Showing papers in "Archives of Andrology in 1997"
TL;DR: The results reflect a direct action of zinc deficiency on testicular steroidogenesis and strongly support the idea that hypogonadism of zinc deficiencies results mainly from changes in testicular steroidsogenesis or indirectly from Leydig cell failure.
Abstract: The effects of marginal (MZD) and severe (SZD) zinc-deficient diets on testicular function and development were studied in rats maintained on dietary treatment for 6 weeks after weaning. SZD produced variable degrees of histological changes as compared with pair-fed controls, including a significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (p < .05) with variable degree of maturation arrest in different stages of spermatogenesis. No significant histological changes were obtained in testes of MZD rats. MZD rats-exhibited significant decreases in serum levels of testosterone (62.6%, p < .001) and progesterone (18.2%, p < .05) with no changes in that of FSH or LH. SZD rats showed marked decreases in serum levels of testosterone (17.8-fold, p < .001) and progesterone (28.8%, p < .001), whereas FSH showed an increase (34.4%, p < .05) as compared with respective controls. In vitro acute stimulation by hCG on testicular tissue preparation obtained from MZD rats resulted in much less androgen production (sum of androstenedione, testosterone, and androstanediol) (72.4%, p < .001) as compared with controls. Testicular androgen contents (sum of androstenedione, testosterone, and androstanediol) decreased significantly in MZD and SZD rats, with the latter showing the greatest decrease. SZD rats were asospermic, whereas MZD rats exhibited marked decrease in sperm counts (by 22.9%, p < .05) as compared with respective controls. The results reflect a direct action of zinc deficiency on testicular steroidogenesis and strongly support the idea that hypogonadism of zinc deficiency results mainly from changes in testicular steroidogenesis or indirectly from Leydig cell failure.
87 citations
TL;DR: The recovery of inhibitory activity in the prostasome fraction was similar to the recovery of cholesterol in that fraction, consistent with cholesterol's role as the major inhibitor in seminal plasma.
Abstract: Seminal plasma prevents human sperm from becoming acrosomally responsive. These experiments tested the idea that the inhibitory activity of seminal plasma is contained in the particulate prostasome fraction. Most of the inhibitory activity was sedimentable (105,000g, 2 h) and the majority of the recovered activity was in the prostasome fraction. The recovery of inhibitory activity in the prostasome fraction (42% of the activity in unfractionated seminal plasma) was similar to the recovery of cholesterol in that fraction (41%), consistent with cholesterol's role as the major inhibitor in seminal plasma. To test whether components of the prostasome fraction bind to sperm, the prostasome fraction was made fluorescent with fluorescein isothiocyanate or with the acetoxymethyl ester of 2′, 7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. No labeled material was seen to bind to sperm, suggesting that exchange of cholesterol between prostasomes and sperm takes place through the aqueous phase or at the time of ves...
81 citations
TL;DR: PMNs in semen are the major source of ROS, and ROS production by these cells is enhanced by bacterial products and cytokine stimulating factors, which could enhance the diagnosis and lead to improved therapy of male infertility due to subclinical genital tract infections.
Abstract: The association between male urogenital tract infection (UTI) and infertility is still controversial. Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen has been suggested to be an important factor in the etiology of poor sperm function through peroxidative damage to the cell membrane. This study explored the potential association between the ROS generation and UTIs by examining ROS production by sperm and seminal leukocytes in response to various infectious and cytokine stimulating factors. Semen and blood samples were obtained from 17 normal donors. Highly motile pure sperm, poorly motile sperm, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were isolated and exposed to various infectious and stimulating factors, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gamma interferon (γ-IFN), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). ROS generation was determined by measuring luminescence in a luminometer. In this study, pur...
80 citations
TL;DR: Patients exhibiting a low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity may benefit from acupuncture treatment, as the fertility index increased significantly following improvement in total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema.
Abstract: The aim of this prospective controlled study was to assess the effect of acupuncture on the sperm quality of males suffering from subfertility related to sperm impairment. Semen samples of 16 acupuncture-treated subfertile patients were analyzed before and 1 month after treatment (twice a week for 5 weeks). In parallel, semen samples of 16 control untreated subfertile males were examined. Two specimens were taken from the control group at an interval of 2-8 months. The expanded semen analysis included routine and ultramorphological observations. The fertility index increased significantly (p < or = .05) following improvement in total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema (p < or = .05), which occurred upon treatment. The intactness of axonema and sperm motility were highly correlated (corr. = .50, p < or = .05). Thus, patients exhibiting a low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity may benefit from acupuncture treatment.
