Fishing for the gonadotropin releasing hormone from the genome of Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes: Bryconidae)

Abstract The technological development of tools that enable the spawning of different native species is paramount to enable ex situ conservation initiatives, as well as providing means for commercial hatchery of threatened fish which, in turn, relieve fisheries pressure over wild stocks. Neotropical migratory freshwater fish depend on hormonal induction for spawning in hatcheries, through expensive methods of limited efficiency. Salminus brasiliensis is one of the largest Neotropical freshwater fish, a piscivorous top-predator, prized in angling, highly valued in the market, and appreciated in gastronomy. Teleost fish have either, two or three GnRH paralogous genes: GnRH1, GnRH2 and the GnRH3. The expression products of these paralogous isoforms consist of a larger prepro-GnRH polypeptide, which undergoes post-translational proteolytic processing to yield the active decapeptide hormone. There is increasing interest in characterizing and understanding these neuropeptides, because of its practical application in hatchery spawning. We present the characterization of GnRH1’s coding sequence for the prepro-GnRH1 polypeptide of S. brasiliensis. An annotation from a genomic assembly was used for searching for GnRH paralogues, based on data from anonymous predicted transcripts. The sequence retrieved for GnRH1 was then used as a query for searching the uncharacterized GnRH paralogues from full genomes of Characiformes deposited at NCBI. The S. brasiliensis GnRH1 gene sequence retrieved was targeted for PCR and submitted to Sanger sequencing, allowing for its confirmation. It spans 423 bp (exon 1: 128 bp; intron: 161 bp; and exon 2: 1134 bp), with open reading frames coding for 264 and 88 amino acids, respectively. The different variants retrieved for the prepro-GnRH (1, 2 and 3) from Characiformes genomes and deposited sequences from NCBI grouped in three distinct clades in a neighbor joining tree, each forming a monophyletic branch and with the S. brasiliensis sequences nested within the expected groups. Here we observed a variation at a proteolytic site (GKR→GRR), reported as highly conserved in vertebrates up to now, that can potentially alter the cleavage site and modify the peptide topology. This work has characterized, for the first time, the sequence of the GnRH1 coding for its prepro-GnRH peptide, for a member of the Charaficormes order. This will help to promote research and development of tools for broodstock spawning and environmental management of S. brasiliensis and related migratory fish

Maternal Blood Lead Levels and the Risk of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension: The EDEN Cohort Study

International audienceBACKGROUND: Prior studies revealed associations of environmental lead exposure with risks of hypertension and elevated blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of blood lead levels on blood pressure and the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS: One thousand seventeen pregnant women were enrolled in two French municipalities between 2003 and 2005 for the EDEN (Etude des Déterminants pré et post natals du développement et de la santé de l' Enfant) cohort study. Blood lead concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in mothers between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: PIH was diagnosed in 106 subjects (10.9%). Age, parity, weight gain, alcohol, smoking habits, and calcium supplementation were comparable between hypertensive and nonhypertensive women. Lead levels were significantly higher in PIH cases (mean +/- SD, 2.2 +/- 1.4 mug/dL) than in normotensive patients (1.9 +/- 1.2 mug/dL; p = 0.02). Adjustment for potential confounder effects slightly attenuated but did not eliminate the significant association between blood lead levels and the risk of PIH (adjusted odds ratio of PIH = 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-9.7). We also observed geographic differences in lead exposure and in the incidence of PIH and found significant correlations between blood lead levels and unadjusted as well as adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 24 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the relationship between blood lead levels at mid-pregnancy and blood pressure and suggest that environmental lead exposure may play an etiologic role in PIH

Inhaled Aerosol Dosimetry: Models, Implications and Impact: Proceedings of the Conference

The fourth conference, “Inhaled Aerosol Dosimetry: Advances, Applications and Impacts on Risk Assessments and Therapeutics”, was also held at “The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering”, Irvine, California, October 16-18, 2024. It attracted 66 attendees including graduate students from seven nations (USA, Germany, France, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and S. Korea) and 52 papers and posters were presented. There were two highlighted sessions, number 5 and 6 in the program, on in vitro aerosol exposures and exposure systems. Keynote/Overview papers were delivered by Dr. Annie Jarabek (U.S. EPA), Dr. Gunter Oberdorster (U of Rochester), Dr. Jesssica Murray (U.S. EPA), Dr. Roger McClellan (Toxicology and Risk Analysis), Dr. Ross Walenga (U.S. FDA), and Dr. Ron Wolff (RK Wolff Safety Consulting, Inc.). See abstracts AB 52, 03, 04, 34 & 39, 50, and 41 respectively for these presentations. There were three awards to students for Outstanding Research, and a hosted luncheon where graduate students had open discussions with established scientists representing academia, government, pharmaceutical industry, and consultants. Discussions and written comments after the last session produced several recommendations that are to be published. And peer-reviewed papers from the conference are to be published in a Virtual Special Issue, “Inhaled Aerosol Dosimetry of the Journal of Aerosol Science, edited by Dr. Phalen (UC Irvine), Dr. Darquenne (UC San Diego), and Dr. Golshahi (Virginia Commonwealth University). The concluding open discussion addressed the need for another future conference and for the attendees to increase their collaborations. Sponsors NIH/NIEHS, U.S. EPA, ISAM, UC Irvine Advancement, and The Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory, The Department of Environmental Health in The Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, and the Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Health

