e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
1
University Department of
Biochemistry
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
Editorial Board
Chief Editor
Prof. G. B. Shinde Head, Dept. Of
Biochemistry
Advisors
Prof. M. B. Patil Prof. Swati Kotwal
Prof.V.G. Meshram
Editor
Dr. Archana Moon
Circulation Incharge
Ms. Komal Talreja
Creative directors
Anuja Rai Drishti Singh
Email: [email protected] Estb
1946
Page 1
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
2
Email: [email protected]
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
STUDENT ACTIVITIES DURING AUGUST 2013 TO
DECEMBER 2013
1) LEAP Foundation- Seminar attended by 15 students of M.Sc II yr at Nagpur
on 24th
August 2013
2) National seminar on “Advances in Microbiology and their impact on Public
Health” at Bhandara attended by 5 students
3) State Seminar M. Sc. II students and Research Scholars at Pulgaon, 10th Jan,
2014
4) State Seminar M. Sc. II students and research Scholars at Pulgaon, 29th Jan,
2014
Obituarary
10/7/1964-21/10/2014
Mr.Sibal Biswas, an alumnus of 1992 batch, left for the heavenly
abode on 21th October, 2013. The Department expresses deep
condolences for the departed soul.
Page 2 Estb 1946
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
3
1) Antifilarial activity of Indigenous Medicinal plants:
The Tropical disease, Human Lymphatic filariasis has been recognized by World
Health Organization (WHO) as one of the ten diseases in its Tropical Disease Research (TDR)
scheme highlighting the huge disease burden. Global programme consequently was
launched for elimination of filariasis (GPELF).Currently most popularly used medicine,
diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been reported for lack of compliance due to prolonged use by
mass drug administration strategy. Hence there is dier demand for alternate options which
naturally relies on herbal remedies in terms of safety, efficacy and cultural acceptability.
In vitro effect of four herbal plant leaves extract were studied and found
significant anti-filarial activity which contributes to the development of data based
for novel drug candidates for Human Lymphatic filariasis.
2) Screening and Isolation of pectinase from Agro-waste
Pectinase enzymes are one of the most important enzymes for industries such as
fruit juice, paper and pulp industry. They contribute approximately 25 % in the global sales
of food enzymes. These enzymes are widely distributed in bacteria, fungi and plants .During
study various different fungal strains have been used in pectinase--production. The
agriculture waste such as wheat bran, citrus peel, orange peel and orange bagagges have
been used in pectinase production in Solid State Fermentation (SSF). Extracellular pectinases
are easier and cheaper to use in greater quantities. Suitable substrate and various parameters
like pH, temperature and purification were studied for maximum production of pectinases.
Still further work on various parameters is going on.
Email: [email protected]
Estb:1946 Page 3
Prof.V.G.Meshram
Department of Biochemistry
RTM Nagpur University
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
4
3) In-vitro anti-bacterial activity and antioxidant study of some traditionally
used spices.
Spices constitute an important group of agricultural commodities acting as
bacteriostatic and therapeutic agents. The phytochemicals present in the spices acting as
anti microbial represents a vast untapped source of medicine and hence have enormous
therapeutically potential. During study phytochemical analysis were carried out to
determine the principal bioactive compounds responsible for antimicrobial activity and
further anti-oxidant activity is also carried out. There is a need for extensive research for
their better economic and medicinal use providing scientifically affiliated remedies against
various pathogens.
4) Study the effect of hepatocellular damage due to DOTS Therapy on
Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients of Nagpur DOTS centers.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases of mankind affecting millions of people all over the world. In spite of global development of anti-tubercular drug, Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) and BCG vaccination, tuberculosis still remains a public health problem. All anti-tuberculosis drug with possible acceptation of Streptomycin can cause hepatitis ,but the risk is higher with some other drug. Anti-Tuberculosis drugs induced hepatotoxicity causes significant morbidity and mortality and may require drug regimen . However, factors’ predicting it is still controversial. During the study hepatic damage is assessed at the earliest with the help of liver function test, serum protein level changes, serum cholesterol level changes were analyzed and demographic parameters also studied .This work is funded by UGC, New Delhi as a Major Research Project. Still further research work is going on.
