Sperm velocity and morphology in 1727 ejaculates with normal sperm count.
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Humans↗
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[Sperm count following mumps orchitis].
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Journal Article↗
[Spermatocrit as a method for determination of sperm count and volume (author's transl)].
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Cell Count↗
Neonatal exposure to genistein reduces expression of estrogen receptor alpha and androgen receptor in testes of adult mice.
We investigated the long-term estrogenic influence of genistein on the male reproductive system in mice. Newborn ICR male mice were treated with genistein (10, 100, or 1,000 microg/mouse) for neonatal 5 days. As positive control, administration of diethylstilbestrol (0.5-50 microg/mouse) was carried out. In mice exposed to genistein,we examined weight of testes, sperm counts, sperm motility, and mRNA expression levels of estrogen receptor a (ERalpha) and androgen receptor (AR) at 4, 8 or 12 weeks after birth. Moreover, at 12 weeks of age, we evaluated protein level of ERalpha. In our conventional reproductive-toxicological study (weight of testes, sperm counts and sperm motility), neonatal transient exposure to genistein did not show adverse effects on the male reproductive system in 4, 8 or 12 week old mice. However, in mice treated with genistein mRNA expression levels of ERa and AR were reduced at 8 weeks. This reduction was recovered at 12 weeks in mice treated with a lower dose (10 microg) of genistein but not in those with higher doses (100 microg and 1,000 microg). In addition, ERa protein levels tended to decrease in 12 weeks of adulthood. Our results exhibited that the disruption of gene expression continued for long term such as 3 months after administration of genistein, even if no effect was found at conventional reproductive-toxicological level. We have shown that neonatal administration of weak estrogenic compound (genistein) affects male reproductive organs at molecular levels in adulthood.
Animals↗
Dacarbazine induces genotoxic and cytotoxic germ cell damage with concomitant decrease in testosterone and increase in lactate dehydrogenase concentration in the testis.
Treatment of cancers with cytotoxic agents such as alkylating drugs often, but not always results in transient to permanent testicular dysfunction. The present study was planned to investigate the effects of dacarbazine [5-(3,3-dimethyltriazeno) imidazole-4-carboxamide] on testicular function in mice. Swiss albino mice (9-12 weeks old) were treated with 0, 5, 25, 50, or 100mg/kg body weight/day dacarbazine (i.p.) for 5 days at intervals of 24h between treatments. Mice were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49, and 70 after the last treatment (6 mice/dose/sample time), and the epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, testicular histopathology (qualitative histopathology, seminiferous tubular diameter and epithelial height), and intra-testicular levels of testosterone and lactate dehydrogenase were assessed. Dacarbazine decreased the body weight only on day 28 at 25mg/kg dose-level, but increased the paired testes weights at 50mg/kg on day 7, at 25-100mg/kg on day 14, and at 25 and 50mg/kg on day 21 (P<0.05-0.01; one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test). The sperm count was decreased on all sampling days except at 5 and 25mg/kg dose-levels on day 70, but with severe oligospermia on days 28 and 35 (P<0.05-0.001). The sperm motility was decreased at 100mg/kg on days 14 and 21, at 5, 25, and 100mg/kg on day 28, and at all dose-levels on day 35 (P<0.05-0.001). Dacarbazine induced both head and tail abnormalities and some sperms with cytoplasmic droplets, but significant increase was seen in all dose groups on days 14 and 21, and at 100mg/kg dose-level on day 35. Drug-induced epithelial sloughing was seen on days 14-35 and other histopathological changes observed were vacuoles and abnormal cells. The STD was increased at 25-100mg/kg on day 7, at all dose-levels on day 14, at 50-100mg/kg on days 21 and 28, but without any effects on days 35-70 (P<0.05-0.001), and the tubular lumen was found dilated. The SE was increased on days 7, 21 and 28 at 100mg/kg and on day 14 at 50-100mg/kg. Dacarbazine reduced the intra-testicular testosterone level at 100mg/kg on day 7, at 5, 50 and 100mg/kg on day 14, at all dose-levels on days 21, 28, and 35, and at 50mg/kg on day 49 (P<0.05-0.001). The intra-testicular lactate dehydrogenase concentration increased at all dose-levels up to day 35, but without any effect on days 49 and 70 (P<0.05-0.001). There was no particular dose-response of dacarbazine on any parameters tested. The sperm count (except on day 7-positive correlation; Pearson product moment correlation) or sperm motility did not have any relation but increase in abnormal sperms showed negative correlation with decrease in testosterone level on days 7, 21 and 28. Decrease in sperm count was in negative correlation on days 14 and 35, and increase in abnormal sperms showed positive correlation on day 35 with increase in LDH level. Finally, the decrease in sperm motility had no correlation with increase in abnormal sperm shapes. We conclude that dacarbazine is genotoxic and cytotoxic to the mouse testis in a transient fashion, and these effects are exerted along with decrease in testosterone and increase in lactate dehydrogenase levels in the testis.
