Zygoparity in Characidae - the first case of internal fertilization in the teleost cohort Otomorpha

Most teleosts are externally fertilizing, with internal fertilization occurring as a relatively rare event. Until now, Euteleosteomorpha is the only teleost cohort known to undergo internal fertilization. In the teleost cohort Otomorpha, it has been recorded the presence of sperm in the ovaries of some species of Characiformes and Siluriformes, but no fertilized eggs have been found so far in the female reproductive tract. It has been presumed that oocytes can be released into the water with associated spermatozoa and only there becomes fertilized, and the term insemination has been used to characterize the strategy adopted by these fish. Here, we present the discovery of the first case of internal fertilization in the teleost cohort Otomorpha, in Compsura heterura (Characiformes: Characidae). In the course of spawning, the eggs form the perivitelline space and the animal and vegetative poles within the ovaries, evidencing oocyte fertilization. The newly spawned eggs then continue to form the animal and vegetative poles and increase the perivitelline space. These eggs are in the zygotic stage. These data indicate that fertilized eggs are only retained for a short period, providing evidence that C. heterura is a zygoparous fish.(AU)

A maioria dos teleósteos são espécies com fecundação externa, sendo a fecundação interna um evento relativamente raro. Até o momento, Euteleosteomorpha é a única coorte de teleósteos conhecida com espécies de fecundação interna. Na coorte de teleósteos Otomorpha, tem sido registrada a presença de esperma nos ovários de algumas espécies de Characiformes e Siluriformes, porém nenhum ovo fecundado foi encontrado até agora no trato reprodutor feminino. Presume-se que os oócitos possam ser liberados na água associados aos espermatozoides e que somente lá são fecundados, e o termo inseminação tem sido empregado para caracterizar a estratégia adotada por esses peixes. Apresentamos aqui a descoberta do primeiro caso de fecundação interna na coorte de teleósteos Otomorpha, em Compsura heterura (Characiformes: Characidae). Durante a desova, os ovos formam o espaço perivitelino e os polos animal e vegetal dentro dos ovários, evidenciando a fecundação interna. Os ovos recém-desovados continuam a formação dos polos animal e vegetal e aumentam o espaço perivitelino. Esses ovos estão na fase zigótica. Estes dados indicam que os ovos fertilizados são retidos por um curto período, fornecendo evidências de que C. heterura é um peixe zigóparo.(AU)

Novel insights into the genetic and epigenetic paternal contribution to the human embryo

The integrity of the sperm genome and epigenome are critical for normal embryonic development. The advent of assisted reproductive technology has led to an increased understanding of the role of sperm in fertilization and embryogenesis. During fertilization, the sperm transmits not only nuclear DNA to the oocyte but also activation factor, centrosomes, and a host of messenger RNA and microRNAs. This complex complement of microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs is believed to modify important post-fertilization events. Thus, the health of the sperm genome and epigenome is critical for improving assisted conception rates and the birth of healthy offspring.

Science of breeding and heredity from ancient Persia to modern Iran.

About 1700 years BC, the prophet Zoroaster declared equal right for women and men to choose their “own ways.” There is much evidence that ancient Persians believed in the equal contribution of women and men toward producing a child, and all its hereditary characteristics. Even more surprising are the phrases in Vandidad book, which were gathered by Mobedans in the Mad dynasty about egg extraction (gametes) from animal reproductive organs (gonads) and their storage for future conception. Centuries later, Western philosopher beliefs in regard to reproduction were contrary to Persian knowledge. The Greek philosophers believed that man's water (semen) contains all human characteristics, and the female uterus is only responsible for nurturing and development of fetus. After detection of the ovum (de Graaf 2nd half 17 century) Malpigy proposed the preformation theory (ovist) which means there is a miniature human inside ovum, that grows after Semen has entered the uterus and grow into a well-developed fetus. This hypothesis was later delegated to spermatozoa. These contradictory and inappropriate beliefs were subject to discussions and dispute, until C.E. Wolf demonstrated that the embryo is a product of the fertilization of ovum by spermatozoa. 800 years prior this the sage Ferdowsi “The Great Iranian Poet” explains nicely the equal participation of man and woman in the production of the fetus and transmission of characters. After the renaissance and especially in recent years, tremendous achievements have been made in unraveling biological secrets of reproduction. There was no work o n genetics in Iran until 1936, when a genetic course was added to the biology curriculum in related colleges and universities; Iranian Genetics Society was founded in 1966, initiating a steady movement in this field. Although there was an inevitable gap during the revolution and war in our country, now there is great effort by researchers to eliminate the gap and bring us into the mainstream of world science, and development in biomedical sciences in the third millennium.

