Showing papers on "Sperm published in 1973"
TL;DR: The sperm actin was shown to be localized in the microfilaments in the acrosomal processes by heavy meromyosin binding in situ, and when unreacted sperm were lysed with the detergent Triton X-100 and the state of the actin in the sperm extract was analyzed by centrifugation, it was determined that at least 80% of the acting sperm was in the monomeric state.
Abstract: When Asterias or Thyone sperm come in contact with egg jelly, a long process which in Thyone measures up to 90 µm in length is formed from the acrosomal region. This process can be generated in less than 30 s. Within this process is a bundle of microfilaments. Water extracts prepared from acetone powders of Asterias sperm contain a protein which binds rabbit skeletal muscle myosin forming a complex whose viscosity is reduced by ATP. Within this extract is a protein with the same molecular weight as muscle actin. It can be purified either by collecting the pellet produced after the addition of Mg++ or by reextracting an acetone powder of actomyosin prepared by the addition of highly purified muscle myosin to the extract. The sperm actin can be polymerized and by electron microscopy the polymer is indistinguishable from muscle F-actin. The sperm actin was shown to be localized in the microfilaments in the acrosomal processes by: (a) heavy meromyosin binding in situ, (b) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis of the isolated acrosomal processes and a comparison to gels of flagella which contain no band corresponding to the molecular weight of actin, and (c) SDS gel electrophoresis of the extract from isolated acrosomal caps. Since the precursor for the microfilaments in the unreacted sperm appears amorphous, we suspected that the force for the generation of the acrosomal process is brought about by the polymerization of the sperm actin. This supposition was confirmed, for when unreacted sperm were lysed with the detergent Triton X-100 and the state of the actin in the sperm extract was analyzed by centrifugation, we determined that at least 80% of the actin in the unreacted sperm was in the monomeric state.
316 citations
TL;DR: The ability to identify the Y chromosome makes possible the collection of data on X and Y sperm, and when human sperm are stained with this fluorochrome and viewed under fluorescence microscopy, approximately half of them reveal a Y body.
Abstract: RESEARCH into the isolation of human X and Y sperm is now feasible because of the fluorochrome quinacrine that stains the Y chromosome1,2. It is still impossible to identify the Y chromosome in sperm of other mammals, with the possible exception of gorilla sperm3, but when human sperm are stained with this fluorochrome and viewed under fluorescence microscopy, approximately half of them reveal a Y body. The Y body is the distal end of the long arm of the Y chromosome and shows up as a bright fluorescent dot4. The ability to identify the Y chromosome makes possible the collection of data on X and Y sperm5,6.
304 citations
01 Jan 1973
232 citations
TL;DR: Sperm transport was characterized on optimal, controlled, assessable conditions in this study and the total numbers of sperm present in cervical mucus and the correlation of insemination and time after Insemination was reported.
229 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that normal fertilization in vitro had occurred and first cleavage and embryo development in culture as the criterion, and some of the factors that affect fertilized in vitro were examined.
Abstract: Epididymal sperm were added to embryological watch glasses containing 396 F, hybrid mouse ova in a simple medium under paraffin oil. The dishes were gently agitated for 8 h in an atmosphere of 5% CO,, 5% 0,, and 90% N,. The ova were washed and cultured in glass tubes for 96 h during which time 365 ova cleaved and 347 developed to morulae or early blastocysts. Transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant hosts were 299 of these embryos, and 67 male and 44 female offspring were born. From these findings, it was concluded that normal fertilization in vitro had occurred. Using first cleavage and embryo development in culture as the criterion, we have confirmed these findings and have examined some of the factors that affect fertilization in vitro. Epididymal sperm fertilized 122 of 131 ova whereas 39 of 122 ova were fertilized by uterine sperm. Agitation of sperm and ova during fertilization resulted in fertilization of 139 of 166 ova compared to fertilization of 84 of 168 ova without agitation. The highest fertilization rate (44 of 45) occurred with ova surrounded by cumulus cells and continuous agitation of sperm and ova in 0.5 ml of medium for 8 h at 37#{176}C.