Nocturnal enuresis—theoretic background and practical guidelines

Nocturnal polyuria, nocturnal detrusor overactivity and high arousal thresholds are central in the pathogenesis of enuresis. An underlying mechanism on the brainstem level is probably common to these mechanisms. Enuretic children have an increased risk for psychosocial comorbidity. The primary evaluation of the enuretic child is usually straightforward, with no radiology or invasive procedures required, and can be carried out by any adequately educated nurse or physician. The first-line treatment, once the few cases with underlying disorders, such as diabetes, kidney disease or urogenital malformations, have been ruled out, is the enuresis alarm, which has a definite curative potential but requires much work and motivation. For families not able to comply with the alarm, desmopressin should be the treatment of choice. In therapy-resistant cases, occult constipation needs to be ruled out, and then anticholinergic treatment—often combined with desmopressin—can be tried. In situations when all other treatments have failed, imipramine treatment is warranted, provided the cardiac risks are taken into account

Motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME): intervariation study of normal sperm and sperm with large nuclear vacuoles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed only as a selection criterion, its application as a method for classifying sperm morphology may represent an improvement in evaluation of semen quality, with potential clinical repercussions. The present study aimed to evaluate individual variations in the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) analysis after a time interval.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two semen samples were obtained from 240 men from an unselected group of couples undergoing infertility investigation and treatment. Mean time interval between the two semen evaluations was 119 +/- 102 days. No clinical or surgical treatment was realized between the two observations. Spermatozoa were analyzed at greater than or equal to 8400× magnification by inverted microscope equipped with DIC/Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. At least 200 motile spermatozoa per semen sample were evaluated and percentages of normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV/one or more vacuoles occupying >50% of the sperm nuclear area) were determined. A spermatozoon was classified as morphologically normal when it exhibited a normal nucleus (smooth, symmetric and oval nucleus, width 3.28 +/- 0.20 μm, length 4.75 +/- 0.20 μm/absence of vacuoles occupying >4% of nuclear area) as well as acrosome, post-acrosomal lamina, neck and tail, besides not presenting cytoplasm around the head. One examiner, blinded to subject identity, performed the entire study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean percentages of morphologically normal and LNV spermatozoa were identical in the two MSOME analyses (1.6 +/- 2.2% vs. 1.6 +/- 2.1% <it>P </it>= 0.83 and 25.2 +/- 19.2% vs. 26.1 +/- 19.0% <it>P </it>= 0.31, respectively). Regression analysis between the two samples revealed significant positive correlation for morphologically normal and for LNV spermatozoa (r = 0.57 95% CI:0.47-0.65 <it>P </it>< 0.0001 and r = 0.50 95% CI:0.38-0.58 <it>P </it>< 0.0001, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The significant positive correlation and absence of differences between two sperm samples evaluated after a time interval with respect to normal morphology and LNV spermatozoa indicated that MSOME seems reliable (at least for these two specific sperm forms) for analyzing semen. The present result supports the future use of MSOME as a routine method for semen analysis.</p

Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI):proposed terminology and clinical practice guidelines for management of idiopathic male infertility

Despite advances in the field of male reproductive health, idiopathic male infertility, in which a man has altered semen characteristics without an identifiable cause and there is no female factor infertility, remains a challenging condition to diagnose and manage. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress (OS) plays an independent role in the etiology of male infertility, with 30% to 80% of infertile men having elevated seminal reactive oxygen species levels. OS can negatively affect fertility via a number of pathways, including interference with capacitation and possible damage to sperm membrane and DNA, which may impair the sperm's potential to fertilize an egg and develop into a healthy embryo. Adequate evaluation of male reproductive potential should therefore include an assessment of sperm OS. We propose the term Male Oxidative Stress Infertility, or MOSI, as a novel descriptor for infertile men with abnormal semen characteristics and OS, including many patients who were previously classified as having idiopathic male infertility. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) can be a useful clinical biomarker for the classification of MOSI, as it takes into account the levels of both oxidants and reductants (antioxidants). Current treatment protocols for OS, including the use of antioxidants, are not evidence-based and have the potential for complications and increased healthcare-related expenditures. Utilizing an easy, reproducible, and cost-effective test to measure ORP may provide a more targeted, reliable approach for administering antioxidant therapy while minimizing the risk of antioxidant overdose. With the increasing awareness and understanding of MOSI as a distinct male infertility diagnosis, future research endeavors can facilitate the development of evidence-based treatments that target its underlying cause

Controversy and consensus on the management of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility: a global survey, current guidelines, and expert recommendations

PURPOSE: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been associated with male infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to the management of elevated SDF in infertile men, summarize the relevant professional society recommendations, and provide expert recommendations for managing this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online global survey on clinical practices related to SDF was disseminated to reproductive clinicians, according to the CHERRIES checklist criteria. Management protocols for various conditions associated with SDF were captured and compared to the relevant recommendations in professional society guidelines and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations and consensus on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF were then formulated and adapted using the Delphi method. RESULTS: A total of 436 experts from 55 different countries submitted responses. As an initial approach, 79.1% of reproductive experts recommend lifestyle modifications for infertile men with elevated SDF, and 76.9% prescribe empiric antioxidants. Regarding antioxidant duration, 39.3% recommend 4-6 months and 38.1% recommend 3 months. For men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, and couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages associated with elevated SDF, most respondents refer to ART 6 months after failure of conservative and empiric medical management. Infertile men with clinical varicocele, normal conventional semen parameters, and elevated SDF are offered varicocele repair immediately after diagnosis by 31.4%, and after failure of antioxidants and conservative measures by 40.9%. Sperm selection techniques and testicular sperm extraction are also management options for couples undergoing ART. For most questions, heterogenous practices were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: This paper presents the results of a large global survey on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF and reveals a lack of consensus among clinicians. Furthermore, it demonstrates the scarcity of professional society guidelines in this regard and attempts to highlight the relevant evidence. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians