Showing papers on "Semen published in 1991"

Abnormal Morphology of Bovine Spermatozoa

Abstract: 1. Introduction. 2. Preparation of Semen for Morphological Examination. 3. Normal Bovine Spermatogenesis and Sperm Maturation. 4. Photomicrographic Features of Bovine Sperm Cell Abnormalities. 5. Defects of the Sperm Head. 6. Mechanisms of Development of Sperm Tail Defects. 7. Defects of the Sperm Tail. 8. Evaluation of the Spermiogram. Index.

A test of the human sperm acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge. Relationship to fertility and other seminal parameters.

Abstract: Acrosome reaction capacity was tested on semen samples from 53 fertile and 26 subfertile men. Preparations were divided into two aliquots after 3 or 24 hours of culture. One aliquot received 10 mumol/L calcium ionophore A23187 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the other received DMSO alone. Acrosome reactions were scored on ethanol-permeabilized smears using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Pisum sativum lectin. The following factors were analyzed: the spontaneous reaction rates (control); induced reaction rates (ionophore-challenged); and the difference between the two, being the proportion of spermatozoa in the population capable of reacting in response to calcium influx (acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge [ARIC]). While spontaneous reactions bore no relation to fertility, induced reactions and ARICs were significantly reduced or absent in subfertile men, indicating acrosomal dysfunction as a likely cause of fertilization failure. The test was shown to have a predictive value for fertility comparable to that of the hamster ovum sperm penetration assay and to be a simple and cost-effective addition to existing semenology.

Protective role of superoxide dismutase in human sperm motifity: superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxide in human seminal plasma and spermatozoa

Abstract: The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a highly specific scavenging enzyme for superoxide anion radicals (O2-), and lipid peroxide produced by oxygen free radicals were measured in human seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Seminal plasma contained 366.8 +/- 20.9 U/ml (mean +/- SE) of SOD activity. SOD activity in human spermatozoa showed a significant correlation to the number of motile spermatozoa, while the activity in seminal plasma did not relate to the sperm concentration or motility. The lipid peroxide concentration in seminal plasma was 6.22 +/- 0.46 nmol/ml and had no significant relationship to sperm concentration or motility. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in spermatozoa was significantly related to the number of immotile spermatozoa. A decrease in the motility of spermatozoa incubated in medium without seminal plasma was observed after 120 min, while the MDA concentration of the spermatozoa increased. Addition of exogenous SOD (400 U/ml) to the sperm suspension significantly decreased this loss of motility and the increase of the MDA concentration. These data suggest a significant role for SOD in sperm motility. It seems that lipid peroxidation of human spermatozoa may cause loss of motility and that SOD may inhibit this lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that SOD may have a possible clinical application in the use of spermatozoa for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination.

Relationship between sperm motility assessed with the Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer and fertilization rates in vitro.

