Embryos

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 3 days ago
Related Articles Suitability of cryoprotectants and impregnation protocols for Embryos of Japanese whiting Sillago japonica. Cryobiology. 2008 Aug 12; Authors: Rahman SM, Majhi SK, Suzuki T, Matsukawa S, Strüssmann CA, Takai R The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of CPA impregnation protocols for the Embryos of Japanese whiting (Sillago japonica), a small-sized, easy-to-rear, and prolific marine fish which may constitute a suitable experimental material for the development of cryopreservation methods for fish Embryos. Our immediate goals were to assess the toxicity and permeability of various cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) to whiting Embryos of different developmental stages. Exposure of gastrula, somites, tail elongation, and pre-hatching Embryos to 10%, 15%, and 20% solutions of propylene glycol (PG), methanol (MeOH), dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO), dimethylformamide (DFA), ethylene glycol (EG), and glycerol (Gly) in artificial sea water (ASW; 33psu) for 20min revealed that CPA toxicity for whiting Embryos increased in the order of PG<Me(2)SO<DFA<EG<MeOH<Gly. Relative CPA permeability, estimated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, showed the same trend as toxicity except for Gly, which was highly toxic but showed only moderate permeability. There were no marked differences in CPA tolerance between developmental stages except for a slight decrease in pre-hatching Embryos. Stepwise (20%x5 steps) impregnat ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Quantitation of Methylxanthinic Alkaloids and Phenolic Compounds in Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Their Effects on Blood Vessel Formation in Chick Embryos. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Aug 27; Authors: Strassmann BB, Vieira AR, Pedrotti EL, Morais HN, Dias PF, Maraschin M Methylxanthinic alkaloids and phenolic compounds are related to the therapeutic properties of Ilex paraguariensis infusions. Considering the known vascular tropism of xanthines, an aqueous extract (mate) and caffeine were evaluated on blood vessel formation, in connection with the analysis of those secondary metabolites, which was performed in young and mature leaf samples collected in three cultivation systems located in the southern region in Brazil (Santa Catarina State). Samples of young and mature leaves from a monoculture cultivation system (MC) showed the highest content of phenolic compounds (149.68 mug/mL, young leaves; 135.50 mug/mL, mature leaves) and caffeine (young leaves, 148.07 mug/mL; mature leaves, 244.63 mug/mL) as compared to samples from agroforesty (AF) and shaded-native (NT) cultures. Theophylline was not detected in samples by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography, and mature leaves showed lower theobromine amounts (11.46 mug/mL). Treatments performed with mate aqueous extract and caffeine (1.03-4.12 muM/disk) in the yolk sac vascular membranes of 2-day-old chick Embryos revealed pro-vasculo- and angiogenic properties ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Muscle development is disrupted in zebrafish Embryos deficient for fibronectin. Dev Dyn. 2008 Aug 26;237(9):2542-2553 Authors: Snow CJ, Peterson MT, Khalil A, Henry CA After somitogenesis, skeletal muscle precursors elongate into muscle fibers that anchor to the somite boundary, which becomes the myotome boundary. Fibronectin (Fn) is a major component of the extracellular matrix in both boundaries. Although Fn is required for somitogenesis, effects of Fn disruption on subsequent muscle development are unknown. We show that fn knockdown disrupts myogenesis. Muscle morphogenesis is more disrupted in fn morphants than in a mutant where initial somite boundaries did not form, aei/deltaD. We quantified this disruption using the two-dimensional Wavelet-Transform Modulus Maxima method, which uses the variation of intensity in an image with respect to the direction considered to characterize the structure in a cell lattice. We show that fibers in fn morphants are less organized than in aei/deltaD mutant Embryos. Fast- and slow-twitch muscle lengths are also more frequently uncoupled. These data suggest that fn may function to regulate fiber organization and limit fast-twitch muscle fiber length. Developmental Dynamics 237:2542-2553, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 18729220 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 25 days ago
