Evidence of the transboundary and straddling nature of some impor

Evidence of the transboundary and straddling nature of some important stocks may be drawn from the geographical occurrence pattern in Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor late spring and early summer, e.g. for the European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), which are high-value stocks targeted by the Adriatic demersal fishery. The shared character of Adriatic fishery resources makes it necessary to take in full consideration

the cooperation among states as an essential and unavoidable requirement to pursue a responsible exploitation of such resources. Considering that six countries fish in the same basin, caution needs to be exerted when assessing trends in fisheries landing. Underestimation of landed quantities is a common problem that affects available statistics to an often unknown extent. Therefore

the application of a system based on TFCs should carefully take into account all these factors. With regard to the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) concept, partners believe that this index does not seem appropriate and exhaustive for the development of a sustainable fisheries management model in the Mediterranean. All partners see the MSY concept as too theoretical, and not applicable to resources which are highly interrelated and variable over time. The current determination of stock status is based on scientific assessments which do not take into account all Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 factors that have an influence on resource fluctuations (climate change impacts, maritime pollution, natural predation, recruitment variation). The MSY definition DNA Damage inhibitor is relatively easier for single or monospecific stocks, but it is very difficult in case of mixed species catches, as it is the case for Mediterranean

fisheries. Indeed, in the Mediterranean the MSY should be determined for groups of species (mixed-species MSY) according to fishing systems, seasons and areas, also considering that MSY for mixed species should have a margin of flexibility. But it is difficult to develop a method to calculate the MSY for multispecies fisheries, since there are not enough biological and life history data to determine the MSY for most Mediterranean species. There have been many objections to the EC proposal of calibrating multispecies MSY on the most threatened species, since this would cause an unnecessary ban on species with stocks in good status. Calculations could be based on the mortality rate for each target species, but this type of data may not be available. For instance, in the Adriatic Sea the state of certain populations is determined by recruitment rather than by fishing mortality, since most species have a short life cycle. In GSA 8, for example, it seems that the state of spiny lobster population does also fluctuate according to recruitment, a complex process governed by a 5-month pelagic larval phase.

The antimicrobial activity predictions were almost all positive,

The antimicrobial activity predictions were almost all positive, except in the case of EEE61250 (O. sativa), only negatively predicted by CAMP discriminant analysis. These predictions show that overall the properties of these sequences are similar to those from well-known antimicrobial peptides, such as hydrophobicity, net charge and secondary structure [46] and [57]. Loose et al. [38] proposed that AMPs work as a formal language, analogous to a grammatical structure composed of several rules (patterns and motifs) and a vocabulary (amino acids). In this view, the positive predictions are probably due to the grammatical structure of chitin-binding motif, present in all putative mature

sequences here reported. Other evidence of their biological activities was drawn from molecular models in complex to (GlcNAc)3 (Fig. 2) in addition to the molecular dynamics simulations. The proposed mechanism of action of GSK1210151A chemical structure fungicidal activity

in hevein-like peptides is related to the inhibition of cell wall elongation. The molecular dynamics show that the four hevein-like peptides here reported can bind to (GlcNAc)3 (Fig. S1). Among the sequences here reported, the sequence EEE61250 (O. sativa) seems to have the strongest fungicidal activity against chitin-containing fungi. The molecular model indicates that it interacts with chitin through five amino acid residues making six hydrogen bonds ( Fig. 2B). Besides, this sequence has aromatic residues identical to Pn-AMP2 [33], one of the strongest hevein-like Selleckchem BGB324 peptides already reported, which requires concentrations of 0.6–75 μg ml−1 for 50% of inhibition of fungal growth. Following the same reasoning, the activity of CBI18789 (V. vinifera) would be similar to EAFP2 [24], since their aromatic residues are identical. And for XP_002973523 (S. moellendorffii), the activity would be similar to Ac-AMP2 [9]. Nonetheless, for the peptide XP_001804616 Paclitaxel in vitro (P. nodorum), there

are no peptides with identical active residues. Otherwise, this peptide can also make four hydrogen bonds ( Fig. 2D). Moreover its hydrophobic interactions are reduced, since it lacks an aromatic residue. Taking into account the electrostatic surface, all peptides might interact with anionic membranes from chitin-free fungi and/or bacteria, since they have an amphipathic electrostatic surface ( Fig. 6). However, despite these indications, only in vitro tests can reveal their actual activities. In fact, the most intriguing sequence is XP_001804616 (P. nodorum). Although the hevein domain was previously identified in the chimerolectin CPB1 from M. grisea and also the fact that this domain appears in other chimerolectins in databases [29], XP_001804616 is the first report of a fungal hevein-like peptide, a merolectin. This peptide has two notorious differences when compared with plant hevein-like peptides.

