SURROGATE MOTHERING:EXPLOITATION OR EMPOWERMENT?

The morality of surrogate mothering is analyzed from a "consequentialist" framework which attempts to separate those consequences that invariably accompany a given act from those that accompany it only in particular circumstances. Critics of surrogacy argue that it transfers the burden and risk of pregnancy onto another woman, separates sex and reproduction, and separates reproduction and childrearing; none of these acts is necessarily wrong, either morally or for women's or society's basic interests. While surrogate mothering can be rendered immoral if women are coerced into the practice or become victims of subordinating or penalizing contracts, it has the potential to empower women and increase their status in society by providing a job that is less risky and more enjoyable than other jobs women are forced to take and by achieving greater social recognition for reproductive labor.     

Antibacterial activity of rufloxacin in theStaphylococcus aureus rat granuloma pouch model

The protective effects of rufloxacin againstStaphylococcus aureus-induced infections were compared with those of ciprofloxacin in the granuloma pouch model in the rat. Two strains with different in vitro sensitivity to the drugs were studied. Rufloxacin concentrations persisted longer than ciprofloxacin in the exudate in the pouch cavity and were about eight times higher. Equal doses of rufloxacin and ciprofloxacin had similar antibacterial activities. However, rufloxacin inhibitedStaphylococcus aureus bacterial growth significantly longer than did ciprofloxacin.     

Permeable collagen-glycosaminoglycan cross-linked copolymers for the study of biological responses of coculturede Sertoli and spermatogenic cells

A novel collagen-glycosaminoglycan (C-GAG) substrate was developed to overcome the optical opacity of a HATF nitrocellulose substrate and to provide a more physiological permeable substrate for cocultured Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Cocultures were prepared on optically transparent C-GAG discs attached to a polyester mesh to facilitate handling. Sertoli cells displayed a cuboidal-to-columnar shape; a large number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes connected by intercellular bridges were associated with basolateral and apical surfaces of Sertoli cells up to 12 days after plating. Rat Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures have been used for testing the effect of toxicants on rat spermatogenesis in vitro. In our initial studies, we tested the effects of the toxicant gossypol on spermatogenic cells cocultured with Sertoli cells on nonpermeable (plastic) and permeable substrates (HATF nitrocellulose) under both standard culture conditions and during perifusion after achieving a continuous electrical-resistant cell monolayer. A selective mitochondrial structural damage was observed in spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia and spermatocytes) but not in the coexisting Sertoli cells. This damage was time- (15–60 min) and dose-dependent (0.1–10µM) and developed more rapidly under perifusion conditions. Similar mitochondrial damage was reported in the intact animal but required higher concentrations (mg) and longer administration time (months) for detection. Studies are in progress to evaluate the effect of additional toxic chemical agents on functional properties of Sertoli and spermatogenic cells in cocultures prepared on various classes of C-GAG substrates.Abbreviations C-GAG, collagen type I-glycosaminoglycans - C-C6S, collagen type I-chondroitin-6-sulfate - C-H, collagen type I-heparin     

Regulation of product synthesis in cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don

Cell suspension cultures of the Madagascan Periwinkle Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don were maintained on Gamborg's B5 medium and their growth monitored by measuring cellular fresh and dry weight, cell number and mitotic activity. Samples of cells of different ages and physiological states were subcultured onto an alkaloid production medium and their rates of growth and alkaloid accumulation measured over a period of 30–45 days. In two experiments the rate of biomass accumulation was directly related to the rate of cellular serpentine accumulation. Possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed in relation to the properties of cells comprising the inocula.     

Different structure of polytene chromosomes ofPhaseolus coccineus suspensors during early embryogenesis

Summary The pattern of DNA and RNA puffs in pair VII of polytene chromosomes has been investigated in the suspensor ofPhaseolus coccineus during early embryo development. The pattern of³H-TdR and³H-U incorporation has been also detected. Collected data indicate that: 1. both heterochromatic regions, p₁₁ and q_(111+112), of chromosome pair VII, organize large DNA puffs; 2. DNA puffs of both regions are specific of different embryo differentiation steps; 3. a seasonal influence on the DNA puffing seems also to be present, as demonstrated by the comparison of the results collected in two different crops; 4. the incorporation experiment by³H-TdR evidences that not all DNA puffs show clustered labeling; 5. the RNA puffing of the two regions seems also to be specific of determined embryo stages.