Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a member of the glycoprotein hormone family that includes luteinzing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone, and chorionic gonadotropin. These heterodimeric hormones share a common alpha subunit and differ in their hormone-specific beta subunit. The biological activity is conferred only by the heterodimers. FSH and LH are synthesized in the same cells of the pituitary, the gonadotrophs. FSH receptors are localized to Sertoli cells of the testes and granulosa cells of the ovary. Minimal data has been accumulated so far involving human mutations in the FSH beta, LH beta, or the gonadotropin receptor genes. There are no known mouse strains with mutations in the FSH beta gene. To generate animal models for human diseases involving the gonadotropin signal transduction pathway, we produced mice deficient in the FSH beta subunit and therefore in FSH using ES cell technology. FSH-deficient females are infertile due to a block in folliculogenesis prior to antral follicle formation. Although FSH was predicted to be necessary for spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell growth in males, FSH-deficient males are fertile despite having small testes. Our findings have important implications for male contraceptive development in humans.

Follicle stimulating hormone is required for ovarian follicle maturation but not male fertility.

Sperm morphologic features as a prognostic factor in in vitro fertilization.

Background Although semen analysis is routinely used to evaluate the male partner in infertile couples, sperm measurements that discriminate between fertile and infertile men are not well defined. Methods We evaluated two semen specimens from each of the male partners in 765 infertile couples and 696 fertile couples at nine sites. The female partners in the infertile couples had normal results on fertility evaluation. The sperm concentration and motility were determined at the sites; semen smears were stained at the sites and shipped to a central laboratory for an assessment of morphologic features of sperm with the use of strict criteria. We used classification-and-regression-tree analysis to estimate threshold values for subfertility and fertility with respect to the sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. We also used an analysis of receiver-operating-characteristic curves to assess the relative value of these sperm measurements in discriminating between fertile and infertile men. Results The su...

Sperm Morphology, Motility, and Concentration in Fertile and Infertile Men

Predictive value of abnormal sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization

Role of reactive oxygen species in male infertility.

This laboratory manual consists of 2 sections which describe methods of examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction in order to standardize procedures and facilitate evaluation and comparison of research reports The section on semen collection and examination discusses and makes recommendations for sample collection and delivery; initial examination; motility assessment estimation of sperm density; examination of particulate debris; agglutination; sperm viability; counting the spermatozoa; and analysis of morphological characteristics of germinal cells including preparation of seminal fluid smears staining method and classification and quantification of germinal cells and leucocytes Photomicrographs are provided to demonstrate morphological characteristics of normal and abnormal mature sperm immature germinal cells and leucocytes and epithelial cells Appendices provide information on frequency of various sperm forms in a normal ejaculate Papanicolaou staining procedure for sperm and the Bryan/Leishman stain for seminal fluid morphology smears A sample record for sperm analysis is also included The section on sperm-cervical mucus interaction describes the composition and characteristics of the mucus the collection procedure storage and preservation and evaluation including pH Methods of evaluating sperm-cervical mucus interaction are then described The timing and techniques of the post-coital test vaginal pool sample exocervical and low cervical samples and endocervical samples and their interpretation are discussed Instructions are provided for in vitro studies including the capillary tube test and the slide technique

Belsey Ma

Papers

Laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and semen-cervical mucus interaction.