217 citations
TL;DR: This chapter discusses that, on the basis of the observations, one can say with some certainty that the ultimate recovery of progeny in drosophila probably represents the aggregation of a great number of largely uncontrollable physiological events.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter presents that from the beginning of the development of sperm in the testis of the male up to and including the ultimate recovery of that sperm in the form of progeny, variability is the only consistent feature in all aspects of the reproductive biology of drosophila This variability exists at virtually all levels of the reproductive systems in both the male and the female and, not surprisingly, is a reflection of a multitude of complex and, seemingly, hopelessly intertwined interactions between the genetic constitution of the organism and its particular environment This chapter discusses that, on the basis of the observations, one can say with some certainty that the ultimate recovery of progeny in drosophila probably represents the aggregation of a great number of largely uncontrollable physiological events The chapter also reviews that that in designing future experiments in drosophila, those whose interpretation depends on the control of this variability in reproduction
169 citations
TL;DR: The role of selendiulil on spermatogenesis in rats is apparently specific and cannot be substituted either by vitamin E or by the antioxidants tested in this study.
Abstract: Active spermatogenesis was observed in some of the seminiferous tubules of seleniumdeficient rats born to females on a selenium-deficient diet,and only a very few spermatozoa could be recovered from the cauda epididymis of these animals. The motility of spermatozoa from these males was invariably very poor and the majority of the sperm cells showed breakage near the middle piece or principal piece of the tail. Vitamin E supplementation, even at highly elevated levels (d.a-tocopherol acetate, 1000 ppm) did not alleviate these selenium-deficiency symptoms. Rats receiving selenium-deficient diets with antioxidant supplementation also produced semen, which contained, in most cases, nonmotile spermatozoa. The role of selendiulil on spermatogenesis in rats is apparently specific and cannot be substituted either by vitamin E or by the antioxidants tested in this study.
167 citations
167 citations
TL;DR: Data is presented suggesting that a definite number of sperm binding sites may exist on the vitelline layer, as well as using the method to assess sperm binding at different pH values and at different calcium concentrations.
133 citations
TL;DR: The spermatophore is necessary to ensure the functioning of the female system at copulation and related problems concerning the genital organs of Helix pomatia were studied by means of morphological and experimental methods.
Abstract: In the Helicidae and in some other Stylommatophora the sperm are transferred in a spermatophore, even though there appears to be no need for protection of the sperm during the transfer. The function of the spermatophore and related problems concerning the genital organs of Helix pomatia were studied by means of morphological and experimental methods.
The spermatophore is necessary to ensure the functioning of the female system at copulation. Its structure allows some of the spermatozoa it contains to escape through its tail canal, pass from the stalk of the bursa and reach the spermatheca by way of the oviduct; but most of the sperm pass into the bursa copulatrix and are destroyed, as is also the fate of the spermatophore. Only foreign sperm are stored in the spermatheca.
Spermiogenesis was found to take place throughout the whole summer. At intervals some sperm are released from the hermaphrodite duct and are conducted via the spermoviduct and oviduct to the bursa, where they are digested. The two grooves of the spermoviduct are functionally separated only for a few minutes at actual copulation, when sperm are conducted to the copulatory organs, where the spermatophore is being formed.
109 citations
TL;DR: To determine the effect of vasectomy on sperm antibody activity sera and seminal plasmas, data was collected from 106 vasectomy patients before and after their operation and tested for sperm-agglutination sperm-immobilization and serum uric acid levels.
TL;DR: Using the binding of ‘4C-labeled antibodies against rabbit seminal plasma, the sperm-bound seminal plasma components were shown to be bound tightly to the sperm and were not removed during 24 h of incubation in vitro in a defined medium, suggesting a basis for a rapid quantitative assay for sperm capacitation.