5) Investigating the effect of oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA in
induction of Type II Diabetic Mellitus.
India loads the world with the largest number of Diabetic people being termed as
“Diabetes capital of the World”. It has been reported that mutation in mitochondrial
DNA can lead to type II Diabetes Mellitus. There have been 40 different
mitochondrial mutation catalogue that results in Diabeties Mellitus. Our study relates with
oxidative stress,mitochondrial DNA, type II Diabeties and also determining
the frequeny of 3243A/G and 3316G/A mutation in Nagpur area Populaton.
Further we may study the effect of medicinal plants on Diabetes Mellitus.
Email: [email protected] Page 4 EStb
1946
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
5
Picture gallery
Prof. M. C. Nath Memorial Lecture Series 2013
Inauguration of Annual Gathering 2014 ‘Aura’ of University Department of Biochemistry (left).
Activities during annual gathering.(right)
Email: [email protected] Estb 1946 Page 5
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
6
Email: [email protected] Page 6 Estb 1946
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
Awareness and Diagnostic
Camp organized by RTMN
University Department of
Biochemistry on 14th
November,2013.
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
7
D IABETIC BONE : A SWEETER MOVE TOWARDS
AGING FRACTURES
Sakshi Siriah, Research Scholar
Supervisor: Prof. Swati Kotwal
University Department of Biochemistry RTM Nagpur University
iological processes in all cells
and organs require energy,
skeleton being the largest organ
in the mammalian group and have high
energy demand. Bone is considered as an
energy consuming organ as it is constantly
destroyed and regenerated through a well
defined and regulated process termed as
bone remodeling. This process of bone
turnover is governed by two host cells, the
bone forming cells; (Osteoblast) and the
bone resorbing cells (Osteoclast). These
cells are involved in a complex set of
interaction occurring between adipose
tissue, central nervous system, bone and
pancreas that integrate bone remodeling,
glucose and energy metabolism.
Osteoporotic bone is characterized by
decreased bone mass and increased bone
turnover leading to increased fracture risk.
Insulin, the key hormone regulating
glucose homeostasis, also displays a
molecular link between bone remodeling
and energy metabolism. Diabetes mellitus,
a group of metabolic disorder is broadly
classified into two types depending on
which the body either does not produce
insulin or is not able to utilize it. Thus,
these disorders form a complex network of
reactions, resulting into crossing over of
various pathways. The situation is more
critical with simultaneous presence of two
targeted age related disorder; diabetes
mellitus in adults and Osteoporosis.
The cross talks between insulin and
Bone: The interaction between insulin and
bone is well documented, functional
insulin receptors are known to be present
on bone forming osteoblast lineage. As
primary osteoblasts and osteoblastic cell
lines when exposed to physiological levels
of insulin increases bone anabolic markers
including collagen synthesis, alkaline
phosphatase activity and glucose uptake.
Thus, insulin signaling increases
osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.
This hormonal network is regulated by
signals emerging from Osteocalcin, a bone
derived factor produced during bone
formation. Similar to other hormones,
osteocalcin is synthesized as pre pro-
osteocalcin which is processed into pro-
osteocalcin in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Before being secreted by osteoblasts,
B
University Department of Biochemistry
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
Estb
1946
1946
Page 7
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
8
osteocalcin undergoes vitamin-K
dependent carboxylation of three glutamic
acid residues which endows the molecule
with high affinity for bone matrix. During
this process a small portion remains
uncarboxylated and is secreted into the
circulation. This uncarboxylated form of
osteocalcin has been proposed to act as a
hormone that stimulates insulin production
and
secretion
by
pancreatic
cells and
adipolectins
by
adipocytes.
