In this article, we consider the prohibition on the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis to select an embryo on the basis of its sex for non -: medical reasons. We use this as a case study to explore the role that public consultations have and should play in ethico-legal decision-making. Until the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 was amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryol...

We examined egg fertilisation in purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) after sperm exposure to carbon-based nanomaterials, carbon black (CB) and graphene oxide (GO), from 0.0001 mg/L to 1.0mg/L. Gastrula stage embryos were investigated for acetylcholinesterase and propionylcholinesterase activities, and their morphological characteristics. Plutei were analysed for morphological abnormalitie...

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcome of transfer of thawed blastocysts frozen on either day 5 or day 6 after in vitro fertilisation. DESIGN Cohort observational study. SETTING Tertiary assisted conception unit in London, UK. POPULATION Six hundred and forty-two consecutive nondonor programmed thawed blastocyst transfer (TBT) cycles. METHODS High-grade blastocysts were frozen on day 5 (n = 3...

This study examined the event of protein phosphorylation in bovine oocytes during germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and formation of pronuclei following fertilisation in vitro. Immature oocytes were obtained from abattoir materials and cultured in vitro. The oocytes were labelled with [32P]orthophosphate at 3 h intervals from 0 to 12 h following maturation in culture or from 3 to 18 h following...

The ability of human metaphase-II arrested eggs to activate following fertilisation declines with advancing maternal age. Egg activation is triggered by repetitive increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in the ooplasm as a result of sperm-egg fusion. We therefore hypothesised that eggs from older females feature a reduced ability to mount appropriate Ca(2+) responses at fer...

The cause of infertility is unexplained in about 22-28% of all infertile couples. The prognosis for spontaneous pregnancy in such couples is better than in those with diagnosed causes of infertility. Traditional treatment options in this group have included expectant management, clomifene citrate, intrauterine insemination with (super ovulation plus intrauterine insemination) or without (intrau...

In recent years, organic farming, or the production of food plant animal origin, has been increasingly discussed in our country. A few growers decided to reorient on their farms. The aim study was evaluate yields potatoes and tomatoes under organic, mineral organic-mineral fertilisation within framework a multi-year vegetable crop rotation.The experiments were carried out alluvial-meadow soil (...

Anaerobic digestion is a valuable process to use livestock effluents produce green energy and by-product called digestate with fertilising value. This work aimed at evaluating the value of solid fraction (SF) as an organic amendment source nitrogen crops replacing mineral N. A field experiment was done two consecutive vegetable crops. The treatments were: control without fertilisation; Ni85 fer...

Nitrogen fertilisation is a common form of agricultural intensification, aimed at increasing biomass, which can affect plant species diversity and ecosystem functioning. Using systematic review meta-analysis nitrogen studies in European permanent grasslands, we asked: (i) what relationship exists between application rate change diversity, compared to zero controls; (ii) how grassland, managemen...

The tree species Genipa americana ('Jenipapo') is found in the Brazilian Cerrado. It economically important for its wood and fruits, used traditional medicine recovery of degraded areas. Based on multiple uses this species, we aimed to analyse effect different fertilisers (including a control [without fertilisation]) chemicals (NPK = nitrogen, phosphorus potassium chloride), both organic (vermi...