Abstract: To determine which sperm movement characteristics are related to in vitro fertilization rates, semen and swim-up preparations used for in vitro fertilization in 108 patients were assessed using the Hamilton-Thorn HTM-2030 Motility Analyzer (HTMA) and other sperm tests. There were highly significant correlations between manual and HTMA results for sperm concentration (Spearman r = 0.881; P less than 0.001) and the percentage of motile spermatozoa (Spearman r = 0.580; P less than 0.001). The percentage of motile spermatozoa with average path velocities greater than 10 microns/s and greater than 20 microns/s, straight line and curvilinear velocity, linearity (straight line velocity vs curvilinear velocity), amplitude of lateral head displacement, and beat-cross frequency were significantly higher in the insemination medium after selection of motile spermatozoa by the swim-up technique than in the semen. Linearity (P less than 0.01), the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (P less than 0.05) and straight line velocity (P less than 0.05) in semen, and the percentage of motile spermatozoa with average path velocities greater than 10 microns/s in both semen (P less than 0.05) and insemination medium (P less than 0.05) were significantly correlated with in vitro fertilization rate when examined by a nonparametric (Spearman) test. With logistic regression analysis of all data, only the diagnoses of male infertility and tubal disease, linearity in semen, and the percentage of motile spermatozoa with average path velocities between 10 and 20 microns/s in insemination medium were significantly related to in vitro fertilization rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus DNA and RNA in Semen by the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and semen of 23 men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were examined for the presence of HIV DNA and RNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a nonisotopic detection assay. None of the men was receiving antiretroviral therapy at the time of collection. Semen samples were separated into cell-free seminal fluid, nonspermatozoal mononuclear cells (NSMC), and spermatozoa. All of the PBMC samples, 17 (74%) of 23 NSMC samples, and none of the spermatozoal samples were positive for HIV gag gene DNA. Of 23 cell-free seminal fluid samples, 15 (65%) were positive for HIV gag gene RNA by PCR. Cell-free HIV RNA was more likely to be present in the semen of men with less than 400 than in those with greater than or equal to 400 cells/mm3 (P less than .04) and was present in all patient with p24 antigen in serum. The presence of HIV DNA in NSMC samples was not related to CD4 cell count, disease status, or the presence of p24 antigen in the serum. This study shows that HIV nucleic acid can be detected by PCR in either the cell-free seminal fluid or NSMC of 87% of semen samples but not in the DNA of spermatozoa from HIV-infected men.

Achieving canine pregnancy by using frozen or chilled extended semen.

Abstract: Successful artificial insemination in the dog requires good timing of the insemination, skilled collection and handling of the semen, and mastering of insemination techniques. The bitch should be inseminated late in estrus. The insemination dose should contain at least 150 to 200 x 10(6) spermatozoa. Fresh semen can be inseminated vaginally, whereas frozen-thawed semen should be inseminated into the uterus. Pregnancy rates of 84% with fresh semen and 69% with frozen semen are reported.

Extracellular organelles (prostasomes) are immunosuppressive components of human semen.

Abstract: Numerous reports have ascribed immunosuppressive activity to human seminal plasma and there is growing agreement that much of this activity can be accounted for by the very high levels of E series prostaglandins present (up to 300 microM 19-hydroxy prostaglandin E). However not all suppressive activity is due to prostaglandin since several reports have appeared of high molecular weight active substances and we have found that stripped seminal plasma is still effective in inhibiting the mitogen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes. In this study such immunosuppressive activity has been separated by molecular size fractionation and the activity has been found to be particulate and corresponded to the previously reported prostasomes. These are trilaminar to multilaminar vesicles (150 nm diameter) which are secreted by the prostate. Pure preparations of prostasomes inhibited mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation in a dose-dependent manner with a concentration of prostasomes equivalent to 40% of that seen in seminal fluid giving 69% suppression of thymidine incorporation. The suppressive activity survived boiling and therefore was unlikely to be due to enzymatic action associated with these organelles. Interaction with the accessory cells, involved in full development of the lymphoproliferation induced by mitogen, was indicated and this possibility was supported by the demonstration of a direct effect of prostasomes on macrophage function using a mouse macrophage cell line. The prostasomes in semen may play a complementary role to the prostaglandins in neutralizing the immune defences of the female reproductive tract. This combination would allow the alloantigenic spermatozoa the best chance of achieving fertilization, but at the same time leave the recipient open to any infection present in the semen.

Recovery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from semen: minimal impact of stage of infection and current antiviral chemotherapy.

Abstract: Because exposure to semen is important for the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), the relationship of stage of infection and antiviral chemotherapy to isolation of HIV from semen was investigated. Whereas HIV was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all seropositive persons tested, it was isolated from semen in only 11 (32%) of 34 men, including 3 of 6 who were studied sequentially over time. HIV was isolated from 6 (32%) of 19 semen specimens from 14 asymptomatic persons (Centers for Disease Control [CDC] class II or III) and from 10 (28%) of 36 semen specimens from 20 symptomatic patients (CDC class IV). Isolation of HIV from semen did not correlate with CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes counts or zidovudine therapy. Seropositive men may shed HIV in semen early in the course of infection, and zidovudine therapy seems to have no effect on the recovery of HIV and, thus, on the potential for sexual transmission of HIV.

