Different patterns of sperm precedence are expected to entail different costs and benefits of mating for each sex that translate into distinct predictions regarding mating system evolution. Still, most studies addressing these costs and benefits have focused on species with mixed paternity or last male precedence, neglecting first-male sperm preced...
Knowledge about the response of root biomass and root system architecture (RSA) to soil conditions would increase efficiency in selecting high performance crop varieties and predicting the impact of rotations on long-term soil organic matter (SOM) stock. We evaluated the effect of variety and site on maize (Zea mays L.) root growth. Two-dimensional...
Sexual development is an essential phase in the Plasmodium life cycle, where male gametogenesis is an unusual and extraordinarily rapid process. It produces 8 haploid motile microgametes, from a microgametocyte within 15 minutes. Its unique achievement lies in linking the assembly of 8 axonemes in the cytoplasm to the three rounds of intranuclear g...
STUDY QUESTION: Can reduced representation genome sequencing offer an alternative to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays as a generic and genome-wide approach for comprehensive preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M), aneuploidy (PGT-A) and structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) in human embryo biopsy samples? SUMMARY AN...
Aims: To restore species-rich grasslands on former agricultural land, typically phosphorus-poor soil conditions need to be re-established. Here we assess the potential of phosphorus extraction by biomass production, i.e. phytomining. We compare two techniques: (i) 'mowing', i.e. cutting and removing hay two or three times a year, and (ii) 'P-mining...
Inadequate or lack of prudent soil fertility management by cocoa farmers leads to nutrient depletion in cocoa production fields. The objective of this study was to assess current soil fertility status of cocoa farms from six cocoa growing regions in Ghana and to derive an integrated soil quality index (SQI). Composite soil samples from 0 to 30cm de...
Published in Clinical chemistry
Recurrent pregnancy loss, (RPL) affecting 1%-2% of couples, is defined as ≥3 consecutive pregnancy losses before 20-week' gestation. Women with RPL are routinely screened for etiological factors, but routine screening of male partners is not currently recommended. Recently it has been suggested that sperm quality is reduced in male partners of wome...
Vitrification of immature germinal vesicle-stage oocytes is a promising method in assisted reproduction but is associated with reduced developmental potential and low birth rates. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) express several connexins that form hexameric hemichannels, which interact head to head to create a gap junction or exist as unopposed fre...
The reduced use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in fertile soil has reverted the P balance to negative in some regions. It is unclear how long current soil P stocks will ensure adequate P supply to crops. In addition, it is unknown if current soil tests for available P describe bioavailable P adequately in soil where P is becoming depleted. We set up ...
