Abstract P3-02-08: Association of background parenchymal enhancement with breast cancer risk factors and tumor characteristics

Background: Background Parenchymal Enhancement (BPE) in a dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)MRI refers to change in morphology and temporal degree of enhancement expressing physiology of breast tissue. Improvements in the analysis and interpretation of BPE have been shown to increase diagnostic accuracy of the MRI. We explored associations of BPE with breast cancer(BC) risk factors and tumor characteristics.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review study of 149 women who were treated for BC at the University of Maryland Medical Center(UMMC) between 2003-2015. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Subjects had BI-RADS 4,5 or 6 on their mammograms and/or biopsy proven BC. Women with false positive mammograms (n=2), missing BPE grade in their MRI reports (n=6), metastatic BC at diagnosis (n=2), MRIs done outside of a year of diagnosis (n=3), and who followed up outside UMMC (n=1) were excluded. Final analysis included 135 women. We used 1.5T or 3T scanners for DCE MRI. Standard contrast enhanced MRI protocol, T1, T2, and dynamic series were acquired according to American College of Radiology requirements for breast MRI accreditation and interpreted with Maximum Intensity Projection and subtracted imaging. Fellowship-trained breast imagers performed qualitative BPE assessment as per standard BI-RADS classification. BI-RADS classes were grouped as high BPE (BI-RADS moderate and marked) and low BPE (BI-RADS minimal and mild). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations with predictors including individual and tumor characteristics.

Results: Preliminary analyses showed BPE was significantly associated with alcohol intake, with drinkers being more likely to have high BPE compared to non-drinkers [odds ratio (OR) =3.08 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34-7.09; p=0.008]. Women who received adjuvant radiation for their BC were less likely to have high BPE compared to women who did not undergo radiation [OR= 0.37 (95% CI=0.15-0.90); p=0.03] implying higher likelihood of breast conservation surgery in the former group. High BPE was less often observed for invasive ductal carcinoma histology vs. in-situ ductal carcinomas [OR= 0.40 95% CI=0.16-1.00); p=0.05] and in post- vs. premenopausal women [OR=0.47 (95%CI=0.22-1.00); p=0.05]. No association was found between BPE and race, BMI, prior HRT/OCP use, smoking, or ER/PR/HER-2 status.

Conclusion: We observed association between higher BPE and alcohol exposure and lower BPE and, invasive ductal histology, postmenopausal status at diagnosis of BC and adjuvant radiation for BC. Larger studies are needed to corroborate our findings and identify the underlying mechanisms.

Citation Format: Iyer L, Faramand R, Jung S, Rosenblatt P, Campassi C, Dromi S, Dorgan J, Tkaczuk K. Association of background parenchymal enhancement with breast cancer risk factors and tumor characteristics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-02-08.

D-dimer as a predictor of early neurologic deterioration in cryptogenic stroke with active cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The occurrence of stroke in cancer patients is caused by conventional vascular risk factors and cancer-specific mechanisms. However, cryptogenic stroke in patients with cancer was considered to be more related to cancer-specific hypercoagulability. In this study, we investigated the potential of the D-dimer level to serve as a predictor of early neurologic deterioration (END) in cryptogenic stroke patients with active cancer.

METHODS

We recruited 109 cryptogenic stroke patients with active cancer within 72 h of symptom onset. We defined END as an increase of ≥1 point in the motor National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or ≥2 points in the total NIHSS score within 72 h of admission. After adjusting for potential confounding factors in the multivariate analysis, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of D-dimer in the prediction of END.

RESULTS

Among 109 patients, END events were identified in 34 (31%) patients within 72 h. END was significantly associated with systemic metastasis, multiple vascular territory lesions on the initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), initial NIHSS score and D-dimer levels. In the multivariate analysis, the D-dimer level (adjusted OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17; P < 0.01) and initial NIHSS score (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15; P = 0.03) predicted END after adjusting for potential confounding factors. In the subgroup analysis of 72 follow-up MRIs, D-dimer level was also correlated with new territory lesions on the follow-up MRI in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Ischemic stroke patients with active cancer and elevated D-dimer levels appear to be at increased risk for END recurrent thromboembolic stroke.

