Showing papers in "Archives of Andrology in 1992"

The hypoosmotic swelling test: an update.

Abstract: The hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test is a relatively new assay used to evaluate the functional integrity of the sperm's plasma membrane. In fact, more studies have been published on the applicability of the HOS test than any other new sperm indicator. The assay is based on the fact that fluid transport occurs across an intact cell membrane under hypoosmotic conditions until equilibrium is reached. Due to the influx of fluid, the cell will expand and bulge, especially in the tail, and this change can be readily observed with a phase contrast microscope. Earlier studies have yielded some confusion regarding the interpretation of the data. This review is an attempt to clarify and update the usefulness of the HOS test as a tool to evaluate the sperm function.

NADH-dependent oxidoreductase (diaphorase) activity and isozyme pattern of sperm in infertile men.

Abstract: Diaphorase activities were measured in spermatozoa from 104 infertile men. The relationships between enzyme activity, sperm characteristics (density, motility, viability), and distribution of electrophoretic patterns were examined. There was a highly significant difference (p less than .001) between the sperm diaphorase activities in specimens with sperm concentration above 40 million per milliliter (0.685 +/- 0.5 mIU/10(6) sperm; n = 57) when compared with the diaphorase values of the oligospermic specimens with sperm density below 40 million per milliliter (1.53 +/- 1.5 mIU/10(6) sperm; n = 47). However, there was no evidence to support any relationship between sperm diaphorase activities, sperm motility, viability, and the distribution of three diaphorase electrophoretic patterns. This indicates that these parameters do not account for the differences between the diaphorase activity of spermatozoa of infertile men with sperm concentrations below and those above 40 million per milliliter.

Blood Concentrations of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Zinc, and Copper and Human Semen Parameters

Abstract: The study consisted of 35 male subjects attending an andrology clinic. The subjects all had poor sperm parameters that could not be attributed to any known medical cause. The objective was to evaluate the relation between various seminal characteristics (volume, total sperm count, sperm viability, proportion of progressively motile sperm, and different sperm morphology) and the blood concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, and zinc. The mean blood concentrations of lead, mercury, copper, and zinc were within the normal values; cadmium concentration (1.35 μg/L) was much higher than the norms. Asthenozoospermic subjects had significantly (p < 025) higher blood cadmium levels than normozoospermic subjects. No significant differences were noted between the two groups for mean concentration of mercury, zinc, and copper in blood. Significant correlations were observed between blood cadmium levels and volume of semen, midpiece defects, and immature forms of spermatozoa. High blood cadmium levels may ha...

Glutathione therapy for male infertility

Abstract: Eleven infertile men were treated with glutathione (600 mg/day IM) for 2 months. The patients were suffering from dyspermia associated with various andrological pathologies. Standard semen and computer analyses of sperm motility were carried out before treatment and after 30 and 60 days of therapy. Glutathione exerted significant effect on sperm motility patterns. Glutathione appears to have a therapeutic effect on some andrological pathologies causing male infertility.

Evaluation of sperm morphology using Kruger's strict criteria.

Abstract: Prospective and retrospective studies were conducted to evaluate sperm morphology using strict criteria for predicting fertilization capacity in males. Severely impaired male fertility potential was measured by a result of less than or equal to 4% (denotes percentage sperm having normal morphology) and scores of greater than 14% indicated normal fertilization potential. There were no statistically significant differences found in pregnancy rates in partners of men with normal morphology of less than or equal to 4% vs. those with 14% or greater (chi 2 analysis): the prospective study showed a 41% pregnancy rate in less than or equal to 4% group vs. 29% rate in greater than 14% group (p = 0.44 NS); the retrospective analysis showed a 50% pregnancy rate in the group with less than or equal to 4% morphology scores vs. 67% in greater than 14% group (p = 0.45 NS). When only the men with normal motile density (greater than 10 x 10(6)/ml) were evaluated, a statistical difference was found in the retrospective study between the group with morphology results greater than 14% (93%) vs. the group less than or equal to 4% (40%). However, the 56% success rate in the men with less than 10 x 10(6)/ml sperm and normal morphology less than or equal to 4% reduces the significance of the diagnosis of sperm morphology using the new strict criteria.

