Showing papers in "Journal of Andrology in 1980"

Antifertility Effects of LHRH Agonists in the Male

Abstract: Acute or chronic treatment of adult male rats with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) or its agonist leads to a loss of testicular LH and prolaction receptors accompanied by decreased testis seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weight. The inhibition of testosterone formation is due to a blockage of the steroidogenic pathway at the level of 17-hydroxylase and 1720-desmolase activities. The testicular desensitization is accompanied by a decreased pituitary responsiveness LHRH. Although the inhibitory effects at the testicular level could be explained by endogenous LH release induced by the LHRH agonist with secondary testicular desentization the LH-relasing peptides also exert direct inhibitory effects on gonadotropin receptors at the testicular level. Moreover LHRH and its agonists bind to a specific LHRH receptor in interstitial cells. Chronic treatment with LH agonists leads to marked degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules almost all tubules showing signs of histologic damage after 4 weeks of treatment. Single administration of an LHRH agonist by the intranasal route in normal adult men casuses a transient inhibition of plasma testosterone levels with a temporary loss of diurnal cyclicity whereas preliminary data obtained in patients with cancer of the prostrate show inhibition of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone plasma levels. Such data suggest the potential use of LHRH agonists in male contraception and for the treatment of cancer of the prostrate. (authors)

Acrosin, Proacrosin, and Acrosin Inhibitor of Human Spermatozoa: Extraction, Quantitation, and Stability

Abstract: Ten different methods were evaluated to determine the treatment for obtaining maximal amounts of acrosin, proacrosin, and acrosin inhibitor (the acrosin system) from human spermatozoa by a single technique. Optimal results were obtained by extraction of the gametes with 10% glycerol at pH 2.8 for at least 12 hours. A single treatment by this technique provided approximately 95% of all available acrosin. The use of benzamidlne during extraction was essential for maximal recovery of proacrosin, i.e., to prevent zymogen activation. Benzamidlne did not affect the total amount of acrosin recovered. The levels of acrosin Inhibitor obtained did not vary with the method of treatment but were greatly influenced by the molecular pore size of the membrane used for dialysis of the extracts. An assay method for the simple determination of the components of the acrosin system is presented. Using the optimal extraction method and described assay technique, 42 pooled semen samples, each consisting of four to 14 ejaculates, were analyzed for the acrosin system. The total acrosin averaged 106 mlU/107 spermatozoa (S.D. = ±22 mlU/107 sperm). Almost all the acrosin was in the zymogen (proacrosin) form (93% ± 2%). After proacrosin activation, enough inhibitor was present to inhibit 94% ±5% of the acrosin. Acrosin and proacrosin were stable in spermatozoa kept in seminal plasma at room temperature for at least 6 hours. After solubilization, the enzymes were stable for at least one week when stored at pH 3.0,4 C, if the proacrosin was not activated to acrosin. After activation, the extracts were much less stable. Maximal conversion of proacrosin to acrosin occurred in 10 minutes when the extracts were incubated at pH 8.0 at room temperature. The presence of calcium ions severely retarded activation. The described extraction and assay techniques provide a standard method by which the acrosin system of spermatozoa can be measured, and may now be applied to the spermatozoa of infertile men to determine whether any abnormalities exist In the acrosin system of these gametes.

Biochemical Aspects of the Coagulation and Liquefaction of Human Semen

Abstract: The coagulation and liquefaction process of human semen was studied in some detail. It was found that contact of seminal vesicle fluid with the other accessory sex gland secretions or spermatozoa does not seem to be essential for the formation of the coagulum, and that heparin and sodium citrate do not affect coagulum formation, indicating a difference between the seminal coagulation process and that of the blood clot. Regarding the liquefaction process of the seminal coagulum, it was shown that 1) spermatozoa do not influence liquefaction; 2) that the seminal plasminogen activator, lysozyme, α-amylase, pepsin, and neuramini dase are not the primary liquefying factors; 3) that the liquefying agent is present in the first portion of a split ejaculate, is heat labile, is partially destroyed by freezing at −20 C but is stable to lyophilization, is precipitable with (NH4)2SO4, is not affected by serum or EDTA, and is inhibited by rabbit bile but not by the seminal plasma proteinase inhibitors, the Kunitz pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, or epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA). All of these prop erties are characteristics of the seminal en zyme, seminin. A partially purified preparation of this enzyme enhanced liquefaction, and two patients who had low seminin activity pos sessed poorly lysing coagula. These findings confirm that seminin is the agent primarily re sponsible for liquefaction of the seminal coagulum of man. The data further show that liquefaction of the seminal coagulum occurs by a different mechanism than that of the lysis of the blood clot.

