Comparison of ART outcomes in men with altered mRNA protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection with ejaculated and testicular spermatozoa.

Assisted reproductive technologies involving the use of spermatozoa and eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) have come as the solution for many infertile couples to become parents. However, in some cases, the use of ejaculated spermatozoa delivers poor IVF performance. Some studies have suggested the use of testicular spermatozoa in severe male infertility cases, but no guidelines regarding their utilization are currently available.

Complementary assessment of As, Cu and Zn environmental availability in a stabilised contaminated soil using large-bore column leaching, automatic microcolumn extraction and DGT analysis.

Soil pollution with trace elements is a concerning issue worldwide. Monitoring of soil pollution and remediation protocols need still from valid complementary analytical approaches able to detect changes in speciation and lability of metals in soils (e.g.

Euploid embryos selected by an automated time-lapse system have superior SET outcomes than selected solely by conventional morphology assessment.

Purpose: We investigated if automated TLI selection may be a valuable strategy to identify those euploid embryos with the best chances of success.

Methods: This is a unicentric and retrospective study involving 244 patients undergoing preimplantational genetic screening (PGS) cycles with autologous oocytes or oocyte donation (OD) with single euploid embryo transferred. We examined euploid embryos selected for transfer based on morphology evaluation alone (PGS-only; control group) or by assessment using an automated TLI system (Eeva™; PGS-TLI group).

Analysis of ZP1 gene reveals differences in zona pellucida composition in carnivores.

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular envelope that surrounds mammalian oocytes. This coat participates in the interaction between gametes, induction of the acrosome reaction, block of polyspermy and protection of the oviductal embryo. Previous studies suggested that carnivore ZP was formed by three glycoproteins (ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4), with ZP1 being a pseudogene.