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Showing papers on "Sperm motility published in 1981"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the substrate requirements for capacitation of mouse spermatozoa, initiation of the acrosome reaction and support of fertilization of mouse eggs in vitro were examined by assessing not only fertilization rates, but also the stages of egg activation and sperm head decondensation in fertilized eggs to monitor the temporal aspects of these processes.
Abstract: The substrate requirements for capacitation of epididymal mouse spermatozoa, initiation of the acrosome reaction and support of fertilization of mouse eggs in vitro were examined by assessing not only fertilization rates, but also the stages of egg activation and sperm head decondensation in fertilized eggs to monitor the temporal aspects of these processes. Although early events of capacitation did not require exogenous substrates, the fertilization process was effectively blocked at the terminal stages of capacitation in the absence of a glycolysable sugar, and addition of glucose was obligatory to initiate both the acrosome reaction and the whiplash motility associated with fertilizing ability. Once the spermatozoa had been primed by glucose, however, the removal of exogenous glucose did not block fertilization. The need for oxidative metabolism was excluded because successful fertilization could be achieved with glucose as the sole exogenous substrate under strictly anaerobic conditions or in the presence of 2.5 microM-oligomycin. We suggest, therefore, that epididymal mouse spermatozoa can be almost completely capacitated in the absence of metabolic processes simply by release into substrate-free medium. They require exposure to glucose to permit induction of the acrosome reaction and motility changes, necessary prerequisites for fertilization; such exposure is followed by rapid and synchronous penetration of eggs.

205 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A technically simple, inexpensive method is described for measuring objective parameters of sperm motility and examples are presented of videomicrographic assessment of the motility of human and bull spermatozoa.

198 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although the motile ionophore-treated spermatozoa were unsuccessful at penetrating normal mature sheep oocytes in vitro, they were able to penetrate zona-free oocytes, after which swelling and decondensation of the sperm head took place.
Abstract: A system has been developed for inducing a calcium-dependent acrosome reaction in ram spermatozoa in vitro using the calcium ionophore A23187. The resultant reaction is accompanied by release of the acrosomal enzymes hyaluronidase and acrosin, but there is no release of the cytoplasmic enzyme glucose 6-phosphate isomerase. In any given cell, the visible acrosome reaction apparently takes place rapidly, but there is a variable delay before the reaction occurs. Under optimum conditions, about 90% of treated spermatozoa show an acrosome reaction within one hour. Preincubation of the spermatozoa with the proteinase inhibitors p-amino-benzamidine or p-nitrophenylguanidinobenzoate allows two stages of the reaction to be distinguished ultrastructurally, a membrane fusion stage followed by a dispersal of the acrosomal matrix. In the presence of the inhibitors, the first stage is delayed but is completed within 1 hour, whereas the second remains largely incomplete. In the presence of calcium, ionophore concentrations which induce an acrosome reaction abolish sperm motility rapidly and completely. However, by adding serum albumin shortly after addition of ionophore, motility can be preserved while the acrosome reaction occurs as usual; the motility pattern observed under these conditions is of the “whip-lash” or “activated” type. Although the motile ionophore-treated spermatozoa were unsuccessful at penetrating normal mature sheep oocytes in vitro, they were able to penetrate zona-free oocytes, after which swelling and decondensation of the sperm head took place.

154 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Gossypol acetic acid administered orally at 30 mg/kg body weight/day for five weeks inhibited the fertility of male rats without an apparent loss of libido, and degeneration in the tail region of epididymal spermatozoa revealed.
Abstract: Gossypol acetic acid administered orally at 30 mg/kg body weight/day for five weeks inhibited the fertility of male rats without an apparent loss of libido. Sperm in the ejaculate were rendered immotile and were reduced in number. Serum testosterone and LH were reduced significantly from pretreatment values, whereas FSH values were not altered. Leydig cells from treated animals produced less testosterone than did control Leydig cells when incubated with LH. Furthermore, testosterone production by normal Leydig cells that were incubated with LH and gossypol was inversely related to gossypol concentration. Ultrastructural examination of epididymal spermatozoa revealed degeneration in the tail region, particularly in the mitochondrial sheath of the middle piece. Within the seminiferous epithelium, late spermatids displayed a similar degeneration, although not as severe. After a six-week recovery period, normal fertility was re-established and normal litters were produced. Sperm motility and number, serum testosterone and LH levels, and sperm structure all returned to normal.