Glycosaminoglycan Stimulation of the In Vitro Conversion of Boar Proacrosin into Acrosin

Abstract: Glycosaminoglycans obtained from shark cartilage, whale cartilage, porcine intestinal mucosa, porcine skin, and human umbilical cord were found to accelerate the in vitro conversion of highly purified boar sperm proacrosin Into mα-acrosin. Since none of the glycosaminoglycan preparations demonstrated esterase activity (BzArgOEt), general proteinase activity (Azocoll), or stimulation of acrosin activity, the glycosaminoglycan stimulation of proacrosin conversion into acrosin results from a direct Interaction between proacrosin and the glycosaminoglycans. These results demonstrate that the glycosaminoglycan stimulation of proacrosin conversion into acrosin is a general phenomenon that is not speciesor organspecific and indicate that glycosaminoglycans could function in the regulation of the In vivo conversion of proacrosin into acrosin.

Role of Hyaluronidase in Fertilization: The Antifertility Activity of Myocrisin, a Nontoxic Hyaluronidase Inhibitor

Abstract: Myocrisin a hyaluronidase inhibitor of low molecular weight was tested for antifertility activity. In addition the effect of myocrisin on penetration of the follicle cell layer by spermatozoa was studied. Myocrisin prevented the in vitro fertilization of capacitated mouse spermatozoa when these were added to intact oocytes. The inhibitor had no effect on sperm motility at the concentrations used for the in vitro fertilization tests and did not inhibit the acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoa. Myocrisin also had no effect on human acrosin. Fertility was not prevented when the myocrisin-treated spermatozoa were added to oocytes from which the follicle cell layer had been removed showing that sperm hyaluronidase is essential specifically for sperm penetration through this ovum investment at least in the case of the mouse. Myocrisin is approved for human use by the FDA and is a compound worth further in vivo evaluation as a contraceptive. (authors)

Influence of Testicular Steroids on Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone‐induced Prolactin Release in Mature Rams

Abstract: Prolactin (PRL) concentrations were measured in serum of intact rams, castrate rams, and steroid-treated castrate rams to determine whether testicular steroids influence PRL secretion in this species. Testosterone was administered to castrate rams by subdermal Silastic implants providing serum testosterone concentrations similar to those found in intact rams; estradiol was administered similarly to castrate rams, providing a ten-fold elevation of serum estradiol. Testosterone and estradiol implants decreased serum LH to concentrations found in intact rams, whereas estradiol, but not testosterone, effectively increased basal concentrations of PRL. This effect was most apparent when animals were exposed to short photoperiods (8 hours light:16 hours darkness). When 5 μg of thyrotropin releasing hormone were injected into these animals, peak PRL concentrations were lowest in castrate rams and highest in estradiol-treated castrate rams. PRL responses in testosterone-treated castrate rams and intact rams to the releasing hormone were intermediate. Results for peak PRL concentrations and area under the PRL response curves were similar. In conclusion, testicular steroids are suggested to play an important role in the regulation of PRL secretion in mature rams.

