Effect of gonadotrophins, oestradiol and insulin on cumulus expansion of Nili Ravi buffalo oocytes

The objective of the present study was to investigate the cumulus expansions of Nili Ravi buffalo oocytes during cultured in TCM -199 supplemented with 2 micro g/ml oestradiol [E[2]], 0.05 IU/ml recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone [rhFSH], 2IU/ml human chorionic gonadotrophin [hCG], and 0.12 IU/ml insulin [I]. The cumulus oocytes complexes [COCs] were collected from 2-8mm follicles from local abattoir ovaries. Supplementation of medium with single hormones showed significant [P<0.0001] increase in mean diameter of COCs with rhFSH except E[2], hCG and insulin after 24 hours compared to the increase in the mean diameter of COCs matured in TCM-199 without any hormonal supplementation. With rhFSH even at 8th hour, significant increase [P<0.001] in cumulus expansion was observed. In combination of hormones the significant [P<0.0001] cumulus expansion was achieved in E[2]+rhFSH treatment group. The non significant [P>0.05] cumulus expansion was observed in treatment groups viz. E[2]+hCG, E[2]+Insulin, rhFSH+hCG, rhFSH+Insulin, hCG+Insulin, E[2]+rhFSH+hCG and E[2]+rhFSH+hCG+Insulin after 24 hours. In conclusion, supplementation of rhFSH alone and in combination with E2in TCM-199 has highly significant effect on cumulus expansion

Low birth weight and relationship with maternal dietary habits during third trimester of low risk pregnancies in a hospital based study in Pakistan

The study is conducted to observe the relationship of maternal diet in third trimester of pregnancy with the neonatal birth weight, in the women at a low risk of delivering low birth-weight neonates. This hospital based follow up study was conducted during the months of April-November 2007 at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Pregnant women with low risk of delivering low birth weight neonates were registered at 26 weeks of pregnancy, by employing consecutive [non-probability] sampling technique. Dietary history was taken by a semi structured Food Frequency questionnaire and 24 hours dietary recall at the time of registration. Written informed consent was obtained. Thirteen percent of women with normal pregnancies delivered low birth weight neonates weighing <2500 grams [including preterm and full term neonates]. The women delivering low birth weight neonates had significantly lower consumption of calories [P= 0.0002], carbohydrate [P=0.008], and lipid [P=0.00005] during the third trimester. In addition the mean maternal weekly weight gain and maternal hemoglobin concentration was also significantly lower in the women who delivered LBW neonates. The frequency of total protein, meat, carbohydrates and fruits consumption per week, calculated from food frequency questionnaire conducted at the start of third trimester was also lower in the women who delivered LBW neonates. The consumption of soft drinks and tea per week was higher in the women who delivered LBW neonates, although this finding was not statistically significant. This study suggests the importance of good maternal nutrition during pregnancy for the optimal newborn weight

Identification of LCA 4 locus in a Pakistani consanguineous kindred suffering from Leber's congenital amaurosis

To determine the disease locus involved in autosomal recessive Leber's Congenital Amaurosis. Biomedical and Genetic Engineering Division, KRL, Islamabad. Five generations of a Pakistani consanguineous family suffering from congenital blindness [Leber's Congenital Amaurosis] was studied. Genomic DNA was amplified across the polymorphic micro satellite markers. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] products were separated by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alleles were assigned to individuals. LOD score calculations were done using the Cryllic and MLINK software program. Molecular studies were done in 29 individuals of the family of whom 11 were blind and 18 were normal. Of eleven blind individuals six were males and five females. Linkage analysis for known loci of autosomal recessive LCA loci was carried out. Two point LOD score analysis with LCA 4 locus [17p13.1] resulted in maximum lod score [Z max] of 4.75 for marker D17S796 at q=0. Significant linkage was found with LCA4 locus [17p13.1]

Isonymy and inbreeding in the population of Jhelum [Punjab]

Eighteen isonymic groups were investigated for this study. Minhas, Wan and Rajpoot surnames commonly occur in the population of Jhelum. Mean coefficients of inbreeding vary between 0.01682 - 0.03422. Khokhar, Carpenter and Jat indicate the highest mean coefficients of inbreeding. An association between prenatal deaths and mean F in first cousin offspring was not observed. However, a non-significant association was seen between prenatal deaths and mean F in bradari + bradari distant relations offspring. Lethal equivalents carried heterozygously per person range between 0.8064 - 10.0928

Inbred and non-inbred first cousin marriages

Three types of first cousin marriages, i.e, first cousin [wife] marriages [ICW]; first cousin [husband] marriages [ICH], and first cousin [new] marriages [ICN] were identified in the present study. The two inbred first cousin marriages [ICW, ICH] indicate higher percentage of prenatal and postnatal deaths compared to ICN-marriages. ICW-marriages show significantly higher stillbirths and abortions compared to ICN-marriages, but ICH-marriages show non-significant differences. An attempt has been made to explain that why ICW-marriages have more harmful effects on the progeny compared to other two types of marriages