Showing papers on "Semen analysis published in 1985"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated twenty male marathon athletes by hormonal profiles, psychologic testing, anthropomorphic indices, and semen evaluations, and concluded that vigorous endurance training may be associated with significantly decreased T values but not sperm production.
91 citations
TL;DR: The principal deterrent to the use of semen collected by rectal probe electrostimulation from paraplegics for artificial insemination resides in a predominantly low sperm motility, suggesting suggestions for improvement of motility.
89 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that the sperm swelling test and the zona-free hamster ovum penetration assay are evaluating different functional qualities of sperm that are apparently not associated with each other.
77 citations
TL;DR: Clinical experience shows that, after prepubertal torsion, the contralateral testis undergoes normal development and does not cause autosensitization and diminished fertility in adult life.
75 citations
TL;DR: Using means of multiple samples before and following therapeutic intervention will not prevent regression towards the mean, only reduce its magnitude, thus, placebos are essential in the evaluation of treatments for male infertility.
Abstract: Regression towards the mean was demonstrated in semen analyses from 216 donors for artificial insemination by selecting those with low sperm concentration (less than 40 X 10(6)/ml), low motility (less than 50%) or low motility index (less than 120) in the first test. For each characteristic, the result was significantly higher in the second test, the means for first and second tests being, for sperm concentration 28 and 56 million per ml (n = 14, P less than 0.01), for motility 42 and 55% (n = 14, P less than 0.01) and for the motility index 95 and 131 (n = 24, P less than 0.001). Regression towards the mean occurs whenever extremes of the range of a variable and selected for re-measurement. Many of the current treatments for oligospermia and asthenospermia have been promoted because semen quality improved during uncontrolled studies in which this phenomenon may have been operative. Using means of multiple samples before and following therapeutic intervention will not prevent regression towards the mean, only reduce its magnitude. Thus, placebos are essential in the evaluation of treatments for male infertility.
56 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary results suggest that treatment with LH-RH agonist might decrease the gonadal damage caused by some chemotherapeutic agents.
Abstract: Possible protective effects of the agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH (the D-tryptophan-6 analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) against testicular damage caused by cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) were investigated in subhuman primates. Three adult male baboons (Papio anubis) were first subjected to normal semen evaluation by using electroejaculation. The average baseline count for the animals ranged from 95.7 X 10(6) to 585.7 X 10(6) sperm per ml with 90% normal forms and 85% motility with excellent rapid forward progression. After baseline evaluations, two of the animals were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of 0.5 mg of the agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH. There was an initial rise in serum testosterone after 1 week, but testosterone fell to castration values at 1 month and continued at these levels during treatment with the agonist. There was also an initial rise in sperm concentration 1 month after treatment was started, but after 2 months the animals were azoospermic. After 13 weeks of therapy with [D-Trp6]LH-RH, these two baboons and a third untreated control animal were given cyclophosphamide at a dose of about 3 mg/kg of body weight per day for 4 months. The two animals pretreated with [D-Trp6]LH-RH, continued to receive this agonist until 1 week after the last dose of Cytoxan. In one of the two baboons treated with Cytoxan and the LH-RH agonist, the white blood count fell below 4000 per microliter, and the dose of Cytoxan had to be reduced to 1.5 mg/kg per day for 12 days. The control animal developed azoospermia after 4 months of treatment with cyclophosphamide, and serum testosterone increased while sperm count decreased. Four weeks after the agonist was stopped, serum testosterone in both animals pretreated with [D-Trp6]LH-RH returned to normal levels. The control animal showed a small amount of nonmotile sperm 2.5 months after cessation of treatment, but after 9 months remains oligospermic with poor sperm motility. In one of the animals treated with LH-RH agonist, semen analysis returned to normal pretreatment values 8 months after withdrawal of treatment. The other animal remains oligospermic 10 months after therapy, but the motility is improving. These preliminary results suggest that treatment with LH-RH agonist might decrease the gonadal damage caused by some chemotherapeutic agents.
50 citations
TL;DR: Patients who had unilateral or bilateral orchiopexy for cryptorchism between 1950 and 1960 responded to a questionnaire and had normal paternity rates and sperm concentrations on semen analysis, and marriage rates were the same as in a control group.
