Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and subsequent embryo development was evaluated in 72 couples presenting at our centre for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) due to severe male factor. The embryo biopsies were performed in Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-free medium. These patients were further divided into those with advanced maternal age (AMA, n = 49) and those with recurrent implantation failure (RIF, n = 23). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out on 329 blastomeres (91.3%) with probes for the X, Y, 13, 18 and 21 chromosomes. The chromosomal abnormality rate was 41.3% with no significant difference between the AMA and RIF groups. Aneuploidy accounted for the majority (72.8%) of chromosomal abnormalities. Out of 329 embryos, 84.2% had cleaved after 24 h and 15.1% had arrested. Embryos were transferred in 70 patients and 22 pregnancies were achieved (31.4% with an ongoing pregnancy rate of 28.5%). There were no significant differences between the pregnancy rates of the AMA and RIF groups (32.5 and 30% respectively). Therefore PGD should be offered to patients with AMA and RIF. Furthermore, the use of Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-free medium during the blastomere biopsy facilitates the procedure, while further embryo cleavage, ongoing pregnancies and healthy births are possible.

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected candidate genes with fattening performance traits in a commercial cattle herd. Fifteen SNPs in 12 candidate genes (LEP, FABP4, DGAT1, TG, IGF1, IGF1R, MYF5, LGB, CAPN1, CAST, GHR, and OLR1) were evaluated in 296 purebred Holstein–Friesian bulls using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism). Associations between each segregating SNP and genetic merit for fattening performance were quantified using linear mixed models. Traits included in the study were fattening period, final weight, dry matter intake, feed conversion rate, and average daily weight gain. Apart from the general determination of the above-mentioned traits, each trait was evaluated based on the fattening periods between five selected target body weights (W1 = 100 kg, W2 = 200 kg, W3 = 300 kg, W4 = 400 kg, W5 = 450 kg). All markers with the exception of CAPN1 530, IGF1R, TG, and DGAT1 were associated with at least one of the traits. Furthermore, novel associations were observed for LEP × GHR, IGF1 × LEP, FABP4 3691 × FABP4 2834, and FAP4 3533 × LEP interactions. The results of this study confirm some previously reported associations. Moreover, novel associations have been identified, which may be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fattening performance.

Novel palladium(ii) and platinum(ii) complexes of 5,5-diethylbarbiturate (barb) with 2-phenylpyridine (Hppy), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 2,2'-dipyridylamine (dpya) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, NMR and ESI-MS. Single-crystal diffraction measurements show that complex consists of binuclear [Pd2(μ-barb-κN,O)2(ppy-κN,C)2] moieties, while complexes are mononuclear, [M(barb-κN)2(L-κN,N')] (L = bpy or dpya). has a composition of [Pt(dpya-κN,N')2][Ag(barb-κN)2]2·4H2O and was assumed to have a structure of [Pt(barb-κN)(Hppy-κN)(ppy-κN,C)]·3H2O. The complexes were found to exhibit significant DNA binding affinity by a non-covalent binding mode, in accordance with molecular docking studies. In addition, complexes and displayed strong binding with supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA. Cellular uptake studies were performed to assess the subcellular localization of the selected complexes. A moderate radical scavenging activity of and was confirmed by DPPH and ABTS tests. Complexes , , and showed selectivity against HT-29 (colon) cell line.

Genetic factors have a major importance in male infertility etiology. Numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities seem to be frequent inoligospermia and azoospermia cases with unknown etiology. In this study, 819 patients with azoospermia (383) and oligospermia (436) who attended the infertility department between 1995-2005 were evaluated. Spermogram and basic hormone proties (FSH-testosterone) were studied two times in a one month interval from each patient, and all the cases were evaluated cytogenetically. The 47 (12%) of 383 azoospermia patients and the 20 (4%) of 436 oligospermia patients were found to have chromosomal abnormalities. The 9 (19%) of the chromosomal abnormalities found in azoospermia patients were autosomal and the 38 (80%) were gonosomal. In oligospermia cases, the 8 (40%) of the chromosomal abnormalities were autosomal and 12 (60%) were gonosomal. Cytogenetic analysis and genetic counseling would be helpful in infertile males with azoospermia and oligospermia by determining the genetic factors causing infertility and by assessing the genetic risks of the offsprigs provided by assisted reproductive techniques.

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at six candidate genes (LEP, CAST, CAPN1, GHR, FABP4 and DGAT1) on fattening performance and carcass traits of Simmental bulls in Turkey. The analysis covered a total of 81 Simmental bulls grown on a private farm that were randomly selected for their fattening period for use in this study. Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP method. The S20T polymorphism at the CAST gene and the G316A polymorphism at the CAPN1 gene were associated with variation in final weight, fattening period, weight gain and average daily gain (P < 0.05). In addition, LEP A80V had a significant effect on hot and chilled carcass weight and dressing percentage (P < 0.05). There was no association between GHR S555G, FABP4 V110M and DGAT1 K232A markers with the traits analysed. These results suggested that focusing on the novel effects of LEP, CAST and CAPN1 gene polymorphisms on meat production traits might be useful for marker-assisted selection in Simmental cattle.