Thus, it is
this bone-
pancreas
endocrine loop through which insulin
signaling in osteoblast ensures osteoblast
differentiation and osteocalcin production
which in turn regulates insulin sensitivity
and pancreatic insulin secretion to control
glucose homeostasis.
The crossing over of Diabetes
mellitus, Osteoporosis and Aging:
Insulin does show an anabolic effect
on bone and vice-versa, but the crossing
over of diabetes and osteoporosis in aging
has always been a matter of debate. There
are studies reporting four folds increase in
aging fractures in patients with insulin
resistance and diabetes mellitus. Insulin
resistance in diabetes disturbs the whole
body homeostasis, increased blood
glucose levels are associated with
increased urinary calcium loss, resulting in
a negative calcium balance. This plasma
calcium deficiency is maintained by the
activation of signaling cascade through
parathyroid hormone leading to release of
calcium from bone, causing bone fragility.
Patients with insulin resistance display a
low bone mineral density as compared to
non diabetic persons. On the other hand,
osteoporosis a chronic age related diseases
charact
erized
by
increase
bone
turn
over
release
increase
d bone
derived
osteocalcin into systemic circulation,
which in turn stimulate insulin production
in diabetic condition. But insulin
sensitivity causes increased lipolysis and
fat accumulation leading to increased
energy expenditure.
Thus bone health is of important
consideration in diabetics and fall
associated with diabetes-related
comorbidities are supposed to be the
possible cause of fractures in age related
osteoporotic conditions. Adequate
glycemic control and prevention of bone
loss should be a mainstay of current
therapies to lower fracture risk.
University Department of Biochemistry Estb 1946 Page 8
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
9
BETA LACTAM RESISTANCE VIA PENICILLIN
BINDING PROTEIN IN B ACTERIA
PALLAVI SAHARE, Research Scholar, Department of Biochemistry,
RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur- 440033
acteria are a leading cause of
infections and are illustrious by
their capability to cause infection
in every tissue and organ system of the
human body. Therefore, the rapid
eradication of pathogenic bacteria is of
utmost importance in the treatment and
control of infections. The introduction of
penicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics
into clinical practice was able to reduce
the cataclysmic effect of bacterial diseases
in community, but, these advances in
medical and pharmaceutical sciences were
followed by emergence of resistance of
bacteria towards these antibiotics.
Bacteria show resistance to standard β-
lactam antibiotics by different mechanisms
viz., decreased permeability of the outer
membrane, export of the antibiotics by
efflux pump (these two mechanisms are
found in Gram negative organisms),
degradation of antibiotics by the action of
β-lactamases and alteration of penicillin
binding proteins (PBPs). PBPs are the
targets of β-lactam antibiotics and are
characterized by the presence of penicillin-
binding domain. These enzymes catalyse
the last stages in peptidoglycan
polymerisation which is a major
constituent of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs
are membrane bound enzymes that have
evolved from serine proteases.
PBPs are commonly classified into
three categories according to their
molecular weight and domain
structure: the high-molecular-weight
(HMW) members of this family
(generally ≥60 kDa) fall into two broad
families called class A and B and low-
molecular weight (LMW) PBPs. HMW
carry the transglycosylase and
transpeptidase activities which are
involved in polymerization and cross-
linking of the glycan strands. On the
other hand, LMW have commonly
been found to possess d,d-
carboxypeptidase activity which can
remove the terminal d-alanine of the
peptide side chains and thereby
prevent the side chain from serving as
a donor in the formation of a peptide
cross-link. β-lactam antibiotics acts
as substrate for these membrane
bound enzymes, that covalently binds
to PBP active site serine and
inactivates PBPs. The inhibition of
PBPs produces an imbalance in the
cell wall metabolism that results in
lysis or growth inhibition.