143 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The rate of sperm release is closely related to the level of esterase 6 activity, suggesting that this seminal fluid enzyme is involved in sperm motility.

139 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The usefulness of this simple method as a diagnostic aid in men with infertility and urogenital disease was illustrated by the analysis of two abnormal semen samples.

138 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Polyvinylalcohol was tested as a replacement for protein in supporting motility, acrosome reactions, and fertilizing ability of hamster spermatozoa in vitro and it was suggested that PVA may find general application in cell culture media.
Abstract: Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) was tested as a replacement for protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) in supporting motility, acrosome reactions, and fertilizing ability of hamster spermatozoa in vitro. Bovine serum albumin is normally required for all of these processes. After incubation for 5--6 hours in a simple culture medium containing BSA and PVA (0.1 mg/ml) and essential low molecular weight factors from blood serum, 85% of motile spermatozoa had undergone acrosome reactions. Sperm motility was equally well maintained by PVA in the absence of BSA but virtually no spermatozoa showed acrosome reactions even after prolonged incubation. Serum factors were later replaced by hypotaurine (10 microM), isoproterenol (1 microM), and penicillamine (20 microM). Spermatozoa incubated in this defined medium with BSA alone or with BSA and PVA fertilized more than 90% of oocytes. No oocytes were penetrated when BSA was replaced by PVA although vigorous sperm motility was maintained. Polyvinylalcohol may help elucidate the mechanism of the acrosome reaction by permitting effects of protein and other substances to be studied without loss of sperm motility (viability). Polyvinylalcohol could also replace BSA in solutions used for manipulation of zona pellucida-free oocytes. It is suggested that PVA may find general application in cell culture media.

128 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results support the idea that deficient sperm fertilizing capacity often is a characteristic of poor-quality semen, and the interspecies in vitro fertilization test might be useful as an additional tool in clinical investigations of the fertility of the male partners of childless couples.

123 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that spermatogenesis as assessed by sperm counts, motilities, and morphologies may be reinitiated and maintained at normal levels in men with undetectable blood FSH levels and urinary excretion less than that of prepubertal children.
Abstract: The role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the control of spermatogenesis is not well established in any species, including man. We studied the effect of an experimentally-induced, selective FSH deficiency on sperm production in normal men. After a 3-mo control period, five normal men received testosterone enanthate (T) 200 mg i. m. weekly to suppress luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH, until three successive sperm counts revealed azoospermia or severe oligospermia (sperm counts <3 million/ml). Then, while continuing T, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 5,000 IU i. m. three times weekly was administered simultaneously to replace LH activity, leaving FSH activity suppressed. The effect of the selective FSH deficiency produced by hCG plus T administration on sperm production was determined. Sperm counts (performed twice monthly throughout the study) were markedly suppressed during T administration alone (1.0+/-1.0 million/ml mean+/-SE, compared with 106+/-28 million/ml during the control period, P < 0.001). With the addition of hCG to T, sperm counts returned toward normal (46+/-16 million/ml, P < 0.001 compared with T alone). In two subjects, sperm counts during hCG plus T returned into the individual's control range. Sperm motility and morphology were consistently normal in all men during hCG plus T. Serum FSH levels by RIA were normal (110+/-10 ng/ml) in the control period and were suppressed to undetectable levels (<25 ng/ml) in the T alone and hCG plus T periods. Urinary FSH excretion was markedly suppressed in the T alone (60+/-15 mIU/h-2nd IRP, P < 0.01) and hCG plus T (37+/-9 mIU/h, P < 0.01) periods compared with the control period (334+/-78 mIU/h). We conclude that spermatogenesis as assessed by sperm counts, motilities, and morphologies may be reinitiated and maintained at normal levels in men with undetectable blood FSH levels and urinary excretion of FSH less than that of prepubertal children. This conclusion implies that, although FSH may exert effects on human testicular function, maintenance of normal spermatogenesis and reinitiation of sperm production after short-term suppression by exogenous steroids can occur in spite of nearly absent FSH stimulation.

