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Biomedical subjects

W Krause

Publications and source records attributed to W Krause.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of oligozoospermia by tamoxifen: no evidence for direct testicular action.

The improvement of impaired spermatogenesis by tamoxifen is well documented. The antiestrogen seems to act via an enhancement of gonadotropin release from the hypophysis, but there is evidence for a direct testicular effect. Thus we studied the serum levels of gonadotropins and steroid hormones in 22 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia. To study the direct testicular effect, we tested the response of 5 normal males to hCG prior to and after the application of tamoxifen. FSH levels showed a continuous increase in the patients during the three months of treatment, while the stimulation by LH-RH was not altered. In the case of LH the basal as well the stimulated levels increased. Mean levels of testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and estradiol increased significantly during treatment. Sperm counts of patients were found to be considerably higher after three months. In the normal males no differences in steroid levels as a response to hCG with and without tamoxifen treatment occurred. Our results give evidence, that the hormonal changes occurring under tamoxifen treatment are not due to a direct testicular effect.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of flow behaviour (viscosity) from human seminal fluid with a rotational viscosimeter.

Flow behaviour of human seminal fluid was studied with a rotational viscometer (Rotoviso RV 100 with low shear sensor CV 100 made by Haake Karlsruhe) regarding normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, azoospermia and initially prolongated liquefaction time. Measurement is done according to DIN 53018 (procedure) and DIN 53019 (evaluation) and viscosity is given in millipascal seconds (mPas). At a shear rate of 90 s-1 the absolute viscosity n is 7.86 +/- 5.51 mPas (n = 104); without the initial viscous ejaculate (n = 23) viscosity n at 90 s-1 was 5.55 +/- 1.71 mPas (n = 81). Within the group of viscous ejaculates the average viscosity is distinctly higher than the one in the group of normal ejaculates. In both groups there is no correlation between number of spermatozoa and viscosity and motility and viscosity. A reason for the different flow behaviour is not yet found.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spermatogenetic arrest with inhibition of acrosome and sperm tail development.

Testicular biopsies from two brothers with pathologic spermatograms revealed a spermatogenetic arrest at early spermatid maturation. No sign of acrosome or sperm tail formation was found in spermatids. Using a polyclonal antibody against vimentin, Sertoli cells appeared in the normal shape and distribution pattern. At the ultrastructural level no significant pathologic alterations of Sertoli cells were visible. A monoclonal antibody against tubulin gave a diffuse perinuclear reaction in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. Some tubulin-immunoreactive material was also present in the apical portions of the Sertoli cells. Ultrastructural studies of spermatids revealed a complete absence of the centrioles and axonemal structures in early spermatids. Acrosome formation was inhibited at the early Golgi stage. The numerous spermatids present within germinal epithelium contained an abundance of elongate mitochondria and membrane profiles surrounding the nucleus. The ultrastructural findings indicate a maturation stop of spermatids at a very early stage with complete inhibition of acrosome and sperm tail formation. The underlying mechanism could be a lack of specific structural proteins.

Acrosome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nekrozoospermia in mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome.

A patient with nekrozoospermia is presented. His clinical, andrological and endocrinological data are described. Cytogenetically a complex chromosomal mosaic of 46,XX; 46,XY; 47,XXY and 48,XXXY was found.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High incidence of minor chromosomal variants in teratozoospermic males.

Chromosomal analysis was performed on 109 males with teratozoospermia. Four cases of anomaly were found, including three cases of mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome and one balanced autosomal translocation. Among chromosomal heteromorphisms, 9qh+ was found in 25% of the patients. The fraction of malformed spermatozoa in the semen of the 9qh+ group is significantly higher than in the chromosomally normal group. It is speculated that heterochromatic variants like 9qh+ could be one of several unknown factors disturbing normal gametogenesis.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The concentration pattern of laminin, hyaluronan, and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen in seminal fluid.