After surgery in patients of the second group PS had a tendency t

After surgery in patients of the second group PS had a tendency to insignificant decrease of PS (right – 0.9 ± 0.2, left – 0.9 ± 0.1 rad). Fig. 1 illustrates the results of examination of the female patient with INPH. She suffered of headache, but without dizziness and nausea. Evans’s index was 0.26, the level of mental abilities according to FAB score was high – 15 points. Baseline CSF pressure in lumbar cistern was normal (12 mmHg), Rout corresponded to the upper level of the normal

range (15 mmHg/ml/min). BFV in both MCA were also within the normal range, but PI was high and indicated the presence of ICH. At the same time PS and ARI corresponded to normal values and testified an absence CH5424802 of CA disturbance despite enlarged ventricles according to the brain scan imaging. Taking into account minimal clinical symptoms and positive results of CSF monitoring it has been decided to refuse from surgery and to conduct dynamic observation. Further improvement was noted and the patient was discharged from

the hospital on 10th day. Fig. 2 illustrates the results of examination of the male patient with ABT 888 communicating hydrocephalus and clinical signs of ICH. He suffered of headache, gait disturbance, incontinence. Evans’s index was 0.28, the level of mental disorders according to FAB score – 9 points. Baseline CSF pressure in lumbar cistern was 18 mmHg, Rout 17 mmHg/ml/min. BFV in both MCA were within the normal range, but PI was low and indicated an absence of ICH. However, significant decrease of ARI and PS testified marked CA disturbance. The patient underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunting which led to a significant regression of neurological symptoms. Evans’s index was decreased to 0.12, and the level of mental abilities according to FAB score increased up to 15 points. Fig. 3 illustrates the results of examination of the

same male patient with communicating Fludarabine price hydrocephalus and clinical signs of ICH on the 10th day after operation. After shunting we observed significant increase of both PS and ARI which testified improvement of CA. There has been a further decline in the PI, but without marked changes of BFV. The patient was discharged in fair condition on 12th day after operation. The problem of surgical treatment of patients with hydrocephalus has not been completely solved yet. Considering the high rate of ineffective surgical interventions in hydrocephalus, reliable diagnostic and prognostic indication criteria for surgical operations are required [10]. Monitoring of CSF dynamics, including IT, together with methods of neuroimaging and evaluation of neurological and psychological status, is still necessary and included in recommendations for management of patients with hydrocephalus. However, the use of ICP monitoring and IT is limited in clinical practice.

Preference for making immediate decisions was assessed using a tw

Preference for making immediate decisions was assessed using a two-item scale. For example, ‘If I have to make a decision, I start thinking about it straight PCI-32765 order away. Preference for delaying decisions was measured using two items. An example is ‘If I have difficult decision to make, I tend to put it off’. Information seeking behaviour, the dependent variable, was captured by offering participants four extra pieces of information which they could choose to look at. The options were: information concerning health effects

of Salmonella; prevalence of Salmonella; national attempts to control Salmonella in eggs; and, individual risk reduction. Items were developed for this study. Participant access to each piece of information was recorded and used to create an index ranging from 0 to 4. Table 1 shows the means, standard deviations, Cronbach’s alpha where appropriate and inter-scale correlations. We then examined high throughput screening compounds the model using SEM Confirmatory Factor Analysis in Amos 19. Data indicated that the model fit was acceptable (Hair, Black, Babin,

