User:Z3415716: Difference between revisions

From Embryology
Line 85: Line 85:
The potential for HMSCs, isolated from the umbilical cord, to correct Parkinson’s disease is further emphasised in its easy isolation methods, the large amount of cells able to be isolated, and the simple duplication of these stem cells. Fu ''et al.'' were able to collect 1x10^6 HUMSCs from 20 cm of umbilical cord and duplicate the amount to 2x10^6 cells in a three day incubation period. Furthermore, the study found that the transplanted differentiated cells were still successful 4 months post procedure, suggesting that this method may be a long-term treatment for the disease. The investigation also comments on the prospect of HUMSCs as a source for transplantation, attributed to its non-immunological inducing characteristic.
The potential for HMSCs, isolated from the umbilical cord, to correct Parkinson’s disease is further emphasised in its easy isolation methods, the large amount of cells able to be isolated, and the simple duplication of these stem cells. Fu ''et al.'' were able to collect 1x10^6 HUMSCs from 20 cm of umbilical cord and duplicate the amount to 2x10^6 cells in a three day incubation period. Furthermore, the study found that the transplanted differentiated cells were still successful 4 months post procedure, suggesting that this method may be a long-term treatment for the disease. The investigation also comments on the prospect of HUMSCs as a source for transplantation, attributed to its non-immunological inducing characteristic.


<pubmed>23724014</pubmed>
<pubmed>16099997</pubmed>
===Vascular shunts===
===Vascular shunts===
There are three shunts within the foetal circulatory development that close postnatally:
There are three shunts within the foetal circulatory development that close postnatally:

Revision as of 22:18, 2 September 2014

Lab Attendance

Lab 1 --Z3415716 (talk) 12:52, 6 August 2014 (EST)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

PubMed

PMID25084016

<pubmed>25084016</pubmed> Lab 2 --Z3415716 (talk) 11:13, 13 August 2014 (EST)

Lab 3 --Z3415716 (talk) 12:54, 20 August 2014 (EST)

Lab 4--Z3415716 (talk) 12:27, 27 August 2014 (EST)

Assessment 1

Effect of Vitamin D status on clinical pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilisation

The study undertaken by Garbedian et al. attempted to investigate whether vitamin D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D) serum level of in vitro patients could predict the successfulness of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). 173 patients participated, having met the criteria of age (18-41 years), follicle-stimulating hormone level (≤12IU/L at day 3 of the menstrual cycle), and consent.

Serum samples were collected from the participating women, prior to oocyte retrieval, and were analysed, dividing the patients into two groups, sufficient (≥75 nmol/L) or insufficient (<75 nmol/L), based on their serum vitamin D levels. Regardless of this division, the IVF procedures were undertaken as per standard protocol.

This article focused on two main outcomes, embryo implantation, and clinical pregnancy. Implantation was described as the establishment of a gestational sac upon ultrasonography screening. Whereas clinical pregnancy assessed via ultrasound, was determined by the visibility of an intrauterine sac. The results were collated, analysed, and compared between the groups in order to discover a relationship, if any, between serum vitamin D levels and both implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

Garbedian and colleagues found significant differences between the groups’ rate of embryo transfer and clinical pregnancy, however this is not the case in implantation rate. In consistency with the IVF protocols, embryo transfer was to take place on day 5, if at least 5-6 acceptable embryos were developed by day 3 of fertilisation. It was discovered that women with a sufficient level of serum vitamin D were more likely to achieve this step by day 5 than women with low serum vitamin D. Moreover, a higher clinical pregnancy rate was observed within the same group of women. An increased value of embryo implantation rate was noted, however results were statistically insignificant.

With acknowledgement of the study’s limitations, Garbedian et al. concluded that women sufficient in vitamin D serum levels were more likely to achieve clinical pregnancy following IVF, with serum levels of the vitamin acting as an independent predictor.

Effect of vitamin D status on clinical pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization.

<pubmed>25077107</pubmed>

The Role of SPRASA in Female Fertility

Sperm protein reactive with antisperm antibodies (SPRASA) also referred to as sperm lysosome-like protein 1 is a target protein of antisperm antibodies, and is the key protein explored within the article by Wagner et al. Numerous tests were preformed within this study investigating the role of this protein, particularly in fertilisation and embryonic development.

