Showing papers on "Sperm motility published in 1979"
TL;DR: The antiperoxidant factor present in human seminal plasma effectively counteracts the toxic effect of exogenous peroxidized fatty acids upon human spermatozoa, but is unable to restore motility lost by lipid peroxide action.
749 citations
TL;DR: Although no change was noted in semen quality standards, the authors concur with earlier suggestions that the minimal standards recommended by the American Fertility Society be modified.
214 citations
TL;DR: 14 cases of sperm tails from men who have spermatozoa that are immotile but living are described, which belong to five distinct groups and three men from this fifth category did not suffer from the immotiles-cilia syndrome.
134 citations
TL;DR: Egg extracts from 32 species of marine hydromedusae, siphonophores and sessile hydroids were tested for sperm attracting activity using the sperm of all species in both homo- and heterospecific combinations, demonstrating species-specific sperm chemotaxis in nearly every species.
Abstract: Egg extracts from 32 species of marine hydromedusae, siphonophores and sessile hydroids were tested for sperm attracting activity using the sperm of all species in both homo- and heterospecific combinations. Species-specific sperm chemotaxis could be demonstrated in nearly every species tested. Of the 1,024 possible combinations, 272 could not be attempted for lack of material. Of the 752 which were carried out, only 13 heterospecific cross-reactions were found. The bulk of these involved reactions which were either weaker in the heterospecific direction or unidirectional. The sperm behavior in response to both homospecific and heterospecific egg extracts is described. In the latter case, no changes in sperm motility or direction of movement were observed. In the former case, the sperm show turning behavior which brings them closer to the source of the extract. Since most of the Hydrozoa tested share the same habitat and are reproductively active at the same time of year, it appears that species-specific sperm chemotaxis may be a significant mechanism for both ensuring fertilization in an environment which subjects the gametes to massive dilution and preventing hybridization.
99 citations
TL;DR: The fertilizing capacity, motility and ultrastructure of fowl and turkey spermatozoa were examined at various stages of the freezing process and Binding of cationic ferritin to the plasmalemma of spermatozosa from both species remained unaltered.
Abstract: The fertilizing capacity, motility and ultrastructure of fowl and turkey spermatozoa were examined at various stages of the freezing process. For both species, fertility and motility were depressed after equilibration with dimethyl-sulphoxide at 5 degrees C. After freezing, motility was maintained at 55% for fowl spermatozoa and 40% for turkey spermatozoa; however, fertility was 55% for the fowl and 0% for the turkey. Qualitatively, the damage to the spermatozoa of both species was nearly identical, as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The plasmalemma was the primary site of damage. 'Bent' spermatozoa, coiled tails and swollen mitochondria were also present. Damage to the acrosome was only observed in spermatozoa which had been frozen to -180 degrees or -196 degrees C. These changes were attributed to adverse osmotic conditions. Binding of cationic ferritin to the plasmalemma of spermatozoa from both species remained unaltered.
97 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that in addition to its importance for motility taurine might stimulate capacitation, which results in the first relatively “defined” in vitro capacitation medium for hamster sperm.
Abstract: It is known that hamster sperm require an unidentified low molecular weight “factor” found in several cells and tissue types in order to remain strongly motile during in vitro capacitation. The β-amino acid taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) is present in a partially purified “factor” from bovine adrenal glands and can substitute for that “factor” in maintaining and stimulating hamster sperm motility. Incubation of washed hamster sperm with bovine serum albumin and 2 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−5M taurine for periods of approximately 5 hr. resulted in a higher number of strongly motile sperm compared to controls in the absence of exogenous taurine. Incubation of sperm with (-)epinephrine in the absence of taurine resulted in nearly all sperm becoming immotile. Activation (whiplash flagellar movement characteristic of capacitated hamster sperm) did not occur in the absence of taurine, but high percentages of activation occurred in the presence of 2 × 10−3, 2−10−4 and 2 × 10−5M taurine. Acrosome reactions occurred in the presence of taurine, even in the absence of (-)-epinephrine. However, (-)-epinephrine, previously shown to stimulate activation and acrosome reactions, was required for the maximum number of the latter. These results suggest that in addition to its importance for motility taurine might stimulate capacitation. The mechanism through which taurine supports and stimulates motility is not yet known, but its use results in the first relatively “defined” in vitro capacitation medium for hamster sperm.
87 citations
TL;DR: The effects of epididymal plasma, seminal plasma and serum albumin on surface properties of epidIDymal spermatozoa varied between species and there was no correlation between these effects and the effects on motility and survival.
