Showing papers on "Sperm motility published in 1993"
TL;DR: The lipid phase behavior was consistent with the temperature range over which cooling was damaging for pig and shrimp sperm, and the with the extent of damage produced in pig and human sperm, the first direct evidence that cold shock results from lipid phase transitions in cell membranes.
Abstract: When cells are cooled to temperatures above the freezing point of water at rates greater than a few degrees per minute, they sustain irreversible injury. Reduction of this "cold shock" damage could increase the survival of animals and plants at low environmental temperatures and improve the cryopreservation of plant and animal cells. Leakage of solutes across membranes, associated with thermotropic phase transitions in membrane lipids, is thought to be responsible, but this hypothesis has not been tested directly. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we measured the lipid phase transitions in intact, living sperm, the animal cell in which cold shock has been studied most extensively. A shift in the CH2 absorbance peaks indicates the transition from liquid-crystalline to gel phase. The phase transition in sperm membranes occurred at a lower temperature for a marine shrimp than for the pig. In each case, potassium leakage, which is a hallmark of cold shock damage, increased abruptly near the end of the phase transition. Human sperm are quite resistant to cold shock, and an abrupt lipid phase transition was not detected. This phase behavior is typical of membranes containing a high proportion of cholesterol, and human sperm have an unusually high sterol content. High cholesterol levels are known to stabilize membranes during cooling. Overall, the lipid phase behavior was consistent with the temperature range over which cooling was damaging for pig and shrimp sperm, and the with the extent of damage produced in pig and human sperm. This is the first direct evidence that cold shock results from lipid phase transitions in cell membranes.
546 citations
TL;DR: Studies in which the direct addition of xanthine oxidase was shown to influence both the movement of human spermatozoa and their competence for oocyte fusion carry implications for the diagnosis of defective sperm function and the design of optimized culture media for the treatment of male factor infertility.
Abstract: The reaction between xanthine and xanthine oxidase results in the univalent and divalent reduction of dioxygen to generate superoxide (O2-.) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), respectively. With the aid of this system, the direct effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on human sperm function has been investigated. A protocol involving the addition of xanthine oxidase to the reaction mixture at 0 and 15 min resulted in a loss of motility involving every component of sperm movement examined. Lower doses of xanthine oxidase, which did not influence sperm motility, were also found to suppress the competence of human spermatozoa to exhibit oocyte fusion in response to the ionophore, A23187. The reactive oxygen species responsible for the disruption of human sperm function was not influenced by the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) or scavengers of hypochlorous acid or hydroxyl radicals. However, the cytotoxic species was shown to be extremely stable and could be completely eliminated by catalase, which selectively eliminates H2O2. Confirmation that it is H2O2, and not O2-., which is cytotoxic to human spermatozoa was obtained in studies in which the direct addition of this oxidant was shown to influence both the movement of human spermatozoa and their competence for oocyte fusion. These results carry implications for the diagnosis of defective sperm function and the design of optimized culture media for the treatment of male factor infertility.
351 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that glutathione therapy could represent a possible therapeutical tool for both of the selected andrological pathologies and demonstrate a statistically significant positive effect on sperm motility.
Abstract: Glutathione therapy was used for 2 months in a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over trial of 20 infertile patients with dyspermia associated with unilateral varicocele (VAR) or germ-free genital tract inflammation (INF). The patients received either glutathione (group 1) or placebo (group 2) for 2 months, then they crossed over to the alternative treatment for a further 2 months. The patients were randomly and blindly assigned to treatment (one i.m. injection every other day of either 600 mg glutathione or an equal volume of a placebo preparation). The standard semen analysis and the computer-assisted sperm motility analyses were carried out before treatment and during the trial. Statistical cross-over analysis, case-control study and treatment efficacy test were carried out on groups 1 and 2 and differences in the effects of therapy between VAR and INF patients with varicocele or inflammation were tested. Glutathione therapy demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect on sperm motility, in particular on the percentage of forward motility, the kinetic parameters of the computerized analysis and on sperm morphology. The findings of this study indicate that glutathione therapy could represent a possible therapeutical tool for both of the selected andrological pathologies.