Related Articles Prediction of multiple pregnancies by the number of early cleaving Embryos. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2008 Jun;34(3):379-83 Authors: Na YJ, Kim JP, Joo BS, Lee DH, Lee KS AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the number of early cleaving Embryos as an effective predictor for multiple pregnancies in human in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: The study analyzed early cleavage (EC) in 190 cycles of IVF. The EC of Embryos to the two-cell stage was assessed at two time points, namely 25 and 27 h after insemination. Embryos that had cleaved at each time point were designated EC-1 and EC-2, respectively, whereas other Embryos were designated as non-EC (NEC). The number of cycles with EC-1 Embryos was not included in the results for the EC-2 group. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the EC-1 group compared with the EC-2 and NEC groups (58.2%, 31.8% and 22.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome was positively related to the number of EC-1 Embryos. Multiple pregnancy rates were significantly increased up to 41.4% when the number of EC-1 Embryos was two or more. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that 25 h after insemination is a more effective critical time point for the selection of EC Embryos and that the number of EC Embryos could be a useful parameter for the prediction of multiple pregnancies. PMID: 18686354 [PubMed - in process] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 24 days ago
Related Articles Processing bodies and germ granules are distinct RNA granules that interact in C. elegans Embryos. Dev Biol. 2008 Jul 16; Authors: Gallo CM, Munro E, Rasoloson D, Merritt C, Seydoux G In somatic cells, untranslated mRNAs accumulate in cytoplasmic foci called processing bodies or P-bodies. P-bodies contain complexes that inhibit translation and stimulate mRNA deadenylation, decapping, and decay. Recently, certain P-body proteins have been found in germ granules, RNA granules specific to germ cells. We have investigated a possible connection between P-bodies and germ granules in Caenorhabditis elegans. We identify PATR-1, the C. elegans homolog of the yeast decapping activator Pat1p, as a unique marker for P-bodies in C. elegans Embryos. We find that P-bodies are inherited maternally as core granules that mature differently in somatic and germline blastomeres. In somatic blastomeres, P-bodies recruit the decapping activators LSM-1 and LSM-3. This recruitment requires the LET-711/Not1 subunit of the CCR4-NOT deadenylase and correlates spatially and temporally with the onset of maternal mRNA degradation. In germline blastomeres, P-bodies are maintained as core granules lacking LSM-1 and LSM-3. P-bodies interact with germ granules, but maintain distinct dynamics and components. The maternal mRNA nos-2 is maintained in germ granules, but not in P-bodies. We conclude that P-bodies are distinct from germ granules, and represe ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 23 days ago
Related Articles Neur-ons and neur-offs: regulators of neural induction in vertebrate Embryos and embryonic stem cells. Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Apr 15;17(R1):R60-6 Authors: Gaulden J, Reiter JF Although the spatial and temporal orchestration of early vertebrate embryogenesis is missing from cell culture systems, recent work suggests that many of the same signals affecting neural induction in vertebrate Embryos also regulate embryonic stem (ES) cell neurogenesis. One key regulatory mechanism involved in both in vivo and in vitro neural induction is the inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals. Wnts and Fibroblast Growth Factors represent additional regulatory influences, which may affect the adoption of neural fates through both BMP-dependent and BMP-independent mechanisms. Insights into neural induction in vivo help to guide paradigms for promoting neural differentiation by ES cells. Conversely, insights into the mechanisms by which ES cells adopt neural fates may provide an improved understanding of neural induction in the early embryo. PMID: 18632699 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 17 days ago
Related Articles Regeneration of somatic Embryos in Theobroma cacao L. in temporary immersion bioreactor and analyses of free amino acids in different tissues. Plant Cell Rep. 2008 Apr;27(4):667-76 Authors: Niemenak N, Saare-Surminski K, Rohsius C, Ndoumou DO, Lieberei R The present study aimed at developing temporary immersion bioreactor techniques for multiplication of cacao somatic Embryos. Temporary Immersion System (TIS), i.e. flooding of plant tissue at regular time intervals provides an efficient way to propagate plants. Somatic Embryos were regenerated in twin flask bioreactors. The TIS proved to be suitable for mass regeneration of somatic Embryos and for their subsequent direct sowing. The number of Embryos after 3 months of culture was significantly higher in TIS cultures than in the solid medium variant. TIS also improved embryo development regarding the conversion to torpedo shaped forms. Matured Embryos derived from TIS and pre-treated with 6% sucrose were converted into plants after direct sowing. Additionally to the influence of culture conditions on the development of somatic embryogenesis the content and composition of free amino acids were analysed. The content of free amino acids in somatic Embryos rose as immersion frequency increased. The endogenous free GABA content in embryogenic callus was significantly higher than in non-embryogenic callus. PMID: 18193427 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 17 days ago
