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Biomedical subjects

F Dondero

Publications and source records attributed to F Dondero.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Superimposed Image Analysis System (SIAS) software: a new approach to sperm motility assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To apply Superimposed Image Analysis System (SIAS) software (Delta Sistemi, Rome, Italy) to the objective analysis of sperm motility. DESIGN: To test a new procedure for sperm motility assessment based on image superimposition. RESULTS: The system can superimpose six sequential frames onto a monitor producing a final image with a motion effect similar to the multiple exposure photography method, but bypassing the film processing stage. Viewing the final image of a complete series of six superimposed frames allows the evaluation of the percentage of motile spermatozoa and their kinetic characteristics. Compared with multiple exposure photography, SIAS has the following main advantages: [1] the procedure is quick; [2] projecting the first frame alone allows the easy evaluation of sperm concentration; and [3] the system allows quick and easy analysis and measurement of each sperm trajectory frame by frame, thus avoiding misleading interpretations because of crossing sperm trajectories, collisions, and overlapping of motile spermatoza with round cells or immotile spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: Superimposed image analysis is a new approach to sperm motility assessment. It seems to be useful particularly in selected situations, such as oligozoospermia or in cases of increased round cell concentration. In these situations, SIAS can even serve as a support or an alternative to the computer-aided sperm analysis system widely used for objective sperm analysis.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Study of antisperm antibodies bound to the sperm cell surface and their relationship to circulating ASA.

PROBLEM: Direct and indirect tests for antisperm antibody (ASA) detection are commonly used in laboratories for the diagnosis of male immunological infertility. Even though the two kinds of tests study the same immunological phenomena, frequently no perfect correlation is found even on large series of patients and with precise statistical models. The aim of the present investigation was to try to establish whether biological models can explain the antibody test results and if a predictive threshold can be established for expected positivity/negativity. METHOD: The data relate to 667 patients, who were screened using the Direct Immunobead test (d-IBT) for ASA bound to the sperm surface and with the gelatin and tray agglutination test (GAT and TAT) in sera for circulating ASA. Correlation were studied and cases of no correlation were further analyzed. RESULTS: The number of patients with a clinically significant positivity to d-IBT (binding percentage > or = 20%) was 134 (20.1% of total patients). The analysis of the results of direct and indirect tests shows that the discordances are due to differences in the Ig class of immunization or to the site of epitopes involved. In fact, as far the Ig class is concerned, if d-IBT shows a prevalent or exclusive IgG or IgA positivity, this results in a poor correlation between binding percentage to d-IBT and GAT-TAT titers. If both the Ig classes are involved, the level of positivity of the two kinds of test are strictly related. As far as the site of Ag-Ab reaction on the sperm surface is concerned, the wide immunization involving all the surface sperm antigens (mixed), shown by d-IBT, is related to higher indirect test titers. CONCLUSION: Local and systemic antisperm immunizations are strictly related and a predictive threshold of expectation can be established to explain even apparently discordant direct and indirect results.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1994

Superoxide anion in human semen related to seminal parameters and clinical aspects.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible presence of extracellular superoxide anion (O2-) in untreated semen of normal and pathological subjects and to determine the possible relationship between superoxide anion levels, number of seminal leukocytes (WBCs) and seminal parameters. PATIENTS: Semen samples were analyzed from fertile normospermic subjects (n = 20) and patients (n = 132) attending the Outpatient Department of the 5th Medical Clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We evaluated superoxide anion levels by monitoring the reduction of cytochrome c. RESULTS: O2- was detected in 55.0% of fertile normospermic subjects. Both the percentage of subjects in whom O2- was detected and the mean values +/- SD of O2- were significantly higher in the male partners of infertile couples, in subjects with varicocele, and in subjects with positive sperm culture than normospermic subjects. No variations were seen in vasectomized subjects or in patients with past cryptorchidism. A high correlation was observed between O2- levels and WBCs (rs = 0.58), nonrapid, immotile sperm (rs = 0.64), percentage decrease of motility within a specified time frame (2 to 6 hours) (rs = 0.73), and sperm abnormalities (rs = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Superoxide anion in untreated semen is produced by WBCs and atypical and nonrapid, immotile sperm. A significant increase of superoxide anion was detected in the male partners of infertile couples and in some selected andrological conditions. The toxic effect of superoxide anion on sperm cells is dependent on the time of exposure and superoxide anion concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Glutathione treatment of dyspermia: effect on the lipoperoxidation process.

