The relationship between male factor infertility and Chlamydia infection, still an undecided issue

Background: Seropositivity of Chlamydia trachomatis in men is suggestive of chronic and recurrent infection with this sexually transmitted organism. Most males with urogenital Chlamydia infection have serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to C. trachomatis that persist for years. Serologic studies linking C. trachomatis to male infertility and sperm quality lead to highly variable results. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of Chlamydia infection, as determined by Chlamydia seropositivity on semen quality.Methods: One hundred men having semen analysis as part of infertility work up had anti-Chlamydia antibody test. They were grouped into those who are seropositive for Chlamydia antibody IgG and those who were not. The sperm parameters and prevalence of different semen abnormalities were compared between the two groups, Chlamydia positive and Chlamydia negative.Results: There are no significant difference in semen parameters and prevalence of different semen abnormalities between the two groups. The sonographical finding of epididymal cyst is 45.8% in Chlamydia positive compared to 12.2% in Chlamydia negative; the difference is significant.Conclusions: Seropositivity of Chlamydia infection in infertile male is not predictive of semen abnormalities. Serological screening of the male partner for Chlamydia trachomatis provides no more benefit than identifying the female partner at risk of tubal factor infertility and males at risk of epididymal obstruction

Development of anthracnose disease resistance and heat tolerance chili through conventional breeding and molecular approaches: a review

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is the popular spicy vegetable crops belonging to family Solanaceae. Chili peppers are known for their pungency characteristic due to the presence of capsaicinoids that classifies them into hot or sweet pepper. Chili is used as spices, folk remedies for diseases, vegetables, and coloring agent showing a diverse role in human’s life. However, its production is hampered by different biotic stress and abiotic factors. Similarly, the unavailability of high yielding varieties, high temperature, and disease incidence, particularly, anthracnose disease, are the major constraints responsible for the low production of chili pepper. The advents of molecular markers, advancement in quantitative trait loci by classical genetic analysis, and conventional breeding have shown the number of genes for many important and major traits. While the newly developed genotyping technologies and next generation sequencing have led to the discovery of molecular basis for economic important characters in the chili genome and generate large scale data for genomic resources. Based on this background, this review summarizes progress in the development of anthracnose disease-resistant and heat-tolerant chili genotypes through conventional breeding and molecular approaches. This review would help plant breeders in understanding the phenotypic and genetic make-up of capsicum genotypes and provides opportunities for pyramiding two respected genes with the help of diversified phenotypic and molecular marker evaluation

Current and prospective strategies in the varietal improvement of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) specially Heterosis breeding

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an herbaceous crop and plays an important role as common spices and vegetables. Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most cost-effective and agricultural vegetables in the world. The most significant characteristics of peppers, as spices and in various pharmacological uses, are pungency and oleoresin (color). Cabsicum annuum L. is widely used as a medicinal herb and in the Mediterranean diet (at the present, C. annuum var. acuminatum Fingerh. and Capsicum frutescens L. are considered synonyms of C. annuum L.). Capsicum annuum includes a wide range of carotenoids including capsanthin, capsorubin, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, fanthophyl, and xanthophyll, and capsaicinoid. However, it remains limited in production due to the lack of development in varieties especially under severe climatic circumstances such as drought, high temperature, or salt. Some reports were provided through distinct traditional approaches for genetic improvement. A combination of traditional and molecular breeding, especially breeding for heterosis, might be a good option for developing a novel genotype for ecologically adversely affected niche adaption. This review summarizes the current chilli breeding approaches with their drawbacks and highlights some recent classical efforts for the improvement of the crop. This would be the milestone for the breeders in the planning of a successful chilli breeding program to combat the adverse ecological condition. Thus, the information gathered in this article might be considered as the cornerstone of Chilli breeders at their ongoing and sustainable future programs as well

Genetic analysis of anthracnose resistant and heat tolerant chili inbreed lines based on morpho-physiological characteristics

A better understanding of the various desirable characteristics present in chili (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes has aided in developing more effective selection methods for crop improvement. Identifying genetically superior parents is critical in selecting the best parents and inbred lines for breeding purposes. This study was conducted over two planting seasons in glasshouse using morpho-physiological parameters to evaluate the heritability variation of selected chili genotypes based on their genetic diversity for future breeding program. Significant variances were observed in all the studied parameters across the chili pepper accessions with an inclusive range of diversity. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (≥ 20%) was observed for all physiological and yield characteristics. While the highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (≥ 20%) was seen for all examined characteristics. All studied parameter had high broad sense heritability (˃ 55%) except total number of branches per plant (47.9%) while the moderate to high genetic advance were observer for all studied traits demonstrating that the extents of heritability and variability are due to their genetic makeup and environment had little influence on these characters. The evaluated genotypes were grouped into seven clusters based on the cluster analysis and Group I recorded highest yield with eight genotypes while Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII recorded one each. Plant height and total branch number showed a highly significant positive correlation with the number of fruits per plant and yield per plant. Similarly, the number of fruits per plant had a highly significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. The study revealed that genetic variability might be usefully exploited through selection for further breeding purposes to increase yield and production

