Showing papers in "Archives of Andrology in 1979"
TL;DR: Examination for semen, testicular histology, and spermatogenic function using radioactive phosphorus revealed that methotrexate had no unfavorable effect on male fertility.
Abstract: The possible deleterious effects of folic acid antagonist methotrexate on the fertility potential have been investigated in 26 male psoriatic patients. Examination for semen, testicular histology, and spermatogenic function using radioactive phosphorus revealed that methotrexate had no unfavorable effect on male fertility. A long follow up of the patients and their offspring is needed to exclude the possible teratogenic effect of the drug.
90 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that under normal conditions, endogenous prolactin plays a key role in maintaining the functional integrity of rat Leydig cells.
Abstract: The effects of prolactin and 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154) on Leydig cell function in intact and hypophysectomized male rats were studied. The conclusions can be summarized as follows: prolactin (1) has a direct stimulatory effect on the number of LH receptors on rat Leydig cells, (2) has no effect on the characteristics of the dose-response curve of isolated Leydig cells (hCG stimulated androgen production) in vitro even after treatment with pharmacological doses in vivo, and (3) acts synergistically with LH to stimulate the quantity of androgen produced by the Leydig cells in response to hCG in vitro and to increase the sensitivity of the hCG-dose-response curve. Treatment of intact rats with CB-154 reduced the quantity of androgen produced by the Leydig cells in vitro after exposure to hCG and decreased LH binding to the same cells by 50%. These results suggest that under normal conditions, endogenous prolactin plays a key role in maintaining the functional integrity of rat Leydig cells.
74 citations
TL;DR: The results of surgical treatment of 33 men with azoospermia and varicocele are presented and the Sertoli-cells-only syndrome is revealed, while degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules of one or both testes were present in another six persons.
Abstract: The results of surgical treatment of 33 men with azoospermia and varicocele are presented. Microscopic examination of a testicular biopsy revealed the Sertoli-cells-only syndrome in nine subjects while degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules of one or both testes were present in another six persons. In 15 cases decreased spermatogenesis was noted in the testis on the side ipsilateral to the varicocele. In the remaining three subjects the biopsy revealed active spermatogenesis but with absent spermiogenesis. In all cases the changes were equal or more advanced on the affected side. Improvement of the spermiogram was noted in 12 men (34%) and spermatozoa appeared in the ejaculate within 2 to 14 months after operation. In three spouses four gestations occurred. Only in one case where the spermiogram showed improvement were the degenerative changes present in both testes. In the remainder of subjects demonstrating improvement in semen quality, irreversible changes were absent in at least one testis.
61 citations
TL;DR: Mixed bacterial flora were isolated from both groups but in group B they were more varied and present in a higher colony count than in group A and the antibacterial effect of seminal plasma from group A was greater than that from group B.
Abstract: Semen samples were collected by masturbation under asceptic conditions from men who had sired children within the past 6 mo (group A) and asymptomatic men attending an infertility clinic who had not sired children and whose wives were asymptomatic for infertility (group B). These 109 semen samples were analyzed and cultured for isolation of aerobic and anerobic organisms. Overall, 68% of the specimens had positive bacterial cultures: 54% of the samples from group A were positive and 73% from group B were positive. Mixed bacterial flora were isolated from both groups but in group B they were more varied and present in a higher colony count than in group A. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staph. aureus, Corynebacterium species, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were isolated from group A. Group B revealed these organisma plus Streptococcus pneumoniae type III, Strep. pyogenes group A, Strep. feacalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Bacteroides species, Peptostreptococcus species, and Eubacterium species. Semen samples from group A were of better quality than those from group B. In addition, the antibacterial effect of seminal plasma from group A was greater than that from group B.
49 citations
TL;DR: The effect of long-term driving upon spermiogenesis was investigated in 2984 patients, including 281 professional drivers, and there was a higher incidence of impaired fertility in drivers as compared to other professionals.
Abstract: The effect of long-term driving upon spermiogenesis was investigated in 2984 patients, including 281 professional drivers. The incidence of pathospermia was significantly increased among the 281 occupational drivers as compared to other professionals. The ratio of severe pathospermia was increased in proportion to the number of years of driving. The deterioration of spermiogenesis was mild among car drivers, but was severe in agricultural—industrial hard machinery and farm equipment drivers. There was a higher incidence of impaired fertility in drivers as compared to other professionals. The possible factors influencing these results are discussed.
49 citations
TL;DR: The binding of 3H-17-β-estradiol to human ejaculated spermatozoa and to its subcellular structures was studied and it was shown that under saturating conditions 75–84% of the bound steroid was bound to sperm membranes.
Abstract: The binding of 3H-17-β-estradiol to human ejaculated spermatozoa and to its subcellular structures was studied. The binding kinetics of the labeled steroid to whole spermatozoa followed a parabolic pattern. Scatchard-type plots showed the presence of high-affinity binding sites (1.56 ± 0.23 × 104 per sperm cell) with an apparent Kd of 6.6 × 10−10 M. In competition experiments testosterone was partially effective in decreasing 17-β-estradiol binding, whereas progesterone and 17-α-estradiol were ineffective. Study of membrane fractions obtained from estradiol-labeled spermatozoa showed that under saturating conditions 75–84% of the bound steroid was bound to sperm membranes. Nuclear fractions obtained from estradiol-labeled spermatozoa showed only 10% of the total bound radioactivity. When isolated sperm nuclei were incubated in the presence of the purified receptor-17-β-estradiol complex obtained from the high-speed supernatant of human uterus almost no transfer of radioactivity to the nuclei was observed.
40 citations
TL;DR: There was an improvement of the quantitative and qualitative sperm motility with a maximum at the end of treatment and five months after onset of therapy, pretreatment values were regained.
Abstract: Ninety subfertile men with idiopathic oligozoospermia were treated orally with either 600 units porcine pancreatic kallikrein or placebo daily for 7 wk. Kallikrein caused an increase in the number of spermatozoa (3.1 × 107) with a maximum 2-3 mo after onset of therapy. There was an improvement of the quantitative and qualitative sperm motility with a maximum at the end of treatment. Five months after onset of therapy, pretreatment values were regained. There were no major side effects. Conception rates within a period of 1 yr were 16% for placebo and 38% for kallikrein.
38 citations
TL;DR: The time correlation between peaks in FSH/androgens, the start of Sertoli cell secretion, and the occurrence of haploid cells in the testis stresses the importance of these two hormones for normal SERToli cell function and the importance for a functional Sertolis cell for the completion of meiosis.
Abstract: Changes in the proportion of cells within various DNA classes of dispersed testicular cells from the developing rat were monitored by microflow fluorometry and correlated with changes in the function of the pituitary (FSH), of the Leydig cells (androgens) and Sertoli cells (andro-gen-binding protein, ABP). Peaks of androgens and of FSH appeared simultaneously and coincided with an accumulation of tetraploid cells and with the first appearance of haploid cells in the testis and ABP in the epididymis. Estrogen treatment (5 μg/day) of developing rats from day 7 completely prevented the appearance of haploid cells in the testis as well as ABP in the epididymis. In these animals the wave of tetraploid cells started and progressed normally, indicating that transformation and progression of germinal cells to the stage of the primary spermatocytes were taking place. A combined treatment with FSH and dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) resulted in a premature start of Sertoli cell secretion of ABP into the epidi...
34 citations
TL;DR: Adult men whose both testes had descended into the scrotal sac either spontaneously by use of pharmacologic agents or through surgery at age 7--16 yr, and from undescended testes obtained during orchipexy in men 8--40 yr of age reported progressive alterations in testes.
Abstract: Biopsy material was obtained from adult men whose both testes had descended into the scrotal sac either spontaneously by use of pharmacologic agents or through surgery at age 7-16 yr, and from undescended testes obtained during orchiopexy in men 8-40 yr of age. Testes appeared normal until the 10th yr, when progressive alterations were observed with the onset of puberty and through the adult age both in retained testes and cases of testes that descended through chemical or surgical methods before or after puberty. A thickening of the inner and outer acellular layers of the seminiferous tubule wall was due to an accumulation of collagen fibers and microfibrillar material. The basement membrane was also thickened and appeared as a homogeneous or a multilaminar structure. The intertubular blood vessels presented a thickening of the tunica media and a laminar accumulation of basement-membrane-like material.
24 citations
TL;DR: The fine structure of human sperm chromatin is revealed by electron microscopy and fibers composed of joined spherical units of both 400-A and 150-A diameters were observed.
Abstract: The fine structure of human sperm chromatin is revealed by electron microscopy. Human sperm chromatin is characterized by fibers composed of discrete spherical organizational units not unlike somatic nucleosomes. During the decondensation process fibers composed of joined spherical units of both 400-A and 150-A diameters were observed.
