Fertility NEWS LETTER

Ideal fertility : ICSI / IVF & Genetic Center India

Dear Colleges
Hello

In this issue we are putting two topics ,one on thalassemia and the other one is the effect of paternal age on fetal defects.

One of our colleague Dr.Anpama Solonki has contributed one topic on thalassemia screening, I am thankful to her for her co-operation to improve the content of this newsletter.

Anemia in pregnancy is very common and we found that many of the women are carriers of various hemoglobiopathies. Proper screening and counseling will definitely reduce the burden of these disorders.

Our aim in this institution is to search for the reasons of anemia from macro to molecular level. Correct diagnosis will help to reduce the anemia and in-turn will reduce the maternal mortality and morbidity.

Other topic is ,how father is responsible for chromosomal defects in fetuses conceived by assisted reproductive technologies.

We are conducting or 10th annual summer course in biotechnology for biotech students who are pursuing  their degree courses in various universities.
Hope you will enjoy the topics

With best wishes
Dr. D’Pankar Banerji

1.THALASSEMIA SCREENING

Hemoglobin A ( alfa2/beta2) is the major hemoglobin found in adult and children.
Hb A2 ( alfa2/delta2) and HbF ( alfa2/gamma2) and their concentrations are 2-2.3% and 0.2-1.0% in adult life respectively.

Alfa chains synthesis is directed by two alfa genes, alfa1 and alfa2, on chromosome  16 ,and beta and delta chains synthesis by single genes beta and delta on chromosome 11. Gamma chain synthesis is directed by two genes, G-gamma and A-gamma also on chromosome 11.

METHODS FOR INVESTIGATION OF SUSPECTED THALASSEMIA

1. Full blood count with red cell indices
2. HbA2 measurement
3. Automated high performance liquid chromatography
4. Quantitation of Hb F
5. Assessment of iron status
6. Demonstration of red cell inclusion bodies
7. DNA analysis

2. Paternal Contribution of aneuploidy in Assisted reproduction technology

Numerical and structural abnormalities in sperm increase somewhat with aging, but since the increase starts over forty and is initially very low, sperm aneuploidies are not clinically relevant in the fertile male population. However , gonosomic aneuploidy and trisomy 21 have been demonstrated to have a possible paternal origin.

Among the infertile population entering ART treatment , a male factor is frequently involved . almost 30-40 percent of men suffer of some degree of OAT (oligo-astheno-terato-zoospermia) and 5-8 percent need to use sperm extracted from the testis because of nonobstructive azoospermia (TESE) or from epididymis because of obstructive azoospermia  (MESA).

Studies applying FISH (  fluorescent in-siu hybridization) in human sperm start to show a higher frequency of aneuploidy in OAT patients and in TESE samples compared to normospermic ,but still some concerns are present regarding the reliability of the test and its clinical relevance.

In one study from Italy shows that very few (<2 percent) normospermic men had semen samples with a high percentage of abnormal chromosomal complement , while the same figure ranged from 12 percent (moderate OAT) to 89 percent (testicular samples) in the infertile male population. The mean percentage of aneuploid spermatozoon was 1.27 % in normospermic samples, 4.02 % in  severe OAT, and 13.7 % in TESE, clearly showing that testicular sperms are significantly more prone to aneuploidy than ejaculated sperms.

Severe OAT and TESE spermatozoa (non-obstructive azoo) generate significantly higher incidence of aneuploid embryos compared to other groups, strongly suggesting a paternal contributions to embryonic aneuploidies when severe infertile samples are used for ICSI .

3. SUMMER COURSE PROGRAM

n Medical Biotechnology

7th June 2010 - 17th June2010
Time 8.00am-1.00pm

Program :

Day 1

Theory :

• Introduction to cell biology
• Microscopy

Practical :
Microscopy :Stereozoom, Trinocular photomicrography, Inverted Microscopy

Day 2

Theory

• Cell cycle and cell division
• Primary tissue culture, introduction to tissue culture

Day 3

Theory

1. Detection and measurement of genetic variation
2. Monohybrid/dihybrid, mutations, Mendelian genetics

Practical :
Planting

Day 4

Theory :

1. Replication
2. ranscription and translation

Practical :
DNA isolation from blood

Day5

Theory

1. ovulation induction for in vitro fertilization
2. Human ,genetic diseases

Practical :
PCR demonstration

Day6

Theory :
Embryo biotechnology and stem cells

Practical:

1. Hands on retrieval of mammalian eggs under stereomicroscope
2. in-vitro maturation of oocyte

Day7

Practical:
Harvesting of culture
In-vitro maturation of oocytes

Day8

Theory :
Single Gene disorders

Practical:
Cryopreservation of Spermatozoa and oocytes

Day9

Theory :
Immunogenetics,basic

Practical:
Banding / slide preparation /identification of chromosomes harvested earlier

Day10

Seminar by the participants
Certificate distribution

Faculty :
1. Dr.D'Pankar Banerji, Gynecologist and Infertility specialist
2. Dr. Mrs. Rinku Banerji ,Pathologist and Embryologist

Fees : Rs.5000.00
Phone Number to contact : 2627711
Stay can be arranged at nearby hotels at a reasonable rates at an extra cost