Abstract: Epididymal spermatozoa from bull, rabbit and ram were incubated in homologous epididymal plasma or seminal plasma in a buffered saline-based medium with or without serum albumin. The spermatozoa were either diluted directly into the medium or were washed first. No effect of washing was observed on the subsequent reaction of the cells to the different media. A considerable proportion of the populations of epididymal spermatozoa survived (i.e. continued to exhibit motility) for up to 22 h at 30 degrees C in the simple saline-based medium. Initially epididymal plasma had a slight stimulatory effect on sperm motility in ram and bull but it had no effect on sperm survival in any of the 3 species. Seminal plasma stimulated motility markedly in ram initially, but in all 3 species seminal plasma was detrimental to survival: in ram even a 15-min exposure to the fluid reduced survival. Serum albumin also stimulated motility; it delayed, but did not prevent, the detrimental effect of seminal plasma, although it had no effect itself on survival. The effects of epididymal plasma, seminal plasma and serum albumin on surface properties of epididymal spermatozoa, i.e. agglutination, sticking-to-glass and eosinophilia, were also noted. These varied between species and there was no correlation between these effects and the effects on motility and survival.
84 citations
TL;DR: The ratio of male to female conceptions in this small study parallels the ratio of Y to X sperm in the final specimen used for artificial homologous insemination.
83 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that sperm ascent to the tubal ampulla in the sustained phase of transport, though enhanced by ovulation, must also depend on changes in flagellar activity and a specific pattern of motility, both of which appear only after spermatozoa have resided for more than 4 h in the female tract.
Abstract: Few spermatozoa were present in the ampullae of females 12 h after intravaginal artificial insemination (AI) when there was no ovulation-inducing stimulus. When ovulation was induced, sperm distributions in the female tract 12 h after AI did not differ from those observed 12 h after natural mating. The number of spermatozoa in the oviductal isthmus was similar in all 3 groups as was the percentage of isthmic spermatozoa exhibiting 'activated' motility. When fertile mating was delayed for 8 or 12 h after coitus with a vasectomized male (i.e. 2 h before or after ovulation), spermatozoa were not present in the ampulla 4 h later. The numbers of spermatozoa recovered from the cranial isthmus after delayed matings and 12 h after natural matings did not differ, but after delayed matings the motility of isthmic spermatozoa was non-progressive or poorly progressive and none exhibited 'activated' motility. Flagellar activity of isthmic spermatozoa recovered 4 h after delayed matings and after natural matings was similarly depressed. These observations indicate that sperm ascent to the tubal ampulla in the sustained phase of transport, though enhanced by ovulation, must also depend on changes in flagellar activity and a specific pattern of motility, both of which appear only after spermatozoa have resided for more than 4 h in the female tract.
74 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that the physical presence of a varicicele is not always associated with an alteration in sperm cell concentration and that a reduction of semen characteristics is more likely in men with reduced sperm counts.
74 citations
TL;DR: Treatment of patients referred for infertility evaluation who demonstrated low seminal plasma zinc and decreased sperm motility with oral zinc sulfate results in improved sperm motilty.
TL;DR: An objective method of assessing the motility of spermatozoa in undiluted or diluted semen from a wide variety of species including cattle, horse, pig, rabbit, rat and sheep is shown to be well correlated with other methods of assessing motility and with the non-return rate obtained with frozen cattle semen.
Abstract: A simple slide is described in which the base is a permeable membrane so that a suspension of spermatozoa (or other cells) may be examined under controlled conditions with a microscope. An objective method of assessing the motility of spermatozoa in undiluted or diluted semen from a wide variety of species including cattle, horse, pig, rabbit, rat and sheep is described. It is shown to be well correlated with other methods of assessing motility and also with the non-return rate obtained with frozen cattle semen.
TL;DR: In this paper, the percentage of motile spermatozoa decreases progressively, beginning 1 hour after ejaculation, at a rate of about 5% to 10%/hour.
TL;DR: Hamster epididymal spermatozoa were washed and preincubated at extremely low sperm concentrations in a culture medium containing naturally-occurring sperm motility-stimulating substances, and fertilization was accomplished in vitro at sperm:egg ratios approaching 1:1.
