RESUMEN
The sticky rice of Assam is traditionally classified as bora (glutinous) and chokuwa (semi-glutinous) basedon their stickiness after cooking. The Waxy (Wx) gene encodes for granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS)that controls the synthesis of amylose, which is a key determinant of rice end-use quality attributes. In thisreport, we analysed the level of variation in grain quality traits in a collection of bora and chokuwacultivars, and examined the nucleotide diversity at the Wx locus of selected rice accessions to identify thepossible cause of low-amylose in these rice cultivar groups. The Wx gene sequencing from 24 bora andchokuwa cultivars revealed several nucleotide variations that can explain the variation in the amylosephenotypes. The nucleotide polymorphisms in the downstream intron regions were similar to those reportedin Bangladeshi Beruin cultivars. Among the Wx polymorphisms, the CTn microsatellite in exon 1 and G/TSNP in intron 1 (G/T-Int1) should be considered for marker assisted breeding involving bora cultivars. TheWx gene tree, classified the bora accessions possessing the G/T-Int1 SNP as japonicas. However, clusteranalysis using microsatellite markers classified the bora and chokuwa cultivars as indica, and intermediateof indica-aus. The findings of this study supplemented our understanding on the evolution of the Wx geneunder human selection. The results will assist plant breeders to effectively improve the bora and chokuwalandraces.
RESUMEN
Objective : To evaluate various causes possibly contributing towards recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), particularly male factors. Prospective study of 75 couples with history of RPL who were investigated for genetic, anatomic, immunological, infective and systemic causes in both partners. Functional sperm capacity was assessed by the Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS), Acrosomal Reaction (AR), Nuclear condensationdecondensation test (NCD) and Seminal Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) along with semen analysis. Twenty male volunteers with recently proven fertility were also included for detailed sperm morphology and sperm functions test as controls. Amongst male partners 3(4%) had varicocele, 23(30.6%) had infection, 1(1.3%) immunological and 1(1.3%) had genetic abnormality. Sperm motility, viability and sperm function tests were significantly lower in the RPL group as compared to the control group (P=0.000). Male factor might be a possible contributing factor towards RPL. Both the partners should be evaluated and treated simultaneously in order to achieve desirable outcome.
RESUMEN
Biological and clinical research on male reproduction and fertility regulation carried at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare over the past 17 years has been highlighted in this review. Areas of research covered pertains to hormones in relation to sperm maturation and transport; fertilizing ability of spermatozoa under different experimental conditions; agents producing functional sterility; seasonal variations in primate reproduction; male infertility including semen biochemistry, differential diagnosis between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia and hormone therapy; vasectomy, reversible vasocclusion and vasanastomosis; and the use of cyproterone acetate and testosterone enanthate in male rhesus monkey and human volunteers for reversible contraception.