Are poor responders patients at higher risk for producing aneuploid embryos in vitro?

Purpose To test the hypothesis that aged women with poor ovarian response express an increase on embryo chromosomal alterations when compared to aged women who presented normal response.Methods Couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with preimplantation genetic screening, were subdivided into two groups: Poor Responder group (n = 34), patients who produced a parts per thousand currency sign4 oocytes; and Normoresponder group (n = 50), patients who produced a parts per thousand yen5 oocytes. Groups were compared regarding cycles' outcomes and aneuploidy frequency.Results There were no significant differences between and groups regarding the fertilization rate (p = 0.6861), clinical pregnancy (p = 0.9208), implantation (p = 0.6863), miscarriage (p = 0.6788) and the percentage of aneuploid embryos (p = 0.270). Embryo transfer rate was significantly lower on poor responder group (p = 0.0128) and logistic regression confirmed the influence of poor response on the chance of embryo transfer (p = 0.016).Conclusions Aged females responding poorly to gonadotrophins are not at a higher risk for producing aneuploid embryos in vitro.

Relationship between visualization of meiotic spindle in human oocytes and ICSI outcomes: a meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the influence of meiotic spindle visualization in human oocytes on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. Search strategies included on-line Surveys of databases (MEDLINE, em BASE, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and Ovid). The fixed effect was used for odds ratio. Ten trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria comparing in-vitro and clinical ICSI outcomes with or without visualization of meiotic spindle in fresh and in-vivo matured oocytes. According to the meta-analysis, the results showed statistically significant higher fertilization rate (P < 0.0001) when the meiotic spindle was viewed than when it was not. Moreover, the percentage of pro-nuclear-stage embyros with good morphology (P = 0.003), cleavage rate (P < 0.0001), percentage of day-3 top-quality embryos (P = 0.003) and percentage of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage (P < 0.0001) were statistically significantly better among, embryos derived from oocytes in which meiotic spindle was viewed compared with those in which meiotic spindle was not observed. However, these differences were not observed in the clinical pregnancy or implantation rates. This observation has clinical relevance mainly in countries where there is a legal limit on the number of oocytes to be fertilized. However, additional controlled trials are needed to further confirm these results.

Effects of recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH-agonist protocol: a matched case-control study

Background: Some studies have suggested that the suppression of endogenous LH secretion does not seem to affect the majority of patients who are undergoing assisted reproduction and stimulation with recombinant FSH (r-FSH). Other studies have indicated that a group of normogonadotrophic women down-regulated and stimulated with pure FSH preparations may experience low LH concentrations that compromise the IVF parameters. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of recombinant LH (r-LH) supplementation for controlled ovarian stimulation in r-FSH and GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) protocol in ICSI cycles.Methods: A total of 244 patients without ovulatory dysfunction, aged < 40 years and at the first ICSI cycle were divided into two groups matched by age according to an ovarian stimulation scheme: Group I (n = 122): Down-regulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and Group II (n = 122): Downregulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and r-LH (beginning simultaneously).Result(s): The number of oocytes collected, the number of oocytes in metaphase II and fertilization rate were significantly lower in the Group I than in Group II (P = 0.036, P = 0.0014 and P = 0.017, respectively). In addition, the mean number of embryos produced per cycle and the mean number of frozen embryos per cycle were statistically lower (P = 0.0092 and P = 0.0008, respectively) in Group I than in Group II. Finally the cumulative implantation rate (fresh+thaw ed embryos) was significantly lower (P = 0.04) in Group I than in Group II. The other clinical and laboratory results analyzed did not show difference between groups.Conclusion: These data support r-LH supplementation in ovarian stimulation protocols with r-FSH and GnRH-a for assisted reproduction treatment.

Time interval from ovulation to extrusion in female bullfrog in different photoperiods

It was analyzed in this work the influence of photoperiod on time interval from ovulation induction period to extrusion of ovocits in female bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). It was used 54 females reared from metamorphosis to 9 months of age under three photoperiods: dark time (DL 0:24), 16 hours of daylight (DL 16:8) and 12 hours of daylight (DL 12:12). Ovulation was induced by intramuscular application of two doses of LHRHa with 12 hours of interval between the injections. After 10, 25, 28, 31, 34 and 37 hours from the first hormone injection, 10-gram samples (3,000 eggs) were extracted from each female at each time interval and fertilized. Egg hatching rate was checked in each sample 72 hours after fertilization. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of extrusion delay and the interaction between photoperiod and this delay. Extrusion should be carried out 33, 24 and 26 hours after the first hormone dosage in females reared in environments without light, with 12 hours of daylight and with 16 hours of daylight, respectively, to obtain the maximum fertilization rate.