116 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effects of erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine (EHNA) which, in combination with adenosine and homocysteine thiolactone, inhibits protein carboxylmethylase activity in monocytes inhibited sea urchin sperm motility and provided evidence for the similarity of the active site of the dynein ATPase in sea urchesin and rat spermatozoa.
Abstract: Protein carboxylmethylase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine:protein O-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.24.) is believed to be involved in the regulation of sperm motility. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine (EHNA) which, in combination with adenosine and homocysteine thiolactone, inhibits protein carboxylmethylase activity in monocytes. This group of compounds inhibited sea urchin sperm motility. Unexpectedly, EHNA alone inhibited the motility., This observation was confirmed in intact spermatozoa from rats, rabbits, and humans. EHNA also inhibited the motility of demembranated, reactivated sea urchin and rat spermatozoa from which protein carboxylmethylase had been extracted. In these preparations, motility was restored by ATP. These observations suggested that EHNA arrests sperm motility by inhibiting the axonemal dynein ATPase on which motility depends. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that EHNA produced mixed inhibition of both the axonemal ATPase and the partially purified dynein 1 from sea urchin sperm tails, as well as the axonemal ATPase of rat sperm tails. These observations also provide evidence for the similarity of the active site of the dynein ATPase in sea urchin and rat spermatozoa.

