Objective:To investigate the influence of age,body mass index(BMI),varicocele,diabetes,tobacco use,and environmental occupational risks on sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and its association with semen parameters an...Objective:To investigate the influence of age,body mass index(BMI),varicocele,diabetes,tobacco use,and environmental occupational risks on sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and its association with semen parameters and in vitro fertility(IVF)outcomes.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 infertile men.Conventional semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria.Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using sperm chromatin dispersion method.After visiting the infertility center,the men's height and weight were measured,and blood tests were performed to check for diabetes,and medical records were reviewed for varicocele,tobacco use,and type of occupation.The sperm was then examined for DFI.Then,the association between sperm DFI and IVF failure rate was investigated.Results:The study showed a significant association between DFI≥20%with BMI(OR 1.134,95%CI 1.04-1.24,P=0.006),varicocele(OR 4.330,95%CI 1.25-14.96,P=0.021),tobacco use(OR 3.066,95%CI 1.06-8.90,P=0.039)and environmental and occupational risks(OR 2.694,95%CI 1.08-6.75,P=0.034)as well as sperm motility(P<0.05).Although the amount of DNA damage increased in those aged≥40 years,there was no significant association between the amount of DFI≥≥20%and age,diabetes,sperm volume and concentration,morphology and progressive rate(P>0.05).The IVF failure rate was higher in people with a DFI≥20%.Conclusions:Factors such as BMI,varicocele,improper working conditions and environment cause damage to sperm DNA,and DFI≥20%damage can have adverse effects on IVF outcomes.展开更多
Aim:To pretreat sperm at various temperatures before exposure to human papillomavirus(HPV)16 DNA fragments and to assess the efficiency of HPV carrier sperm to transfect cumulus cells.Methods:Cumulus cells from follic...Aim:To pretreat sperm at various temperatures before exposure to human papillomavirus(HPV)16 DNA fragments and to assess the efficiency of HPV carrier sperm to transfect cumulus cells.Methods:Cumulus cells from follicular aspirates were obtained,pooled and divided into culture dishes containing Sybr Gold-stained HPV DNA carrying sperm that were either pretreated at 4℃,37℃or 40℃(n=5).The cells were incubated in 5%CO_(2) in air mixture at 37℃for 24 hours.The efficiency of sperm to take up fluorescent HPV DNA was determined at hour 0.After incubation,cumulus cell viability was assessed using the e0sin method and the percentages of fluorescent cumulus cells determined.Results:Over half of all the cumulus cells became fluorescent with the highest percentage in the 37℃group.Sperm pretreated at 4℃had the greatest amount of HPV DNA fragments.Total sperm motility was similar for the 3 pretreatment groups.There were no differences in cumulus viability among the groups.Conclusion:Sperm pretreated at 37℃transferred the greatest amount of fluorescent HPV DNA fragments to the cumulus cells.The HPV DNA was observed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments.The data suggested the possibility of sperm as a vector for the transmission of HPV DNA to the cumulus cells surrounding ovulated oocytes,which might lead to early implantation failures.展开更多
The scope of this review is to focus on the management of benign ovarian cyst in the reproductive-age group of women undergoing ART. Ovarian cysts are a common occurrence in this patient population. The differential d...The scope of this review is to focus on the management of benign ovarian cyst in the reproductive-age group of women undergoing ART. Ovarian cysts are a common occurrence in this patient population. The differential diagnosis includes functional cysts, dermoid cysts, endometrioma. The appropriate evaluation includes medical history and physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging. The treatment options include conservative follow-up, medical treatment and surgery. This review will explore the differential diagnosis, appropriate work-up and treatment options to the various cyst types encountered.展开更多