A Comparison of Blood Chemistry, Reproductive Hormones, and the Development of Antisperm Antibodies After Vasectomy in Men

Abstract: Serum chemistry parameters and levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) testosterone and sperm immobilizing and sperm agglutinating antibodies were measured prior to vasectomy and at 1 5 3 6 9 and 12 months afterwards. 2 groups of volunteers were obtained from patients who requested vasectomy for contraceptive purposes. 1 group of 60 men was from the Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in Seattle Washington and another group of 39 men was from the Madian Army Medical Center (MAMC) in South Tacoma Washington. The 2 groups were studied independently. It was not possible to obtain data on all of the patients at each of the time intervals. Vasectomies were performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. Standard surgical procedures were used. Measurable levels of 1 or both types of antibodies developed in 29 HMC men and 13 MAMC men within 1 year following vasectomy. The number of men with circulating antisperm antibodies increased significantly with time after vasectomy for the first 3-6 months and then remained stable for the remainder of the 12 month test period. There were no significant differences in incidence of antibodies when the 2 6 9 and 12 month periods were compared to each other. Although some men had only agglutinating or immobilizing antibodies more commonly both types were found. The group of men who exhibited early antibody formation may have had slightly higher mean counts of spermatozoa before vasectomy but there was no difference in counts between those men who never exhibited antisperm antobodies and those that did. There was no difference in ages between those men that did and those men that did not exhibit antibodies to sperm. All blood values were in the normal range. Values for FSH were consistently albeit slightly lower for those men who developed circulating antisperm antibodies. No significant differences in testosterone or prevasectomy LH values were found between the groups positive or negative for antibodies in either the HMC and MAMC populations.

A Continuous Flow Method for Organ Culture of Rabbit Epididymis: Morphology, Amino Acid Utilization, Glucose Uptake, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

Abstract: A modified perfusion system was developed to maintain an unconvoluted tubule from the corpus epididymidis of the rabbit in organ culture. The epididymal explant is submerged in a continuous flow of oxygenated medium. The design facilitates pulse incorporation of labeled precursors and subsequent culture of the explant without disturbing the immediate explant environment. The morphology of the explant is well preserved even after six days in culture. Amino acid utilization and glucose uptake by the explants are higher in continuous flow than in static cultures, and continue even after four to seven days in culture, although at a lower rate than in the first three days. Radio-autographic observations indicate that explants maintain their capacity for protein synthesis. This method of organ culture will prove useful in the study of some aspects of epididymal physiology.

Effect of vasectomy on the retinal vasculature of men.

Abstract: The relationship between vasectomy and vascular damage of the retinal arterioles was investigated in 159 men over age 30 years. Ophthalmologic observation of retinal fundi is considered a good index of hypertension and arteriolar sclerosis. The sample consisted largely of college faculty and scientists drawn from 3 academic centers. Bilateral ophthalmoscopic examination systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements and case histories were obtained. Significant interaction was found between retinal changes age and vasectomy. Vasectomized men age 30 and under had an increased frequency of arteriolar constriction (i.e. Keith-Wagener stage I and II values) (p<0.05); however there was no significant difference in the frequency of Keith-Wagener scores above between vasectomized and nonvasectomized men. Blood pressure was found to increase with age but vasectomized and nonvasectomized subjects did not differ significantly with respect to either mean blood pressure or the rate of change with age. Age was the only variable explaining a significant part of the variation in retinal damage (p<0.01). There was no evidence that either systolic or diastolic blood pressure is an important intermediate variable linking age to retinal vascular damage. The arteriolar changes observed may be due to circulating immune complexes that result in vascular changes following vasectomy. These findings suggest that vasectomy may cause vascular changes. However since this study group showed only mild vascular changes and no lesions or Hollenhorst plaques were observed the findings cannot be considered a barometer of generalized vascular disease in men due to vasectomy. Further studies using this noninvasive method are recommended.

