Antioxidant effect of ergothioneine on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

Background@#Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural amino acid derivative in various animal organs and is a bioactive compound recognized as a food and medicine. @*Objectives@#This study examined the effects of EGT supplementation during the in vitro maturation (IVM) period on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF). @*Methods@#Each EGT concentration (0, 10, 50, and 100 µM) was supplemented in the maturation medium during IVM. After IVM, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of oocytes were investigated. In addition, the genes related to cumulus function and antioxidant pathways in oocytes or cumulus cells were investigated. Finally, this study examined whether EGT could affect embryonic development after IVF. @*Results@#After IVM, the EGT supplementation group showed significantly higher intracellular GSH levels and significantly lower intracellular ROS levels than the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of hyaluronan synthase 2 and Connexin 43 were significantly higher in the 10 µM EGT group than in the control group. The expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) were significantly higher in the oocytes of the 10 µM EGT group than in the control group. In the assessment of subsequent embryonic development after IVF, the 10 µM EGT treatment group improved the cleavage and blastocyst rate significantly than the control group. @*Conclusions@#Supplementation of EGT improved oocyte maturation and embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress in IVM oocytes.

Developmental competence of chimeric porcine embryos through the aggregation of parthenogenetic embryos and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos

The efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) in pigs is low and requires enhancement. We identified the most efficient method for zona pellucida (ZP) removal and blastomere aggregation in pigs and investigated whether the aggregation of NT and parthenogenetic activation (PA) of blastomeres could reduce embryonic apoptosis and improve the quality of NT-derived embryos by investigating. Embryonic developmental competence after ZP removal using acid Tyrode's solution or protease (pronase E). The embryonic developmental potential of NT-derived blastomeres was also investigated using well-of-the-well or phytohemagglutinin-L. We analyzed apoptosis in aggregate-derived blastocysts. The aggregation rate of protease-treated embryos was lower than that of Tyrode’s solution-treated embryos (69.2% vs. 88.3%). No significant difference was observed between phytohemagglutinin-L and well-of-the-well (35.7%–38.5%). However, 2P1N showed a higher number of blastocysts compared to 3N (73.8% vs. 24.3%) and an increased blastocyst diameter compared to the control and 1P2N (274 μm vs. 230–234 μm). In blastomeres aggregated using phytohemagglutinin-L, the apoptotic cell ratio was significantly higher in 1P2N and 3N than in 3P (5.91%–6.46% vs. 2.94%, respectively). Our results indicate that aggregation of one NT embryo with two PA embryos improved the rate of blastocysts with increased blastocyst diameter.

Paget's disease of bone among various ethnic groups

Paget's disease of bone [PDB] is a relatively benign disease common among many European populations, including those in the UK, Italy and Spain. However, it appears to be rare among Scandinavians and non-European immigrants living in Europe. The prevalence among Asian populations may be underestimated because a large number of reported cases were discovered incidentally. There is a need for surveys addressing the prevalence rate and consequences of PDB to be carried out in various parts of the world, particularly Asia

Effect of manganese chloride on the ovarian development in female mice

Manganese [Mn] is a naturally occurring essential trace element that present as a solid substance with a water soluble property. In the body Mn is absorbed in the intestine and present with a higher concentration in many tissues; It was reported that manganese, is one of the most used metals in the industry, Recently, several new manganese compounds have been used for fungicides and petrol production, in addition to its use as contrasting agent in magnetic resonance tomography. The manganese chloride solution [8000mg/liter] was orally administered via gastric tubes in a dose of 0.1mL/day to 30 pregnant female mice and this considered as treated group, while the control group was given distilled water only in a same dose and route of administration. The number of the born litters was recorded for both groups. Then from the female offspring; blood was aspirated FSH and LH level was evaluated and the ovaries were excised and processed for histological observations. The recorded results showed significant decrease in the number of the litters of both sexes in the treated group compared to control one. The histological features of the mice ovaries which were born by the treated group exhibited structural changes in comparison to control group. The FSH and LH hormones level also showed significant changes in treated group compared to control group. The recorded results of this study assess the presence of teratogenic effect of manganese chloride on the developing ovaries and the hormonal level of the mice exposed to MncL[2] in utero

Cancer registration in Basrah 2005: preliminary results.

Cancer is a disease which shows significant variation with time and across geographical entities. In Basrah, Iraq, despite the widespread impression that cancer is increasing, researchers are not yet able to draw clear boundaries as to the extent of cancer and its determinants. In this paper, we make a start in that direction; the aim was to measure as accurately as possible the incidence of cancer (all types) in Basrah, to assess age specific incidence rates and to map the cases across different areas of the governorate. For this purpose we compiled data on every accessible case of cancer. The cancer registry in Basrah was used as the prime source of data on newly diagnosed cancer cases, supported by three other sources: the Cancer Registration Section at the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah; the Oncology Centre at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital; and the Oncology Ward in Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital. Other minor sources were also utilized. Information on cases from these sources was subjected to meticulous verification regarding repetition, place of residence and other potential errors. The overall incidence rate was 74.3/100,000 population with a higher rate for females (80.5/100,000) than for males (68.1/100,000). The results indicate clear increase in registered cancer cases with increasing age. The lowest incidence rate was among females aged 5-14 years (10.5/100,000) and the highest was among males aged 65 years and above (660.2/100,000). The results show no major variation in the annual incidence rates of cancer in different areas of Basrah governorate. This finding may suggest a common exposure to cancer risk factors. To reach sound conclusions about extent and determinants of cancer in Basrah, immense multi-spectrum efforts are now needed.