Growth and yield performances, pathogenicity, heat tolerance, antioxidant activity, and pungency level of anthracnose resistant and heat tolerant inbreed lines and their F1 hybrids of chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation is hampered by biotic and abiotic stressors, with poor performance caused by high temperatures exceeding 42 °C and anthracnose infestation. Chemical constituents such as antioxidants, phenols, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin have a relationship with biotic and abiotic tolerance or resistance. Experiment was conducted with anthracnose resistant (CP-36, DP-37, DP-57, AP-25 and BP-23), heat tolerant inbreed lines (Putra chili 1, Putra chili 4, Putra chili 7, Putra chili 9 and Putra chili 10) and their hybrids to find anthracnose-resistant, heat-tolerant chili genotypes with high yield and pungency levels. For this purposes, pathogens were injected into both unripe and ripe chili fruits to determine their pathogenicity. On the other hand, four-week-old seedling was raised for a heat tolerance test to determine the percentage of partial damage (%) and thermo-stability index of the cell membrane (%). The research also included morphological, yield and yield contributing, physiological, and biochemical assessment in order to identify superior chili hybrids. All growth, yield, and physiological traits showed excellent genetic progress and heritability, but correlation analysis showed a highly significant positive link between yield per plant, plant height, the total number of branches, and the number of fruits per plant. Lesion area of unripe fruits were varied from 0.00 (cm2) to 0.24 (cm2) and 0.00 (cm2) to 0.18 (cm2) for the pathogen, UPMC1191 (Colletotrichum fructicola) and UPMC1192 (Colletotrichum sojae), respectively and also indicated that differential resistant to anthracnose pathogen. In a heat tolerance test, all of the hybrids with the improved heat tolerant line performed better in terms of cell membrane thermo-stability, partial damage at various temperature gradients, and canopy temperature depression. In terms of biochemical state, DP-37 × Putra chili 7; AP-25 × Putra chili 10 had a moderate level of pungency, while some other parents and hybrids had mild level of pungency. After screening with Colletotrichum pathogen, heat tolerance test, biochemical constitute and yield performance, following hybrids would be better for commercial production to meet up the demand such as CP-36 × Putra chili 1; CP-36 × Putra chili 7; CP-36 × Putra chili 9; DP-37 × Putra chili 1; DP-37 × Putra chili 10; DP-37 × Putra chili 4; DP-37 × Putra chili 7; DP-37× Putra chili 9; DP-57 × Putra chili 7; DP-57 × Putra chili 9; DP-57 × Putra chili 10; AP-25 × Putra chili 9; AP-25 × Putra chili 4; BP-23 × Putra chili 7; BP-23 × Putra chili 9; BP-23 × Putra chili 1 and would be use in future chili breeding program

Genetic Diversity Analysis among Capsicum annuum Mutants Based on Morpho-Physiological and Yield Traits

It is crucial to assess genetically superior parents when developing novel hybrids. This experiment was conducted to find out the diversity of 27 Capsicum annuum mutant lines derived from two varieties.To achieve the objective, 23 morpho-physiological and yield traits were recorded through two planting seasons. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were recorded among the studied traits. There was a strong to moderately positive phenotypic association between yield and all other morphological traits except first bifurcation length, stem diameter, pedicle length, flowering date, and maturity date. A higher Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), combined with moderate to high heritability and high hereditary progress, have been found in the number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, and number of seeds per fruit. High heritability was found in yield characteristics, vis-à-visnumber of seeds per fruit, number of fruits per plant, and indicated high genetic advance. The studied genotypes were divided into six groups after the cluster analysis. Based on the correlation matrix of 23 quantitative characteristics, principal component analysis revealed that the percentage of variation for PC1 and PC2 is 28%and 19%, respectively, andPC1 represents the largest percentage of the overall total variation. The calculated genetic distance also explains the potential of heterosis breeding. The revealed findings might be helpful for breeders to target quantitative characters and the parental lines of C. annuum during the execution of their future breeding programmes for developing high-yielding and climate-resilient chilli varieties

Genetic diversity analysis among Capsicum annuum mutants based on morpho-physiological and yield traits

It is crucial to assess genetically superior parents when developing novel hybrids. This experiment was conducted to find out the diversity of 27 Capsicum annuum mutant lines derived from two varieties.To achieve the objective, 23 morpho-physiological and yield traits were recorded through two planting seasons. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were recorded among the studied traits. There was a strong to moderately positive phenotypic association between yield and all other morphological traits except first bifurcation length, stem diameter, pedicle length, flowering date, and maturity date. A higher Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), combined with moderate to high heritability and high hereditary progress, have been found in the number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, and number of seeds per fruit. High heritability was found in yield characteristics, vis-à-visnumber of seeds per fruit, number of fruits per plant, and indicated high genetic advance. The studied genotypes were divided into six groups after the cluster analysis. Based on the correlation matrix of 23 quantitative characteristics, principal component analysis revealed that the percentage of variation for PC1 and PC2 is 28%and 19%, respectively, andPC1 represents the largest percentage of the overall total variation. The calculated genetic distance also explains the potential of heterosis breeding. The revealed findings might be helpful for breeders to target quantitative characters and the parental lines of C. annuum during the execution of their future breeding programmes for developing high-yielding and climate-resilient chilli varieties