24 citations
TL;DR: Since diazepam does not interfere with the radioimmunoassay of testosterone, it is suggested that the above observations were biologically induced via direct suppression of the interstitial cells of the testis.
Abstract: A study was initiated to investigate the effect of diazepam on serum testosterone and testosterone-sensitive tissues in male rats. Diazepam was administered in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days. When compared with an equally matched group of control male rats, this dose of diazepam was associated with a significant reduction in both the weight of the ventral prostrate of treated rats and the serum testosterone levels. These changes were not associated with alterations in serum LH and FSH and the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone content. Since diazepam does not interfere with the radioimmunoassay of testosterone, it is suggested that the above observations were biologically induced via direct suppression of the interstitial cells of the testis.
TL;DR: In 10 infertile men with sperm-agglutinating antibodies in serum and a history of inguinal herniorrhaphy the site of the previous operation was explored.
Abstract: In 10 infertile men with sperm-agglutinating antibodies in serum and a history of inguinal herniorrhaphy the site of the previous operation was explored. Five of the men had an occlusion of the vas deferens and in three others spermatoceles were noted in the epididymis. The occlusion of the vas deferens was in the area of the previous herniorrhaphy. Infertility caused by the development of sperm antibodies may occasionally be a long-term consequence of inguinal herniorrhaphy.
TL;DR: The seminal vesicles were of variable size and three main anatomical types and the ampullary vesicular angle was acute and the average length of the ejaculatory duct was 2.2 mm with an anterosomal concavity.
Abstract: Anatomical dissections of the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts were carried out in 20 autopsy and 10 operative specimens. Seminal vesiculography and casting were made. Vesiculography was conducted on 50 cases of schistosomal seminal vesiculitis. The seminal vesicles were of variable size and three main anatomical types. In normal seminal vesicles the ampullary vesicular angle was acute and the average length of the ejaculatory duct was 2.2 mm with an antero-medial concavity.
TL;DR: Rat spermatozoa from the caput and cauda epididymis, but not from the testis, demonstrated a crescent of greenish fluorescence on the convex surface of the sperm head, suggesting that a glycoprotein zone that is capable of binding concanavalin A was removed or altered during the capacitation period.
Abstract: Rat spermatozoa from the caput epididymis and cauda epididymis, but not from the testis, demonstrated a crescent of greenish fluorescence on the convex surface of the sperm head, as observed by fluorescence microscopy after staining with concanavalin A-fiuorescein iso-thiocyanate. The percentage of spermatozoa displaying this fluorescent zone decreased during incubation under capacitating conditions, both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that a glycoprotein zone that is capable of binding concanavalin A was removed or altered during the capacitation period.
TL;DR: It is shown that DICA is an effective, partially reversible antifertility agent that directly affects the rat testis and has a strong affinity for any tissue studied including the testis.
Abstract: The oral administration of 50 mg DICA/kg at nine weekly or four monthly intervals produced partially reversible infertility in male rats as judged by the results of serial mating and testicular histology. Oral 500 mg DICA/kg doses administered at the same intervals produced permanent sterility. Single oral doses of 50 or 500 mg DICA/kg elevated mean FSH concentrations on days 2, 3, and 7 but did not affect LH or testosterone. Mean plasma concentration peaked at 74 μg/ml 4 hr after a 50 mg/kg dose of uniformly tritiated DICA; 24 hr later, it had declined rapidly to 5.5 μg/ml. The drug did not have a strong affinity for any tissue studied including the testis. DICA-induced exfoliation of immature germ cells was first observed 4 hr after administration and led to significantly reduced testis weights by day 2. Neither single doses of 10-250 mg DICA/kg nor five daily doses of 10-100 mg DICA/kg reduced seminal vesicle, ventral prostate, or body weights of male rats. Chronic weekly DICA administration did reduce...
TL;DR: Deep freezing does not modify the hydrolytic enzymes of human sperm either quantitatively of qualitatively, but the dehydrogenases of the hexose monophosphate shunt are adversely affected and the consequences on fertilizing capacity of frozen semen are discussed.
