A fluid medium was developed to simulate the salient physical and chemical properties of human semen. The composition of the medium was based upon an extensive review of the literature on constituents of human semen. In choosing the ingredients for this medium, the goal was to emphasize properties that influence interactions of human semen with topical contraceptive, prophylactic, or therapeutic products. Among these properties, pH and buffering capacity, osmolarity, ionic strength, and rheological properties play dominant roles in the physico-chemical processes that govern drug release kinetics and delivery vehicle distribution.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2164/jandrol.04104

A review of the physical and chemical properties of human semen and the formulation of a semen simulant.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the proliferation of various mammalian cells in culture, but its physiological role is not well defined. In mature male mice, large amounts of EGF are produced in the submandibular gland; it is present in the circulation at approximately 5 nanograms of EGF per milliliter of plasma. Sialoadenectomy (removal of the submandibular glands) decreased the amount of circulating EGF to an undetectable level but did not affect the circulating levels of testosterone or follicle-stimulating hormone. The number of mature sperm in the epididymis decreased by as much as 55 percent; the number of spermatids in the testis decreased by 40 to 50 percent; and the number of spermatocytes increased by about 20 percent. Administration of EGF to sialoadenectomized mice restored both the sperm content of the epididymis and the number of spermatids in the testis to normal. Thus, EGF may play a role in male reproductive function by stimulating the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis.

A Physiological Role of Epidermal Growth Factor in Male Reproductive Function

Earlier observations on infertility related to sulphasalazine treatment were extended and semen samples obtained from 28 patients with inflammatory bowel disease on treatment with sulphasalazine at 2-4 g per day. Semen was examined for changes in density, motility, and morphology before, during, and after withdrawal of sulphasalazine. Gross semen abnormalities were seen in 18 patients on this drug for more than two months. Semen quality improved after sulphasalazine had been withdrawn for more than two months and 10 pregnancies are reported after sulphasalazine withdrawal. Preliminary endocrine and acetylator phenotype studies do not elucidate the mechanism of this important new side-effect of this drug. The time course of the drug's effect on semen quality is consistent with the hypothesis that sulphasalazine or a metabolite, possibly sulphapyridine, is directly toxic to developing spermatozoa. These studies confirmed the preliminary report and suggest that prolonged treatment with sulphasalazine may universally depress semen quality and cause reversible infertility.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/22/6/445.full.pdf

Sulphasalazine and male infertility: reversibility and possible mechanism.

Evaluation of a radioimmunoassay for testosterone estimation.

Radioimmunoassay of plasma testosterone.

Fructose and Hormone Levels in Semen: Their Correlations with Sperm Counts and Motility

1. A computerized technique is described for the quantitative determination of radiometabolites from incubation studies. 2. Seven steroid substrates have been incubated with human endometrial tissue. The principal radiometabolites were identified and determined after 2hr. incubation without the addition of cofactors and after 4hr. incubation with cofactors. 3. The main products from progesterone were 20α-dihydroprogesterone and 5α-pregnanedione with lower yields of 5β-pregnanedione and 20β-dihydroprogesterone. There was no evidence for 17α-hydroxylase activity. 4. 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone was transformed into small yields of 17α,20α- and 17α,20β-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. In one incubation there was evidence for conversion into androstenedione. 5. Dehydroepiandrosterone was transformed into small amounts of androstenedione, 5α-androstanedione and androsterone. 6. Androstenedione and testosterone were interconvertible, the reaction favouring the formation of androstenedione. 5α-Androstanedione and androsterone were formed from both substrates. There was no evidence for the formation of phenolic steroids. 7. Oestrone and oestradiol-17β were interconvertible, the reaction favouring the formation of oestrone.

/pdf/studies-on-steroid-metabolism-in-human-endometrial-tissue-2j24whfku6.pdf

Michael D. Mansfield

Papers

Radioimmunoassay of plasma testosterone.

Fructose and Hormone Levels in Semen: Their Correlations with Sperm Counts and Motility

Studies on steroid metabolism in human endometrial tissue

The evaluation of a gas-liquid chromatographic method for the determination of plasma testosterone using nickel-63 electron capture detection