109 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the majority of instances spermatozoa lost their motility when mixed with fresh urine specimens and it is suggested that patients with retrograde ejaculation should adequately increase their fluid intake before recovery of sperm from their bladder for artificial insemination.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest that Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the resulting K+ influx are important for the mammalian sperm AR, and some similarities between requirements for the hamster sperm AR and secretory granule exocytosis are discussed.
Abstract: The role of a K+ ion influx and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the hamster sperm acrosome reaction (AR) was examined, using a range of concentrations of K+,K+ ionophores and a Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor. Washed epididymal hamster sperm, capacitated in vitro in an artificial medium containing 2 mM Ca2+, 147 mM Na+, and 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 mM K+, began undergoing the AR after 3 h of incubation. Sperm incubated in low K+ (0.9 mM) failed to undergo the AR even after 5 h of incubation. Sperm in 0.9 mM K+ could be induced to undergo the AR when either K+ (12 mM) alone or K+ (12 mM) with 0.1 microM nigericin was added after 3.5 h of incubation. The addition of K+ alone stimulated the AR in 30 min, whereas nigericin plus K+ stimulated the AR 15 min after addition. Neither nigericin added alone (0.9 mM K+) nor nigericin plus 12 mM K+ added to a low Ca2+ (0.35 mM) system resulted in acrosome reactions. Valinomycin (1 nM) did not stimulate the AR when added together with K+ (3-24 mM) to sperm incubated in 0.9 mM K+ for 3.5 h but markedly decreased sperm motility. Micromolar levels of ouabain blocked the AR when added between t = 0--3 h to sperm incubated with 3-24 mM K+. Inhibition of AR by the addition of 1 microM ouabain to sperm incubated with 3 mM K+ was completely reversed by the addition of 0.1 microM nigericin at t = 3.5 h. These results suggest that Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the resulting K+ influx are important for the mammalian sperm AR. Some similarities between requirements for the hamster sperm AR and secretory granule exocytosis are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sperm motility in fishes is, in general, initiated by simple dilution of the epididymal suspension, but a few simple organic compounds and poorly characterized proteincontaining “factors” associated with fish eggs seem to enhance sperm motility.
Abstract: SYNOPSIS. Sperm motility in fishes is, in general, initiated by simple dilution of the epididymal suspension. A few simple organic compounds and poorly characterized proteincontaining “factors” associated with fish eggs seem to enhance sperm motility. True chemotaxis in fish sperm has not been demonstrated. Ultimately, sperm-egg interaction leads to a large, transient increase in the concentration of free calcium in the egg's cytoplasm. This calcium increase is responsible for lifting the egg's developmental block; some mechanisms by which the calcium flux may accomplish this are discussed. A pH change is apparently not involved in turning on synthetic activity in fish eggs. Electrophysiological events and the fusion of cortical vesicles with the plasma membrane, which are among the earliest changes in the egg resulting from fertilization, are apparently not necessary for development of fish eggs. Synthesis of RNA and protein required for normal cleavage, axiation and organogenesis occurs during and soon after the calcium transient. Completion of the egg's second maturation division occurs within minutes after fertilization. Ooplasmic segregation (by some totally unknown mechanism) and opposition of male and female pronuclei complete the transformation of the egg into a functional zygote.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that sperm motility is important, and probably essential, for sperm entry into the oviducts in the rat and that the rat uterotubal junction forms a small mound or papilla projecting into the uterine cavity.
Abstract: Entry of spermatozoa into the oviducts of mammals is restricted by the uterotubal junctions. The extent to which these junctions act as selective valves, or filters, for sperm transport has not been determined. A new technique has been developed that permits the direct visualization of sperm transport through the uterotubal junction of the rat in vitro. After mating or artificial insemination, the female tract is removed to a special "observation dish" containing oxygenated Earle's solution maintained at 37 degrees C. The oviducts are severed 1.0 - 1.5 mm above the uterotubal junctions. Under appropriate magnification and with oblique transillumination, spermatozoa may be observed emerging from the cut ends. It was noted that only motile spermatozoa emerged and that they usually appeared individually, with an interval of several minutes between each. Their egress was not directly related to contractions of the uterine cornu. Neither immotile spermatozoa nor a dye solution were observed to pass through the uterotubal junction. It is concluded that sperm motility is important, and probably essential, for sperm entry into the oviducts in the rat. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the rat uterotubal junction forms a small mound or papilla projecting into the uterine cavity. No ciliated cells were observed in this region.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The alteration in the composition of the sperm population appeared to result from exclusion by the mucus of most classes of abnormal sperm.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Spermatozoa were flushed with mineral oil from the lower isthmus of the rabbit oviduct at four hours postcoitus and 11 hours pc and two phases of activated sperm movement, a whiplash phase and a progressive phase, were identified and characterized.