Abstract: Hamster epididymal spermatozoa were washed and preincu-bated at extremely low sperm concentrations (100/ml or less) in a culture medium containing naturally-occurring sperm motility-stimulating substances. These substances were partially purified “sperm motility factor” (SMF) derived from hamster adrenal glands and catecholamines (epinephrine or isoprotere-nol). After preincubation for three hours, a small number (5 or less) of washed, cumulus-free hamster eggs was added to each sperm suspension. Many of these eggs were undergoing fertilization when examined two to three hours later. Fertilization was accomplished in vitro at sperm:egg ratios approaching 1:1, a situation comparable to that believed to exist in vivo. It appears that this demonstration will considerably enhance the potential of in vitro fertilization studies for providing useful information on mammalian gamete interactions.
TL;DR: It is concluded that sperm which have undergone the acrosome reaction retain full fertilizing capacity for a very short time, followed by a decrease in respiration rate and motility.
TL;DR: The results indicate that one or more catecholamines are essential co-factors of SMF and demonstrate that hamster spermatozoa require catechlamines for their motility in vitro.
Abstract: Homogenates of hamster and bovine glands contain a "sperm motility factor" (SMF) that stimulates the motility of hamster epididymal spermatozoa in vitro. The potency of these adrenal preparations was severely attenuated after gel filtration on a Sephadex G-10 column. This loss of activity was ascribed to the retardation and separation of co-factors for SMF which appeared to be catecholamines. The sperm motility-stimulating activity of the SMF-containing fractions was fully restored by addition of either the 'retarded' fractions or catecholamines (epinephrine or norepinephrine). Neither the catecholamines nor the 'retarded' fractions were able to sustain vigorous sperm motility in the absence of the SMF-containing fractions. The potentiating action of catecholamines on SMF was mimicked by the adrenergic agonists isoproterenol and phenylephrine and inhibited by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine, but not by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Our results indicate that one or more catecholamines are essential co-factors of SMF and demonstrate that hamster spermatozoa require catecholamines for their motility in vitro.
TL;DR: Concern that lead, narcotics, ethanol, anticonvulsants, anesthetic gases, caffeine, or cigarette smoke ingested at the time of conception might damage sperm or sperm motility or have indirect effects resulting in an increase in neonatal morbidity and mortality is raised.
TL;DR: It is considered that the relative complexity of epididymal function and sperm structure in therian mammals could have been determined by evolutionary change in the milieu of the female tract, and/or in the character of the egg vestments that the fertilizing spermatozoon must penetrate.
Abstract: In exploring the evolution and adaptive significance of epididymal function, we have studied the male excurrent duct and spermatozoa of a monotreme mammal--the echidna. Sperm maturation in the echidna excurrent duct appears simpler than that in most therians examined. Furthermore, neither the duct nor the spermatozoa of the echidna display specific therian characteristics; they bear a much closer resemblance to those of non-passerine birds. The echidna spermatozoon is filiform, the sperm tail has no distinctive features, and the anterior seventh of the undulating nucleus is covered by a modest acrosome. Immediately behind this a restricted apposition between plasma membrane and nuclear envelope constitutes a post-acrosomal ring. This is evident also in some reptiles and marsupials, whereas in Eutheria such a membrane association appears as the posterior ring at the base of the sperm nucleus. Maturation of spermatozoa in the Wolffian duct of the echidna appears to be expressed only in a changing capacity for motility and in loss of the cytoplasmic droplet. Neither surface, structural nor acrosomal changes that characterize sperm maturation in therian mammals have been detected in maturing echidna spermatozoa. The echidna duct displays little of the regional complexity of the epithelium that typifies this duct in the Theria. Of five regions distinguishable on the basis of epithelial morphology, the first two appear to be counterparts of efferent ducts by virtue of a low columnar, partially ciliated epithelium. The tall pseudo-stratified Golgi-rich epithelium of the major portion of the duct broadly resembles that of the therian epididymis, but it displays only two structurally distinguishable regions, the more distal being the site of a dense luminal secretion. The foamy epithelial cells of the fifth and terminal region, characterized by a mass of supra-nuclear vesicles and rough ER, suggest a secretory function that may in some way contribute significantly to the ejaculate, for accessory glands are poorly developed in monotremes. The possibility is considered that the relative complexity of epididymal function and sperm structure in therian mammals could have been determined by evolutionary change in the milieu of the female tract, and/or in the character of the egg vestments that the fertilizing spermatozoon must penetrate.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Investigation of the effect of caffeine and pancreatic kallikrein on post-thaw motility, fructose consumption, and cervical mucus penetration of cryo-preserved human spermatozoa indicates that both substances stimulate the motility of freshly ejaculated spermatozosa and also improve the Motility pattern of cryospecifics, thus offering a possible means of improving the quality of freeze- Preserved human semen.
