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Biomedical subjects

G Haidl

Publications and source records attributed to G Haidl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Failure of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase expression in oligoasthenozoospermia and mutations in the PHGPx gene.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is a selenoprotein belonging to the family of glutathione peroxidases. PHGPx has long been considered a major antioxidant that, in cooperation with vitamin E, protects biomembranes. To determine the expression pattern of PHGPx mRNA in human, quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses using RNA from different embryonal and adult tissues were performed. A predominant expression was found in testes. In spermatozoa, PHGPx was found to be localized in the mid-piece of spermatozoa. We studied the relationship between spermatozoa PHGPx expression, mutations in PHGPx gene and human oligoasthenozoospermia, a defect in which both the number and the motility of spermatozoa are significantly below normal. Spermatozoa specimens from 45 infertile males were analysed for fertility-related parameters according to World Health Organisation and were classified as suffering from oligoasthenozoospermia. Two patients (4.44%) showed no expression of PHGPx and in nine patients (20.00%), a reduced expression of the enzyme was observed. DNA sequences of various regions of the PHGPx gene (coding, 5'flanking region and intron 1) from these patients and 58 fertile volunteers were analysed for mutations by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Sequence data revealed no cause/effect relationship for any of the variants. From these data it can be concluded that oligoasthenozoospermia is associated with a decrease in the level of expression of PHGPx in the spermatozoa of some infertile men (24.44%), but is not linked to mutations in PHGPx gene.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Role of granulocyte elastase and interleukin-6 in the diagnosis of male genital tract inflammation.

Chronic genital tract inflammations are a frequent cause or at least a concomitant factor of male fertility disturbances. The diagnosis is difficult because of the mostly asymptomatic course of the disease. Therefore, determination of biochemical markers of inflammation in addition to the number of leucocytes in the seminal plasma has been recommended. The aim of the study was to find out whether determination of granulocyte elastase and interleukin-6 provide comparable and reliable results with regard to diagnosis of genital tract inflammation; in addition, the association between genital tract inflammation and semen quality should be evaluated with special focus on potentially disturbed sperm functions like sperm motility and DNA integrity. In a prospective study, the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte elastase were determined in seminal plasma samples from 340 patients to investigate the relationship with other parameters of genital tract inflammation such as the number of peroxidase-positive cells and conventional semen parameters. Microbiological investigations were included. As post-testicular inflammatory influences may cause sperm DNA damage, the correlation between IL-6 and elastase and DNA integrity was evaluated by the sperm chromatin structure assay. IL-6 and elastase were significantly correlated both with each other (P < 0.01) and the number of peroxidase-positive cells (P < 0.01). IL-6 showed a highly significant negative correlation with sperm vitality (P < 0.01) and a significant negative correlation with sperm motility (P < 0.05). Elastase concentrations were highly significantly associated with the number of peroxidase-positive cells (P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with sperm vitality (P < 0.01). Moreover, there were significantly negative correlations with sperm motility (P < 0.05), progressive motility according to WHO a quality (P < 0.05) as well as sperm morphology (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between elastase concentrations and percentage of spermatozoa with intact DNA, which may suggest the use of anti-inflammatory treatment. It can be concluded that both IL-6 and granulocyte elastase are useful and suitable as markers for silent genital tract inflammation; in contrast to previous contributions there were clear correlations of IL-6 and granulocyte elastase with sperm parameters, the relationship of elastase with semen quality being more marked. Moreover, the results of the study confirm the need for a change of the threshold value of peroxidase-positive cells according to WHO definition to lower levels for definition of silent genital tract inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Somatization and alexithymia in male infertility. A replication study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In a previous study, we found a higher degree of alexithymia and somatization in infertile men (Hum Reprod 2001 Vol.16(3),587-592). This study was designed to confirm the findings of the former study PATIENTS/METHODS: 88 infertile men (48 idiopathic infertility, 40 somatic infertility) were consecutively enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 44 healthy men. Alexithymia was measured by the 20-item-Toronto-Alexithymia-Scale;somatization was measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-R. RESULTS: There were no differences between the subgroups of infertile men. The study group showed a significantly higher sum score in the TAS-20 (p<0.01) and a higher score on the scale somatization in the Symptom Checklist-90-R (p<0.05) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study replicated the findings of the previous investigation. Alexithymia and somatization are discussed as consequences of coping with male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Relationships between personality traits, seminal parameters and hormones in male infertility.

In this study we investigated the relationship between personality attitudes, psychopathological symptoms and biological parameters in male infertility. Eighty-four infertile men underwent a psychological and medical examination at our clinic. The psychological tests comprised the Symptom Checklist 90-R, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Seminal parameters, gonadotrophins, sex steroids, cortisol and prolactin were analyzed to obtain biological data. Compared with questionnaires completed by normal populations those in the study group scored higher on the scales for 'conscientiousness', 'agreeableness', 'alexithymia' and 'somatization' and lower on the scale for 'neuroticism'. Regarding psychobiological correlations we found a negative correlation between seminal parameters and 'extraversion', 'anxiety' and 'psychoticism'. 'Alexithymia' was negatively correlated with stress hormones and 'conscientiousness' was correlated with sex steroids. The findings suggest above average social competence in the study group. The psychobiological correlations indicate a link between social-competence-related personality traits such as 'extraversion' and 'conscientiousness' and biological fertility characteristics. Implications of a higher alexithymia in infertile men, which is negatively correlated with stress hormones, are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Alexithymia in male infertility.

The continuing confrontation with the thoughts and feelings surrounding an unfulfilled wish for a child makes coping very difficult. There is empirical evidence that, in medical illnesses associated with stress and loss of quality of life, patients react with alexithymia, which means a difficulty to communicate emotions. In this study we compared 84 infertile men with a group of 96 healthy men and 43 male psychosomatic outpatients concerning their ability to communicate feelings, measured by the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the amount of psychopathologically relevant symptoms, especially somatization, measured by the Symptom Checklist 90-R and a List of Complaints (Beschwerden-Liste). The results showed a significantly higher alexithymia in infertile men compared with healthy men (P < 0.05), but a significantly lower alexithymia compared with psychosomatic outpatients (P < 0.05). Furthermore the study group showed significantly more somatic complaints in the List of Complaints compared with healthy men (P < 0.05). The importance of alexithymia in male infertility is discussed on the basis of empirical results that it might play a defensive role as far as depression is concerned but on the other hand increases the possibility of somatic complaints. The need for prospective studies in further research is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neutral sterols of rat epididymis. High concentrations of dehydrocholesterols in rat caput epididymidis.

Phospholipids and sterols are known to have multiple functions in reproductive tissue of mammals. High concentrations of the cholesterol precursor desmosterol have been described in testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa of various species. These findings and the recent discovery of some cholesterol precursors as meiosis-activating sterols suggest important functions of cholesterol precursors in fertility. Many sterol intermediates appear from the 19-step conversion of lanosterol, the first sterol synthesized in the cascade of cholesterol synthesis, to cholesterol. The biochemical basis of the genetically inherited Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome has been described as a defective conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol. Since this discovery, interest has focused on this special cholesterol precursor. Here, we report high concentrations of 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterol in caput epididymidis and spermatozoa derived from caput epididymidis of Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, which comprised up to 30% of total sterols. In contrast to caput epididymidis, 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterol were barely detected in cauda epididymidis or testis. Desmosterol increased several times from caput to cauda epididymidis. This is the first report of the natural appearance of high concentrations of dehydrocholesterols in mammalian tissue, and it underlines the putative importance of cholesterol precursors in reproductive tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Unresolved couple conflicts in male infertility].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is empirical evidence that sterility causes a considerable amount of distress and affects correspondingly the partnership. Empirical results concerning male infertility show increased somatic complaints and reduced self-esteem of the men as well as a dominance of the accompanying partners. Which couple conflicts arise after the diagnosis of male infertility? PATIENTS/METHODS: 84 infertile men were examined with a partnership diagnostic questionnaire. The questionnaire was evaluated with regard to quantity and quality of unsolved couple conflicts. RESULTS: The results show that infertile men do not mention more unsolved conflict areas in their partnership than healthy men. If one looks qualitatively at the mentioned conflict areas, striking differences in comparison to the control group can be seen. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the control group of healthy men, the specificity of conflict areas in infertile couples can be best understood on the basis of exchange-theoretical considerations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Cytogenetic and andrological status and ICSI-results in couples with severe male factor infertility.