Abstract: Spermatozoa were flushed with mineral oil from the lower isthmus of the rabbit oviduct at four hours postcoitus (pc) and 11 hours pc. Videotapes were made of sperm behavior in the native isthmic fluid and after dilution of the fluid with culture medium. The tapes showed that, initially, spermatozoa in the native isthmic fluid were virtually immotile, but immediately resumed movement on contact with the culture medium. Isthmic sperm motility then evolved over a five- to 10-minute interval into the characteristic biphasic pattern of activated movement. Cine films of isthmic spermatozoa taken with a high-speed camera were analyzed to determine flagellar beat frequency, maximum flagellar curvature, and swimming velocity. Progressiveness ratios and hydrodynamic power outputs were then calculated for individual spermatozoa. Two phases of activated sperm movement, a whiplash phase and a progressive phase, were identified and characterized. The power output of activated spermatozoa increased twentyfold in comparison with the preactivated state. The power output of activated spermatozoa did not differ between the two phases of activated movement.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A simple trans-membrane migration method for evaluating drug effects on sperm motility, which uses 2 chambers separated by a membrane in which there are many evenly distributed 5 mcm capillary pores, is reported.
Abstract: This article reports the development of a simple trans-membrane migration method for evaluating drug effects on sperm motility. This method uses 2 chambers separated by a membrane in which there are many evenly distributed 5 mcm capillary pores. The trans-membrane migration ratio (TMMR) consists of the proportion of sperm that move across the membrane into the lower chamber. This method was used to measure the effect of caffeine on sperm motility in 9 specimens. The number of specimens that reached their maximal response at concentrations of 1 thousanth 5 x 1 thousandth and 1 hundreth were 3 4 and 1 respectively. The remaining specimen showed no response. In 4 samples the size of response decreased once maximal stimulation was attained; a plateau was maintained in the other samples. Since sperm motility is regarded to be an important determinant of male fertility this method should be of use in pharmacologic investigations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There was a subsequent rise in percent of normal sperm which was seen in April with a decline again during the summer months, and there were marked seasonal variations in the scrotal circumference and sperm morphology for each of the breed types.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Improvement of the percentage of motility alone did not give a significant improvement in conception rates when compared with accepted cycles with the placebo, and the motile fraction was used for AIH treatment of 20 couples.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The spermatozoa were capable of fusing with zona-free hamster eggs only after preincubation for 2 h, suggesting the need for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction before fertilization in this species.
Abstract: Semen from a male dolphin in captivity was collected by electro-ejaculation and frozen to -176 degrees C. Sperm motility was excellent after thawing 10 days later. Electron microscopy showed 14-16 parallel ridges in the post-acrosomal region and two types of mitochondria in the mid-piece. The spermatozoa were capable of fusing with zona-free hamster eggs only after preincubation for 2 h, suggesting the need for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction before fertilization in this species.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that prostaglandin F2 alpha act on motility, but the action is not mediated by receptors.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1981
TL;DR: Spermatozoa, unlike other body cells, are endowed with two clearly discernible biological properties, namely the capacity to move fast and to fertilize, a remarkable combination of attributes, each inherent in a different constituent structure of the sperm cell.
Abstract: Some of the fascination which Bonnet so marvellously expressed in his letter to Spallanzani, we surely share to this day; to a great extent it arises from the fact that spermatozoa, unlike other body cells, are endowed with two clearly discernible biological properties (of which at last we begin to know rather more than our illustrious predecessors), namely the capacity to move fast and to fertilize, a remarkable combination of attributes, each inherent in a different constituent structure of the sperm cell

