Sperm motility

About: Sperm motility is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13874 publications have been published within this topic receiving 416587 citations. The topic is also known as: sperm movement & GO:0097722.

Male reproductive toxicity of sodium arsenite in mice

Abstract: The effect of chronic oral exposure to arsenic on male mouse testicular and accessory sex organ weights, sperm parameters and testicular marker enzymes was studied. In addition, the distribution of arsenic in reproductive organs was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sodium arsenite administered to mice (Mus musculus) via drinking water at a dose of 53.39 micromol/L (4 ppm As) for 365 days caused a decrease in the absolute and relative testicular weight. However, epididymal and accessory sex organ weight was similar to control. The activities of marker testicular enzymes such as sorbitol dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and 17beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) were significantly decreased, but those of lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) were significantly increased. A decrease in sperm count and sperm motility, along with an increase in abnormal sperm, was observed in arsenite-exposed mice. A significant accumulation of arsenic in testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland was observed in treated animals. Thus long term exposure (365 days) at the dose level of 53.39 micromol/L sodium arsenite (4 ppm As), to which human beings are likely to be exposed via drinking water, may cause testicular and spermatotoxic effect.

Successful testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in spite of high serum follicle stimulating hormone and azoospermia: correlation between testicular morphology, TESE results, semen analysis and serum hormone values in 103 infertile men.

Abstract: Spermatozoa recovered from testicular biopsies can be used through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve a pregnancy. To assess the likelihood of successful testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men suffering from severe oligo- or azoospermia, bilateral biopsy specimens were obtained. Following semi-thin sectioning, the morphology of testicular samples was graded according to a modified Johnsen score. TESE was performed in parallel to this histological examination. The number of isolated spermatozoa was assessed in a semiquantitative way. From 103 patients investigated, 64 (62.1%) showed azoospermia in a preceding semen analysis and 29 (28.2%) patients had sperm concentrations between 0.1 and 1 x 10(6)/ml. In 10 patients who had higher sperm counts, most spermatozoa were non-motile. Spermatozoa could be detected after TESE in the testicular tissue of 49 (77%) azoospermic men. When follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration was normal, most patients had detectable spermatozoa after TESE. Nearly one-third of patients with mildly elevated FSH had no spermatozoa. Thirty-nine percent of patients in whom FSH was elevated to more than twice normal and 50% of patients with grossly elevated FSH had no detectable spermatozoa. In all, 82.8% of men with sperm concentrations between 0.1 and 1x10(6)/ml in their ejaculate showed spermatozoa in the tissue sample after TESE. Our data demonstrate that, contrary to previous recommendations, infertile men with azoospermia and high FSH values should be reconsidered for testicular biopsy, provided that tissue samples can be cryopreserved for later TESE/ICSI treatment.

Competition drives cooperation among closely related sperm of deer mice

Abstract: Among the extraordinary adaptations driven by sperm competition is the cooperative behaviour of spermatozoa. By forming cooperative groups, sperm can increase their swimming velocity and thereby gain an advantage in intermale sperm competition. Accordingly, selection should favour cooperation of the most closely related sperm to maximize fitness. Here we show that sperm of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) form motile aggregations, then we use this system to test predictions of sperm cooperation. We find that sperm aggregate more often with conspecific than heterospecific sperm, suggesting that individual sperm can discriminate on the basis of genetic relatedness. Next, we provide evidence that the cooperative behaviour of closely related sperm is driven by sperm competition. In a monogamous species lacking sperm competition, Peromyscus polionotus, sperm indiscriminately group with unrelated conspecific sperm. In contrast, in the highly promiscuous deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, sperm are significantly more likely to aggregate with those obtained from the same male than with sperm from an unrelated conspecific donor. Even when we test sperm from sibling males, we continue to see preferential aggregations of related sperm in P. maniculatus. These results suggest that sperm from promiscuous deer mice discriminate among relatives and thereby cooperate with the most closely related sperm, an adaptation likely to have been driven by sperm competition.

Can Chlamydia trachomatis directly damage your sperm

Abstract: Although Chlamydia trachomatis causes symptomatic infection in the lower genital tract of approximately 50% of men, its role in the upper genital tract is less well known. Moreover, for a number of reasons, mostly based on methodological aspects, the impact of chlamydia on semen quality is controversial. Overall, in-vivo studies of C trachomatis in men have provided conflicting evidence as to whether it is associated with reduced fertility. By contrast, in-vitro studies show that co-incubation of spermatozoa with chlamydia causes a significant decline in numbers of motile sperm and results in premature sperm death. Since evidence suggests that chlamydial lipopolysaccharide is the principal factor leading to sperm apoptosis, a new line of inquiry would be to measure the levels of lipopolysaccharide in semen and relate these to parameters of semen quality, including that of sperm function. If these new lines of inquiry are proven, this could lead to potentially novel approaches in the treatment of infertile men.