We recently introduced reduced glutathione into the therapeutic protocols in some selected cases of dyspermia. This therapy improved semen quality both in a pilot follow-up study and in a double-blind cross-over trial. This improvement was seen in patients with varicocele and germ-free genital tract inflammation, two pathologies in which production of reactive oxygen species or other toxic compounds could have a pathogenic role. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids play a major role in membrane constitution and function and are one of the main targets of the lipoperoxidative process. Therefore, to understand the therapeutic action of reduced glutathione, we selected infertile patients and studied the modifications produced by the therapy in seminal parameters, biochemical sperm membrane parameters, and the pattern of fatty acids of phospholipids from blood serum and red blood cell membranes (a model widely accepted as representative of general cell membrane status). The results showed an improvement in both sperm parameters and cell membrane characteristics. This study suggests that biochemical modifications in membrane constitution could explain the seminal results of glutathione therapy. On the other hand, it seems likely that only subjects with systemic membrane disturbances associated with andrological pathologies express this membrane damage in spermatozoa, resulting in dyspermia. This sperm alteration can be partially reversed by glutathione therapy if the structural cell membrane damage is not too severe.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Computer assisted sperm motility analysis at the moment of induced pregnancy during gonadotropin treatment for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Two azoospermic patients with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) no. 1,24-year-old, and no. 2,31-year-old), never treated before, were given gonadotropin therapy (GT), (FSH, 225 IU/week, and HCG, 4000 IU/week) and followed up monthly for sperm characteristics. After 6 (no. 1) and 9 (no. 2) months of treatment, immotile spermatozoa appeared in the semen. Two months later motile spermatozoa also appeared. A motile sperm concentration sufficiently high for computer motion analysis (CASA) was achieved 1 month later 9th and 12th month, respectively. At the 13th (no. 1) and 17th (no. 2) month of GT, CASA showed a small population of spermatozoa with a very good motility pattern. In the next ovulatory cycle the patients' partners became pregnant.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility.

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.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Nicotine, cotinine, and trans-3-hydroxycotinine levels in seminal plasma of smokers: effects on sperm parameters.

Sperm samples from 44 cigarette smokers and 50 nonsmokers attending an infertility clinic were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and HPLC-mass spectrometry for the presence of nicotine (NIC), cotinine (COT), and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (THOC) in seminal plasma. Smokers were found to have levels of COT and THOC in seminal plasma that were similar to those found in serum. The level of NIC was significantly increased in seminal plasma compared to serum. Total motility of spermatozoa was significantly and negatively correlated to COT and THOC levels in seminal plasma. Forward motility of spermatozoa was correlated only with cotinine semen levels. On the basis of these results, we suggest that the presence of tobacco smoke constituents in seminal plasma could provide a warning of the adverse effects of cigarette smoke on the physiology of reproduction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Immunological infertility in humans.

This review deals with some of the most controversial problems in the field of immunologic infertility and antisperm antibodies (ASA) in humans: (a) sperm antigens and their identification; (b) the aetiopathogenesis of the immune reaction and the biological effects of ASA; (c) laboratory tests set up for ASA detection, and (d) the therapy for immunologic infertility both in vivo and in vitro.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1992

Fertility and semen quality of workers exposed to high temperatures in the ceramics industry.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic occupational exposure to high temperatures may be detrimental to male reproduction. The study was based on 92 healthy ceramics oven operators with a long exposure to high temperatures, and 87 controls, recruited from the shipment department of the same industry. Interviews with all subjects provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and fertility problems. Semen analysis was carried out on 46 of the workers exposed to high temperatures, and 14 of the controls, and included evaluation of the sperm concentration, morphology, and motility, including computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (velocity, linearity, ALH, BCF). The results of the questionnaire showed that exposed individuals had a higher incidence of childlessness and of self-reported difficulty in conceiving than controls. The semen analysis showed no significant differences except in sperm velocity. Although differences in semen parameters, taken singly, were not statistically significant, the overall evaluation of the sperm parameters indicated a higher prevalence of pathologic sperm profiles among the exposed compared to the controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vitro sperm capacitation to treat antisperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface.

Our objective was to study antisperm antibody bound to the acrosome region during in vitro capacitation and to determine whether acrosome-antibody free sperm can be obtained from previously acrosome-antibody-coated sperm. The spermatozoa from a selected series of 14 patients were tested for sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface using d-IBT and focusing on the acrosome positivity. The tests were carried out before the incubation and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of incubation in Tyrode's solution with 0.5% human serum albumin as the capacitation medium. Tests to evaluate acrosome region, sperm motion parameters, and zonae binding ability were carried out. In this way we were able to evaluate sperm function during capacitation protocol. The patients were 14 subjects selected according to good seminal characteristics, good post-rise sperm parameters, and high percentage of ASA bound to the sperm surface. In all cases the results showed that antisperm antibodies bound to the acrosome region were shed prior to the acrosome reaction. During sperm capacitation in human a modification, migration, or shedding of plasma membrane molecules takes place. The presence of antibodies in such an important area of the sperm head could certainly interfere in the fertilization process. Our data indicate that in vitro capacitation could provide an in vitro therapy capable of eluting antibodies from the acrosome region.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1992

[Metabolism and action of L-carnitine: its possible role in sperm tail function].