Effects of surgical repair of experimental left varicocele on testicular temperature, spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, endocrine function, and fertility in rabbits

Abstract: To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical correction of varicocele in restoring the function of the varicocelized testicle, experimental varicoceles were created in 16 male rabbits by partly ligating the left lumbotesticular trunk. Five control rabbits received a sham operation (group A). Two months later, eight of the varicocelized rabbits underwent surgical repair by ligation and cutting of the dilated left testicular vein (group B). The remaining eight varicocelized animals did not receive any additional treatment (group C). Five months after the initial operation, group C animals had a significantly lower sperm concentration, sperm motility, bilateral testicular androgen-binding protein activity, bilateral testicular vein testosterone concentration, bilateral testicular versus intraabdominal temperature difference, and fertility when compared with groups A and B. These findings suggested that the surgical repair of an experimental varicocele in the rabbit can significantly improve the parameters indicating the harmful effects of the varicocele on the testicles.

Insulin-sperm interaction: effects on plasma membrane and binding to acrosome.

Abstract: In in vitro studies, viable, intact human spermatozoa took up free radioinsulin with an apparently non-receptor-mediated mechanism. However, when a colloidal gold-insulin complex was substituted for the radiotracer, no surface binding was visualized at the ultrastructural level. Upon sperm incubation in the presence of free insulin, a dose-dependent release of phospholipid phosphorus occurred, with a concomitant derangement of head cell membrane. After head membrane removal, spermatozoa-bound radioinsulin in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, the binding was displaceable by unlabeled insulin, and an exclusive localization of the colloidal gold-insulin complex was visualized at the acrosome level. On the basis of this evidence, both the plasma membrane and the acrosome seem to represent cytological targets for insulin.

Surgical repair of secondary right varicocele in rats with primary left varicocele: effects on fertility, testicular temperature, spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation.

Abstract: To evaluate whether or not dilation of the right testicular vein is a constant finding in animals with left varicocele and to illustrate its contribution to the detrimental effect of a left varicocele on the right testis, an experimental varicocele model was produced in 40 rats. Ten other rats had a sham operation (group A). Seven weeks after the operation, all 50 rats underwent laparotomy and dilation of both testicular veins was seen in 23 rats, which were randomly assigned to group B (n = 11) and group C (n = 12). One week later, groups A and C underwent sham ligation of the right testicular vein, whereas group B rats underwent resection of this vein. At 84 days after the initial operation, group C rats showed a significant reduction in right epididymal sperm content, motility, and fertilizing capacity, right testicular weight, and right testicular vs. intraabdominal temperature difference when compared with groups A and B. Since surgical repair of the secondary right varicocele improved all the parame...

Treatment of immunological infertility by sperm washing and intrauterine insemination.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to review our experience with sperm washing and intrauterine insemination as a method to reduce the presence of sperm antibodies in serum of couples with immunological infertility. Our results support the premise that sperm washing and intrauterine insemination can diminish the level of sperm-bound immunoglobulins and can improve the chance of conception in a selected group of couples with a diagnosis of immunological infertility. Patients with >50% attachment of IgG, IgA, or both antisperm antibodies in this study had a greater chance of achieving a pregnancy. The high level of antibody attachment seen in our study appears to represent true immunological infertility and therefore is more likely to respond to therapy that reduces antibody attachment and bypasses cervical mucus.

Effects of electropermeabilization on the association of foreign DNA with pig sperm.

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an electric pulse (electroporation/electropermeabilization) on the binding of foreign DNA molecules to porcine spermatozoa. We previously examined various parameters involved in the association of foreign DNA with sperm after a simple incubation procedure and now report the effects of electroporation on this association. Using end-labeled and random primer labeled lambda HindIII DNA fragments (23-0.125 kb), it was demonstrated that the DNA fragments interacted with the sperm after electroporation. These samples were then centrifuged and washed extensively to establish if any of the labeled DNA was associated with the spermatozoa. It was determined that approximately 10(8) molecules of DNA were associated with 1.5 x 10(7) mL-1 motile spermatozoa after five medium washes. After each wash, samples were withdrawn for gel analysis and scintillation counting. Gel analysis followed by autoradiography revealed the distinctive band pattern of lambda HindIII DNA associating with sperm. In situ visualization studies with biotin-labeled DNA revealed that approximately 75% of motile sperm carried DNA bound to the post-acrosomal region. However, the intensity of the binding varied, with some sperm being more strongly stained than others. Using [3H]dCTP-labeled DNA followed by light microscope autoradiography, approximately 70% of the sperm were strongly stained in the post-acrosomal region. There was a 5-10% increase in the amount of DNA bound by sperm when the samples were electroporated.

Decondensation of human sperm nuclei and HP1 protamine degradation from normospermia and asthenospermia in Xenopus egg extracts.

Abstract: The process of human sperm decondensation has been studied in vitro in cytoplasmic extracts prepared from unfertilized Xenopus laevis eggs. The chromatin decondensation-recondensation cycle was divided into four stages according to chromatin appearance. Spermatozoa from normospermia and as-thenospermia were evaluated according to their capacity to reach these stages, and their DNA integrity was assessed by acridine orange (AO) staining. We observed a significant difference between normospermia and asthenozoospermia in the ability to achieve the cycle of chromatin decondensation-recondensation. These results correlated with AO staining. The role of human protamine 1 degradation in the decondensation process was evaluated by immunostaining. It was found not to be a prerequisite for the earlier stage of chromatin decondensation and it was not implied in the latest stages of pronu-clear development.

Use of theophylline to enhance sperm function.

Abstract: Poor sperm motility is an important factor in male infertility. Preliminary results in our laboratory on a group of 19 men (10 suspected infertile men and 9 fertile donors) showed stimulation of sperm fertilizing ability after sperm washing with theophylline as demonstrated by zona free hamster egg penetration test. The egg penetration rate for the control spermatozoa samples from subfertile men was 16%. Incubation with theophylline (10 mM) increased the penetration rate to 46%, whereas semen incubation with theophylline (20 mM) increased the penetration rate to 51%. A similar twofold increase in egg penetration was observed in the semen of fertile men incubated with theophylline of similar concentrations. Subfertile patients with ejaculate volumes of less than or equal to 1 ml or total motile sperm count of less than or equal to 10 x 10(6)/mL or increased semen viscosity did not exhibit beneficial effects with theophylline washing as measured by hamster egg penetration test score. The increase in percentage of penetrated eggs with theophylline use in both fertile and subfertile men was significant at 10 mM concentration (p less than .001) and 20 mM (p less than .001) when compared to control (untreated) samples. No significant difference in penetration rate was seen between 10 and 20 mM theophylline concentrations. It appears that theophylline may be useful in improving the fertilizing capacity of selected human semen samples with poor motility and poor penetration ability under artificial insemination conditions.

Identification and localization of atrial natriuretic factor receptors in human spermatozoa.

Abstract: Specific binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) have been detected and localized in viable human spermatozoa through radioreceptor analysis and autoradiography, respectively. Radiotracer uptake was time and concentration dependent. Scatchard analysis of saturation data showed a single class of ANF receptors with a kd of 2.5 nM and a Bmax of 1.03 fmol/10 sperm 2.5 min−1, corresponding to about 620 molecules per sperm. Nonreducing SDS-PAGE analysis after covalent cross-linking of sperm bound 125I-ANF evidenced a single displaceable (i.e., specific) band with an apparent molecular weight of 135–140kD. In 125I-ANF bound spermatozoa, optical autoradiography showed an exclusive distribution of silver grains covering the midpiece region. The effects of ANF binding on ionic homeo-stasis and cyclic nucleotide metabolism, which modulate a number of sperm cellular processes, could make this factor play outstanding roles in gamete physiology.