B
University Department Biochemistry Page 9 Estb
1946
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
10
Nutraceuticals: A better alternative
therapeutic approach for Osteoporosis
SMITA R. BADOLE, RESEARCH SCHOLAR, SUPERVISOR: DR. SWATI KOTWAL, UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, RTM NAGPUR UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR
steoporosis is a heterogeneous
cluster of abnormal processes
resulting in net loss of bone. It is one of the
major public health problems causing 30%
mortality in the first year following the
osteoporotic hip fracture. In females due to
ageing and menopause, bone density
decreases and bones become fragile. Age is a
chief single predator for osteoporosis in
women but enhanced oxidative stress is also
reported as a major cause. Bone remodelling
is a normal process involving bone formation
by osteoblasts and resorption by osteoclasts.
But in osteoporosis this balance is lost.
Several studies have reported impact of
oxidative stress on osteoclast differentiation as
a cause of increased bone resorption.
Furthermore in vitro and in vivo studies have
suggested important role for oxidative stress
in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Some of
the factors involved in inflammation such as
C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF and contribute to
pathogenesis of osteosteoporosis.
Modern therapies that are available
for treating osteoporosis result in
various side effects. So the
scientists and doctors have turned
towards the use of nutraceuticals
as a better complementary and
alternative approach for the
treatment of osteoporosis.
Medicinal plants are storehouse of
many secondary metabolites as
they are well documented in
reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Plant phytochemicals are divided
into phenolics or polyphenols,
alkaloids, carotenoids, sterols,
terpenes and fibers. Polyphenols
are further divided into flavonoids,
phenolic acids, stilbenes, tannins,
lignans and coumarines.
Flavonoids such as kaempferol,
quercetin, icariin and ikarisoside A
from plants are reported to possess
anabolic effect on osteoblast
proliferation, differentiation and
mineralisation. Quercetin and
O
University Department of Biochemistry Estb 1946
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
Page 10
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
11
kaempferol stimulates osteoblast
differentiation via ERK and ER
mediated pathways and also activates
anti- inflammatory mechanism thus
inhibiting osteoclast differentiation
and function. Icariin is reported to
increase ER-dependent cell
proliferation, alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) activity, gene expression of OPG
and the OPG/ RANKL ratio and
ikarisoside A inhibited
osteoclastogenesis. Role of caffeic acid
and gallic acid and other types of
phenolic acids have been studied in
the treatment of osteoporosis. Caffeic
acid suppresses osteoclastogenesis
and bone loss through inhibiting
RANKL-induced MAPKs and Ca2+-
NFATc1 signaling pathways.
Resveratrol, natural stilbene, through
ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling
pathways activate osteoblast related
genes. Lignans are known powerful
antioxidants and they are also
reported to possess estrogen-like
activity. Coumarines, a type of
phytochemical is reported to inhibit
formation and differentiation of
osteoclasts. Altogether these
phytochemicals from plants acts as a
better substitute to synthetic drugs
those are available for the treatment
of osteoporosis.
Currently our lab is engaged in
developing formulations of various
medicinal plants and basic bone
mineralising nutrients to act as
anabolic bone therapy for the
treatment and prevention of
osteoporosis.
University Department of Biochemistry Estb 1946 Page 11
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
12
Potential of
Quantum Dots in
Health and Disease
Anup Ka le DEPARTMENT OF BIOSCIECNES AND
TECHNOLOGY, DEFENCE INSTITUTE OF
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (DU), PUNE –
411025, INDIA
recent years scientific field has
seen major emphasis on the
interdisciplinary approaches
in addressing issues in
fundamental biosciences and biomedicine.
While the approach is not new, emergence of
Nanotechnology has prompted enormous
scientific and technological developments.
Nanobiotechnology is the convergence of
Biosciences and Nanotechnology offering
unique opportunities in Life sciences from basic
biomolecular understanding to diagnostics and
therapeutics. Different types of nanomaterials
like magnetic nanoparticles, nobel metal
nanoparticles (Au, Ag, etc.), graphene,
Quantum dots (QDs) are presently at the
frontiers of scientific discovery and
explorations of commercial potential.
Nanomaterials with different property features,
shapes and sizes that could revolutionize the
field of biomedicine. QDs, the semiconductor
nanoparticles are one such promising
candidate, particularly in fluorescence based
devices.
