Motivations and personality characteristics of candidate sperm and oocyte donors according to parenthood status: a national study from the French CECOS network.

STUDY QUESTION: In a non-commercial national gamete donation programme, do the motivations and personality characteristics of candidate sperm and oocyte donors differ according to their parenthood status? SUMMARY ANSWER: Moderate differences exist between non-parent and parent candidate donors in motivations for gamete donation and representations as well as in personality characteristics. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Several studies have analysed the motivations and experiences of oocyte or sperm donors, but mainly in countries where gamete donation is a commercial transaction, and very few studies have reported results of personality traits using personality inventory tests. No study has specifically investigated the motivations and personality characteristics of candidate gamete donors according to parenthood status. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: A prospective study was carried out including 1021 candidate donors from 21 centres (in university hospitals) of the national sperm and egg banking network in France between November 2016 and December 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: In total, 1021 candidate gamete donors were included in the study. During their first visit, male (n = 488) and female candidate donors (n = 533) completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, their motivations for donation and their representations of donation, infertility and family. Secondly, a NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) exploring the Big Five personality traits was completed online. Results were compared between parent and non-parent candidate donors. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Altruistic values were the principal motive for donation irrespective of parenthood status. Reassurance about their fertility or preservation of sperm for future use was more often reported in non-parent than in parent candidate donors. With regard to representation of gamete donation or of the family, independently of their parenthood status, candidate donors more frequently selected social rather than biological representations. Mean personality characteristics were in the normal range. Non-parent candidate donors had higher scores on openness and depression than parents, while parent candidate donors appeared more social than non-parents. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The personality characteristics inventory was not completed by all candidate donors included in the study. However, family status did not differ between the two groups (NEO-PI-R completed (n = 525) or not), while the group who completed the NEO-PI-R had a higher educational level. This national study was performed in a country where gamete donation is subject to strict legislation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In a global context where reproductive medicine is commercialized and gamete donor resources are limited, this study found that altruism and social representations of gamete donation and family are the main motivations for gamete donation in a country which prohibits financial incentive. These findings are relevant for health policy and for gamete donation information campaigns. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Grant from the Agence de la Biomédecine, France. The authors have nothing to disclose related to this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Increased expression of BIN1 mediates Alzheimer genetic risk by modulating tau pathology.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a region upstream the BIN1 gene as the most important genetic susceptibility locus in Alzheimer's disease (AD) after APOE. We report that BIN1 transcript levels were increased in AD brains and identified a novel 3 bp insertion allele ∼28 kb upstream of BIN1, which increased (i) transcriptional activity in vitro, (ii) BIN1 expression levels in human brain and (iii) AD risk in three independent case-control cohorts (Meta-analysed Odds ratio of 1.20 (1.14-1.26) (P=3.8 × 10(-11))). Interestingly, decreased expression of the Drosophila BIN1 ortholog Amph suppressed Tau-mediated neurotoxicity in three different assays. Accordingly, Tau and BIN1 colocalized and interacted in human neuroblastoma cells and in mouse brain. Finally, the 3 bp insertion was associated with Tau but not Amyloid loads in AD brains. We propose that BIN1 mediates AD risk by modulating Tau pathology.

Validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry screening method to monitor 58 antibiotics in milk: a qualitative approach.

A multi-residue method was developed for monitoring antibiotic residues in milk using liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC/MS-MS). Two very short extractions followed by two LC/MS-MS acquisitions allowed the screening of 58 antibiotics belonging to eight different families (penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, macrolides, lincosamides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and quinolones). This method is currently implemented in the laboratory in a qualitative way, i.e. monitoring the presence or absence of residue in a sample and identification of the analyte before the confirmation step. In order to assess the performance of this method, a validation strategy described in an internal guideline for the validation of screening methods was applied. The aim of the validation was to prove sufficient sensitivity of the method to detect all the targeted antibiotics at the level of interest (maximum residue limit, MRL) at least. According to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the suitable sensitivity of a screening method can be demonstrated when the CCbeta is below or equal to the MRL and so the false-compliant rate below or equal to 5% at the MRL level. The validation scheme was established in order to take into account various variability factors: the apparatus response, the interday repeatability, the matrix effect, etc. The results of the validation clearly demonstrate the suitability of this method for the detection and identification of more than 50 antibiotics and they are in agreement with the results obtained in routine analysis.

[Thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and macular volume in children and adults with strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia]. / Epaisseur des fibres nerveuses rétiniennes péripapillaires (RNFL) et volume maculaire dans l'amblyopie chez les enfants et les adultes.