Reversal of Vasectomy and the Treatment of Male Infertility

Abstract: The pressure-mediated effects of vasectomy on the epididymis were identified in over 300 cases as well as how microsurgery of the epididymis may be used to solve this problem in many instances. This review deals with results obtained in these patients and addresses the problem of modifying the technique of vasectomy itself to limit the pressure effects and thus make vasectomy more reversible. Attention is also directed to how this new understanding has helped to improve surgical approaches to obstruction not caused by vasectomy. It was observed that the pressure changes were less pronounced when a sperm granuloma developed at the vasectomy site. In addition sperm quality in the vas fluid was always superior when a sperm granuloma occurred at the vasectomy site. The likelihood of finding normal sperm in the vas fluid at the time of vasovasostomy decreased as the duration of time since the original vasectomy increased. The duration of time since vasectomy correlates with the likelihood of pressure-induced rupture of the epididymis. It was concluded that the secondary effects of pressure build-up on the epididymis after vasectomy can prevent fertility. This is the case even following an accurate vasovasostomy. The longer the duration of time since and the greater the pressure build up the greater is the likelihood of epididymal extravasation and secondary obstruction. The presence of a sperm granuloma at the vasectomy site indicating continual leakage and reabsorption eliminates the risk of epididymal rupture. It is now known that in the special cases in which there are no sperm in the vas fluid or in which fertility does not result after a perfect vas reanastomosis bypass of the area of the secondary epididymal obstruction provides an opportunity for successful reversal. About 80% of the patients upon who a bilateral vasoepididymostomy has been performed have recovered normal semen characteristics. As this technique is very difficult it should only be attempted by an individual experienced in microsurgical techniques. A sperm granuloma at the vasectomy site does not cause any increased risk of scrotal discomfort and it ensures the continued integrity of the epididymis making successful reversal much more likely. When there are no more sperm in the ejaculate of patients in whom the follicle stimulating hormone is normal only 1 additional diagnostic test should be performed i.e. testicular biopsy. If this shows normal spermatogenesis the diagnosis is obstruction and microsurgery should be planned.

Aging in the AXC Rat: Androgen Regulation of Prostate Prolactin Receptors

Abstract: Prolactin receptor content of ventral prostates of young mature (4–5-month-old), adult (12–13-month-old), and aged (24–27-month-old) untreated AXC rats was 677 ± 151,826 ± 242, and 213 ± 59 (P < 0.01, aged versus adult or young mature) femtomoles per prostate, respectively. Orchiectomy at 48 hours prior to sacrifice caused an 80% reduction in ventral prostate prolactin receptor content in both young mature and aged rats. Testosterone treatment (2.5 mg/day) of intact rats for two days increased ventral prostate prolactin receptor content 59% in aged rats and 34% in young mature rats. Changes observed in ventral prostate prolactin receptor content could not be attributed to differences in serum prolactin levels, which were identical for the rats in all treatment groups. Significantly, prolactin receptors were not demonstrable in dorsolateral prostate from any of these rats. The results demonstrate that androgen regulation of ventral prostate prolactin receptors in aged AXC rats is qualitatively comparable to that characteristic of ventral prostate of young mature AXC rats. The greater relative increase in prolactin receptor levels in aged rats in response to exogenous testosterone suggests that the marked reduction in prolactin receptors in ventral prostate of intact 24–27-month-old rats may be related to lower plasma testosterone concentration.

On the Mechanism for Flow in the Efferent Ducts

Abstract: A cilio-peristaltic model for pumping of efferent duct (ED) contents that predicts the observed volumetric flow rates and is consistent with a positive pressure gradient toward the epididymis is proposed. The model predicts that the major contributor to fluid flow is the peristaltic component. The cilia, in contrast, may reduce flow by creating reflux. This effect may be reduced considerably with an increase in fluid viscosity, which is in turn a function of sperm concentration. It is concluded from this investigation that if the peristaltic wave has a 33% or more constriction, the spermatozoan concentration in the ED is at least 4 × 108 cells cm−3 and flow rates in the ED are the same as in the rete testis; then transit in the ED is due to cilio-peristaltic pumping.

Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Prolactin, and Bromocriptine on Photoperiodinduced Testicular Regression and Recrudescence in Golden Hmsters