& Anderson, 2009): χ2 = 537.4; df = 114; CFI = .98; NFI = .98; RMSEA = .04; SRMR = .04, apart from the χ2/df value which is 4.7. However, the χ2/df value is sensitive to large sample sizes ( Hair et al., 2009) so we proceeded with hypothesis testing. Next we used hierarchical multiple regression for the first stage 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase of hypothesis testing. All continuous variables were standardized using the Z transformation prior to analysis. Model 1 examined direct effects of age, gender, experience, information processing, anxiety, information utility and sufficiency. Model 2 added interaction terms (anxiety, utility and sufficiency × each of the information

processing styles). Data are shown in Table 2. Model 1 data showed main effect positive associations between preferences for analytical thinking, tendency to delay decision making, information sufficiency, information utility and information seeking. There were negative associations between heuristic information processing style, anxiety, and information seeking. Thus there was some initial support for our hypotheses concerning information processing style and information seeking. Moreover, women and older adults were more likely to seek information, as expected. Model 2 data showed six significant interaction terms. The interaction of affect and preferences for making immediate decisions was not examined further because there was no main effect of immediate decision making. The remaining interactions were examined in more detail following procedures discussed in Hayes (2013) and using the ‘process’ syntax. We tested whether the relationship between information processing style and information seeking was different at high and low levels of affect and information utility (1 standard deviation above and below the mean).

Preconception counseling for HIV+ women as well as postpartum iss

Preconception counseling for HIV+ women as well as postpartum issues are addressed. Martha W.F. Rac and Jeanne S. Sheffield Of the 5 types of viral hepatitis (HAV–HEV), HBV and HCV are by far the most common causes Selleck Dinaciclib of chronic hepatitis in both pregnant and nonpregnant populations, causing more than 50% of cirrhosis cases and 78% of cases of primary liver cancer. Infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both the mother and her fetus. For all 5 viral hepatitis syndromes, early identification allows appropriate measures to be taken to optimize pregnancy

outcomes and minimize the risk of perinatal transmission. This article reviews the prevention and management of all 5 viral hepatitis syndromes during pregnancy. Julie Johnson and Brenna Anderson Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of permanent disability in children. The main source of maternal infection is from contact with young children. Primary maternal infection is diagnosed with demonstration of seroconversion or a positive CMV IgM in combination with a low-avidity CMV IgG. Fetal infection may be diagnosed with amniotic fluid polymerase chain reaction and culture. CMV-specific hyperimmune globulin has MK-2206 nmr shown promise as a possible means to prevent congenital infection; large randomized trials are ongoing. To date, the only effective means of prevention

is through reducing exposure to the virus. Rates of maternal infection may be reduced through

education regarding sources of infection and improved hygiene. Alyssa Stephenson-Famy and Carolyn Gardella Genital herpes in pregnancy continues to cause significant maternal morbidity, with an increasing number of infections being due to oral-labial transmission of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1. Near delivery, primary infections with HSV-1 or HSV-2 carry the highest risk of neonatal herpes infection, which is a rare but potentially devastating disease for otherwise healthy newborns. Prevention efforts have been limited by lack of an effective intervention for preventing primary infections and the unclear role of routine serologic testing. Amy P. Murtha and James M. Edwards Genital mycoplasmas are frequently found in the vaginal flora across socioeconomic and ethnic groups and have been demonstrated to be involved Prostatic acid phosphatase in adverse perinatal outcomes. Both Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp cause inflammation potentially leading to spontaneous preterm birth and PPROM as well as postdelivery infectious complications and neonatal infections. Herein we have provided an overview of the existing literature and supportive evidence for genital mycoplasma’s role in perinatal complications. Future research will need to focus on clearly delineating the species, allowing for discrimination of their effects. Homa K. Ahmadzia and R. Phillips Heine Group B streptococcus (GBS) can cause significant maternal and neonatal morbidity.

One of the primary objectives of QRRO is to assess the quality of

One of the primary objectives of QRRO is to assess the quality of care in radiation oncology as practiced in the United States. In 2007–2008, QRRO initiated a series of institutional surveys to evaluate the quality of treatment delivery for prostate, lung, cervix, and breast cancers based on the on-site evaluation of available treatment records. As the quality of prostate brachytherapy is essentially assessed primarily through the evaluation of the postimplantation CT scans, KRX-0401 clinical trial QRRO initiated an elaborate

