Emission rates of nitrogen and phosphorus in a tropical coastal river basin: a strategic management approach.

Watershed studies that account for nutrient loadings are crucial for suitable river basin and estuarine management. This study aims to contribute to the environmental planning and decision making regarding nitrogen and phosphorus loadings for the watershed of the Vitória Bay Estuarine System (VBES; 1925 km2) in southeast Brazil. Here, we estimate that the VBES had annual loadings (in 2016) from ten tributary river basins of 5480 and 10,784 t for P and N, respectively, based on emission factors for natural and anthropogenic sources. The main contribution sources were related to livestock farming (4801 t of P and 8000 t of N) and domestic wastewater (492 t of P and 1706 t of N). However, urban loadings have higher expressions when considering the input by watershed area (0.25 and 0.87 t km-2 year-1 of P and N yields, respectively), which are mainly due to wastewater since 70% of the sewage is untreated. Urban emissions play a prominent role and have a tendency to be aggravated due to Brazilian population growth (0.8% annual rate). If the current wastewater emissions continue, P and N loadings will likely increase by 1.316% to totals of 713 and 2474 t year-1 in 2050 for P and N, respectively. Considering that the wastewater tertiary treatment cost is US$ 0.50 m-3, and that in the future 70% of all wastewater will be collected, the P and N loadings will drop to 18.4 and 424.1 t year-1, respectively, with a treatment cost of 25 million USD year-1. The model holds well for non-regulated watersheds. However, for regulated basins, such as the Santa Maria de Vitória, the model overestimates the loadings mainly due to the damming systems in these watersheds (accounting for 49% retention of P and 0.13% retention of N).

Are Pesticides Used to Control Thrips Harmonious with Soil-Dwelling Predatory Mite Cosmolaelaps sabelis (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae)?

Edaphic predatory mites could be introduced in pest management programs of pests that live, or spend part of their life cycle, in the soil. Some mesostigmatic mites have been widely used for the management of different species of thrips (Thysanoptera), especially in protected cultivation. The edaphic predator Cosmolaelaps sabelis (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) was a model species in this study, being exposed to the most applied insecticides for the control of thrips in Brazil. After lethal, sublethal and transgenerational effects were evaluated. The pesticides acephate, acetamiprid + etofenprox, azadirachtin, spinetoram, formetanate hydrochloride, and imidacloprid were classified according to the IOBC/WPRS (International Organization for Biological Control-West Paleartic Regional Section) recommendation, considering the acute toxicity and the effects on adult females' reproduction, in the maternal and first generation. The pesticides acetamiprid + etofenprox and azadirachtin were classified as slightly harmful (Class 2), while spinetoram was classified as moderately harmful (Class 3). Acephate and formetanate hydrochloride were classified as harmful (Class 4). Only imidacloprid didn't cause negative effects on the females. Regarding effects on the first generation, acetamiprid + etofenprox, azadirachtin, and spinetoram caused reduction in the oviposition rates. Therefore, we suggest that complimentary bioassays should be done under semi-field and field conditions using the pesticides that were considered harmful in this study, to assess their effects on this predator in other environments prior to recommending not to use them in integrated programs to manage soil-based pests using chemical and biological tools.

Correlation analysis using teaching and learning analytics.

Data analytics techniques have been gaining more space in the scientific environment with applications in various areas of knowledge, including education. This paper aims to analyse data taken from a questionnaire of the Organization for Economic Development Cooperation (OECD) given to teachers and school managers. In this questionnaire, school environment issues are assessed, specifically: school environment, professional development, school leadership, and efficient management. As a methodology, Teaching and Learning Analytics (TLA) was used, particularly correlation analysis, which enables the extraction of useful information from raw data, relating issues that interfere with the teaching and learning relationship, besides specific analysis of student learning. The results obtained about the school environment are not linear. They do not present moderate or a solid linear correlation, making it impossible to validate and integrate answers related to the statements of the themes and sub-themes chosen for this analysis. In this sense, the research found dichotomous observations that mirrored many controversies and insecurities, enabling considerations about possible school scenarios and their effective practices.

