HEALTH

Hope for childless couples
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — As many as 20 to 30 per cent of the males have infertility problem due to a low-sperm count. While the causes leading to the condition may range from genetic to induced factors like alcohol abuse and smoking, with the latest advents in assisted reproductive technology (ART), males with a very low-sperm count can also now hope to become a father.

At an update scientific meeting on ART, held at the PGI here today, various issues relating to assisted reproduction, including in-vitro fertilisation and other procedures, including the latest techniques to overcome male infertility — intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), were discussed.

The meeting had been organised by Dr Umesh Jindal, an infertility specialist with the Chandigarh Medical Centre. She presented some interesting cases corrected with ART. The first test-tube baby at the centre was born in 1976.

ART refers to the scientific techniques employed to assist childless couples to bear children. The technique involves fertilisation of ovum with the sperms outside the human body, in-vitro as it is scientifically referred to. Since the fertilisation is done in laboratory and the embryo later implanted in the uterus after 48 to 72 hours, the technique is known as ‘‘test-tube technology’’.

The technique, however, was till now carried out primarily in women with infertility problems. However, with this technique males with a very low-sperm count can also be helped.

According to Dr B.S. Minhas from the USA, a pioneer investigator on the subject, the cause for infertility in nearly half the cases was related to the male partner. These couples could be helped with the ICSI, he said.

As per Mr Vincent William, an embroyologists from the USA, under a micromanipulator, a single sperm from the male partner was taken in an injection and under microscope was injected into the oocyte obtained from the female partner.

As per experts, almost all the couples with infertility could conceive with one or the other procedure.

The other speakers included Prof Indu Gupta and Prof Lakhbir Dhaliwal from the PGI, Prof N.K. Mohanty and Prof R. Geeta from Delhi, Prof S. Goswami from Kolkata, Dr Ashi Sarin and Dr Deepa Goel from Patiala and Dr Sushma Chawla from Jalandhar.

About 250 delegates participated in the meeting. A workshop on intrauterine insemination was also held where the procedure was demonstrated. 

SPORT

Naveen wins chess tourney
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — Naveen Jain won the Chandigarh Open 2001 Chess Tournament title which concldued here today at Sports Complex, Sector 42. The second and third positions were clinched by Jitender Joshi, and Abhinandan Vohra, respectively.

In all 53 players took part in this three-day tournament organised by tbe Chandigarh Chess Association. The first 15 top players were also awarded prizes while special prizes were given to children.

The final positions at the end of the seventh round in order of merit were, Naveen Jain, Jitender Joshi, Abhinandan Vohra, Sanjeev Biswas, Ashwani Kumar, Anil Raina, Major Singh, Ashok Mittal, Nitin, Anil Upadhya, Naveen Bansal, Swapan Biswas, CM Sharma, Anmol Razdan, and CM Oberoi.

Golf tourney

The CGA fun golf tournament for its members and their families was organised at the Chandigarh Golf Association golf range, near Kishangarh, today in which about 110 people participated. Two-minute silence was observed before the start of the tournament by the entire participants to pay homage to the victims of the disastrous earthquake in Gujarat.

Among those present on the occasion were, Mr Sarabjit Singh, Director-General Police, Punjab, and Mr B.S. Bassi, IGP, UT. Mr Inder Raj Soni, Commissioner Cenral Excise Chandigarh-I, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.

The results are: Three hole — (men) - Mr Daljit Singh 1, Major B.M. Singh 2; (women) -Ms Bachitter Singh 1, Ms B.M. Singh 2; (boys) Mr Dilsher Singh Sukhija 1, Mr Abhinav 2.

Pitch and putt — (men) Mr Jatinder Harika 1, Mr H.C.S. Berry 2; (women) Ms Kiran B.M. Singh 1, Ms Bachitter Singh 2; (boys) Mr Dilsher Singh Sukhija 1, Adhiraj Thind 2; putting — (men) Manddar Saddi 1, Pawandeep 2; (women) Ms Kiran B.M. Singh 1, Ms Bachitter Singh 2.

Bunker shot and putting — (men) Mr B.S. Thind 1, Manddar Saddi 2; (women) Ms Bachitter Singh 1, Ms B.M. Singh 2; (boys) Mr Dilsher Singh Sukhija 1, Adhiraj Thind 2.

Longest drive — (men) Manddar Saddi 1, Gurdish Pal Singh 2; (women) Ms Bachitter Singh 1, Ms Kiran B.M. Singh 2; (boys) Mr Dilsher Singh 1, Mr Himmat Singh 2. Longest drive (iron) — (men) Mr Baboota 1, Mr Ashwani Chandna 2; (girls) Ms Parneet Sidhu 1.