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Showing papers on "Semen published in 1986"


Journal Article
TL;DR: Improved method for analyzing human sperm chromosome, using zona-free hamster ova, markedly raised fertilization rate and quality of Q-banding was not necessarily satisfactory in slides, in spite of quantitative improvements.
Abstract: We have developed an improved method for analyzing human sperm chromosome, using zona-free hamster ova Our main improvements of methodology are as follows: (1) Fertilization rate of hamster oocytes by human spermatozoa was markedly raised by successive treatments of the spermatozoa with 5-15 microM ionophore A23187 solutions and a capacitation medium (BWW medium) containing 35% HSA The HSA most effective in inducing capacitation was selected from several kinds of HSA products commercially available (2) Monospermic fertilization was ensured by inseminating oocytes with highly capacitated spermatozoa at a low concentration for a short time (3) TC medium 199 was used for postinsemination culture of the eggs (4) A medium containing podophyllotoxin and vinblastine (004 micrograms/ml each) was used to block karyogamy and first-cleavage spindle formation (5) Chromosome slides were prepared with our gradual fixation-air-dry method instead of Tarkowski's method Ninety-two to 177 spermatozoa corresponding in number to 43%-79% (mean: 62%) of the inseminated oocytes were successfully karyotyped in each experiment In spite of above-mentioned quantitative improvements, quality of Q-banding was not necessarily satisfactory in our slides Improvement of banding technique is an important problem to be solved in our method Spontaneous incidence of chromosome aberrations was studied in a total of 1,091 spermatozoa obtained from nine semen samples from four donors Incidences of aneuploidy and structural anomaly were 09% (hyperhaploidy, 045%; hypohaploidy, 045%) and 130%, respectively Structural aberrations included breaks (451%), fragments (324%), exchanges (218%), and deletions (07%) Ratio of X-sperm to Y-sperm was 53% to 47% These results were discussed in comparison with those reported previously

181 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It appears that the hypoosmotic swelling test is a more accurate predictor of successful in vitro fertilization outcome than the conventional semen parameters.
Abstract: Human ejaculates (n = 83) were analyzed for standard sperm parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology), as well as for the ability of the spermatozoa to react (swell) in a hypoosmotic medium (Jeyendran et al, 1984) Subsequently, the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa was tested by their ability to fertilize human oocytes in vitro Although the sperm concentration was adjusted for in vitro fertilization, no adjustments were made for sperm motility and morphology Correlation of the in vitro fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa with the hypoosmotic swelling test (r = 056) was much higher than with standard sperm parameters (r varied from -004 to 025) Complete overlap was noted with standard semen parameters whether the ejaculate did or did not fertilize oocytes and ranged from very low to very high values in both cases By contrast, all the semen samples that fertilized oocytes showed a 60% or higher reaction in the hypoosmotic swelling test, whereas the majority of the "infertile" semen samples showed less than 60% swelling It therefore appears that, under the conditions of our studies, the hypoosmotic swelling test is a more accurate predictor of successful in vitro fertilization outcome than the conventional semen parameters A combination of all parameters, however, is likely to be most useful The hypoosmotic swelling test is simple and economical, and it is recommended that this test be further scrutinized for its value as an additional tool in the assessment of the in vivo fertilizing capacity of ejaculated spermatozoa

145 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both the concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa and their movement characteristics are significant factors determining the outcome of homologous tests of human sperm-cervical mucus interaction.
Abstract: A series of 100 modified Kremer tests of human sperm penetration into human cervical mucus was carried out as part of the routine investigation of couples presenting with infertility. The outcome of these tests was significantly correlated with the concentration and progressive motility of the spermatozoa in the semen sample used for the test. Other semen characteristics significantly correlated with the test result were the mean velocity of progression (VP) and the amplitude of lateral head displacement about the axis of progression (AH) of the progressive spermatozoa. Normal sperm morphology was also correlated with the outcome. Using these semen characteristics as the independent variables to predict the test outcome in a discriminant analysis (normal vs abnormal tests), 34.2% of the variance was accounted for. From the discriminant function equation 75.0% of the test results could be predicted correctly. In the 30 cases in which the semen samples used for the tests showed greater than or equal to 25 X 10(6) progressively motile spermatozoa per ml, mean VP of greater than or equal to 25 microns/sec and mean AH of greater than or equal to 7.5 microns, 83.3% had normal test results. Conversely, all 13 cases for which the semen characteristics were below these limits had abnormal test results. Therefore, both the concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa and their movement characteristics are significant factors determining the outcome of homologous tests of human sperm-cervical mucus interaction.

