WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

Micromachining technology was used to prepare chemical analysis systems on glass chips (1 centimeter by 2 centimeters or larger) that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic separation to distinguish sample components. Capillaries 1 to 10 centimeters long etched in the glass (cross section, 10 micrometers by 30 micrometers) allow for capillary electrophoresis-based separations of amino acids with up to 75,000 theoretical plates in about 15 seconds, and separations of about 600 plates can be effected within 4 seconds. Sample treatment steps within a manifold of intersecting capillaries were demonstrated for a simple sample dilution process. Manipulation of the applied voltages controlled the directions of fluid flow within the manifold. The principles demonstrated in this study can be used to develop a miniaturized system for sample handling and separation with no moving parts.

Micromachining a miniaturized capillary electrophoresis-based chemical analysis system on a chip

Long-Distance Growth and Connectivity of Neural Stem Cells after Severe Spinal Cord Injury

Two major functions of the mammalian ovary are the production of germ cells (oocytes), which allow continuation of the species, and the generation of bioactive molecules, primarily steroids (mainly estrogens and progestins) and peptide growth factors, which are critical for ovarian function, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and development of secondary sex characteristics. The female germline is created during embryogenesis when the precursors of primordial germ cells differentiate from somatic lineages of the embryo and take a unique route to reach the urogenital ridge. This undifferentiated gonad will differentiate along a female pathway, and the newly formed oocytes will proliferate and subsequently enter meiosis. At this point, the oocyte has two alternative fates: die, a common destiny of millions of oocytes, or be fertilized, a fate of at most approximately 100 oocytes, depending on the species. At every step from germline development and ovary formation to oogenesis and ovaria...

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The mammalian ovary from genesis to revelation

Background The epididymis performs an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa including their acquisition of progressive motility and fertilizing ability. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern these maturational events are still poorly defined. This review focuses on recent progress in our understanding of epididymal function including its development, role of the luminal microenvironment in sperm maturation, regulation and novel mechanisms the epididymis utilizes to carry out some of its functions. Methods A systematic search of Pubmed was carried out using the search term 'epididymis'. Articles that were published in the English language until the end of August 2008 and that focused on the specific topics described above were included. Additional papers cited in the primary reference were also included. Results While the majority of these findings were the result of studies in animal models, recent studies in the human epididymis are also presented including gene profiling studies to examine regionalized expression in normal epididymides as well as in those from vasectomized patients. Conclusions Significant progress has been made in our understanding of epididymal function providing new insights that ultimately could improve human health. The data also indicate that the human epididymis plays an important role in sperm maturation but has unique properties compared with animal models.

New insights into epididymal biology and function

Fundamental cryobiology of reproductive cells and tissues.

BACKGROUND: Knowing osmotic tolerance limits is important in the design of optimal cryopreservation procedures for cells. METHODS: Mature human oocytes were exposed to anisosmotic sucrose solutions at concentrations of 35, 75, 150, 600, 1200, or 2400 (65) milliosmolal (mOsm) at 37∞C. A control treatment at 290 mOsm was also utilized. Oocytes were randomly allocated to each experimental treatment. After the treatment, the oocytes were cultured for 1 h, then fixed in cold methanol. Immunocytochemical staining and fluorescence microscopy were used to assess the morphology of the metaphase II (MII) spindle. Logistic regression was used to determine if media osmolality had a significant effect on spindle structure. RESULTS: Osmolality was a significant predictor of spindle morphology. Hyposmotic effects at 35, 75, and 150 mOsm resulted in 100, 67, and 56% of oocytes having abnormal spindles, respectively. Hyperosmotic effects at 600, 1200, and 2400 mOsm resulted in 44, 44, and 100% of the spindles with abnormal structure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anisosmotic conditions lead to disruption of the MII spindle in human oocytes. Applying this fundamental knowledge to human oocyte cryopreservation should result in increased numbers of cells maintaining viability.

The effect of osmotic stress on the metaphase II spindle of human oocytes, and the relevance to cryopreservation.

Improved survival of vitrified porcine embryos after partial delipation through chemically stimulated lipolysis and inhibition of apoptosis.

Knowledge of bovine oocyte plasma membrane permeability characteristics at different developmental stages in the presence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the oolema hydraulic conductivity (Lp), cryoprotectant permeability (P[CPA]), and reflection coefficient (sigma) for immature (germinal vesicle stage, GV) and in vitro-matured (metaphase II, MII) bovine oocytes. Two commonly used cryoprotective agents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG), were studied. Osmometric studies were performed using a micromanipulator connected to an inverted microscope at 22 +/- 2 degrees C. Each oocyte was immobilized via a holding pipette, and osmotically induced volume changes over time (dv/dt) were recorded. The Lp values for GV and MII oocytes in DMSO (L(p)DMSO) were 0.70 +/- 0.06 and 1.14 +/- 0.07 microm/min/atm (mean +/- SEM) and in EG (L(p)EG) were 0.50 +/- 0.06 and 0.83 +/- 0.07 microm/min/atm, respectively. Estimates of P(DMSO) for GV and MII oocytes were 0.36 +/- 0.03 and 0.48 +/- 0.03 microm/sec, and PEG values for GV and MII oocytes were 0.22 +/- 0.03, 0.37 +/- 0.03 microm/sec, respectively. The values for GV and MII oocytes in DMSO (sigma[DMSO]) were 0.86 +/- 0.03 and 0.90 +/- 0.04 and in EG (sigma[EG]) were 0.94 +/- 0.03 and 0.76 +/- 0.04, respectively. These data demonstrate that bovine oolema permeability coefficients to water and cryoprotectants change after in vitro maturation. Furthermore, the bovine oocyte P(DMSO) is higher than the P(EG). These results may provide a biophysical basis for developing criteria for choosing optimal CPAs and for minimizing damage during addition and removal of the CPAs. Additionally, these data support the hypothesis that different procedures may be required for optimal cryopreservation of different oocyte developmental stages.

Effect of developmental stage on bovine oocyte plasma membrane water and cryoprotectant permeability characteristics.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are the most commonly used assisted reproductive technologies to overcome male infertility problems. One of the obstacles of IVF and ICSI procedures is separating motile sperm from non-motile sperm to select the most competent sperm population from any given sperm sample. In addition, orientation and separation of the head from the tail is another obstacle for ICSI. Using the self-movement of sperm against flow direction, motile and non-motile sperm can be separated with an inexpensive polymeric microfluidic system. In this paper, we describe the development of a microfluidic system obtained through low-cost fabrication processes. We report experimental results of sperm sorting using hydrostatic pressure of three different species: bull, mouse, and human. The movement of cells in these channels was observed under a microscope and recorded with a digital camera. It is shown that the hydrostatic pressure and self-movement of motile sperm can be used to solve separating, aligning and orienting sperm in the microchannel.

Yuksel Agca

Papers

Fundamental cryobiology of reproductive cells and tissues.

The effect of osmotic stress on the metaphase II spindle of human oocytes, and the relevance to cryopreservation.

Improved survival of vitrified porcine embryos after partial delipation through chemically stimulated lipolysis and inhibition of apoptosis.

Effect of developmental stage on bovine oocyte plasma membrane water and cryoprotectant permeability characteristics.

Development of sorting, aligning, and orienting motile sperm using microfluidic device operated by hydrostatic pressure