66 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that thyroid hormones play an important dual pituitary-gonadal effect that is reflected by an impairment of testicular testosterone synthesis associated to hyperresponse to LH in hyperthyroidism and a defective LH response to GnRH in hypothyroidism.
Abstract: This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of thyroid dysfunction on the pituitary-gonadal axis. Ten men with Graves' disease and 5 hypothyroid patients were studied; 10 normal males w...
49 citations
TL;DR: Swim-up media supplemented with prostasomes were superior in comparison to the other effectors investigated in the recovery of motile spermatozoa for insemination and suggest that prostasome inclusion in swim-up medium might be of benefit in improving results in assisted reproductive technologies using freeze-thawed spermarozoa.
Abstract: The chance of obtaining a fertilization and establishing a pregnancy increases with the number of motile spermatozoa that can reach and interact with the oocyte after the time of insemination. In an attempt to increase the recovery of freeze-thawed and motile spermatozoa, the swim-up medium was supplemented with prostasomes and some other effectors. Swim-up media supplemented with prostasomes were superior in comparison to the other effectors investigated in the recovery of motile spermatozoa for insemination. These results suggest that prostasome inclusion in swim-up medium might be of benefit in improving results in assisted reproductive technologies using freeze-thawed spermatozoa.
47 citations
TL;DR: The bovine embryo appears to be an appropriate model to study centriolar inheritance in embryos and the presence of a sperm aster associated with sperm midpieces, tails, and male pronuclei in several embryos is revealed.
Abstract: Immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from ovarian follicles of slaughtered cow and matured for 24 h in TCM 199 medium with hormones. Eighty-five percent of oocytes matured with subsequent abstriction of the polar body. Matured COCs were then inseminated with frozen-thawed semen (2 × 106/mL final concentration). Eighteen hours after insemination, fertilized COCs were vortexed, washed, and cultured to the pronuclear stage and syngamy (24–36 h postinsemi-nation) and fixed for TEM. Unfixed embryos achieved a cleavage rate of 54%, with 29% developing to blastocysts. Fertilization was confirmed by TEM. Examination of fertilized bipronuclear ova revealed the presence of a sperm aster associated with sperm midpieces, tails, and male pronuclei in several embryos. Further examination of embryos at syngamy showed centrioles at one pole of the first mitotic bipolar spindle in two embryos. Since the mature oocyte at metaphase 11 has no centrioles at spindle poles, this centriole was most likely deri...
28 citations
TL;DR: In conclusion, pentoxifylline had an additional effect rather than placebo and was useful treatment in these cases of male factor infertility.
Abstract: Forty-seven normogonadotropic men with idiopatic asthenozoospermic were divided at random: group I (N = 22) received placebo and group II (N = 25) received 1200 mg of pentoxifylline/day during 6 months. Semen analysis was performed basal and at 3 and 6 months of the study period. No statistical changes in serum hormone concentration were found, nor in volume, sperm counts, viability, and morphology before and after treatment. Sperm motility increased following pentoxifylline treatment after 3 and 6 months from 25.5 (21.0-30.0) to 35.5 (31.5-39.0) (p < .00001) and to 42.0 (38.0-46.0) (p < .00001), respectively. Although in the placebo control cases some changes were observed in the sperm motility, they were less significant. Furthermore, progressive motility only in grade A increased with pentoxifylline from 2.5 (0.0-6.0) to 12.0 (6.0-19.5) (p < .001) at 3 months and to 22.5 (17.0-26.0) at 6 months (p < .00001). In conclusion, pentoxifylline had an additional effect rather than placebo and was useful treatment in these cases of male factor infertility.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of adding an additional refrigeration medium and three different centrifugation speeds for sperm preparation were examined, and the results indicated that the reduction in motility and other motion characteristics probably cannot be overcome by changing factors such as the sperm preparation medium or the centrifuge speed.