133 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sperm from ejaculated semen or the cauda epididymidis can be evaluated for normalcy of morphology or function and should be used for artificial insemination of females to critically evaluate fertility, and among the more sensitive criteria of testicular function are the minor diameter of essentially round seminiferous tubules, the ratio of leptotene spermatocytes to Sertoli cells, and the number of homogenization-resistant sperMatids per testis.
Abstract: The potential impact of an agent altering male reproductive function is greater for humans than for animals. Consequently, it is essential that sensitive criteria be used to look for effects on a multiplicity of target sites when an agent is evaluated using an animal model. No animal model has reproductive characteristics similar to those of humans, but this does not negate the validity of using animal models. Classic methodologies for reproductive toxicology are limited by the approaches used for subjective evaluation of testicular histology and use of natural mating for fertility tests. After dosing for an interval at least equal to six times the duration of one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, sperm from ejaculated semen or the cauda epididymidis can be evaluated for normalcy of morphology or function and should be used for artificial insemination of females to critically evaluate fertility. Normal males of animal models ejaculate a great excess of sperm. A 50 or 90% reduction in the number of fertile sperm deposited during mating probably will not markedly reduce fertility. Artificial insemination of a critical number of sperm, selected to result in slightly less than maximal fertility for control animals, will maximize the probability of detecting a decrease in fertility if the same critical number of sperm is inseminated for treated animals as for control animals. Testicular function should be evaluated by objective, rather than subjective, criteria. For each male, a piece of testicular tissue should be appropriately fixed and an aliquot of parenchyma should be homogenized to allow enumeration of homogenization-resistant spermatids. Among the more sensitive criteria of testicular function are the minor diameter of essentially round seminiferous tubules, the ratio of leptotene spermatocytes to Sertoli cells, the corrected numbers of germ cells per seminiferous tubule cross section, and the number of homogenization-resistant spermatids per testis.

131 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall results indicated that sperm deposited deep in one uterine horn fertilized ova nearly as frequently in the opposite oviduct as in the adjacent ovidUCT except in 14% of superovulating cattle.
Abstract: In Exp. 1, 21 first-service cattle and seven repeat-breeder cattle, averaging 4.7 infertile services, were brought into estrus and superovulated by treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone and prostaglandin F2 alpha. At insemination, semen was deposited in the greater curvature of one uterine horn, about midway between the utero-cervical junction and the utero-tubal junction. Cattle were necropsied 2 to 7 d after estrus and ova were recovered and examined. The fertilization rate for first-service cows was 74% of 362 intact ova and for repeat-breeders, 43% of 128 intact ova (P less than .001). Fertilization rate in first-service cows was 81% on the side of semen deposition and 68% on the opposite side (P less than .01); the rates in repeat-breeders were 54% and 32% (P less than .025). Differences between sides were due mostly to four cows that averaged 93% fertilization on the side of semen deposition and 19% on the opposite side. The proportion of fertilized ova with accessory sperm (17%) did not differ between sides of the reproductive tract. In Exp. 2, 60 first-service and 32 repeat-breeder cows in natural estrus had semen deposited in the uterine body or in the greater curvature of one uterine horn, either on the side of impending ovulation or on the opposite side. At necropsy, 55 ova were recovered from first-service cows, of which 42 (76%) were intact and 13 (24%) were ruptured or fragmented. Of the 42 intact ova, 41 (98%) were cleaved. From the 32 repeat-breeders, 30 ova were recovered, of which 26 (87%) were intact and 4 (13%) were ruptured; 23 of the 26 intact ova (88%) were cleaved. Site of semen deposition had no significant effect on either fertilization rate or number of accessory sperm in either type of cow. First-service cows averaged more accessory sperm (40) than did repeat-breeders (19, P less than .01). Overall results indicated that sperm deposited deep in one uterine horn fertilized ova nearly as frequently in the opposite oviduct as in the adjacent oviduct except in 14% of superovulating cattle.