Global Survey of the Frequency of Atrial Fibrillation–Associated Stroke

Background and Purpose—

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly recognized as the single most important cause of disabling ischemic stroke in the elderly. We undertook an international survey to characterize the frequency of AF-associated stroke, methods of AF detection, and patient features.

Methods—

Consecutive patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke in 2013 to 2014 were surveyed from 19 stroke research centers in 19 different countries. Data were analyzed by global regions and World Bank income levels.

Results—

Of 2144 patients with ischemic stroke, 590 (28%; 95% confidence interval, 25.6–29.5) had AF-associated stroke, with highest frequencies in North America (35%) and Europe (33%) and lowest in Latin America (17%). Most had a history of AF before stroke (15%) or newly detected AF on electrocardiography (10%); only 2% of patients with ischemic stroke had unsuspected AF detected by poststroke cardiac rhythm monitoring. The mean age and 30-day mortality rate of patients with AF-associated stroke (75 years; SD, 11.5 years; 10%; 95% confidence interval, 7.6–12.6, respectively) were substantially higher than those of patients without AF (64 years; SD, 15.58 years; 4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.3–5.4; P <0.001 for both comparisons). There was a strong positive correlation between the mean age and the frequency of AF ( r =0.76; P =0.0002).

Conclusions—

This cross-sectional global sample of patients with recent ischemic stroke shows a substantial frequency of AF-associated stroke throughout the world in proportion to the mean age of the stroke population. Most AF is identified by history or electrocardiography; the yield of conventional short-duration cardiac rhythm monitoring is relatively low. Patients with AF-associated stroke were typically elderly (>75 years old) and more often women.

Caveolin-1 serves as a negative effector in senescent human gingival fibroblasts during Fusobacterium nucleatum infection

It is well established that aging is associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a well-known bacterial species that plays a central bridging role between early and late colonizers in the human oral cavity. Further, the ability of F. nucleatum to invade gingival fibroblasts (GFs) is critical to the development of periodontal diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the age-related infection of GFs by F. nucleatum remain unknown. We used young (fourth passage) and senescent (22nd passage) GFs to investigate the mechanisms of F. nucleatum infection in aged GFs and first observed increased invasion of F. nucleatum in senescent GFs. We also found that the co-localization of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a protein marker of aging, with F. nucleatum and the knockdown of Cav-1 in GFs reduced F. nucleatum invasion. Additionally, F. nucleatum infection triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through activation of NADPH oxidase in GFs, but senescent GFs exhibited significantly lower levels of NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production compared with young GFs in both the uninfected and infected conditions. Also, senescent GFs exhibited a decline in proinflammatory cytokine production and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation following F. nucleatum infection. Interestingly, the knockdown of Cav-1 in senescent GFs increased NADPH oxidase activity and caused the upregulation of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 and the phosphorylation of ERK. Collectively, the increased expression of Cav-1 might play a critical role in F. nucleatum invasion and could hinder the host response in senescent GFs.

The spectrum of orofacial manifestations in systemic sclerosis: a challenging management

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare multisystem connective tissue disorder characterized by the triad fibrosis, vasculopathy and immune dysregulation. This chronic disease has a significant impact on the orofacial region that is involved in more than two-thirds of the cases. SSc patients can show a wide array of oral manifestations, which are usually associated with a severe impairment of the quality of life. They often present a decreased the salivary flow and a reduced mouth opening that contribute substantially to the worsening of the oral health status. Therefore, SSc patients require specific and multidisciplinary interventions that should be initiated as early as possible. The identification of specific radiological and clinical signs at the early stage will improve the management of such patients. This study reviews the wide spectrum of orofacial manifestations associated with SSc and suggests clues for the oral management that remains challenging.

Force Tracking Impedance Control for Robot Manipulators with an Unknown Environment: Theory, Simulation, and Experiment

In impedance control for force tracking, it is well known that the reference trajectory of the robot is calculated from known environmental stiffness. The authors present a simple technique for determining the reference trajectory under the condition that the environment is unknown. The technique is developed based on the replacement of the unknown stiffness with a function of the measured force. Combining this technique with the impedance function yields the force tracking impedance function. Robot dynamic uncertainties are assumed to be compensated by a robust position control method based on time-delayed control. The local stability at equilibrium points is analyzed with respect to uncertainty in environmental position. Computer simulation studies demonstrate that force tracking using the proposed technique is excellent for unknown environment and dynamics uncertainty. The practicality of the technique is also verified experimentally using a PUMA 560 manipulator.