Abstract: Cryopreservation and subsequent thawing of semen for assisted reproductive procedures decreases sperm motility; motility further reduces when the cryoprotectant medium is removed because of the osmotic shock and centrifugation done to prepare the sperm. To compare motility and thus pregnancy rates, this study examined the effects of adding an additional refrigeration medium and three different centrifugation speeds for sperm preparation. Semen samples from 16 healthy normal volunteers were obtained by masturbation after 48 h of abstinence. Sperm motility and other motion characteristics were analyzed with a computer-assisted semen analyzer before freezing, after thawing, and after centrifugation. Each sample was divided into 6 aliquots and frozen using the liquid nitrogen vapor method. After thawing, human tubal fluid (HTF) with 5% human serum albumin was added to 3 aliquots, and refrigeration medium (identical to freezing medium without glycerol) was added to the remaining 3 tubes for each specimen. The tubes containing the two media were then washed by centrifugation at 100 g, 300 g, and 500 g for 10 min. Aliquots with refrigeration medium did not significantly differ from those with HTF for percent motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement at any centrifugation speed. Motile sperm count was significantly greater only at 100 g and 300 g for refrigeration medium (p = .02 and .01) and HTF (p = 0.001); at 300 g, average path velocity in refrigeration medium aliquots (p = .01) and linearity in HTF (p = .01) were greater. The results indicated that the reduction in motility and other motion characteristics probably cannot be overcome by changing factors such as the sperm preparation medium or centrifugation speed. More effective cryopreservation techniques or preparation methods that eliminate centrifugation need to be developed.
26 citations
TL;DR: The study shows that the acrosome status can be detected either by TST stain or by phase-contrast microscopy and that TST does not differ from 0.4% trypan blue in its ability to identify live and dead sperm.
Abstract: A procedure is described for simultaneously evaluating of sperm viability and acrosomal status in fixed deer spermatozoa. This technique, which is a modification of the triple-stain technique (TST) developed for human sperm, utilizes trypan blue to identify the percentage of live sperm in culture and subsequent staining of fixed sperm to differentiate the acrosome. Four classes of deer sperm can be distinguished with the TST: (1) live unreacted sperm, (2) live acrosome-reacted sperm (true acrosome reaction), (3) dead unreacted sperm, and (4) dead acrosome-reacted sperm (false acrosome reaction). The study shows that the acrosome status can be detected either by TST stain or by phase-contrast microscopy (r = .971, p < .001) and that TST does not differ from 0.4% trypan blue in its ability to identify live and dead sperm (r = .995, p < .001). This staining procedure enables differentiation of spermatozoa that have undergone a true acrosome reaction (TAR) from those that have undergone a false acrosome reaction (FAR). In this way, incubation of deer spermatozoa for 30 min at 37 degrees C in the presence of calcium ionophore A23187 increased the proportion of spermatozoa undergoing a TAR. Sperm incubated in the absence of A23187 undergo the TAR at a much lower rate (p < .001) than those incubated in the presence of ionophore. This stain procedure was also used to study the time course of the true acrosome reaction of deer sperm in vitro. Incubation of deer spermatozoa for up 24 h at 37 degrees C resulted in a decrease in the percentage of live acrosome-intact spermatozoa and a simultaneous increase in the percentage of spermatozoa categorized as having undergone a TAR and FAR.
23 citations
TL;DR: The pelvic floor muscles (puborectalis], levator ani [LA], EAS, and EUS) and external anal and urethral sphincters were studied during erection and ejaculation in 12 mongrel dogs to study the response to electroejaculation.
Abstract: The pelvic floor muscles (puborectalis [PR], levator ani [LA]) and external anal (EAS) and urethral sphincters (EUS) were studied during erection and ejaculation in 12 mongrel dogs. The animals were anesthetized and the response of PR, LA, EAS, and EUS to electroejaculation (EE) was evaluated. Penile tumescence and rigidity as well as increase of the EMG activity of the aforementioned muscles and sphincters occurred. The rigidity and EMG activity increased as the voltage and current of EE continued to increase until ejaculation occurred at a mean voltage of 11.1 +/- 1.2 V and current of 122.4 +/- 14.4 mA. The increased PR activity might express the prostatic secretions into the posterior urethra. LA contraction seems to elevate the prostate and partially straightens the prostato-membraneous urethral kink that might occur during erection. The EAS and EUS contractions are believed to abort the urge to defecate or urinate and prevent leak of feces, flatus, or urine during coitus. The rhythmic EUS contraction at ejaculation might act as a "suction ejection pump," sucking the genital fluid into the posterior urethra while being relaxed and ejecting it into the bulbous urethra upon contraction.