Comparative morphology of gill glands in externally fertilizing and inseminating species of cheirodontine fishes, with implications on the phylogeny of the family Characidae (Actinopterygii: Characiformes)

The structure and form of gill gland among inseminating and externally fertilizing species of the Cheirodontinae are described under light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and compared to other members of the family Characidae. At least one species from thirteen cheirodontine genera were analyzed, totaling seventeen species. Gill glands were found in all analyzed mature males of Cheirodontinae and were always absent in females, being located on the anteriormost portion of the lower branch of the first gill arch, extending posteriorly through a variable number of gill filaments. Gill glands of all cheirodontines and of all characid species in which this organ has been described possess the same structure, being considered homologous and supporting a single origin of the structure in a common ancestor to Clade A and Clade B characids.

A estrutura e forma da glândula branquial de queirodontíneos inseminadores e de fecundação externa são descritas com base em análises de microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, e comparadas com outros membros da família Characidae. Pelo menos uma espécie de treze gêneros de Cheirodontinae foram analisadas, num total de dezessete espécies. Glândulas branquiais foram encontradas em todos os machos maduros analisados de Cheirodontinae, localizadas na parte mais anterior do ramo inferior do primeiro arco branquial, estendendo-se posteriormente por um número variável de filamentos branquiais, estando sempre ausentes nas fêmeas. As glândulas branquiais de todos os queirodontíneos analisados e de todas as espécies de Characidae em que este órgão foi descrito possuem a mesma estrutura, sendo consideradas homólogas e suportando uma origem única em um ancestral comum aos Clados A e B de Characidae.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations and male infertility.

Infertility can be defined as difficulty in conceiving a child after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility can arise either because of the male factor or female factor or both. According to the current estimates, 15% of couples attempting their first pregnancy could not succeed. Infertility is either primary or secondary. Mitochondria have profound effect on all biochemical pathways, including the one that drivessperm motility. Sperm motility is heavily dependent on the ATP generated by oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondrial sheath. In this review, the very positive role of mitochondrial genome's association with infertility is discussed

Sobre el origen ontogénico del ser humano: La solución científica / On the ontogenetic origin of human beings: The scientific solution

Every living being is the result of a genome-environment interaction. Neither human oocytes nor spermatozoids have human functional genomes, but the zygote that they constitute may have a human functional genome and other functional genomes such as those of the hydatidiform mole, polyploids, and non-human living beings. When the zygotic human functional genome is integrated and activated, the biotic humanity is acquired. This may occur when the paternal chromatin decondenses; the nuclear environment and envelope of both nuclei are changed to constitute pronuclei; the replacement of sperm protamines by histones; genome imprinting modifications; centriole duplication; and more importantly, the fourfold genome replication. Other propositions on the origin of humans are: embryo implantation [6-7 days post fertilization, (dpf)]; the appearance of the antero-posterior axis; the limit for monozygote twining (13dpf) and the appearance of the neural tissue (16dpf). They are refuted because some mammals do not implant; embryo axes are present in the zygote; some animals regenerate complete individuals from each part in which they are divided; plants do not have neural system; a human whose brain was destroyed by cancer continues to be a human. Alternative propositions coming from philosophies, theologies, perceptive knowledge, beliefs and intuitions and based on conceptualizations like person, anima, soul, organization, socio-cultural relations are ideologically or religiously biased and based on irreducible beliefs such as faith. They lead to disagreement rather than to agreement.

Determinación de deleciones en el cromosoma Y en hombres infértiles candidatos a técnicas de reproducción asistida / Determination of microdeletion in chromosome Y in infertile men, candidates to assisted

El compromiso espermático severo en el hombre infértil, puede ser el resultado de la presencia de deleciones en el cromosoma Y en la región AZFc (Factor de azoospermia región c). En este estudio se caracterizaron 97 hombres con infertilidad con una frecuencia del 6 porciento para la presencia de deleciones en la población estudiada. De estos hombres positivos para deleción en la región Yq (AZFc), nacieron tres niños mediante el uso de inyección intracitoplasmática (ICSI) que heredaron la mutación en el cromosoma Y, fundamentando la importancia de crear un programa de tamizaje para detectar la presencia de deleción en este cromosoma en la población de hombres infértiles candidatos para técnica de fertilización asistida (ART) mediante ICSI

Salud reproductiva obstétrica III: tendencias 1969-1996: complicaciones obstétricas, relación con el tipo de nacimiento / Obstetrical III reproductive health: tendency 1969-1996; obstetrical complications, relation with type of birth

