradient centrifugation, or the simplified single layer centrifugation technique, have considerable potential for aiding sperm preparation from poor quality semen samples, such as may be obtained from unselected semen donors in captive breeding programmes, or from performance horses. Moreover, the removal of pathogens has important implications, both for disease control and for avoiding the use of antibiotics in semen extenders, which can be detrimental to sperm survival. [source] Assessment of Different Sperm Quality Parameters to Predict in vitro Fertility of BullsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2002S Tanghe Contents Frozen-thawed semen from six bulls with high (> 60%) and low (20,35%) in vitro fertility was used for studying the predictive value of simple sperm quality tests with respect to in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome as assessed by pronucleus (PN) formation ability. Sperm quality parameters, such as sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, live-dead sperm ratio, morphology, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and acrosomal status were analysed using both conventional and automatic techniques at three time points during the IVF process, namely after sperm thawing, Percoll differential gradient centrifugation and IVF. Associations between the sperm quality parameters before and after IVF, and PN formation ability were assessed by using linear regression analyses. The percentages of motility, progressive motility and normal morphology determined after sperm thawing, and the percentage of live spermatozoa assessed after Percoll preparation by using nigrosin-eosin (N-E) staining showed a good correlation with PN formation ability, but the regression parameters were borderline not significant. These parameters formed the most reliable basis for predicting IVF outcome. After IVF, the percentage of live spermatozoa determined by using N-E staining was the only sperm quality parameter showing a significant association with the PN formation ability of a given bull. This sperm quality test can be used as a non-invasive method to estimate the PN formation ability of oocytes which are further cultured to assess embryonic development. [source] Flow Cytometric Sorting of Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Spermatozoa in the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005J.K. O'Brien Abstract We adapted flow cytometry technology for high-purity sorting of X chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Our objectives were to develop methodologies for liquid storage of semen prior to sorting, sorting of liquid-stored and frozen-thawed spermatozoa, and assessment of sorting accuracy. In study 1, the in vitro sperm characteristics of gorilla ejaculates from one male were unchanged (P>0.05) after 8 hr of liquid storage at 15°C in a non-egg yolk diluent (HEPES-buffered modified Tyrode's medium). In study 2, we examined the efficacy of sorting fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa using human spermatozoa as a model for gorilla spermatozoa. Ejaculates from one male were split into fresh and frozen aliquots. X-enriched samples derived from both fresh and frozen-thawed human semen were of high purity, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH; 90.7%±2.3%, overall), and contained a high proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (86.0%±1.0%, overall). In study 3, we processed liquid-stored semen from two gorillas for sorting using a modification of methods for human spermatozoa. The sort rate for enrichment of X-bearing spermatozoa was 7.3±2.5 spermatozoa per second. The X-enriched samples were of high purity (single-sperm PCR: 83.7%) and normal morphology (79.0%±3.9%). In study 4 we examined frozen-thawed gorilla semen, and the sort rate (8.3±2.9 X-bearing sperm/sec), purity (89.7%), and normal morphology (81.4%±3.4%) were comparable to those of liquid-stored semen. Depending on the male and the type of sample used (fresh or frozen-thawed), 0.8,2.2% of gorilla spermatozoa in the processed ejaculate were present in the X-enriched sample. These results demonstrate that fresh or frozen-thawed gorilla spermatozoa can be flow cytometrically sorted into samples enriched for X-bearing spermatozoa. Am. J. Primatol. 66:297,315, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Stress-induced somatic embryogenesis in vegetative tissues of Arabidopsis thalianaTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003Miho Ikeda-Iwai Summary Somatic embryogenesis is an obvious experimental evidence of totipotency, and is used as a model system for studying the mechanisms of de-differentiation and re-differentiation of plant cells. Although Arabidopsis is widely used as a model plant for genetic and molecular biological studies, there is no available tissue culture system for inducing somatic embryogenesis from somatic cells in this plant. We established a new tissue culture system using stress treatment to induce somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis. In this system, stress treatment induced formation of somatic embryos from shoot-apical-tip and floral-bud explants. The somatic embryos grew into young plantlets with normal morphology, including cotyledons, hypocotyls, and roots, and some embryo-specific genes (ABI3 and FUS3) were expressed in these embryos. Several stresses (osmotic, heavy metal ion, and dehydration stress) induced somatic embryogenesis, but the