TL;DR: It would appear that certain aspects of the coagulation process in human semen constitute the same process as the final stage of the blood coagulating system.
Abstract: This investigation was conducted to examine the presence of fibrinogen-like substance and thrombin-like enzyme in human semen (human seminal plasma) after liquefaction. The human seminal plasma contained small amounts of respective substances which are absorbed on anti-fibrinogen and anti-thrombin III affinity columns, respectively. The thrombin-like enzyme with Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA amidolytic activity was inhibited by human seminal plasma trypsin-like enzyme inhibitor (HSP-TI) and antithrombin III. The fibrinogen-like substance reacted with the thrombin-like enzyme, forming a fibrin-like substance. It would appear that certain aspects of the coagulation process in human semen constitute the same process as the final stage of the blood coagulation system.
TL;DR: Serum FSH and LH concentrations in azoospermic men were significantly higher when compared with those of the control group, which indicates some disturbance of the spermatogenic process, and estradiol was significantly higher (p < .02) in oligozoospermic patients.
Abstract: The role of serum prolactin (PRL) in male infertility is still unclear. To assess the clinical significance of PRL determination during infertility studies, serum hormones and semen samples from 167 men attending the Andrology Clinic were analyzed, and PRL seric values were correlated with volume, sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology. The range of PRL levels (ng/mL) was 7.3 +/- 2.1 in the control group (n = 46), 13.9 +/- 6.6 in asthenozoospermic (n = 51), 12.6 +/- 7.8 in oligozoospermic (n = 42), and 10.9 +/- 4.8 in azoospermic patients (n = 28). Significantly higher (p < .0001) levels of PRL were found in the men with asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, and azoospermia. In the 121 infertile patients with abnormal semen analysis, serum PRL levels were below 14.0 ng/mL (normal mean + 3 SD) in 81 (66.9%) and above this level in 40 (33.1%) cases. Serum FSH and LH concentrations in azoospermic men were significantly higher (p < .0001) when compared with those of the control group, which indicates some disturbance of the spermatogenic process, and estradiol was significantly higher (p < .02) in oligozoospermic patients. No significant differences were found in serum testosterone. Twenty-one patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia and hyperprolactinemia were treated with 2.5 mg of bromocriptine daily for 6 months, resulting in a nonmeasurable effect on their sperm analysis. In conclusion, two-thirds of patients with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and azoospermia have normal PRL levels. Infertility in men due to moderate hyperprolactinemia could be associated with these sperm disturbances, but bromocriptine was of no therapeutic utility.
TL;DR: Low-dose prednisolone significantly reduced the titer of antisperm antibodies and improved the sperm parameters and conception rate and high follicle-stimulating hormone in the men and low midluteal-phase progesterone in the women adversely affected quality of sperm.
Abstract: Antisperm antibodies were determined in the sera of 250 infertile couples and 100 puerperal women as controls using the immunofluorescence technique. Couples with significant circulating antisperm antibodies were placed on low-dose prednisolone 5 mg daily for 3–6 months. Initial routine semen analysis and hypoosmotic swelling test were done and repeated after 3 months of therapy. The incidence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) was 18.8 and 17.6% in the men and women, respectively, compared to 4% in the women controls (p<. 02). In the men, the main determinants (with incidence) of ASA included smoking (33.9%), past history of sexually transmitted disease (33.3%), surgery to genital tract (28.6%), trauma (27.3%), and unexplained infertility (18.5%). In women whose husbands had antisperm antibodies the incidence of circulating antisperm antibodies was 38.3%, while endometriosis and thyroid dysfunction had incidence of antisperm antibodies of 21.4 and 16.7%, respectively. In the 27 (10.8%) cases of unexplained in...
TL;DR: The results of these studies indicate the possible application of plasma membrane potential across the plasma membrane of human sperm to the diagnosis of male infertility.
