RESUMO
The objective of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between sperm parameters, measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and spontaneous abortion and multiple births in couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. Retrospective analysis of infertility treatment outcomes and occurrence of spontaneous abortion and multiple births was conducted in 233 couples who underwent treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection or intrauterine insemination at the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine, between 2001 and 2004. Sperm samples used for treatments were analysed for sperm concentration, sperm motility and two different parameters of SCSA (DNA fragmentation index, DFI, and high DNA stainability, HDS). Pregnancy, spontaneous abortion and multiple birth rates were recorded for all couples. A statistically significant relationship (P<0.001) was observed between DFI and spontaneous abortion. However, the correlation between HDS and spontaneous abortion was not statistically significant. Significantly lower levels of DFI were observed in men from couples having triplet pregnancies compared with those in the spontaneous abortion group (P ≤ 0.05). It is concluded that the parameters of SCSA correlate significantly with spontaneous abortion and multiple birth and may provide guidance for clinical decision making (number of embryos per transfer) and management of spontaneous abortion-prone cases.
Assuntos
Aborto Espontâneo/fisiopatologia , Cromatina/ultraestrutura , Infertilidade/terapia , Gravidez Múltipla/fisiologia , Técnicas de Reprodução Assistida , Espermatozoides/citologia , Fragmentação do DNA , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Gravidez , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
To evaluate the association between neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) activity and sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI), ejaculates from 24 men undergoing evaluation for sperm DNA damage as a part of infertility assessment were analysed. The mean +/- SD and range for the semen quality of the 24 ejaculates are as follows: volume (3.1 +/- 1.3, 1.8-6.0 ml); sperm concentration (45.6 +/- 41.1, 1.3-151.2 x 10(6) ml(-1)); sperm motility (52.8 +/- 28.8, 1-95%); sperm with fragmented DNA (17.6 +/- 15.4, 1.7-56.0%); sperm with immature chromatin (9.6 +/- 3.8, 2.5-19.1%); NAG activity (37.9 +/- 18.3, 4.4-75.3 mU ml(-1)). The only sperm parameter significantly correlated with neutral alpha-glucosidase is the percentage of sperm DFI [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.4376, P = 0.03].
Assuntos
Fragmentação do DNA , Espermatozoides/enzimologia , Espermatozoides/patologia , alfa-Glucosidases/metabolismo , Adulto , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina , Masculino , Análise de Regressão , Análise do Sêmen , Espectrofotometria , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: We have previously reported the retrospective observation that when at least one embryo, transferred on day 3, expressed sHLA-G above the geometric mean (sHLA-G+) 46 h post-ICSI, there was a marked improvement in both pregnancy (PR) and implantation (IR) rates. METHODS: The media surrounding individual embryos derived from ICSI performed on oocytes from 482 women < or =43 years of age were tested for sHLA-G expression by specific ELISA. RESULTS: We report here prospective results showing improved IVF results following the transfer of 'good quality' embryos (7-9 cells with <20% fragmentation) by preferentially including at least one sHLA-G+ embryos. PR and IR for women < or =38 years were 63% and 32% when one transferred embryo was sHLA-G+, and 69% and 36% when at least two embryos were sHLA-G+. When none of the embryos transferred was sHLA-G+, PR and IR were 25% and 13%, respectively. Comparable PR and IR for women 39-43 years were 29% and 11% when none of the transferred embryos were sHLA-G+; 38% and 15% when at least one sHLA-G+ embryo was transferred; and 61% and 26% when at least two 2 sHLA-G+ embryos were transferred. The data were stratified by patient age. CONCLUSIONS: PR and IR increased with the addition of each sHLA-G+ embryo, regardless of age. While there are significant barriers to routine embryo sHLA-G testing, we believe that if implemented, this would provide a mechanism for optimizing IVF PR while minimizing the risk of multiple pregnancies.
Assuntos
Implantação do Embrião/fisiologia , Antígenos HLA/genética , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/genética , Taxa de Gravidez , Injeções de Esperma Intracitoplásmicas , Adulto , Blastocisto/imunologia , Transferência Embrionária , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Antígenos HLA-G , Humanos , Masculino , Idade Materna , Gravidez , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
Using sunscreen daily should be as natural for children as brushing their teeth. Flannel board stories can make this happen by serving as an innovative technique for educating children about sun protection.
Assuntos
Recursos Audiovisuais , Promoção da Saúde , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Queimadura Solar/prevenção & controle , Protetores Solares , Criança , HumanosRESUMO
Hypertrophic and keloid scars form in a healed skin wound by the overgrowth of fibrous tissue after injury or surgery. In this case study the treatment and control of hypertrophic and keloid scars in an adult Chinese male with third degree burns is presented, emphasizing the use of topical silastic gel for scar treatment and control.
