[Cooperation between genetic counseling centers, cytogenetic laboratories and in vitro fertilization centers in the treatment of reproductive disorders].

The techniques of assisted reproduction have recently become the most effective methods of treatment of infertility; namely ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection), MESA (microepididymal sperm aspiration), TESA (testicular sperm aspiration) and TESE (testicular sperm extraction). The techniques have been increasingly successful, even above the average efficiency of classical IVF (in vitro fertilization). It can be demonstrated by the percentage of ICSI-aided births percentage per 100% of embryotransfers in ISCARE; 1996 = 21.

Increased micronuclei frequencies in couples with reproductive failure.

A higher incidence of chromosomal instability in the infertile population is widely recognized. An increased level of micronuclei has been shown to be a marker of chromosome damage. Therefore, micronuclei frequencies were assessed in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 130 patients (65 couples) with idiopathic infertility or with two or more spontaneous abortions, and 30 healthy fertile donors (15 couples).

Creatine kinase reaction in skinned rat psoas muscle fibers and their myofibrils.

The aim of this study was to evaluate myofibrillar creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.

Genotoxicity of purine acyclic nucleotide analogs.

The genotoxic and embryotoxic effects of phosphonomethoxyalkylpurines, a new group of antiviral agents, decrease in the following order: PMEG > PMEthioG > PMEDAP > PMEA > (R)-PMPDAP = (R)-PMPA. Results of the present study are fully consistent with the previously found efficacy of their diphosphates to inhibit the replicative DNA polymerases. The marked genotoxicity of PMEG and PMEthioG is comparable to that of mitomycin C, whereas the moderate genotoxicity of PMEA is comparable to that of AZT.

Antimitotic and teratogenic effects of acyclic nucleotide analogues 1-(S)-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)cytosine (HPMPC) and 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl) adenine (PMEA).

The acyclic nucleotide analogues, HPMPC and PMEA, differ in their in vitro effect on the genetic material of eukaryotic cells. While HPMPC exerts a cytostatic effect on eukaryotic cells in vitro, PMEA has a genotoxic activity. These results correspond with the mode of embryotoxic action of these compounds: HPMPC exhibits a general embryolethal effect, whereas PMEA is apparently teratogenic and interacts with the mutant allele producing preaxial polydactyly of the hind limbs.