Abstract: A semiquantitative colorimetric micromethod (APIZYM) was used to study the enzyme profiles of seminal plasma and of spermatozoa. Reactions with 65 different substrates are simultaneously tested in a single specimen. These substrates (principally naphtolic) allow the detection of hydrolytic enzymes (esterases, phosphatases, and peptidases) and of dehydrogenases potentially involved in sperm metabolism and in the process of fertilization. The usual sperm enzymes were regularly observed: C3-C4 esterases, amino acid arylamidases, acrosine, phosphatases, glutamyl transpeptidase, and various osidases. Among the dehydrogenases we observed a striking predominance of the enzymes of the hexose monophosphate shunt and of LDH. Seminal plasma has an enzyme pattern very similar to that of spermatozoa except for the absence of acrosine and of some dehydrogenases. This unexpected similarity is discussed. The gametes from subfertile donors do not at first sight differ in their enzyme pattern from those from fertile donors...
TL;DR: It is concluded that idiopathic male subfertility as evidenced by oligospermia, azoospermIA, and decreased sperm motility may be related to insufficient androgen production due to a primary intratesticular defect.
Abstract: A radioimmunoassay previously described for serum T and DHT was adapted for use in the measurement of these hormones in seminal plasma. The seminal plasmas of 273 semen specimens were assayed for T and DHT concentration. Mean levels of these hormones for various sperm count and sperm motility categories were determined. We found that: (1) the DHT level of the azoospermic group was significantly lower than all other groups; (2) the T level of the group whose mean sperm count exceeded 40 × 106/ml was higher than that of all other groups; (3) the DHT level of the group with absent sperm motility was lower than the level of all other groups; and (4) changes in sperm motility were not accompanied by changes in T levels. We concluded that idiopathic male subfertility as evidenced by oligospermia, azoospermia, and decreased sperm motility may be related to insufficient androgen production due to a primary intratesticular defect.
TL;DR: The semen analysis of the sterile subjects suggests that the block of gamete production occurs at the beginning of spermiogenesis, which leads to sterility of the male offspring bearing it.
Abstract: During the investigation of the family of a subject consulting for primary sterility, the same oligoteratospermia was found in two of his brothers. The three karyotypes of these subjects exhibited an equilibrated reciprocal autosomal translocation t(8;15) (q22;p11), which was also detected in their mother. The karyotypes of the remaining siblings, one brother and one sister, were normal. The semen analysis of the sterile subjects suggests that the block of gamete production occurs at the beginning of spermiogenesis. The chromosomal anomaly, which has no effect on the reproduction of the mother, leads to sterility of the male offspring bearing it.
TL;DR: Structural variations along the length of the vas deferens suggest that this segment of the excurrent duct of the testis performs functions other than just as a passageway for spermatozoa.
Abstract: Gross and microscopic morphology of the vas deferens of sexually mature macaque monkeys were studied with special reference to the changes and modifications occurring throughout its entire length. The vas deferens was subdivided into four regional segments designated proximal, middle, distal, and ampulla. Each segment showed morphologic variations and it seemed to correspond roughly to the region located in a different part of the body which it traverses. The longitudinal folds of the epithelium are simple in the proximal region but gradually become more complex towards the distal region. In the ampulla, they often branch and form crypts. Stereocilia of epithelial cells are taller and more uniform in the proximal portion in comparison with the short, irregular stereocilia found in the more distal segment of the vas deferens. The luminal epithelial cells of the proximal part apparently have no granules or cytoplasmic blebbings, while the principal cells in the distal portion contain large numbers of cytoplasmic granules and apical blebs. Cells in the middle segments possess cytological features intermediate to the proximal and distal regions. These structural variations along the length of the vas deferens sug gest that this segment of the excurrent duct of the testis performs functions other than just as a passageway for spermatozoa.
TL;DR: The most frequent lesions found in this study included maturation arrest in the spermatidic phase, cellular and acellular thickening of the tubular wall, and degeneration of the Leydig cells, suggesting that scrotal temperature and modified endocrine secretion of the interstitial testis play a role in the pathogenesis of this type of infertility.
Abstract: Varicocele frequently causes male infertility and histological lesions at the contralateral testis. The most frequent lesions found in this study included maturation arrest in the spermatidic phase, cellular and acellular thickening of the tubular wall, and degeneration of the Leydig cells. These lesions were typical of varicocele and their simultaneous presence suggests that scrotal temperature and modified endocrine secretion of the interstitial testis play a role in the pathogenesis of this type of infertility.
TL;DR: Since the capacity of epididy mal sperm for fertilization is apparently achieved before spermatozoa reach the cauda, the protein synthesized in the epididymal caput and corpus would account for triggering sperm maturation.