248 citations
TL;DR: The calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye indo-1 was used to follow intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in individual moving sperm and detected rapid oscillations that are significantly more rapid than oscillations detected in other cell types.
Abstract: At some time before fertilization, mammalian sperm undergo a change in movement pattern, termed hyperactivation. There is evidence that hyperactivation offers an advantage to sperm for detaching from the oviductal mucosa, for penetrating viscoelastic substances in the oviduct, and for penetrating the zona pellucida. Hyperactivation is known to require extracellular calcium, but little else is known about the mechanisms by which calcium affects sperm movement. The calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye indo-1 was used to follow intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in individual moving sperm. Sperm were loaded with 10 microM of the acetoxymethyl ester form of the dye and then rinsed. The dye was excited at 340 nm by using a filtered xenon stroboscope, and images at the 405-nm and 490-nm excitation maxima were simultaneously digitized at 30 per sec for 2.1 sec. [Ca2+]i was significantly higher in the acrosomal and postacrosomal regions of the head and in the flagellar midpiece (the principal piece could not be measured) in hyperactivated than in nonhyperactivated sperm (P < 0.0001). [Ca2+]i oscillations were detected in the proximal half of the midpiece that were identical in frequency to the flagellar-beat-cycle frequency in 12 of 17 hyperactivated sperm (median, 3.5 Hz). Rapid [Ca2+]i oscillations were also detected in the acrosomal and postacrosomal regions, as well as in the distal midpiece. Oscillations were not eliminated by dampening the flagellar bending with methyl cellulose. The [Ca2+]i oscillations detected in sperm are significantly more rapid than oscillations detected in other cell types.
221 citations
TL;DR: Laroscopic intrauterine or transcervical inseminations may eliminate the problem of sperm transport through the cervix and ageing of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract, thereby improving fertilization of ova and reducing embryonic loss.
Abstract: Research from 1930 to 1992 is reviewed with regard to storage of semen at reduced (0-5 degrees C or 10-15 degrees C) and at ambient temperatures. Diluents investigated have included synthetic buffers combined with sugars and egg yolk or its fractions, milk from various sources, glycine, and other substances. Irrespective of the diluent, dilution rate, temperature or conditions of storage, the spermatozoa deteriorate with time of storage. Changes include reduction in motility and morphological integrity of spermatozoa, accompanied by a decline in their survival in the female reproductive tract, reduction in fertility and increased embryonic loss. In critical studies, fertility declined rapidly when semen stored for more than 24 h was used for cervical insemination, but after intrauterine insemination some spermatozoa maintained their fertilizing capacity up to 10 days. Laparoscopic intrauterine or transcervical inseminations could be the means of improvement of fertility. These methods may eliminate the problem of sperm transport through the cervix and ageing of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract, thereby improving fertilization of ova and reducing embryonic loss.
190 citations
TL;DR: Sperm motility was investigated in a patient with a mitochondrial disease caused by reduced activity of the mitochondrial enzyme complexes I and IV, and in two control subjects, indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction causes reduced sperm motility in some men.
Abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction reduces aerobic energy production and results in symptoms from various tissues, depending on metabolic demands. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is essential for sperm motility. Sperm motility was investigated in a patient with a mitochondrial disease caused by reduced activity of the mitochondrial enzyme complexes I and IV, and in two control subjects. Spermatozoa were cultured in media containing various energy substrates. Motility was judged by light microscopy, and ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy. In the patient with mitochondrial disease, 12% of the spermatozoa were motile in the medium containing only glucose. There was a three-fold increase in motile spermatozoa when pyruvate and succinate were present together with glucose. In contrast, the spermatozoa of both control subjects had best motility in the presence of substrates for complex I, and no further increase was observed when succinate was added. Glucose and pyruvate enter the respiratory chain at complex I, and succinate at complex II. Electron microscopy of spermatozoa from the patient with mitochondrial disease revealed mitochondria with increased matrix, thickening of membranes, parallelization of cristae and lipid inclusions, which are characteristic findings in mitochondrial disorders. Abnormal mitochondria were also found in a spermatid, suggesting that the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria are primary rather than secondary to degeneration of the spermatozoa. The results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction causes reduced sperm motility in some men.
