Reproductive failure in a patient with neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome

[Urinary and nephrologic aspects of Von Recklinghausen disease. Two case reports and review of the literature]

Urinary tract involvement in neurofibromatosis type 1 is rare and uncommon entity. The syndrome is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and is characterized by cutaneous pigmentation and tumors as neural crest origin. Two cases of kidney involvement by Von rechlinghausen's disease with in one case a consequent hydronephrosis with arterial hypertension and in the second a nephrocalcinos without hyperparathyroidism are present. The literature of urogenital and nephrologic neurofibromatosis is reviewed. The authors suggest that the patient with neurofibromatosis be screened annually with medical history, physical examination, urinalysis and serum chemistry for tumors that affect the urinary particularly in children.

Chromosomal anomalies in human gametes and pre-implantation embryos, and their potential effect on reproduction

This paper reviews the latest data on chromosomal abnormalities in human gametes and embryos. A close relationship between such anomalies and reproduction failure in humans has been postulated, thereby underscoring the importance of ongoing studies into the mechanisms leading to anomalies. Until recently, knowledge of chromosomal anomalies in human gametes and embryos has been limited. Newly developed strategies (in vitro fertilization combined with micromanipulation techniques followed by multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization, and PCR analyses) allow precise investigation of this problem. This review of the available information on the etiology of chromosomal anomalies indicates that some of the genetic anomalies in human gametes and early embryos result in reproductive failure.