Indução à ovulação pelo uso de LHRH análogo e fertilização artificial em rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo aperfeiçoar a técnica de reprodução induzida existente para rã-touro, com o intuito de aumentar a taxa de fecundidade e viabilizar seu uso pelo produtor. As doses hormonais para a indução da ovulação e espermiação seguiram as propostas de FALCON e CULLEY (1995) e ALONSO (1997); entretanto, a técnica de fertilização artificial foi adaptada da metodologia para reprodução artificial de peixes com ovos não-aderentes (WOYNAROVICH e HORVÁTH, 1983). A técnica proposta apresenta as seguintes etapas: I) sincronização da ovulação e da espermiação, por meio de hormônio liberador de gonadotropina ((Des-Gli10, D-His(Bzl)6, Pro-NHEt9)-LHRH)); II) extração dos óvulos de cada fêmea (1 a 2 minutos); III) fertilização dos óvulos (2 minutos) com líquido espermático diluído em 100 mL de água; IV) hidratação dos ovos em 10 a 20 litros de água; e V) incubação dos ovos em quadros de tela de 1x 0,70 m, com malha de 1 mm. As taxas de fertilização obtidas com as modificações propostas foram superiores a 60%. Ressalta-se ainda que a técnica propiciou a obtenção, a partir de um mesmo animal, de várias desovas, sendo que cada fêmea pode ovular em intervalos de, aproximadamente, 45 dias.

Cryopreservation of semen from functional sex-reversed genotypic females of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Polinização do dendezeiro por besouros no sul da Bahia

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a taxa de fecundação de dendezeiros, após introdução de Elaeidobius kamerunicus, no Sul da Bahia, e a flutuação populacional, distribuição espacial e a influência de fatores meteorológicos sobre E. kamerunicus e E. subvittatus. Análises físicas de 12 mil espiguetas de dendezeiros foram realizadas em 2004-2006. Na avaliação da relação entre a temperatura média mensal e o total mensal de indivíduos de E. kamerunicus e E. subvittatus, utilizou-se a correlação de Pearson. A taxa de fecundação foi de 79,4%, um incremento de 19% quando comparado aos dendezeiros polinizados apenas por E. subvittatus. Plantios comerciais de dendezeiros em Ituberá e Nazaré, BA, apresentaram taxas médias de fecundações de 76%. E. kamerunicus foi dominante nos plantios de dendezeiro de Una, BA. Populações de E. kamerunicus sobrepujaram as de E. subvittatus, em todos os municípios onde existem grandes maciços de dendezeiros subespontâneos. No entanto, em Itapebi, BA, as populações de E. subvittatus superaram as de E. kamerunicus. A temperatura e a precipitação pluvial afetam a atividade de vôo e densidade populacional de E. subvittatus.

Sistema de reprodução em pequenas populações fragmentadas e em árvores isoladas de Hymenaea stigonocarpa

Six microsatellite loci were used to quantify the mating system of two small fragmented populations (Selviria - SEL and Aparecida do Tabuado - APT, Mato Grosso do Sul State) and isolated trees in pastures, of the bat-pollinated tropical tree Hymenaea stignocarpa, growing in the Center-west region of Brazil. In SEL population, seeds were collected from 11 mother-trees; in APT, from three trees and, in the case of isolated trees, from six individuals growing at least 500 m apart in pastures. To investigate if there are differences on mating system between trees in populations and isolated trees, trees from populations were pooled as a group and, likewise, the isolated trees were pooled to another group. The outcrossing rate was higher in the populations (t̂ m= 0.873) than in isolated trees (t̂ m=0.857), but the difference was not significant. Significant and high differences between multi-locus and single-locus outcrossing rate were detected in populations (t̂ m- t̂ s=0.301, P<0.05) and isolated trees (t̂ m- t̂ s=0.276, P<0.05), suggesting mating between relatives. Higher paternity correlation was observed in trees from population (r̂ p=0.636) than in isolated trees (r̂ p=0.377), indicating the occurrence of some correlated matings and that part of offspring are full-sibs. It was not observed increased in self-fertilization rate in isolated trees in pastures. In general terms, the unique observed difference in mating system between populations and isolate trees was the high rate of correlated matings in trees from populations, due probably to the small distance among coespecifics and the pollinator behavior, visiting near trees.