175 citations
TL;DR: The effects of the compounds studied on motility of frozen-thawed sperm were small, but if they protect sperm cell membranes, as reported for other types of membranes, they may assist sperm in surviving in the reproductive tract of the cow prior to fertilization.
174 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that cadmium may have an effect on the male reproductive system as well as zinc, which was generally higher in blood than in seminal plasma.
173 citations
TL;DR: Data support the hypotheses that a two-factor hypothesis of cryodamage applies to human spermatozoa and that an interaction exists between cooling rate and warming rate and suggest that motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function are not differently affected by cooling and warming during cryopreservation.
158 citations
TL;DR: The superoxide anion scavenging capacity of seminal plasma was measured by inhibition of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction due to the superoxide generated by the combination Xanthine plus xanthine oxidase as mentioned in this paper.
157 citations
TL;DR: Investigating the presence and function of acrosomal glycosidases capable of removing the GalTase-binding site from zona pellucida glycoproteins demonstrated that beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is found in sperm acrosomes and is released during the acrosome reaction, at which time it facilitates sperm penetration through the zona.
Abstract: Fertilization in the mouse is initiated by sperm beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase (GalTase) binding to terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues on the zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3. Binding of ZP3 induces exocytosis of the sperm acrosome, whose contents are believed to digest a penetration slit in the zona matrix through which sperm reach the egg. As a consequence of acrosomal exocytosis, GalTase is redistributed to the lateral aspect of the sperm head, where its function remains unknown. In this location, GalTase could conceivably impede zona penetration by binding to N-acetylglucosamine residues exposed on zona pellucida glycoproteins. Therefore, in this study we investigated the presence and function of acrosomal glycosidases capable of removing the GalTase-binding site from zona pellucida glycoproteins. beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was found at very high levels in sperm, being more than 20-fold higher than other glycosidases assayed. The specific isozymic variant was identified as beta-hexosaminidase B. beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was localized to sperm acrosomes by biochemical and indirect immunofluorescence studies and was released during the acrosome reaction, as expected for an enzyme involved in zona penetration. To determine if, in fact, acrosomal beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase facilitated penetration through the zona, an assay was developed using eggs that were rendered incapable of triggering the block to polyspermy. A specific competitive inhibitor of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, PUGNAC, inhibited sperm penetration of the zona in a dose-dependent manner, whereas a closely related beta-glucosidase inhibitor, PUGLU, had no effect on zona penetration or on beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. Neither glycosidase inhibitor affected sperm motility or induction of the acrosome reaction. These results demonstrate that beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is found in sperm acrosomes and is released during the acrosome reaction, at which time it facilitates sperm penetration through the zona. These results also imply that sperm have developed mechanisms to prevent the formation of stable interactions between surface receptors and their zona pellucida ligands during penetration.
TL;DR: Observations indicated that fast forward-moving sperm motility, which lasts 60-70 s, is correlated with propagating waves on the full length of the sperm flagellum with an initial beat frequency of 45-50 Hz which abruptly drops to about 10 Hz after 60-80 S.
TL;DR: PF has proven effects on sperm motility, increasing the proportion of hyperactivated spermatozoa, and it can also enhance the acrosome reaction and this may be the more relevant function for clinical prediction.
