The Paradox of Self-Fertile Varieties in the Context of Self-Incompatible Genotypes in Olive.

Olive, representing one of the most important fruit crops of the Mediterranean area, is characterized by a general low fruit yield, due to numerous constraints, including alternate bearing, low flower viability, male-sterility, inter-incompatibility, and self-incompatibility (SI). Early efforts to clarify the genetic control of SI in olive gave conflicting results, and only recently, the genetic control of SI has been disclosed, revealing that olive possesses an unconventional homomorphic sporophytic diallelic system of SI, dissimilar from other described plants. This system, characterized by the presence of two SI groups, prevents self-fertilization and regulates inter-compatibility between cultivars, such that cultivars bearing the same incompatibility group are incompatible. Despite the presence of a functional SI, some varieties, in particular conditions, are able to set seeds following self-fertilization, a mechanism known as pseudo-self-compatibility (PSC), as widely reported in previous literature. Here, we summarize the results of previous works on SI in olive, particularly focusing on the occurrence of self-fertility, and offer a new perspective in view of the recent elucidation of the genetic architecture of the SI system in olive. Recent advances in research aimed at unraveling the molecular bases of SI and its breakdown in olive are also presented. The clarification of these mechanisms may have a huge impact on orchard management and will provide fundamental information for the future of olive breeding programs.

Transcriptomic and genomic structural variation analyses on grape cultivars reveal new insights into the genotype-dependent responses to water stress.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is importantly cultivated worldwide for table grape and wine production. Its cultivation requires irrigation supply, especially in arid and semiarid areas. Water deficiency can affect berry and wine quality mostly depending on the extent of plant perceived stress, which is a cultivar-specific trait. We tested the physiological and molecular responses to water deficiency of two table grape cultivars, Italia and Autumn royal, and we highlighted their different adaptation. Microarray analyses revealed that Autumn royal reacts involving only 29 genes, related to plant stress response and ABA/hormone signal transduction, to modulate the response to water deficit. Instead, cultivar Italia orchestrates a very broad response (we found 1037 differentially expressed genes) that modifies the cell wall organization, carbohydrate metabolism, response to reactive oxygen species, hormones and osmotic stress. For the first time, we integrated transcriptomic data with cultivar-specific genomics and found that ABA-perception and -signalling are key factors mediating the varietal-specific behaviour of the early response to drought. We were thus able to isolate candidate genes for the genotype-dependent response to drought. These insights will allow the identification of reliable plant stress indicators and the definition of sustainable cultivar-specific protocols for water management.

GnRH antagonists and mild ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination: a randomized study comparing different gonadotrophin dosages.

BACKGROUND: The precise role of GnRH antagonists in the armamentarium of drugs for stimulation of ovulation associated with intrauterine insemination remains to be clarified. In this study, we have compared two different protocols employing GnRH antagonists in order to determine the lower effective dose of gonadotrophins to use. METHODS: Sixty-six couples with unexplained infertility or moderate male subfertility were recruited. Starting on day 3 of the cycle, 32 patients were randomized to receive 50 IU of recombinant FSH per day, whereas 34 were treated with 50 IU of recombinant FSH on alternate days. Women received the GnRH antagonist Ganirelix at a dose of 0.25 mg per day starting on the day in which a leading follicle > or =14 mm in mean diameter was visualized, until HCG administration. Insemination was performed 34 h after HCG injection. RESULTS: The regimen with daily recombinant FSH was associated with a lower rate of mono-ovulation (53.3% versus 78.8%, P=0.06) but also with a higher clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (34.4% versus 5.9%, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A protocol of recombinant FSH 50 IU daily and GnRH antagonist may represent an effective and safe regimen for ovulation induction associated with intrauterine insemination.

[Induction of monofollicular cycles]. / Induzione di cicli monofollicolari.

The therapy of anovulatory infertility is not meant to obtain a pregnancy at any cost, but to restore an ovulation as physiological as possible. This involves the use of drugs and therapeutical protocols to obtain monofollicular cycles. Monofollicularity reduces the two main risks of induction of ovulation: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy. The aim of this study is a review of the Literature on ovulation induction and a comparison with the data of our Sterility Service. The importance of the question will be examined together with the most used ovulation induction drugs: clomiphene citrate, gonadotrophins and pulsatile GnRH. The parameters considered are: the number of follicles, single or multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation. After a review about ovarian stimulation, the results of our Sterility Service are presented: 364 cycles of ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate, low-dose gonadotrophins or pulsatile GnRH were monitored; monofollicularity was obtained in 58,48% of ovulatory cycles. Differences between drugs will be described in the text. The therapy of anovulatory infertility aims to restore a physiological ovulation and to obtain a single pregnancy, not a pregnancy at any cost.

Case-control study on risk factors for premature ovarian failure.

Objective of this case-control study was to investigate the potential risk factors for premature ovarian failure (POF). Seventy-three patients with secondary hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and, as control group, 144 women with acute, non-gynecological, non-neoplastic, non-hormone-related diseases were included in the study. Information was obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, gynecological and obstetric data, general lifestile habits, smoking habits and history of selected gynecological and other clinical conditions. A statistically significant association between high education level and POF was found (p = 0.03). Parity was related to a reduced risk of POF and this reduction increased with the number of live births (p = 0.02). No association emerged between POF risk and age at menarche, cycle length and oral contraceptive use. Women with POF could not be distinguished from control women by behavioral and reproductive history, except for lower fertility. The minor influence that reproductive and lifestyle factors have on the occurrence of POF suggests that genetic inheritance plays a more important role.

