The reproductive performance of XX/XY male chimeric mice

The reproductive performance of male aggregation chimeric mice was examined. C57BL/6 in equilibrium BALB/c male chimeras and control animals, C57BL/6, BALB/c, and their reciprocal F1 crosses, were mated with ICR females. Of 45 overt chimeras, 13 produced mixed-genotype progenies and were revealed to be XY/XY chimeras. By karyotype analysis 16 of 32 single-genotype progeny chimeras were determined to be XX/XY chimeras, but the remaining single-genotype progeny chimeras showed only XY metaphase plates, so that their chromosomal sex could not be determined. The mean litter size of C57BL/6 was significantly higher than that of BALB/c. In contrast, the birth rate of C57BL/6 was lower than that of BALB/c. XY/XY chimeras showed almost the same performance as C57BL/6 for litter size and as BALB/c for birth rate. There were no significant differences for both traits between the reciprocal F1 crosses and XY/XY chimeras. The mean litter size of XX/XY chimeras was lower than that of XY/XY chimeras and the differences was statistically significant. Some XX/XY chimeras had very small testes, while XY/XY chimeras had normal testes. Such results indicate that the reproductive performance of XX/XY male chimeras is inferior to that of XY/XY males.     

Plants used for reproductive health in Oaxaca,Mexico

Despite the existence of 2 government health centers in Mexico's San Francisco township, the use of herbal remedies for the treatment of reproductive health problems and the management of reproduction is almost universal. An ethnographic study conducted in 1980-1981 of 180 women and 126 women investigated use of specific herbal remedies in this highland area. The largest number of reproduction-related medicinal plants used San Francisco are for postpartum recovery. In fact, 80% of the women interviewed reported using only herbal remedies after their last delivery. These remedies are relied on to restore lost blood, heal the birth scar, and stop bleeding. Of the 40% of respondents who reported postpartum hemorrhaging, 70% used herbal remedies. Several of the plants used to treat menorrhagia and hemorrhaging are also used for infertility. The infertility remedies are believed to cleanse the blood and uterus, heal or strengthen the back so the fetus can adhere, help the womb retain the fetus, and cool the blood. Both infertility and miscarriage are attributed to incomplete postpartum recovery. Another large group of medicinal remedies is employed to speed labor or ease labor pains. These remedies are thought to stimulate blood flow or uterine contractions. An additional 15 plants are used to prevent or terminate pregnancy. The mechanism of action in these case is believed to be to both warm the blood to facilitate its flow and irritate the uterus so it will evacuate its contents. Reliance on these remedies derives from Chinantec ethnomedical understandings. Given the persistence of use of herbal remedies in many communities in the Third World, research is needed on their safety and efficacy.     

New cytogenetic variant of Orbeli's syndrome (46,XY/45,XY,-D/46,XY,Dq+)

Summary A newborn child with multiple congenital abnormalities, including severe hypoplastic thumb and atresia recti, is described. The cytogenetic analysis revealed a mosaicism 46,XY/45,XY,-D/46,XY,Dq+. The combination of mosaic D-monosomy and two cardinal features of 13q-syndrome give the possibility to consider this case as new cytogenetical variant of the Orbeli's syndrome.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Neugeborenes mit multiplen kongenitalen Abnormitäten einschließ-lich erheblicher Hypoplasie der Daumen und Atresia recti wird beschrieben. Die cytogenetische Analyse ergab ein Mosaik 46,XY/45,XY,-D/46,XY,Dq+ Die Kombination von Mosaik D-Monosomie und den zwei Hauptsymptomen des 13q-Syndroms läßt in diesem Falle eine neue cytogenetische Variante des Orbeli-Syndroms vermuten.

     

Increased incidence of hyperhaploid 24,XY spermatozoa detected by three-colour FISH in a 46,XY/47,XXY male

Meiotic segregation of gonosomes from a 46,XY/47,XXY male was analysed by a three-colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) procedure. This method allows the identification of hyperhaploid spermatozoa (with 24 chromosomes), diploid spermatozoa (with 46 chromosomes) and their meiotic origin (meiosis I or 11). Alpha satellite DNA probes specific for chromosomes X, Y and 1 were observed on 27,097 sperm nuclei. The proportions of X-and Y -bearing sperm were estimated to 52.78% and 43.88%, respectively. Disomy (24,XX, 24,YY, 24,X or Y,+1) and diploidy (46,XX, 46,YY, 46,XY) frequencies were close to those obtained from control sperm, whereas the frequency of hyperhaploid 24,XY spermatozoa (2.09%) was significantly increased compared with controls (0.36%). These results support the hypothesis that a few 47,XXY germ cells would be able to complete meiosis and to produce mature spermatozoa.     

Cri du Chat-syndrome mit Chromosomenmosaik 46, XY/46, XY, 5p-

Summary The case of a 2;5 year old boy with the typical features of the Cri du Chatsyndrome is described. The cytogenetical examination of lymphocytes and fibroblasts revealed a mosaicism with an approximated 1:1 relation between normal cells and cells with a deletion of the short arm of a B-chromosome. Autoradiography proved the deleted chromosome to be a chromosome No. 5.     