46 citations
TL;DR: The results of semen analysis and of hormonal studies after orchiectomy suggest a dysfunction of the remaining "normal" testis, andDiminished spermatogenesis and insufficient testosterone production by the Leydig cells clearly indicate anomalies already present before orchidectomy.
Abstract: Semen quality and serum testosterone, LH, and FSH levels were studied in 54 patients with a unilateral nonseminomatous tumor of the testis--14 before and 40 after orchiectomy. Semen analyses before and after orchiectomy gave essentially no different results: a poor semen quality was found in most men. The additional effect of a recent orchiectomy on semen quality was not demonstrable in the patients described here. Before orchiectomy, increased testosterone levels were found in patients with a beta-hCG-producing tumor. After orchiectomy serum testosterone levels were decreased, and LH and FSH levels increased. With beta-hCG-producing tumors FSH was suppressed after orchiectomy, and testosterone levels did not exceed those in patients with a tumor not producing beta-hCG. The results of semen analysis and of hormonal studies after orchiectomy suggest a dysfunction of the remaining "normal" testis. Diminished spermatogenesis and insufficient testosterone production by the Leydig cells clearly indicate anomalies already present before orchiectomy.
42 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that sperm count and motility, but not morphology, influence fertilization in a program of in vitro fertilization and that patients with higher counts and Motility have and greater probability of fertilization.
Abstract: Approximately 80% of the patients in a program of in vitro fertilization (IVF) will fertilize an oocyte. The purpose of this study was to determine which parameters of the semen analysis influence fertilization in vitro. Of 120 patients participating in an in vitro fertilization program, 98 achieved fertilization of at least one mature oocyte and 22 did not. Ovulation induction was standardized and patients whose sperm was exposed to at least one mature oocyte (by light microscopy) were included in the study. Semen washing was accomplished using a “swim-up” technique. Semen parameters were assessed both before (raw) and after washing. Following insemination with 100,000 motile sperm, fertilization was determined by the presence of pronuclei or cleavage. Mean sperm count and motility were higher in patients who fertilized. However, morphology was similar. Fertilization was more likely to occur with a raw density>104 million/ml and a motility>64%, as well as with a density>18 million/ml and a motilkity>86% following washing. Furthermore, washing lowered sperm counts by 75% and increased motility by 25% but had no effect on morphology. This study demonstrates that sperm count and motility, but not morphology, influence fertilization in a program of in vitro fertilization and that patients with higher counts and motility have and greater probability of fertilization.
34 citations
TL;DR: Assessment requires an understanding of the control of spermatogenesis and factors responsible for normal sperm function, and algorithmic approaches based on laboratory data can be used to characterize subgroups of infertile men, but many patients have subtle abnormalities.
Abstract: Male infertility is a common and distressing problem in which reproductive abnormalities frequently play an important role. Assessment requires an understanding of the control of spermatogenesis and factors responsible for normal sperm function. Standard tests for assessment of semen quality frequently fail to detect impaired function, but newer tests are now available to measure sperm movement and their ability to penetrate the ovum. Algorithmic approaches based on laboratory data can be used to characterize subgroups of infertile men, but many patients have subtle abnormalities. Treatment of male infertility is ideally directed to a specific pathogenic mechanism; nonspecific therapies have produced disappointing results. Surgery is indicated for certain types of ductal obstruction, but whether internal spermatic vein ligation should be used to treat varicocele remains uncertain.
33 citations
TL;DR: A combination of 7 criteria, including hamster oocyte penetration and elements of both sperm movement and the semen profile, which could predict the fertility of these patients with 85.2% accuracy were identified.