PURPOSE: To compare the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the macular volume and of normal and amblyopic eyes between children and adults who had strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with unilateral amblyopia were consecutively included from June 2006 to June 2007. The macular volume and the RNFL thickness were measured using OCT and compared depending on the type of amblyopia, either strabismic or anisometropic, and the age of the patients, either children (3-10 years old) or adults (18 years old or older). RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included. In the child group (n=27), there was no significant difference in RNFL thickness and macular volume between amblyopic and normal eyes in both anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia. In the adult group (n=29), the RNFL was statistically thicker in amblyopic eyes only in the subgroup of anisometropic amblyopia (114+/-10.3mum in the amblyopic eyes versus 103+/-9.8mum in the normal eyes, p=0.02). No difference was found in RNFL thickness and macular volume in strabismic amblyopia. When anisometropic amblyopic eyes in children were compared to those of adults, the spherical equivalence was more positive (p=0.03) and RNFL was thicker (p=0.02) in the adult group, whereas visual acuity was not significantly different between the two groups. In strabismic amblyopia, no difference was found in spherical equivalence, RNFL thickness, and macular volume, whereas visual acuity was better in children's amblyopic eyes as compared to those of adults (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The difference in RNFL thickness is related to the difference of refraction between normal and amblyopic eyes, and between children and adults, independently of visual acuity and the mechanism of amblyopia.

[Kartagener's syndrome and infertility: observation, diagnosis and treatment]. / Syndrome de Kartagener et stérilité: observation, diagnostic et prise en charge.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a rare etiology of sterility in man (prevalence between 1/6000 and 1/40000). Kartagener's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by total or partial dysfunction of the ciliary or flagellated cells. This syndrome associates situs inversus, sinusitis, bronchiectasis and occasionally sterility in males. We report a case of immotile cilia syndrome with male infertility and compare the data with four other couples reported in the literature (two couples in Germany, two in the United States). The difficulty is to select an alive sperm cell for ICSI.

Determination of four nitroimidazole residues in poultry meat by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A multi-residue liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay method is described for the determination of four nitroimidazoles in poultry muscle. The extraction procedure is based on liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate followed by an evaporation step. A deuterated internal standard is used. The LC separation was made on a C18 bonded silica column with an aqueous formic acid (0.2%) solution-methanol-acetonitrile (81:13:6) mobile phase. Following electrospray ionization, the protonated molecular ion [M+H]+ is obtained for each compound. Monitoring several ions for each nitroimidazole provides the specificity required for confirmatory assay. Validation of the method was performed to estimate linearity, intra-day and inter-day repeatability, accuracy and detection limit. The present method is capable of identifying nitroimidazole residues in muscle at levels below 5 microg/kg.

Simultaneous determination of six quinolones in pig muscle by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry.

An LC-MS method is described for the confirmation of six quinolones (enrofloxacine, ciprofloxacine, marbofloxacine, danofloxacine, sarafloxacine and difloxacine) in pig muscle. The quinolones were extracted from muscle (2 g) with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). After centrifugation, the extract was purified on a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge. Samples were analysed by LC with gradient elution on a C18 column and detected by MS via an atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interface. For each compound, an intense pseudo-molecular ion [M+H]+ is obtained. The assay is specific and reproducible and allows the confirmation of the six quinolones at the 7.5 micrograms kg-1 level in pig muscle.

[Controlled hyperstimulation in intra-uterine inseminations: hMG-hCG protocol (204 cycles)]. / Hyperstimulation contrôlée dans les inséminations intra-utérines: protocole hMG-hCG (à propos de 204 cycles).

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the results of superovulation, protocol hMG-hCG, associated to IUI for treatment of infertility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this prospective study, includes 77 couples who underwent 204 consecutive cycles of homologous IUI. The same protocol was applied for all the couples. hMG was administrated from cycle days 2 to 5 (3 then 2 ampuls per day). Patients were monitored daily, by evaluation of serum oestradiol. Insemination was done 36 to 38 hours after hCG injection. RESULTS: 2.6 cycles were done per couple. We observed 16.2% pregnancy per cycle. The best results were obtained in female indications, in the first cycle, with more than 500,000 spermatozoide and with a level of E2 between 500 and 1500 pg/ml. Multiple pregnancy was observed in 18.2%. CONCLUSION: controlled ovarian stimulation should be associated to all IUI.

[Intra-uterine inseminations with hyperstimulation in male infertility]. / Inséminations intra-utérines avec hyperstimulation dans les indications masculines.