optimum stress treatment differed between different stressors. When we used mannitol to cause osmotic stress, the optimal conditions for somatic embryogenesis were 6,9 h of culture on solid B5 medium containing 0.7 m mannitol, after which the explants were transferred to B5 medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 4.5 µm), but no mannitol. Using this tissue culture system, we induced somatic embryogenesis in three major ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, Ws, Col, and Ler. [source] The participation of AtXPB1, the XPB/RAD25 homologue gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, in DNA repair and plant developmentTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2001Renata M. A. Costa Summary Nucleotide excision repair in Arabidopsis thaliana differs from other eukaryotes as it contains two paralogous copies of the corresponding XPB/RAD25 gene. In this work, the functional characterization of one copy, AtXPB1, is presented. The plant gene was able to partially complement the UV sensitivity of a yeast rad25 mutant strain, thus confirming its involvement in nucleotide excision repair. The biological role of AtXPB1 protein in A. thaliana was further ascertained by obtaining a homozygous mutant plant containing the AtXPB1 genomic sequence interrupted by a T-DNA insertion. The 3, end of the mutant gene is disrupted, generating the expression of a truncated mRNA molecule. Despite the normal morphology, the mutant plants presented developmental delay, lower seed viability and a loss of germination synchrony. These plants also manifested increased sensitivity to continuous exposure to the alkylating agent MMS, thus suggesting inefficient DNA damage removal. These results indicate that, although the duplication seems to be recent, the features described for the mutant plant imply some functional or timing expression divergence between the paralogous AtXPB genes. The AtXPB1 protein function in nucleotide excision repair is probably required for the removal of lesions during seed storage, germination and early plant development. [source] Leucocytes and intrinsic ROS production may be factors compromising sperm chromatin condensation statusANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2010R. Henkel Summary Considering that the final protection of the DNA against major assaults in terms of chromatin condensation is finalised in the epididymis, it is not known how sperm production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory processes can contribute to protamine deficiency that is predetermined in the testes. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating relationships between poor chromatin condensation, morphology, ROS production, DNA damage and the impact of the presence of leucocytes. In 70 patients, sperm DNA status was determined using TUNEL and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) assays, and ROS-production by means of dihydroethidine. Morphology was evaluated according to strict criteria. The percentage of CMA3 -positive spermatozoa and leucocyte concentration (r = 0.178, P = 0.0377) as well as percentage of ROS-positive spermatozoa (r = 0.3010; P = 0.012) correlated significantly. Particularly, patients with leucocyte counts >0.5 × 106 ml,1 exhibited higher CMA3 positivity. No association was found between CMA3 positivity, TUNEL positivity and sperm morphology. While P- (poor prognosis: 0,4% normal morphology) and G-pattern (good prognosis: 5,14% normal morphology) morphology did not differ regarding chromatin condensation, P-pattern patients had a significantly higher percentage of DNA fragmentation (P = 0.0323). As oxidative stress is associated with disturbed chromatin condensation, results suggest that the idea that under-protamination of sperm DNA will automatically lead to DNA fragmentation might have to be revisited. [source] Evaluation of zeta and HA-binding methods for selection of spermatozoa with normal morphology, protamine content and DNA integrityANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2010S. H. Razavi Summary Sperm selection parameters based on morphology and motility for ICSI might not be relevant to chromatin integrity. Thus sperm selection based on sperm characteristics has been suggested. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the zeta and hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection procedures with neat semen, for recovering spermatozoa with normal morphology, protamine content and DNA integrity in infertile men. Semen samples from 77 infertile couples were assessed during this study. Semen analysis was carried out according to World Health Organization criteria. Protamine content, DNA integrity and sperm morphology were assessed by chromomycin A3, sperm chromatin dispersion and Papanicolaou staining respectively. The results show that both HA and zeta methods were efficient to recover spermatozoa with normal morphology and protamine content. In terms of the latter parameters, there was no superiority between the two procedures. However, in terms of DNA integrity, the zeta method was more efficient compared with the control and HA procedure and no significant difference was observed between HA and the controls. Therefore, the zeta method appears to be a suitable procedure to recover spermatozoa with normal DNA integrity. [source] Human sperm DNA integrity in normal and abnormal semen samples and its correlation with sperm characteristicsANDROLOGIA, Issue 