Abstract: A group of 27 oligozoospermic patients were followed up for 4.2 +/- 1.1 years in a prospective study designed to determine which aspects of semen quality are of value in the diagnosis of fertility. The semen analysis included the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test, the assessment of sperm movement characteristics by time exposure photomicrography and a conventional semen profile. During the follow up period, 7 patients (25.9%) initiated a pregnancy. The identity of these fertile subjects could not have been ascertained by any single criterion of sperm movement or any feature of the conventional semen profile. The zona-free hamster egg penetration rates were also of little value in this respect since 4 of the 7 fertile patients scored 0% in this assay. Using a multivariate discriminant analysis, however, a combination of 7 criteria was identified, including hamster oocyte penetration and elements of both sperm movement and the semen profile, which could predict the fertility of these patients with 85.2% accuracy.
TL;DR: 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.
TL;DR: The mucus test and sperm penetration assay, although contributing different elements of data to an infertility evaluation, are both useful adjuncts to a semen analysis.
Abstract: In vitro bovine cervical mucus (BCM) penetration tests, sperm penetration assays (SPA) using zona-free hamster eggs, and routine semen analyses were performed on a total of 136 freshly collected semen samples from men who were seen at an infertility clinic. The correlations between bovine cervical mucus penetration and other semen parameters were the percent motile spermatozoa (r = 0.48), progressive motility grade (r = 0.44), sperm count (X 10(6)/ml) (r = 0.47), the percent normal morphology (r = 0.32) and the percent eggs penetrated (r = 0.46) (P less than 0.0001 for each correlation coefficient). When known fertile (n = 32) and infertile (n = 18) groups were tested, positive mucus penetration was associated 75% correctly and positive egg penetration was associated 90% correctly to clinical status. The mucus test had no false-negative results and the SPA had no false-positive results in these groups. It appears, then, that the mucus test and sperm penetration assay, although contributing different elements of data to an infertility evaluation, are both useful adjuncts to a semen analysis.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Sperm characteristics, including sperm velocity, percentage of motile sperm, and the motility index improved significantly following the washing procedure, with the most significant differences occurred in the asthenospermic subgroup.
Abstract: The authors measured the effects of in vitro washing and capacitation on sperm velocity and motility on one hundred males, using an in-office, integrated, microcomputerized system for objective semen analysis. Sperm characteristics, including sperm velocity, percentage of motile sperm, and the motility index improved significantly following the washing procedure. Average sperm velocity increased from 19.9 microns per second in the original specimens to 26.3 mic/sec following washing (P less than 0.05), while percentage of motile sperm and the sperm motility index (MI) increased from 30% to 86% (P less than 0.01) and 6.6 to 22.5 (P less than 0.01) respectively. The most significant differences occurred in the asthenospermic subgroup, with sperm velocity increasing from 16.3 microns per second to 24.6 mic/sec (P less than .001), percentage motility increasing from 15% motility to 85% motility (P less than 0.001), and the motility index (MI) increasing from 2.4 to 21.6 (P less than 0.001). The advantage of a widely acceptable method for quantitative evaluation of semen quality is discussed.
TL;DR: Spectrophotometrical readings of known amounts of 1-carnitine gave absorbancy changes with minimal interassay variations, and very low levels were found in cases of monorchidism, confirming the epididymides as major producing organs of the substance.
Abstract: Spectrophotometrical (412 nm) readings of known amounts of 1-carnitine gave absorbancy changes with minimal interassay variations (8%) in the range of 15.6-125 microM. A 100-microliters volume of seminal plasma was needed for optimal assay repeatability; recoveries of added carnitine were linear (r = 0.998), indicating a sensitivity limit of 0.70 microgram/ml. Intraassay and interassay repeatability gave variation coefficients of 2% and 1.2%, respectively. By this method, 20 samples in duplicate were analyzed within 2 h. Carnitine levels and semen volumes were inversely correlated (r = 0.49). The ejaculated amounts of carnitine (microgram/ejaculate) were not significantly different in 16 normozoospermic subjects and in 13 oligozoospermic patients. Undetectable levels of carnitine were found in case of deferential-vesicular agenesis, and very low levels were found in cases of monorchidism, confirming the epididymides as major producing organs of the substance. Very low levels were also found in semen of men with varicocele, suggesting that seminal carnitine would be regarded as an index of androgenization.
TL;DR: In 10 healthy but infertile men, semen analysis and urinary vasopressin levels were evaluated and correlated and it appears that higher levels of vasopressingin are associated with aspermia and oligozoospermia.