Sperm morphology and fertility in A.I. bulls

Abstract: Forty-seven AI bulls between 15 and 26 months of age, were used to study the relationship between sperm morphology in fresh semen and fertility (56-day non-return rate) in frozen semen following 11,749 inseminations The sperm morphology was studied in two freezing operations/bull in a phase-contrast microscope and morphological abnormalities were recorded as a percentage of the total number of counted spermatozoa Morphological categories used in this study were abnormal heads, detached heads, nuclear pouches, abnormal acrosomes, proximal cytoplasmic droplets, abnormal midpieces and abnormal tails The greatest mean value recorded for the investigated categories was found for abnormal heads (38%) but the majority of morphological abnormalities only occurred in about 1% of all studied spermatozoa Breed effects were found, with a somewhat higher incidence (p less than or equal to 005-001) of sperm abnormalities and poorer fertility among SRB than among SLB bulls Despite the low frequency of sperm abnormalities, statistically significant (p less than or equal to 005-0001) correlations were found between abnormal heads, nuclear pouches and proximal cytoplasmic droplets assessed in fresh semen and fertility (56-day non-return rate) of frozen semen

Replication of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in the bovine reproductive tract and excretion of virus in semen during acute and chronic infections.

Abstract: Five mature bulls were studied during an acute transient infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) The bulls had been infected experimentally by the intranasal instillation of blood and serum from a cow which was a persistent carrier of the virus Infection was confirmed by the demonstration of a low titred viraemia in four of the five animals and by the seroconversion of all five Semen samples were collected from each bull on four occasions between seven and 14 days after infection The virus was isolated from the semen of three of the five bulls and from nine of 12 batches of semen from them In contrast to other studies of the infection of semen, BVDV was isolated with similar efficiency from raw, unprocessed semen and from diluted, extended semen The titres of virus in the semen ranged from 5 to 75 TCID50/ml The infection did not appear to affect the quality of the semen Shedding of virus continued after the end of the period of viraemia and appeared to be a consequence of the replication of the virus in the reproductive tract and its subsequent excretion in the seminal fluid Virological studies of the reproductive tracts of these bulls suggested that the most productive sites of virus replication were the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland Concurrent studies in a persistently infected bull supported these findings

Sperm competition and the evolution of nonfertilizing sperm in mammals.

Abstract: Nonfertilizing sperm with special morphologies have long been known to exist in invertebrates. Until recently, abnormal sperm in mammals were considered errors in production. Now, however, Baker and Bellis (1988, 1989) have proposed that mammalian sperm, like some invertebrate sperm, are polymorphic and adapted to a variety of nonfertilizing roles in sperm competition, including prevention of passage of sperm inseminated by another male. More specifically, their "kamikaze" sperm hypothesis proposes that deformed mammalian sperm are adapted to facilitate the formation and functioning of copulatory plugs (Baker and Bellis, 1988). Here I argue that most, maybe all, mammals are unlikely to produce nonfertilizing sperm. First, mammals might not be able to afford to evolve nonfertilizing sperm, given that a) fertilization is often unlikely despite the huge numbers of sperm produced; b) production of larger numbers of sperm is constrained, presumably because of metabolic costs, evidence for which includes the fact that in species in which sperm morphology and anatomy of the female reproductive tract increase the probability of fertilization, the numbers of sperm produced is lower than in others; and c) selection appears to act against the production of deformed sperm. Second, some of the evidence advanced for the existence of nonfertilizing sperm does not in fact support the idea. Third, accessory gland secretions are sufficient on their own to coagulate semen and produce fully functioning plugs; thus the male that used accessory gland secretions would be at a clear advantage over the male that diluted his fertilizing sperm with "kamikaze" sperm; and indeed, current evidence indicates selection on accessory glands, not sperm morphology, to enhance coagulation of semen. Fourth, predictions made on the basis of the "kamikaze" sperm hypothesis are not supported by quantitative comparisons of data from polyandrous and monandrous primates (i.e., those in which several males mate with a fertile female, and therefore in which sperm competition should be operating, and those in which only one male mates). Although sperm competition is almost certainly more intense in polyandrous genera than in monandrous genera (as indicated by, e.g., more frequent copulations and the production of more sperm per ejaculate from larger spermatogenic organs), polyandrous genera do not produce a greater proportion of deformed (i.e., nonfertilizing) sperm than do monandrous genera, or even necessarily a greater number of deformed sperm; nor a greater variety of sperm sizes-indeed they might produce fewer; nor fewer motile sperm (as might be expected if sperm are selected to stay behind and compete with sperm from subsequent males); and nor larger sperm (as might be expected if sperm are produced for functions other than to reach the egg). In sum, currently available evidence suggests that the function of all mammalian sperm is to fertilize, and that sperm competition in mammals occurs through scramble competition, not contest competition.