Related Articles A model for optimal reaction norms: the case of the pregnant garter snake and her temperature-sensitive Embryos. Am Nat. 2002 Sep;160(3):306-16 Authors: Arnold SJ, Peterson CR Abstract: We present a model to test Osgood's ( 1978 ) proposition that viviparous snakes have optimal reaction norms for temperature-sensitive meristic traits, such as scale counts. Our model predicts that traits that are subject to temperature effects during development will evolve a flat or [Formula: see text]-shaped reaction norm (average scale count as a function of developmental temperature). We tested this prediction by maintaining 67 female garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) at eight different constant temperatures (21 degrees -33 degrees C) during pregnancy and making a series of scale counts on their newborn offspring ([Formula: see text]). To insure that the experimental temperatures were ecologically relevant, we used automated radiotelemetry to record the body temperature of pregnant, free-ranging females. The resulting temperature data allowed us to test the prediction that the inflection points of reaction norms would correspond to the average temperature experienced by Embryos in the field. In line with predictions of the Osgood model, reaction norms were flat or [Formula: see text]-shaped. In the case of [Formula: see text]-shaped reaction norms, the inflection point of the curves corresponded to the average temperature imposed o ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Changes in the antioxidant metabolism in the embryonic development of the common South American toad Bufo arenarum: Differential responses to pesticide in early Embryos and autonomous-feeding larvae. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2008 Aug 27;22(4):259-267 Authors: Ferrari A, Anguiano L, Lascano C, Sotomayor V, Rosenbaum E, Venturino A Amphibians may be critically challenged by aquatic contaminants during their embryonic development. Many classes of compounds, including organophosphorus pesticides, are able to cause oxidative stress that affects the delicate cellular redox balance regulating tissue modeling. We determined the progression of antioxidant defenses during the embryonic development of the South American common toad, Bufo arenarum. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were high in the unfertilized eggs, and remained constant during the first stages of development. SOD showed a significant increase when the gills were completely active and opercular folds began to form. Reductase (GR) activity was low in the oocytes and increased significantly when gills and mouth were entirely developed and the Embryos presented a higher exposure to pro-oxidant conditions suggesting an environmental control. Reduced glutathione (GSH) content was also initially low, and rose continuously pointing out an increasing participation of GSH-related enzymes in the control of oxidative stress. GSH peroxidases and GSH-S-t ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 34 days ago
Related Articles Cardiac outflow tract septation failure in pax3-deficient Embryos is due to p53-dependent regulation of migrating cardiac neural crest. Mech Dev. 2008 Jul 13; Authors: Morgan SC, Lee HY, Relaix F, Sandell LL, Levorse JM, Loeken MR During neural tube closure, Pax3 is required to inhibit p53-dependent apoptosis. Pax3 is also required for migration of cardiac neural crest (CNC) from the neural tube to the heart and septation of the primitive single cardiac outflow tract into the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Whether Pax3 is required for CNC migration and outflow tract septation by inhibiting p53-dependent apoptosis is not known. In this study, mouse strains carrying reporters linked to Pax3 alleles were used to map the fate of CNC cells in Embryos which were either Pax3-sufficient (expressing one or two functional Pax3 alleles) or Pax3-deficient (expressing two null Pax3 alleles), and in which p53 had been inactivated or not. Migrating CNC cells were observed in both Pax3-sufficient and -deficient Embryos, but CNC cells were sparse and disorganized in Pax3-deficient Embryos as migration progressed. The defective migration was associated with increased cell death. Suppression of p53, either by null mutation of the p53 gene, or administration of a p53 inhibitor, pifithrin-alpha, prevented the defective CNC migration and apoptosis in Pax3-deficient Embryos, and also restored proper development of cardiac outflow tracts. Thes ...