The authors report a review on the L-carnitine effects on the male genital tract. L-carnitine represents a cofactor in the transport of long chain fatty acids inside mitochondria and their subsequent oxidation. Therefore, its main role is that of intramitochondrial vehicle of acyl groups. In particular, the effects of L-carnitine on the male genital function seem connected mainly with the high concentration of L-carnitine in the epididymis; the uptake of the L-carnitine from the blood is an active, in part androgen-dependent, mechanism. Moreover, epididymal spermatozoa are able to concentrate L-carnitine (while they become progressively more impermeable to such a substance) during their passage from the caput to the cauda epididymis. The main function of the L-carnitine in the epididymis is to give to the spermatozoa an energetic substrate. In fact, this function should be of great importance since the epididymal spermatozoa employ fatty acid oxidation for their energy metabolism; on the contrary, the ejaculated sperm employ glycolytic process. As a consequence of the above-mentioned effects of L-carnitine the dosage of this substance in the evaluation of the integrity of the processes of maturation of the spermatozoa was proposed. Finally, there is growing interest in the use of L-carnitine as a therapeutic tool in some forms of male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of the direct immunobead test and other tests for sperm antibodies detection.

The authors report the results of a correlation study between the direct Immunobead Test (d-IBT) and other techniques for antisperm antibodies detection. The Gelatin Agglutination Test (GAT) and Tray Agglutination Test (TAT) were used to detect antibodies in blood serum and seminal plasma ("indirect methods"). The Direct IgG Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction Test (d-MAR test) was used to detect sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface ("direct method"). A good concordance between the methods, measured by phi and K tests, was found and satisfactory mathematical models were established by regression analyses.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

A highly sensitive chemiluminescent assay for glycerylphosphorylcholine in human seminal plasma.

Glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), one of the major phosphorus-containing-choline compounds of seminal plasma, is secreted mainly by the epididymal epithelium under androgenic control. This study reports a new method that uses chemiluminescence to determine seminal GPC content, comparing it with a spectrophotometric technique. The results, obtained with both techniques studying 20 fertile patients (as control), 35 infertile patients with normospermia, 23 infertile patients with oligozoospermia and impaired motility and 9 patients with excretory azoospermia, demonstrate that the GPC chemiluminescent assay is more sensitive, simple and rapid than the spectrophotometric assay. Our data confirm that GPC may be used as a marker of vas deferens and ejaculatory duct perviousness, suggesting a possible role of this glycerophosphodiester in sperm motility.

Glycerylphosphorylcholine↗
PubMed1990

[Enoxacin in the treatment of male genital infections in patients with antisperm autoimmune pathology].

Anti-sperm antibodies are frequently present in patients bearing infections of the genital tract and a cause-effect relationship is suspected in these two pathological conditions. In an open, uncontrolled study, the Authors tested the therapeutical effect on both autoimmune anti-sperm and infectious genital tract diseases. Thirty patients, age 30.3 +/- 3.6 years (mean +/- D.S.; range 25-42), were admitted to the study. In all patients the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by a positive sperm culture for enoxacin sensitive germs. Eleven out of 30 patients (36.7%) were also found to be positive by both immunofluorescence and immunoenzymatic tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis at the beginning of the study. At day 0 (first menstrual cycle day of the patients' partner) enoxacin treatment (300 mg twice daily) was started with the patients and their partners for a period of 30 and 12 days respectively. Sperm culture and both the above mentioned tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis were subsequently repeated on day 5 of therapy (first control) and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th controls respectively) after the end of treatment. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by both Dunnett and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Isolated germs from pre-treatment sperm culture were classified as Enterococcus (17/30 cases: 56.7%) E. Coli (8/30: 26.6%), Klebsiella (2/30: 6.6%) and St Albus, Proteus and Enterococcus-Klebsiella coinfections (1/30 cases: 3.3% each).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Laser radiation and motility patterns of human sperm.

Human sperm were exposed in vitro to laser radiation. An increase in progressive sperm motility was associated with a faster rate of sperm ATP consumption. Computer-assisted analysis of sperm motility confirmed the positive effect of laser irradiation on velocity and linearity of sperm.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1988

Immunobiology of male infertility.

Experimental and clinical data reported in the literature emphasize the important role that immune factors may play in the genesis of male infertility even if many problems still remain to be solved. Auto or homo-sensitization in animals (and in male volunteers) can be obtained with testicular homogenate or epididymal spermatozoa and complete Freund's adjuvant. Immune orchitis in spontaneous human pathology has also been reported. Vasectomy for the voluntary control of male fertility may be considered a particular form of experimental autoimmunization; and many vasectomized individuals develop antisperm antibodies in blood serum and/or in seminal plasma. In spontaneous male infertility antisperm antibodies can: (i) be a mere epiphenomenon; (ii) be a factor aggravating a pathologic situation already able to cause infertility; (iii) play a pathogenetic role in some forms of so-called idiopathic infertility and so could be defined as infertility due to antisperm antibodies. If the antisperm autoimmune reaction represents the casual factor of infertility, corticosteroid therapy seems to give the most satisfactory results, administered either in high doses for a very short time period or in low doses over a prolonged period, or even after transient pharmacologically induced azoospermia.

Autoantibodies↗