Abstract: Membrane potential across the plasma membrane (Ψ) of human sperm was determined by measuring the accumulation of triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+). Washed sperm of fertile or infertile men were suspended, incubated in low-K+and high-Na+or high-K+and low-Na+medium, and allowed to take up the cation TPMP+to a steady state (20 min at 37°C). Under these conditions a Ψ of −75 ± 6 mV was observed in sperm cells of fertile men, while in spermatozoa of idiopathic and astheno-zoospermic infertile men, the Ψ was of 35 ± 5 mV and 32 ± 5 mV, respectively. Upon depolarization of the sperm membrane by K+, the transport system Na+-K+in spermatozoa of idiopathic infertile men decreased 53 ± 3.5%, while that in sperm cells of asthenozoospermic men decreased 57 ± 3% with respect to spermatozoa of fertile men. The results of these studies indicate their possible application to the diagnosis of male infertility.
TL;DR: Iodixanol provides a suitable, nontoxic alternative to Percoll for the preparation of human sperm for therapeutic use and there was no significant difference between methods with regard to sperm yield, enrichment of motile or morphologically normal sperm in the preparation or sperm survival following separation.
Abstract: Iodixanol, a new nonionic density gradient material with relatively low osmolality and high density, was evaluated to determine its suitability for the separation of human sperm from semen for their subsequent therapeutic use. Using a three-layer iodixanol gradient (approximately 1.17/1.15/1.05 g/mL), sperm were centrifuged at 1000g for 30 min and collected from the 1.05/1.15 interface. Using this method, a mean of 78% of the motile and 99% of the morphologically normal sperm originally present in the semen were recovered at the interface. There was no significant increase in the percentage of motile or morphologically normal sperm in the final preparation compared to the original semen. Sperm survived iodixanol density gradient centrifugation well, showing only modest declines in motility (18%) and velocity (35%) during a subsequent 24-h incubation period. When iodixanol was compared to Percoll density gradient centrifugation with semen from the same ejaculate, there was no significant difference between methods with regard to sperm yield, enrichment of motile or morphologically normal sperm in the preparation or sperm survival following separation. Iodixanol provides a suitable, nontoxic alternative to Percoll for the preparation of human sperm for therapeutic use.
TL;DR: The prevalence of different etiologic factors has been evaluated in 350 male patients consulting the same physician in an urban, ambulatory setting for primary or secondary infertility of more than 1 year and the utility of andrological investigation and treatment is discussed.
Abstract: The prevalence of different etiologic factors has been evaluated in 350 male patients consulting the same physician in an urban, ambulatory setting for primary or secondary infertility of more than 1 year. Environmental factors such as alcohol or drugs represented 12% of the etiologies, acquired diseases such as varicocele and prostatitis 40%, congenital diseases and primary testicular failure 16.2%, idiopathic cases 19.4%, and abnormality of sperm transport 7.4%. The severity of sperm alterations in the different etiologic categories was evaluated by the total motile sperm count per ejaculate (TMS) (normal > 16). The TMS was less than 5 in classical causes of male infertility such as testicular failure, endocrinopathy, cancer, or antisperm antibodies. It was more than 10 in controversial causes of infertility such as varicocele, prostatitis, chlamydial infections, and professional exposure to heat. After treatment, there was a nonsignificant increase of the TMS in the latter cases. In cases of azoospermi...
TL;DR: Monitoring the rate of production of the asborbyl radical, an indirect method for oxyradical-stress measurement, reports the involvement of oxygen radical in the liquefaction process of coagulated semen.
Abstract: Even though the aminopeptidase and amylase are the major liquefying factors in the liquefaction process of the ejaculated semen-coagulum, the exact nature of “switching on” phenomena has not been elucidated yet. Monitoring the rate of production of the asborbyl radical, an indirect method for oxyradical-stress measurement, this prima facie study reports the involvement of oxygen radical in the liquefaction process of coagulated semen.
TL;DR: It was suggested that a certain concentration of native seminal plasma in cryoprotectant would be helpful to the viability of human sperm cryopreservation.
Abstract: To investigate the effect of native seminal plasma on the recovery of frozen human sperm, various concentrations of seminal plasma (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were used in cryoprotectant for freezing sperm, and the viabilities of frozen-thawed sperm were compared. The post-thaw sperm motility of 50 or 75% seminal plasma in the fertile group was significantly higher than that of 0, 25, or 100%. The post-thaw motility of 75% donor seminal plasma in the patient group was higher than that of other concentrations. It was suggested that a certain concentration of native seminal plasma in cryoprotectant would be helpful to the viability of human sperm cryopreservation.