Abstract: Preservation of human semen in liquid nitrogen causes a significant impairment of sperm motility. Ejaculated human spermatozoa show an increased motility in the presence of caffeine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and pancreatic kallikrein (EC 3.4.21.8), a kinin-producing proteinase. Hence, the effect of both substances on post-thaw motility, fructose consumption, and cervical mucus penetration of cryo-preserved human spermatozoa was investigated. The results indicate that both substances stimulate the motility of freshly ejaculated spermatozoa and also improve the motility pattern of cryo-preserved human spermatozoa, thus offering a possible means of improving the quality of freeze-preserved human semen.
TL;DR: The amount of carnitine present in the spermatozoa probably provides a better index of epididymal function than the Carnival in the seminal plasma as the latter in influenced by af variable contribution from the other accessory sex organs.
Abstract: Total carnitine, acetylcarnitine and carnitine acetyl transferase (E.C. 2.3.1.7) were measured in the plasma and spermatozoa fractions of 41 samples of human semen and the correlation with sperm motility and sperm density examined.
It was confirmed that the concentration of total carnitine as well as of acetylcarnitine was 2–25 times higher and the activity of carnitine acetyl transferase 20–15 fold higher in spermatozoa than in seminal plasma. Sperm motility correlated with the concentration of acetylcarnitine (r = 0.6, P < 0.01) and of total carnitine (r = 0.55, P < 0.01) but not with the concentration of free carnitine nor with the activity of carnitine acetyl transferase in the spermatozoa. No correlation was found between sperm motility and the concentrations of acetylcarnitine, free carnitine or total carnitine in the seminal plasma.
It is concluded that the amount of carnitine present in the spermatozoa probably provides a better index of epididymal function than the carnitine in the seminal plasma as the latter in influenced by af variable contribution from the other accessory sex organs.
TL;DR: Semen samples were collected from 50 prevasectomy patients and 43 infertility clinic patients, and a significant correlation was found between semen rPRL concentration and sperm count for both the prevasection patients and the clinic patients.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A negative influence of diabetes on the quality of the ejaculate seems unquestionable and there exists great variability in the adverse effect on the individual diabetic.
Abstract: In 65 adult diabetic men and 77 control men without diabetes, both groups without any problems as to fertility, the following characteristics of ejaculate have been compared: volume of seminal fluid, sperm concentration per milliliter, total sperm count, sperm morphology, and motility at 1, 3, and 5 hours after ejaculation. In the entire diabetic group, sperm morphology and motility at 1 hour after ejaculation was statistically significantly worse. In 15 diabetics without sexual disurbances only sperm morphology was statistically significantly worse compared with an equally large control groups. In 50 diabetics with erection disturbances, sperm volume and motility in three successive observations were statistically remarkably lower. In younger age subgroups, the differences between diabetics and nondiabetics were more marked than in older age subgroups. The patients' age, when diabetes was discovered in them, did not essentially influence the quality of the ejaculate where diabetes lasted 8 or more years. Diabetics over 40 years' age displayed a significantly lower sperm volume. The total sperm count and motility at 3 and 5 hours after ejaculation, with 12 or more years' duration of diabetes, differed from diabetes of 2 years' duration. On the basis of these observations a negative influence of diabetes on the quality of the ejaculate seems unquestionable. There exists great variability in the adverse effect on the individual diabetic. Also, the individual characteristics of the ejaculate are affected, usually, to a different extent: the most frequently and markedly affected being the sperm motility, then morphology and/or volume of ejaculate, and the least often and the least conspicuously, the sperm count.
TL;DR: It is concluded that antibacterial therapy may improve fertility in patients with low sperm motility, but more investigation is necessary before the role of genital tract infection in male infertility can be placed in its proper perspective.
Abstract: The cytology and bacteriology of urethral urine specimens and expressed prostatic secretions were examined in 24 infertile men suspected of having chronic prostatitis. Lencocytes were found and commensal bacteria cultured from most subjects but these were unrelated to clinical features, seminal characteristics or the outcome of treatment. Infection with pathogenic bacteria was not found in any subject. Despite this, there was a significant increase in sperm motility after antibacterial treatment, principally with erythromycin or cotrimoxazole, and three pregnancies coincided with the improvement.
It is concluded that antibacterial therapy may improve fertility in patients with low sperm motility, but more investigation is necessary before the role of genital tract infection in male infertility can be placed in its proper perspective.