108 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a study of standardization and quality control of sperm concentration counts and visual motility assessments in human semen analyses performed for infertility investigations and from internal quality control procedures is presented.
Abstract: The paper reports a study of standardization and quality control of sperm concentration counts and visual motility assessments in human semen analyses performed for infertility investigations and from internal quality control procedures. Sperm concentration determinations were performed in Improved Neubauer haemocytometers on volumetric dilutions made using a positive displacement pipettor for sampling the liquefied semen. In addition to a standard 1 + 19 dilution a second dilution of either 1 + 9, 1 + 19 or 1 + 49 was made according to whether the estimated sperm concentration was less than 20, 20-100 or greater than 100 X 10(6)/ml respectively. The duplicate determinations of sperm concentration were highly significantly correlated (P much less than 0.001) with less than 5% variability. Parallel visual sperm motility assessments were made by two pairs of technicians and showed highly significant correlations (P much less than 0.001) between technicians in the determination of the percentages of motile and progressive spermatozoa as well as the subjective rating of sperm progressivity. When these values were incorporated into a calculated motility index which gave added weight to the progressive spermatozoa and to their quality of progression the correlations between technicians remained highly significant (P much less than 0.001) with average differences of the order of 1.0%. Therefore, provided that sufficient attention is paid to technician training, regular standardization checks and the use of only proven reliable procedures, quantitatively accurate values for sperm concentration and motility can be obtained in routine semen analyses.

105 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that features of MAGI in semen may regress spontaneously and are not influenced by the doxycycline treatment, and the concomitant improvement of sperm motility and morphology still does not seem to enhance the probability of conception.
Abstract: Male accessory gland infection (MAGI, epididymo-prostato-vesiculitis) with abnormal semen quality was rarely the only abnormality in infertile couples since it occurred in no more than 1.6% of 2871 couples evaluated in 7 centres during a 3-year period. Both partners of 33 infertile couples with no other demonstrable abnormality than abnormal semen and MAGI consented to participate in a double blind trial and were treated with either doxycycline, 100 mg/day for 1 month (20 couples) or placebo (13 couples). Follow-up during a total of 175 couple-months included semen analysis and the recording of pregnancy. Pregnancy occurred in 2 of the doxycycline-treated couples (10%) and in 1 of the placebo treated couples (8%), corresponding with conception rates per month of 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. Sperm motility and, to a lesser extent, morphology showed improvement in both groups. Evidence of infection, namely increased numbers of white blood cells and positive sperm culture, disappeared in both the doxycycline-treated and placebo group. It is concluded that features of MAGI in semen may regress spontaneously and are not influenced by the doxycycline treatment. The concomitant improvement of sperm motility and morphology still does not seem to enhance the probability of conception.

95 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Improved sperm quality was obtained when samples from patients with abnormal semen profiles were separated in this way, suggesting that this method can be used in clinical practice in selected cases for the preparation of sperm for insemination or for in-vitro fertilization.
Abstract: Human spermatozoa were separated on the basis of their motility in a discontinuous Percoll-gradient made up in tissue culture medium containing 10% (v/v) human serum (TCMS). Portions of ejaculates were placed on top of the gradients. After 3 h at 37 degrees C the bottom 1.5 ml was collected and the sperm washed free of the Percoll solution by centrifugation at 240 X g after dilution in TCMS. In this way the spermatozoa were separated from seminal fluid by means of the swimming rate of the sperm. When semen samples from normal men were used, total recovery of sperm after separated on a Percoll gradient was 21 +/- 2.3%. The progressive motility index increased by a factor of 15 +/- 1 when comparing separated samples with the same unseparated ejaculate, and the frequency of sperm with normal morphology increased from 60 to 85%. The improvements in these semen samples was attributable to the Percoll separation as the washing procedure itself was without effect. Using this method sperm of relatively unifirm motility and morphology can be collected. These may then be used for further biochemical and physiological studies. Improved sperm quality was also obtained when samples from patients with abnormal semen profiles were separated in this way, although the degree of improvement was much more variable than that obtained with semen from normal fertile men. This indicates that this method can be used in clinical practice in selected cases for the preparation of sperm for insemination or for in-vitro fertilization.