Purpose: Impaired hatching is associated with implantation failure following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thickening or hardening of the zona pellucida (ZP) has been proposed as a factor in this impairment. We examin...Purpose: Impaired hatching is associated with implantation failure following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thickening or hardening of the zona pellucida (ZP) has been proposed as a factor in this impairment. We examined whether selective assisted hatching (AH) is beneficial with embryos having a thick ZP. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled study was performed in the IVF unit of an obstetrics and gynecology department in a university-affiliated hospital. Only patients undergoing IVF and having a ZP thickness of ≥17 μm measured in all their embryos were included. In the intervention group, AH was applied to all embryos, before their transfer. In the control group, embryos were transferred without AH. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were the study endpoints. Results: Both study arms were comparable in most baseline parameters. The two groups did not differ in implantation rates (14.1% control vs. 8.92% intervention, odds ratio (OR) = 0.5974, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.325 - 1.1), clinical pregnancy rates (36.7% vs. 25.8%, OR = 0.6025, 95% CI 0.274 - 1.325), or live birth rates (25% vs. 18.9%, OR = 0.7021, 95% CI 0.291 - 1.691). Conclusions: Selecting embryos for AH by their ZP thickness as a sole parameter was not found to be beneficial and to improve IVF outcome.展开更多
We read with great interest the article recently published by Menkeveld et aL1 as we have a double interest in sperm morphology assessment. The first one as a Clinical Andrology Laboratory （Laboratory of Male Fertili...We read with great interest the article recently published by Menkeveld et aL1 as we have a double interest in sperm morphology assessment. The first one as a Clinical Andrology Laboratory （Laboratory of Male Fertility, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina）展开更多
Fertilizers use can be optimized through soil testing and leaf analysis. This paper deals with using soil analysis as a base for fertilizer use in maize. A field experiment was carried out in two summer seasons of 201...Fertilizers use can be optimized through soil testing and leaf analysis. This paper deals with using soil analysis as a base for fertilizer use in maize. A field experiment was carried out in two summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 with maize (triple hybrid) in Oraby Village, Mariut sector, Alexandria, Egypt. Soil testing shows that soil was clay loam, with high Na and CaCO<sub>3</sub> contents with high pH, low organic matter, medium P and K and low micronutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu), seven treatments were designed. The most promising treatment was when P and K were increased and micronutrients were added based on soil testing. This treatment resulted in the highest yield with better grain contents of protein and nutrients which indicated that soil-test based on fertilizer use was superior. Soil analysis at the end of the experiment showed higher P and K contents. This approach could be adopted for regions with similar soil conditions in other parts of the world.展开更多
Available information of the effects of manganese nutrition on the forage genus Urochloa is scarce. In the context, this study aims to evaluate the tolerance of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 to Mn toxicity. The experimen...Available information of the effects of manganese nutrition on the forage genus Urochloa is scarce. In the context, this study aims to evaluate the tolerance of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 to Mn toxicity. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the University of the State of Sao Paulo (UNESP) in the city of Jaboticabal, SP. Plants were cultivated in vases (3.5 L) filled with soil according to a completely randomized experimental design comprising of five levels of Mn (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg?dm?3) and four replications and cut in two periods: one is 42 days after sowing and the other is 30 days after the first one. Samples from both cuts were evaluated as to plant height, number of leaves and tillers, dry weight, Mn content and accumulation, and the green index was determined in the last cut. Manganese addition to soil caused an increase in chlorophyll content at the dosage of 68 mg?dm?3 observed in the second plant cut. Dosages of Mn above 15 mg?dm?3 did not induce increases in nutrient accumulation and in the number of leaves in the first and second cuts of the grass, and tillers in the first cut. The highest concentrations of manganese in the shoots did not produce visual symptoms of damage or a decrease in forage productivity demonstrating that Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 has high tolerance to manganese toxicity.展开更多
Proper ovarian follicle development,which is required for the maintenance of female fertility,is critical for the production of mature oocytes[1,2].Meanwhile,the correct establishment of the epitranscriptome in oocyte...Proper ovarian follicle development,which is required for the maintenance of female fertility,is critical for the production of mature oocytes[1,2].Meanwhile,the correct establishment of the epitranscriptome in oocytes is essential for precise gene repression and the acquisition of developmental competence[1–5].The ac4C modification is the third most abundant chemical modification in transcriptome[6,7].NAT10,the only known writer of ac4C,has been shown to participate in physiological and disease settings[6,8–11].However,NAT10-targeted transcripts in oocytes as well as their functions in supporting folliculogenesis are poorly understood.展开更多
Aims We conducted a simulated nitrogen(N)and sulfur(S)deposition experi-ment from 2006 to 2012 to answer the following questions:(i)does chronic N and S deposition decrease cation concentrations in the soil and foliag...Aims We conducted a simulated nitrogen(N)and sulfur(S)deposition experi-ment from 2006 to 2012 to answer the following questions:(i)does chronic N and S deposition decrease cation concentrations in the soil and foliage of understory plant species,and(ii)does chronic N and S deposition decrease plant diversity and alter species composition of the understory plant community in a boreal forest in western Canada where intensifying industrial activities are increasing N and S deposition?Methods Our field site was a mixedwood boreal forest stand located~100 km southeast of Fort McMurray,Alberta,Canada.the experiment involved a 2×2 factorial design,with two levels each of N(0 and 30 kg N ha−1 yr−1;applied as NH4NO3)and S addition(0 and 30 kg S ha−1 yr−1;applied as Na2SO4).Four blocks were established in July 2006,each with four plots of 20×20 m randomly assigned to the treatments.Soil and understory vegetation were sampled and cover(%)of individual species of herb(height≤0.5 m)and shrub(height 0.5-1 m)layers was determined in August 2012.Important Findings Seven years after the treatments began,N addition increased dissolved organic carbon and N in the mineral soil(P<0.05),whereas S add-ition decreased exchangeable cations(P<0.05)in the forest floor.In the shrub layer,species evenness,and overall diversity were decreased by N addition(P<0.05)due to increases in abundance of nitrophil-ous species and S addition(P<0.01)due to decreased cation con-centrations in soils.total shrub cover decreased with S addition(P<0.10).Nitrogen and S addition affected neither species richness nor evenness in the herb layer.However,permutational multivariate ana-lysis of variance and non-metric multidimensional scaling analyses(based on plant cover)indicated that the effect of N and S addition on understory plant species composition in the both shrub and herb layers was species-specific.Addition of N decreased foliar phosphorus and potassium concentrations in some species,suggesting potential risk of N-meditated nutrient imbalance in those species.Our results indicate that long-term elevated levels of N and S deposition can negatively impact plant nutrition and decrease the diversity of the understory plant community in boreal forests in northern Alberta,Canada.However,considering that the current N and S deposition rates in northern Alberta are much lower than the rates used in this study,N and S deposition should not negatively affect plant diversity in the near future.展开更多
文摘Objective:To investigate the influence of age,body mass index(BMI),varicocele,diabetes,tobacco use,and environmental occupational risks on sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and its association with semen parameters and in vitro fertility(IVF)outcomes.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 infertile men.Conventional semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria.Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using sperm chromatin dispersion method.After visiting the infertility center,the men's height and weight were measured,and blood tests were performed to check for diabetes,and medical records were reviewed for varicocele,tobacco use,and type of occupation.The sperm was then examined for DFI.Then,the association between sperm DFI and IVF failure rate was investigated.Results:The study showed a significant association between DFI≥20%with BMI(OR 1.134,95%CI 1.04-1.24,P=0.006),varicocele(OR 4.330,95%CI 1.25-14.96,P=0.021),tobacco use(OR 3.066,95%CI 1.06-8.90,P=0.039)and environmental and occupational risks(OR 2.694,95%CI 1.08-6.75,P=0.034)as well as sperm motility(P<0.05).Although the amount of DNA damage increased in those aged≥40 years,there was no significant association between the amount of DFI≥≥20%and age,diabetes,sperm volume and concentration,morphology and progressive rate(P>0.05).The IVF failure rate was higher in people with a DFI≥20%.Conclusions:Factors such as BMI,varicocele,improper working conditions and environment cause damage to sperm DNA,and DFI≥20%damage can have adverse effects on IVF outcomes.