Prolonged sleep increases the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage: a nationwide case-control study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although abnormal sleep duration is positively associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality, the specific impact on intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) risk remains unclear. The relationship between sleep duration and the risk of ICH was investigated in our study.

METHODS

A nationwide, multicentre matched case-control study was performed to investigate the risk factors for haemorrhagic stroke, using patients from 33 hospitals in Korea. In all, 490 patients with ICH and 980 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Detailed information regarding sleep, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and medical history before ICH onset was obtained using qualified structured questionnaires. Sleep duration was categorized and the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a conditional logistic regression with 7 h as the reference duration.

RESULTS

The number of subjects with long sleep duration, more than 8 h, was significantly greater in the ICH group than in the control group (≥8 h, 30.4% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.002). After controlling for relevant confounding factors, longer sleep duration was found to be independently associated with the risk of ICH in a dose-response manner (8 h, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.47; ≥9 h, OR 5.00, 95% CI 2.18-11.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that long sleep duration is positively associated with an increased ICH risk in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies on the relationship linking long sleep duration with increased risk of ICH are required.

Novel strategy for a bispecific antibody: induction of dual target internalization and degradation

Activation of the extensive cross-talk among the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), particularly ErbB family-Met cross-talk, has emerged as a likely source of drug resistance. Notwithstanding brilliant successes were attained while using small-molecule inhibitors or antibody therapeutics against specific RTKs in multiple cancers over recent decades, a high recurrence rate remains unsolved in patients treated with these targeted inhibitors. It is well aligned with multifaceted properties of cancer and cross-talk and convergence of signaling pathways of RTKs. Thereby many therapeutic interventions have been actively developed to overcome inherent or acquired resistance. To date, no bispecific antibody (BsAb) showed complete depletion of dual RTKs from the plasma membrane and efficient dual degradation. In this manuscript, we report the first findings of a target-specific dual internalization and degradation of membrane RTKs induced by designed BsAbs based on the internalizing monoclonal antibodies and the therapeutic values of these BsAbs. Leveraging the anti-Met mAb able to internalize and degrade by a unique mechanism, we generated the BsAbs for Met/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Met/HER2 to induce an efficient EGFR or HER2 internalization and degradation in the presence of Met that is frequently overexpressed in the invasive tumors and involved in the resistance against EGFR- or HER2-targeted therapies. We found that Met/EGFR BsAb ME22S induces dissociation of the Met-EGFR complex from Hsp90, followed by significant degradation of Met and EGFR. By employing patient-derived tumor models we demonstrate therapeutic potential of the BsAb-mediated dual degradation in various cancers.

Obesity and Muscle Weakness as Risk Factors for Mobility Limitation in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Women: A Two-Year Follow-Up Investigation

OBJECTIVES

To examine the combined association of obesity and low muscle strength with mobility limitation in older adults.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This two-year follow-up longitudinal study included pooled data from 283 older community-dwelling Japanese women without mobility limitations who were 65 to 87 years of age (mean age 72.2 ± 5.0 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Muscle strength was measured by hand-grip strength (HGS). The participants were categorized by HGS (high muscle strength: HGS ≥19.6 kg, low muscle strength: HGS <19.6 kg) and body mass index (BMI) (obese: BMI ≥25 kg/m2, normal weight: BMI <25 kg/m2). The main outcome was mobility limitation, assessed by a self-reported questionnaire (difficulty walking one-half mile or climbing 10 steps without resting). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the combined effect of HGS and BMI on mobility limitation, adjusting for age, exercise habits, medications, and knee pain.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 82 of 283 participants (29.0%) developed mobility limitation. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the incidence of mobility limitation were 1.53 (0.86-2.73) and 2.05 (1.08-3.91) in the obese and low muscle strength groups, respectively. Obesity combined with low muscle strength exhibited a significant and strong association with mobility limitation (odds ratio: 3.88, 1.08-13.91) compared with participants with normal weight and high muscle strength.