Premature ovarian failure.

Secondary amenorrhoea with elevated gonadotrophins occurring under the age of 40 (premature ovarian failure (POF)), and at the age between 41 and 44 years (early menopause (EM)), respectively, affects 1-2% and 5% of women in the general population. Objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of familial cases of POF and EM and to assess the clinical and genetic characteristics of these patients. One hundred and sixty women with idiopathic secondary amenorrhoea before the age of 45 and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels greater than or equal to 40 IU/l were included in the study. Tests performed on patients included complete medical history, pedigree's analysis, clinical pelvic examination, gonadotrophins and thyroid assessment, chromosomal analysis. The 160 patients included in the study showed idiopathic POF (n=130) or EM (n=30). Following pedigree assessment, we were able to identify an incidence of familial cases of 28.5% in the POF group (n=37) and of 50% in the EM group (n=15). POF and EM condition were often present in the same family. There were no differences between POF and EM patients and between familial and sporadic cases regarding age at menarche, personal history, gynaecological history, weight, height and diet habits. There was a statistically significant difference between sporadic and familial cases in age at POF onset: 32.0+/-7.3 years (12-40) compared to 35. 0+/-5.8 (18-40), respectively (P<0.05). The POF and EM families identified showed two or more affected females and transmission through either maternal or paternal relatives; in four families both maternal and paternal transmission was observed. This study suggests that idiopathic POF and EM conditions, differing only in age of menopause onset, may represent a variable expression of the same genetic disease. The different age of menopause onset in these patients may be explained by genetic heterogeneity and/or by different environmental factors. Our results indicate a high rate of familial transmission of the condition. Pedigree's analysis suggests an autosomal or an X-linked dominant sex-limited pattern of inheritance for POF and EM.

The idiopathic forms of premature menopause and early menopause show the same genetic pattern.

Genetic factors may influence the timing of menopause. Premature ovarian failure (POF) has recently been identified as a genetic entity, but no genetic data are available on early menopause (EM). We investigated 36 patients with EM (age of menopause between 40 and 45 years of age) using cytogenetic and pedigree analysis. In 30 patients of this study the EM was idiopathic and 15 subjects (50%) had a familial condition of EM or POF. Pedigree analysis revealed a dominant pattern of inheritance of EM through maternal or paternal relatives. Our data reveal that POF and EM patients show the same genetic features and we postulate that these conditions may be a variable expression of the same genetic disease.

Two-year treatment with oral contraceptives in hyperprolactinemic patients.

The aim of this prospective study was the follow-up for 2 years in symptoms, serum prolactin (PRL) levels, and radiological aspects of a group of young patients using oral contraceptives (OC) with hyperprolactinemia. A total of 16 hyperprolactinemic women (eight with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and eight with pituitary microadenoma) who started OC use were admitted in the study. After 2 years of OC use, the assessable patients showed a nonsignificant decrease in plasma PRL level (26.8 +/- 29.4 micrograms/mL, range 4.2-97.1 micrograms/mL vs 56.3 +/- 31.5 micrograms/mL, range 23.5-144 micrograms/mL). No patient experienced any radiological changes during OC treatment. In conclusion, although the number of observations is limited, the data suggest that after 2 years of follow-up, no harmful effect of OC use was observed in these patients.

PIP: Recent case-control studies have failed to document any growth of pituitary adenomas following oral contraceptive (OC) use. The present study, involving 16 hyperprolactinemic OC users (8 with idiopathic and 8 with pituitary microadenoma) from Milan, Italy, also suggested exogenous estrogen has no harmful effects on these patients. Study participants underwent two blood collections before OC initiation for measurement of basal prolactin levels as well as a pituitary computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance scan. During OC use, prolactin measurements were taken between days 5-10 during cycles 6, 12, 18, and 24. At the end of the 24-month treatment period, all women underwent a second radiologic examination. After 2 years of OC use, women showed a nonsignificant decrease in plasma serum prolactin levels (median, 26.8 +or- 29.4 mcg/ml; range, 23.5-144 mcg/ml). No radiologic changes occurred. No patient experienced a prolactinoma enlargement during OC use. Despite a lack of evidence, OC administration is often considered contraindicated in hyperprolactinemic women.

Inheritance in idiopathic premature ovarian failure: analysis of 71 cases.

Premature ovarian failure is defined as cessation of ovarian function under the age of 40 years and affects approximately 1% of women in the general population. The aetiology of this disorder is still unknown in most cases. Although there have been some reports of familial premature ovarian failure, very little is known about the incidence and inheritance pattern of its idiopathic form. The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence and inheritance pattern of familial premature ovarian failure in a homogeneous group of patients with premature idiopathic menopause and to identify possible clinical differences between patients with the familial and the sporadic form of premature ovarian failure. A total of 71 women were recruited into the study. Clinical assessments and genetic counselling showed that 22 (31%) patients had familial premature ovarian failure, this high incidence strongly suggesting that the disorder is a recognizable heritable entity. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the median age of precocious menopause in patients with sporadic and familial premature ovarian failure (31.0 and 37.5 years of age in the two groups, respectively). Pedigree analysis strongly suggests the existence of a familial pattern of premature ovarian failure with a dominant maternal and/or paternal transmission and incomplete penetrance. In the presence of familial history of premature ovarian failure, reproductive counselling is recommended.