The Bovine IVF model was employed to determine the effect of SPRASA antiserum on fertilisation, cleavage, and embryo development. Both bovine zona pellucida-attached and zona pellucida-free oocyte-sperm binding was investigated with the presence of antiserum preparation. Wagner and colleagues were able to conclude that fertility rates significantly reduced when SPRASA antiserum was added to oocytes, and sperm and oocytes samples, but not to sperm samples alone. Further on this note, the study found that the antiserum preparation negatively influenced the zona pellucida-free oocyte (oolemma)-sperm binding process, whereas no significant effect was found in the zona pellucida-attached oocyte-sperm binding. In terms of development, it was discovered that the antiserum was able to inhibit morula stage growth but not the further development at the blastocyst stage.

Wagner and colleagues also assessed the influence on sperm motility by SPRASA and observed that sperm motility was not an affected area as there was no significant difference between motile sperm in antiserum perpetration and the control group.

As previously thought that SPRASA was only present in spermatozoa, this study examined whether the protein was also expressed in oocytes and ovaries. Bovine oocytes, and ovaries from cats and dogs, were obtained for this section of the research. Similarly, sperm and sperm precursor cells were collected from testis of cats and dogs in order to illustrate the presence of SPRASA proteins. Results indicated that oocytes express SPRASA and staining was able to localise the protein to the zona pellucida and oolemma of bovine oocytes. Similar preparation and staining was carried out on ovaries of cats and dogs, and returned with positive expression of SPRASA.

Fertilisation and embryo development was tested via immunisation and mating of female mice. Female mice were either continuously immunised with recombinant human SPRASA protein or irrelevant recombinant keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) protein (control). The mice were then monitored, relocated for mating with male mice, and then compared in terms of pregnancy and fetal development. Wagner et al. found that all control mice became pregnant after 2 mating cycles, whereas the majority of SPRASA immunised mice failed to achieve pregnancy altogether. In regards to the number of embryo development and weight, no difference was recorded between the control and immunised mice.

The final test was comparing the antibody levels from blood samples of fertile and infertile couples. Upon analysis of results, Wagner et al. discovered no significant difference between both fertile and infertile men and women, however 3 of the infertile women presented with inflated levels of the antibodies.

Wagner et al. concluded that SPRASA, to a certain extent, plays a role in fertilisation and embryo development. They also rebutted the previous theory that the protein is solely expressed in male gametes with identifying SPRASA within the female reproductive structures.

The Role of SPRASA in Female Fertility.

<pubmed>25038051</pubmed>

Assessment 2

WNT4 screening in the testis of the tammar wallaby











Assessment 3

<pubmed>18462432</pubmed> <pubmed>17232227</pubmed> Martyn P. L. Williams, John M. Huston The history of ideas about testicular descent. Pediatric Surgery International: 1991, 6(3):180-184 The history of ideas about testicular descent

Assessment 4

Conversion of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wharton's Jelly to Dopaminergic Neurons In Vitro: Potential Therapeutic Application for Parkinsonism

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the degradation of the dopaminergic system in the striatum region of the brain. Current short-term treatment for Parkinson’s disease is antiparkinson medications, mainly enhancing dopamine levels, however such medications reduce in effectiveness with further degradation of the neurotransmitter’s pathway. The study led by Fu, however, proposes a potential long-term treatment for Parkinson’s disease, utilising induced human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) originating in the Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord.

Fu et al. isolated HMSCs from the umbilical cord exposing the cells to subsequent chemical treatment resulting in the differentiation of these multipotent cells into dopaminergic neurones. These neurones were then injected into the subjects, adults rats with induced Parkinson’s post unilateral striatal lesioning. Subjects were compared with control untreated rats, concluding that the transplanted group exhibited a substantial improvement in rotational behaviour and Parkinson’s symptoms, however not enough to deem them cured from the disease.

The potential for HMSCs, isolated from the umbilical cord, to correct Parkinson’s disease is further emphasised in its easy isolation methods, the large amount of cells able to be isolated, and the simple duplication of these stem cells. Fu et al. were able to collect 1x10^6 HUMSCs from 20 cm of umbilical cord and duplicate the amount to 2x10^6 cells in a three day incubation period. Furthermore, the study found that the transplanted differentiated cells were still successful 4 months post procedure, suggesting that this method may be a long-term treatment for the disease. The investigation also comments on the prospect of HUMSCs as a source for transplantation, attributed to its non-immunological inducing characteristic.

<pubmed>16099997</pubmed>

Vascular shunts

There are three shunts within the foetal circulatory development that close postnatally:

  • Ductus arteriosus


A canal that connects the foetal pulmonary artery to the aorta, distributing oxygenated blood to the foetus while bypassing the developing lungs.

  • Ductus venosus


Connecting the left umbilical vein to the inferior vena cave, allowing placental oxygenated blood to bypass the liver.

  • Foramen ovale


A foramen within the interatrial septum where blood from the right atrium enters the left atrium.