90 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The fertility obtained was shown to be strongly correlated with sperm motility, as measured by an objective spectrophotometric technique, and with the morphological integrity of spermatozoa, as judged by light microscopy.
Abstract: Individual fertility results were obtained by artificially inseminating semen from 24 cockerels. The fertility thus obtained was shown to be strongly correlated with sperm motility, as measured by an objective spectrophotometric technique (r = 0.82); with sperm ATP concentrations (r = 0.76); and with the morphological integrity of spermatozoa, as judged by light microscopy (r = 0.67).

89 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
14 Feb 1986-Science
TL;DR: Human papillomavirus DNA has been detected in the semen of three patients, two of whom have severe chronic wart disease, and these data support the contention that sexual transmission of human papillomevirus DNA could occur via semen.
Abstract: Human papillomavirus DNA has been detected in the semen of three patients, two of whom have severe chronic wart disease. These data support the contention that sexual transmission of human papillomavirus DNA could occur via semen, a possibility suggested by epidemiological data on the sexual transmission of human papillomavirus.

87 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the sperm swimming speed and motility index of 35 fertile men and husbands of 32 infertile couples were evaluated with the use of a rapid computerized sperm motion analysis (CSA).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Multiple regression analysis showed that a combination of sperm motility after dilution in saline, Motility after thawing and the proportion of coiled tails and proximal protoplasmic droplets provided the best prediction of fertility and allowed bulls to be ranked in order of observed non-return rate.
Abstract: Nineteen young Hereford bulls were used to study the relationship between semen characteristics and fertility in artificial insemination following 15 320 inseminations. Seven measures of sperm motility, morphological abnormalities, the release of hyaluronidase, ATP content and sperm head measurements were examined as predictors of fertility (49-day fixed-interval non-return rate). Two assessments of motility, three categories of abnormal spermatozoa, acrosomal changes and the release of hyaluronidase had predictive power. Multiple regression analysis showed that a combination of sperm motility after dilution in saline, motility after thawing and the proportion of coiled tails and proximal protoplasmic droplets provided the best prediction of fertility and allowed bulls to be ranked in order of observed non-return rate (%) with a Spearman correlation better than +0.80.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The measurement of alpha-glucosidase in semen is a simple and sensitive method for determining the origin of azoospermia when used in conjunction with assays for plasma FSH and testicular biopsies.
Abstract: Azoospermic semen was obtained from 39 vasectomized men and 93 patients consulting for infertility. The latter underwent bioclinical investigations including measurement of plasma FSH and testicular biopsies. Carnitine content and alpha-glucosidase activity in semen samples were measured. The activity of alpha-glucosidase was determined systematically by a semiquantitative microtechnique and was verified by a spectrophotometric assay. A positive correlation was observed between carnitine and alpha-glucosidase activity. Both parameters were severely diminished in semen from the vasectomized men and the patients suffering from a complete obstruction of the genital tract. Enzyme activity was the most discriminant parameter in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The measurement of alpha-glucosidase in semen is a simple and sensitive method for determining the origin of azoospermia when used in conjunction with assays for plasma FSH.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The MHS-5 monoclonal detected semen in sexual-assault evidence obtained six months previously and in mixtures of semen with vaginal or cervical fluid, and may be useful for identification of semen inSexual-assault casework.
Abstract: A novel sperm-coating antigen from the human seminal vesicles was discovered. We identified a monoclonal antibody MHS-5, recognizing an epitope with characteristics of a forensic semen marker: conservation in all vasectomized or normal semen samples tested (421); absence in all human tissues or biological fluids other than semen; and immunolocalization on the surface of ejaculated sperm. Western blots of ejaculates allowed to liquefy for 5 min demonstrated the MHS-5 epitope to be located on peptides of a wide range of molecular masses from 69 to 8 kDa. After 15 h of semen liquefaction, immunoreaction peptides of higher molecular mass were undetectable in semen, while peptides of lower molecular mass from 8 to 21 kDa retained antigenicity. Three peptides of 10, 11.9, and 13.7 kDa were the most immunoreactive species in semen liquified for 15 h. Using the MHS-5 monoclonal, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed sensitive to 1 ng of seminal protein. This assay showed that the MHS-5 antigen was undetectable in semen of common domestic animals and monkeys but was present in chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan semen. ELISA of homogenates from human organs and reproductive tissues demonstrated the antigen only in samples of seminal vesicles. Epididymal sperm obtained at vasovasostomy lacked the MHS-5 epitope, a fact that, together with immunolocalization on ejaculated sperm, demonstrated that the MHS-5 antigen functions as a "sperm-coating antigen." The MHS-5 monoclonal detected semen in sexual-assault evidence obtained six months previously and in mixtures of semen with vaginal or cervical fluid. Assay systems employing the MHS-5 monoclonal may be useful for identification of semen in sexual-assault casework. The MHS-5 epitope resides on novel seminal vesicle-specific peptides whose functions, aside from sperm coating, are uncharacterized.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The spermatozoa of infertile men, previously found to have poor fertilizing capacity in an in vitro system, were fractionated on discontinuous gradients of Percoll (Pharmacia Laboratories, Piscataway, NJ) and were used for insemination of human oocytes in a in vitro fertilization and embryo replacement program.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Routine aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures of semen are not useful in the clinical evaluation of male infertility and the usefulness of routine screenings for U. urealyticum must be investigated further.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study reveals that fertilization is significantly reduced (P<0.001) only if both IgA and IgG antibodies are present in semen but there is no reduction if either class is present alone.