Our aim is to evaluate the efficacity of intrauterine insemination in male infertility after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. 96 cycles were carried out. 16 pregnancies were achieved, the pregnancy rate per cycle is 16.7% (43.3% per couple) and 12.5% ongoing pregnancies. Six cycles were proposed and the higher cumulative probability of pregnancy is obtained at the 4th cycle. The best pregnancy rate per cycle is obtained with 5.10(6) to 10.10(6) inseminated. The success rate is not associated with the number of sperm abnormalities in our study.

[Evolution of the practice of sperm cryopreservation and fate of the preserved specimens : retrospective study of testicular cancer]. / Evolution de la pratique d'autoconservation de sperme et devenir des paillettes mises en garde: étude rétrospective à propos du cancer du testicule. Fédération Française des CECOS.

Testis cancer, chemotherapy and radiation can induce temporary or permanent infertility in men. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa seems an absolute prerequisite in such situation for male patients who are old enough to procreate. We propose a national retrospective study carried out in 17 CECOS. This survey demonstrates a regular increase for semen preservation in testis cancer and analyses the modalities of gametes preservation and their possible use. In view of this activity, we propose a discussion of the attitude of the various CECOS and of particular cases involving ethical issues.

Multiresidue method for confirmation of macrolide antibiotics in bovine muscle by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A particle beam/liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric (PB/LC/MS) method capable of determining 5 macrolides in bovine muscle is described. Spiramycin, tylosin, tilmicosin, erythromycin, and josamycin residues in bovine muscle are confirmed by reversed-phase LC/MS incorporating gradient elution. Macrolides are extracted from tissue with chloroform, and the extract is purified with a diol solid-phase extraction cleanup. The 5 macrolides are identified by negative and positive chemical ionization with selective ion monitoring of 2 ions in each mode. The procedure confirms the presence of each macrolide at 50 micrograms/kg in spiked samples.

Identification of tylosin in bovine muscle at the maximum residue limit level by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, using a particle beam interface.

A particle beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method is presented as a confirmatory technique for analysis of tylosin residues in bovine muscle. After chloroform extraction and a diol solid-phase extraction clean-up, on-line liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of extracts is carried out on an RP-18 bonded silica column. The analyte is introduced into the ion source by a particle beam interface and identified by negative chemical ionization with selective ion monitoring. The tylosin molecular ion is obtained with this ionization mode. The response of the ion chromatogram peak areas is linear for the three levels of spiked muscle analysed (0.5, 1 and 2 maximum residue limit). Under these LC-MS conditions, other macrolide antibiotics such as spiramycin and erythromycin do not interfere with tylosin.

Particle beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method with negative ion chemical ionization for the confirmation of oxacillin, cloxacillin and dicloxacillin residues in bovine muscle.

To ensure human food safety, the European Union has defined maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary drug residues in food products. Analytical methods need to be developed to confirm the presence of drugs at the MRL level. A method using particle beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the confirmation of oxacillin, cloxacillin and dicloxacillin in bovine muscle at the maximum residue limit of 300 micrograms kg-1. Beta-lactams were extracted from tissues with ethyl acetate under slightly acidic conditions and separated on a C18 bonded silica column with a methanol-aqueous formic acid (2%) solution-acetonitrile mobile phase. Negative ion chemical ionization with methane as the reagent gas was used to identify the compounds. The specificity required for a regulatory confirmation procedure was achieved by monitoring five fragment ions for each compound (selected ion monitoring mode): m/z 183, 198, 213, 214 and 241 for oxacillin; m/z 196, 248, 250, 275 and 277 for cloxacillin; m/z 165, 230, 232, 274 and 276 for dicloxacillin.

Confirmatory analysis for spiramycin residue in bovine muscle by liquid chromatography/particle beam mass spectrometry.

To ensure that residues of veterinary drugs, above their respective maximum residue limits, do not reach the human food supply, European Community regulations specify requirements for detection, quantification and confirmation analytical methods and control procedures. The European Community member states base meat controls on these protocols. A liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of spiramycin in calf muscle is presented as a confirmatory method for this compound. A particle beam interface was used, with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry, using methane as the reagent gas. Samples (2 g muscle were prepared by liquid/liquid extraction followed by solid-phase extraction clean-up. On-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of extracts was carried out on a C-18 bonded silica column. The specificity required for a regulatory confirmation procedure was achieved by monitoring five fragment ions with m/z 304, 330, 475, 683 and 684. Variation of the relative ion abundances was less than 20% at the maximum limit of residue, 50 micrograms kg-1. The method specificity was tested for three related compounds: neospiramycin, erythromycin and tylosin. The detection limit based on ion chromatogram peaks areas obtained with control samples was determined to be 20 micrograms kg-1.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of spiramycin in cattle after intramuscular administration of multiple doses.