Standard sperm morphology as a predictor of male fertility potential.

Abstract: There are many clinicians who believe that standard sperm morphological criteria as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) may be one of the most reliable indices of male fertility potential. Many previous studies of sperm morphology have lacked meticulous correction of all female infertility factors in forming their conclusions. Other studies may have compared morphological analysis to either the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test or fertilization rates with in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The former may not be a valid “gold standard” with which to compare, and the latter might not truly reflect the in vivo situation in view of the markedly different type of sperm-oocyte interaction. These data failed to find a strong correlation of abnormal sperm morphology (as determined by WHO criteria) to identify the subnormal male. When motile densities were normal (> 10 × 106/ml), 87% of the female partners of men with normal morphology achieved pregnancies within 6 months compar...

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis of Saudian reptiles. 6. The sperm head differentiation in Agama adramitana.

Abstract: In addition to the common features of spermiogenesis in Reptilia, new structures are seen in Agama adramitana that have not been described in previous studies. Two acrosomal granules are observed in the acrosomal vesicle. The posterior acrosomal granule differentiates as an anterior electron-dense material in the acrosome, and the anterior one forms a posterior translucent component of the acrosome. Also, the subacrosomal granule spreads in the subacrosomal space as a subacrosomal nuclear cap.

Trypsin-Like Arginine Amidases Including Plasminogen and Plasmin in Human Seminal Plasma by Affinity Adsorption and Elution

Abstract: An enzyme preparation with affinity to a lysine column was detected from a DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma containing plasminogen and plasmin. Two kinds of trypsin-like acidic arginine amidase activity with different affinity to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity column were detected from the DEAE-cellulose-adsorbed preparation after treatment of the lysine column. Two kinds of trypsin-like basic arginine amidase activity were also separated by the above-mentioned affinity adsorptions from a CM-cellulose-adsorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The effect of calcium chloride on these two enzymes was different from human acrosin.

Effect of antisperm antibodies on postcoital results and effect of intrauterine insemination on pregnancy outcome.

Abstract: The effect of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in males was determined in 59 men using the direct immuno-bead test (IBT) Postcoital tests were evaluated in couples for whom all female factors appeared to be corrected Pregnancy rates in 6 months were compared in couples with good postcoital tests vs those with poor results; the latter group was treated with timed intrauterine insemination (IUI) Thirty-one percent of males with positive ASA (≥50%) had normal postcoital tests and all four achieved pregnancies Fifty-six percent of men with positive ASA and poor postcoital scores achieved pregnancies following IUI therapy of their wives in 6 months; 83% of couples with normal postcoital tests achieved pregnancies as did couples treated with IUI when the postcoital was poor but the male ASA negative

