Rapid sperm acrosome reaction in the absence of acrosomal CD46 expression in promiscuous field mice (Apodemus).

There is pronounced promiscuity and sperm competition in long-tailed field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). These mice have evolved unusual sperm behaviour favouring rapid fertilisation, including dynamic formation of sperm trains and their subsequent dissociation. The cell surface complement regulatory (CReg) protein CD46 is broadly expressed in eutherian mammals other than rodents, in which it is expressed solely on the spermatozoal acrosomal membrane.

The influence of fluorides on mouse sperm capacitation.

Increasing infertility, due to pathological changes on sperm, has become a serious issue. Eco-toxicological effect of rising concentration of fluorides can be enhanced in the presence of aluminium ions by forming fluorometallic complexes, analogues of phosphate groups that interfere with the activity of G-proteins and P-type ATPases, which are part of several signalling pathways during sperm maturation. In order for sperm to gain fertilizing ability, they must undergo in the female reproductive tract, capacitation that includes tyrosine phosphorylation and consequent actin polymerization.

Separation of Siamese twins in Bratislava.

At the pediatric surgical clinic in Bratislava, in the year 2000, we successfully carried out the separation of Siamese twins, which we classified as "ischiopagus tetrapus"+. The pelvic ring, the gastrointestinal tract and the urogenital system were all malformed. There was a common terminal ileum and only a short segment of the large intestine with a blind end.