The brooding bivalves, Nutricola tantilla and N. confusa overlap in their geographic distributions, habitats, and modes and timing of reproduction. Based on previous studies we infer that males of both species release spermatozoa into the water column; while females retain developing embryos in a brood chamber. Females release fully formed juveniles and there is no pelagic larval stage. We hypo...

We have developed a microscope system for real-time single sperm tracking with an automated laser tweezers escape power assay. Phase contrast images of swimming sperm are digitized to the computer at video rate. The custom algorithm creates a region of interest centered about a sperm in response to a mouse click and performs all subsequent tasks autonomously. Microscope stage movement responds ...

The effects of the methanol extracts of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus on the sperm parameters of male Guinea pigs were investigated. The effects of Vitamin E on the sperm parameters were also investigated and compared to that of Phyllanthus amarus. The phytochemical screening of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus was also carried out. The methanol extract of the Phyllanthus amarus leaf (50-200...

Background: It is showed that methamphetamine has harmful effects on male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methamphetamine administration on testis weight, sperm count, sperm morphology, and chromatin status as well as sperm apoptotis followed by the cytochemical tests in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: Twenty four NMRI male mice were divided in...

It is almost a statistical truism that the number of cells on each square of a haemocytometer is distributed in a Poisson series, but in fact it is easy to show that the distribution departs considerably from the theoretical expectation. The reason, perhaps, is that the experimental work confirming this theory was done on the old well type of haemocytometer, whereas the Burker counting chamber ...

Generally, a Commentary for the Frontiers in Physiology is aimed at a recent research article that has the potential to make a major impact on a particular scientific research field. However, where would the field of epithelial ion transport physiology be without the Ussing chamber? One has to ask that question in the 100th anniversary year of the birth of the great Danish physiologist Hans Hen...

The radon chamber at Bowser-Morner was designed to ensure that the concentration of radon throughout the chamber is uniform. Nevertheless, it is important to demonstrate this uniformity periodically with measurements. To that end, 36 continuous radon monitors were simultaneously deployed in the chamber in a statistically balanced pattern and were exposed for a period of 48 hours. The resulting ...

Background: Spermatozoa are able to sense an attractant molecule gradient and as a consequence, orient their movement towards the source of the attractant. This mechanism is known as sperm chemotaxis. In recent years, our laboratory contributed to the knowledge of several features of mammalian sperm chemotaxis. These include the size and physiological state of the chemotactic sperm population, ...

optical rehabilitation of the patient with aphakia who cannot tolerate contact lenses present a therapeutic challenge. in the absence of capsular support, anterior chamber lenses have been widely used. on the other hand intraocular lens implantation of scleral sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens during penterating keratoplasty or insufficient iris support is recommended. the purpose of t...