Effects of Human Antisperm Antibodies on Development of Preimplantation Embryos

Abstract: The effects of antisperm antibodies (ASAs) present in sera of immunoinfertile patients and vasectomized men were investigated on preimplantation embryonic development in mice. Of the nine immunoinfertile sera tested, two were effective in inhibiting blastulation rates of in vitro cultured murine 2-cell embryos (p less than .05 to .002). Similarly, sera from two of the three vasectomized men were capable of affecting early embryonic development in mice (p less than .05 to .002). Specificities of the embryotoxic effects of ASAs were further confirmed by culturing embryos in the presence of affinity-purified monovalent Fab' antibodies isolated from these sera. Fab' antibodies from only one of the two immunoinfertile patients whose sera affected blastulation rates, and from one of the three vasectomized men were effective in influencing blastulation rates of in vitro cultured 2-cell murine embryos (p less than .05 to .001), mainly due to an arrest of development at 2 to 8-cell and morula stages. In the Western blot procedure, none of the immunoinfertile Fab' antibodies recognized any specific band on blots of extracts from murine ova or 2-cell embryos. However, all the immunoinfertile Fab', but not fertile control Fab', specifically recognized a protein band in the M(r) 25 +/- 2 kD region, on the Western blots of extract from murine blastocyst stage embryos. In addition, Fab' from one immunoinfertile serum, which inhibited embryonic development, reacted specifically with a protein band in the lower molecular range (approximate M(r) 12 kD) on Western blot involving exact from blastocysts. Fab' antibodies of sera from vasectomized men did not react with any specific protein band on blots of extracts from murine ova, 2-cell embryo, or blastocyst. These results suggest that ASAs from some immunoinfertile patients and vasectomized men, especially those reacting with 12-kD blastocyst protein, are capable of affecting preimplantation embryonic development in mice, and thus may contribute toward immunologically medicated infertility both at fertilization and postfertilization stages.

HPLC determination of an oxytocin-like peptide produced by isolated guinea pig Leydig cells: stimulation by ascorbate.

Abstract: Highly purified populations of guinea pig Leydig cells were incubated with a maximally stimulating dose of 100 ng/mL LH for 24 h in the presence of increasing concentrations of sodium ascorbate Sample supernatants were extracted, concentrated under vacuum, and reconstituted with acidified absolute ethanol Samples were analyzed for oxytocin using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and known concentrations of an authentic oxytocin standard Leydig cells stimulated with 0, 25, and 50 μM ascorbate produced and secreted 401 ± 123, 774 ± 138, 742 ± 263 pg of an oxytocin-like peptide, respectively, per 1 ± 106 cells These results indicate that guinea pig Leydig cells are capable of producing an oxytocin-like peptide de novo and that low concentrations of ascorbate stimulate the production of this peptide in Leydig cells cultured in vitro

Use of a sealed mini-chamber to investigate human sperm motility in real time under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: To study the correlation between metabolism and motility, ejaculated human spermatozoa were washed in media containing glucose, pyruvate, and deoxyglucose in various combinations. Spermatozoa suspended in these media were incubated in sealed mini-chambers and subjected to aerobic or anaerobic conditions at 37°C. The effect on the patterns of sperm motility was investigated in real time by direct observation and objective determination with the multiple exposure photography (MEP) method. The motility of spermatozoa incubated in media containing excess of glucose showed similar changes of motility quality with time, whether exposed to aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and in both cases motility lasted about 13 h. Motility of sperm incubated with pyruvate only was of a much lower quality, especially under anaerobic conditions, and in both circumstances lasted about 7 h. When glycolysis of fructose remnants was totally inhibited by deoxyglucose and sperm were incubated with pyruvate only, motility lasted for 2...

Immunoglobulin binding factor of seminal plasma: a secretory product of human prostate.

Abstract: To determine the source of the immunoglobulin binding factor (IBF) in seminal plasma, extracts of testis and accesory male sex organs were prepared and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacry-lamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblot. The detection reagents used were human and mouse serum Ig, monoclonal anti-Leu 1 Ib antibodies, and polyclonai rabbit anti-IBF antibodies. Of the tissues examined, only the prostate, including benign hypertrophy and adenocarcinoma, contained IBF. These findings suggest that IBF is a secretory product of the prostate.

Microinsemination of rabbit oocytes with heat-treated sperm: embryonic development.

Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the ability of rabbit oocyte to develop to the pronuclear stage and subsequent development if injected with heat-treated sperm. The rate of fertilization of eggs after microinjection of cauda epididymal spermatozoa heated at 60 degrees C for 30 min was 36%; the rate of cleavage was 24%. The rate of fertilization after microinjection of heat-treated sperm nuclei was 43%; the rate of cleavage was 26%. On the other hand, the rate of fertilization of eggs injected with sperm without heat treatment was 43%, the rate of cleavage was 29%, and there was no difference between eggs microinjected with heat-treated spermatozoa or sperm nuclei and those not heat treated. Of the viable eggs injected with heat-treated sperm, 16% developed to the 6- to 8-cell stage 72 h after injection.

Testicular injury: late results of semen analyses after uniorchiectomy.

Abstract: Semen parameters from 4 patients with testicular injury after uniorchiectomy were investigated Semen volume and sperm morphology were not affected after the operation, but sperm count and motility were severely diminished Two of 4 cases showed azoospermia, and the other 2 cases showed low values in both sperm count and motility After 150-300 days from the operation, 2 cases recovered to the normal range in sperm count while the other 2 remained in the abnormal range In sperm motility, 3 cases recovered to the normal range but the rest remained abnormal The results suggest that long-term follow-up in semen parameters is needed when unilateral orchiectomy is performed

Enzyme and Hormonal Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Human Azoospermia

Abstract: The serum concentrations of FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol and the enzymatic activities of hyaluronidase, glucosidases (alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, and beta-galactosidase), lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes (LDH1, LDH2, LDH3, LDH-X, LDH4), and total proteins were measured in the semen of 69 subjects (8 normozoospermic controls, 7 secretory, and 54 excretory azoospermic subjects). FSH levels rose with the deterioration in spermatogenesis and served to differentiate the secretory from the excretory azoospermias. The only source of hyaluronidase and LDH-X in the ejaculate is the spermatozoa. alpha-Glucosidase activity essentially originates in the epididymis. The seminal determination of alpha-glucosidase and, to a lesser extent, alpha-mannosidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase helps rapidly, sensitivity, reliably, and noninvasively to differentiate secretory azoospermias (with higher enzymatic activity) from the excretory type (less enzymatic activity) and may be of use in identifying with a certain degree of reliability the site of obstruction in the male genital tract.

Evaluation of Hamilton-Thorn automated semen analysis system.

Abstract: Sperm concentration and percentage motility values generated by the HT M-2030 system (CASA) were compared with those obtained by subjective semen analysis (SSA). Three calibrations arbitrarily designated as A, M, and D for gates and discriminators and three calibrations arbitrarily designated LI, MI, and HI for default pixel count (DPC) and default intensity (DI) were evaluated. The best correlation between CASA and SSA was observed utilizing M calibration (n = 114) with which sperm concentration was +0.3 x 10(6)/mL (r = .96) and motility was -6.3% (r = .89) compared to the values obtained by SSA. It was found that 35.9% of sperm concentration values and 34.2% of sperm motility values were within 10% of the values obtained by SSA. When sperm concentration was between 50 and 100 x 10(6)/mL the difference in motility was reduced (-3.2%) while the difference in sperm concentration was reversed (-2.6 x 10(6)/mL). LI calibration (DPC = 4, DI = 86) gave acceptable results with M calibration for sperm concentration (+2.1 x 10(6)/mL) and motility (-6.9%) compared to the values obtained by SSA. In the presence of sperm clumping, the difference between CASA and SSA was reversed for sperm concentration (+0.56 x 10(6)/mL for normal samples vs. -2.2 x 10(6)/mL for samples with clumping) and was reduced for sperm motility (-7.14% vs. -4.55%, respectively). HT M-2030 under proper calibration can be used as a rapid, objective, and reliable alternative to conventional semen analysis in routine and for research purposes.