The extracellular matrix components laminin, N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and hyaluronan (HA) were determined in seminal fluids of 119 patients submitted for diagnosis of infertility. The concentrations of laminin and HA, but not those of PIIINP, were elevated in seminal fluid in comparison to their ranges of concentration in normal sera. Only weak correlations were observed between the concentrations of the three matrix components. The concentration of HA was negatively correlated with sperm count and ejaculate volume. Laminin was positively correlated with sperm count, the age of patients, and highly significantly with the concentrations of acrosin. A highly significant positive correlation was also found between PIIINP and fructose. By analysis of variance it could be shown that patients with azoospermia and oligozoospermia have significantly higher levels of HA than those with normospermia. Patients with terato- and asthenozoospermia showed no characteristic pattern of the matrix components.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The variability of measuring sperm concentration and motility as determined by computer assisted image analysis and visual estimation.

Systems of computer-assisted image processing (CAIP) offer good reproducibility and low intra-assay variability between replicate analyses of the same sample. The correlation between these values and those obtained by directly microscopic observation can be well demonstrated. The comparability between systems of different manufacturers is sufficient and satisfactory. Thus, they are well-suited for the routine work in the andrologic laboratory. Since sperm parameters are used for the prediction of male fertility, it is important to know whether computer-assisted analysis improves the predictive power as compared to visual estimation. In our study we compared the variation of semen parameters between two semen samples of the same individual taken in an interval of at least 3 months, by using the CAIP and visual methods. Significantly close correlations between the two values were obtained by both methods. Values of cell concentration showed the highest correlation in both methods (r = 0.75). The lowest correlation, but also statistically significant, was observed in the values of locally motile cells (r = 0.54 for CAIP and r = 0.30 for visual determination). Although apparently higher in CAIP within method correlation coefficients did not show statistically meaningful differences between both methods. We conclude from our study that if values of sperm concentration and motility as measured by CAIP are compared to those obtained by visual measurement, the first method is not superior to the latter in terms of retest reliability.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flow cytometric determination of binding of monoclonal antibodies to human spermatozoa.

Although several monoclonal antibodies to sperm antigens are available, only few systematical reports on the appearance of distinct antibody binding structures in spermatozoa of infertile patients are available. We studied the binding frequency of six monoclonal antibodies (TUS-1, -2, -10, -17, -19, -20) by means of a flow cytometer in different semen samples and their possible relationship to other sperm parameters, in particular to the motility parameters as determined by computer-assisted semen analysis. The percentage of vital spermatozoa binding the different antibodies was 21.5% (TUS-2) to 52.1% (TUS-20). The percentage binding was higher in samples with normozoospermia than in those with oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia. A significant correlation occurred between sperm concentration and the percentage of spermatozoa stained by TUS-2 and TUS-17; between motile spermatozoa and those binding TUS-17 and TUS-20; the velocity average path and those binding TUS-17; an inverse correlation occurred between the morphologically-abnormal spermatozoa and those binding TUS-20; an inverse correlation between TUS-17 and acrosin. We conclude from our results that although the antigens of the antibodies concerned are not yet characterized, the determination of antibody binding will give additional information on the functional status during capacitation and acrosome reaction of spermatozoa.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flow cytometric determination of spermatozoa binding monoclonal antibodies does not improve the prediction of fertility potential.

In a previous publication the determination of binding of several monoclonal antibodies to human spermatozoa by flow cytometry was described in 223 patients. In normozoospermic samples the percentage of spermatozoa binding antibodies was higher than in samples with oligozoospermia. However, only weak correlations were found between the percentage of antibody binding spermatozoa and sperm count, motility and morphology. Thus the antibody binding may represent a property different from the classical parameters and might improve the prediction of fertility in the patients. A questionnaire was sent to all the patients inquiring about a conception in their female partners. One hundred and twenty one out of the 223 patients replied, 103 of whom we were able to evaluate. Forty five of them had induced a pregnancy in their partners. The mean values of sperm count, motility and morphological normal cells, as well as the percentages of cells that bound antibodies, were significantly higher in the group of men whose partners became pregnant, than in those who had not achieved conception. The differences, however, were only marginal. We conclude from our results that the determination of the percentage of spermatozoa binding the monoclonal antibodies used in our study is not likely to improve the prediction of conception probability.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Estimation of sperm morphology using a new CASA system.