Correlação entre a taxa de fertilização e o fuso meiótico em oócitos humanos: Uma meta-análise

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the presence of meiotic spindle in human oocytes and fertilization rates in ICSI cycles. Methods: Search strategies included online surveys of databases from 1990 to 2008. Nine trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria Results: According to the meta-analysis, the results showed statistically significant higher fertilization rate (p<0.0001) when the meiotic spindle was viewed than when it was not. There was heterogeneity in this comparison. Conclusion: The presence of a birefringent meiotic spindle in human oocytes can predict a higher fertilization rate. This observation has clinical relevance mainly in countries where there is a legal limit on the number of oocytes to be fertilized. Copyright - SBRA - Sociedade Brasileira de Reprodução Assistida.

A síndrome do hiperestímulo ovariano não influencia os resultados clínicos após ciclos de descongelamento de embriões provenientes de ciclos de ICSI

Objective: The objective of this study was evaluate if the embryos cryopreservation from OHSS patients Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycles could be influence the clinical outcomes when compared to patients who receive oocytes from donors but the endometrium was not prepared and the embryos were cryopreserved. Methods: Fifty eight couples submitted to ICSI cycles in which 26 with OHSS clinical manifestation (OHSS group) and 32 couples who have received oocytes from donors (control group). The embryos were frozen on day+2 or +3of development. All patients included in this study had embryos crypreserved before the transfer, and in the thawing cycle, only the endometrium preparation was performed. The embryo survival, implantation, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were evaluated in the embryo thawing cycle. Results: There was no difference among the groups in relation to fertilization rate (OHSS: 71.89% ± 15.45, Control: 79.75% ± 21.68, p= 0.234), survival embryos rate (OHSS: 68.85 ± 21.10, Control: 59.53 ± 36.79, p= 0.233), high quality embryos rate (OHSS: 25.20 ± 23.90, Control: 27.40 ± 30.30, p= 0.760), implantation rate (OHSS: 17.9 ± 26.9, Control: 12.5 ± 23.7, p= 0.435), pregnancy rate (OHSS: 38.50, Control: 28.60, p= 0.441) and miscarriage rate (OHSS: 40.00, Control: 25.00, p= 0.332). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that clinical outcomes in freeze and thawing cycles were not affected by the presence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome clinical manifestation after controlled ovarian stimulation.

Time and temperature on the storage of oocytes from jundiá catfish, Rhamdia quelen

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three water and storage temperatures on the oocytes of the jundiá catfish, Rhamdia quelen. A factorial experimental design over time, with treatments completed in triplicate every 48 h, was used (5 × 3 × 3 × 3) to study the exposure of the oocytes to temperatures of 15, 25 and 35. °C and activated with water at 15, 25 and 35. °C each at 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 minutes post-collection. Linear regression analysis for the response surface model indicated an interaction (p<0.05) between time and temperature of exposure with greater values for fertilization, hatching and normal larvae rates at the time of oocyte collection (70.2 ± 8.4% fertilized oocytes, 66.7 ± 29.4% hatched eggs and 30.3 ± 25.0% normal larvae). According to the statistical model, the water temperature that resulted in the highest fertilization rate was 25.6. °C (p<0.05). The rates of fertilization, hatching and normal larvae correlated positively (p<0.05) with one another, showing that these parameters can be used in the measurement of oocyte quality. Artificial fertilization of oocytes is recommended immediately after collection; if storage is necessary, it should be carried out at 15. °C. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Improvement of Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, Larviculture by Exposing Eggs to Triiodothyronine

This work evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on larviculture of matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Oocytes of three females were pooled, fertilized with pooled semen of two males and separated in four batches that were immersed in triiodothyronine solutions as follows: M1 (control - water); M2 (0.01mg/L T3); M3 (0.05mg/L T3); and M4 (0.1mg/L T3). Triiodothyronine did not affect fertilization rate and number of hatched larvae. Weight of hatched larvae was significantly higher in treatments M3 and M4, as well as among larvae sampled at Day 12 in all treatments. After 12d of rearing, biomass gain was higher in the hormone treatments (M1 688±569mg; M2 2436±562mg; M3 3572±569mg; and M4 4129±770mg). In general, coefficients of variation of weight (CVw) and length (CVl) did not differ among treatments and cannibalism was registered between 36 and 72hours post-hatching (h.p.h.) without differences among treatments. Larval survival increased in the hormone treatments (M1 26.5%; M2 37.6%; M3 40.6%; and M4 40.8%). The results indicate that the immersion of matrinxã eggs in triiodothyronine can promote beneficial effects to its larviculture and indicate promising perspectives for culture of this tropical species. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Vitamina E em dietas para reprodutoras de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Cortisol na reprodução e no desenvolvimento inicial do matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Elementos-traço As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se e Zn em latossolos e plantas de milho após treze aplicações anuais de lodo de esgoto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV