ABSTRACT
The present experiment was undertaken to study the relationship between clusterin (CLU) gene expression and in vitro sperm characteristics in buck semen. Fresh semen samples were collected from 12 bucks maintained in the organized goat farms by artificial vagina. Normalization of initial concentration of spermatozoa was carried out in all buck semen samples before proceeding for RNA isolation. So, initial concentration of each sample was made equal. The spermatozoa were isolated from buck semen samples by swim- up protocol using sperm TALP. Total RNA from the buck spermatozoa were extracted and first strand cDNA was synthesized from 1μg total RNA by using commercial kits. Absolute quantification of CLU gene transcripts in semen samples from 12 bulls was performed by plotting standard curve. Variations in levels of CLU gene transcripts (2500-22546000 copies) were found among 12 different buck semen samples. In vitro sperm characteristics were also studied from 12 buck semen samples. Variations in sperm characteristics such as sperm motility (60.0 - 80.0%), sperm viability (72.0 - 93.0%), sperm morphology (73.0 - 91.0%), plasma membrane integrity (50.0 - 82.0%), acrosome integrity (81.0 - 93.0%), DNA integrity (82.0 - 93.0%) and MMP (46.0 - 74.0%) were found among buck semen samples. All in vitro sperm characteristics were highly (negatively) correlated (p<0.01) with expression levels of CLU gene transcripts in spermatozoa. From this study, it is evident that ejaculated buck semen has variations in transcription pattern of CLU gene in spermatozoa among bucks and expression levels of CLU transcripts have negative correlation with in vitro sperm characteristics in buck semen samples.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B Virus is one of the major global health problems. Even though there is a vaccine for prevention of HBV exists, still HBV is a major concern and research works are still undergoing because HBV is highly contagious and can cause second most deadly cancer. Aim: We have undertaken this study, as we noticed there is an increase in number of HBV positive patients. Here we have tried to create awareness about HBV to general population. Methods: A Retrospective study has undertaken on Hepatitis B samples for a study period of 2015 to 2018. Data related to this study was collected from laboratory and hospital documentations. Depending on clinical condition, all the patients with or without symptoms from different departments were subjected to Hepatitis B testing by ICT method. Results: There is an increasing prevalence of Hepatitis B noted. In 2015, 0.61% cases were HBV positive in 2016, 0.62% were positive in 2017, 0.52% positive cases were observed; Where as in 2018 1.12% of HBV positive cases. Out of 640 HBV positive patients, 399 (62.3%) were females and remaining 241 (37.6%) were males. There is no major difference noted in prevalence of HBV among different age groups and sex during the study period of each year. Conclusion: State Health authorities should provide resources and guidelines for high quality testing and treatment of HBV. Testing measures need to improved and standardise in all health sectors and blood banks.