Chromosome 22 mosaic monosomy (46,XY/45,XY,-22)

A slightly dysmorphic and mentally defective child with mosaic monosomy 22 is reported. Chromosome 22 is absent in 10.5% of lymphocytes and 8.3% of fibroblasts. This is the second case report of that kind.     

Pick-up lines: cues used by male crab spiders to find reproductive females

The low population density of the crab spider Misumena vatiaand the high percentage of gravid adult females begs the question,how do adult males find reproductive females? We explored oneof the potential mate-locating tactics of adult males, theirline-following behavior. M. vatia do not build webs; however,they do lay down silken lines during their movements. In boththe field and the laboratory, adult males (but not juvenilemales) regularly followed lines of other individuals, as wellas their own, sometimes multiple times. However, they did notdistinguish the direction in which lines were laid, and theyeven followed lines of other species. Males responded mechanicallyto these lines, but not chemically. They followed lines ofpenultimate and adult virgin females, as well as new and old lines, with similar high frequency. Neither washing the lineswith water nor washing them with acetone (to remove possiblewater-soluble or organically soluble pheromones) affected theirchoice of lines. Due to the low activity of females, theirlines may be several days old, over which time any possible chemical information would likely dissipate. Therefore, pheromonesseem unlikely to aid males searching for unmated adult females.Nevertheless, even searching males that follow lines largelyindiscriminately should derive a benefit because concentrationsof lines could denote the presence of females and thereby maximizenumbers of females encountered.     

Enclosure design and reproductive success of baboons used for reproductive research in Kenya

Three 125mz enclosures were designed to enable collection of urine from female baboons (Papio sp.) during early pregnancy, while maintaining them in close continuous social contact to permanent breeding groups. Attached to each enclosure were individual cages to which females were confined for urine collections. Over the 18-month period following group formation, 60 of 67 females became pregnant and then 51 reconceived following surgical termination of pregnancy. A total of 181 pregnancies were recorded. Over 75% of reconceptions occurred within the first two cycles following surgery. The enclosures have proved to be extremely versatile, allowing sampling of individual animals maintained in group conditions with the ability to interact socially.     

Comparative study of the reproductive characteristics of XY male and hormonally sex-reversed XX male Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis

In order to compare the reproductive capacity of XY male versus XX male (neomales) Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), we determined the sperm quality (sperm concentration and motility) and reproductive characteristics such as gonadosomatic index (GSI), fertilization rate and sex steroid levels (testosterone, T; 17beta-estradiol, E2 and 11-ketotestosterone, 11KT) during the reproductive season. Median GSI was not significantly different between XY males (7.9%) and XX males (7.5%). Fertilization rates ranged between 30.0 and 98.0%. Sperm concentration ranged between 27.9 x 10(9) and 42.0 x 10(9) spermatozoa ml(-1). Median level of T, 11KT and E2 levels increased in the middle of the reproductive season (2136.0, 2409.0 and 3252.0 pg ml(-1), respectively) and decreased at the end (1657.0, 2006.6 and 431.0 pg ml(-1), respectively). Sperm motility was assessed by CASA and expressed by the curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), percentage of motile sperm (% MOT) and motile concentration (MOC). Overall, there were not any significant differences between XY and XX males. In conclusion, no differences of reproductive capacities were observed between XY males and XX males suggesting that the last can be crossed with females to improve the productivity of Eurasian perch by producing all-female stock.     

Down syndrome in two siblings with 47,XY,+21 and 46,XY/46,XY,-21,+t(21q;21q)

Summary This is the first report in the literature of siblings affected with Down syndrome; one sibling had a nondisjunction of chromosome 21 and the other a (21q;21q) translocation.     

The Singapore approach to human stem cell research, therapeutic and reproductive cloning

With the controversial ethical issues on the creation of human embryos through cloning for therapeutic research, which holds more promise of medical breakthroughs that the world could ever imagine and the acknowledgement by many scientists that this technology may not lead in the near future to therapies; this country report discusses the approach Singapore takes on human stem cell research, interjected with the authors' own arguments and suggestions especially on research compensation injuries, an often neglected important issue. International comparative viewpoints taken by the major countries in the world are also included in the appendix.     

Mosaic variegated trisomy (42,XY/43,XY, + variable) in a male pigtail macaque monkey

We identified an infant male pigtail macaque monkey with a bizarre karyotype which, to the best of our knowledge, has never before been reported in any species. Examination of 107 nuclei from cultured lymphocytes revealed 81 (75.7%) to be trisomic, but with the supernumerary chromosome varying from cell to cell, trisomy 16 being the most common. A small percentage (11.2%) of the nuclei had a normal 42,XY karyotype, and the balance, with the exception of one apparent monosomic (possibly a technical artifact), had multiple chromosome abnormalities. Examination of cultured skin fibroblasts revealed a similar karyotype. We called this karyotype a mosaic variegated trisomy. At birth, the animal had a cleft lip and palate and situs inversus of the heart. He subsequently showed significant developmental delay and apparent mental retardation. There were no clinical symptoms of hematological malignancy, which often have associated acquired chromosome abnormalities such as those described here. The animal survived for 2 yr and 8 mo under intensive care.