Human Genetics & Embryology

PRDM16 is a member of the PRDM family of transcription co-regulators characterized by a PR domain (positive regulatory domain) that is similar to the SET domain found in lysine histone methyltransferases. Most PRDM proteins also contain one or more zinc finger domains that can confer direct DNA binding, in addition to other domains that mediate binding to additional transcription factors and cofactors. PRDM16 was originally identified from studies of (1;3)(p36;q21)-positive leukaemia’s but has subsequently been implicated in several developmental processes, including differentiation of muscle cell precursors into brown adipocyte fat cells. Such differentiation, regulated in part by the enzyme tyrosine-protein kinase-2 (Tyk2), has gained recent attention as a means to reduce obesity via manipulating the production of TYK2 and/or PRDM16. In addition, PRDM16 is also involved in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and craniofacial development. This review focuses on our current understanding of the role of PRDM16 in each of these processes and highlights some of the challenges for future studies.

Objective:
To assess the value of the electrical activation of oocytes in ICSI patients with previous limited fertilization outcomes.
Design:
Prospective randomized study.
Settings:
Clinical IVF laboratory.
Patient(s):
A hundred and seven couples undergoing ICSI with possible low fertilization outcomes.
Intervention(s):
TESE, TESA, ICSI with Piezoelectric Activation
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Fertilization, clinical pregnancy rates, embryo grades.
Result(s):
Patients were subdivided into six study groups. In Group I, testicular elongated spermatids were used and 27.9% fertilization, 2.3% clinical pregnancy rates were evaluated. In testicular immotile spermatozoa injected group (Group II), 56.5% fertilization and 50% clinical pregnancy rates were obtained. 66.7% fertilization and 30%clinical pregnancy rates were achieved in Group III with testicular motile spermatozoa. In Group IV, patients with severe oligozoospermia, 64% fertilization and 28.6% clinical pregnancy rates were achieved. Group V included patients with total immotile spermatozoa and fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were 50% and 57.1% respectively. In patients with history of low fertilization rate (Group VI), 38.7% fertilization and 19% clinical pregnancy rates were obtained.
Conclusion(s):
Piezoelectric stimulation can be used for patients with low fertilization rates and total immotile spermatozoa; as we detected an improvement in the fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates of these patients.