Ecotoxicological effects of commercial herbicides on the reproductive system of aquatic arthropod Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae).

Worldwide, conventional agriculture makes extensive use of pesticides. Although the effects of herbicides are relatively well known in terms of environmental impacts on non-target organisms, there is very little scientific evidence regarding the impacts of herbicide residues on aquatic arthropods from tropical conservation areas. This study evaluates for the first time the toxicity of the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and clomazone on the aquatic insect Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). The lethal concentration (LC50) of herbicides was evaluated for these insects, as well as the effect of the herbicides on the insects' tissues and testicles. The estimated LC50 was 1012.41, 192.42, and 46.09 mg/L for clomazone, atrazine, and ametryn, respectively. Spermatocyte and spermatid changes were observed under the effect of atrazine, and effects on spermatogenesis were observed for some concentrations of clomazone, with apparent recovery after a short time. Our results provide useful information on the effects of herbicide residues in aquatic systems. This information can help minimize the risk of long-term reproductive effects in non-target species that have been previously overlooked in ecotoxicology studies.

Chromosomal gene transfer in Spiroplasma citri.

The study of resistance marker rearrangement in Spiroplasma citri mutants provides evidence of transfer of chromosomal information followed by recombination. This is the first report of such a transfer in vivo in the mollicutes--that is, in the smallest self-replicating organisms. The double-resistant phenotypes obtained are stable even without selection pressure. The mechanism of gene transfer is insensitive to deoxyribonuclease, requires contact, and possibly, areas of fusion of the cell membranes; it shares properties with the transfer by protoplast fusion in Gram-positive bacteria. The extensive degenerative evolution of mollicutes has retained, in S. citri, bacterial functions of chromosomal transfer and recombination.

Ecotoxicological effects of commercial herbicides on the reproductive system of aquatic arthropod Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae)

Abstract Worldwide, conventional agriculture makes extensive use of pesticides. Although the effects of herbicides are relatively well known in terms of environmental impacts on non-target organisms, there is very little scientific evidence regarding the impacts of herbicide residues on aquatic arthropods from tropical conservation areas. This study evaluates for the first time the toxicity of the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and clomazone on the aquatic insect Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). The lethal concentration (LC50) of herbicides was evaluated for these insects, as well as the effect of the herbicides on the insects tissues and testicles. The estimated LC50 was 1012.41, 192.42, and 46.09 mg/L for clomazone, atrazine, and ametryn, respectively. Spermatocyte and spermatid changes were observed under the effect of atrazine, and effects on spermatogenesis were observed for some concentrations of clomazone, with apparent recovery after a short time. Our results provide useful information on the effects of herbicide residues in aquatic systems. This information can help minimize the risk of long-term reproductive effects in non-target species that have been previously overlooked in ecotoxicology studies.

Resumo Em todo o mundo, a agricultura convencional faz uso extensivo de pesticidas. Embora os efeitos dos herbicidas sejam relativamente bem conhecidos em termos de impactos ambientais em organismos não-alvo, há pouca evidência científica sobre os impactos de resíduos de herbicidas em artrópodes aquáticos de áreas de conservação tropicais. Este estudo avalia pela primeira vez a toxicidade dos herbicidas ametryn, atrazine e clomazone sobre o inseto aquático Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). A concentração letal (LC50) de herbicidas foi avaliada para esses insetos, bem como o efeito dos herbicidas nos tecidos e testículos dos insetos. A LC50 estimada foi de 1012,41, 192,42 e 46,09 mg/L para clomazone, atrazine e ametryn, respectivamente. Alterações nos espermatócitos e espermátides foram observadas sob o efeito de atrazine, e efeitos na espermatogênese foram observados para algumas concentrações de clomazone, com aparente recuperação após um curto período de tempo. Nossos resultados fornecem informações úteis sobre os efeitos de resíduos de herbicidas em sistemas aquáticos. Essas informações podem ajudar a minimizar o risco de efeitos reprodutivos de longo prazo em espécies não-alvo que foram negligenciadas anteriormente em estudos de ecotoxicologia.