Abstract: Sperm capacitation may involve the removal of seminal plasma factor(s) from the surface of the sperm. To determine the presence of seminal plasma components and in order to follow their release or alteration, antibodies to rabbit seminal plasma were produced in guinea pigs. The agglutinating ability of rabbit spermatozoa when mixed with antiserum was followed after washing the sperm cells for extensive periods. Eighteen hours of washing did not diminish the agglutination reaction. However, when ejaculated spermatozoa were incubated in utero, the agglutination of the sperm cells induced by the antiserum to seminal plasma diminished with time in utero. Additional data indicated that a higher percentage of cleaved ova resulted following insemination in vitro with uterine spermatozoa recovered at increasing intervals after coitus (9, 44, 55, and 74% at 3, 6, 12, and 18 h, respectively). Furthermore, utilizing the binding of ‘4C-labeled antibodies against rabbit seminal plasma, the sperm-bound seminal plasma components were shown to be bound tightly to the sperm and were not removed during 24 h of incubation in vitro in a defined medium. However, when washed ejaculated sperm are incubated in uterine fluid, the uptake of 24C-antibodies falls off with increasing time of incubation, up to 65% decrease with 6 h of incubation. These findings may provide a basis for a rapid quantitative assay for sperm capacitation.
TL;DR: H-Y (male) antigen was visually located on mouse sperm by electron microscopy, by use of the indirect hybrid antibody method and tobacco mosaic virus as the visual marker.
Abstract: H-Y (male) antigen was visually located on mouse sperm by electron microscopy, by use of the indirect hybrid antibody method and tobacco mosaic virus as the visual marker. Labeling was achieved by centrifugation of the sperm through a discontinuous gradient consisting of alternating layers of immune reagents and wash solutions. Treated sperm were examined topographically by preparation of platinum-carbon replicas. Antigen was located mainly on the acrosomal cap of the sperm head.
TL;DR: The data suggest that the fall in ATP concentrations, and therefore the decline in “phosphate potential,” is a causal factor responsible for the glycolytic and respiratory rate enhancement observed in sperm treated with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
Abstract: Bovine epididymal spermatozoan motility and respiration are enhanced by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as caffeine (Garbers et al., 1971). This report deals with additional aspects of the relationship of these cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors and bovine epididymal sperm metabolism. Caffeine induced elevated cyclic3’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) concentrations within 1 mm after addition, with either endogenous substrate or 10 mM fructose as substrate. Although the stimulation of motility was rapid, the maximal respiratory rate with either pyruvate or glucose as substrate did not occur until 1 to 4 mm. After incubation of sperm with caffeine for a period of time, no respiratoly lag occurred on addition of pyruvate. With fructose as substrate, ATP concentrations declined significantly between 3 to 5 mm after addition of caffeine, whereas ATP concentrations were significantly reduced by 2 mm in the absence of exogenous substrate. ADP and AMP concentrations increased as ATP decreased, resulting in a marked decline in the phosphate potential. Bongkrekic acid (BKA), an inhibitor of mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase, blocked sperm motility and respiration with acetate or pyruvate as substrate, whereas it had no effect on motility in the presence of glucose. Caffeine was capable of stimulating motility in the presence of glucose and BKA. Caffeine also increased glucose utilization rates, and lactate accumulation from glucose, in the absence or presence of BKA. Pyruvate utilization was either not affected or was reduced by caffeine, whereas lactate accumulation from pyruvate was consistently reduced. These results suggest a general stimulation of sperm metabolism by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The increase in sperm motility and cyclic AMP is rapid and precedes any significant decline in ATP concentrations or increases in respiratory rate. The data suggest that the fall in ATP concentrations, and therefore the decline in “phosphate potential,” is a causal factor responsible for the glycolytic and respiratory rate enhancement observed in sperm treated with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
TL;DR: Incubation of washed human spermatozoa in the presence of 6 mM concentrations of EDTA, histidine and cysteine induces a release of about 75% of the zinc bound to the cells, which is related to the regulation of energy metabolism and probably to sperm capacitation.
TL;DR: Observed transitions from spindle-shaped to more spherical sperms could be facilitated by changes in disposition of sperm microtubules, and marked cytoplasmic activity, but no directional motility was observed.
