Background: Human β-defensin 126 is a small cationic glycoprotein that coats the plasma membrane of sperm during epididymal transit. It provides protection for sperms from infection-causing microbes and against the female immune system. Defensin remains on the sperm until sperm become capacitated in the female reproductive tract. DEFB126 gene is located on the subtelomeric end of 20p13 in human...

Sex preselection that is based on flow-cytometric measurement of sperm DNA content to enable sorting of X- from Y-chromosome-bearing sperm has proven reproducible at various locations and with many species at greater than 90% purity. Offspring of the predetermined sex in both domestic animals and human beings have been born using this technology since its introduction in 1989. The method involv...

background: intrauterine growth retardation (iugr) contributes significantly to fetal morbidity and mortality, but its etiology is unknown in most cases. objective: the aim of this study was to examine the association between inherited thrombophilia and iugr. materials and methods: a case-control study was performed in a tertiary referral center (afzalipour hospital) over 2-years period (2010-2...

This article covers recent developments in the field of equine artificial insemination. Use of both chilled and frozen semen is discussed. For chilled semen, there is new information about what to do if the semen shipment is delayed and on maximising pregnancy rates in older mares by careful evaluation of the cervix. The number of motile sperm needed for insemination is reviewed in light of the...