Fluorescence is a widely used tool in Life
Sciences. As the field is growing there is
increasing demand to measure more
biological indicators simultaneously and
efficiently. Organic dyes and protein
fluorophores are conventionally used for
fluorescence.
Multimodal imaging has been tried with
dyes like measuring the number of
parameters on cellular antigens with flow
cytometry, combinational labeling in
cytogenetics for spectral karyotyping.
However, conventional dyes impose
stringent requirements on the optical
systems used to make these measurements.
Apart from these, their narrow excitation
spectrum, broad emission profiles, and low
photo bleaching thresholds have limited
their effectiveness in long-term imaging
and multiplexing. The utility of protein
fluorophores is restricted due to constrains
of size and complexity in functionalization.
In comparison with organic dyes and
protein fluorophores, QDs exhibit unique
photophysical and photochemical
properties with prominence as fluorescence
probes in sensitive optical biosensing
applications over a wide range, such as
immunoassays, nucleic acid detection,
biomolecule sensing, and catalysis
monitoring. QDs possess high quantum
yield, broad excitation spectra and narrow
band emission, robustsness, photostability,
ease of biofunctionalization. Developments
in surface engineering and bioconjugation
strategies will keep on benefiting the
specificity and versatility of QD-based in
vitro sensing methods.
QDs in the size range of 1 to 10 nm offer
unique photochemical and photophysical
properties not available with common
organic dyes and protein fluorophores.
QDs exhibit discrete energy levels
In
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
University Department of Biochemistry Page 12 Estb 1946
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
13
corresponding to the size of the
nanoparticle which results in discrete color
emission. The tunable optical and
physicochemical features make them
versatile as direct probes or as sensitizers
replacing traditional probes. These
fluorescent probes offer highly sensitive
optical biosensing applications such as
immunoassays, biomarker detection,
nucleic acid and protein sensing, catalytic
monitoring and biomolecular imaging.
One of the most exciting properties of QDs
is that depending on their size, the QDs,
excited at appropriate wavelengths, will
emit light in different color zones.
Observing the real time dynamics of bio-
molecules in live cells can address
fundamental questions in life sciences
like molecular interactions, cellular
functions, and response to environmental
cues. This understanding can be explored
for developing powerful tools for disease
diagnostics and therapeutics. The
tremendous development of proteomics
and genomics in the last few years has
helped to exploit these differences and
find out biomarkers for different diseases.
With the application of new imaging
methods and use of brighter and more
stable nano-probes like QDs can be used
for high resolution and long timescale
imaging. This will allow tracking even a
single biomolecule in real time and
observing actual molecular dynamics.
Quantum nanobeads with different colors
and different intensities are used with
high uniformity, accuracy and
reproducibility for multimodal imaging
that can encode over 1 million
combinations. The development of
Quantum dot technology opens up new
possibilities for diagnostics, direct
immunolabeling, in situ hybridization etc.
In addition, nanocrystal probes may
prove useful for other contrast
mechanisms such as x-ray fluorescence,
x-ray absorption, electron microscopy,
and scintillation proximity imaging, and
the use of far red or infrared-emitting
nanocrystals as tunable, robust infrared
dyes is another possibility.
QDs can also prove useful in developing
non-invasive molecular imaging
technologies. It has great potential in
tracing techniques: viral particles to be
followed in vivo, analyzing of drug
molecules in biological systems, and
tracking of tumor cells. These techniques
involving metal and semiconductor
nanoparticles for molecular profiling
studies and multiplexed biological assays
are under intense development. Various
issues like target specific molecules,
biocompatibility, and toxicity need to be
addressed while applying this technology
to the Life sciences.
The joint venture between different
disciplines of Science, Engineering and
Nanotechnology can revolutionize the
field of biomedicine and health care. In
anticipation to this the expertise, tools and
intellect from different disciplines need to
be brought together.
