Semen

About: Semen is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 14571 publications have been published within this topic receiving 407739 citations. The topic is also known as: come & ejaculate.

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.

A simple method of screening for antisperm antibodies in the human male. Detection of spermatozoal surface IgG with the direct mixed antiglobulin reaction carried out on untreated fresh human semen.

Abstract: A simple and rapid test for the detection of antisperm antibodies of the IgG class on freely swimming spermatozoa in fresh human semen is described. The test is based on the formation of motile mixed agglutinates between erythrocytes sensitized with incomplete anti-Rh-antibodies and freely swimming spermatozoa with surface antisperm antibodies, after mixing both cell types together with anti-IgG antiserum. Agglutination of the red blood cells serves as an internal control. The test can be applied on ejaculates with spermatozoa concentrations down to one million per ml, provided the motility is sufficient. The percentage of motile spermatozoa found to be coated with antisperm antibodies of the IgG class, and the extent of the coating, proved to be correlated with the agglutination titer of circulating antisperm antibodies and with the inhibition of sperm penetration into cervical mucus. The test can be used as a screening for the presence of antisperm autoantibodies in serum and semen.

Quantification of the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa of domestic animals by flow cytometry.

Abstract: The relative content of DNA in spermatozoa presumed to be the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing gametes from bulls, boars, rams and rabbits and the amount of DNA in spermatozoa of cockerels was determined by flow cytometry. Differences in the relative content of DNA and proportions of the presumed X- and Y-sperm populations in cryopreserved semen from Holstein, Jersey, Angus, Hereford and Brahman bulls were also determined. Spermatozoa were washed by centrifugation using a series of dimethyl sulfoxide solutions made in isotonic sodium citrate, fixed in ethanol, treated with papain and dithioerythritol to loosen the chromatin structure and remove cellular organelles, and stained quantitatively for DNA with the fluorochrome 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Approximately 5000 stained sperm nuclei, which were nonviable due to the removal of other cellular organelles during the washing procedure, were measured for DNA in an epi-illumination flow cytometer. A single distinct peak for cockerel spermatozoa and two symmetrical, overlapping peaks for species with X- and Y-spermatozoa were seen. This and other evidence strongly supports the interpretation that the peaks represent the X- and Y-sperm populations. The content of DNA in sperm nuclei from cockerels, bulls, boars, rams and rabbits, as determined by fluorescence flow cytometry, corresponded to biochemical estimates of DNA per sperm cell. Analyses of the bimodal histograms by computer-fitting two Gaussian distributions to the data showed the means of the peaks differed by 3.9, 3.7, 4.1 and 3.9% for bulls, boars, rams and rabbits, respectively. In four replicate analyses of semen from 25 bulls representing 5 breeds, the average population of sperm nuclei in the Y-peaks ranged from 49.5 to 50.5% for all breeds. The X-Y peak differences did not vary within each breed, but were significantly different when the breeds were compared. Spermatozoa from Jersey bulls had larger X-Y peak differences (P less than 0.001) than spermatozoa from Holstein, Hereford, and Angus bulls; spermatozoa from Brahman bulls had smaller X-Y differences (P less than 0.004). It is suggested from the evidence obtained in these studies that flow cytometry can be used to assess the proportion of X- and Y-spermatozoa in semen of domestic animals and is thereby applicable to verification of the effectiveness of enrichment techniques for X- or Y-spermatozoa.