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Biomedical subjects

R Paradisi

Publications and source records attributed to R Paradisi.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Human leukocyte antigen II expression in sperm cells: comparison between fertile and infertile men.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II transcripts in mature spermatozoa of healthy volunteers have recently been demonstrated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HLA II expression was investigated on ejaculated sperm cells in fertile and infertile men by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Among 22 fertile and 20 infertile men, 18 were selected for the study because they showed no contamination with non-sperm cells. HLA II mRNA transcripts were expressed in all but 1 of 8 infertile subjects and in only 2 of 10 fertile ones. The cytofluorometric analysis on three RT-PCR positive samples confirmed the presence of class II antigens on cell surfaces. These data clearly confirm the presence of both HLA II mRNA and surface molecules on human sperm cells. In addition, an interesting nonrandom distribution of positivity among fertile and infertile samples regarding HLA II expression (p < .025) suggests a possible correlation with infertility.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fetal calf serum versus human serum: ultrastructural evaluation of protein support influence on human ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the different protein supports in the cryopreservation solution on improving human ovarian tissue preservation after frozen-thawed procedures. Biopsies of ovarian cortical tissue were obtained from 14 subjects. All specimens were cryopreserved using a slow freezing/rapid thawing method in a solution consisting of propanediol and sucrose in different proportions of 3 protein supports: 30% human serum (HS) (solution A), 20% HS (solution B), or 20% fetal calf serum (solution C). After thawing, 191 follicles and a total of 70 samples were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The post-thaw preservation rate of the follicles in solution A was significantly higher with respect to solution C (p < 0.05). Unlike the follicles, the stromal cell morphology was not affected by any of the solutions investigated. By comparing stromal morphology and the patient age, it was found that HS better preserved the tissue in patients over 20 years of age with respect to younger ones, which showed a wider variability in ovarian preservation. TEM evaluation showed that 30% HS is more suitable for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and research should be focused on defining cryopreservation protocols specific to young patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased levels of interferon-gamma in seminal plasma of infertile men.

The role of the cell-mediated immunity in male infertility is still far from clear. Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), a secretory product of activated T cells and natural killer cells, has been hypothesized to have a toxic effect on sperm function. The presence of INF-gamma was investigated in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile subjects, using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in order to study its role in male infertility. Forty-one subjects were studied; 20 had proven fertility and normal semen quality (fertile group) and 21 showed male infertility for at least 2 years and poor semen quality (infertile group). INF-gamma was present in significantly higher levels in the seminal plasma of infertile subjects (6.36 +/- 0.72 fmol ml-1) compared to fertile subjects (3.68 +/- 0.30 fmol ml-1). Moreover, a significant negative correlation between INF-gamma levels and sperm count, motility and morphology was detected, whereas no correlation between INF-gamma levels and leukocyte count was found. These findings (i) confirm INF-gamma to be present in seminal plasma; (ii) show increased INF-gamma secretion in the infertile group; (iii) demonstrate negative correlations of INF-gamma with the main spermiogram parameters and (iv) no correlation with leukocyte count. INF-gamma may therefore play an important role in male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-2 in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men.

The role of cell-mediated immunity in the etiopathogenesis of male infertility is far from being defined. The cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) has a key role in T-cell mediated immune responses. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of IL-2 in human seminal plasma, to show eventual differences between IL-2 concentrations in fertile and infertile subjects, and to show potential relationship between IL-2 amounts in semen and spermiogram parameters. Forty-three subjects entered the study, 20 with proven fertility and normal semen quality (fertile group) and 23 with male infertility of at least 2 years and poor semen quality (infertile group). IL-2 levels of seminal plasma in infertile subjects (444.3 +/- 40.5 fmol/mL) were significantly higher than those in fertile subjects (251.3 +/- 42.7 fmol/mL). There was a significant negative correlation between IL-2 levels and sperm count, motility, and morphology. No correlation was found between IL-2 levels and leukocyte count. These findings confirm IL-2 to be in seminal plasma, show increased IL-2 secretion in the infertile group, demonstrate negative correlations of IL-2 levels with main spermiogram parameters, and indicate no correlation with leukocyte count. IL-2 concentration in seminal plasma may therefore be considered as a potential marker in male infertility.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Induction of ovulation in polycystic ovary: human menopausal gonadotropin or human urinary follicle stimulating hormone?

One group of 21 and one group of 22 anovulatory women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) underwent induction of ovulation with human urinary follicle stimulating hormone (HU-FSH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG)/HCG, respectively. No statistically significant differences in ovulation rate were found between patients treated with HU-FSH (95.2%) and those treated with HMG (100%). Eight (38.1%) and 11 (50.0%) patients conceived, six (28.5%) and eight (36.3%) delivered, and two (9.5%) and three (13.6%) aborted with HU-FSH and HMG, respectively. No multiple pregnancies occurred. Serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2) levels and the number of maturing follicles prior to HCG injection were significantly higher with HU-FSH than HMG, while there were no differences in the diameter of the dominant follicle before HCG. Ovarian hyperstimulations were discovered more frequently after HU-FSH/HCG (40%) than HMG/HCG treatments (22.2%). These data do not confirm an effective advantage in the use of HU-FSH in ovulation induction in cases of PCO.

Anovulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of desogestrel and ethinylestradiol combination in normal and hyperandrogenic young girls: speculations on contraception in adolescence.

Hormone profile and ovarian morphology were studied in two groups of adolescents (group 1:19 girls with slight signs of hyperandrogenism; group 2: 14 normal adolescents) in basal conditions and during a contraceptive combination of 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 150 micrograms desogestrel (D). Treatment was associated with a low incidence of side effects in both groups. In group 1, acne generally improved within 12 months while hirsutism was only reduced in some subjects (58%) after 12 months of therapy (basal hair score 8.50 +/- 1.60 vs 5.81 +/- 1.53 p less than 0.001). Significant falls in plasma levels of LH, total and free testosterone and an increase in sex-hormone-binding globulin levels were observed during treatment especially in group 1. High percentage of multifollicular ovaries (75%) characterized hyperandrogenic subjects. Ovarian volume and number of follicles, higher in group 1 than 2 in basal conditions, showed a significant reduction in both groups and normal ovarian morphology was restored in hyperandrogenic subjects. Considering the high incidence of hyperandrogenemia in adolescence and its implications, our data suggest that the EE.D combination suits adolescent biological condition and is one of the suitable contraceptive methods in adolescents which also has therapeutic effects.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Induction of ovulation and pregnancy with HU-FSH (Metrodin) in women with polycystic ovarian disease: summary of clinical experience.

Ten infertile patients with polycystic ovaries, who failed to conceive with clomiphene citrate, were treated with human urinary follicle stimulating hormone. In the same group of subjects, three cycles of treatment were performed to induce ovulation and pregnancy. Ovulation occurred in sixteen cycles out of eighteen. Eight pregnancies were obtained; three ended in abortions, one was an extra-uterine pregnancy and four resulted in normal deliveries. No cases of real hyperstimulation were observed.

Adult↗