Ecotoxicological effects of commercial herbicides on the reproductive system of aquatic arthropod Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae) / Efeitos ecotoxicológicos de herbicidas comerciais no sistema reprodutivo do artrópode aquático Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae)

Abstract Worldwide, conventional agriculture makes extensive use of pesticides. Although the effects of herbicides are relatively well known in terms of environmental impacts on non-target organisms, there is very little scientific evidence regarding the impacts of herbicide residues on aquatic arthropods from tropical conservation areas. This study evaluates for the first time the toxicity of the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and clomazone on the aquatic insect Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). The lethal concentration (LC50) of herbicides was evaluated for these insects, as well as the effect of the herbicides on the insects' tissues and testicles. The estimated LC50 was 1012.41, 192.42, and 46.09 mg/L for clomazone, atrazine, and ametryn, respectively. Spermatocyte and spermatid changes were observed under the effect of atrazine, and effects on spermatogenesis were observed for some concentrations of clomazone, with apparent recovery after a short time. Our results provide useful information on the effects of herbicide residues in aquatic systems. This information can help minimize the risk of long-term reproductive effects in non-target species that have been previously overlooked in ecotoxicology studies.

Resumo Em todo o mundo, a agricultura convencional faz uso extensivo de pesticidas. Embora os efeitos dos herbicidas sejam relativamente bem conhecidos em termos de impactos ambientais em organismos não-alvo, há pouca evidência científica sobre os impactos de resíduos de herbicidas em artrópodes aquáticos de áreas de conservação tropicais. Este estudo avalia pela primeira vez a toxicidade dos herbicidas ametryn, atrazine e clomazone sobre o inseto aquático Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). A concentração letal (LC50) de herbicidas foi avaliada para esses insetos, bem como o efeito dos herbicidas nos tecidos e testículos dos insetos. A LC50 estimada foi de 1012,41, 192,42 e 46,09 mg/L para clomazone, atrazine e ametryn, respectivamente. Alterações nos espermatócitos e espermátides foram observadas sob o efeito de atrazine, e efeitos na espermatogênese foram observados para algumas concentrações de clomazone, com aparente recuperação após um curto período de tempo. Nossos resultados fornecem informações úteis sobre os efeitos de resíduos de herbicidas em sistemas aquáticos. Essas informações podem ajudar a minimizar o risco de efeitos reprodutivos de longo prazo em espécies não-alvo que foram negligenciadas anteriormente em estudos de ecotoxicologia.

The Agrocybe aegerita mitochondrial genome contains two inverted repeats of the nad4 gene arisen by duplication on both sides of a linear plasmid integration site.

The Agrocybe aegerita mitochondrial genome possesses two polB genes with linear plasmid origin. The cloning and sequencing of the regions flanking Aa-polB P1 revealed two large inverted repeats (higher than 2421 nt) separated by a single copy region of 5834 nt. Both repeats contain identical copies of the nad4 gene. The single copy region contains two disrupted genes with plasmid origin Aa-polB P1 and a small ORF homologous to a small gene described in two basidiomycete linear plasmids. The phylogenetic analyses argue in favor of a same plasmid origin for both genes but, surprisingly, these genes were separated by a mitochondrial tRNA-Met. Both strands of the complete region containing the two nad4 inverted copies and the tRNA-Met appear to be transcribed on large polycistronic mRNAs. A model summarizing the events that would have occurred is proposed: (1) capture of the tRNA by the plasmid before its integration in the mtDNA or acquisition of the tRNA gene by recombination after the plasmid integration, (2) integration of the plasmid in the mtDNA, accompanied by a large duplication containing the nad4 gene and (3) erosion of the plasmid sequences by large deletions and mutations.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi activity in the rhizosphere of tree seedlings subjected to residual herbicides / Atividade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares na rizosfera de mudas de árvores submetidas a herbicidas residuais

Trees occurring on the margins of agricultural areas can mitigate damage from residual herbicides. Rhizospheric microbial activity associated with trees is one of the main remedial capacity indicators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rhizospheric microbiological activity in tree species subjected to the herbicides atrazine and sulfentrazone via the rhizosphere. The experiment was designed in four blocks and a 6 × 3 factorial scheme. The first factor consisted of six tree species from Brazil and the second of atrazine, sulfentrazone, and water solutions. Four herbicide applications were performed via irrigation. The total dry mass of the plants, mycorrhizal colonization, number of spores, basal respiration of the rhizospheric soil, and survival rate of bioindicator plants after phytoremediation were determined. Trichilia hirta had higher biomass when treated with atrazine and sulfentrazone. Herbicides decreased the microbial activity in Triplaris americana and did not affect the microbiological indicators of Myrsine gardneriana, Schizolobium parahyba, and Toona ciliata. Fewer bioindicator plants survived in soil with Triplaris americana and sulfentrazone. Microbiological indicators were influenced in different ways between species by the presence of herbicides in the rhizosphere.

As árvores que ocorrem nas margens das áreas agrícolas podem mitigar os danos dos herbicidas residuais. A atividade microbiana rizosférica associada às árvores é um dos principais indicadores de capacidade corretiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade microbiológica rizosférica em espécies arbóreas submetidas aos herbicidas atrazina e sulfentrazone via rizosfera. O experimento foi estruturado em quatro blocos e esquema fatorial 6 × 3. O primeiro fator consistiu em seis espécies de árvores do Brasil e o segundo em soluções de atrazine, sulfentrazone e água. Quatro aplicações de herbicidas foram realizadas via irrigação. Foram determinados a massa seca total das plantas, colonização micorrízica, número de esporos, respiração basal do solo rizosférico e taxa de sobrevivência de plantas bioindicadoras após fitorremediação. Trichilia hirta apresentou maior biomassa quando tratada com atrazina e sulfentrazone. Os herbicidas diminuíram a atividade microbiana em Triplaris americana e não afetaram os indicadores microbiológicos de Myrsine gardneriana, Schizolobium parahyba e Toona ciliata. Menos plantas bioindicadoras sobreviveram no solo com Triplaris americana e sulfentrazone. Os indicadores microbiológicos foram influenciados de formas distintas entre as espécies pela presença dos herbicidas na rizosfera.

DNA sequence and secondary structure of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal RNA coding region including a group-IC2 intron from the cultivated basidiomycete Agrocybe aegerita.

Due to their structural complexity and their evolutionary dimension, rRNAs are the most investigated nucleic acids in prokaryotes, eukaryotes and organelles. However, no complete sequence of a mitochondrial small subunit (SSU) rRNA was available in the basidiomycotina subdivision. The mitochondrial gene encoding the SSU rRNA of the cultivated basidiomycete Agrocybe aegerita was cloned and its complete nucleotide sequence achieved; the 5'- and 3'-ends were localized by nuclease SI mapping, leading to a size of 3277 nt. The secondary structure of the SSU rRNA (1906 nt in size) possessed all the helices and loops of the prokaryotic model; a unique modification was found in a conserved nucleotide predicted by the model: the nt 487 was A instead of C. The same modification, has been found in all the partial basidiomycete mitochondrial sequences available in databases. The Agrocybe aegerita SSU rRNA was characterized by large and unusual extensions leading to additional helices in the variable domains V4, V6 and V9, which were the longest of the known prokaryotic or mitochondrial SSU rRNAs. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated a 1371-bp intron, belonging to subgroup-IC2, located in a conserved loop in the 3'-part of the SSU rRNA. This intron, which is the second example reported in a fungal mitochondrial SSU rDNA, encoded a putative protein (407 aa) sharing homologies with endonucleases involved in group-I intron mobility. This report constitutes the first complete mitochondrial SSU rRNA sequence and secondary structure of any member of the basidiomycotina subdivision.

Molecular analysis of the split cox1 gene from the Basidiomycota Agrocybe aegerita: relationship of its introns with homologous Ascomycota introns and divergence levels from common ancestral copies.

The Basidiomycota Agrocybe aegerita (Aa) mitochondrial cox1 gene (6790 nucleotides), encoding a protein of 527aa (58377Da), is split by four large subgroup IB introns possessing site-specific endonucleases assumed to be involved in intron mobility. When compared to other fungal COX1 proteins, the Aa protein is closely related to the COX1 one of the Basidiomycota Schizophyllum commune (Sc). This clade reveals a relationship with the studied Ascomycota ones, with the exception of Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp) which ranges in an out-group position compared with both higher fungi divisions. When comparison is extended to other kingdoms, fungal COX1 sequences are found to be more related to algae and plant ones (more than 57.5% aa similarity) than to animal sequences (53.6% aa similarity), contrasting with the previously established close relationship between fungi and animals, based on comparisons of nuclear genes. The four Aa cox1 introns are homologous to Ascomycota or algae cox1 introns sharing the same location within the exonic sequences. The percentages of identity of the intronic nucleotide sequences suggest a possible acquisition by lateral transfers of ancestral copies or of their derived sequences. These identities extend over the whole intronic sequences, arguing in favor of a transfer of the complete intron rather than a transfer limited to the encoded ORF. The intron i4 shares 74% of identity, at the nucleotidic level, with the Podospora anserina (Pa) intron i14, and up to 90.5% of aa similarity between the encoded proteins, i.e. the highest values reported to date between introns of two phylogenetically distant species. This low divergence argues for a recent lateral transfer between the two species. On the contrary, the low sequence identities (below 36%) observed between Aa i1 and the homologous Sp i1 or Prototheca wickeramii (Pw) i1 suggest a long evolution time after the separation of these sequences. The introns i2 and i3 possessed intermediate percentages of identity with their homologous Ascomycota introns. This is the first report of the complete nucleotide sequence and molecular organization of a mitochondrial cox1 gene of any member of the Basidiomycota division.

Origin of the ammonia used for mitochondrial citrulline synthesis as revealed by 13C-15N spin coupling patterns observed by 13C NMR.

The sources of ammonia used by isolated, intact rat liver mitochondria in the production of citrulline have been investigated in situ using a novel methodology based on the analysis of 13C-15N heteronuclear couplings observed by 13C NMR. Isolated mitochondria from rat liver were incubated with ornithine, 13CO3H- and 15NH4Cl, using unlabeled glutamate or glutamine as alternative, intramitochondrial nitrogen donors. The production of (7-13C, 8-15N) or (7-13C, 8-14N) citrulline was determined in situ by 13C NMR and the relative proportions of 15N- and 14N-citrullines confirmed by high resolution 13C NMR analysis of the C-7 citrulline resonance observed in perchloric acid extracts prepared at the end of the incubations. The 15N fractional enrichment of the intramitochondrial NH3 pool was manipulated either by modifying the 15N enrichment of added 15NH4Cl, or by altering the concentration of the unlabeled nitrogen donors in the incubation medium. Fractional 15N enrichments measured in the N-8 nitrogen of the resulting (7-13C) citrulline closely paralleled those of the external 15NH4Cl with minor dilutions derived from the unlabeled nitrogen contribution from the alternative substrates. In the presence of 10 mM 15NH4Cl, 10 mM glutamate contributed 4% of the citrulline N-8 nitrogen. Under similar conditions, the contribution of nitrogen from 10 mM glutamine to N-8 citrulline was 6%. These results indicate that the primary source of ammonia used for citrulline synthesis by isolated, intact rat liver mitochondria is extramitochondrial, providing also an illustration of the use of 13C-15N spin coupling patterns observed by 13C NMR, as a new tool in the study of ammonia metabolism.

Vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide, and leptin follicular fluid levels correlate negatively with embryo quality in IVF patients.

OBJECTIVE(S): To measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO) and leptin levels in individual ovarian follicles and to examine their relationships with perifollicular blood flow, follicular metabolic indices, and the developmental potential of the corresponding oocyte and embryo. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care institution. PATIENT(S): Unselected IVF patients. INTERVENTION(S): Color-pulsed Doppler analysis of perifollicular blood flow; determination of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and pH and VEGF, leptin and NO levels in follicular fluid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization and day 3 embryo morphology and cleavage. RESULT(S): Fifty-five follicular fluid samples from 16 patients were studied. Mean follicular fluid levels were as follows: VEGF, 1,046+/-863.7 pg/mL (range, <63-3,332.7 pg/mL); NO3/NO2, 34.2+/-12 microM (range, 16.4-76.1 microM); and leptin, 20.1+/-12.1 ng/mL (range, 3.3-52.2 ng/mL). Vascular endothelial growth factor had a negative correlation with embryo morphology (r = -0.28, P = .01). Leptin demonstrated a negative correlation with follicular pO2 (r = -0.42, P = .005) and a positive correlation with follicular pCO2 (r = 0.36, P = .02). Follicular leptin levels correlated positively with VEGF levels (r = 0.46, P = .008) and with NO3/NO2 levels (r = 0.39, P =.006). CONCLUSION(S): Vascular endothelial growth factor, NO and leptin appear to be markers of follicular hypoxia and suboptimal embryo development. Whether fluctuations of these regulatory factors determine or reflect changes in the follicular microenvironment affecting oocyte developmental potential remains to be elucidated.

Perifollicular blood flow Doppler indices, but not follicular pO2, pCO2, or pH, predict oocyte developmental competence in in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships among perifollicular blood flow; follicular fluid pO2, pCO2, and pH; oocyte developmental capacity; preimplantation embryo quality. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care institution. PATIENT(S): Unselected, gonadotropin-stimulated IVF cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Color, pulsed Doppler analysis of perifollicular blood flow, and follicular pO2, pCO2, and pH determinations of randomly designated, mapped ovarian follicles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization and day 3 embryo cleavage and morphology. RESULT(S): Perifollicular vascularity indices were significantly and negatively correlated with day 3 embryo cleavage. Pulsatility index and S-D ratio also were significantly and negatively correlated with follicular pO2. The same correlation was found between resistance index and the fertilization rate of preovulatory oocytes. No relationship existed between follicular metabolic analysis and fertilization or embryo quality. The resistance index had a sensitivity of 0.57 and a specificity of 0.71 for the prediction of advanced embryo cleavage status. CONCLUSION(S): Results confirm and extend previous reports demonstrating that color, pulsed Doppler ultrasound analysis of individual preovulatory follicles during IVF therapy may provide an indirect index of the developmental competence of the corresponding oocyte. Although these methods may provide means to select embryos for transfer with the highest implantation potential, the moderate predictive power showed so far may limit their clinical applicability.

Lethal and mutation frequency responses of Spiroplasma citri cells to UV irradiation.

The effect of UV irradiation on viability and mutant colony frequency in the Mollicute Spiroplasma citri was investigated at 3 phases of growth. The first UV-induced mutants obtained in Mollicutes were selected: xylitol-resistant (XylR) and arsenic acid-resistant mutants (ArsR). Lethal and mutation frequency responses of S. citri cells increase with the age of the cell cultures. In all UV-irradiated populations, light exposure slightly increases the number of survivors and decreases the induced mutation frequency; liquid holding conditions increase the number of both survivors and mutant colonies. This suggests that, in UV-irradiated S. citri cells maintained under liquid holding conditions, there is no dark reactivation but induction of an error-prone repair system of the SOS type. In S. citri, the error-free light and dark repair systems are inefficient. Results allow the development of a method to select UV-induced mutations usable as markers in genetic studies of Spiroplasma cells.

[Comparative analysis of multifollicular development with the application of recombinant FSH vs. urinary FSH in the results of in vitro fertilization]. / Análisis comparativo del desarrollo multifolicular con la aplicación de FSH recombinante vs. FSH urinaria en los resultados de fertilización in vitro.

