Showing papers on "Semen analysis published in 1984"

Development of an assay to assess the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane and its relationship to other semen characteristics

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a relatively simple test to evaluate the functional integrity of the membranes of human spermatozoa. As in some other species, human spermatozoa 'swell' under hypo-osmotic conditions due to the influx of water and the expansion of the membranes. A mixture of equal parts of fructose and sodium citrate (150 mosmol) with calculated ionic strength of 0.15 resulted in a maximal number of clearly identifiable swollen spermatozoa. Only small variations were seen when different aliquants of the same semen samples were separately evaluated. A high correlation (r = 0.94) was obtained between expected and observed values of swollen spermatozoa when known amounts of heat-treated spermatozoa, unable to undergo swelling, were added to untreated spermatozoa. A good correlation (r = 0.90) was also observed between the % spermatozoa in a semen sample that were capable of undergoing swelling and the % of denuded hamster oocytes that were penetrated by capacitated spermatozoa from the same semen sample. By contrast, the correlations between % sperm swelling in ejaculates and % normal sperm forms, % motile spermatozoa and % spermatozoa that do not stain with eosin-Y (supravital stain) in the same ejaculates were 0.30, 0.61 and 0.52, respectively. Therefore, the hypoosmotic swelling technique to evaluate the functional integrity of the sperm membrane appears to give high repeatability and accuracy and is closely correlated to the in-vitro fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. It may be a useful addition to the standard semen analysis.

Testicular function in potential sperm donors: normal ranges and the effects of smoking and varicocele.

Abstract: Testicular exocrine (semen analysis) and endocrine (plasma LH, FSH, prolactin and testosterone) function was assessed in 119 consecutive healthy men presenting for screening as potential sperm donors Since these volunteers were unbiased with respect to their fertility status, this sample of the general male population was suitable to determine normal ranges and the influence of a variety of physical (height, weight, standardized body weight, varicocele) and demographic (age, marital and fertility status, tobacco and alcohol consumption) factors on normal human testicular endocrine and exocrine function, without the confounding effects of bias in selection of subjects The statistical distribution of all seminal parameters was non-gaussian, but cube-root transformation of the data normalized the distribution, allowing for parametric statistical analysis The median (and 95% confidence limits) for the various semen parameters was 730 (106-2353) million sperm per ml; 1890 (126-868) million sperm per ejaculate; 504 (59-1819) million motile sperm per ml; 1330 (69-6617) million motile sperm per ejaculate; 540 (70-1729) million morphologically normal sperm per ml and 1385 (75-672) million morphologically normal sperm per ejaculate Testicular volume was correlated positively with measures of physique such as standardized body weight (r = 025, P less than 001) and body surface area (r = 030, P less than 0002), and negatively with plasma levels of FSH (r = -031), P less than 0002) but not LH Sperm output was positively correlated with testicular volume (r = 028, P less than 0005) and negatively correlated with plasma FSH (r = -031, P less than 0002) and plasma LH (r = -031, P less than 0002) Smoking was associated with a highly significant reduction in sperm output and motility Men with varicocele (25%) were significantly taller, had slightly lower haemoglobin levels and moderate left (but not right) testicular atrophy, but neither seminal nor hormonal parameters were different from men without varicocele There was no difference in any markers of human testicular function between men according to marital or fertility status, grades of moderate alcohol consumption or the presence of low titres of sperm antibodies

Semen analyses in adolescent diabetic patients.

Abstract: We studied the semen quality and plasma testosterone levels (T) in 32 adolescent patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in an aged-matched control group. Semen volume, motility and morphology were significantly lower in diabetics whereas seminal fructose and glucose were significantly higher. Even though the sperm count was lower in these adolescent diabetics, the difference was not significant when compared to the control group. No difference was observed in plasma testosterone levels. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of retinopathy and neuropathy, and degree of metabolic control. Spermiogram parameters, seminal fructose and glucose were lower in diabetics with neuropathy. No difference was observed in spermiogram parameters between diabetic patients with or without retinopathy, but seminal fructose, and glucose were lower in the former. All spermiogram parameters, as well as seminal fructose were lower in diabetics with poor metabolic control but seminal glucose was higher. No correlation was detected between clinical parameters (age at onset and duration of diabetes mellitus and time since first ejaculation), semen parameters, plasma T, glycemia and glycosuria. In conclusion, a deterioration of the quality of human semen occurs in adolescent diabetic patients. Neuropathy and poor metabolic control seem to be important factors of this deterioration. The presence of retinopathy does not correlate with T and semen quality.