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Low proportion of cumulus-free ova were fertilized when sperm were preincubated with either amino acid alone over the range of 0.01 to 1 mM; however, over 80% fertilization was consistently obtained when isoproterenol was also present during sperm incubation, and the possibility that taurine or hypotaurine is the sperm motility factor is discussed.
Abstract: Taurine and hypotaurine were examined for their efficacy in replacing sperm motility factor (SMF), prepared from bovine adrenal cortex, for in vitro fertilization in the golden hamster. Combinations of these amino acids at concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM together with 16 μM isoproterenol (a catecholamine β-agonist) were added to the sperm incubations. After three hours of sperm preincubation, oviductal eggs were added to the sperm suspensions and examined for penetration and stage of fertilization after three or five hours of culture. At 0.001 mM, neither taurine or hypotaurine was capable of maintaining motility of hamster sperm for four to 4½ hours or of inducing fertilization. With all other concentrations, both amino acids were found to maintain motility of sperm as well as SMF. Hypotaurine stimulated motility to a greater extent than taurine and both required isoproterenol for the greatest motility. A low proportion of cumulus-free ova were fertilized when sperm were preincubated with either amino acid alone over the range of 0.01 to 1 mM; however, over 80% fertilization was consistently obtained when isoproterenol was also present during sperm incubation. Proportions of ova fertilized with taurine or hypotaurine present during sperm preincubation were comparable to those achieved with SMF. The possibility that taurine or hypotaurine is the sperm motility factor is discussed. After three hours of sperm/egg incubation, a lag in the early events of fertilization was observed in experimental groups treated with one of the amino acids (0.01 mM) alone compared with groups treated with isoproterenol present. However, if sperm/egg incubation was extended from three to five hours, no increase in number of eggs penetrated was found. Therefore, the delay observed at three hours was considered a function of fewer numbers of capacitated sperm present in the absence of isoproterenol rather than of the need for an extended capacitation time.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: With increasing durations of abstinence from ejaculation before the tests there were significant increases in semen volume and sperm concentration, and significant changes in results accompanied repeated testing, notably rises in sperm concentration and motility.
Abstract: UNLABELLED Infertile men who had 3 or more semen analyses performed in one laboratory were placed in 2 groups (I) oligozoospermic group (n = 106), mean sperm concentration between 1 and 20 million/ml (II) asthenozoospermic group (n = 71), mean sperm concentration greater than 20 million/ml, and mean motility less than 60%. With increasing durations of abstinence from ejaculation before the tests there were significant increases in semen volume and sperm concentration. Semen volume increased over the first 4 days to a similar extent in both groups. Sperm concentrations increased over 15 days, but the effect of abstinence was much greater in the asthenozoospermic group than in the oligozoospermic group (14% compared with 1.4% of the within subject variation). Significant changes in results accompanied repeated testing, notably rises in sperm concentration and motility. Sperm motility was lower in winter and higher in summer in both groups and also, but to a lesser extent, in artificial insemination donors who collected semen in the laboratory. CONCLUSIONS duration of abstinence, the elapse of time and seasonal temperature changes affect semen analysis results, and therefore controls for these variables must be incorporated in any therapeutic trial for male infertility. On the other hand, they only account for a small proportion of the total variability and thus routine correction of results would not greatly improve the value of semen analysis in the prediction of fertility. Furthermore because differences in the duration of abstinence have only a small effect on sperm concentration in oligozoospermic men, restricting sexual intercourse to the time of ovulation may not enhance fertility.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two categories of fertile men were investigated: semen donor candidates for artificial insemination and pre-vasectomy subjects, and the group studied seemed to be as representative and as well defined as possible.
Abstract: The semen characteristics studied were the sperm count, semen volume, morphology and pre-freeze and post-thaw motility. Two categories of fertile men were investigated: semen donor candidates for artificial insemination and pre-vasectomy subjects. Since mean values for each variable in the two series were similar, they could be considered as a single group of 484 fertile men. Only those subjects whose ejaculates were obtained after an abstinence of 5 days or less were retained. The distribution, mean and percentiles were determined for each variable. The 10th and 90th percentiles for sperm count, percentage of motile forms and percentage of normal cells were respectively 25 and 180 million per ml, 60% and 80% and 50% ad 75%. The three variables, sperm count, semen volume and total number of spermatozoa which were dependent on abstinence were analysed in the same manner for 3 days of abstinence. The group studied seemed to be as representative and as well defined as possible.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the in vivo effects of desmethylimipramine and lithium carbonate on sperm function in patients suffering from clinical depression were investigated, and the in vitro effects of a series of neurotropic agents on sperm motility.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Videotapes were analyzed to assess sperm motility and morphology in the semen of 5 fertile donors and 20 infertile patients and values obtained for abnormal morphology more often were immotile or weakly motile than were the normal sperm in the same ejaculates.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Human spermatozoa with normal structure and with different axonemal deficiencies were studied by electron microscopy, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and ATPase activity measurements; Histochemical ATPase stainings indicate that this enzyme is localized mainly in the doublet arms and, to a minor extent, in the central structures.
Abstract: Human spermatozoa with normal structure and with different axonemal deficiencies (absence of axoneme, of arms, or of central structures) were studied by electron microscopy, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and ATPase activity measurements. Normal human sperm possess a complement of high molecular weight polypeptides with an electrophoretic migration similar to that of sea urchin and other mammalian sperm dyneins. Human high molecular weight bands are numbered one to four in order of increasing of electrophoretic mobility; all of them are absent in spermatozoa that lack axoneme. The absence of doublet arms, coincides with the absence of bands 2, 3, and 4; the absence of central structures coincides with a reduction in intensity of band 2. In the latter two abnormal conditions, band 1 has an increased intensity. The data are tentatively interpreted by attributing the polypeptides forming bands 3 and 4 to the arm structure, whereas band 2 is supposed to contain a mixture of polypeptides localized in the arms and in the central structures; these abnormal sperm contain modified polypeptides which gather in band 1. Histochemical ATPase stainings indicate that this enzyme is localized mainly in the doublet arms and, to a minor extent, in the central structures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Intensive shaking and centrifugation significantly increased the percentage of dead spermatozoa, as confirmed from the combined supravital staining and MEP technique.
Abstract: Fresh seminal specimens from 48 normospermic donors were subjected to shaking and centrifugation at various intensities and durations, and their effect on sperm motility was determined objectively by the multiple exposure photography (MEP) method. Shaking for 15 sec by mechanical vibrator did not induce any drop in sperm percentage of motility, while shaking for 30 to 180 sec was followed by immediate drop of this parameter. Sperm velocity increased for a short duration in all shaken specimens, after which it dropped considerably in most cases. Following centrifugation below 330 g for 10-20 min, sperm motility was almost unaffected. However, there was a significant drop in sperm motility after specimens were subjected to rates above 580 g for the same time duration. Intensive shaking and centrifugation significantly increased the percentage of dead spermatozoa, as confirmed from the combined supravital staining and MEP technique.