In vitro effects of extracts from leaves and rhizomes of P.oceanica on HepG2 tumor cells

Apoptosis in human sperm as a quality marker for a new diagnostic approach of infertile patients

The quality of the sperm DNA is one of the most important molecular markers of male reproductive potential (Bosco, L et al., 2018, Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 58:243-249). The aim of this study was to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation according to morphology, to predict the probability of selecting a sperm with normal morphology and intact DNA. An observational study was performed on 70 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and semen parameters such as sperm density, motility and morphology were evaluated in all patients. DFI was calculated using the in situ TUNEL assay. DFI can be determined and thus used as a marker of sperm quality for a diagnostic …

EVALUATION OF OOCYTE QUALITY IN GRANULOSA AND CUMULUS CELLS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING PMA

Background. We investigate the apoptosis rate of individual granulosa cell–oocyte and cumulus cell–oocyte (COC), associated with the levels of molecules playing a critical role in the regulation of cell death or survival. These molecular analyses have been done to verify the difference of competence between oocytes producing embryos able to reach the blastocyst stage compared with embryos arrested during the in vitro culture. Methods. From each single follicle: granulosa cells were processed for Western blotting analyses, using the following antibodies: pAKT, ERK 1/2, pERK 1/2; cumulus cells were used for in situ immunofluorescence with the same antibodies. DNA fragmentation rate was measur…

Interactive effects of increased temperature and gadolinium pollution in Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos: a climate change perspectiveInteractive effects of increased temperature and gadolinium pollution in Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos: a climate change perspective

Gradual ocean warming and marine heatwaves represent major threats for marine organisms already facing other anthropogenic-derived hazards, such as chemical contamination in coastal areas. In this study, the combined effects of thermal stress and exposure to gadolinium (Gd), a metal used as a contrasting agent in medical imaging which enters the aquatic environment, were investigated in the embryos and larvae of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Embryos were exposed to six treatments of three temperatures (18 °C, 21 °C, 24 °C) and two Gd concentrations (control: 0 μM; treated: 20 μM). With respect to developmental progression, increased temperature accelerated development and achievemen…