Abstract: In 10 healthy but infertile men, semen analysis and urinary vasopressin levels were evaluated and correlated. A significant correlation was observed between sperm count and urinary vasopressin (r -0.86). Similar correlation was seen between sperm motility and urinary vasopressin (r -0.83). It thus appears that higher levels of vasopressin are associated with aspermia and oligozoospermia.
TL;DR: Male infertility is best tested by determining the ability of sperm to reach the site of fertilization by semen analysis and by mucus-sperm interaction tests, and by determiningThe ability of the sperm to enter the egg by the hamster egg-human sperm penetration assay.
TL;DR: An infertile patient with azoospermia, normal spermatogenesis on a testis biopsy and no sperm seen on a post-ejaculate urinalysis underwent bilateral scrotal exploration and bilateral vasograms demonstrated the absence of obstruction.
TL;DR: It is suggested that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, a known potent inhibitor of leukocyte elastase, protects the deposited sperm against proteolytic attack originating from the localized leukocytes reaction within the female reproductive tract, thus contributing towards sperm survival within this immunologically hostile environment and enabling fertilization to occur.
Abstract: Human seminal plasma contains two glycoproteins which are physiochemically and immunologically indistinguishable from pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and placental protein 5. Seminal concentrations of both glycoproteins did not correlate with clinical assessment of semen quality. Furthermore, analysis of split ejaculates indicated a nontesticular origin for both proteins, which are possibly secreted into the distal portions of the tract by the accessory glands (prostate gland and seminal vesicles). The physiological significance of these findings has yet to be determined. However, it is suggested that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, a known potent inhibitor of leukocyte elastase, protects the deposited sperm against proteolytic attack originating from the localized leukocyte reaction within the female reproductive tract, thus contributing towards sperm survival within this immunologically hostile environment and enabling fertilization to occur.
TL;DR: Evidence supporting an additional contribution from the seminal vesicles included the following: The split ejaculate of an azoospermic individual coincided more with the distribution of the vesicular parameter fructose; vasectomy did not cause the disappearance of prolactin from the ejaculate; and split-ejaculate analyses weakened the possibility of a major prostatic source.
Abstract: The immunoreactive prolactin in human seminal plasma originates predominantly from two sources, the seminal vesicles and the testicular-epididymal axis. The following evidence supported a testicular-epididymal origin: Vasectomy reduced the content of prolactin in the ejaculates by 50%; the concentration of seminal prolactin was highly correlated (r = 0.54, p less than 0.003) with the concentration of sperm in a normal population of young and middle-aged men; and prolactin concentrations in the split ejaculates of normospermic men revealed a profile that corresponded to the sperm distribution pattern. Evidence supporting an additional contribution from the seminal vesicles included the following. The split ejaculate of an azoospermic individual coincided more with the distribution of the vesicular parameter fructose; vasectomy did not cause the disappearance of prolactin from the ejaculate; and split-ejaculate analyses weakened the possibility of a major prostatic source.
TL;DR: Preliminary results indicate that high-quality polypropylene (or ev. polystyrene) is the best material to achieve medium- or long-time conservation of human semen.
Abstract: Many materials such as glass and different types of plastic are used today to manufacture sperm containers. The biocompatibility of such materials, for human semen is usually taken for granted. This paper demonstrates that some types of materials can, however, affect seminal parameters (sperm motility, pH lipid oxidation) as a function of time, therefore introducing biases in semen analyses. Preliminary results indicate that high-quality polypropylene (or ev. polystyrene) is the best material to achieve medium- or long-time conservation of human semen.
TL;DR: The opinion of other authors that pregnancy may occur despite severely abnormal semen is confirmed, and the difference in pregnancy and abortion rate between the two groups could be explained by assuming that the average fertility of the women in group O is lower than that in group A.