QA process to independently reevaluate the postimplantation scans and reanalyze the dosimetric parameters that are surrogates for quality and adequacy of the dose delivery to the prostate

and normal tissues for patients treated with permanent interstitial implantation. In addition to reevaluation of the dosimetric parameters, this process would Wnt inhibitor allow comparison of the submitted evaluation to the evaluation performed by an independent expert reviewer. Our report indicates that this QA evaluation is feasible and may serve as an opportunity for larger-scale QA assessments of individual institutions practicing prostate brachytherapy. For this report, we evaluated brachytherapy quality of treatment delivery via a web-based remote deidentification program that facilitated scans being transferred to a central depository (ITC) to allow external review from a single referee institution. The latter reevaluation process entailed see more recontouring and reassessing the dosimetric outcomes of the electronically transferred postimplantation CT scans. This exercise

also afforded us the opportunity to compare dosimetric outcomes as submitted by the treating institution based on their internal QA review to that performed by the referee institution. The successful implementation of a central QA review has important implications not only for gauging the quality of brachytherapy as performed in the United States but also as a tool to provide external feedback and evaluate improvement of an individual’s performance over time through serial assessments performed in a consistent fashion. Such a process has been used in the past for centralized review of eligibility of an institution; the presence of basic skills for performing implantation can be verified, to allow for institutional eligibility to enroll patients into prospective cooperative group studies (10). This process could be integrated in the future as part of self-assessment exercises for individual institutions to evaluate the quality of their procedures performed compared with other practicing centers. Merrick et al. (11) have previously reported the dosimetric analysis of a large multiinstitutional database consisting of 6600 prostate implantation procedures performed by 129 brachytherapists from community practices.

ROBO1 is expressed at P0 in marmoset IC, yet not at all in postna

ROBO1 is expressed at P0 in marmoset IC, yet not at all in postnatal rat IC. FoxP1 and ROBO1 expression patterns in the MG are the same as in rodent. The thalamocortical–basal ganglia circuit is known to play a role in voluntary motor control. Neuroimaging studies of KE family members found a decrease in gray matter volume in the caudate nucleus (CU) and an increase in gray matter volume in the putamen (PU), in affected compared with unaffected members (Watkins, Vargha-Khadem,

et al., 2002). There is somatotopic representation of the body in the primary motor cortex including the area for orofacial movements (Brown, Ngan, & Liotti, 2008). People with a nonfunctional FOXP2 allele show click here impairments in orofacial movements ( Vargha-Khadem et al., 1995 and Watkins et al., 2002). Moreover, it has been reported that several animals express FOXP2 in a thalamocortical–basal ganglia circuit consisting of the cortex, basal ganglia (including the CD, PU, substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR), and internal segment of the globus pallidus

(IGP)), and thalamus (including the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) and ventral lateral thalamic nucleus (VL)) ( Enard, 2011, Takahashi et al., 2008, Teramitsu and White, 2006 and Vargha-Khadem et al., 2005). We found FoxP2 was expressed in the basal ganglia ( Fig. 3), thalamus ( Fig. 2), and specific layers selleck screening library of the cerebral cortex ( Fig. 5) in the marmoset brain. In the primary motor cortex, almost all human speech- and reading-related genes were expressed in layers V and VI ( Fig. 5 and Table 2), different to the expression patterns reported in other species. For example, in mice, Foxp1 is not expressed in the same layers as Foxp2, specifically, Foxp1 is expressed in layers III–V, while Foxp2 is expressed Y-27632 datasheet in layer VI ( Ferland et al., 2003). However, we demonstrate FoxP1 expression in layers III–VI, and FoxP2 in layers V and VI, confirming the report by Mashiko et al. Moreover, expression overlap between FoxP1 and FoxP2 is observed in cortical layers in macaque monkey and human fetal brain ( Takahashi et al., 2008 and Teramitsu et al., 2004).

Similarly, ROBO1 was expressed in layer VI in marmoset, but not rat brain ( Marillat et al., 2002). In general, layer V neurons project to the basal ganglia, and layer VI neurons to the thalamus ( Haber & Calzavara, 2009). Human speech- and reading-related genes were also expressed in thalamic nuclei, specifically, the VL and MD ( Fig. 2 and Table 2) that project to the primary motor cortex, which works in association with other motor areas to plan and execute movements ( McFarland and Haber, 2000 and McFarland and Haber, 2002). The inferior olive (IO) functions in learning and timing of motor control (De Zeeuw et al., 1998). Foxp2 and Foxp1 are expressed in the IO in mice ( Ferland et al., 2003, Fujita and Sugihara, 2012 and Lai et al., 2003), and FOXP2 in human IO ( Lai et al., 2003).