Pharmacokinetic variables of spiramycin and its distribution in muscle, liver, kidney, and injection sites were studied in 18 mixed-sex 1-year-old calves to assess drug withdrawal time after 2 IM administrations of 100,000 IU of spiramycin/kg of body weight at 48-hour intervals. Presence of a compound, other than spiramycin I (ie, neospiramycin), was observed in tissues used for withdrawal time determination. High concentrations observed at the injection sites decreased slowly to maximal residue limit with half-life of 109.5 hours for neospiramycin and 77.5 hours for spiramycin. At 14 days, neospiramycin concentrations were higher in kidney than in liver and half-life was different between these 2 tissues. Two methods of withdrawal time determination were used and the part of the samples without residue detected, in the calculation, was discussed. Withdrawal time of 35 days can be proposed on the basis of average daily intake determined for spiramycin, with concentration at injection sites representing 10% of the whole muscle concentration.

Determination of chloramphenicol in muscle using a particle beam interface for combining liquid chromatography with negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of chloramphenicol in calf muscle is presented. A particle beam interface was used, with negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry using methane as the reagent gas. The method specificity was tested for three related compounds, dehydrochloramphenicol, nitrosochloramphenicol and nitrophenylaminopropanediol. The extraction procedures require 5 g of muscle, and the quantification limit is 2 micrograms/kg for chloramphenicol. Residues were detected in calf muscle 48 h after intravenous administration of chloramphenicol (25 mg/kg body weight).

Pharmacokinetics of spiramycin after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration in lactating cows.

Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is active against most of the microorganisms isolated from the milk of mastitic cows. This work investigated the disposition of spiramycin in plasma and milk after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. Twelve healthy cows were given a single injection of spiramycin at a dose of 30,000 IU/kg by each route. Plasma and milk were collected post injection. Spiramycin concentration in the plasma was determined by a high performance liquid chromatography method, and in the milk by a microbiological method. The mean residence time after intravenous administration was significantly longer (P less than 0.01) in the milk (20.7 +/- 2.7 h) than in plasma (4.0 +/- 1.6 h). An average milk-to-plasma ratio of 36.5 +/- 15 was calculated from the area concentration-time curves. Several pharmacokinetic parameters were examined to determine the bioequivalence of the two extravascular routes. The dose fraction adsorbed after intramuscular or subcutaneous administration was almost 100% and was bioequivalent for the extravascular routes, but the rates of absorption, the maximal concentrations and the time to obtain them differed significantly between the two routes. Spiramycin quantities excreted in milk did not differ between the two extravascular routes but the latter were not bioequivalent for maximal concentration in the milk. However, the two routes were bio-equivalent for the duration of time the milk concentration exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of various pathogens causing infections in the mammary gland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of automated liquid chromatographic and bioassay methods for determining spiramycin concentration in bovine plasma.

The performance of a liquid chromatographic (LC) method for spiramycin measurement in bovine plasma has been compared with that of a microbiological method. Plasma samples were obtained from cattle administered spiramycin intravenously. Comparison tests used were intraclass correlation (r1), correlation (r), and Student's paired t-test. For concentrations lower than 2.5 IU/mL, microbiological values were higher than LC values. This difference in results modified pharmacokinetic interpretation and might be explained by the presence of microbiologically active metabolites.

Liquid chromatographic determination of depletion of bithionol sulfoxide and its two major metabolites in bovine milk.

A liquid chromatographic method is described for determining bithionol sulfoxide and its metabolites, bithionol and bithionol sulfone, in milk. Samples are treated with HCl to precipitate proteins and to permit extraction of bithionol sulfoxide in nonionized form. Tetrahydrofuran is added to the organic phase to facilitate extraction in diethyl ether; the dried residue is dissolved in chloroform, hexane, and sodium hydroxide and subjected to LC analysis. Residues of bithionol sulfoxide and its 2 metabolites were determined in milk of lactating cows. Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were administered a single oral dose of bithionol sulfoxide (50 mg/kg). Milk samples were analyzed with a reliable detection level of 0.025 microgram/mL for each compound. Residues of bithionol sulfoxide and bithionol were detected during 30 and 16 milkings, respectively; bithionol sulfone was never present at detectable levels.

High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of veterinary anthelmintics I: Quantitative determination of tetramisole.

High-pressure liquid chromatography was used with a 10-micron C8-type bonded silica gel column to quantitate the tetramisole in veterinary anthelmintic preparations. The chromatographic elution time was less than 10 min, and other compounds present in the products analyzed did not interefere.