Establecer cual ha sido la frecuencia y tendencia del aborto, embarazo ectópico, rotura uterina y la histerectomía obstétrica durante los 28 años de asistencia obstétrica. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 18700 abortos, 291 embarazos ectópicos, 48 roturas uterinas, 84 histerectomías obstétricas sucedidas en 1969-1996. Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. El aborto tuvo una incidencia global de 16,6 por 100 embarazos, durante 1969-1978 hubo caída lineal con descenso porcentual de 29,28 por ciento, entre 1979-1983 dio meseta estacionaria de 13 por ciento; a partir de 1984 ascenso casi lineal hasta fecha actual con incidencia de 25 por ciento y cifra de 19,25 por ciento; con tendencia global en forma de hamaca. El embarazo ectópico mostró frecuencia general de 2,32 por 1000 embarazos, con descenso porcentual 87,87 entre 1969-1982; pero a partir de 1983-1996 un ascenso sostenido porcentual del 53,38 por ciento, con frecuencia final de 3,8 por 1000; la tendencia global es similar al aborto. La rotura uterina reveló frecuencia de 0,6 por 1000 partos, con frecuencia y tendencia estable durante todo el período, en particular los últimos 7 años, con una incidencia promedio 0,51 por ciento, sin incremento apreciable. La histerectomía obstétrica expresó una frecuencia global de 0,07 por 100 casos obstétricos, con cifras bajas y tendencia relativa estable los primeros 16 años; a partir de 1985 hay un ascenso escalonado hasta 1996, con frecuencia final de 0,21 por 100 casos obstétricos e incremento porcentual de 80,95 por ciento. La frecuencia ascendente del aborto, embarazo ectópico, histerectomía obstétrica, y estable de la rotura, y su interdependencia etiológica, orientan hacia estrategias de ataque común de patologías aparentemente independiente

Concepción, embarazo, parto y puerperio / Conception, pregnancy, childbirth and puerperal staqe

Descripción de cuatro etapas de la reproducción humana. Concepción: la penetración del óvulo por el espermatozoide, así como la posterior fusión del núcleo de ambos constituye el proceso de la concepción (fecundación). Para que pueda llevarse a cabo este proceso es necesario que ambas células sean maduras; refiere el lugar de la fecundación, el proceso y el desarrollo embrionario. Embarazo: período comprendido desde la fecundación hasta el momento del parto cuya duración es aproximadamente de 280 días ó 40 semanas; refiere diagnósticos del embarazo, alteraciones del organismo materno (aparatos genital, cardiovascular, renal, digestivo y sistema respiratorio) y cuidados prenatales. Parto: conjunto de procesos mediante los cuales son expulsados el producto de la concepción y sus anexos, resultado de una secuencia coordinada efectiva de contracciones uterinas involuntarias, distinguiéndose el trabajo de parto en tres períodos, el de dilatación, el período de expulsión y el período de alumbramiento. Y la cuarta etapa es la del puerperio, que es el período que se extiende desde la terminación del parto hasta la completa normalización del organismo femenino, cuya duración es de seis a ocho semanas. Puede decirse, que así como la gestación se caracteriza por una serie de procesos progresivos, el puerperio es un proceso regresivo; se dan recomendaciónes para esta etapa como aseo del periné una vez al día, protección con una compresa o apósito limpio cada vez que los requiera, realizar baño de asiento, iniciar deambulación a las doce horas posteriores al parto si el puerperio evoluciona en forma satisfactoria e iniciar la lactancia materna en las primeras 24 horas posteriores al nacimiento

Transferencia intratubaria de gametos: primeros 30 casos / Gamete intrafallopian transfers: first 30 cases

En la unidad de Fertilidad y Esterilidad de la Clínica Avila de Caracas (UNIFERTES), entre 1988 y 1990 se practicaron treinta transferencias intratubarias de gametos (GIFT) a veinte y seis pacientes con historias de esterilidad de dos o más años de evolución, las cuales fueron estudiadas desde el punto de vista de fertilidad sin la laparoscopia diagnóstica previa. Las pacientes fueron sometidas a estimulación ovárica con citrato de clomifeno más MG más H.C.G y monitorizada su evolución con ultrasonografía transvaginal y valores de estradiol sérico. Transferimos de 3 a 5 oocitos metafase II en una o ambas trompas, con un número de espermatozoides mótiles entre 100.000 y 150.000 por ml. Se obtuvieron nueve embarazos (30%), siendo éxito seis de ellos (20%), terminando 3 de en parto vaginal y 3 en cesárea. El peso promedio de los niños al nacer fue de 3112 g. No hubo malformaciones congénitas

Introduçäo e avaliaçäo dos efeitos de um gene determinante de prolificidade em ovinos Romney Marsh / Introduction and evaluation of the effects of a prolificacy gene in Romney Marsh sheep breed

Um gene de efeito principal, denominado F, responsável por altas taxas de ovulaçäo numa linhagem da raça Merino Australiano, foi introduzido através de acasalamento de três carneiros 1/2 Romney x 1/2 Merino com ovelhas Romney, como uma alternativa para aumentar a fertilidade da raça Romney criadano Rio Grande do Sul. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de fixar o gene F e avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo da populaçäo onde este passou a segregar. Como esperado, a presença do gene F, em heterozigose, elevou significativamente (P<0,001) a taxa de cordeiros nascidos. A disponibilidade local de animais portadoras deste gene é importante para estudos avançados em biologia reprodutiva, porém seu uso em rebanhos comerciais carece ainda de maiores estudos, principalmente relacionados aos objetivos de produçäo nos atuais sistemas exploratórios