Abstract: The secretion of proteins of different segments of the guinea pig epididymis was studied using micropuncture and radiochemical techniques. Tissue and fluid samples were taken 24-48 hr after intraperitoneal injections of 2 mCi of tritiated lysine. Macromolecular secretion was higher in the caput than in the corpus and cauda. Labelled spermatozoa were detected in smears taken from the caput epididymis 24 hr after injection. Few labelled spermatozoa were found in the corpus and none in the cauda. Since the capacity of epididymal sperm for fertilization is apparently achieved before spermatozoa reach the cauda, the protein synthesized in the epididymal caput and corpus would account for trigering sperm maturation.
TL;DR: Antibiotic therapy with tetracycline was effective for the treatment of men with C. trachomatis epididymitis, and should be offered to their female sex partner.
Abstract: Fifty patients with acute epididymitis were evaluated prospectively by history, examination, and microbiologic studies, including cultures for aerobes, anaerobes, N. gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. E. Coli was the predominant pathogen isolated from the urine of men over 35 years old and C. trachomatis and N. gonnorrheae were the predominant pathogens isolated from the urethra of men under 35. The etiologic role of E. Coli and C. trachomatis was confirmed by isolation from epididymal aspirates from a high proportion of men with positive urine of urethral cultures for these agents. C. trachomatis epididymitis accounted for two thirds of "idiopathic epididymitis" in men, and was often associated with oligozoospermia. Of nine female sexual partners of men with C. trachomatis infection, six had antibody to C. trachomatis, of whom two had positive cervical cultures for this organism, and the others had nongonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease. Antibiotic therapy with tetracycline was effective for the treatment of men with C. trachomatis epididymitis, and should be offered to their female sex partner.
TL;DR: DICA did not affect serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or testosterone concentrations, and the blood absorption or urinary excretion rates of uniformly tritiated DICA in the animals that responded well did not differ from those monkeys that responded poorly.
Abstract: The effects of oral doses of 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (DICA) on spermatogenesis in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) was studied. Four animals given five daily 50 mg/kg doses or three or five daily 500 mg/kg doses showed that DICA was an exfoliating antispermatogenic compound. The inhibition of spermatogenesis was only partially reversible following 500 mg/kg doses of DICA. Weekly and monthly 50 mg/kg doses of DICA only partially inhibited spermatogenesis as measured by electro-ejaculated sperm counts. Response in individual monkeys ranged from azoospermia to no effect. Testicular biopsies confirmed this finding. DICA did not affect serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or testosterone concentrations. The blood absorption or urinary excretion rates of uniformly tritiated DICA in the animals that responded well did not differ from those monkeys that responded poorly. DICA metabolites were not detected in monkey urine. Serum testosterone concentrati...
TL;DR: In thyroidectomized rats injected with T3, no morphological changes in the epididymis were observed, and the hypothyroid condition was associated with decreased mitosis, insufficient vascularization, decreased nuclear size, and chromatin decondensation.
Abstract: An experiment was designed to determine the relation between the hypofunction of the thyroid gland and the structure of the epididymis. The hypothyroid condition was associated with decreased mitosis, insufficient vascularization, decreased nuclear size, and chromatin decondensation. In thyroidectomized rats injected with T3, no morphological changes in the epididymis were observed.
TL;DR: An uptake mechanism for carnitine is present in the epididymal cells which besides the carn itine uptake in spermatozoa is responsible for the dramatic increase in carnitines concentration in cauda epididylis.
Abstract: The uptake of radiolabeled L-carnitine has been studied in isolated epididymal tubules from the rat. The uptake of 3H-L -carnitine increases with a temperature coefficient KT of 0.22 nmol carnitine-mg protein−1 in the interval 22-31° and with a low uptake at 4°C. The uptake of radiolabeled carnitine (as percent) is reduced at high concentrations of L-carnitine, by deox-ycarnitine but not by D-carnitine. This uptake mechanism is especially active in the distal caput and corpus segments of the epididymis. Thus, an uptake mechanism for carnitine is present in the epididymal cells which besides the carnitine uptake in spermatozoa is responsible for the dramatic increase in carnitine concentration in cauda epididymis.
TL;DR: Plasma testicular androgen levels were lowered after long-acting ACTH injections as well as after 24-hr cortisol administration, but the metoclopramide-induced PRL increase appeared to prevent the suppressive effects of ACTH on plasma T.