Abstract: Data are presented covering various studies on the use of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (PF) in the sperm preparation for procedures in assisted reproduction. Significant improvements have been shown in the fertilization rate of oocytes along with a reduced risk of failed fertilization cycles utilizing oligo/asthenozoospermic semen samples. Fertilization is also improved for normozoospermic samples when the acrosome reaction is suboptimal. PF has proven effects on sperm motility, increasing the proportion of hyperactivated spermatozoa. It can also enhance the acrosome reaction and this may be the more relevant function for clinical prediction. There is a further action as a suppressor or scavenger of reactive oxygen species although higher concentrations than that in current clinical use may be required to optimize this effect. PF should be washed out of the sample used for insemination to avoid inhibiting the completion of oocyte maturation.
TL;DR: When immotile spermatozoa are incubated with the seminal plasma or in physiological saline solution they behave similarly as regards utilization of their primary energy reserves: glycolysis as well as catabolism of triglycerides occurs.
Abstract: Spermatozoa of Oncorhynchus mykiss have the enzymatic capacity for glycolysis, for triglyceride and phospholipid catabolism and triglyceride synthesis. They lack glucosidase activity and are therefore not able to utilize polysaccharides as energy resources. In motile spermatozoa glycolysis occurs during the first 30 s of motility and--when motility is initiated in a physiological saline solution--triglyceride catabolism is used for the regeneration of ATP levels after motility has ended. When immotile spermatozoa are incubated with the seminal plasma or in physiological saline solution they behave similarly as regards utilization of their primary energy reserves: glycolysis as well as catabolism of triglycerides occurs. In approximately 60% of the semen samples, spermatozoa synthesize triglycerides at the onset of incubation. Possible physiological reasons for triglyceride synthesis have been discussed.
TL;DR: This objective quantification of sperm movement documents the maturation of sperm motility in the human epididymis, confirming that this maturation pattern is similar to that in other mammals.
Abstract: It has been established in laboratory mammals that sperm motility and fertilizing capacity develop during epididymal transit, but sperm maturation along the human epididymis is less well characterized. Spermatozoa were prepared from 5 regions of 8 epididymides from 8 prostatic carcinoma patients undergoing castration and from 8 epididymal spermatocoeles located adjacent to the head of the epididymides and the testes of 5 patients. Sperm movement was characterized by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and percentage motility was estimated by conventional methods. The efferent ducts and spermatocoeles contained the same percentage of motile spermatozoa with similar kinematics. Percentage motility increased from 22.9 +/- 4.8 (mean +/- SEM) in the efferent ducts to a maximum of 68.3 +/- 7.9 in either the mid- or distal corpus epididymidis and declined in the cauda region. Straight line velocity increased from 20.3 +/- 3.7 microns/sec to reach a plateau value of 44.0 +/- 5.3 microns/sec in the mid-corpus epididymidis; this was more marked than the increase in curvilinear velocity, although the trend was the same. Similar trends in linearity and straightness of the swim paths were not accompanied by any significant changes in the amplitude of lateral head displacement. This objective quantification of sperm movement documents the maturation of sperm motility in the human epididymis, confirming that this maturation pattern is similar to that in other mammals.
TL;DR: An increase in intracellular pH, as well as the rise in intrACEllular Ca2+, has an important role in the initiation of sperm motility in marine teleosts.
Abstract: Spermatozoa of marine teleosts, puffers and flounder, were completely quiescent when they were washed to remove electrolytic components of the seminal plasma and then diluted in nonelectrolyte solutions isotonic to the seminal plasma. Sperm motility was initiated upon dilution in hypertonic nonelectrolyte solutions. These observations suggest that sperm motility is suppressed by seminal osmolality and motility is triggered solely by the increase in external osmolality which occurs at natural spawning in hypertonic seawater. Extracellular Ca2+ had no influence on the osmolality-dependent initiation of sperm motility. However, sperm motility was initiated even in isotonic solution when Ca2+ was introduced into the sperm cells by Ca2+ ionophore. Intracellular Ca2+ increased at the osmolality-dependent initiation of sperm motility under Ca(2+)-free conditions. These results suggest that the release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage in response to the increase in external osmolality has a key role in the initiation of sperm motility. A transient increase in intracellular pH was also observed at the hyperosmolality-dependent initiation of sperm motility. Furthermore, initiation of sperm motility was induced even in isotonic solutions when intracellular pH increased by the treatment with ammonium salts. These results suggest that an increase in intracellular pH, as well as the rise in intracellular Ca2+, has an important role in the initiation of sperm motility in marine teleosts.
