Chromosome Banding in Amphibia. XXXV. Highly Mobile Nucleolus Organizing Regions in Craugastor fitzingeri (Anura, Craugastoridae).

A 7-year cytogenetic study on the leaf litter frog Craugastor fitzingeri from Costa Rica and Panama revealed the existence of highly mobile nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) in their genomes. Silver (Ag)-staining of the active NORs demonstrated an exceptional interindividual pattern of NOR distribution at the telomeres of the chromosomes. All individuals examined showed a different and specific NOR location in their karyotypes.

Non-invasive preimplantation genetic screening using array comparative genomic hybridization on spent culture media: a proof-of-concept pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to assess if array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), non-invasive preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) on blastocyst culture media is feasible. Therefore, aCGH analysis was carried out on 22 spent blastocyst culture media samples after polar body PGS because of advanced maternal age. All oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and all embryos underwent assisted hatching.

Reproductive outcome in European and Middle Eastern/North African patients.

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess differences in infertility-related baseline characteristics and IVF outcome between European and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) patients. Of 2703 patients undergoing their first IVF cycle, 2485 were Caucasian of European descent and 218 originated from the MENA region. MENA patients were significantly younger (30.

Correction: Increasing Live Birth Rate by Preimplantation Genetic Screening of Pooled Polar Bodies Using Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Increasing live birth rate by preimplantation genetic screening of pooled polar bodies using array comparative genomic hybridization.

Meiotic errors during oocyte maturation are considered the major contributors to embryonic aneuploidy and failures in human IVF treatment. Various technologies have been developed to screen polar bodies, blastomeres and trophectoderm cells for chromosomal aberrations. Array-CGH analysis using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) arrays is widely applied for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) using single cells.

Cytogenetic studies on Gonatodes (Reptilia, Squamata, Sphaerodactylidae).

Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of 5 species of the reptile genus Gonatodes are described by means of conventional staining, banding analyses and in situ hybridization using a synthetic telomeric DNA probe. The amount, location and fluorochrome affinities of constitutive heterochromatin, the number and positions of nucleolus organizer regions, and the patterns of telomeric DNA sequences were determined for most of the species. The karyotypes of G.

Chromosome banding in Amphibia. XXXI. The neotropical anuran families Centrolenidae and Allophrynidae.

The mitotic chromosomes of 11 species from the anuran families Centrolenidae and Allophrynidae were analyzed by means of conventional staining, banding techniques, and in situ hybridization. The amount, location, and fluorochrome affinities of constitutive heterochromatin, the number and positions of nucleolus organizer regions, and the patterns of telomeric DNA sequences were determined for most of the species. The karyotypes were found to be highly conserved with a low diploid chromosome number of 2n = 20 and morphologically similar chromosomes.

Embryoid body formation of human amniotic fluid stem cells depends on mTOR.

Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) harbor high proliferative capacity and high differentiation potential and do not raise the ethical concerns associated with human embryonic stem cells. The formation of three-dimensional aggregates known as embryoid bodies (EBs) is the principal step in the differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Using c-Kit-positive hAFSC lines, we show here that these stem cells harbor the potential to form EBs.

Suppression of ovarian function by a combined oral contraceptive containing 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate given in a 24/4-day intake regimen over three cycles.

Objective: To describe the suppression of ovarian function with 0.02 mg ethinyl E(2)-2 mg chlormadinone acetate administered in a 24/4-day intake regimen in healthy women.

Design: Open, uncontrolled, multiple dosing, phase II trial.

Previous tubal ectopic pregnancy raises the incidence of repeated ectopic pregnancies in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer patients.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of Tubal Ectopic Pregnancies (TEP) in IVF-ET patients with respect to the status of the fallopian tubes after a previous TEP.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study compares patients undergoing 481 IVF-ET cycles after conservatively or surgically treated TEP(s) with a Control Group (idiopathic or male factor for IVF-ET indication). Medical reports of surgery and/or hysterosalpingograms prior to the IVF cycles classified the status of the fallopian tubes.

