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Biomedical subjects

E Segenreich

Publications and source records attributed to E Segenreich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Changes in the sexual behavior of couples after prostatectomy. A prospective study.

Sexual behavior after prostatectomy was observed in 90 couples, with a follow-up of 3-6 years. Retropubic prostatectomy was performed on 53 patients (58.7%), transvesical prostatectomy on 12 patients (13.7%), and transurethral prostatectomy on 25 patients (27.7%). In order to have a reliable figure of the sexual behavior after surgery, all the couples underwent personal interviews separately before and 3-6 years after surgery. The interview included 4 main subjects: erection allowing sexual intercourse; antegrade ejaculation; orgasm, and libido. The separate identical double interviews were performed in order to achieve a high reliability in answer to sexual performance, this being the main unsolved question in previous studies. The results of the interviews were assessed by a computer-processing program and statistically analyzed. Our results imply that prostatectomy has an unfavorable influence on sexual activity: 33% of the potent preoperative patients became impotent after surgery.

Aged↗

Oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and sperm abnormalities in ex-addict to heroin, morphine, and hashish.

A 40-year-old male had been addicted to heroin, morphine, hashish, and other narcotics for 12 years. At examination, 2 years after abstinence from drugs, his semen analysis revealed oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa such as "round-headed" and "kinked"--sperm with neck abnormalities and immature forms. There was no evidence of other morphological abnormalities or of the presence of morphologically normal sperm. A possible correlation is discussed between the long-lasting drug addiction and morphological sperm abnormality, endocrinological function, karyotype, and immunological status.

Adult↗

Vitamin A and beta-carotene content of seminal fluid and sperm of normospermic and oligozoospermic men.

Beta-carotene and vitamin A were estimated in 125 specimens of human seminal fluid and spermatozoa. In 72 of the specimens triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, and T4-binding globulin were also determined. Vitamin A in seminal fluid increased from 10.4+/-l.8 microgram (SE) in severe oligozoospermia up to 19.1+/-2.5 microgram/100ml in specimens with high sperm densities. In spermatozoa, however, there was a trend for a decrease in vitamin content from 2.1+/-0.8 to 0.2 +/-0.07 microgram/108. In the majority of cases beta-carotene was undetectable and, when present, the levels were much lower than those of vitamin A. The amounts of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine in seminal fluid were 0.19+/-0.03 ng/ml and 1.1+/-0.18 microgram/100ml, respectively. No correlation was found between levels of both hormones and quality of seminal fluid. T4-binding globulin was either very low or undetectable.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Estimation of hyaluronidase activity of human semen and its relationship with sperm density by means of a simplified method.

Hyaluronidase activity was examined in 109 specimens of human semen of various sperm densities, seminal plasma, and spermatozoa sedimented by centrifugation. We used a modification of a method originally devised for estimation of hyaluronidase activity in Clostridia and which was bases on measurements of the area of hyaluronate digestion in agar plates. Enzyme activities in both semen and seminal plasma increased with increase in sperm density. The activity in seminal plasma, which appeared promptly after liquefaction and represented enzyme released from spermatozoa, ranged from 31% to 61% of the activity in semen. Activities of spermatozoa in sediments exhibited lower values than those calculated for sperm of whole semen, possibly due to leakage. Both activities, calculated per million sperm cells, gradually increased with decrease in sperm density. The possibility that with severe oligozoospermia the acrosome may become less prone to enzyme release or that the initial activity per cell may increase is discussed. These phenomena would represent additional characteristics of oligozoospermia.

Humans↗

Some properties of acid and alkaline phosphatase in seminal fluid and isolated sperm.

Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were examined in spermatozoa isolated from 177 semen samples differing in sperm counts. Alkaline phosphatase was also determined in seminal fluid. The enzymes were assayed using disodium p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate and were studied with respect to susceptibility to various concentrations of tartrate (acid) and to heat (alkaline). Electrophoretic separation of alkaline phosphatase from seminal fluid was performed using an Helena apparatus. The results showed that acid phosphatase activity in spermatozoa decreased with increase in sperm densities and that elevation of tartrate from 0.028 to 0.17 M usually correlated an inhibition of the enzyme from 72% to 78% (mean values). Alkaline phosphatase was very low in sperm and generally below the sensitivity of the method used. Activity of alkaline phosphatase in seminal fluid showed a tendency to increase with the increase in sperm counts, but the significance of differences between groups was not statistically valid. Exposure of seminal fluid to 55 degrees C for 16 min resulted in enzyme inactivation of about 90% and in this respect the alkaline phosphatase resembles the enzyme of bone origin. The electrophoretic pattern, however, did not confirm this view and the type of alkaline phosphatase in seminal fluid is not clear.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Properties of spermatozoa from normospermic and oligospermic human semen fractionated on columns of discontinuous gradients of albumin.