TL;DR: Patterns of surface expression of mannose-binding sites (MBS) on human spermatozoa while evaluating the influence of sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity, and capacitation were characterized.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize patterns of surface expression of mannose-binding sites (MBS) on human spermatozoa while evaluating the influence of sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity, and capacitation. D-Mannose binding sites were visualized by fluorescence microscopy using fluoresceinated mannose-enriched bovine serum albumin (F1TC-DMA). To verify the probe specificity, 200 mM D-mannose and D-mannosylated albumin 200 μg/mL (DMA) were used as competitive inhibitors. Fluoresceinated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) was used as control. Sperm membrane integrity was checked with a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and sperm viability with Hoechst 33258 at 1 μg/mL. Viable spermatozoa with intact plasma membrane presented two main patterns: light bar (weak labeling of the equatorial segment) and slot (labeling of the pre- and postequatorial areas with a negative band in between). These patterns were significantly inhibited when unlabeled D-mannose or DMA were included in the medium. The ...
TL;DR: In asthenospermia, the spermatozoa from hyperviscous samples have minor ALH values, better response to swim-up, and high ATP content than those from normoviscous ejaculates.
Abstract: Objective spermatic motility (Hamilton Thorne Research), the rapid progressive spermatozoa (grade A) recovery after swim-up, and the spermatozoa ATP content (bioluminescence) were studied in normoviscous and hyperviscous asthenospermic samples. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was significantly lower in hyperviscous semen (normal: 4.6 +/- 0.7 microns [n = 20], high: 3.5 +/- 1.2 microns [n = 16]; p < .05). The grade A recovery percentage after swim-up was significantly higher in semens with high consistency (normal: 71.0 +/- 38.0 [n = 14], high: 181.3 +/- 108.9 [n = 6]; p < .05). The ATP content per living spermatozoa was in the normal consistency group 449.4 +/- 65.1 pmol per million living spermatozoa (n = 29) and in the high consistency batch 605.1 +/- 242.8 (n = 9), p < .05. In asthenospermia, the spermatozoa from hyperviscous samples have minor ALH values, better response to swim-up, and high ATP content than those from normoviscous ejaculates.
TL;DR: The results indicate that lysozyme plays no direct role in the phenomenon of seminal hyperviscosity, although its deficiency in cases of chronic infections may prove a factor aggravating the clinical picture.
Abstract: The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of lysozyme in the phenomenon of seminal hyperviscosity. The enzyme was determined in 142 samples of seminal plasma either leucospermic or not, with or without active macrophages classified according to their consistency (normal or high). The kinetic method with Micrococcus lysodeikticus as substrate was employed. No difference was found in enzymatic concentration expressed in nmol/L of enzymatic protein (mean ± 2 SEM) on comparing normal and high seminal consistency groups, while differences proved highly significant in batches either leucospermic or not (n = 44, 197.2 ± 51.3 vs. n = 98, 108.3 ± 12.8; p <. 0005). On subdividing the normal and high-consistency groups according to the count of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and the macrophagic response, differences were also significant (p <. 005 in both cases). Lysozyme concentration increases in presence of leucospermic reaction. In vitro lysozyme addition showed no significant effect on samples with high c...
TL;DR: In these experiments, freshly ejaculated sperm were unable to reacylate a phosphocholine lyso ether lipid with either palmitic or docosahexaenoic acids, but sperm freely incorporated 1-hexadecanol into diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine thus forming a 1-alkyl phosphoethanolamine ether...
Abstract: Ether lipids are the 1-O-alkyl derivatives of phospholipids. In contrast to nongerminal tissues where the plasma membrane content of ether lipids is low, over 40% of the phospholipids present in sperm plasma membranes are ether lipids. This study was undertaken to determine whether ejaculated human serm could synthesize ether lipids either through reacylation of 1-alkyl-sn-2-lysophosphatidylcholine or through direct incorporation of 1-hexadecanol into diacyl phosphatidylcholine or diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine. The ability of sperm to reacylate 1-acyl-sn-2-lysophosphatidylethanolamine was also assessed. In these experiments, freshly ejaculated sperm were unable to reacylate a phosphocholine lyso ether lipid with either palmitic (16:0) or docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids. In contrast, sperm readily incorporated both 16:0 and 22:6 into 1-acyl lysophosphatidylethanolamine. Similarly, sperm freely incorporated 1-hexadecanol into diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine thus forming a 1-alkyl phosphoethanolamine ether lipid. Diacyl phosphatidylcholine could not serve as a substrate in this reaction. It is apparent, based on these data, that human spermatozoa can directly synthesize phosphoethanolamine ether lipids that may subsequently undergo exhaustive methylation to form phosphocholine ether lipids.