Source: www.moreover.com --- 36 days ago
People's Daily Online Aug 1 2008 8:59AM GMT ...

Source: www.swissinfo.ch --- 18 days ago
Swiss scientists have succeeded in producing a crop of human embryonic stem cells (HES) as part of a four-year research period permitted by the government. ...

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com --- 31 days ago
Is stress always negative for Embryos? We found that embyonic exposure to stressful stimuli can be important to their survival. When we exposed amphibian (salamander) Embryos to predator odours, juveniles showed low levels of activity compared to controls and hid in vegetation; these behaviours often provide protection from predators. ...

Source: www.lockergnome.com --- 9 days ago
Embryos, Fetuses, Bzbies: Today’s society has reached a level when it is obvious to most that life begins at conception. Even the presidential candidates were cornered on this issue on Saturday, August 16, 2008 by Pastor Warren of Saddlebrook Church in California. To many their responses were to be expected. John McCain immediately gave his polictical reply to a Christian Pro-life audience that life begins at conception. However, he stopped there. He smiled and changed the subject. If life were really so precious to him it would not appear to many that his true God is the military and war. On the other hand, Senator Obama attacked the quesiton head on. His answer may not have been so politically righteous considering his audience but it was obviously well thought out and honest. I respect his concern for the life of the mother and that her life must be considered when abortion is discussed. That is not to say that would consider abortion a viable option when women and men can choose to be careful and use contraception or opt for adoption in lieu of killing an unborn child. On the other hand though I did respect his argument that more needs to be done to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to offer support to those who would choose to keep their infants if they could afford to do so. On his side he also suggested that our adoption laws are too difficult when there are so many children who need good homes. I agree. I think that adoptive par ...

Source: www.postchronicle.com --- 24 days ago
Vitrification is an improved method of embryo storage in which Embryos are flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen along with an antifreeze, The Times of London reported Tuesday.... ...

Source: www.rsc.org --- 7 days ago
Lab on a chip could improve the success of in vitro fertilisation ...

Source: www.omninerd.com --- 13 days ago
Science has identified new techniques for enhancing human life. Frozen Embryos have been shown to grow into healthier babies than those born from fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF). Research shows it may not necessarily be the freezing process itself that results in improvement, rather, the extended time to analyze the available Embryos and those that survive the thawing process seem to be hardier. Further research has shown that once born and matured, polygamist men may actually live up to 12% longer than monogamous men. The belief is not so much that women themselves help men live longer, instead, multiple wives leads to increased sexual opportunities prolonging male fertility and therefore health. So it can be concluded the key to long life is to be born from a frozen embryo and marry many women for the purpose of procreation. Stumble It | Digg It | Save to Del.icio.us | Add a Comment (0) ...

Source: www.4ni.co.uk --- 3 days ago
Single Embryos for women younger than 37 to cut the rate of multiple pregnancies should be used by fertility clinics experts have said.The British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) have issued new guidelines in the journal Human Fertility to help UK clinics introduce an elective single embryo transfer (eSET) policy for IVF treatment.Single embryo trans..... ...

Source: www.bignewsnetwork.com --- 34 days ago
MUMBAI: Even the heavy downpour could not dampen Israeli couple Dotan Gilat and wife Irit Zan&#039;s mood as they winged their way back to Jerusalem. The couple had come to the city after reading about ... ...