Sperm selection capacity of the human zona pellucida.

Abstract: Previous hemizona assay (HZA) results have illustrated a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in the semen and the number of spermatozoa tightly bound to the zona pellucida. The present study was designed to evaluate the morphologic features using strict criteria of spermatozoa tightly bound to the zona pellucida. Semen samples of 4 normozoospermic and 11 teratozoospermic men were used to compare the percentage of normal spermatozoa in the semen with that found 1) after swim-up separation and 2) bound to the zona under HZA conditions. The mean (+/- SEM) % normal forms for normozoospermic men in semen, after swim-up and zona-bound spermatozoa were 21.5 +/- 1.6, 27.5 +/- 2.9, and 44.8 +/- 3.4, respectively. A significantly higher % of normal forms were found among zona-bound sperm compared to swim-up forms (p = 0.02) and seminal sperm (p = 0.02). The mean % of normal sperm forms present in semen, after swim-up and zona pellucida-binding for teratozoospermic men, were 3.7 +/- 0.9, 5.8 +/- 1.6 and 15.6 +/- 3.1, respectively. Significant differences existed between the % of normal sperm forms found in the swim-up and zona-bound spermatozoa (P = less than 0.01 and P = less than 0.0003, respectively) compared to the original ejaculates. Results indicate that a selective process against abnormal spermatozoa occurs at the site of the zona pellucida.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative semen cryopreservation in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and pregnancies after laparoscopic intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine an optimum technique for semen cryopreservation and the biological competence of frozen-thawed ferret spermatozoa. Fifty-two fresh electroejaculates from 4 males were evaluated for sperm percentage motility, forward progressive motility, motility index (SMI) and acrosomal integrity. To determine the optimum temperature for maintaining sperm motility in vitro and the influence of glycerol on sperm motility, seminal aliquants were diluted in TEST diluent (containing either 0 or 4% glycerol) and maintained at 25 degrees or 37 degrees C. For cryopreservation, semen was diluted in each of 3 cryodiluents (TEST, PDV, BF5F), cooled for 30 min at 5 degrees C and pelleted on solid CO2 or frozen in 0.25 ml straws (20 degrees C/min to -100 degrees C). Following thawing, SMI and acrosomal integrity were determined. Ten females with maximum vulval swelling were given 90 i.u. human chorionic gonadotrophin and laparoscopically inseminated in utero with spermatozoa previously frozen using the optimum diluent and freeze-thaw method. The maintenance temperature of 25 degrees C was superior (P less than 0.05) to 37 degrees C for sustaining sperm motility, and glycerol did not influence (P greater than 0.05) motility for up to 11 h of culture. After thawing, motile spermatozoa were recovered in all treatment groups, but sperm motility and normal acrosomal ratings were highest using the PDV diluent, the pelleting method and thawing at 37 degrees C (P less than 0.05). Seven of the 10 ferrets (70%) inseminated with spermatozoa frozen by this approach became pregnant and produced 31 kits (mean litter size 4.4; range 1-9 kits).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Performing a complete canine semen evaluation in a small animal hospital.