CONCLUSION

Among community-dwelling older Japanese women, obesity alone was not associated with the incidence of mobility limitation, but when combined with low muscle weakness, the risk of developing mobility limitation was 3.9-fold greater than for the reference group.

Treating depression with botulinum toxin: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection into the glabellar region is currently being studied as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Here we explore efficacy data of this novel approach in a pooled analysis.

METHODS

A literature search revealed 3 RCTs on this topic. Individual patient data and clinical end points shared by these 3 trials were pooled and analyzed as one study (n=134) using multiple regression models with random effects.

RESULTS

In the pooled sample, the BTA (n=59) and the placebo group (n=75) did not differ in the baseline variables. Efficacy outcomes revealed BTA superiority over placebo: Improvement in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale 6 weeks after baseline was 45.7% for BTA vs. 14.6% for placebo (p<0.0001), corresponding to a BTA response rate of 54.2% (vs. 10.7%) and a BTA remission rate of 30.5% (vs. 6.7%).

DISCUSSION

Equalling the status of a meta-analysis, this study increases evidence that a single treatment of BTA into the glabellar region can reduce symptoms of MDD. Further studies are needed to better understand how BTA exerts its mood-lifting effect.

Combining Two Control Techniques for the Fast Movement of a Two-Wheel Mobile Robot

Control of two-wheel mobile robots (TWMRs) is quite a challenging subject for researchers and educators. Control performance of TWMRs is to satisfy both stable balancing and position tracking simultaneously. When the TWMR is moving fast in forward direction with a proportional-derivative (PD) control method, fast movement to the desired position can be achieved. However, larger oscillations in both the balancing angle and position occur. The time-delayed control (TDC) method reduces the oscillation, but its response is relatively slow. The goal of this paper is to provide a solution to satisfy both stable balancing and position for fast forward movements. This paper presents a control fusion approach between a PD control method and a TDC method to make the performance better. Two controllers are fused together with different weighting factors on the basis of a sigmoidal function to satisfy the control performance. Experimental studies are conducted to validate the proposed control approach.

Adolescent Endogenous Sex Hormones and Breast Density in Early Adulthood

During adolescence the breasts undergo rapid growth and development under the influence of sex hormones. Although the hormonal etiology of breast cancer is hypothesized, it remains unknown whether adolescent sex hormones are associated with adult breast density, which is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. METHODS: Percentage of dense breast volume (%DBV) was measured in 2006 by magnetic resonance imaging in 177 women aged 25–29 years who participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children from 1988–1997 and had sex hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) measured in serum collected on 1–4 occasions between 8 and 17 years of age. Multivariable linear mixed-effect regression models were used to evaluate the associations of adolescent sex hormones and SHBG with %DBV. RESULTS: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and SHBG measured in premenarche serum samples were significantly positively associated with %DBV (all Ptrend ≤ 0.03) but not when measured in postmenarche samples (all Ptrend ≥ 0.42). The multivariable geometric mean of %DBV across quartiles of premenarcheal DHEAS and SHBG increased from 16.7% to 22.1% and from 14.1% to 24.3%, respectively. Estrogens, progesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone were not associated with %DBV pre- or post-menarche (all Ptrend ≥ 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher DHEAS and SHBG levels during adolescence, particularly before the onset of menarche, are associated with higher%DBV in young women. Whether this association translates into an increased risk of breast cancer later in life is currently unknown.

Whole-Brain Susceptibility-Weighted Thrombus Imaging in Stroke: Fragmented Thrombi Predict Worse Outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The prevalence and clinical importance of primarily fragmented thrombi in patients with acute ischemic stroke remains elusive. Whole-brain SWI was used to detect multiple thrombus fragments, and their clinical significance was analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pretreatment SWI was analyzed for the presence of a single intracranial thrombus or multiple intracranial thrombi. Associations with baseline clinical characteristics, complications, and clinical outcome were studied.