One hundred and twenty-eight samples of human semen, divided into four groups according to sperm counts, were fractionated on two types of columns of discontinuous gradients of bovine serum albumin (3%, 15%, or 7.5%, 17.5%). In addition to morphology and motility, protein and DNA contents of spermatozoa as well as microscopical pictures of their sediments were examined in order to assess sperm sensitivity to damage in the course of common isolation procedures. The proportions of morphological normalcy and motility grades within the groups were higher in the bottom column fractions than in the middle ones; both showing prevalence over parent semen. Motility percentages were also higher in the bottom than in middle fractions, but no prevalence over parent semen was observed. Protein and DNA contents of spermatozoa were similar in the two fractions within the same group. Comparison between groups revealed an increase in percentages of normal morphology and motility and a decrease in protein and DNA with elevation of sperm density. Microscopic examinations revealed similar degrees of contamination in both fractions which were more abundant in oligospermia than in normospermia. It is suggested that sperms with better morphology and motility are as sensitive to common laboratory procedures as cells of lower quality originating from the same specimen.

Cell Fractionation↗

Acid phosphatase activity in human semen.

Acid phosphatase activity was examined in normal and abnormal human semen of individuals not suffering from testosterone deficiency. No differences in enzymatic activity between the examined groups were observed. The presence of tartaric acid caused an inhibition of about 95% of enzymatic activity.

Acid Phosphatase↗

High sperm densities and the quality of semen.

Thirty semens with sperm densities above 200 million per milliliter from patients with fertility disorders were examined for volume, motility, vitality, and morphology of spermatozoa, and for fructose content as well as for percentile decreases with time of activity and viability. In addition, blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin were estimated. Percentages of motility, vitality, and morphological normality, motility grades, and percentile decreases in both activity and viability were found to be comparable with those of oligospermic specimens. On the average, volume of semens were lower by about 30% than in normo- and oligospermia. 42% of the investigated semens had low fructose values (below 1 mg/ml). In about 60% of patients the prolactin levels were low (2-5 ng/ml). Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were either within normal range or slightly decreased. Despite the above abnormalities, the overall numbers of "normal" spermatozoa per ejaculate were not inferior to those usually present in normospermic specimens, suggesting that factors of presently unknown nature, involved in regulation of both proliferation and spermatogenesis, might be responsible for fertility disorders in these conditions.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗

Motility, vitality and percentages of morphologically abnormal forms of human spermatozoa in relation to sperm counts.

The present work was designed to study the proportions of motile and vital sperms as well as of various types of morphologically defective spermatozoa in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic human semens, aiming at examining whether with the decrease in sperm counts there is a predilection of certain pathologies of these cells. It was found that, generally, the percentages of non-motile and non-vital spermatozoa and of all abnormal forms examined increase with the degree of oligozoospermia. However, no predilection of particular forms could be observed. It is suggested that morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa could be only a partial expression of pathological processes involved in fertility disorders and that the number of biologically defective spermatozoa may be higher than that assessed by routine laboratory techniques.

Adult↗

Low energy narrow band non-coherent infrared illumination of human semen and isolated sperm.

Sixty-two samples of human normal and abnormal semen and 23 samples of washed sperm were illuminated for 4 minutes with a narrow band non-coherent infrared device (BioBeam). Immediately after illumination the following parameters were examined in comparison with appropriate controls: motility, viability and morphology, fructose content of semen, acrosome reaction of sperm, viscosity of seminal plasma and analysis of the protein pattern. The mean value of motility grade calculated for the total number of 62 semen samples was 2.58 +/- 0.79 versus 2.17 +/- 0.75 (non illuminated controls), P less than 0.005. The mean value of motility grade of 23 samples of washed sperm was 2.89 +/- 0.77 versus 2.43 +/- 0.62, respectively (P less than 0.01). In two illuminated seminal plasma specimens, the viscosity was decreased by 8.8% and 14.8%, the protein content and pattern remained, however, unchanged. Neither the percentages of motile, viable and morphologically normal sperm, nor the fructose content of semen were found to be affected by the illumination.

Acrosome↗

Some characteristics of azoospermic human semen.

Of 260 volume measurements and 265 fructose determinations on 257 azoospermic semen samples, the volume was normal (1-6 mL) in 78%, low in 16.7%, and high in 5.2%. The percentage of azoospermic samples with low volume was greater than that found for samples containing sperm. Mean fructose concentrations were similar in high-volume and normovolemic azoospermic samples, but significantly lower in low-volume samples. There was no correlation between (a) the etiology of the azoospermia and abnormal semen volume or fructose concentration (save for cases of obstruction and/or atrophic seminal vesicles) or (b) semen volume, fructose concentration, and serum LH, FSH, testosterone, or prolactin.

Adolescent↗

The influence of seminal plasma and polyaminic substances on the motility of isolated human sperm.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence on the motility patterns of isolated human sperm of seminal plasma originating from semen of high and low motility, as well as of seminal plasma of azoospermic origin. Also assessed was the effect of incubation of sperm in the presence of solutions of the polyamines spermine, spermidine, and putrescine. The mean values of the obtained motility percentage and grade were related to the quality of sperm motility in semen and the quality of seminal plasma in that respect. The best results were obtained with specimens containing greater than or equal to 50% motile sperm and having a motility grade greater than or equal to 2. No relationship was found between the concentrations of polyamines in the seminal plasma and sperm motility of respective semen, as well as between the levels of polyamines and their effect on isolated sperm motility. It appears that the participation of polyaminic substances in the process of motility could be contributive and dependent on additional factors present in the semen.

Humans↗