4 2009A. C. Varghese Summary Reports indicate an increase in the incidence of DNA fragmentation in male factor infertility and its role in the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). However, reports are conflicting between the relationships of sperm DNA integrity with conventional semen parameters. We examined the relationship between conventional sperm parameters and DNA integrity using acridine orange (AO) test. The study included 373 patients and 28 fertile volunteers. DNA normality was compared with semen parameters between the patient and donor populations. Significant correlations were noted between DNA normality and sperm concentration (r = 0.18, P = 0.000), motility (r = 0.21, P = 0.0001), rapid motility (0.19, P = 0.000), normal morphology by World Health Organization (r = 0.15, P = 0.019) and head defects (r = ,0.15, P = 0.023). A significant difference was noted in AO levels between donors and patients with asthenozoospermia (P = 0.002) and oligoasthenozoospermia (P = 0.001). A significant difference in DNA integrity was noted in samples having <30% and >30% normal morphology. A wide range of % DNA normality was observed in the patient group. Sperm assessment for DNA status using AO is reliable and shows good correlation with sperm count, motility and morphology. Assessment of sperm DNA status with AO staining may be helpful prior to ART. [source] Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile malesANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2006T. Mostafa Summary This work aimed to assess the relationship of seminal ascorbic acid levels with smoking in infertile males. One hundred and seventy men were divided into four groups: nonobstructive azoospermia [NOA: smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; oligoasthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 30), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; asthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)] and normozoospermic fertile men [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma calorimetrically. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels in smokers versus nonsmokers in all groups (mean ± SD; 6.03 ± 2.18 versus 6.62 ± 1.29, 7.81 ± 1.98 versus 9.44 ± 2.15, 8.09 ± 1.98 versus 9.95 ± 2.03, 11.32 ± 2.15 versus 12.98 ± 12.19 mg dl,1 respectively). Fertile subjects, smokers or not, demonstrated significant higher seminal ascorbic acid levels than any infertile group. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid in smokers and nonsmokers was correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.59, 0.60, P < 0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.65, 0.55, P < 0.001) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms per cent (r = ,0.53, ,0.50, P < 0.001). Nonsignificant correlations were elicited with semen volume (r = 0.2, 0.09) or liquefaction time (r = 0.03, 0.06). It is concluded that seminal plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly in smokers and infertile men versus nonsmokers and fertile men, and is significantly correlated with the main sperm parameters: count, motility and normal morphology. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen main parameters that could worsen the male fertilizing potential, especially in borderline cases. [source] Better sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection with the side migration techniqueANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2001A. Hinting Summary. The side migration technique (SMT) is a recent method for preparing very poor-quality semen samples to be used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In most centres, the washing swim-up and Percoll gradient columns techniques have been routinely used. The present study is aimed at comparing the quality of oligozoospermic semen samples selected after these three methods. All three methods were found to select better percentage motility, normal morphology, viability, functional integrity of plasma membrane and nuclear chromatin integrity compared with the original semen samples. Among the three methods, however, SMT yielded better sperm quality, including morphology, viability, membrane integrity and nuclear chromatin integrity. The results of this study and our experience have confirmed that SMT is an effective and physiological method to prepare sperm for ICSI. [source] Stepwise regression analysis to study male and female factors impacting on pregnancy rate in an intrauterine insemination programmeANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2001M. Montanaro Gauci Summary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of male and female factors on the pregnancy rate in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) programme. Data on 522 cycles were retrospectively studied. All patients 39 years or younger were included in the study where data were available on male and female diagnosis, as well as on ovulation induction methodology. Regression analysis was possible on 495 cycles to study different factors affecting the pregnancy rate per treatment cycle. Logistic regression identified variables which were related to outcome and were subsequently incorporated into a statistical model. The number of follicles was found to have a linear association with the risk ratio (chance) of pregnancy. The age of the woman was also found to have a linear (negative) association with pregnancy. The percentage motility and percentage normal morphology (by strict criteria) of spermatozoa in the fresh ejaculate were the male factors that significantly and independently predicted the outcome. Percentage motility ,,50 was associated with a risk ratio of pregnancy of 2.95 compared to percentage motility < 50. Percentage normal sperm morphology > 14% was associated with a risk ratio of pregnancy of 1.8 compared to percentage normal morphology ,,14%. Female patients with idiopathic infertility were divided into three groups according to normal sperm morphology. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 2.63% (1/38) for the P (poor) pattern group (0,4% normal forms), 11.4% (17/149) for the G (good) pattern group (5,14%), and 24% (18/75) for the N (normal) pattern group (> 14% normal forms). A female diagnosis of endometriosis or tubal factor impacted negatively on the probability of pregnancy (risk ratio of 0.17), compared with other female diagnoses. Male and female factors contribute to pregnancy outcome, but the clinician can influence prognosis by increasing the number of follicles, especially in severe male factor cases. [source] Reduced chondrogenic and adipogenic activity of mesenchymal stem cells from patients with advanced osteoarthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2002J. Mary Murphy Objective Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are resident in the bone marrow throughout normal adult life and have the capacity to differentiate along a number of connective tissue pathways, among them bone, cartilage, and fat. To determine whether functionally normal MSC populations may be isolated from patients with advanced osteoarthritis (OA), we have compared cells from patients undergoing joint replacement with cells from normal donors. Cell populations were compared in terms of yield, proliferation, and capacity to differentiate. Methods MSCs were prepared from bone marrow aspirates obtained from the iliac crest or from the tibia/femur during joint surgery. In vitro chondrogenic activity was measured as glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen deposition in pellet cultures. Adipogenic activity was measured as the accumulation of Nile Red O-positive lipid vacuoles, and osteogenic activity was measured as calcium deposition and by von Kossa staining. Results Patient-derived MSCs formed colonies in primary culture that were characteristically spindle-shaped with normal morphology. The primary cell yield in 36 of 38 cell cultures from OA donors fell within the range found in cultures from normal donors. However, the proliferative capacity of patient-derived MSCs was significantly reduced. There was a significant reduction in in vitro chondrogenic and adipogenic activity in cultures of patient-derived cells compared with that in normal cultures. There was no significant difference in in vitro osteogenic activity. There was no decline in chondrogenic potential with age in cells obtained from individuals with no evidence of OA. Conclusion These results raise the possibility that the increase in bone density and loss of cartilage that are characteristic of OA may result from changes in the differentiation profile of the progenitor cells that contribute to the homeostatic maintenance of these tissues. [source] A light- and electron-microscopic histopathological study of human bladder mucosa after intravesical resiniferatoxin applicationBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2001C. Silva Objective To determine the morphology of bladder mucosa and the integrity of its mucin coat in patients with detrusor hyper-reflexia treated with intravesical resiniferatoxin. Patients and methods Seven patients with detrusor hyper-reflexia were treated intravesically with resiniferatoxin dissolved in 10% ethanol in saline (50 nmol/L solution in two and 100 nmol/L in five). Patients were clinically evaluated by a voiding chart and filling cystometry before and 3 months after each resiniferatoxin application. In addition, they underwent cystoscopy and bladder biopsies at 22,33 months after the first instillation and at 7,23 months after the last one. Tissue samples for light microscopy were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and stained with haematoxylin-eosin or periodic acid-Schiff reagent (PAS). Those for electron microscopy were fixed in 5% glutaraldehyde and embedded in resin. Results The resiniferatoxin instillation was not painful. Three months after treatment the mean voiding frequency decreased and five incontinent patients became continent. The maximum cystometric capacity increased in all patients; at cystoscopy the bladders appeared normal. On light microscopy the urothelium was of normal morphology and stained with PAS in the luminal cells and in the basement membrane. Mononuclear inflammatory cells were occasionally apparent in the lamina propria. On electron microscopy epithelial cells were visible in a thick basal lamina. Superficial cells had the usual irregular contour and contained numerous membrane-coated vesicles. In the lamina propria, unmyelinated axonal profiles with occasional varicosities could be identified. Conclusions Intravesical resiniferatoxin improved urinary frequency, incontinence and bladder capacity in patients with detrusor hyper-reflexia, causing no morphological change in the bladder mucosa. The PAS reactivity of the carbohydrate moieties present in the mucin coat and the basement membrane was unchanged by resiniferatoxin. [source] | ||||||||||||||||