Additional research is required to identify other factors that ar

Additional research is required to identify other factors that are likely to influence the utilisation of the proposed MRED structures by valuable commercial species and how to maximise this potential through design modification and site selection. This work was funded under NERC Connect B: Quantifying impacts of artificial reefs on the receiving environment (NER/D/S/2000/01307). My thanks go to Foster Yeoman Limited (now Aggregate Industries Ltd) who undertook the deployment of the Loch Linnhe Reef. I would also like to thank the NERC National Facility for Scientific Diving (NFSD) and diving team for supporting PS-341 molecular weight the diving, the crew of the RV Seol Mara and the efforts

of two anonymous reviewers. “
“Diatoms constitute an important food source for copepods in marine ecosystems but several studies have reported negative effects of diatom diets on copepod recruitment such as lower egg production rates, egg hatching success and/or naupliar survival (recently reviewed by Ianora and Miralto, 2010). Several mechanisms have been proposed for the observed deleterious effects of diatoms: nutritional deficiency (Jónasdóttir and Kiorboe, 1996 and Lacoste et al., 2001), lack

of ingestion by nauplii (Koski, 2008) and presence of inhibitory find more bioactive molecules (Miralto et al., 1999 and Pierson et al., 2005). Many diatom species have in fact been shown to produce inhibitory molecules (Carotenuto

et al., 2002, Ianora et al., 2004 and Poulet et al., 2007), characterized as polyunsaturated aldehydes (see reviews of Pohnert, 2005 and Wichard et al., 2005) and other oxylipins (d’Ippolito et al., 2002a, d’Ippolito et al., 2002b, Fontana et al., 2007a, Miralto et al., 1999 and Pohnert, 2002). Direct effects of these PUAs and oxylipins have been tested on the proliferation of bacteria Etofibrate (Adolph et al., 2004 and Ribalet et al., 2008), phytoplankton (Hansen and Eilertsen, 2007 and Ribalet et al., 2007a) and other organisms of different phyla (Adolph et al., 2004, Caldwell et al., 2005 and Romano et al., 2010). However, very few studies have tested the effects of pure PUAs on copepods (Buttino et al., 2008, Ceballos and Ianora, 2003 and Taylor et al., 2007). Since PUAs are released when diatom cells are wounded during copepod grazing (“sloppy feeding”) (Pohnert, 2000 and Wichard et al., 2007) or lysed from senescent cells during bloom periods (Vidoudez et al., 2011), it should be interesting to determine the direct effects of pure molecules on copepod fitness. Diatom PUAs are reported to act as repellent compounds to reduce and/or avoid grazing in pelagic freshwater grazers of the genera Daphnia, Cyclops and Eudiaptomus ( Jüttner, 2005). However it is unclear whether all copepods are able to discriminate between PUA-producing or non-producing diatoms.

Cells were either untreated or treated with AA861 (10 μM) alone,

Cells were either untreated or treated with AA861 (10 μM) alone, HPU (100 nM) alone, HPU plus AA861, or IL-8 (100 nM). At least 400 cells were counted per slide. The results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. To obtain whole cell lysates, neutrophils (5 × 106 cells/mL) were resuspended in lysis buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 6.4, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 1 μg/mL DNAse, 0.5 μg/mL RNAse) containing a cocktail of protease inhibitors: 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM benzamidine, 1 μM leupeptin and 1 μM soybean trypsin inhibitor (all reagents from Sigma

Chem. Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). Cell lysates were denatured in sample buffer (50 mM Tris–HCl, pH 6.8, 1% SDS, 5% 2-mercaptoethanol, 10% glycerol, 0.001% bromophenol blue) and heated in a boiling water bath for 3 min. Samples http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Rapamycin.html (30 μg total protein) were resolved in 12% SDS-PAGE gels and proteins were transferred to PVDF membranes

