1
|
Pastrana YM, Marcon JL, Amaral APD, Santos FBP, Lima ES, Acho LDR, Souza ROSD, Grando CC, Streit Junior DP, Godoy L. Catalase and Uric Acid Prevent Morphological Damage to the Sperm Flagella of Colossoma macropomum During 96 Hours at Low Storage Temperatures. Biopreserv Biobank 2024. [PMID: 38526565 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2022.0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of loss of sperm function during chilled storage. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a fructose-based extender, which was supplemented with catalase or uric acid, on the motility, viability, morphological integrity, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) of Colossoma macropomum spermatozoa. Sperm was diluted in extenders containing catalase (0; 0.1; 0.8; and 1.5 kU/L) or uric acid (0; 0.25; 0.5; and 1.0 mmol/L) and then stored at 4.3 ± 0.6°C for 96 hours. The chilling storage time had more significant and pronounced effects on practically all the measured sperm quality parameters than the different concentrations of both antioxidants added to the extenders. This was true for sperm motility, motility duration, sperm viability, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa. In fact, for all these parameters, values were higher in the extenders supplemented with catalase or uric acid, than those not supplemented with these antioxidants, especially after 96 hours. The LPO process showed an antioxidant-dependent response. In catalase-supplemented extenders thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels increased gradually and significantly with time, but remained stable during the 96 hours of chilled storage in all samples in which uric acid was added. Despite this, TBARS levels were lower in the extenders supplemented with both catalase and uric acid than in those not having these antioxidants. Inverse correlations were found between sperm motility and the damage in sperm flagella. Our findings suggest that the supplementation of an extender with catalase or uric acid is beneficial and protects fish sperm membranes from damage caused by oxidative stress during low-temperature storage. The extenders containing 0.1 kU/L of catalase and 0.25 mmol/L of uric acid provided effective antioxidant protection for the spermatozoa of this important Amazonian fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yugo M Pastrana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura, Universidade Nilton Lins e Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jaydione L Marcon
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Amanda P de Amaral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura, Universidade Nilton Lins e Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Francisco Bruno P Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura, Universidade Nilton Lins e Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Emerson S Lima
- Laboratório de Atividades Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Leonard D R Acho
- Laboratório de Atividades Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Otávio S de Souza
- Laboratório de Atividades Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Carolina C Grando
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Danilo P Streit Junior
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leandro Godoy
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura, Universidade Nilton Lins e Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Graziano M, Solberg MF, Glover KA, Vasudeva R, Dyrhovden L, Murray D, Immler S, Gage MJG. Pre-fertilization gamete thermal environment influences reproductive success, unmasking opposing sex-specific responses in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar). R Soc Open Sci 2023; 10:231427. [PMID: 38094267 PMCID: PMC10716643 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The environment gametes perform in just before fertilization is increasingly recognized to affect offspring fitness, yet the contributions of male and female gametes and their adaptive significance remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated gametic thermal plasticity and its effects on hatching success and embryo performance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Eggs and sperm were incubated overnight at 2°C or 8°C, temperatures within the optimal thermal range of this species. Crosses between warm- and cold-incubated gametes were compared using a full-factorial design, with half of each clutch reared in cold temperatures and the other in warm temperatures. This allowed disentangling single-sex interaction effects when pre-fertilization temperature of gametes mismatched embryonic conditions. Pre-fertilization temperature influenced hatch timing and synchrony, and matching sperm and embryo temperatures resulted in earlier hatching. Warm incubation benefited eggs but harmed sperm, reducing the hatching success and, overall, gametic thermal plasticity did not enhance offspring fitness, indicating vulnerability to thermal changes. We highlight the sensitivity of male gametes to higher temperatures, and that gamete acclimation may not effectively buffer against deleterious effects of thermal fluctuations. From an applied angle, we propose the differential storage of male and female gametes as a tool to enhance sustainability within the hatcheries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Graziano
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Monica F. Solberg
- Population Genetics Group, Institute of Marine Research, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kevin A. Glover
- Population Genetics Group, Institute of Marine Research, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ramakrishnan Vasudeva
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Lise Dyrhovden
- Population Genetics Group, Institute of Marine Research, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - David Murray
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Simone Immler
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Matthew J. G. Gage