The rate of morphologically normal and abnormal spermatozoa plays a role in the prediction of male fertility and in the description of the integrity of spermatogenesis. It is thus important to estimate sperm morphology with reproducible results. For this purpose, several systems using computer-assisted image analysis were developed, similar to those used for the determination of sperm motility, which are known as CASA-systems. We tested an advanced CASA-system using a neuronal network, which could be trained for the determination of classes of morphology defined by the WHO group. For the first time, this system also provided the automatic determination of midpieces and sperm tails. The system revealed no significant differences of the percentage of normal forms when compared to the direct microscopical estimation. However, nearly all the classes of pathological sperm heads were estimated by the two methods as being significantly different. Concerning midpieces, the neuronal net was unable to classify the normal forms correctly. The estimation of normal sperm tails by the two methods led to a sufficient correlation of values. Other classes of sperm tails, like curled or kinked tails, were not recognized by the software. The investigation time with the CASA system was twice as long as with the direct microscopical evaluation. Since functional characteristics of spermatozoa cannot be read from morphological parameters, it would be of use to measure the functional parameters directly. The main advantages of a CASA-system for sperm morphometry concerns laboratory quality controls.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Individual prognosis for changes in sperm quality on the basis of perceived stress.

BACKGROUND: In this study we examined whether stress has a negative influence on sperm quality. To investigate this issue we developed a scale assessing perceived stress resulting from infertility. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Infertility Distress Scale was constructed based on the data of 158 infertility patients contacting an andrological clinic for the first time. The Infertility Distress Scale consists of items assessing self-reported stress, different appraisals of infertility and cognitive involvement in infertility. The scale was shown to have good psychometric properties. Changes in sperm quality were predicted by this scale for 69 patients. Changes in sperm concentration and sperm motility were predicted correctly 75.4 and 65.6% of the time, respectively. While these prediction accuracies were significantly better than chance prediction, the Infertility Distress Scale had no predictive value for changes in morphology. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that distress caused by infertility is a risk factor for a decrease in sperm quality.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tibiotalar joint dynamics: indications for the syndesmotic screw--a cadaver study.

Pronation-external rotation ankle injuries involve varying degrees of disruption of the syndesmotic ligaments. The loss of ligament support and alteration in the stability of the mortise have been postulated to lead to an increase in joint reactive forces and traumatic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in tibiotalar joint dynamics associated with syndesmotic diastasis as a result of the sequential sectioning of the syndesmotic ligaments to simulate a pronation-external rotation injury. Dissections were conducted on 10 fresh-frozen, knee-disarticulated cadaveric specimens which were then axially loaded in an unconstrained manner. Tibiotalar joint forces were measured at each level of sequential sectioning of the syndesmotic ligaments, the interosseous membrane, and finally the deltoid ligament. Complete disruption of the syndesmosis with the medical structures of the ankle intact resulted in an average syndesmotic widening of 0.24 mm and no significant change in the tibiotalar contact area or the peak pressure. However, deltoid ligament strain increases with sectioning of the syndesmosis. With the addition of deltoid ligament sectioning, there was an average syndesmotic diastasis of 0.73 mm, a 39% reduction in the tibiotalar contact area, and a 42% increase in the peak pressure. In a simulated unconstrained cadaveric model of a pronation-external rotation ankle injury that results in complete disruption of the syndesmosis, if rigid anatomic medial and lateral joint fixation is obtained and the deltoid ligament complex is intact, syndesmotic screw fixation is not required to maintain the integrity of the tibiotalar joint.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative pharmacokinetics of abecarnil in rat following single and multiple intragastric treatment and continuous administration via the diet.