Abstract: Exposure of adult male hamsters to short day-length (short photoperiod) causes atrophy of their reproductive systems. Hamsters were transferred from long to short photoperiod and, starting two months later, injected three times a week for three weeks with saline, 1.25, 5, or 20 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Treatment with 5 or 20 IU hCG resulted in significant increases in the weights of the testes and the seminal vesicles. In another group of animals, identical doses of hCG were injected starting at the time of transfer from long to short photoperiod. After 14 weeks of treatment, testicular weight was significantly greater in animals given 20 IU hCG than In animals injected with saline, although it approximated only 50% of testicular weight In adult males kept in long photoperiod. Since we have previously obtained very similar results using prolactin (PRL) producing ectopic pituitary homografts, it was of interest to examine the interaction of pituitary grafts and hCG. Male hamsters were transferred to a short photoperiod and treated with a transplant of one pituitary from an adult female hamster plus 5 IU hCG three times a week or with hCG alone. After 15 weeks, the weights of the testes and the seminal vesides were significantly greater In grafted hCG-treated hamsters than in those animals treated with hCG only. Testicular weight in animals given both grafts and hCG corresponded to approximately 75% of testicular weight in long photoperiod controls, while seminal vesicle weights in these two groups did not differ. To examine the role of endogenous PRL in long photoperiod-induced testicular recrudescence, hamsters which had been exposed to a short photoperiod for two months were returned to a long photoperiod and treated daily with bromocriptlne (Sandoz CB-154, an inhibitor of PRL release) or with vehicle. After three weeks, the weights of the testes and the seminal vesicles were significantly lower in bromocriptine-treated than in control hamsters, but after five and a half weeks these differences were no longer evident. We conclude that (1) suppression of the release of both PRL and gonadotropins is responsible for gonadal regression in short photoperiod, and (2) stimulation of PRL secretion contributes to recrudescence of the male reproductive system in long photoperiod.

Androgen and Estrogen Receptors in the Canine Prostate

Abstract: Characterization of cytosol and 0.6 M KCl-nuclear androgen and estrogen receptors in the canine prostate is described, including methods for assay of these molecules in tissue samples from intact, adult dogs. Androgen receptors were quantitated by exchange incubations (20 hours for cytosol and 26 hours for nuclear extract at 0 C; incubations at higher temperatures (15 or 30 C) resulted in substantial reduction of saturable binding activity. Apparently, virtually all the estrogen receptor sites in cytosol and nuclear extract are unoccupied, since these were equally filled with H3-estradiol at 0 C (nonexchange incubation) and 30 C (exchange conditions) during 20-hour incubations. Androgen receptors were assayed using the synthetic androgen methyltrienolone (R1881), and estradiol-17β was selected for estrogen receptor determinations. Using the assay conditions described, neither of these ligands bound to the sex steroid-binding protein of canine blood. Steroid competition experiments indicated that the androgen and estrogen receptors are distinct molecules. Scatchard plot analyses were linear, suggesting a single class of high affinity sites for each receptor (Kd's in the 10−9 to 10−10 mol/l range). Saturable estradiol binding was additionally detected by sucrose gradient analysis of cytosol and nuclear extract. The 4S sedimentation of the cytosol receptor is typical of prostate cytoplasmic estrogen receptors; the nuclear form sedimented at 5S. The estrogen and androgen binding proteins satisfy criteria that distinguish them from blood steroid binding proteins and classify them as intracellular steroid hormone receptors.

Effects of Dibromochioropropane Upon Diurnal Variations of Gonadotropins and Androgens

Abstract: The effects of exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) for one to seven years on testicular physiology were evaluated in five men by measuring the circulating levels of FSH, LH, androstenedione, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) every 4 hours throughout a 24-hour period, and correlating this data with semen analysis and testicular biopsy. The study showed above-normal concentrations of plasma FSH in 29 of 30 samples and plasma LH in 25 of 30 samples. With one exception, androstenedione levels were lower than normal in all subjects. Plasma testosterone and DHT concentrations were generally within the normal range (24 of 30 and 29 of 30, respectively). The anatomic damage to the testes varied from no perceptible lesions to complete absence of germinal epithelium, with the corresponding range of results of semen analysis from normal spermatogenesis to azoospermia. The results suggest that DBCP causes profound damage of the germinal epithelium and that damage may be present before a histologic abnormality can be clearly demonstrated. The observed elevated levels of LH in the face of normal testosterone concentrations would suggest damage to the Leydig cells, with the chronic overstimulation of these cells by LH being necessary to maintain essentially normal testosterone concentration. Histologic evidence of Leydig cell hyperplasia supports this interpretation of hormonal findings.