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim SY, Chiara V, Álvarez-Quintero N, da Silva A, Velando A. Maternal effect senescence via reduced DNA repair ability in the three-spined stickleback. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4648-4659. [PMID: 37291748 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Maternal effect senescence, a decline in offspring viability with maternal age, has been documented across diverse animals, but its mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we test maternal effect senescence and explore its possible molecular mechanisms in a fish. We compared the levels of maternal mRNA transcripts of DNA repair genes and mtDNA copies in eggs and the levels of DNA damage in somatic and germline tissues between young and old female sticklebacks. We also tested, in an in vitro fertilization experiment, whether maternal age and sperm DNA damage level interactively influence the expression of DNA repair genes in early embryos. Old females transferred less mRNA transcripts of DNA repair genes into their eggs than did young females, but maternal age did not influence egg mtDNA density. Despite a higher level of oxidative DNA damage in the skeletal muscle, old females had a similar level of damage in the gonad to young females, suggesting the prioritization for germline maintenance during ageing. The embryos of both old and young mothers increased the expression of DNA repair genes in response to an increased level of oxidative DNA damage in sperm used for their fertilization. The offspring of old mothers showed higher rates of hatching, morphological deformity and post-hatching mortality and had smaller body size at maturity. These results suggest that maternal effect senescence may be mediated by reduced capacity of eggs to detect and repair DNA damages, especially prior to the embryonic genomic activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sin-Yeon Kim
- Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Violette Chiara
- Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Náyade Álvarez-Quintero
- Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto da Silva
- Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo Ecoloxía Animal, Torre CACTI, Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Støstad HN, Rowe M, Johnsen A, Lifjeld JT. Sperm head abnormalities are more frequent in songbirds with more helical sperm: A possible trade-off in sperm evolution. J Evol Biol 2019; 32:666-674. [PMID: 30945783 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sperm morphology varies enormously across the animal kingdom. Whilst knowledge of the factors that drive the evolution of interspecific variation in sperm morphology is accumulating, we currently have little understanding of factors that may constrain evolutionary change in sperm traits. We investigated whether susceptibility to sperm abnormalities could represent such a constraint in songbirds, a group characterized by a distinctive helical sperm head shape. Specifically, using 36 songbird species and data from light and scanning electron microscopy, we examined among-species correlations between the occurrence of sperm head abnormalities and sperm morphology, as well as the correlation between sperm head abnormalities and two indicators of sperm competition. We found that species with more helically shaped sperm heads (i.e., a wider helical membrane and more pronounced cell waveform) had a higher percentage of abnormal sperm heads than species with less helical sperm (i.e., relatively straight sperm) and that sperm head traits were better predictors of head abnormalities than total sperm length. In contrast, there was no correlation between sperm abnormalities and the level of sperm competition. Given that songbird species with more pronounced helical sperm have higher average sperm swimming speed, our results suggest an evolutionary trade-off between sperm performance and the structural integrity of the sperm head. As such, susceptibility to morphological abnormalities may constrain the evolution of helical sperm morphology in songbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissah Rowe
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Biosciences, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Johnsen
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan T Lifjeld
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang JH, Wang JH, Guo WB, Ling AR, Luo AQ, Liu D, Yang XL, Zhao ZH. Toxic Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Deoxynivalenol Exposure on Sperm and Testicular Damage in BALB/c Mice. J Agric Food Chem 2019; 67:2289-2295. [PMID: 30707021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b04783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is the most common mycotoxin in cereals and grains. DON contamination can cause a serious health threat to humans and farm animals. DON has been reported to exert significant toxicity effects on the male reproductive system. However, the causes and mechanisms underlying efforts of DON on sperm and testicular damage remain largely unclear. In the present study, we thoroughly investigated this issue. Eighty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 40) and DON treatment group (2.4 mg/kg of body weight, n = 40). The ratio of testes and seminal vesicle to body, sperm survival and motility, and morphology of sperm and testis were observed in DON-treated and control mice. In addition, the concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and also the expression levels of JNK/c-Jun signaling and apoptotic factors such as caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bim, and Bid were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The results demonstrated that a single topical application of DON significantly increased the percentage of abnormal sperm and decreased the motility of sperm, indicating the sperms are damaged by DON. Additionally, the reduced relative body weight of testis and severe destruction of testicular morphology were observed. Moreover, the increased levels of ROS and MDA levels and decreased activities of SOD and GSH were found in testicular tissues, suggesting that oxidative stress is induced by DON treatment. Furthermore, DON upregulated the expression of stress-induced JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway proteins as well as JNK/c-Jun phosphorylation proteins. In addition, DON could enhance testicular apoptosis by increasing expression levels of apoptotic genes including Bim, cytochrome c, caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9. These results suggest that DON exposure can cause sperm damage, oxidative stress, testicular apoptosis, and phosphorylation of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway. The underlying mechanisms may be that DON induces sperm damage by exacerbating oxidative stress-mediated testicular apoptosis via JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hua Yang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Bo Guo
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - A-Ru Ling
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ai-Qiong Luo
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Liu
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Li Yang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Hui Zhao