TL;DR: Nearly all 2-cell embryos fertilized by frozen-thawed spermatozoa were transferred to the oviducts of pseudopregnant recipients and 35-62% of 2- cell embryos developed into normal young.
Abstract: Mouse epididymal spermatozoa from inbred(BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6N, CBA/JN and DBA/2N) and F1 hybrid (B6C3F1, BDF1 and CDF1) strains suspended in cryopreservation solution (18% raffinose and 3% skim milk in distilled water) were frozen and stored at -196 degrees C. After thawing at room temperature, sperm motility and fertilizing ability were examined. Spermatozoa from all of the strains were successfully frozen, although the motility and the fertilization rates of frozen-thawed spermatozoa (the proportions of the fresh oocytes from Jcl:ICR strain which developed to pronuclear oocytes and 2-cell embryos after insemination by frozen-thawed spermatozoa) varied among strains (motility: 23% for C57BL/6N to 62% for DBA/2N; fertilization rates: 26% for C57BL/6N to 89% for DBA/2N). Nearly all 2-cell embryos fertilized by frozen-thawed spermatozoa were transferred to the oviducts of pseudopregnant recipients and 35-62% of 2-cell embryos developed into normal young.
TL;DR: It was concluded that of the post-thaw semen characteristics investigated in this study these 2 parameters provided a reliable basis for prediction of bull fertility.
Abstract: Post-thaw motility, velocity and acrosome integrity of frozen semen were determined in 18 bulls with varying fertility (average non-return rates: 71.3 (+/- 2.8)--range: 65.2-75.7). Five semen straws were investigated from each bull. The average values for sperm motility (percentage motile spermatozoa), sperm velocity (graded from 0-3) and acrosome integrity (proportion of spermatozoa with intact acrosome) were 67.5%, 2.5 and 79.3%, respectively. Significant correlations were found between sperm motility and velocity, but not between sperm motility and acrosome integrity. Both sperm motility and velocity were significantly related to bull fertility. It was concluded that of the post-thaw semen characteristics investigated in this study these 2 parameters provided a reliable basis for prediction of bull fertility.
TL;DR: Cryopreserved spermatozoa from 8 bulls were used and multiple regression equations indicated that combinations of semen quality measurements could be useful in estimating fertilizing potential.
TL;DR: The results support observations that there is a negative correlation between sperm motility and LPO in cryopreserved samples and discount the hypothesis that LPO protection is a result of the cryoprotective action of PAF or PTX.
Abstract: Sperm membrane damage during cryopreservation reduces the recovery of motile sperm. The present study investigates changes in sperm motility and membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) in response to two changes in the standard sperm cryopreservation/thawing methodology: 1) the addition of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and pentoxifylline (PTX) as cryoprotective additives, and 2) the alteration of sample thawing time. PAF (1 microM) and PTX (3 mM) were added to fresh sperm samples prior to cryopreservation. After 2 weeks the samples were thawed either quickly (5 minutes at 37 degrees C) or slowly (30 minutes at 4 degrees C) and evaluated for sperm motility and LPO. Thawing time influenced both post-thaw motility and LPO. Samples thawed quickly exhibited a 31% increase in motility recovery (35.2 +/- 4.3% in quick-thaw samples; 24.3 +/- 3.9% in slow-thaw samples) and a 23% lower LPO level (23.3 +/- 3.4% in quick-thaw samples; 30.09 +/- 4.4% in slow-thaw samples) compared to samples thawed slowly. Results also demonstrated that PAF (49 +/- 1.7%) or PTX (42.6 +/- 1.5%) enhance post-thaw motility in comparison to control (35.8 +/- 1.2%), whereas neither PAF nor PTX affect post-thaw LPO (19.1 +/- 2.2% in controls; 20.2 +/- 1.7% in PAF samples; 20.5 +/- 1.4% in PTX samples). These results support observations that there is a negative correlation between sperm motility and LPO in cryopreserved samples. The results also discount the hypothesis that LPO protection is a result of the cryoprotective action of PAF or PTX.