AIM: To pursue whether cytogenetic aberrations correlate with specific spermatological or hormonal abnormalities. METHODS: 305 infertile couples were investigated. All male partners were referred to a complete andrological work-up with physical examination, determination of hormones, HIV testing and semen analysis. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out in both partners by means of standard techniques using cultured lymphocytes from peripheral blood. RESULTS: Among the 305 couples, 10 men (3.2%) and 10 women (3.2%) showed constitutional chromosomal aberrations, including reciprocal translocations (n = 7), Robertsonian translocations (n = 3), inversions (n = 3), other structural aberrations (n = 4) and sex chromosome aberration (n = 3). In addition to the impaired sperm count in most of the patients, a tendency to an increased proportion of spermatozoa with acrosome defect was observed. CONCLUSION: Chromosomal aberrations may contribute to the low fertilization and pregnancy rates in the infertile couples.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed2000

Drug treatment of male fertility disorders.

Drug treatment remains an active domain in the therapy of male fertility disorders. Although there are only a few conditions that allow causal treatment, rational approaches are possible in many cases. Best results are obtained in cases requiring an anti-inflammatory treatment and in patients with an impaired sperm transport. High-dosage administration of FSH is a promising new development, aimed particularly at improving the disturbed sperm structures. A careful diagnostic work-up with elucidation of the underlying disease is essential to achieve a successful therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Recovery of ejaculated spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection after anti-inflammatory treatment of an azoospermic patient with genital tract infection: a case report.

In this paper our experiences with anti-inflammatory treatment of an infertile patient with azoospermia and concomitant silent genital infection are reported. The patient was referred to our fertility centre with prediagnosed non-obstructive azoospermia and no spermatozoa were found in the ejaculate on two occasions. The patient showed leukocytospermia and was suspected to be affected by genital infection. Therefore, anti-inflammatory treatment was initiated and 8 weeks later examination of the ejaculate revealed a decreased number of leukocytes and the presence of few but motile spermatozoa. Subsequently, two ICSI cycles were performed with anti-inflammatory therapy in parallel and a sufficient number of spermatozoa could be retrieved for injection. However, in a third cycle without previous treatment, examination of the ejaculate again revealed azoospermia and leukocytospermia. It is concluded that, in cases of azoospermia and chronic genital infection, some patients will benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment prior to and during ICSI treatment. This may allow retrieval of spermatozoa from the ejaculate and thus may avoid the need for a therapeutic testicular biopsy. Using this approach, sufficient spermatozoa in three out of four ICSI cycles could be retrieved and a pregnancy was finally achieved.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Sexual dissatisfaction and somatic complaints in male infertility].

Several relevant sociodemographic and psychological variables were assessed in addition to clinical and andrological examinations in order to find predictors for sexual satisfaction and somatisation in 68 infertile men of involuntarily childless couples. Subjects reported relatively high average levels of both sexual satisfaction and somatisation, with considerable variance between subjects. Multiple regression analyses revealed that neither age, attitudes towards sexuality, nor andrological findings had an influence on sexual satisfaction. However, an inverse relationship between sexual satisfaction and somatisation was found. Furthermore, a short-lasting partnership and high sexual dissatisfaction prior to the diagnosis of infertility could be unveiled as risk factors for somatisation in infertile men. These results propose state and trait characteristics of sexual satisfaction and suggest a buffering role of longer lasting and sexually satisfying partnerships with respect to the distress of infertility. The promising results need confirmation by repeated investigation. Other possible influences, e.g. styles of coping, should be included in future studies.

Adult↗