RESULTS

Single intracranial thrombi were detected in 300 (92.6%), and multiple thrombi, in 24 of 324 patients (7.4%). In 23 patients with multiple thrombi, all thrombus fragments were located in the vascular territory distal to the primary occluding thrombus; in 1 patient, thrombi were found both in the anterior and posterior circulation. Only a minority of thrombus fragments were detected on TOF-MRA, first-pass gadolinium-enhanced MRA, or DSA. Patients with multiple intracranial thrombi presented with more severe symptoms (median NIHSS scores, 15 versus 11; P = .014) and larger ischemic areas (median DWI ASPECTS, 5 versus 7; P = .006); good collaterals, rated on DSA, were fewer than those in patients with a single thrombus (21.1% versus 44.2%, P = .051). The presence of multiple thrombi was a predictor of unfavorable outcome at 3 months (P = .040; OR, 0.251; 95% CI, 0.067-0.939).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with multiple intracranial thrombus fragments constitute a small subgroup of patients with stroke with a worse outcome than patients with single thrombi.

138 DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF BIOPSIED AND SPLIT BOVINE EMBRYOS

The aim of the present study was to develop a reliable method to simultaneously split and biopsy valuable bovine embryos for a complete genomic evaluation (gender, polledness, and hereditary abnormalities) and to estimate the breeding value of progeny for traits of economic importance immediately after embryo recovery. A total of 208 good quality embryos collected from superovulated German Simmental animals were biopsied immediately after recovery using an inverse microscope (Zeiss, Germany) at 50× magnification with a single-use steel blade mounted on a holder (Bausch & Lomb, Germany) attached to a micromanipulator (Eppendorf, Germany). Biopsy was performed either by splitting the embryo and cutting of one-third of a half [G1: morulae (M), n = 50; early blastocysts (EB), n = 24; blastocysts (B), n = 16], by just splitting in equal halves (G2: M, n = 16; B, n = 2), or by cutting of just a small biopsy of the embryo (G3: M, n = 53) or of the trophoblast (G3: EB, n = 19; B, n = 28). Biopsied cells were immediately used for DNA amplification. Biopsied embryos (E) and demi-embryos (DE) were in vitro cultured in SOF, under mineral oil, at 39°C and 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2 for 24 h, after which survival was recorded. Survival rate of G1 (survival of at least 1 DE: M, 98.0%; EB, 100.0%; B, 93.8%), G2 (survival of DE: M, 75.0%; B, 100.0%), and G3 (embryo survival: M, 96.3%; EB, 100.0%; B, 96.4%) were similar, but in relation to the number of original embryo the highest ratio of DE was obtained in G1 (1.67) v. G2 (0.88) and G3 (0.97; G1:G2/G3; P < 0.01). Within G1, the highest ration to the original number of embryos was by using M (1.78), followed by EB (1.75) and B (1.19; M/EB:B; P < 0.05). To verify the viability of biopsied embryos some DE from G1 (1, the nonbiopsied DE, n = 7, or 2, the biopsied and the nonbiopsied DE per recipient, n = 21), G2 (1 DE per recipient, n = 13), and G3 (1 E per recipient, n = 8) were transferred after 24 h of culture. Overall pregnancy rate (Day 42) of G1, G2, and G3 was 64.3, 23.1, and 50.0%, respectively (G1 : G2; P < 0.05). In G1, pregnancy rates (Day 42) of biopsied embryos differed significantly if either 1 or 2 DE were transferred per recipient (28.6 v. 76.2%, respectively; P < 0.05). A twin pregnancy rate of 38.9% was observed by ultrasonography in recipients when 2 DE were transferred. The results suggest that high survival rates can be obtained with the G1 technique, and splitting during biopsy can increase productivity in programs aimed to evaluate the genomic constitution of early stage embryos. Funded by the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung (AZ-1031-12).

84 PAIRS OF BLASTOMERES FROM BOVINE DAY 5 MORULAE ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO INNER CELL MASS AND TROPHECTODERM IN CHIMERIC EMBRYOS GENERATED BY AGGREGATION WITH TWO DAY 4 MORULAE