Abstract: Normal dog semen ranges in volume from 1 to 30 mL per ejaculate and contains 300 million to 2 billion sperm, of which more than 70% are progressively motile and morphologically normal. Dog semen should contain fewer than 10,000 bacteria per mL; higher numbers are indication of an infection of the male reproductive tract and usually are associated with cytologic evidence of inflammation (neutrophils in semen sediment) and with decreased progressive motility and decreased numbers of morphologically normal sperm. Measurement of pH of seminal plasma of dogs with infection of the reproductive tract may provide information on determining the choice of antibiotic. Measurement of seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase in azoospermic dogs is an indicator of tubular patency to the level of the epididymides.

In vitro maturation of the potential for movement of carp spermatozoa

Abstract: Carp semen obtained from isolated fish after hormonal stimulation was highly variable in terms of volume of semen, osmotic pressure of the seminal plasma, and sperm capacity to move. Moreover, this last parameter was unstable when the spermatozoa were kept within the seminal plasma, and the present work was designed to investigate and possibly correct this phenomenon. Sperm potential movement was the major parameter studied and was measured by the percentage of motile cells in a final 3.000-fold dilution in a medium of low osmotic pressure in which sperm movement is known to occur (Morisawa and Suzuki, Science 210:1145-1147, 1980). This was completed with occasional measurements of flagellar beat frequencies and demembranation-reactivation of axonemal movement. The results showed that sperm potential movement was preserved upon dilution of the semen into cold 200 mM KCl medium and that semen of initially "poor" quality or spermatozoa that had lost their capacity to move during storage in the semen recovered gradually their potential movement during incubation at 2 degrees C in the same medium. The K+ dependence for both the conservation and the regeneration of sperm capacity to move showed a minimal requirement of 50 mM KCl in media of high osmotic pressure. Na+ ions had similar properties but not divalent cations. The K+ activation was not pH dependent between pH 9.03 and 6.04. Whatever the functional state of live spermatozoa, demembranation-reactivation occurred in ATP-Mg2+. It is concluded that, with dilution of the semen in appropriate conditions, carp spermatozoa retain or acquire potential movement and therefore are a lower vertebrate spermatozoa model available year-round. In addition, obtaining potentially nonmotile sperm and reversion in vitro might be useful to study the control of in vitro maturation.

Fertility Parameters in Men Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract: The effect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection on semen parameters that assess fertility was investigated in 50 semen specimens from 21 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic HIV-seropositive men and 3 specimens from 3 men with AIDS. HIV was isolated from 15 (30%) of 50 specimens from asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic persons and from 1 of 3 specimens from patients with AIDS. The men with AIDS all had pyosemia and grossly abnormal sperm. In contrast, semen specimens from other seropositive men did not differ significantly from semen specimens from healthy seronegative semen donors. No abnormality in sperm count, morphology, numbers or types of leukocytes in semen, or other seminal parameters was associated with HIV shedding in semen. Zidovudine therapy did not affect sperm morphology or seminal characteristics. Thus, although patients with AIDS had abnormal semen, the laboratory parameters that assess fertility were not affected by shedding of HIV in semen or concomitant therapy with zidovudine.

Relationship between the fertility of fresh and frozen stallion semen and semen quality.

Abstract: Studies were designed to investigate whether sperm motility determined with a Hamilton-Thorn HTM-2000 motility analyzer (HTM), or the percentage of spermatozoa that passed through glass wool (GW), Sephadex (S), or glass wool/Sephadex (GWS) filters could be used to predict the fertilizing potential of fresh or frozen semen. In the fresh semen study, 10 randomly selected ejaculates from 4 stallions exclusively used for A.I. breeding were assayed during the season. The 521 mares used were inseminated with 500 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa after gynaecological examination every 2 days. In the frozen semen study, 32 ejaculates from 9 stallions were frozen and inseminated into 177 clinically and ultrasonographically normal mares within 12 h of ovulation with 10(9) spermatozoa, regardless of quality. In the fresh semen study, first cycle pregnancies ranged from 25-69% (average 50%) and differed among stallions (P less than 0.05), as did GWS, S, motile spermatozoa (MOT), mean progressive motility (MPV) and lateral head displacement (LHD) (P less than 0.001). GW and GWS filters, but not MOT, ranked the stallions according to fertility. The highest correlations were found between first cycle fertility and GWS (r = 0.86) and between that and MOT (r = 0.80). In the frozen semen study, first cycle and season pregnancy rates among the stallions were 32-70% (average 50%) and 60-90%, respectively. Significant correlations were obtained between the pregnancy rate per cycle and GWS (r = 0.93) and S (r = 0.84), but not between fertility and motility parameters.