University Department of Biochemistry Estb 1946 Page 13
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
14
References:
1)Kirdolf BA, Smith AM, Stokes TH, WanYoung AN, Nie S(2013) Semiconductor
Quantum Dots for Bioimaging and Biodignostic Applications, Annual review
chemistry 6: 143-62
2)Natalia C. Tansil and Zhiqiang Gao: Nanoparticles in biomolecular detection Nano Today, 2006, 1: 28-37
3)Alivisatos AP, Gu W, Larabell C (2005) Quantum dots as cellular probes. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 7: 55–76.
4)Gao X, Yang L, Petros JA, Marshall FF, Simons JW, Nie S (2005) In vivo molecular and cellular imaging with quantum dots. Curr Opin Biotechnol 16:63–72
5)Fortina P, Kricka LJ, Surrey S, Grodzinski P (2005) Nanobiotechnology: the promise and reality of new approaches to molecular recognition. Trends Biotechnol 23: 168 – 173
6)Roco MC (2003) Nanotechnology: convergence with modern biology and medicine. Curr Opin Biotechnol 14:337–346.
University Department of Biochemistry Estb 1946 Page 14
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
15
INFERTILITY IN WOMEN
M S . K O M A L T A L R E J A , R E S E A R C H S C H O L A R ,
D E P A R T M E N T O F B I O C H E M I S T R Y ,
R T M N A G P U R U N I V E R S I T Y , N A G P U R .
emale infertility varies widely by
geographic location worldwide. In
2010, there was an estimated 48.5
million infertile couples; during 1990 to 2010 there
was little change in the levels of infertility around
the world. According to the Centers for Disease
Control, 1/3 of the time the diagnosis is due to
female infertility, 1/3 of the time it is linked to male
infertility and the remaining cases of infertility are
due to a combination of factors from both partners.
Issues with infertility are more common than most
people think. Infertility is caused due to
malnutrition, diseases, and other malformations of
the uterus. It affects women due to the cultural and
social stigma associated with it.
Some causes of female infertility are-
Damage to fallopian tubes: Damage to the
fallopian tubes can prevent contact between the egg
and sperm. The egg travels from the ovary to the
uterus (womb) where the fertilized egg grows. If the
uterus or the fallopian tubes are damaged, the
woman may not be able to conceive naturally.
Hormonal causes: Some women have problems
with ovulation. Ovulation is the monthly release of
an egg. Synchronized hormonal changes leading to
the release of an egg from the ovary and the
thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus)
in preparation for the fertilized egg do not occur.
Cervical causes: A small group of women may
have a cervical condition in which the sperm cannot
pass through the cervical canal due to abnormal
mucus production or a prior cervical surgical
procedure. This may be treated with intrauterine
inseminations.
Uterine causes: Abnormal anatomy of the
uterus; the presence of polyps and fibroids.
Unexplained infertility: The cause of
infertility in approximately 20% of couples
cannot be determined using the currently
available methods of diagnosis.
Some conditions are-
Endometriosis - Cells that are normally found
within the lining of the uterus start growing
elsewhere in the body.
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) – Women
suffering from this syndrome have functionally
abnormal ovaries with abnormally high levels of
androgen. About 5% to 10% of women of
reproductive age are affected with pcos.
Medical History and Physical Examination
The first step in any infertility checkup is a
complete medical history and physical
examination. The doctor will ask about the
patient's history like menstrual history, lifestyle
issues (smoking, drug and alcohol use, and
caffeine consumption), any medications being
taken, and a profile of the patient's general
medical and emotional health can help the
doctor decide on appropriate tests.
Treatment:Various treatment strategies are
available viz.,
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI)
In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Presently, various research groups are
aiming towards an early stage diagnostic
biomarker that will help in diagnosis of various
conditions.
F
Vol 2:1, Jan 2014
University Department of Biochemistry Page 15 Estb 1946
e-
Bio
Res
ou
rce:
An
e-N
ewsl
ette
r o
f th
e D
epar
tmen
t o
f B
ioch
emis
try
16