Abstract: Seventy-two couples, including 15 with antispermatozoal antibodies in the male partner's semen, were studied in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Cases were further subclassified as normospermic or oligospermic and antispermatozoal antibodies were assessed with categorization into the respective human immunoglobulin classes as determined using the indirect immunobead test. The study reveals that fertilization is significantly reduced (P less than 0.001) only if both IgA and IgG antibodies are present in semen but there is no reduction if either class is present alone. The fertilization rate of oocytes is significantly reduced (P less than 0.001) by sperm from oligospermic samples, and there is a further reduction in those cases with combined IgA/IgG antispermatozoal antibodies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Because semen samples cannot be evaluated completely on the day of donation, the use of fresh semen for artificial insemination should be discouraged and only frozen semen that has been appropriately screened should be used.
Abstract: The practice of artificial insemination by donor semen is increasing in the United States. Many sexually transmitted organisms are found in semen, but screening procedures for the detection of these agents in donor semen have not been standardized. Sexually transmitted organisms have been transmitted during artificial insemination by donor, and such transmission can cause local, disseminated, or fatal disease in the recipient woman and may harm the fetus or newborn. Therefore, screening of both the donor and the donated semen is necessary to avoid infectious complications. Because semen samples cannot be evaluated completely on the day of donation, the use of fresh semen for artificial insemination should be discouraged. Until accurate, rapid diagnostic tests are available, only frozen semen that has been appropriately screened should be used.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: With well-timed inseminations of 40 X 10(6) grade 3 motile sperm, the TDI program has been able to attain pregnancy rates similar to those previously obtained with fresh samples, and an exclusively frozen TDI program is recently utilized.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The motility of infertile sperm was also found to correlate positively with the seminal levels of bicarbonate as mentioned in this paper, suggesting that the lowered levels of Bicarbonates in semen are at least in part responsible for the poor sperm motility in the patients with male infertility, as a result of the failure in the activation of sperm adenylate cyclase.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Eight adult Landrace boars were housed for 12 mo in one of two social environments and sperm numbers were highest in winter and lowest in spring and summer, and the pattern of seasonal change in semen volume was modified by social environment.
Abstract: Eight adult Landrace boars were housed for 12 mo in one of two social environments. Socially nonrestricted boars were penned adjacent to and allowed minimal physical contact with ovariectomized gilts hormonally induced into estrus every 2 wk. Socially restricted boars were penned behind solid walls to eliminate visual and physical contact with other pigs. All animals were subjected to natural changes in daylength. Semen was collected weekly; gel-free volume, gel weight, sperm concentration and number per ejaculate, sperm motility (percent and type) and semen pH were determined. Total protein, citric acid contents and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured in seminal plasma. Testis length and width and various body temperature measurements were recorded monthly. Except for percent motile sperm and alkaline phosphatase activity, all semen characteristics varied (P less than .05) with month. The pattern of seasonal change in semen volume was modified by social environment (group X month, P less than .05). Sperm numbers were highest in winter and lowest in spring and summer. Ejaculate protein and citric acid contents were highest in fall and winter; decreases in spring were associated with moderate ambient temperatures and increases in daylength (r = -.80, P less than .05). Testicular length for socially nonrestricted boars was maximum in November through January and minimum in April through July, and did not vary as extensively for socially restricted boars. Scrotal temperature was elevated during periods of high ambient temperature, but not to values detrimental to spermatogenic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that the method of sperm wash preparation used is effective in removing microbes present in human semen.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that a common protocol for male fertility assessment should be used to establish standard parameters for racially different male populations.
Abstract: The fertility profile of 307 Thai male volunteers whose wives were currently in early pregnancy was established by genital examination, semen analysis and serum hormone analysis. Ninety percent of the subjects had testicular volumes of 12-25 ml (mean 17.2 ml) which was found to relate to body weight, height and the ponderal index as well as to the sperm count. However, values for semen analysis were significantly below the recognised standard for Caucasian males. There was an inverse relationship between testicular volume and the serum concentration of FSH, LH and prolactin. It is suggested that a common protocol for male fertility assessment should be used to establish standard parameters for racially different male populations.