Observations of the Results of 300 Vasovasostomies

Abstract: The results of 300 conventional vasovasostomies were evaluated clinically. The operations were carried out bilaterally under spinal or general anesthesia. Depending on the size of the nodule and the level of vasectomy, an end-to-end or side-to-side anastomosis technique was used. A higher rate of success was associated with 1) a shorter period of obstruction, 2) bilateral straight vas-to-straight vas anastomosis, 3) bilateral leakage of fluid with spermatozoa, and/or 4) seven or more days of hospitalization. Patency was established in 84% of the patients, and fertility was restored in 35%. The anatomical success rate in patients in which a two-fold magnifying loupe, four sutures of 6-0 nylon, and a stent were used in anastomosis (this procedure was used before 1970) was below 80%. Thereafter, four- to six-fold magnification and eight sutures of 9-0 nylon without stents were employed and were associated with a success rate of over 85%. The functional success rate increased from 20% before 1970 to 40% thereafter. Although several factors contribute to anatomical or functional failures, the most important is scar formation with sperm and suture granulomas at the anastomosis site. Perhaps these problems will be overcome by the new microsurgical technique for anastomosis.

Effect of Anesthetics on Testosterone Production in Rats

Abstract: Changes in testicular vein and peripheral testosterone concentrations in mature rats were monitored during anesthesia with six different agents. Samples taken 2–3 minutes after initial disturbance of the resting animal yielded mean testicular vein testosterone levels of 59–247 ng/ml plasma in nine separate groups of rats. Sustained anesthesia under halothane, enflurane, pentobarbital, ether, urethan, or ketamine/promazine resulted in a decline in testicular vein testosterone to 10–60 ng/ml by the third hour. Luteinizing hormone levels, measured under enflurane anesthesia, also fell significantly by 1 and 2 hours after administration of anesthesia, although follicle-stimulating hormone remained constant. Testes of the enflurane-anesthetized rat were still able to respond to gonadotropins, but withdrawal of the anesthetic did not reverse the downward trend in testosterone. No changes in testicular blood flow were detected during anesthesia, although flow under urethan anesthesia was consistently slower than with other agents. The first 90 minutes of urethan anesthesia were characterized by severe fluctuations in testicular vein testosterone. Halothane, enflurane, and pentobarbital resulted in a larger ratio of peripheral to testicular vein testosterone compared with ether or rapid sampling, suggesting a reduction in turnover rate under these three agents. Conclusions were that different anesthetic agents can distort hormone levels and endocrine function of the testes in various ways, and that the production rate of testosterone by rat testes is higher than has been previously suggested.

Further Studies on the Inhibitory Effect of [D‐A1a6, des‐Gly‐NH210]LHRH Ethylamide on Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis in the Rat: Reversibility and Effect of Androgen Administration

Abstract: Following the recent observation that chronic treatment with [D-Ala6, des-Gly-NH210]LHRH ethylamide, a potent LHRH agonist, leads to an almost complete degeneration of seminiferous tubules in the rat, the time-course of recovery of spermatogenesis after cessation of treatment was investigated. Adult rats injected with the LHRH agonist (100 ng, every second day) for four weeks were studied four, eight, and 16 weeks later. Although progressive improvement was noted from four to 16 weeks after cessation of treatment, about 25% of tubules still appeared completely degenerated at the end of the recuperation period. One month following cessation of treatment, testicular LH and prolactin receptor concentrations, testicular testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weights had returned to normal values. Testis weight, however, which was decreased by 40% one month after treatment with the LHRH analog, increased more slowly toward normal and was still at 85% of control value four months after treatment. Plasma LH and FSH levels, which were increased approximately 100% after treatment with the LHRH analogue, returned to within normal values between one and two months following cessation of treatment, respectively. Administration of androgens (T or DHT) concomitantly with the LHRH agonist only partially prevented the deleterious effects of the peptide on spermatogenesis. On the other hand, administration of the LHRH agonist had no effect on testicular morphology in hypophysectomized rats. These data show a rapid return to normal of the hypophyseal testicular elements responsible for androgen formation after desensitization by LHRH agonist treatment in adult rats. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of chronic LHRH agonist administration on spermatogenesis is at least partially reversible, and that a decrease in androgen production is probably not the only factor involved in the inhibition of spermatogenesis by LHRH agonist treatment.