TL;DR: The data show that acrosin inhibitors and hyaluronidase inhibitors are highly effective intravaginal contraceptives in the rabbit and suggest that this is a specific inhibitory effect on fertilization.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared seminal fluid analysis (SFA) with the in vitro sperm penetration test (SP test) and found that sperm motility and morphology had a limited bearing upon the in-vivo penetration ability of spermatozoa.
TL;DR: There was a close correlation between immotility or very poor motility of the spermatozoa and ciliary dysfunction only when the spermutozoa had a normal configuration and poor sperm motility coupled with abnormalities in the sperm tails was rarely associated with ciliaryfunction.
Abstract: Nineteen men with viable spermatozoa of a reduced motility were divided into two groups according to the morphology as seen in light microscopy; one with less (group A) and one with more (group B) than 50 % abnormal sperm tails. These men were eamined with regard to history and symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. Spermatozoa and cilia from the respiratory tract were examined with electron microscopy. Tracheobronchial clearance was evaluated with labelled teflon particles. Five men (group C) with the “immotile-cilia syndrome”, primarily selected because of respiratory tract symptoms, were also studied with regard to sperm motility and morphology.
There was a close correlation between immotility or very poor motility of the spermatozoa and ciliary dysfunction only when the spermatozoa had a normal configuration. Poor sperm motility coupled with abnormalities in the sperm tails, as evaluated with light microscopy, was rarely associated with ciliary dysfunction. The reason for this could be that the spermatozoa from these men (in group B) all had abnormal fibrous sheath and/or mitochondria: structures not present in cilia from the respiratory tract.
Nine of the 12 men with immotile sperm tails (group A, B, and C) had the immotile-cilia syndrome and a complete or partial lack of dynein arms in the sperm tails. Two other men with the immotile-cilia syndrome had spermatozoa with some motility; spermatozoa from one had both inner and outer dynein arms and spermatozoa from the other lacked the outer arms.
Respiratory tract cilia were studied in four men with the immotile-cilia syndrome (from groups A and C). Inner and outer dynein arms were missing in the spermatozoa and cilia from three men, but in the same cells from the fourth man only the inner arms were absent.
TL;DR: The intrinsic capacity of the immune system to elicit immune response selectively against late developing sperm proteins has been mobilized to intercept spermatogenesis in dogs and rhesus monkeys, and almost complete azospermia was attained in 4-6 weeks after immunization.
Abstract: The intrinsic capacity of the immune system to elicit immune response selectively against late developing sperm proteins has been mobilized to intercept spermatogenesis. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin given in appropriate doses intratesticularly is effective in bringing about this effect. In dogs and rhesus monkeys, the sperm count in the semen declined precipitously, and almost complete azospermia was attained in 4-6 weeks after immunization. The few sperm cells that were present were immotile. Examination of serial sections of testes in immunized rats showed about 98% of the tubules to be devoid of sperm. The tubules were partially or fully atrophied. The basement membrane was, however, intact and the pertubular cell layer was normal. Sertoli cell nuclei were apparently normal but the cytoplasm was vacuolated and, in most cells, partially disintegrated. The lumen of the tubules was exhausted of formed elements and at times filled with eosinophilic debris. Leydig cells were present and hyperplasia of interstitial cells was seen, with massive infiltration of leukocytes. Blood testosterone levels were in the normal range and Leydig cells were responsive to gonadotropins. Libido was intact. The method was applicable to a variety of mammalian species. The implications of the results are discussed.
TL;DR: Evaluation of spermatozoal motility in diluted specimens in addition to evaluation of the original specimen in any routine semen analysis is recommended in order to determine true semen motility potential under optimal conditions.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that the motility of epididymal spermatozoa is influenced by external Na+ and K+ concentrations and that this phenomenon is pH-dependent.
Abstract: Spermatozoa were collected from the caput and cauda epididymidis of rabbits and rats and diluted in Hank's solution containing BSA, with various concentrations of Na+ and K+. Ionic strength and osmolarity were kept constant. Motility was assessed at various intervals during incubation at 25 degrees C. In the pH range 7.05--7.20, the motility of rabbit spermatozoa was not affected by changes in the ratio of K+ to Na+. Similarly, the motility of rat cauda spermatozoa was not altered, but that of caput spermatozoa was slightly depressed by a high K+/Na+ ratio. In the pH range 5.45--5.85, rabbit cauda and caput spermatozoa had much greater motility in media with a high K+/Na+ ratio. The reverse result was obtained for the rat. These findings indicate that the motility of epididymal spermatozoa is influenced by external Na+ and K+ concentrations and that this phenomenon is pH-dependent.