TL;DR: In both unprocessed and processed samples, percentage motility improved significantly after stimulation with 2-deoxyadenosine or pentoxifylline (p = .003 or p = .0002, respectively); other characteristics improved to varying extent after 2- deoxy adenosineor pentoxifyinglline stimulation.
Abstract: The ability of pentoxifylline and 2-deoxyadenosine to stimulate sperm motility and motion characteristics was assessed in unprocessed and processsed (Percoll-separated) cryopreserved specimens. Specimens from 12 healthy volunteers were obtained, and the motion characteristics were analyzed; half the sample was immediately cryopreserved and the other was washed using the Percoll gradient technique. To study stimulation, samples were thawed and divided into four aliquots: One was used as a control, and the others were incubated with 2.5 mM 2-deoxyadenosine, 2.5 raM pentoxifylline, or 5.0 mM pentoxifylline for 60 min. Sperm characteristics were analyzed on a sperm motion analyzer at 0 and 60 min incubation. In both unprocessed and processed samples, percentage motility improved significantly after stimulation with 2-deoxyadenosine or pentoxifylline (p =. 003 or p =. 0002, respectively); other characteristics improved to varying extent after 2-deoxyadenosine or pentoxifylline stimulation. Comparison after sti...
TL;DR: The authors suggest that one of these glycoproteins present in the supernatant separated from the cells might be the acrosin as identified by anti-acrosin antibodies, using Western blot analysis.
Abstract: A novel method was developed to evaluate the acrosomal status of mammalian spermatozoa. The method is based on the ability of the lectin Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) to bind specifically to glycoproteins of the acrosomal matrix released during the acrosome reaction. The amount of released acrosomal content is proportional to the fraction of spermatozoa that underwent acrosome reaction. The released glycoproteins present in the supernatant separated from the cells were detected via an ELISA-like assay. The authors suggest that one of these glycoproteins might be the acrosin as identified by anti-acrosin antibodies, using Western blot analysis. The new method (demonstrated here with ram and bull spermatozoa) correlates well with the results obtained by conventional methods. Its advantages are simplicity, objectiveness, rapidity, and low cost. In addition, many samples can be processed in parallel. The method can be used in experimental as well as clinical applications.
TL;DR: Sperm maturation depends on androgen and is mediated by several unidentified epididymal factors: glycoproteins and metabolites affecting acrosomal stability and fertilizing potential of capacitated sperm.
Abstract: Sperm maturation depends on androgen and is mediated by several unidentified epididymal factors: glycoproteins and metabolites affecting acrosomal stability and fertilizing potential of capacitated sperm. Several genes encoding human epididymis-specific proteins have been described. One of the cloned epididymal cDNA encodes a polypeptide designated as HE4 with an estimated molecular mass of 10,000. Leydig cells are rich in lipid droplets and display epithelioid features. These cells have a cord-like arrangement; the cords are formed by one or two closely apposed cells. In between these cells, labyrinthine or canalicular-like spaces are opened in wide perivascular spaces that improve cell secretion of hormones and facilitate their transport into the blood, as well as the traffic of fluids and metabolites. Coagulation and liquefaction in human semen plays an important role in the capacitation of semen. The liquefaction of semen is retarded by the powerful synthetic inhibitors of 6-amidino-2-naphtyl-p-guanidinobenzoate dimethansulfonate.
TL;DR: There is no gross impediment in the Leydig cell capacity to produce testosterone that might explain the starvation-associated decrease in plasma testosterone, according to analysis of the effect of 3 days of starvation in adult rats.
Abstract: An experiment was carried out to analyze the effect of 3 days of starvation on the Leydig cell function in adult rats. Starvation markedly decreased plasma insulin and testosterone levels (p <.05). The weight of testes was maintained, whereas the testicular interstitial fluid volume decreased (p < 05). The level of testosterone decreased in this fluid (60%), whereas insulin levels showed no significant change. Purified Leydig cells showed normal LH/hCG binding in fasted rats but low insulin binding. The ability of these cells to produce testosterone in vitro was normal under both basal conditions and hCG stimulation in the absence and presence of insulin in the incubation medium. These data suggest that there is no gross impediment in the Leydig cell capacity to produce testosterone that might explain the starvation-associated decrease in plasma testosterone.