Fructolysis in Human Spermatozoa Under Normal and Pathological Conditions

Abstract: Anaerobic fructolysis was studied in human spermatozoa from 1) normal, 2) oligospermic, and 3) necrospermic semen, as well as 4) in normal spermatozoa irreversibly immobilized with a spermicidal agent (lipid peroxide); the rate of fructolysis was determined by measuring the amount of L-(+)-lactic acid produced during anaerobic incubation in fructose-supplemented sperm suspensions with identical concentrations of spermatozoa and fructose. Motile spermatozoa from normal semen produced lactic acid at a steady rate for at least 2 hours at 37 C, but when immobilized with peroxidized linoleic acid they lost rapidly and irreversibly all fructolytic ability. There was no substantial difference in the rates of anaerobic fructolysis between sperm suspensions prepared 1) from six individual specimens of normal semen and 2) from pooled ejaculates of ten oligospermic patients. In three of a group of four infertile men diagnosed as necrospermic, the immotile spermatozoa failed to produce lactic acid from fructose. In the fourth individual, the spermatozoa, although immotile at the time of testing, were able to convert fructose to lactic acid, but at a reduced rate; this patient's semen has been examined periodically over the last three years and has contained mostly immotile spermatozoa, but a few times motility was definitely observed, especially after treatment with caffeine. The authors conclude from their results that necrospermia may be associated with diverse metabolic defects, one of them being loss of fructolytic ability by human spermatozoa.

Concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin in seminal plasma and serum from normospermic, oligospermic, vasectomized, Klinefelter's syndrome, and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome subjects

Abstract: Semen samples and blood were collected from 57 men: 23 normospermic 20 oligospermic 10 vasectomized 2 with Kinefelters syndrome and 2 with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome Inhibin was measured by radioimmunoassay techniques as reported previously Immunoreactive inhibin concentrations in seminal plasma were found to be 8000-10000 times higher than in blood A significant correlation (P<0005) was observed between the serum and seminal plasma concentrations in all groups No direct correlation was observed between immunoreactive inhibin concentrations in serum or semen with number of sperm in the ejaculate or with sperm motility Seminal plasma and serum immunoreactive inhibin levels in normospermic subjects were significantly higher than in oligospermic vasectomized and Klinefelters syndrome subjects (P<0001) and <001 respectively) (authors)

A Possible Relation between Elevated FSH Levels and Leydig Cell Dysfunction in Azoospermic and Oligospermic Men

Abstract: Plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured in the male partners of 69 infertile couples and in 260 allegedly fertile men requesting vasectomy. All hormone levels were within normal range in men with total sperm counts (TSCs) above 25 million/ejaculate, while FSH levels were abnormally elevated in azoospermic subjects and some (not all) men with TSCs below 25 million/ ejaculate. The mean TSC of oligospermic men with elevated FSH levels was not statistically different from the mean TSC of men with normal FSH levels and sperm outputs below 25 million/ejaculate. Thus, the elevation of FSH levels observed in some oligospermic men was not related solely to decreased sperm counts. LH levels were higher in patients with TSCs below 25 million/ejaculate and high FSH levels than in men with TSCs below 25 million/ ejaculate and normal FSH levels. FSH levels were directly correlated with LH levels and negatively correlated with testosterone levels. These results suggest a relation between Leydig cell dysfunction and elevation of FSH levels in oligospermic men.

Multiple Forms of Rat Testicular Androgen Binding Protein: Physicochemical Properties and the Effect of Ca++

Abstract: The presence of two forms of androgen binding protein (ABP) was confirmed in rat testicular cytosol Each was distinctly separated from the other by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and showed a single peak with a slightly different Rf on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) (049 ± 003 (mean ± SD) for one (ABP I) and 055 ± 004 for the other (ABP II)) ABP I retained 90% of its binding capacity for dihydrotestosterone for 2 hours at 60 C, whereas ABP II lost more than 90% of its binding capacity within 10 minutes at 60 C Other physicochemical properties of the two were very similar: identical values of Einstein's stokes radius of 47 A; sedimentation coefficient of 46–47 S; 5–8 minutes as half dissociation time of [3H]-dihydrotestosterone-ABP complex; identical elution positions from Sephadex G-200 chromatography; and association constants for dihydrotestosterone of 21 × 108 M −1 for ABP I and 40 × 108 M 1 for ABP II The order of binding affinity of the two forms was dihydrotestosterone > testosterone > estradiol-17β >progesterone The presence of Ca++ in the elution buffer caused the two forms to elute at lower ionic concentration off DEAE-cellulose This was reversed by the removal of Ca++ with the addition of (ethylenebis (oxyethylene nitrilo)) tetraacetic acid