Effects of cryopreservation on human sperm acrosomes

Abstract: Total acrosin activity and acrosomal status were determined before and after cryopreserving human spermatozoa. Three different cryopreservation protocols were used. Both acrosin activity and the incidence of intact acrosomes decreased during cryopreservation. The magnitudes of the decreases were weakly but significantly correlated (r = 0.29, P less than 0.05), suggesting that acrosomal loss contributed to the decrease in acrosin activity. The effects of the three cryopreservation protocols were not significantly different. Motility decreased more (average 43%) than did the percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes (27%) and the total acrosin activity (24%). These measurements suggested that acrosomal damage may have been secondary to cell death. This hypothesis was tested by determining the acrosomal status of spermatozoa that survived cryopreservation. Spermatozoa that were motile after thawing averaged 96% acrosome-intact; their acrosin activity, however, was significantly less than that of motile, unfrozen spermatozoa. These observations support the idea that the acrosomal loss due to cryopreservation is associated with cell death but also demonstrate decreased total acrosin activity of the acrosome-intact spermatozoa that survive cryopreservation.

Is the sperm bacterial ratio a determining factor in impairment of sperm motility: an in-vitro study in man with Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The effects of urogenital infection on male fertility are controversial. The object of this study was to assess whether contact between E. coli, one of the bacteria encountered most frequently in semen cultures, and sperm was involved in decreasing motility of the sperm. Sperm from healthy donors were therefore incubated at two concentrations (1.10(7) and 4.10(7) ml-1) with bacteria (10(4) and 10(6) bacteria ml-1 respectively). Sperm motility was assessed as a function of time. The endotoxin effect was also evaluated. Aliquots of the sperm were used as controls. The motility of a population of 10(6) sperm ml-1 was reduced significantly more by the presence of 10(6) ml-1 E. coli than a sperm population four times more numerous. Since the endotoxin had no effect on sperm motility, it is possible this phenomenon is due to bacterial adherence to the sperm. From this study, it is therefore probable that the presence of E. coli in semen decreases sperm motility, but that this depends on the sperm:bacterial ratio ml semen-1.

Predictive value of classical and automated sperm analysis for in-vitro fertilization

Abstract: The fertilization rates observed in 122 attempts at in-vitro fertilization were examined in relation to sperm characteristics assessed by visual and automated screening. Using linear regression analysis, a significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and (i) evaluations in fresh semen sperm concentration, percentages of sperm motility, vitality and normal morphology and velocity, (ii) measurements in swim-up preparations of percentages of sperm motility, vitality and morphology, velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. No significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and any of the parameters studied in 24-h-old swim-up suspensions. Analysis by multiple variable stepwise linear regression showed an optimal correlation (R 6 = 0.62) between the observed fertilization rate and theoretical calculation obtained from the following predictive function: fertilization rate = -0.3 + (0.008 x swim-up motility) + (0.004 x normal sperm morphology in fresh semen). Introduction of kinematic characteristics studied by automated screening improved the multiple correlation between the calculated and observed fertilization rate in cases of normal or mildly defective semen. Because of the limited availability of motile spermatozoa, automated analysis could not supersede classical sperm analysis in cases of more severe sperm defects.

Impact of clinically silent inflammation on male genital tract organs as reflected by biochemical markers in semen.