基金Correspondence to:Philip J.Chart.Ph.D.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.Loma Linda University School of Medicine,Loma Linda,California 92350,USA.Tel:+1-909-5582851.Fax:+1-909.5582450,E-mail:pchann@yahoo.com
文摘Aim:To pretreat sperm at various temperatures before exposure to human papillomavirus(HPV)16 DNA fragments and to assess the efficiency of HPV carrier sperm to transfect cumulus cells.Methods:Cumulus cells from follicular aspirates were obtained,pooled and divided into culture dishes containing Sybr Gold-stained HPV DNA carrying sperm that were either pretreated at 4℃,37℃or 40℃(n=5).The cells were incubated in 5%CO_(2) in air mixture at 37℃for 24 hours.The efficiency of sperm to take up fluorescent HPV DNA was determined at hour 0.After incubation,cumulus cell viability was assessed using the e0sin method and the percentages of fluorescent cumulus cells determined.Results:Over half of all the cumulus cells became fluorescent with the highest percentage in the 37℃group.Sperm pretreated at 4℃had the greatest amount of HPV DNA fragments.Total sperm motility was similar for the 3 pretreatment groups.There were no differences in cumulus viability among the groups.Conclusion:Sperm pretreated at 37℃transferred the greatest amount of fluorescent HPV DNA fragments to the cumulus cells.The HPV DNA was observed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments.The data suggested the possibility of sperm as a vector for the transmission of HPV DNA to the cumulus cells surrounding ovulated oocytes,which might lead to early implantation failures.
文摘The scope of this review is to focus on the management of benign ovarian cyst in the reproductive-age group of women undergoing ART. Ovarian cysts are a common occurrence in this patient population. The differential diagnosis includes functional cysts, dermoid cysts, endometrioma. The appropriate evaluation includes medical history and physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging. The treatment options include conservative follow-up, medical treatment and surgery. This review will explore the differential diagnosis, appropriate work-up and treatment options to the various cyst types encountered.
文摘Purpose: Impaired hatching is associated with implantation failure following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thickening or hardening of the zona pellucida (ZP) has been proposed as a factor in this impairment. We examined whether selective assisted hatching (AH) is beneficial with embryos having a thick ZP. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled study was performed in the IVF unit of an obstetrics and gynecology department in a university-affiliated hospital. Only patients undergoing IVF and having a ZP thickness of ≥17 μm measured in all their embryos were included. In the intervention group, AH was applied to all embryos, before their transfer. In the control group, embryos were transferred without AH. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were the study endpoints. Results: Both study arms were comparable in most baseline parameters. The two groups did not differ in implantation rates (14.1% control vs. 8.92% intervention, odds ratio (OR) = 0.5974, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.325 - 1.1), clinical pregnancy rates (36.7% vs. 25.8%, OR = 0.6025, 95% CI 0.274 - 1.325), or live birth rates (25% vs. 18.9%, OR = 0.7021, 95% CI 0.291 - 1.691). Conclusions: Selecting embryos for AH by their ZP thickness as a sole parameter was not found to be beneficial and to improve IVF outcome.
文摘We read with great interest the article recently published by Menkeveld et aL1 as we have a double interest in sperm morphology assessment. The first one as a Clinical Andrology Laboratory （Laboratory of Male Fertility, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina）
文摘Fertilizers use can be optimized through soil testing and leaf analysis. This paper deals with using soil analysis as a base for fertilizer use in maize. A field experiment was carried out in two summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 with maize (triple hybrid) in Oraby Village, Mariut sector, Alexandria, Egypt. Soil testing shows that soil was clay loam, with high Na and CaCO<sub>3</sub> contents with high pH, low organic matter, medium P and K and low micronutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu), seven treatments were designed. The most promising treatment was when P and K were increased and micronutrients were added based on soil testing. This treatment resulted in the highest yield with better grain contents of protein and nutrients which indicated that soil-test based on fertilizer use was superior. Soil analysis at the end of the experiment showed higher P and K contents. This approach could be adopted for regions with similar soil conditions in other parts of the world.