TL;DR: In the high-dose group, body weights, testicular sperm numbers, sperm motility, and serum and testicular testosterone levels were unaffected, even in the highest dose group (25 mg/kg/day), and Aroclor 1254 administration produced histological alterations in the liver and kidney at doses of 1.0 mg/ kg/day and above.
TL;DR: Both endurance and resistance training modify the male reproductive hormone profile in a similar manner; however, only endurance training, in the form of running, is associated with subclinical modifications in semen characteristics.
TL;DR: The function of the 17,20βP priming pheromone appears to be to enhance male spawning success by both physiological and behavioural mechanisms.
TL;DR: For semen samples of high initial quality, vapour and computer-controlled freezing were equally effective in terms of recovery of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa.
Abstract: Sixteen semen samples, 12 donor and four patient samples of high initial quality, were processed to compare the effect of two freezing methods, two thawing temperatures and the effect of dilution and washing on sperm motility and morphology characteristics. Sperm samples were divided in two equal parts and frozen either by fast vapour freezing or by slow computer-controlled freezing. For each freezing method, half of the straws were thawed at room temperature (22 degrees C), the other half were thawed at 37 degrees C. From each freeze-thawing treatment, one straw was evaluated immediately post-thawing; another straw was washed to remove the cryoprotectant solution. In this way, each semen sample was subjected to eight freeze-thawing treatments. No effect of the freezing method and thawing temperature was observed on motility characteristics evaluated by computer-assisted semen analysis, nor on light-microscopical morphology parameters. Post-thaw dilution and washing, however, exerted a deleterious effect on sperm motility, by reducing percentage motility by 50% compared to unwashed thawed specimens. Linearity and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were obviously impaired, while percentage of abnormal tails and beat cross frequency increased significantly. In general, freeze-thawing was most successful when rapid vapour freezing was followed by 37 degrees C thawing, and when slower computer-controlled freezing was combined with 22 degrees C thawing, causing significant interactions between the freezing method and the thawing temperature. For semen samples of high initial quality, vapour and computer-controlled freezing were equally effective in terms of recovery of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa.
TL;DR: It was concluded that acrosin activity plays a key role in sperm-zona interaction in humans and motile sperm are unable to penetrate the zona pellucida when acros in activity is inhibited.
Abstract: To evaluate the role of acrosin in human sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (ZP), sperm-oocyte interaction was studied after acrosin activity was blocked with soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). Oocytes that had failed to fertilize because of sperm pathology in a clinical in vitro fertilization program were used to assess sperm binding to and penetration into the ZP. The acrosome reaction of sperm bound to the ZP was determined using fluorescein-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin after sperm were removed from the ZP. Acrosin activity, determined by a gelatin substrate film method, was severely inhibited by 2 mg/ml SBTI. Sperm motility and movement characteristics, assessed by a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer, were unchanged after 6-h incubation with SBTI. Inhibition of acrosin activity did not affect the number of sperm bound to the ZP but completely blocked sperm penetration of the ZP after a 5-h incubation. SBTI did not influence the spontaneous acrosome loss of sperm in culture medium after 6-h and 20-h incubations, but the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm bound to the ZP was significantly reduced. It was concluded that acrosin activity plays a key role in sperm-zona interaction in humans. Motile sperm are unable to penetrate the ZP when acrosin activity is inhibited. This might result from interference with a phase of the sperm-ZP binding reaction or with a lytic action of acrosin. Also, acrosin may be involved in the acrosome reaction induced by sperm binding to the ZP.