Contraceptive efficacy and safety of a low-dose oral contraceptive, (0.03 mg ethinyl oestradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate) Belara, over three medication cycles.

Objective: To describe the modulation of ovarian function during three medication cycles with 0.03 mg ethinyl oestradiol (EE) and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate (CMA), leading to inhibition of conception in healthy women.

Methods: Phase II, single-centre, open, non-controlled trial.

The forgotten variable: impact of luteinizing hormone on the prediction of ovarian reserve.

The impact of basal LH levels in the prediction of ovarian function in women initiating fertility treatment remains controversial. The present study demonstrates high-normal basal LH levels as a good, and low-normal basal LH levels as a negative prognostic sign for oocyte yield in regular-cycling women with borderline basal FSH levels (10.1-15 mU/mL).

[Recurrent miscarriage or failed in-vitro fertilization: antibodies against annexin V, cardiolipin, beta-2-glycoprotein-1 and APC-resistance].

Unlabelled: Antibodies against annexin-V, a potent anticoagulant abundant in placental tissues, were recently controversially reported to be associated with recurrent miscarriages or failures of in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) attempts.

Patients, Material, Methods: We screened 56 women (34.7 +/- 4.

Age-specific FSH levels as a tool for appropriate patient counselling in assisted reproduction.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess whether, even within a normal FSH range (< or =10 mU/ml), age-specific FSH levels are predictive of ovarian reserve.

Methods: Between January 1998 and December 2001, 535 women, undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with 225 IU of recombinant (rec) FSH and 75 IU of recLH, were included in this retrospective cohort study. Criteria for enrolment were: age 25-40 years, basal FSH (b-FSH) < or =10 mU/ml and basal LH < or =12 mU/ml.

Abnormal embryonic development diagnosed embryoscopically in early intrauterine deaths after in vitro fertilization: a preliminary report of 23 cases.

Objective: To provide data about the phenotypic appearance of the embryo of early failed pregnancies after IVF.

Design: Clinical prospective descriptive study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Preimplantation diagnosis (PGD)--a European clinician's point of view.

This paper describes the current status of preimplantation diagnosis from the viewpoint of an experienced clinician specialized in reproductive medicine. Current progress and international experiences with different applications and techniques are being reviewed on the basis of the literature. Particular interest is focused on possible advantages of routinely diagnosing major chromosome aneuploidies in preimplantation-embryos of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Minimal stimulation using recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist in women of advanced age.

Objective: To determine whether minimal stimulation with short-term application of low-dose recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) together with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist represents a cost-effective treatment regimen for patients with elevated FSH levels, aged 40 and above.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Academically affiliated private in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

Comparative chromosome painting of chicken autosomal paints 1-9 in nine different bird species.

In a Zoo-FISH study chicken autosomal chromosome paints 1 to 9 (GGA1-GGA9) were hybridized to metaphase spreads of nine diverse birds belonging to primitive and modern orders. This comparative approach allows tracing of chromosomal rearrangements that occurred during bird evolution. Striking homologies in the chromosomes of the different species were noted, indicating a high degree of evolutionary conservation in avian karyotypes.

[Preimplantation diagnosis (PID) in humans from the clinical viewpoint].

This paper describes the current status of preimplantation diagnosis from the viewpoint of an experienced clinician specialized in reproductive medicine. Current progress and international experience with different applications and techniques are reviewed on the basis of the literature. Particular interest is focused on possible advantages of routinely diagnosing major chromosome aneuploidies in preimplantation-embryos of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Chromosome banding in Amphibia. XXVIII. Homomorphic XY sex chromosomes and a derived Y-autosome translocation in Eleutherodactylus riveroi (Anura, Leptodactylidae).

Extensive cytogenetic analyses on a population of the leptodactylid frog Eleutherodactylus riveroi in northern Venezuela revealed the existence of multiple XXAA male/XYAA female/XAA(Y) female sex chromosomes. The XAA(Y) karyotype originated by a centric (Robertsonian) fusion between the original, free Y chromosome and an autosome. 46.