(Hybond-P, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Rainbow markers (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) were run in parallel to estimate molecular masses. Membranes were blocked with Tween-TBS (20 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.5, 500 mM NaCl, 0.1% Tween-20) containing 1% BSA and probed with polyclonal antibodies: anti-Bcl-XL (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1:500), polyclonal anti-Bad (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1:500), polyclonal anti-5-LO (Cayman Chemicals, 1:500), or polyclonal anti-COX (Cayman Chemicals, 1:500). After washing in Tween-TBS, PVDF sheets were incubated with biotin-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG (1:1000; Santa Cruz Biotechnology) antibody for 1 h and then incubated with Selleck Natural Product Library Methocarbamol horseradish peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin (1:1000; Caltag Laboratories, Burlingame, CA). Immunoreactive proteins were visualized by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (Sigma) staining and bands were quantified by densitometry using Scion Image Software (Scion Co., MD, USA).

The luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of human neutrophils was measured using a microplate-reader Spectramax (Molecular Devices, CA, USA), as described previously (Shimoyama et al., 2002). Briefly, cells were stimulated with rHPU (10, 30 or 100 nM) or phorbol 12-miristate 13-acetate (PMA; 30 nM) and ROS production was measured for 60 min. Neutrophils were incubated for 30 min prior to stimulation. In order to measure intra- and extracellular ROS production, CM-H2DCFDA (chloromethyl-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate; λex470 nm, λem529 nm) and lucigenin (bis-N-methylacrydinium nitrate) were used, respectively. The protocol described by (Kujbida et al., 2008) was applied for luminol or lucigenin. For CM-H2DCFDA, neutrophils were incubated with the dye (5 μM) for 15 min at 37 °C prior to stimulation (Espinosa et al., 2009). Male Swiss mice (20–22 g), housed at 22 ± 3 °C with a 12/12 h light/dark cycle were used for the bioassays.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest “
“O decréscim

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. “
“O decréscimo da fertilidade é um inevitável fato biológico, aliado à maternidade tardia. A técnica

de fertilização in vitro (FIV) avançou nestas últimas três décadas para ajudar os casais a resolverem o problema da infertilidade. see more Dado histórico relatado,1 o bebê Louise Brown foi o primeiro a nascer de FIV. Na FIV, os embriões são formados e cultivados fora do corpo da mulher, em placas de cultivo, graças ao avanço dos meios de cultura e estufas, que oferecem os nutrientes necessários para o bom desenvolvimento dos embriões. Estas placas são o melhor local de coleta para verificar se há contaminação microbiológica eminente, pois os vários fatores prováveis de contaminação confluem todos para elas, o que interfere

diretamente nas taxas de gestações e nascimentos. Em laboratórios de reprodução humana o controle de qualidade é de fundamental importância para o sucesso dos procedimentos. A realização correta destes influi diretamente nos resultados, principalmente porque o líquido folicular e o sêmen podem sofrer contaminação e não podem ser esterilizados. Cada passo nos procedimentos e manipulações laboratoriais devem ser executados com técnicas de assepsia rigorosamente protocoladas.2 A exata frequência destas contaminações microbiológicas e a interferência nos resultados em reprodução assistida não são consenso 3-Methyladenine in vivo entre os autores.3 Desde 1997, contaminações microbiológicas em meios de cultura têm sido rotineiramente registradas, contribuindo diretamente nos resultados gestacionais em fertilização assistida.4

As principais causas desta contaminação vêm sendo associadas this website à infecção nos tratos genital masculino e feminino e à própria microbiota local, com consequente contaminação dos ovócitos e embriões. Estes, quando transferidos para o útero, podem causar infecções que poderão comprometer sua implantação e sobrevivência durante a gestação, também causando prejuízos maternos. A contaminação pode vir ainda do ar, de maquinários e de materiais utilizados.2 Com isso, se estabelece a importância da pesquisa de microrganismos em fertilização assistida durante todo o processo, iniciando na manipulação de gametas, embriões e transferências. Os diversos tipos de agentes contaminantes que afetam os resultados em reprodução assistida podem ser detidos ou minimizados com a execução de protocolos testados cientificamente e exigidos por lei.5 Os laboratórios de reprodução humana (LRH) devem conter câmara de fluxo positiva, filtros de ar e todos os cuidados de assepsia e descontaminação. O ambiente de micromanipulação de gametas não deve possuir qualquer instalação hidrossanitária, como pias, ralos ou lavatórios.