文摘Available information of the effects of manganese nutrition on the forage genus Urochloa is scarce. In the context, this study aims to evaluate the tolerance of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 to Mn toxicity. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the University of the State of Sao Paulo (UNESP) in the city of Jaboticabal, SP. Plants were cultivated in vases (3.5 L) filled with soil according to a completely randomized experimental design comprising of five levels of Mn (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg?dm?3) and four replications and cut in two periods: one is 42 days after sowing and the other is 30 days after the first one. Samples from both cuts were evaluated as to plant height, number of leaves and tillers, dry weight, Mn content and accumulation, and the green index was determined in the last cut. Manganese addition to soil caused an increase in chlorophyll content at the dosage of 68 mg?dm?3 observed in the second plant cut. Dosages of Mn above 15 mg?dm?3 did not induce increases in nutrient accumulation and in the number of leaves in the first and second cuts of the grass, and tillers in the first cut. The highest concentrations of manganese in the shoots did not produce visual symptoms of damage or a decrease in forage productivity demonstrating that Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 has high tolerance to manganese toxicity.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2700100)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(LD22C060001)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31930031)the fellowship of China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(BX20230031)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(7244435).
文摘Proper ovarian follicle development,which is required for the maintenance of female fertility,is critical for the production of mature oocytes[1,2].Meanwhile,the correct establishment of the epitranscriptome in oocytes is essential for precise gene repression and the acquisition of developmental competence[1–5].The ac4C modification is the third most abundant chemical modification in transcriptome[6,7].NAT10,the only known writer of ac4C,has been shown to participate in physiological and disease settings[6,8–11].However,NAT10-targeted transcripts in oocytes as well as their functions in supporting folliculogenesis are poorly understood.
文摘Aims We conducted a simulated nitrogen(N)and sulfur(S)deposition experi-ment from 2006 to 2012 to answer the following questions:(i)does chronic N and S deposition decrease cation concentrations in the soil and foliage of understory plant species,and(ii)does chronic N and S deposition decrease plant diversity and alter species composition of the understory plant community in a boreal forest in western Canada where intensifying industrial activities are increasing N and S deposition?Methods Our field site was a mixedwood boreal forest stand located~100 km southeast of Fort McMurray,Alberta,Canada.the experiment involved a 2×2 factorial design,with two levels each of N(0 and 30 kg N ha−1 yr−1;applied as NH4NO3)and S addition(0 and 30 kg S ha−1 yr−1;applied as Na2SO4).Four blocks were established in July 2006,each with four plots of 20×20 m randomly assigned to the treatments.Soil and understory vegetation were sampled and cover(%)of individual species of herb(height≤0.5 m)and shrub(height 0.5-1 m)layers was determined in August 2012.Important Findings Seven years after the treatments began,N addition increased dissolved organic carbon and N in the mineral soil(P<0.05),whereas S add-ition decreased exchangeable cations(P<0.05)in the forest floor.In the shrub layer,species evenness,and overall diversity were decreased by N addition(P<0.05)due to increases in abundance of nitrophil-ous species and S addition(P<0.01)due to decreased cation con-centrations in soils.total shrub cover decreased with S addition(P<0.10).Nitrogen and S addition affected neither species richness nor evenness in the herb layer.However,permutational multivariate ana-lysis of variance and non-metric multidimensional scaling analyses(based on plant cover)indicated that the effect of N and S addition on understory plant species composition in the both shrub and herb layers was species-specific.Addition of N decreased foliar phosphorus and potassium concentrations in some species,suggesting potential risk of N-meditated nutrient imbalance in those species.Our results indicate that long-term elevated levels of N and S deposition can negatively impact plant nutrition and decrease the diversity of the understory plant community in boreal forests in northern Alberta,Canada.However,considering that the current N and S deposition rates in northern Alberta are much lower than the rates used in this study,N and S deposition should not negatively affect plant diversity in the near future.