TL;DR: Epididymal fluid at higher volumes induced the motility of nonmotile testicular spermatozoa significantly even at short-term incubation, and fluid from posterior was more potent in influencing the Motility than the fluids of middle and anterior.
Abstract: Total sperm count and percent sperm motility were noted in different parts of the epididymis, and the effect of anterior, middle, and posterior epididymal fluid on the induction of motility of nonmotile testicular spermatozoa was observed. The results were used to compare the influence of different parts of epididymis of Hemidactylus flaviviridis on the acquisition of sperm motility, which is a sign of sperm maturation. Spermatozoa collected from different regions of the ductus epididymidis showed considerable difference in their motility as well as total count with an increase from anterior to posterior region. The epididymal fluids from different regions induced the motility of testicular spermatozoa and the induction accelerated with increasing fluid volume and incubation period. Epididymal fluid at higher volumes induced the motility of nonmotile testicular spermatozoa significantly even at short-term incubation. Among different epididymal regions, fluid from posterior was more potent in influencing the motility than the fluids of middle and anterior. Motility pattern of spermatozoa varied from zig-zag, circular, and erratic in anterior to wavy in posterior region of epididymis. However, the mean sperm velocity did not show any regional variation.
TL;DR: Inflicted hyperprolactinemia seems to improve spermatozoal velocity and morphology, although direct effect of metoclopramide on these parameters cannot be excluded, and no influence was noted on the number of spermutozoa per milliliter, the total number of semen, the percentage of motile spermatozosa, or the index of motility.
Abstract: Hyperprolactinemia in man decreases libido and potency, but the few reports concerning its influence on spermatogenesis are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of induced hyperprolactinemia on semen parameters. A total of 15 potentially fertile male volunteers, aged 28.2 ± 4.3 years, were given 10 mg metoclopramide three times daily for 12 weeks. Serum and seminal plasma prolactin levels and semen parameters were determined before and 4, 8, and 12 weeks following initiation of metoclopramide administration. A fivefold increase of serum prolactin levels was observed, semen volume and abnormal sperm forms decreased, while spermatozoa velocity increased. On the contrary, no influence was noted on the number of spermatozoa per milliliter, the total number of spermatozoa, the percentage of motile spermatozoa, or the index of motility. Hyperprolactinemia seems to improve spermatozoal velocity and morphology, although direct effect of metoclopramide on these parameters cannot be excluded.
TL;DR: To clarify the effect of peritoneal fluids of women with various stages of endometriosis on sperm motility, computer-aides sperm analysis (CASA) was utilized to analyze sperm movement characteristics and there was no adverse effect of PF in patients with endometrization on sperm motion parameters.
Abstract: To clarify the effect of peritoneal fluids (PF) of women with various stages of endometriosis on sperm motility, we utilized computer-aides sperm analysis (CASA) to analyze sperm movement characteristics. PF was collected in the early follicular phase (days 4-8) of the menstrual cycle from 48 women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy. Only sperm samples having normal sperm parameters were chosen for study. Swim-up separation was performed for 1 h at 37 degrees C. Sperm suspension was mixed at a ratio of 1:1 with each of the following four groups: group 1, human tubal fluid (HTF) with 10% fetal bovine serum (control), group 2, normal PF (n = 16); group 3, minimal or mild endometriosis PF (n = 16); and group 4, moderate or severe endometriosis PF (n = 16). The mixtures were analyzed at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 24 h of co-incubation using the CASA system. At the end of the 24 h incubation, Supravital staining of sperm was done to check the viability of sperm in each group. Only time (F = 126.6, p < .001) has a significant effect on sperm motion parameters. At 6 h, sperm velocity (mean curvilinear velocity and mean straight line velocity) of the PF groups was significantly greater than that of the control, but there was no significant difference between each PF group. At 24 h, the PF groups maintained 50% of initial sperm viability, compared with 13% of initial viability in the control group (p < .001). There was no adverse effect of PF in patients with endometriosis on sperm motion parameters.