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Biomedical subjects

A Fabbrini

Publications and source records attributed to A Fabbrini.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological screening of a male population with infertile marriages.

Four hundred not preselected male partners of infertile marriages were screened for the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. Serum and seminal plasma specimens from each patient were tested by the modified slide agglutination test (MSAT) and by the sperm-immobilization test. In addition, the IgG MAR test was performed on fresh ejaculates. Thirteen per cent of patients showed sperm agglutinating activity in serum and 5.7% also in seminal plasma. Sperm-immobilizing activity was found in 4.7% of serum and 1% of seminal plasma specimens, always associated with a high titre of sperm agglutinating activity. A highly significant linear correlation was found between the results of the MAR test and serum sperm-agglutinating activity; the presence of sperm-agglutinating activity in seminal plasma was always associated with MAR test positivity greater than 50%. The incidence of anti-sperm antibodies was not significantly different in patients with normo-, oligo- and azoospermia. The effectiveness and the easiness of both the MAR test and the MSAT do not justify, in our opinion, the utilization of more complex and expensive techniques for the detection of anti-sperm antibodies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hormonal and seminal parameters in infertile men.

500 infertile patients (250 with and 250 without left side varicocele) and 33 fertile men were evaluated as far as seminal parameters and the hormonal status were concerned. Sperm motility was constantly lower in infertile patients also when infertile group was compared to fertile one with the same sperm density. Serum testosterone levels were lower in infertile groups when compared to fertile men, and this confirms the existence of an androgenic deficit as a common finding in infertility associated or not to varicocele. FSH and LH increased (p less than 0.001) when sperm density dropped to less than 5 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. A negative correlation was found between both gonadotropins and sperm count (p less than 0.001), also after exclusion of azoo- and oligozoospermic (less than 5 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml) patients (p less than 0.01). Gonadotropins were moreover tightly correlated between each other (p less than 0.001). Our data suggest that both gonadotropins are tightly tuned with sperm output and thus with the spermatogenic potential.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of sperm surface related antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test on sperm suspensions. Indirect IFT on sperm suspensions.

An indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) using sperm suspensions was carried out on 20 sera with sperm agglutinins (SA) and on 25 negative controls. IIFT gave results highly correlated with the occurrence of sperm agglutinating activity. Moreover, a relation was found among class of Ig involved in IF reactivity, fluorescent stain pattern and type of sperm agglutinations. In all sera with "mixed" or "tail-tail" sperm agglutinating activity, IgG were involved in IF reactivity; the fluorescent stain constantly appeared in a granular pattern along the sperm tail and most often on the head surface too. In relation to high titres of "head-head" sperm agglutinating activity, IgM were involved in IF reactivity; here the fluorescent stain appeared to be localized on acrosomal surface. The results indicate that indirect IFT on sperm suspensions specifically detects sperm surface related antibodies.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seminal estrone, estrone sulfate, and estradiol-17 beta levels in fertile and infertile males.

The seminal levels of estrone (E1), estrone sulphate (E1S), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) were measured simultaneously after a chromatographic step in the semen samples of 79 men, including fertile volunteers, vasectomized subjects, and patients with oligozoospermia and secretory azoospermia. E1S concentrations in seminal plasma were higher than in serum (with a semen/serum ratio of approximately 2). Seminal E1 and E1S levels in oligozoospermic subjects were significantly decreased compared to controls (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.03, respectively). The seminal E1S concentration was significantly reduced in azoospermic patients (p less than 0.02) and to a greater extent in vasectomized subjects (p less than 0.001). As seminal E1S is likely to be mainly of testicular origin, the decreased seminal E1S levels in oligoazoospermia are an index of impaired testicular function.

Estradiol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Luteinizing hormone pulsatility is altered in essential hypertension.

The aim of this investigation was to study the pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in men with mild and moderate hypertension. LH pulsatility was evaluated for 8 h in 14 male patients, subdivided into 2 groups; group A, consisting of 8 patients, whose systolic blood pressure ranged between 180 and 160 mm Hg and whose diastolic blood pressure was between 115 and 105 mm Hg; and group B, 6 patients whose systolic blood pressure ranged between 220 and 180 mm Hg and whose diastolic blood pressure was between 104 and 95 mm Hg. Seven healthy males were evaluated as controls (group C). The major changes of LH pulsatility in group A included an increased peak width, increased peak amplitude, and increased peak area. In group B the changes followed the same pattern as in group A, but were more pronounced. The number of LH peaks was reduced, the peak width was increased, and both peak amplitude and peak area were increased as compared to the control group. The pattern of LH pulsatility is altered in essential hypertension and the main feature is represented by the prolonged duration of LH peaks and their greater amplitude. The altered pattern of LH secretion is likely to reflect a primary hypothalamic derangement with the gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) secreting neurons remaining synchronized for longer times and secreting larger Gn-RH masses than in normal subjects. Since the nuclei of the brain stem (A1-A6) involved in the control of Gn-RH secretion respond to blood pressure changes, the altered activity of monoaminergic neurons may be the link between hypertension and changes of LH pulsatility.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer assisted sperm motility analysis.

The CellSoft system was employed to study its reliability in the evaluation of seminal data in fertile and infertile subjects. In addition new motility data were introduced and added to the classic parameters. Various clinical and experimental applications are reported. The system is valid and extremely useful in seminal research. In order to obtain the above mentioned benefits it is necessary for the users to have extensive experience of seminology and computer technology.

Cryopreservation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Internal medicine and reproduction: male hypogonadism.

Awareness of the complex relation linking reproductive function and other major organ systems has been increasing only recently. We have tried to delineate some recent advances in our knowledge of male reproductive function and its disorders as they relate to Internal Medicine. The regulation of Gn-RH secretion and the influence of Gn-RH on gonadotropin secretion are among the most interesting aspects of hypothalamic-pituitary function. The pulsatile pattern of LH secretion is of particular interest in relation to the influence of gonadotropin secretory pattern on testis response. In this regard oligozoospermia with elevated FSH levels and decreased frequency of LH pulses has been identified. Sertoli cells play an essential role in the control of spermatogenesis. We investigated some features of human Sertoli cell function in vitro. These cells secrete transferrin and ABP, and hABP has an affinity for DHT which is different from that of liver-produced SHBG. Seminal transferrin is closely linked to spermatogenesis in oligozoospermia as well as in azoospermia due to damaged spermatogenesis. As a third point of interest paracrine control of testis function, and especially the paracrine role of endogenous opiates and several growth factors are described. LH pulsatility was studied in several medical and endocrine disorders to investigate their impact on male reproductive function. An altered pattern of LH secretion was found in most of the diseases investigated, and in some instances there were hints of hypothalamic involvement. Finally the negative influence on male reproductive function of several drugs, commonly used in the practice of internal medicine is stressed.

Blood-Testis Barrier↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of infertile couples by intrauterine artificial insemination homologous (AIH) of motile sperm collected by swim-up in human serum.

Twenty six couples with long standing infertility were treated by intrauterine AIH. Seminal and/or cervical factors were responsible for negative or poor coital test (PCT); retrograde ejaculation occurred in one case. A highly concentrated motile sperm suspension was obtained by swim-up procedure into fasting human serum and utilized for intrauterine insemination. Timing of ovulation was checked with the aid of ultrasound monitoring of follicular development. Totally, 120 cycles were treated. The pregnancy rate was 23.3%. Intrauterine AIH with motile sperm recovered by swim-up in human serum appears a valuable approach in the treatment of infertile couples with poor PCT as well as in cases of retrograde ejaculation.

Cell Separation↗