BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease in Germany. It is currently unclear whether chlamydial infection causes pathological conditions of the male accessory glands with consequences for male infertility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Within the framework of several prospective studies the association between sperm quality, male accessory gland function and infection with C. trachomatis was investigated in men of couples with unexplained infertility. Chlamydial infection was determined by serologic methods and by proof of Chlamydia-specific DNA. As a marker of infection the direct determination of granulocytes in the ejaculate or the measurement of the polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase concentration was used. The male accessory gland function was evaluated using the markers fructose, citric acid and alpha-glucosidase in the seminal plasma. RESULTS: Chlamydia-specific DNA in the ejaculate was present in between 3-5% of the subjects, which corresponds to its prevalence in the normal population. Chlamydia IgA antibodies were demonstrated with a frequency of 38% in seminal plasma (n = 834) using a genus-specific test (rELISA). Using other species-specific tests (MIF, SeroCT, IgA pELISA and ImmunoComb), Chlamydia IgA antibodies were found at frequencies of between 8 and 22%. CONCLUSION: Only in a few individual cases was it possible to show a connection between reduced sperm quality, disturbed male accessory gland function and indication of infection with Chlamydia, bacteria or Ureaplasma.

Adult↗

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The spermatozoal volume as indicative of the plasma membrane integrity (modification of the hypoosmotic swelling test). I. Methods.

The aim of the present study was to establish a more differentiating indicator of plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa than the classic version of the hypoosmotic swelling test according to Jeyendraan. Spermatozoa were prepared by density gradient centrifugation (90% Percoll) to select 'fertilization competent' spermatozoa only. After a second washing procedure sufficiently pure sperm cell suspensions were obtained. The volume distributions of these sperm cells were measured with a Coulter Counter at 25 degrees C after adaptation in 300 mosmolar NaCl solution resp. 150 mosmolar NaCl solution for 5 min. These volume distributions showed significantly different patterns for the isotonic and hypotonic stress situation in the simple salt solution. Moreover, the comparison of the response to hypoosmotic stress showed more than four reproducible characteristic patterns, promising well differentiated results for different sperm populations. The new method for the detection of hypoosmotic swelling effect might be a real and valuable functional parameter.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The spermatozoal volume as indicative of the plasma membrane integrity (modification of the hypoosmotic swelling test). II. Diagnostic approach.

If using a method of statistical sifting based on the Kolmogoroff-Smirnov test for differentiation of volume distribution curves of a modified HOS-test, different curve types are obtained under isotonic as well as under hypotonic conditions. Arrangement of spermatological parameters of the relevant ejaculates according to the individual curve types reveals significant differences for motility. No correlation can be seen with the results of the microscopic HOS-test. Consequences for the use of the modified HOS-test in medical practice are discussed.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonic diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

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Chronic Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Significance of linear cervix mucus penetration for the evaluation of spermatozoa quality].

Linear mucus penetration of spermatozoa from 75 arbitrary selected men was evaluated using a non-commercial bovine cervix mucus preparation in the same way as Penetrak, but using round glass capillary tubes instead of flat plastic tubes. The mean penetration value was 28.7 +/- 7.10 mm in 90 min and the mean sperm density 36.0 +/- 22.79 x 10(6) ml. Mucus penetration was more correlated to sperm density (r = 0.6) than to any other semen parameter. Consequently it seems to be necessary to evaluate a sliding discrimination index for adequate penetration rate depending on sperm density (regression line and confidence interval). Numerical methods for comparison of penetration rates are suggested.

Animals↗

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[Change in sodium and potassium concentration in human seminal plasma infected experimentally with Ureaplasma urealyticum].

The concentration of sodium and potassium ions was measured by flame photometry in human seminal plasma and human sperm cells as well as in a sperm cell suspension infected experimentally with Ureaplasma urealyticum during incubation as long as 22 hours. The sodium concentration is 86.2 +/- 21.97 mmol/l cells in sperm cells and 120.8 +/- 15.87 mM in seminal plasma. The potassium concentration is 33.2 +/- 16.35 mmol/l cells in sperm cells and 26.7 +/- 4.92 mM in seminal plasma. The sodium concentration decreased considerably in the suspension medium of sperm cells during the first hour of incubation and increased again subsequently. The potassium concentration in the suspension medium changed only little. The sodium concentration in the infected sperm cell suspension was insignificantly increased compared with the mycoplasma-free controls. The potassium concentration was slightly higher in the infected specimens than in the controls. There was no mycoplasma-induced effect on the concentration of sodium and potassium in the sperm suspension after experimental infection.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The relation between sperm motility and the content of unsaturated fatty acids as well as the osmotic behavior of human spermatozoa].

The relations between sperm motility and the content of lipids and fatty acids in sperm cells were investigated. In addition the osmotic volume changes of sperm cells were studied, by determination of progressive sperm motility, measurement of relative concentration of lipid-peroxy radicals in seminal plasma using chemoluminescence technique, gas-chromatographic determination of fatty acid pattern in sperm cells and in seminal plasma and by electronic measurement of the sperm cell volume. The impulse installment of chemoluminescence increased during the time of storage of the ejaculate. In contrast, this phenomenon was not observed in pure seminal plasma prepared by centrifugation immediately after liquefaction. The pattern of phospholipids and free fatty acids changed during storage of the ejaculate both in sperm cells and in seminal plasma. Sperm cells showed a significant increase of volume under hypotonic stress. The increase of volume is more distinct in spermatozoa with high progressive motility as in spermatozoa with low progressive motility. The determination of initial and late progressive motility enables the differentiation of two groups of sperm populations: one group with a medium initial motility and a normal decrease of motility during the following time and another group with excellent initial motility and an extreme decrease of motility following. The second group is characterized by an especially distinct increase of volume under hypotonic conditions.

Fatty Acids, Unsaturated↗