Abstract: A retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine whether there was any difference in conception and abortion rate in an artificial insemination by donor program between couples whose husbands were azoospermic (group A) and couples whose husbands were severely subfertile (group O). The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group A (64%) than in group O (47%) (p less than 0.05). The abortion rate was significantly lower in group A (10%) than in group O (23%) (p less than 0.05). This study confirms the opinion of other authors [4, 9] that pregnancy may occur despite severely abnormal semen. In fact, the difference in pregnancy and abortion rate between the two groups could be explained by assuming that the average fertility of the women in group O is lower than that in group A.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Nine hundred and sixteen men who had undergone bilateral vasectomy were followed up with semen analysis at monthly intervals and found that after an average of 10 ejaculations at least 35% of men still had non-motile sperms at the end of the first month.
Abstract: 916 men who had undergone bilateral vasectomy were followed by with semen analysis at monthly intervals. After an average of 10 ejaculations at least 35% of men still had non-motile sperms at the end of the 1st month. This persisted in 4 men even after 50 ejaculations or more. The reasons for and the implication of the very slow clearance of spermatozoa after vasectomy are discussed. (authors)
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: Though plasma gonadotropin levels were high, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, TSH, GH, T3 and T4 levels were within normal limits and pituitary reserve function for secreting gonadotropic hormone and Leydig cell reserve function to secrete testosterone have been found to be almost normal.
Abstract: Chromosomal abnormalities are found in a considerably high percentage of cases of male infertility, in particular azoospermia. We report a case of the XYY syndrome and review the literature. A 36-year-old man, a factory hand, presented with infertility. He was safely delivered at term as a fourth child when his father was 41 years old and his mother 38. He had no delinquent or criminal record. His height was 179 cm, weight 75 kg and distance of extended hands 184 cm. No gynecomastia was noticed. Both testes were 8ml in size and growth of pubic hair and penis were normal. Severe oligozoospermia was identified in semen analysis. Seminal vesiculography showed pathological dilatation of the seminal vas end. The testicular biopsy specimens revealed spermatogenic arrest for the most part. Chromosomal analysis showed 47, XYY karyotype; and, two Y-chromatin was revealed in cultured lymphocytes. Though plasma gonadotropin levels were high, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, TSH, GH, T3 and T4 levels were within normal limits. Pituitary reserve function for secreting gonadotropins and Leydig cell reserve function to secrete testosterone have been found to be almost normal.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report that after an average of 10 ejaculations at least 35% of men still had nonmotile sperms at the end of the first month.
Abstract: Nine hundred and sixteen men who had undergone bilateral vasectomy were followed up with semen analysis at monthly intervals. After an average of 10 ejaculations at least 35% of men still had non-motile sperms at the end of the first month. This persisted in four men even after 50 ejaculations or more. The reasons for, and the implication of the very slow clearance of spermatozoa after vasectomy are discussed.
TL;DR: Only mucus of extremely high quality was used in the study and it was calculated that the sperm concentration and forward progression rate of the spermatozoa are discriminating factors between the two groups.
Abstract: One hundred and sixty-two females who attended our infertility clinic were selected according to the quality of their cervical mucus. Only mucus of extremely high quality was used in the study to determine the influence of different semen parameters on the postcoital test results. All mucus samples were evaluated 8 h following coitus. The results of the postcoital tests were divided into group I (less than 7 spermatozoa per 400 X magnification) and group II (greater than 7 spermatozoa per 400 X magnification). The results of the statistical analysis indicated the order of importance of the different semen parameters during postcoital testing. By using the stepwise discriminant analyses, it was calculated that the sperm concentration and forward progression rate of the spermatozoa are discriminating factors between the two groups.
01 Jan 1985
TL;DR: When carefully controlled, seminal cytology appears to be statistically more sensitive than the other human sperm tests and should be considered an integral part of semen analysis when assessing induced spermatogenic damage.
Abstract: Sperm tests provide a direct and effective way of identifying chemical agents that induce spermatogenic damage in man. Four human sperm tests are available: sperm count, motility, morphology (seminal cytology), and the F-body test. These sperm tests have numerous advantages over other approaches for assessing spermatogenic damage, and they have already been used to assess the effects of at least 85 different occupational, environmental, and drug- related chemical exposures. When carefully controlled, seminal cytology appears to be statistically more sensitive than the other human sperm tests and should be considered an integral part of semen analysis when assessing induced spermatogenic damage.