Evaluation of morphological criteria of sperm quality before in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The quality of sperm has a direct influence on the fertilization and developmental competence of embryos. In the literature we did not find defined criteria for evaluation of normal sperm parameters in various species of domestic mammals. Therefore we attempted to review evaluation of criteria of morphologically normal human sperm and their abnormalities. All sperm cells observed in the stained sample are classified as normal or abnormal. Any abnormalities in morphology of sperm have a negative effect on the outcome in in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Abnormal sperm are categorized into subgroups according to the observed defects (concerning the head and/or midpiece and/or tail). Most morphologically abnormal sperm have multiple defects. This article can be considered as guideline for the manual of sperm quality evaluation in different species of domestic mammals.

[Effects of cardioelectrostimulation and chemical preparations on autonomic nervous regulation of heart rate].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the peculiarities of heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system regulation and to predict the changes in sinus rhythm after successful medical or electrical correction. 72 patients with atrial fibrillation before and after its correction have been monitored. Atrial fibrillation during the first month after cardioversion occurred in 26.3% of patients. Data analysis using computerized heart rhythm analysis showed a decreased heart rate variability in patients during atrial fibrillation and increased heart rate variability. These parameters are the markers which characterize the sinus rhythm maintenance.

Innovative non-invasive method for absolute intracranial pressure measurement without calibration.

A new absolute ICP (aICP) measurement method was designed which does not need calibration. In this study we compared a new method with invasive aICP method in ICU on the patients with closed severe traumatic brain injury. A new method is based on two-depth TCD technique for aICP and external absolute pressure aPe comparison using the eye artery (EA) as natural "balance". The intracranial segment of EA is compressed by aICP and the extracranial segment is compressed by aPe applied to the tissues surrounding the eye. The blood flow parameters in both EA segments are approximately the same when aPe = aICP. Two-depth TCD device is used as an indicator of balance aPe = aICP when the pulsatility index of blood flow velocity waveform in intracranial and extracranial segments are the same. Fifty seven simultaneous invasive and non-invasive aICP measurements were performed in aICP range from 3.0 to 37.0 mmHg. Bland Altman plot of the differences between simultaneous invasive and non-invasive aICP measurements shows the negligible mean difference (mean = 0.94 mmHg) with a standard deviation of 6.18 mmHg. This validation study shows that it is possible to measure aICP non-invasively without calibration of the system with 95% confidence interval of 12 mmHg.