Samples of human breast milk (n=33) from A Coruña (NW of Spain) collected in 2006 and 2007 were analyzed for HBCD diastereoisomers and enantiomers. HBCD was detected in 30 out of 33 human milk samples, at concentration levels ranging between 3 and 188 ng/g lw, with a median value of 27 ng/g lw, showing higher levels than those published for other countries. Diastereoisomeric pattern shows the predominance of the gamma-isomer, with low contribution of the alpha-isomer and the beta-isomer being below the limit of quantification. However, in six samples, there is a dominance of the alpha-isomer versus the gamma-isomer. For the first time, HBCD enantiomeric analysis was carried out in human breast milk samples, showing a selective enantiomeric enrichment in human body. As regards alpha-HBCD, an enrichment of (-)-enantiomer was observed. However, in the case of gamma-HBCD, no clear preference for one or the other enantiomer was found. Finally, and based on the calculated HBCD concentrations in human breast milk from Spain, the daily ingestion rate of HBCD was estimated. The nursing infant dietary intake for HBCD was set at 175 ng (kg of body weight)(-1) day(-1).

Numerous studies have shown geographical differences in semen quality even within a given country. We have previously reported a low semen quality in volunteers from the province of Barcelona compared with the general population. The objective of this study was to determine the semen quality in a population of young healthy volunteers from the different regions of Spain. A total of 1239 volunteers between 18 and 30 years of age were enrolled. The parameters evaluated were semen volume, sperm concentration and progressive sperm motility. The results indicate that while there were no differences in semen volume or sperm motility, there were statistically significant differences in the rate of oligospermia in volunteers from the different regions studied. The prevalence of oligospermia was highest in Valencia (22.7%), Barcelona (22.7%) and Pais Vasco (18.7%), which are the regions of Spain with the highest degree of industrialisation for the last 50 years, and lowest in Galicia (8.5%) and Andalucía (13.7%), regions with a more recent industrial development. There were no differences in the rate of oligospermia as a function of age. These results support the hypothesis that exposure to environmental toxicants may affect the process of spermatogenesis leading to meiotic alterations, maturational arrest and oligospermia.

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This study compared fetal response to musical stimuli applied intravaginally (intravaginal music [IVM]) with application via emitters placed on the mother’s abdomen (abdominal music [ABM]). Responses were quantified by recording facial movements identified on 3D/4D ultrasound. One hundred and six normal pregnancies between 14 and 39 weeks of gestation were randomized to 3D/4D ultrasound with: (a) ABM with standard headphones (flute monody at 98.6 dB); (b) IVM with a specially designed device emitting the same monody at 53.7 dB; or (c) intravaginal vibration (IVV; 125 Hz) at 68 dB with the same device. Facial movements were quantified at baseline, during stimulation, and for 5 minutes after stimulation was discontinued. In fetuses at a gestational age of >16 weeks, IVM-elicited mouthing (MT) and tongue expulsion (TE) in 86.7% and 46.6% of fetuses, respectively, with significant differences when compared with ABM and IVV (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively). There were no changes from baseline in ABM and IVV. TE occurred ≥5 times in 5 minutes in 13.3% with IVM. IVM was related with higher occurrence of MT (odds ratio = 10.980; 95% confidence interval = 3.105–47.546) and TE (odds ratio = 10.943; 95% confidence interval = 2.568–77.037). The frequency of TE with IVM increased significantly with gestational age (p = 0.024). Fetuses at 16–39 weeks of gestation respond to intravaginally emitted music with repetitive MT and TE movements not observed with ABM or IVV. Our findings suggest that neural pathways participating in the auditory–motor system are developed as early as gestational week 16. These findings might contribute to diagnostic methods for prenatal hearing screening, and research into fetal neurological stimulation.

Endometrial receptivity is a primary concern for embryo implantation success in fertility treatments. The present study was a retrospective analysis of 4070 cycles with donor oocytes and hormone-replacement therapy. Endometrial thickness was assessed once with transvaginal ultrasound. Patients were allowed to continue when endometrial thickness was ?5mm and had triple line morphology. Pregnancy rates, the number of gestational sacs and miscarriage rates were analysed in relation to endometrium status. Regression models were used to analyse associations, taking the day of embryo transfer into account. All patient parameters were homogeneous. Mean endometrial thickness was 7.24±1.66mm, the mean number of embryos transferred was 2.04±0.43, the pregnancy rate was 48.06% and sacs were present in 42.3% of cycles. There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates, number of gestational sacs and miscarriage rates for different endometrial thickness measurements. The present study is, to our knowledge, the largest study evaluating the role of endometrial thickness in oocyte donation cycles. Endometrial thickness >5mm is a reasonable parameter for determining treatment success, and once it is observed in a single ultrasonographic evaluation there is no need for subsequent monitoring and embryo transfer can be scheduled over the following 1-16 days, because the results are not compromised. This may lead to a significant reduction in time and cost in fertility clinics.

FISH analysis of the first and second polar body in donor oocytes gave an aneuploidy rate of 19.1 %. This study shows the majority of errors occur during Meiosis I.

Embryo screening for aneuploidy (AS) is part of preimplantation genetic diagnostics (PGD) and is aimed at improving the efficiency of assisted reproduction. Currently, several technologies, including the well-established fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, cover the screening of all chromosomes in a single cell. This study evaluates a novel 24-chromosome FISH technique protocol (FISH-24). A total of 337 embryos were analyzed using the traditional 9-chromosome FISH technique (FISH-9) while 251 embryos were evaluated using the new FISH-24 technique. Embryos deemed nontransferable on Day 3 were cultured in vitro to Day 5 of development, then fixed and reanalyzed according to the technique allocated to each treatment cycle (107 embryos analyzed by FISH-9 and 111 by FISH-24). The global error rate (discrepancy between Day 3 and Day 5 results for a single embryo) was 2.8% after FISH-9 and 3.6% after FISH-24, with a p value of 0.95. Thus, we have established and validated a 24-chromosome FISH-based single cell aneuploidy screening technique, showing that the error rate obtained for FISH-24 is independent of the number of chromosomes analyzed and equivalent to the error rate observed for FISH-9, as a useful tool for chromosome segregation studies and clinical use.

No abstract