In September 1987, in Goiânia, Brazil, one of the most serious radiological accidents occurred at a radiation therapy unit involving a source of cesium-137. The current study examined the occurrence of possible germline mutations at the AZF region of the exposed men and in their male offspring. Genomic DNA samples of 16 individuals were analyzed for microdeletions. All exposed individuals ampli...

background: about 15% of couples have infertility problems which 40% of them are related to the male factors. genetic factors are candidate for about 10% of male infertility conditions. among these, azfa, azfb, azfc and azfd regions on the yq are considered most important for spermatogenesis. microdeletions of these regions are thought to be involved in some cases of azoospermic or oligospermic...

Genetic code reprogramming allows proteins to sample new chemistry through the defined and targeted introduction of non-natural amino acids (nAAs). Many useful nAAs are derivatives of the natural aromatic amino acid tyrosine, with the para OH group replaced with useful but often bulkier substituents. Extending residue sampling by directed evolution identified positions in Green Fluorescent Prot...

Today, approximately 15% of couples have reduced fertility. In most cases the reason is male infertility, usually of genetic origin. Thus, in the context of research in genes involved in reproduction and sex determination, genetic defects in gametogenesis are being extensively studied. The most frequent pathogenic causes of male infertility are Y chromosomal microdeletions and obstructive azoos...

Although in the past decades much progress in testicular cancer (TC) management has been made, little is known about the possible genetic causes and molecular mechanisms involved in its aetiopathogenesis. Some studies on possible contribution of the Y chromosome in TC development have been previously published, but data are not conclusive. In particular, ethnic influence and spermatogenic activ...

Bovine adrenocortical zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express a novel ATP-dependent K(+)-permeable channel (I(AC)). Whole cell and single-channel recordings were used to characterize I(AC) channels with respect to ionic selectivity, conductance, and modulation by nucleotides, inorganic phosphates, and angiotensin II (ANG II). In outside-out patch recordings, the activity of unitary I(AC) channels ...

BACKGROUND Genetic factors cause about 15% of male infertility. Azoospermia factors (AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc) present on Yq are most important for spermatogenesis. We have made an attempt to evaluate the frequencies of microdeletions of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc in idiopathic cases of azoospermia and oligozoospermia from central Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have analyzed a total of 156 sub...

In whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings from bovine adrenal fasciculata cells, it was discovered that selected caffeic acid derivatives dramatically enhanced the activity of background TREK-1 K+ channels. Cinnamyl 1-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC), activated TREK-1 when this agent was applied externally to cells or outside-out patches at concentrations of 5 to 10 microM...

BACKGROUND Y-chromosomal microdeletions (YCMD) are one of the major genetic causes for non-obstructive azoospermia. Genetic testing for YCMD by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an established method for quick and robust screening of deletions in the AZF regions of the Y-chromosome. Multiplex PCRs have the advantage of including a control gene in every reaction and significantly redu...

Deletion of the Azoospermia Factor (AZF) region of the human Y chromosome results in spermatogenic failure. While the identity of the critical missing gene has yet to be established, a strong candidate is the putative RNA-binding protein DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia). Here we describe the mouse homolog of DAZ. Unlike human DAZ, which is Y-linked, in mouse the Dazh (DAZ homolog) gene maps to chro...