Journal ArticleDOI
M.D. Tingari1, M.M. El-Manna1, A.T.A. Rahim1, A.K. Ahmed1, M.H. Hamad1 
TL;DR: The volume of the ejaculates obtained was slightly lower than that obtained using an artificial vagina, but the sperm count was considerably higher, and other parameters including pH, percentage of live sperm and sperm dimensions were comparable to those of ejaculates collected by the artificial vagina.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Lower serum zinc is more common than formerly appreciated in unselected patients with infertility and the lack of correlation between sperm count and semen zinc found in this study suggests that mild zinc deficiency may lower serum zinc while the larger prostatic zinc stores remain unaffected.
Abstract: Zinc is necessary for growth, sexual maturation and reproduction. Because high concentrations of zinc are found in the male reproductive system, a relationship between zinc and male infertility has be

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Techniques were developed to improve post-thaw recovery of dialyzed semen and a fertility trial was used to evaluate the viability of Dialyzed and frozen semen to show a significant difference in fertility.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although egg yolk had little effect before freezing on semen rapidly cooled to temperatures above 15 degrees C and therefore not actually cold shocked, it substantially improved the subsequent survival of spermatozoa after freezing and thawing.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of porcine relaxin and prostaglandin E2 on the motility of human spermatozoa were examined and a dose-response study revealed that PGE2 at a concentration of 25 micrograms/ml is most effective in improving the motile of washed human sperm.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The spermatozoon in budgerigars is similar to the spermatoZoon of the domestic fowl, but differs from the spermutozoon of Passeriformes.
Abstract: Semen samples were obtained from budgerigars by applying gentle pressure to both sides of the cloaca. The semen appeared to be stored in the seminal glomera, two structures on either side of the proctodeum. These structures have been described before in Passeriformes. The spermatozoon in budgerigars is similar to the spermatozoon of the domestic fowl, but differs from the spermatozoon of Passeriformes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is reported of the ability of several seminal plasma proteins to act as acyl donor substrates for endogenous transglutaminase, whereas human ejaculated spermatozoa have been shown to possess polyamine-binding sites specifically involved in transglUTaminase-catalyzed reactions.
Abstract: A Ca2�-dependent, transglutaminase-like activity has been detected both free in the human seminal plasma and bound on the spermatozoon surface. A marked variability of the two enzymatic activities in the semen of different normal subjects was observed; but limited changes occurred in various ejaculates of the same in dividual. Moreover, we report evidence of the ability of several seminal plasma proteins to act as acyl donor substrates for endogenous transglutaminase, whereas human ejaculated spermatozoa have been shown to possess polyamine-binding sites specifically involved in transglutaminase-catalyzed reactions. It is postulated that semen transglutaminase may play a role in suppressing sperm antigenicity and in the male gamete’s acquiring biological features of a fully differentiated and fertile cell.