- Institute for Agri-Food Standards and Testing Technology , Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Shanghai , 201403 , People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Olli KE, Li K, Galileo DS, Martin-DeLeon PA. Plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4 (PMCA4) co-ordinates calcium and nitric oxide signaling in regulating murine sperm functional activity. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:11-22. [PMID: 28247940 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Reduced sperm motility (asthenospermia) and resulting infertility arise from deletion of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ -ATPase 4 (Pmca4) gene which encodes the highly conserved Ca2+ efflux pump, PMCA4. This is the major Ca2+ clearance protein in murine sperm. Since the mechanism underlying asthenospermia in PMCA4's absence or reduced activity is unknown, we investigated if sperm PMCA4 negatively regulates nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and when absent NO, peroxynitrite, and oxidative stress levels are increased. Using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), we show an association of PMCA4 with the NOSs in elevated cytosolic [Ca2+ ] in capacitated and Ca2+ ionophore-treated sperm and with neuronal (nNOS) at basal [Ca2+ ] (ucapacitated sperm). FRET efficiencies for PMCA4-eNOS were 35% and 23% in capacitated and uncapacitated sperm, significantly (p < 0.01) different, with the molecules being <10 nm apart. For PMCA4-nNOS, this interaction was seen only for capacitated sperm where FRET efficiency was 24%, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in uncapacitated sperm (6%). PMCA4 and the NOSs were identified as interacting partners in a quaternary complex that includes Caveolin1, which co-immunoprecipitated with eNOS in a Ca2+ -dependent manner. In Pmca4-/- sperm NOS activity was elevated twofold in capacitated/uncapacitated sperm (vs. wild-type), accompanied by a twofold increase in peroxynitrite levels and significantly (p < 0.001) increased numbers of apoptotic germ cells. The data support a quaternary complex model in which PMCA4 co-ordinates Ca2+ and NO signaling to maintain motility, with increased NO levels resulting in asthenospermia in Pmca4-/- males. They suggest the involvement of PMCA4 mutations in human asthenospermia, with diagnostic relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristine E Olli
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
| | - Deni S Galileo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nasimi P, Vahdati A, Tabandeh MR, Khatamsaz S. Cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil against busulfan-mediated sperm damage and seminiferous tubules destruction in adult male mice. Andrologia 2015; 48:74-81. [PMID: 26011020 DOI: 10.1111/and.12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the protective effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) against damage caused by busulfan on testis in male mice. The NMRI mice (n = 40) were assigned to four groups including: G1: control, G2: treated with busulfan for 4 days (3.2 mg kg(-1)), G3: receive busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg(-1)) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg(-1)) at the same time, G4: pre-treated with SKEO (7 days, 225 mg kg(-1)) and subsequently cotreated with busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg(-1)) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg(-1)). The histological changes of testis were analysed using H&E staining. Sperm parameters, cytotoxic and apoptotic factors were also studied by computer-aided sperm analyzer, MTT and TUNEL assays respectively. Our results showed that SKEO pre-administration significantly improved all parameters of epididymal spermatozoa and decreased germinal epithelium destruction following busulfan chemotherapy. We also found lower MTT levels and TUNEL-positive cells in SKEO pre-treated groups. In conclusion, SKEO possesses beneficial effects on sperm parameters when taken before chemotherapy and continued during and after chemotherapy for a long time, than when used short-term coinciding with the chemotherapy. Our results support valuable data about the application of SKEO for protection against adverse effects of busulfan on male genital system in patients under chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Nasimi
- Department of Biology, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.,Department of Biology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - A Vahdati
- Department of Biology, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.,Department of Biology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M R Tabandeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - S Khatamsaz
- Department of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Idris MHM, Budin SB, Osman M, Mohamed J. Protective role of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract against streptozotocin induced sperm damage in diabetic rats. EXCLI J 2012; 11:659-669. [PMID: 27847454 PMCID: PMC5099906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus contributes to male sexual dysfunction and infertility by modulating oxidative damage. To date, a number of studies have demonstrated antioxidant properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. This study was designed to investigate the effects of H. sabdariffa UKMR-2 variety on sperm functioning of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allotted into four groups, namely control group (C), H. sabdariffa extract (HSE) group, diabetes group (D) and diabetes plus HSE group (D+HSE). HSE (100 mg/ kg/body weight) was administered orally for 28 consecutive days. After 28-days of supplementation, the rats were sacrificed to obtain epididymal sperm. Administration of HSE significantly lowered the level of fasting blood glucose and increased plasma insulin level in D+HSE group as compared to D group (p<0.05). Sperm quality in the D+HSE group was improved with significantly higher sperm concentrations (p<0.05) and sperm motility (p<0.001) as well as lower percentage of sperm abnormality (p<0.05) as compared to the diabetic group. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in D+HSE group than in D group while no significant alteration in plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level were seen between groups. In conclusion, this study suggested that H. sabdariffa UKMR-2 variety has a potential protective role against diabetes-induced sperm damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhd Hanis Md Idris
- Programme of Biomedical Science, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Balkis Budin
- Programme of Biomedical Science, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Osman
- Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jamaludin Mohamed
- Programme of Biomedical Science, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Jamaludin Mohamed, Programme of Biomedical Science, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Tel. No. : +603-9289 7560, Fax. No.: +603-2692 9032, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|