Male reproductive capacity may recover following drug treatment with the L-10 protocol for acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract: Six men with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were studied prospectively to assess the effect of treatment with the L-10 protocol on reproductive capacity. Before therapy three men had fathered children (two, two children; one, three children); the others were sexually mature although no fertility studies had been done prior to or during their treatment. Each patient had a minimum of 3 1/2 years of continuous chemotherapy as part of this study. Semen analysis was done 10 to 52 months (median, 31.5 months) after completion of therapy. One patient had lower than normal sperm concentration but near normal total sperm count and normal motility; the others had a normal sperm concentration and motility. Sperm nuclei were isolated from each sample and analyzed by flow cytometry for resistance to DNA denaturation in situ; all samples had relatively high resistance to denaturation, consistent with a normal, fertile reproductive status. After completion of therapy, one patient fathered a normal child, and a second patient fathered one child with multiple congenital malformations followed by a second child who was normal.

Human sperm velocity and postinsemination cervical mucus test in the evaluation of the infertile couple

Abstract: Homologous artificial insemination (AIH) followed by postinsemination cervical mucus test (PIT) was performed in 100 couples in a prospective study to evaluate suspected cervical or male factor infertility. A portion of the ejaculate was submitted for standard semen analysis as well as turbidimetric analysis of sperm velocity. In a review of 333 cases evaluated for infertility, the average sperm velocity in a normal semen analysis was 96.5 mu/sec, for those with normal postcoital test (PCT) 96.6 mu/sec, and in those that established a pregnancy 91.6 mu/sec. These are significantly higher than the values obtained for abnormal semen analysis and abnormal PCT (64.6 and 63.6 mu/sec, respectively; p less than 0.001). Patients with normal PIT (WHO criteria for normal PCT consisting of greater than or equal to 7 motile sperm/hpf) had sperm velocity of 87 mu/sec compared to velocities of 46 mu/sec for abnormal PIT (p less than 0.001). Four of the five patients with abnormal PIT (in spite of normal semen analysis and normal cervical mucus) had sperm velocities less than 75 mu/sec. Likewise, all 8 patients who had normal PIT in spite of abnormal semen analysis had sperm velocities greater than 75 mu/sec, even though the sperm motility was below normal in 5 of them. Sperm velocity is a more sensitive indicator of sperm function when compared to standard semen analysis results.

Reproductive History and Semen Analysis in Prevasectomy Fertile Men with and without Varicocele

Abstract: A group of 598 allegedly fertile men requesting vasectomy were investigated; varicocele was found in 97 (16.2%) of these men. The mean ages and age distributions of men with and without varicocele were not significantly different. Reproductive histories (number of pregnancies, living children and spontaneous abortions, as well as incidence of present pregnancy) were similar in both groups. The average seminal characteristics (semen volume, sperm count, total sperm count, percentage of motile spermatozoa, quality of motility, morphology) were not different for men with and without varicocele, except for a slight, but significantly higher incidence of oval-headed sperm in men without varicocele. However, the incidence of varicocele was significantly higher in men with sperm counts below 40 million/ml. Three important observations may be made from this study: 1) the incidence of varicocele in this prevasectomy population was similar to that reported for the general population, but lower than the incidence reported for male partners of infertile couples; 2) in this population of allegedly fertile men, the presence of a varicocele did not significantly affect reproductive performance; 3) even though the incidence of varicocele was higher in men with sperm counts below 40 million/ml, the average seminal characteristics were not different in men with and without varicocele.

Rapid Microcomputer-Based Analysis of Semen Characteristics from Photographs Taken by the MEP Method

Abstract: Use of a microcomputer with the multiple exposure photography (MEP) method for rapid analysis of semen characteristics is described. The computer is programmed to calculate information fed from a digitizing tablet while scanning projected images of photographed sperm. In this way sperm concentration, percentage of motility, average velocity and frequency distribution of sperm velocity, as well as percentage of abnormal forms are immediately obtained. The method was found to be as accurate, less prone to error, and significantly less time consuming than the previous manual measuring method. It can greatly facilitate routine semen analysis in laboratories using the MEP method.

Triple staining of human sperm: technical aspects.

Abstract: The triple-stain technique according to Talbot and Chacon was adapted for use in routine semen analysis. This staining technique allows evaluation of spermatozoal morphology and determination of the percentage of dead and "live" spermatozoa and of the percentages of spermatozoa with and without intact acrosome. Optimal results were obtained if centrifugation prior to fixation was avoided, the semen was diluted before fixation, and the spermatozoa were fixed in suspension. This modification of the triple-stain technique produces preparations with low background and excellent visibility of all spermatozoal structures. Use of Trypan Blue leads to underestimation of the percentage of dead spermatozoa, but use of other supravital stains was even less satisfactory. Round cells could not be evaluated in the triple-stain technique.

Association between infertility following reversal of vasectomy and the presence of sperm agglutinating activity in semen.