The interactive function between intrafollicular factors related with ovum competence and embryo development played an important role getting high quality embryos during the embryo transference in in-vitro fertilization programs. Urinary gonadotropins are used widely to get homogeneous follicles during ovarian stimulation. Recombinant technology has been applied in these compounds to correlate with a best egg formation and higher pregnancy rates. We developed a prospective, linear and comparative study to aim the ovum/embryo development using urinary and recombinant FSH. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, 56 patients received rFSH (group I) and 44 hMG (group II). There were not differences in age, weight and body mass index as well as ovarian reserve. However, patients who used urinary gonadotrophins required a higher number of ampoules [31.7 +/- 8.6 vs. 20.7 +/- 6.4 (p < 0.001)]. No differences in peak E2, day of hCG and endometrial thickness. Although, no differences in number of egg mature, the fertilization rate was higher in the recombinant group [5.9 +/- 3.7 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.3 (p < 0.02)]. A higher number of embryo transfer were observed in the same group (3.4 +/- 1.7 vs. 1.9 +/- 2.2 (p < 0.004)]. The pregnancy rates were 34.3% and 29.6% for each group respectively.

[Diagnosis and treatment of the male factor in the age of intracytoplasmic sperm injection]. / El diagnóstico y tratamiento del factor masculino en la era del ICSI.

Currently, we are witnesses of the Assisted Reproductive techniques; advances reproductive goals have been reached with the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in patients with male factor. However, micromanipulation techniques allowed the reproductive solution without an etiologic and/or physiopathologic diagnosis. The andrologic workup of the dynamic and functional sperm characteristics with the endocrine and urologic evaluation should be performed into the infertility management.

[Embryo transfer: a critical step in assisted reproduction]. / Transferencia embrionaria: un paso crítico en reproducción asistida.

The advances and development of new procedures and techniques related to embryo development, and its final outcome, the embryo transfer; have increased significantly the pregnancy rate through this reproductive assisted technique. The embryo transfer is probably the last part in in-vitro fertilization programs and the success should be determined through the technical approach and procedure's characteristics. The use and standardization of the current techniques during the embryo transfer process allow increasing the success in pregnancy and implantation rates in a short period of time in the current Assisted Reproduction Programs.

[Influence of intrafollicular factors at ovarian level during oocyte/embryo development]. / Influencia de los factores intrafoliculares a nivel ovárico durante el desarrollo óvulo/embrionario.

There is series of factors associated to fertilization and embryo development events. Each factor has a role in the inter-relationship between various molecular events related to oocyte/embryo quality. Dynamic features associated to endocrine-paracrine environment are determinant to the role of each factor in ovaric follicullar development. Growth factors, vascular-endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide, leptin and others correlate in ovular maturity process. That is why growth factors, vascular-endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide, leptin and others can be expressed as embryo viability and implantation biomarkers.

[Assessment of the penetration of culture media in uterine cavity as an effect of cervical lavage before embryo transfer: prospective and observational study of samples obtained in hysterectomy]. / Evaluación de la penetración del medio de cultivo a la cavidad uterina como efecto del lavado cervical previo a la transferencia embrionaria: estudio prospectivo y observacional en piezas obtenidas por histerectomía.

Cervical lavage used to remove and cleaning some of the scale elements as well as cervical mucous during embryo transfer has been a regular practice in many reproductive centers worldwide. However, the microenvironment influence using these techniques will or not be detrimental in the embryo development. Under this issue, a prospective study was doing in 16 patients (underwent hysterectomy). A cervical lavage was performed previous to the procedure similar to the embryo's transfer step, subsequently cervical invasion was checking. The age was 36.4 +/- 8.6 years, preoperatory diagnosis was abnormal uterine bleeding (n = 4), myomata (n = 4), adenomiosis (n = 4), endometrial polyp (n = 3) and chronic pelvic pain (n = 1). Uterine weight was 127.5 +/- 55.4 g with a surgical time of 48.8 +/- 12.5 minutes. Medium in the uterine cavity was founded in only one case. We believe that cervical lavage is a secure technique in embryo transfer.