Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. ...Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the ＇World Health Organisation （WHO） Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Hu- man Semen＇ now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Never- theless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success （relative to the spermatozoa）. The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including （perhaps） the de- cision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.展开更多
Genome-wide association studies （GWAS） have successfully identified a substantial number of risk variants for prostate cancer [1-10]. In total, more than 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） that predispose t...Genome-wide association studies （GWAS） have successfully identified a substantial number of risk variants for prostate cancer [1-10]. In total, more than 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） that predispose to prostate malignancy have been found scattered throughout the genome in coding and non-coding regions. The 8q24 chromosomal region is an intriguing locus as it harbors five independent susceptibility variants （rs10086908; rs16901979; rs620861; rs6983267; rs1447295） that span a 440-kb genomic interval devoid of genes or protein-coding transcripts.展开更多
文摘Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the ＇World Health Organisation （WHO） Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Hu- man Semen＇ now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Never- theless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success （relative to the spermatozoa）. The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including （perhaps） the de- cision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.
文摘Genome-wide association studies （GWAS） have successfully identified a substantial number of risk variants for prostate cancer [1-10]. In total, more than 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） that predispose to prostate malignancy have been found scattered throughout the genome in coding and non-coding regions. The 8q24 chromosomal region is an intriguing locus as it harbors five independent susceptibility variants （rs10086908; rs16901979; rs620861; rs6983267; rs1447295） that span a 440-kb genomic interval devoid of genes or protein-coding transcripts.