Abstract: Male gametes of barley are small cells with conspicuous nuclei and compact cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is limited by a unit membrane. Between sperm and vegetative cell unit membranes is a thin, relatively homogeneous region which failed to stain with common cell wall specific reagents at the light microscope level. Cytoplasmic contents include mitochondria, ribosomes, dictyosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and microtubules. Microtubules occur nearly around the entire periphery of a transected sperm, sometimes occurring in clusters of up to 16 tubules. Their chief orientation is longitudinal. No plastids or plastid-like organelles were observed. Chromatin in the nucleus is condensed; when present, there are two nucleoli. Living sperms observed with Nomarski-interference optics exhibited marked cytoplasmic activity, but no directional motility. Observed transitions from spindle-shaped to more spherical sperms could be facilitated by changes in disposition of sperm microtubules.
TL;DR: Experiments designed to examine the possibility of immunoselection of gametes have until now all been carried out in vivo, and have involved determining the sex ratio of progeny from female mice that had rejected skin grafts from males of the same strain.
Abstract: SPECULATION that immunological means could be used to control the sex ratio in mammals began when Eichwald and Silmser1 provided evidence for a Y-linked histocompatibility antigen. Feldman2 and Sachs and Heller3 initially suggested that serum from inbred females immunised by skin from males of the same strain (and assumed to contain antibody specifically directed against the Y antigen) might selectively impair the fertilising ability of sperm containing the Y chromosome. Testing of this hypothesis was hampered by lack of adequate systems for demonstrating and assaying H-Y antibody in the sera of immunised females. Consequently experiments designed to examine the possibility of immunoselection of gametes have until now all been carried out in vivo, and have involved determining the sex ratio of progeny from female mice that had rejected skin grafts from males of the same strain4–6.
TL;DR: Scanning electron microscopy of the outer surface of sea urchin eggs sampled at intervals during the first 3 minutes after insemination reveals the detailed structural changes of the vitelline layer during its transformation into the fertilization membrane.
Abstract: Scanning electron microscopy of the outer surface of sea urchin eggs sampled at intervals during the first 3 minutes after insemination reveals the detailed structural changes of the vitelline layer during its transformation into the fertilization membrane. A sperm attachment-detachment sequence is described for the large number of sperm which transitorily bind every egg during fertilization.
TL;DR: Acidic anionic residues on the surfaces of the hamster eggs and spermatozoa were investigated using a colloidal iron hydroxide (CIH)-labeling technique, and suggests that the sperm and egg plasma membrane components intermix during gamete fusion.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results suggest that sperm acrosomal hyaluronidase is identical with testicular hyalurinidase but is apparently different from lysosomal hyAluronid enzyme, present in organs other than the testis.
TL;DR: Purified acrosin is both activated and stabilized by calcium ions; however, it is not stable to freezing nor to freeze-drying and is inactivated by urea.
TL;DR: It is concluded that sperm morphology is most affected and sperm count least affected following unilateral mumps orchitis and that the recovery of sperm count and morphology is less marked than that of motility.
Abstract: Changes in count morphology and motility of sperm in the ejaculate following unilateral mumps orchitis were surveyed. Ejaculates of 54 patients aged 16-37 were examined within 3 6 and 12 months of orchitis attack. At 3 months the median sperm count (times 10 /ml) was 33.8 at 6 months 60 and at 12 months 70 the difference between the first 2 examinations being significant (p=.01). Taking more than 60% normal spermatozoa as the criterion for "normal" sperm morphology examination revealed only 6% normal ejaculates at 3 months 35% after 6 months (p=.001) and 46% after 12 months. Median Sperm Velocity Test values determined at 1 3 and 5 hours postejaculation were (in mcm/second) 5.6 2.9 and 1.1 at 3 months; 18.9 14.6 and 9.1 at 6 months; and 24.0 19.5 and 14.1 at 12 months. The difference between the 3-month and 6-month examination was again significant. It is concluded that sperm morphology is most affected and sperm count least affected following unilateral mumps orchitis and that the recovery of sperm count and morphology is less marked than that of motility. Cytogenetic deterioration following mumps orchitis appears to be relatively long-lasting especially with regard to sperm morphology.
