Tiny genomes and endoreduplication in Strepsiptera.

Using flow cytometry, the genome sizes of two species of Strepsiptera were studied: that of male Caenocholax fenyesi texensis Kathirithamby & Johnston (Myrmecolacidae) at 108 Mb, which is the smallest insect genome documented to date; and those of male and female Xenos vesparum Rossi (Stylopidae), which are 1C = 130 and 133 Mb, respectively. The genome sizes of the following were analysed for comparative purposes: (a) the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), which was previously reported to be the smallest among insects: the male measured at 1C = 121 Mb and the female at 1C = 158 Mb; and (b) the female parasitic, haplodiploid, microhymenopteran wasp, Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko, which measured at 1C = 246 Mb. The hosts of the strepsipterans were also measured: male Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant (host of male C. f. texensis), which is 1C = 753.3 Mb, and female Polistes dominulus Christ, the paper wasp (host of X. vesparum), is 1C = 301.4 Mb. Endoreduplication (4C) of the genome of the thorax of the male strepsipteran, and higher levels of endoduplication (4, 8, 16C) in the body of the larger female was observed. In contrast, little or no endoreduplication was observed, either in the Hessian fly, or in the parasitic wasp.

The influence of suture material on vaginal vault granulations following abdominal hysterectomy.

A questionnaire was circulated to 1147 members (consultant status) and fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to survey the current management of the vaginal vault following abdominal hysterectomy. Of the 56% who responded, the majority (87%) routinely close the vault. An interrupted mattress suture is used by 60%, a continuous suture by 43% and the Lembert suture by 2%. Chromic catgut is favoured by 60%, a synthetic polymer by 33% and plain catgut by 6%. We then organized a prospective, randomized trial involving 114 women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy for benign indications. No. 1 polygalactide (Vicryl) was used in 58 women, and No. 1 chromic catgut in 56. Overall, 37 (32%) had vault granulations 6 weeks post-operatively. Chromic catgut had been used in 25 (68%) and polygalactide in the remaining 12 (32%) (P = 0.01). Only 2 (5%) of these women denied any symptoms, while the rest complained of vaginal discharge, bleeding or both. Neither the patients' age, weight or parity, nor the status of the surgeon influenced the occurrence of granulations. We conclude that the widespread use of chromic catgut revealed by our survey is unacceptable: polygalactide, a synthetic polymer, is associated with fewer vaginal vault granulations than chromic catgut.

An evaluation of semen analysis and in-vitro tests of sperm function in the prediction of the outcome of intrauterine AIH.

Twenty-nine couples with an average of 5 years of infertility were selected for treatment by intrauterine insemination of washed semen (AIH). The criteria for selection were (i) the female partner showed no detectable fertility disorders by routine screening; (ii) the male partner showed subnormal semen quality on conventional semen analysis. Ovulation was stimulated uniformly with clomiphene citrate and precipitated with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Inseminations were performed 31-32 h post-HCG, with the day of HCG determined by ultrasound monitoring of follicular development. The fertilizing capacity of the male partners' spermatozoa was tested in vitro using donated human oocytes and/or the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration assay. Up to eight cycles of AIH were alternated with cycles of natural intercourse. While no pregnancies occurred in the group during normal coital cycles, the AIH pregnancy rate was 17% per couple, but only 3% per insemination cycle. Four further pregnancies were achieved spontaneously in couples from the study group within 3 years of completion of the AIH therapy and four patients became pregnant following subsequent GIFT or IVF treatments. Neither of the in-vitro tests was helpful in predicting the outcome of AIH, spontaneous pregnancy nor of subsequent assisted conception procedures.

Retrograde ejaculation: a systematic approach to non-invasive recovery of spermatozoa from post-ejaculatory urine for artificial insemination.

Retrograde ejaculation is an uncommon but treatable form of male infertility. Successful recovery of live spermatozoa from the post-ejaculatory urine for artificial insemination is dependent on careful regulation of pH and osmolarity of the urine into which ejaculation takes place, and separation of the motile spermatozoa from the debris and cells which are found in these samples. Three pregnancies established by artificial insemination of spermatozoa recovered by noninvasive means from the bladders of men suffering from retrograde ejaculation are described. The techniques for preparing the urine for spermatozoal survival, and for removal of cells and debris by sedimentation or buoyant density centrifugation are discussed.

The induction of ovulation using pulsatile luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in clinical practice.

Until recently induction of ovulation in patients resistant to clomiphene has required gonadotrophin therapy. This has entailed intensive biochemical monitoring to ascertain the correct dosage and to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation. Described here is a simple, safe effective method of ovulation induction, using pulsed luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and requiring only minimal, readily available monitoring methods.