The anxiolytic beta-carboline abecarnil was administered to female rats at doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks either intragastrically once a day or continuously via the feed. On days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28, plasma level profiles (0-24 hr) and, additionally, on day 28, concentration profiles (0-24 hr) in liver, kidney, and brain were determined in identical groups of animals. Fecal excretion of unchanged abecarnil also was determined as a measure for enteric absorption. After both routes of administration, absorption was practically complete. Drug uptake via the feed resulted in a plateau-like plasma level without explicit maxima or minima. Indications were observed for a positive food intake plasma level correlation with lower plasma levels during the day and higher concentrations at night, for a slight increase of drug plasma levels during the 4-week period, and a dose-proportional increase of mean plasma concentrations. Intragastric treatment was characterized by clearly distinguishable absorption and disposition phases with prominent peaks after the 10 and 50 mg/kg doses, a plateau-like plasma level probably due to prolonged absorption after the 250 mg/kg dose, slight accumulation of drug in the plasma during continuous once-daily treatment, and a dose-proportional increase of the AUC. The drug load of the animals measured as concentrations in plasma and tissues was different after both routes of administration. Peak plasma levels were greater after intragastric treatment by a factor of 5, and the AUC was double compared to the feed experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Computer-assisted cardiotocography analysis within the scope of continuous electronic labor monitoring with simultaneous use of noninvasive and invasive methods of registration].

In frame of a simultaneously study with noninvasive and invasive registration technic by application of 2 fetal monitors with following computer aided CTG-analysis at 22 patients we found in relation to the quantitative CTG-parameters DF (fetal condition), D (dip area), BI (bradycardia index) as well as BR (bradycardia residuelle) in part distinct differences for the range of distribution in spite of missing statistical significance (p less than 0.05) which point to insecurity in trigger signals for the noninvasive method. As exceptionally dangerous turned out to be false trigger signals in range of medium-term heart rate changes in attendance to auto-correlation US-DOPPLER-technic. The noninvasive registration of labour pains impressed forcibly for some time about longer CTG-phases to be unsuitable for the exactly judgment of uterine activity (Montevideo-unit). In conclusion the noninvasive method in supervision of labour should be considered more critical than earlier particular under forensic points of view.

Cardiotocography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assisted spontaneous delivery vs. Bracht manual aid within the scope of vaginal delivery in breech presentation. Late morbidity in children 5-7 years of age].

For judgment of late morbidity we investigated 52 children after vaginal delivery in breech presentation age from 5 to 7 years. This concerned 27 children after assisted spontaneous labour and 25 children after manual expression according to Bracht. All the children were mature and eutrophic and without neonatal distress after delivery. They were explored with help of an voluminous screening programme, concerning not only the intellectual development but also the psychomotoric capacity. The result was an very high intellectual conduct in frame of the test according to Raven (PR greater than 75). The difference in confrontation to the collective after manual expression according to Bracht was statistical significant (p less than 0.05). Neuropsychologic investigations according to Simernitzkaja demonstrated evident differences in disfavour to children after manual expression according to Bracht concerning the visual memory performance for symbols and letters. Further investigations referring to the graphomotoric accomplishment of one hand or both hands reinforced the opinion; that means the visual motoric totality performance in a narrowed sense or the psychomotoric performance in a enlarged sense was statistical significant poorer pronounced (p less than 0.05). The results underline the claim to estimate more critical the manual expression according to Bracht till now.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment with the gonadotropin-releasinghormone agonist buserelin to protect spermatogenesis against cytotoxic treatment in young men.

We treated 20 young men, after giving informed consent, with buserelin during their tumor treatment period. 11 of them suffered from Hodgkins disease, 2 had a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 6 had a seminoma and 1 patient had an embryonic carcinoma of the testis. 7 of these patients received cytostatic treatment with MOPP and/or ABVD, 9 patients had a radiation treatment, 3 received both treatments. One patient remained free of further treatment. Buserelin treatment was recommended to start at least 7 days prior to the tumor treatment, the interval ranged between 7 and 43 days. It ended on the same day as the tumor treatment or some days later, but this recommendation was followed only in 12 patients. 4 patients cessated buserelin treatment before end of the tumor therapy, and 4 other dropped out of the study. Testosterone plasma levels were measured before, during and after treatment with buserelin. 7 days after starting they were increased in most patients, while they were lower after 14 days and at the end of treatment period. Semen analysis showed sperm counts of 1 to 44 millions/ml with motility rates from 9 to 81%. In only ten patients we analysed a semen sample up to 6 months after cessation of treatment. In all but one we found azoospermia. Thus this treatment at now cannot be recommended in young men undergoing cytotoxic treatment to preserve fertility.

Adolescent↗