Abstract: A statistically significant association between infertility following reversal of vasectomy and the presence of sperm agglutinating activity in postoperative semen samples has been demostrated in a retrospective study. Sperm agglutinating activity was measured using a microtitration assay and the number of positive samples rose from 3/78 (4%) preoperatively to 34/134 (25%) postoperatively. High titers (>or=1:32) of agglutinating activity were observed only when viable sperm were present in the ejaculate. Positive semen titers were obtained only when parallel serum samples were positive at titers of >or=1:256. Conception only occurred in the partner of 1 man whose seminal plasma contained agglutinating activity but 22.34 (65%) of the men whose semen lacked such activity were fertile. (authors)

The diagnostic value of sperm in post-ejaculatory urine.

Abstract: Post-ejaculatory urine samples ( PEUS ) were obtained from patients undergoing semen analysis. The samples were examined for the presence, number and morphology of sperm. Spermatozoa were found in PEUS of 84.8% of 171 patients whose semen contained sperm. The presence of sperm after, but not before, ejaculation and their concentration in the first part of the void indicated the spermaturia to be the result of urethral washing after ejaculation. The number of sperm in PEUS was a small and variable fraction of the ejaculated sperm. A significant positive correlation was found between the PEUS and the semen sperm count, but there was a considerable overlap of PEUS counts between oligospermic and normospermic individuals. The percentage of sperm with normal morphology in PEUS reflected that in semen. It is concluded that although PEUS reflects some of the semen characteristics, a single PEUS cannot serve as a precise substitute for a direct semen analysis in the individual patient. It can, however, be used for establishing whether populations exposed to dangerous ecological conditions or to drugs which are known to adversely affect spermatogenesis, have reduced sperm count by comparison to appropriate control groups.

[Clinical experience with methylcobalamin (CH3-B12) for male infertility].

Abstract: CH3-B12 was administered daily (1,500 micrograms/day, for 4 to 24 weeks) to 26 infertile male patients who visited our clinic from January to December, 1982. It was not administered, however, to patients with azoospermia. Semen analysis was conducted from 8 weeks after the administration of CH3-B12. Sperm concentration increased in 10 cases (38.4%), total sperm counts increased in 14 cases (53.8%), sperm motility increased in 13 cases (50.0%) and total motile sperm count increased in 13 cases (50.0%). Semen volume, however, could not be evaluated due to wide variation. Serum LH, FSH and testosterone were unchanged. Judging by our criteria, 11 cases (42.3%) improved, 11 cases (42.3%) were unchanged and the remaining 4 cases (15.4%) had aggravated.

Morphology of live seminal and postcoital cervical spermatozoa and its bearing on human fertility.

Abstract: Various seminal variables were studied in two groups of infertile couples and in one fertile control group. Sperm morphology was emphasized. Patients with normal postcoital tests and sperm counts exceeding 5 mill/ml were selected and followed prospectively. The two clinical groups could then be identified: a. couples who were persistently infertile during the 3 years of observation and whose infertility was not explained by the clinical investigation, and; b. couples where conception was achieved during the period of observation, either spontaneously or after treatment of the woman. In the latter group all the variables of semen analysis were identical with those of the control group. Differences between the two groups of infertile patients were noted only with respect to the morphology of live spermatozoa of the semen sample and of postcoital spermatozoa within the cervical secretion. It is concluded that these two variables of sperm evaluation are of prognostic significance with regard to future fertility.

Varicocele and infertility. Preoperative prognostic elements

Abstract: In order to develop a procedure permitting a more accurate preoperative prognosis of varicocelectomy, we studied 59 subjects (20 to 40 years of age) who had undergone ligation of the spermatic vein for varicocele and infertility at least two years previously. The following preoperative parameters were evaluated: age, seminal fluid, plasma levels of LH and FSH and their maximal increase after LHRH stimulation, plasma levels of testosteone and its maximal increase after hCG (5000 U) administration, and testicular histology. Patients who failed to impregnate their wives after surgery were older, had higher plasma levels of FSH and a higher maximal increase in FSH and LH after LHRH stimulation, as well as more compromised testicular histology. Plasma levels of testosterone and seminal characteristics did not appear to constitute valid prognostic factors.

Cryptorchidism: Review and Evaluation of the Fertility of Adult Cryptorchids

Abstract: Twenty-two cases of adult cryptorchidism were clinically examined and evaluated by semen analysis, Doppler ultrasound examination, and testicular biopsy. All of these patients had undergone orchiopexy after reaching puberty, and had been followed for a period ranging from two to ten years, with a mean of 5.7 years. Although 41% of the patients had testes that clinically appeared normal in size, only five had a normal semen analysis. Because of the usual association with low fertility, marked by oligozoospermia, and the increased risk of testicular malignancy, testicular biopsy followed by orchiectomy should be performed in cases of unilateral cryptorchidism diagnosed after puberty.