The Fate of Foreign DNA Associated with Pig Sperm Following the in Vitro Fertilization of Zona-Free Hamster OVA and Zona-Intact Pig Ova

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the fate of foreign DNA molecules bound to porcine sperm that had been capacitated and acrosome reacted in vitro using calcium ionophore and then used in the in vitro fertilization of zona-free hamster ova and zona-intact pig ova. Fluoresceinated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) labeling was used to differentiate between acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm. This revealed that up to 80% of the sperm treated with calcium ionophore were acrosome reacted. Up to 70% of these acrosome-reacted sperm were labeled with the foreign DNA at the post-acrosomal region. Following association of DNA with the acrosome-reacted sperm, insemination droplets were prepared and zona-free hamster oocytes or zona-intact pig oocytes were added. The gametes were allowed to interact and then fixed and stained to visualize decondensed sperm heads that had penetrated into the oocytes. The sperm were stained with streptavidin peroxidases to detect the biotinylated foreign DNA bound to the decondensed heads. These studies revealed that 54% of fertilized hamster and pig oocytes contained decondensed sperm that had retained the post-acrosomal pattern of bound foreign DNA. After incubation with DNA-associated sperm, the oocytes were washed and cultured for 15-17 h. After fixation, up to 30% of hamster oocytes and 10% of porcine oocytes were found to contain sperm pronuclei. However, using the streptavidin peroxidase detection system, it was not possible to determine if any of these pronuclei contained the foreign DNA.

Modification of the Wang tube to improve in vitro semen manipulation.

Abstract: The Wang tube was modified to improve in vitro semen manipulation, by adding another two racks to the anterior (posterior) wall of the low component of the Wang tube and supplying another four convex lenses symmetrical to those on the bottom wall. The former provides a slanted position leading to a complete real-time sperm separation image and benefiting low-quality sperm preparation when the modified Wang tube is turned on its side. The latter converses the microscope's light better and gives a clearer objective image.

The importance of the hypoosmotic swelling test and acrosin activity assay for identifying subpopulations of idiopathic infertile men.

Abstract: Semen samples collected from fertile donors (n - 13) and pooled samples from idiopathic infertile men (n = 19) were used in this study Measurements of the total sperm acrosin activity and the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) were performed in all the samples The percentage of swollen spermatozoa and acrosin profiles were significantly lower in the infertile men than in the fertile donors Considering the lowest values of the outcome of the HOST and the acrosin activity assay in the group of fertile men as the lowest normal values, it was proven that HOST and acrosin activity assay could identify subpopulations of infertile men of 37 and 26%, respectively The results tend to support the employment of the HOST and the acrosin activity assay in the evaluation of idiopathic infertile men

Epidermal growth factor contents in seminal plasma as a marker of prostatic function.

Abstract: Epidermal growth factor (EGF), first identified in extracts from submaxillary salivary glands of adult male mice, acts as a potent mitogen in a wide variety of cells and tissues in culture. Human EGF, a polypeptide of 53 amino acids isolated from human urine, has been identified in several biological fluids, including prostatic fluid and seminal plasma. Epidermal growth factor content in seminal plasma was measured by RIA. The EGF content in seminal fluid did not change after bilateral vasectomy and the first fraction of sample obtained by split ejaculation contained a significantly larger amount of EGF than the second fraction. Seminal EGF originates from the prostate. There was a close correlation between EGF and zinc contents in seminal fluid. The seminal fluid EGF content was lowered in patients with prostatitis and systemic androgen deficiency. The EGF content in seminal fluid seems to be a reliable indicator of prostatic function.

Immunocytochemical localization of bioregulatory peptides in marmoset testes.

Abstract: Immunocytochemical localization of neuropeptides (β-endorphin, substance P, arginine vasopressin, oxytocin), pituitary hormones (adrenocorticotropin, prolactin, growth hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadal inhibin, gastrin, and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was carried out in marmoset testis during development. Both intensity of immunostaining and distribution of these peptides in testicular compartments viz. seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells changed dramatically during development. In vitro biosynthesis of inhibin and FSH was increased by hCG, whereas prolactin (5 μg) and prostatic inhibin peptide suppressed the synthesis of these hormones.