Abstract: Three hundred eight-nine healthy, infertile patients were studied to determine the effects of inflammation on genital tract organs. Clinically silent inflammation was diagnosed by measuring polymorphonuclear granulocyte (PMN) elastase in semen. Seminal vesicle, prostate, and epididymis functions were assessed by measuring fructose, citric acid, and neutral alpha-glucosidase in semen. There was a significant relationship between high PMN elastase levels and low citric acid levels in semen; fructose and neutral alpha-glucosidase were not related to PMN elastase. Semen samples with increased PMN elastase levels (greater than 250 and greater than 1,000 ng/ml) showed a high incidence of pathologic citric acid levels (67% and 73%, respectively). These biochemical data indicate that the prostate is the main target in clinically silent male genital tract inflammation.

Microsurgical fertilization and teratozoospermia

Abstract: Semen parameters were correlated with the outcome of partial zona dissection (PZD) in 42 couples with male factor infertility. Although fertilization rates were reduced, 12% of the embryos implanted following replacement. Spermatozoa from teratozoospermic sperm populations were able to fuse with oocytes following zona penetration through the artificial gaps. PZD followed by insemination with less than 5% normal spermatozoa led to 20 embryos which, upon replacement, did not implant. Motility and sperm count were not clearly correlated with the outcome of PZD and are therefore less useful indicators for patient selection. Teratozoospermic patients who previously failed to fertilize were compared to a group of similar patients who had not attempted IVF before. Although fertilization was significantly improved in first-time patients, 41% of the patients whose spermatozoa were initially unable to fertilize had at least one embryo when PZD was performed. Several pregnancies were established in this group. Subzonal sperm insertion (SZI) and PZD were compared in 19 patients using sibling oocytes. A significant fraction of spermatozoa from infertile men were able to fuse with the oolemma when directly inserted into the perivitelline area. Using a sucrose solution to shrink the ooplasm, only 1% of the oocytes were damaged during SZI. Monospermic fertilization rates following PZD and SZI were 15 and 16%, respectively. Both micromanipulation methods were successful in most patients. However, in two small groups of patients, only one technique resulted in fertilization.

Transport and storage of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract of the brown marsupial mouse, Antechinus stuartii (Dasyuridae)

Abstract: Female brown marsupial mice were mated and changes in the number and distribution of spermatozoa were assessed in several regions of the reproductive tract at 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 18 days after mating. Approximately 40 x 10(3) spermatozoa/side were present in the female reproductive tract between Days 1 and 7 after a single mating. This had decreased (to approximately 9 x 10(3) spermatozoa/side) by Days 10 and 14 after mating; by Day 18 no spermatozoa were recovered. The maximum number of spermatozoa recorded in a female tract was approximately 72 x 10(3) spermatozoa/side (Day 5 female, death in laboratory) and the minimum recorded was approximately 2 x 10(3) spermatozoa/side on Day 2 after mating. Between Days 1 and 7 after mating most spermatozoa were located in the uterus and lower isthmus (isthmus 1) and spermatozoa were rarely found in the lateral vaginae. By 24 h after mating most spermatozoa (approximately 60%) were found in isthmus 1, but approximately 35% were still present in the uterus. Histological observations of the lower isthmus at this time showed that large numbers of spermatozoa were present in both the lumen of the duct and the sperm storage crypts which are located in this region. By Day 7 after mating approximately 91% of all spermatozoa in the female tract were in isthmus 1, most of these being confined to the sperm storage crypts. On Days 10 and 14 after mating almost all spermatozoa in the tract were in the crypt regions of isthmus 1 and on Day 18 degenerating spermatozoa were observed. No special orientation or association of spermatozoa in relation to crypt cells was observed. These results show that, although the number of spermatozoa inseminated is low by mammalian standards sperm transport in this species is extremely efficient and a large proportion of spermatozoa reaches the isthmus before ovulation (approximately 1 in 1 to 1 in 7). Several observations may explain the remarkable success of these low numbers of spermatozoa, including specializations of the reproductive tract which may have a directing effect on sperm movement and the special relationship which exists between spermatozoa and the oviducal environment which results in viable sperm storage. Recent observations suggest that an unusual sinusoidal mode of progressive motility observed in this species, may also influence the success of the low numbers of ejaculated spermatozoa.