Genetic variation in leptin and leptin receptor genes as a risk factor for idiopathic male infertility.

The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an association among genetic variability in leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes and male infertility. We performed a case-control study and were searching for an association between polymorphisms of LEP and LEPR genes and male infertility. The study group consisted of 317 patients with idiopathic infertility and a control group of 241 fertile men from Slovenia. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LEP gene and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LEPR gene were chosen and genotyped. Statistically significant SNP was further validated in additional 255 infertile patients and 168 controls from Serbia and Macedonia. In the Slovenian population, we found a statistically significant difference in genotype distribution for rs10244329 polymorphism in LEP gene (recessive genotype model, p value = 0.048). The trend toward statistically significant difference in genotype distribution for rs10244329 polymorphism was confirmed in the Serbian and Macedonian populations (p value = 0.07). Our data suggest that genetic variability in the LEP gene might be associated with male infertility warranting further confirmation and mechanistic investigations.

Prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men with severe oligozoospermia in Serbia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and type of microdeletions of the Y chromosome of men with severe oligozoospermia-ICSI candidates in the Serbian population and to compare our findings with those from other parts of the world. METHODS: In all patients spermiogram has been performed in order to determine the sperm concentration. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical, endocrinological and cytogenetic examinations. Microdeletion analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 203 patients with normal cytogenetic findings. The STS markers tested in each case were sY84, sY86 (AZFa); sY127, sY134 (AZFb); sY254, sY255 (AZFc). RESULTS: at least one of the STS markers was deleted in 11 of the 203 cases (5.4%). CONCLUSION: AZFc microdeletions were identified with a rather high prevalence in men with severe oligozoospermia ICSI candidates in Serbian population.

Molecular analysis of Y chromosome microdeletions in idiopathic cases of male infertility in Serbia.

The aim of this study was to detect frequency of microdeletions of Y chromosome in idiopathic cases of male infertility in Serbian population. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical, endocrinological and cytogenetic examinations. Ninety patients with normal cytogenetic findings with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia were included in the study. In these patients microdeletion analysis was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method on DNA extracted from peripheral blood. In each case 6 markers in azoospermia factor (AZF) regions were tested: sY84, sY86 (AZFa); sY127, sY134 (AZFb); sY254, sY255 (AZFc). Deletions on Y chromosome were detected in 14 of 90 cases (15.6%), 9 with azoospermia and 5 with severe oligozoospermia. Of total number of 17 deletions, 11 (64.7%) were detected in AZFc region, 3 (17.6%) in AZFa region and 3 (17.6%) in AZFb region. Microdeletions in AZF region of Y chromosome, especially AZFc microdeletions, represent common genetic cause of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospremia in Serbian infertile men. Therefore, testing for Y chromosome microdeletions should be considered as an important element in diagnosis and genetic counseling of infertile men in Serbia and decisions regarding the assisted reproduction should be made based on the presence and type of AZF microdeletions.

[Epidemiologic importance of gallbladder neoplasms in Belgrade]. / Epidemioloski znacaj raka zucne kese u Beogradu.

The average standardized mortality rate caused by gallbladder neoplasms in Belgrade during the period from 1975 to 1990 amounted to 2.8 in 100,000 inhabitants. It was much higher in women -3.5/10000 than in men--1.9/10000. Considering specific age mortality rates they show low values for people to 54 years of age, and then an abrupt increase happens with the highest values recorded in the oldest group. Mortality trend caused by gallbladder neoplasms examined during these 16 years at this territory shows growth (y = 1.37 + 0.17x) which is more expressed in females (y = 1.46 + 0.24x) than in males (y = 1.35 + 0.07x).

[Mortality in esophageal cancer in Belgrade 1975-1989]. / Smrtnost od raka jednjaka u Beogradu u periodu od 1975. do 1989.

Mortality rate caused by esophageal cancer in Belgrade 1975-1989 was presented. During this fifteen-year period the average standardized mortality rate for esophageal cancer was 1.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. It was more than three times higher in males than in females (2.8:100,000 and 0.8:100,000). Mortality rates were age dependent and they were particularly higher in males over 45, so that the highest values were recorded in the oldest age group. Mortality rate for esophageal cancer during the period 1975-1989 was mildly ascending (y = 1.39 + 0.04x). According to the standard mortality rate its value for esophageal cancer in Belgrade was within the frame of a low risk of dying due to this localization of digestive tract malignant neoplasms.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of stomach cancer in Belgrade]. / Neke epidemioloske karakteristike raka zeluca u Beogradu.

Stomach cancer mortality in the period 1975-1990 in Belgrade has been analysed. In a sixteen-year period the mean standardised stomach cancer mortality rate was 11.4 per 100,000 inhabitants (males-14.8%000: females-8.6%000). The specific mortality rate by age shows low values before age 34, then it comes to its sudden increase reaching the highest rate in subjects after age 75. Standardised stomach cancer mortality rate by age in the observation period 1975-1990 showed a mild increase in males (y = 14.16 + 0.08x) and an insignificant decrease in females (y = 8.80-0.02x). The percentage of gastric cancer in all causes of death, all malignant tumours and malignant tumours of the digestive tract, shows a decreasing trend.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of pancreatic cancer in patients in Belgrade]. / Epidemioloske karakteristike raka pankreasa kod bolesnika u Beogradu.

Pancreatic cancer mortality was analyzed in Belgrade population over the period from 1975 to 1989. Standardized mortality rate--sbrtshr in 1975-1989--was 5.34/1000 (6.55/1000 in males and 4.32/1000 in females). During the same period the increasing trend of pancreatic cancer mortality was observed in both sexes (y = 4.07 + 0.31x, in males and y = 2.95 + 0.17x, in females). Age specific mortality rates showed low values to the age of 44, but demonstrated sudden increase thereafter, which was more pronounced in males. The proportion of pancreatic cancer among all malignant tumour deaths and among deaths caused by malignant tumours of the digestive tract was slightly increased during the observed period.