The multiplication of high-value embryos by chimera formation using asynchronic aggregation is a promising alternative to embryonic cell nuclear transfer. Single blastomeres from a donor embryo are aggregated with 2 host embryos, thus several chimeras can be constructed per donor embryo. Due to the advanced developmental stage, the donor blastomeres are likely to contribute to the inner cell mass (ICM) and later give rise to the embryo proper, whereas the host embryos form extra-embryonic tissues. To test if pairs of blastomeres from Day 5 morulae are able to form the ICM when aggregated with 2 Day 4 host embryos, we produced transgenic donor embryos carrying a fluorescent reporter gene (enhanced green fluorescent protein, eGFP) by using semen from an eGFP transgenic bull (Reichenbach et al. 2010 Transgenic Res. 19, 549–556) for in vitro fertilization and in vitro host embryos produced by a standard procedure. The zona pellucida of all embryos was removed by treatment with 1 mg mL–1 pronase. Donor embryos were assessed for eGFP expression by fluorescence microscopy and disaggregated by gentle pipetting after incubation in Mg2+- and Ca2+-free medium. Pairs of blastomeres were then placed between 2 host embryos and cultured individually in a well-of-the-well culture dish. On Day 6 after aggregation, fully developed blastocysts were assessed for eGFP fluorescence. In 3 replicates, n = 30 chimeras were produced by aggregation; 13 (43%) developed to blastocysts, of which 2 (15%) showed local eGFP expression in the ICM and 7 (54%) showed a generalized expression. From the results of this study we conclude that Day 5 morulae may be multiplied in an efficient manner by using the chimera formation technique, which makes this approach applicable to ex vivo-derived embryos. In future investigations we will study the effect of using donor blastomeres from either the inside or outside of the donor morula and test the use of tetraploid host embryos to increase the rate of blastocysts with the desired genotype in the ICM. Finally, we aim to introduce this multiplication approach to the production of genotyped embryos with a genomic estimated breeding value (gEBV) and intend to produce calves with identical gEBV.Funded by the Bavarian Research Foundation (AZ-1031–1).

316 GENOMIC EVALUATION OF BOVINE EMBRYOS WITHIN 24 HOURS

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable procedure for genomic evaluation of bovine embryos to determine gender, polled status, and hereditary defects within 24 h after collection. German Simmental animals (n = 15) were superovulated (n = 25) using a standard protocol. Embryos were recovered on Day 7 (Day 0 = oestrus). A total of 217 embryos (morula, n = 130; early blastocyst, n = 43; blastocyst, n = 44) were biopsied with a steel blade attached to a micromanipulator. Biopsied cells were immediately transferred into 1 µL TE buffer to a 500 µL reaction tube and embryos were in vitro cultured until genomic results were available. For commonly used molecular genetic methods (e.g. 5′-exonuclease genotyping, PCR or high density genotyping) DNA amounts of 2–200 ng are required. However, the DNA quantity of a single diploid cell amounts to 6 pg only. The embryo biopsies used, usually consists of 10–30 cells, necessitating an artificial amplification of the embryonic genome. Taking all vital measures to avoid external DNA contamination, isothermal whole genome amplification was performed with the REPLI-g Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) using random hexamers and Phi29-Polymerase. Depending on the number of cells, a total DNA amount of 4–7 µg was achieved. Polled status and gender was determined using PCR with subsequent gel-electrophoresis. 5′-exonuclease assays were used to obtain genotypes for the detection of genetic defects. At present, eight, mostly Simmental-specific genetic disorders can be examined: three traits associated with severe growth retardation, dwarfism (DW), Braunvieh-haplotype 2 (BH2) and stunted growth (FH2), the lethal skin disorder zinc deficiency-like syndrome (ZDL), a fertility trait bovine male subfertility (BMS), embryonic death Fleckvieh-haplotype 4 (FH4), a bleeding disorder thrombopathia (TP) and arachnomelia (A), within 24 h. On average, 8.7 embryos were biopsied per embryo recovery, i.e. 93.9% of the total number of transferable embryos. Fourteen embryo samples (6.5%) totally failed during analysis, possibly due to the loss of samples. In successful analyses, gender was undetermined in two embryos; remaining embryos were 52.2% female and 47.8% male. Polled status could be analysed in 92.6% of the embryos. The analyses of embryos for possible inherited genetic disorders (healthy, heterozygote, or homozygote; n = 578) were successful in 90.1%. The transfer of biopsied embryos (n = 30) led to 63.3% pregnancies (Day 42). A validation of the present results has to be done as soon as the produced calves are born, demonstrating the reliability of the procedure.Research was funded by the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung (AZ-1031-12).