TL;DR: It is concluded that more eggs are penetrated in a short period of time followed late transfers because there is tile ilnmediate posSii)ility of egg and sperm Ineeting.
Abstract: Unfertilized eggs recovered fronu donor ral)bits shortly after ovulation induced by injection of HCG were transferred to the oviducts of mated recipients or recipients inseminated with 200 nuillion spermatozoa and injected with HCG at known times. It was found that although only 407r of such eggs were penetrated in 1.5 h following transfer to mated recipients at 9-9.75 h after mating, 58 and 66� were penetrated during the same period if transfers were delayed until 13.75-14.25 and 19.5-20.0 h after mating, respectively. By 24 h after nuating the percentage of eggs penetrated had fallen again to 43%. It was shown by ligation of the oviduct at the uterotubal junction that adequate sperm were in the oviduct by 9.25-9.75 h after inselllinatiOn to ensure this enhanced fertilization following transfer at 14 or 17 h hut not 20 lu after insemination. Tiuese results implied that although spernu continued to migrate from the utenis into the oviduct, more sperm in the oviduct at later times was not responsible for this plsenomellon. Further experiments in which ligation was done at the anipullar-isthmic junction or the middle of the isthnuls showed that sperm were retaiiued in the proxilnal isthmus just above the uterotuhal junction for several hours. When whole ovidncts were fixed and serially sectioned and the number .‘.nd distribution of sperm determined, it waS fnund that at 9 h after insemination few sperm were at the site of fertilization. In the oviducts of animals killed at 14 or 20 h after insemination, the spernu in tlue oviduct (irrespective of whether tile uterotubal junction luad been ligated or not) had become redistributed with many more found at the site of fertilization. It is concluded that more eggs are penetrated in a short period of time (1.5 h) followed late transfers because there is tile ilnmediate posSii)ility of egg and sperm Ineeting.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of trypsin-like proteinase during fertilization of sea urchin eggs has been investigated and fine structural studies have been conducted to determine the role.
TL;DR: The indication is that CA is a powerful antifertility agent and the undesirable effects of loss of libido and impotency may be abolished by reducing the dosage.
Abstract: Cyproterone acetate (CA) was administered to a group of 6 normal healthy males in 2-100 mg doses daily continuously for a period of 16-20 weeks in order to test the effect of CA on the male reproductive system. This dosage is the norm for treatment of benign or malignant prostatic hypertrophy. Sperm counts fell off after an average of 8 weeks experimentation and reached the level of functional sterility by an average of 13 weeks. Morphological abnormality of the sperm increased over time. Sperm motility decreased. Libido and potency decreased sharply. All these functions returned to normal within a few weeks after administration of CA was stopped. The drug also caused moderate decreases in testicular germ cell numbers and testosterone levels of plasma and urine. No changes resulted in levels of plasma or urinary interstitial cell-stimulating hormone follicle stimulating hormone or in Leydig cell morphology or number. Liver and kidney functions continued normally. Indications are that the major site of inhibition is in the testis not in the epididymis or ductular system. Reduced testosterone level even without androgen deprivation could cause all of these changes. The indication is that CA is a powerful antifertility agent. The undesirable effects of loss of libido and impotency may be abolished by reducing the dosage. By maintaining a dosage of sufficient strength CA could be used as a male contraceptive.
TL;DR: It was concluded that Fr.
Abstract: two major fractions, Fr. I and Fr. II. The macromolecular Fr. I increased with sperm maturation and the fraction was shown to possess four different antigens. The amount of Fr. I. released from spermatozoa during incubation in the uterus was apparently influenced by the hormonal environment of the female reproductive tract. The fraction showed decapacitating activity, and decapacitated spermatozoa treated with Fr. I were capable of recapacitation after a second uterine incubation period. It was concluded that Fr. I was the decapacitation factor in guinea-pig semen.