Translocation is one of the more common structural rearrangements of chromosomes, with a prevalence of 0.2%. The two most common types of chromosomal translocations, Robertsonian and reciprocal, usually result in no obvious phenotypic abnormalities when balanced. However, these are still associated with reproductive risks, such as infertility, spontaneous abortion and the delivery of babies wit...

Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) secretion by human preimplantation embryos in culture has been associated with successful embryo development, and therefore has potential to serve as a noninvasive marker of embryo viability. We have examined the spatial and temporal expression of HLA-G in embryos of varying developmental competence and the role of maternal factors in human embryonic HLA-G expression. Emb...

Whether or not maternal thrombophilia due to the most common gain-of-function mutations in factor V (factor V Leiden) and prothrombin gene (G20210A prothrombin), has a role in favouring or contrasting the embryo implantation after assisted reproductive procedures is a matter of debate. Only few studies are available on this issue. On one hand, it has been suggested that carriers of factor V Lei...

Approximately 390 literature references (through spring 1986) were reviewed for mammalian whole embryo culture procedures, with particular attention to the development of those cultures as systems for teratogenicity testing. The existing procedures could be conveniently divided into three groups, which are defined by the periods of embryogenesis that they embrace: preimplantation, peri-implanta...

In 2007, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in London, UK, published "Hybrids and Chimeras: A Report on the Findings of the Consultation", which summarized a public debate about research on, and suggested policy for, human animal chimeras [4]. The HFEA formulated the report after conducting a series of surveys and debates from earlier in 2007. The HFEA issued a statement in Septem...

Mouse embryo imaging is conventionally carried out on ex vivo embryos excised from the amniotic sac, omitting vital structures and abnormalities external to the body. Here, we present an in amnio MR imaging methodology in which the mouse embryo is retained in the amniotic sac and demonstrate how important embryonic structures can be visualised in 3D with high spatial resolution (100 µm/px). To ...

Mutations in the genes for two highly conserved TAFs, TAF(II)60 and TAF(II)110, reduce transcription of Bicoid-dependent target genes in vivo. By means of several distinct genetic test systems, specific activator-TAF interactions are shown to support both simple and synergistic enhancement of transcription in the embryo. These studies provide in vivo evidence that TAFs can serve as coactivators...