Testicular and Adrenal Steroid Profiles During PRL Suppression by Lisuride in Men

Abstract: Lisuride hydrogen maleate is known to reduce serum prolactin (PRL) in rodents and humans. The authors have examined the effects of short-term lisuride administration on testicular and adrenal functions in normal male volunteers as reflected by plasma hormone levels in basal and stimulated conditions. After five days of treatment, a decrease in PRL levels was observed, whereas no substantial changes occurred in the levels of testosterone, 17 αOH progesterone (17 αOHP), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and 17 β-estradiol (estradiol). The response to hCG (2000 IU on two consecutive days) in terms of testosterone, 17 αOHP, estradiol, and androstenedione levels was within the normal range, even though the testicular response of estradiol was enhanced and that of testosterone reduced, compared to controls. Finally, short-term treatment with lisuride had no detectable effects on the peripheral levels of adrenal secretions. The present findings indicate that lisuride does not interfere with adrenal or testicular function in men and, therefore, may be suitable for therapeutic use as a PRL-suppressing agent in hyperprolactinemic men.

Effect of Vasectomy on the Osmolarity of Hamster Testicular and Epididymal Intraluminal Fluid

Abstract: Intraluminal fluids from the hamster seminiferous tubules and cauda, corpus, and caput epididymidis were obtained In vivo using micropuncture techniques. The effect of vasectomy on the osmolarity of these fluids was studied two weeks and four months postvasectomy. There was an overall decrease in the osmolarity of reproductive fluids at two weeks postvasectomy that was not apparent at four months postvasectomy.

Testosterone Regulation of Follicle-stimulating Hormone Secretion in the Male Dog

Abstract: Studies were carried put to determine the effect of various numbers of testosterone-filied polydimethylsiloxane (PDS) capsules on plasma concentrations of testosterone and FSH in acutely orchidectomized dogs. Dogs were implanted with either one empty PDS capsule or one, three, or five testosterone-filled PDS capsules. Blood samples were collected daily prior to implantation, following implantation, following castration, with capsules left in situ, and following capsule removal. Replacement of testosterone, using one testosterone-filled capsule, did not prevent the postcastration rise of FSH. Replacement of testosterone, using three and five testosterone-filled capsules, maintained both FSH and testosterone in castrated dogs at concentrations similar to those observed in intact animals. Removal of testosterone-filled capsules from castrated dogs resulted in hypersecretion of FSH. These studies indicate that testosterone replacement within physiologic limits will maintain FSH in the acutely orchidectomized dogs at concentrations similar to those observed in intact, untreated animals.

Estradiol‐induced Inhibition of Testosterone Production by Testicular Interstitial Cells Incubated In Vitro

Abstract: Testosterone production by testicular interstitial cells incubated in vitro In the presence of 10−8 to 10−6 N 17β-estradiol (E2), 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E2B), or benzoic acid (B) was exmined. High concentrations of E2 (10−6 M), but not E2B or B, inhibited hCG-induced testosterone production (∼20%), but only if E2 and hCG were added at the beginning of the incubation. Preincubation (2–6 hours) of interstitial cells with 10−6 to 10−8 M E2 did not alter hCG-Induced steroidogenesis. The inhibitory action of E2 was characterized as a decrease in the testosterone production rate and a decrease in the response to a maximal dose of hCG but did not involve a shift in the hCG dose response curve. Under the conditions employed, interstitial cells did not metabolize E2. These results are consistent with the view that estrogens do not have a direct inhibitory effect on interstitial cell steroidogenesis during the first few hours after systemic injection.