Bovine adrenocortical zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express a novel ATP-dependent K(+)-permeable channel (I(AC)). Whole cell and single-channel recordings were used to characterize I(AC) channels with respect to ionic selectivity, conductance, and modulation by nucleotides, inorganic phosphates, and angiotensin II (ANG II). In outside-out patch recordings, the activity of unitary I(AC) channels ...

In whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings from bovine adrenal fasciculata cells, it was discovered that selected caffeic acid derivatives dramatically enhanced the activity of background TREK-1 K+ channels. Cinnamyl 1-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC), activated TREK-1 when this agent was applied externally to cells or outside-out patches at concentrations of 5 to 10 microM...

BACKGROUND Y-chromosomal microdeletions (YCMD) are one of the major genetic causes for non-obstructive azoospermia. Genetic testing for YCMD by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an established method for quick and robust screening of deletions in the AZF regions of the Y-chromosome. Multiplex PCRs have the advantage of including a control gene in every reaction and significantly redu...

The long arm of the Y chromosome contains nonoverlapping regions termed azoospermia factor (AZF) with great influence on male fertility. Microdeletions at these regions minimise the males' ability to father offsprings. In this preliminary study, we attempted to screen the presence or absence of twenty Y chromosome's sequence-tagged sites (STS) associated with fertility in infertile and Down syn...

about 15% of couples have infertility problems, half of which are related to male factors. cytogenetic and genetic disorders account for about 10% of the male infertility problems. the aim of this study was to determine the frequency and types of both cytogenetic abnormalities and azf microdeletions of y chromosome in idiopathic azoospermic and oligospermic infertile men in west of iran. in thi...

We have studied the effect of the Ca antagonist mibefradil on low voltage-activated T-type Ca channels in whole-cell patch clamp recordings from bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells. AZF cells are distinctive in expressing only T-type Ca channels, allowing the mechanism of pharmacological agents to be explored without interference from other Ca channels. The inhibition of T-type Ca chann...

Infertility is a major health problem today, affecting about 15.0% of couples trying to have a child. Impaired fertility of the male is causative in 20.0% of infertile couples and contributory in up to another 30.0-40.0%. Infertility already affects about 5.0-7.0% of the general male population and may further increase in the future, considering the apparent trend of declining sperm count in in...