TL;DR: A significant rise in total sperm output in both IDDM and NIDDM neuropathic diabetic patients and a significant decrease in semen volume in both types of diabetic patients thus suggests some kind of Leydig cell hyperplasia, which in turn may stimulate spermatogenesis and atonia of the bladder and urethra, resulting in retrograde ejaculation.
Abstract: The present study deals with the diabetic neuropathies prevailing in the male population. In this investigation 100 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 314 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with and without an objective evidence of neuropathy, having an age span of 15 to 80 years and the duration of diabetes distributed over 1-33 years were included along with age-matched nondiabetic controls. The diabetic subjects were evaluated for semen analysis. Results of semen analysis showed a highly significant increase (p > .0005) in total sperm output and sperm concentration in both IDDM and NIDDM neuropathic diabetic men. On the other hand, sperm motility and semen volume were found to be about 30 and 60% less, respectively, in IDDM and NIDDM patients, where as sperm morphology and quality of sperm motility remained unaffected. A comparison between IDDM and NIDDM neuropathic and non-neuropathic diabetic groups further indicated a nonsignificant difference in the parameters of semen analysis, thus suggesting an endocrine basis for the sexual disturbances of diabetic neuropathy. A significant rise in total sperm output in both IDDM and NIDDM neuropathic diabetic patients and a significant decrease in semen volume in both types of diabetic patients thus suggests some kind of Leydig cell hyperplasia, which in turn may stimulate spermatogenesis and atonia of the bladder and urethra, resulting in retrograde ejaculation.
TL;DR: Despite the theoretical advantage of artery preservation, this study did not show any significant difference between artery-preserving varicocelectomy and the artery-ligating operation when improvements in semen quality and postoperative pregnancy rate were evaluated.
TL;DR: In this paper, sperm were isolated by layering over columns of liquid albumin and the isolated fractions were inseminated into the uterus on the presumptive day of ovulation.
TL;DR: In order to test various drugs and possibly hazardous compounds on living cells in vitro a system with human spermatozoa was employed, and di-n-octylphthalate seemed to be the least toxic, followed by dibutyl phthalate.
Abstract: In order to test various drugs and possibly hazardous compounds on living cells in vitro a system with human spermatozoa was employed. A population of human spermatozoa was transferred into a defined medium by a swim-up procedure or by separation on a Percoll gradient. Such a population is rather homogenous with respect to motility characteristics and was found to be useful for this purpose. Different modes of response were recorded, indicating various effect mechanisms. Effects of various phthalates used as plastic softeners in the production of medical equipment, and extracts from diesel particulate material were recorded. All these compounds interfered with sperm motility in a dose-response fashion. Immediate effects of phthalates were modest, but upon prolonged exposure effects became more evident. Sperm motility was more affected by diethyl-hexyl and dibutyl phthalates. Significant effects were noted for the different phthalates with regard both to percent motility and to some of the various qualities of motility, such as velocity, linearity and amplitude of the track. Thus, the pattern of response considering the motion variables was not the same with the different phthalates. With regard to the effects on sperm motion di-n-octyl phthalate seemed to be the least toxic, followed by dibutyl phthalate. The initial effects of diesel particulate extracts were moderate and mainly restricted to percent motile sperm but upon exposure for 18 hr the effects became more pronounced for all the movement variables.
TL;DR: The t haplotypes are variant forms of the proximal portion of chromosome 17 in the mouse that alter spermatogenesis and many also contain lethal factors, which contribute to the dysfunction of these sperm by inhibiting their passage to the site of fertilization in vivo.