Abstract: Some endocrine effects of prolactin (PRL), ACTH, and corticosteroids on testicular function were evaluated by measuring, in normal men, the effects of short-term experimental stimulation and suppression of either plasma PRL levels or adrenal function on plasma androgen profile. PRL levels were increased by administration of metoclopramide or sulpiride or suppressed with bromocryptine. Long-acting testosterone (T) was injected at 8 a.m. on one day in a control period and during a 9-day period of metoclopramide administration. PRL increase was accompanied by a rise in plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone and T, whereas PRL suppression induced an increase in 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plasma levels. Peripheral conversion of T into DHT and androstenedione, noted after T injection, decreased during concomitant metoclopramide administration. Plasma testicular androgen levels were lowered after long-acting ACTH injections as well as after 24-hr Cortisol administration, but the metoclopramide-induced PRL increase appe...
TL;DR: Serum and seminal gonadotropins were evaluated in 30 normozoos permic and 30 oligozoospermic patients and seminal LH values were higher, similar, or lower than serum LH values in both groups.
Abstract: Serum and seminal gonadotropins were evaluated in 30 normozoospermic and 30 oligozoospermic patients. Mean values of basal serum gonadotropins were higher in the oligozoospermic group than in the normozoospermic group: 3.8 versus 1.8 ng/ml and 3.3 versus 2.2 ng/ml for FSH and LH, respectively. Seminal FSH levels were comparable in the normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups (0.8 versus 0.8 ng/ml, respectively) and were constantly lower than serum FSH levels in both groups. Seminal LH values were constantly higher than serum LH values in the normozoospermic group, whereas in the oligozoospermic group seminal LH values were higher, similar, or lower than serum LH values. However, no significant difference was noted between the two groups for seminal LH values: 3.6 (normozoospermic group) versus 4.1 ng/ml (oligozoospermic group).
TL;DR: Observations on the structure of the human fetal testis and epididymis at 16 weeks' gestation have been made with the light and electron microscope.
Abstract: Observations on the structure of the human fetal testis and epididymis at 16 weeks' gestation have been made with the light and electron microscope. The fetal testis is organized into solid cords surrounded by a well-defined cellular investment. The basement membrane is multilaminated with a highly redundant basal lamina. The germ cells rest on thin processes from adjacent Sertoli cells. Intercellular bridges between centrally located germ cells have been observed. The epididymis is remarkably well developed. The tall pseudostratified epithelium lines a discrete duct with a patent lumen. Stereocilia and cilia are seen on apical surface of the principal cells.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the concentration of sperm autoantibodies in serum and seminal plasma to the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate into cervical mucus and egg white, respectively.
Abstract: Autoantibodies to sperm membrane antigens may cause infertility in men. The antibodies can often be revealed in seminal plasma and the antifertility effect seems mainly to be due to hampered penetration into cervical mucus of antibody-covered spermatozoa. Recently, egg white has been used instead of cervical mucus in penetration tests. We have, therefore, compared the concentration of sperm autoantibodies in serum and seminal plasma to the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate into cervical mucus and egg white, respectively. With sperm from ten normospermic men with antibodies to sperm there was a correlation between the maximal penetration in the two different media and the cases with poor penetration were equally well revealed in cervical mucus and egg white. Penetration experiments with normal spermatozoa, treated with selected antibody-containing sera confirmed that the penetration-inhibiting effect of autoantibodies is revealed in egg white. Thus, the use of egg white in penetration tests can be of value in evaluation of cases with immunological infertility.
TL;DR: The effects of cyproterone acetate on fertility of spermatozoa and rouleau formation were investigated in male guinea pigs and it was found that rouleaux diminished progressively with treatment time and were absent in the excurrent ducts of all males during the eighth and ninth weeks of treatment.
Abstract: The effects of cyproterone acetate (CA) on fertility of spermatozoa and rouleau formation were investigated in male guinea pigs. Twelve of 15 matings during CA treatment resulted in pregnancy even when rouleaux were absent in ejaculates, indicating that the rouleau condition is not necessary for the fertilizing ability of guinea pig spermatozoa. Examination of epididymides and vasa deferentia revealed that rouleaux diminished progressively with treatment time and were absent in the excurrent ducts of all males during the eighth and ninth weeks of treatment. Following a latent period after treatment, rouleaux were first noted in a specific epididymal region and were present throughout the distal excurrent ducts and ejaculates by 6 wk posttreatment. This sequence of rouleau loss and reappearance in the excurrent ducts suggests that rouleau formation is dependent on a regional epididymal influence that requires androgens. Spermatogenesis was not arrested; however, seminal vesicle and body weights were reduce...