Animals↗
Effects of gestational and lactational exposure to Aroclor 1242 on sperm quality and in vitro fertility in early adult and middle-aged mice.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of gestational and lactational exposure to Aroclor 1242 (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg-bw) on male fertility. Doses were administered to C57BL6 female mice orally every two days from two weeks before mating, during mating, and through gestation until postnatal day 21. Male B6D2F1 offspring were examined for anogenital distance, organ development, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, and in vitro fertility at 16 and 45 weeks of age. Stomach samples of pups nursing from PCB-treated mothers in the 50 mg/kg dose group were analyzed for PCBs and chlorobiphenylols by high resolution gas chromatography coupled with low resolution mass spectrometry. It was estimated that the nursing pups were exposed to 0.2, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 mg/kg/day total PCBs in the 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg dose groups, respectively. This exposure level approaches the maximum FDA recommended levels for PCBs in food and breast milk. The composition of the PCBs in the stomach samples was different from the parent mixture, as there was a higher proportion of heavily chlorinated congeners, as well as chlorobiphenylols. Anogenital distance at weaning, and liver, thymus, and testes weight at 16 and 45 weeks of age were not affected by PCB exposure. Epididymal sperm velocity and linearity were significantly increased in the 25 mg/kg dose group at 16 weeks of age. Sperm count was increased by 36% in this dose group (P = 0.06). By 45 weeks of age, average sperm count in this dose group was similar to that of controls. With the exception of the 50 mg/kg dose group at 16 weeks of age, sperm fertilizing ability in vitro was significantly decreased in all PCB-exposed groups at 16 and 45 weeks of age. These results suggest that fertility in the adult mouse is susceptible to developmental exposure to Aroclor 1242 and is independent of testis weight or epididymal sperm count.
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
An evaluation of the copulatory, endocrinologic, and spermatotoxic effects of carbon disulfide in the rat.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the endocrinologic and spermatogenic effects of carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure in the rat. Adult, male rats were exposed to either 600 ppm CS2 or filtered air for 6 hr/day for 5 days/week for 10 weeks. One week prior to exposure and then at Weeks 1, 4, 7, and 10, males were placed with ovariectomized, hormonally primed females, and copulatory behaviors were scored. Fifteen minutes postcopulation, the female was killed and the ejaculate was recovered from the excised uterine tract along with the semen plug. Sperm counts, sperm motility, and morphology were determined. A blood sample was obtained for analyses of testosterone, follicle-stimulating (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). At the end of the 10th week, five animals in each group were challenged with either human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG, 50 IU/animal, iv) or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 100 ng/animal, iv), and the testosterone or gonadotropin responses were monitored over time. Animals were subsequently killed with one epididymis and testis processed for histology and a sperm count determined from the other epididymis. Analysis revealed that CS2 exposure produced significant alterations in copulatory behavior and a decrease in ejaculated sperm counts by the fourth and seventh weeks of exposure, respectively. No endocrinologic alterations were observed. Moreover, caudal epididymal sperm counts were not depressed and the testes appeared histologically normal. These data suggest that CS2 does not exert a direct effect on the testes, but rather may interfere with the processes regulating sperm transport and ejaculation.
Animals↗
Sperm quality in adult diabetic men.
In 65 adult diabetic men and 77 control men without diabetes, both groups without any problems as to fertility, the following characteristics of ejaculate have been compared: volume of seminal fluid, sperm concentration per milliliter, total sperm count, sperm morphology, and motility at 1, 3, and 5 hours after ejaculation. In the entire diabetic group, sperm morphology and motility at 1 hour after ejaculation was statistically significantly worse. In 15 diabetics without sexual disurbances only sperm morphology was statistically significantly worse compared with an equally large control groups. In 50 diabetics with erection disturbances, sperm volume and motility in three successive observations were statistically remarkably lower. In younger age subgroups, the differences between diabetics and nondiabetics were more marked than in older age subgroups. The patients' age, when diabetes was discovered in them, did not essentially influence the quality of the ejaculate where diabetes lasted 8 or more years. Diabetics over 40 years' age displayed a significantly lower sperm volume. The total sperm count and motility at 3 and 5 hours after ejaculation, with 12 or more years' duration of diabetes, differed from diabetes of 2 years' duration. On the basis of these observations a negative influence of diabetes on the quality of the ejaculate seems unquestionable. There exists great variability in the adverse effect on the individual diabetic. Also, the individual characteristics of the ejaculate are affected, usually, to a different extent: the most frequently and markedly affected being the sperm motility, then morphology and/or volume of ejaculate, and the least often and the least conspicuously, the sperm count.
Adult↗
The relationship of pyospermia and seminal fluid bacteriology to sperm function as reflected in the sperm penetration assay.
The relationship of the parameters of seminal fluid analysis (SFA) and seminal fluid leukocyte concentration to the in vitro sperm penetration assay (SPA) was studied in 217 men from infertile couples. Significant positive correlations were found between the SPA and sperm count, sperm motility, and morphologically normal sperm. The total number of leukocytes per milliliter, the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes per milliliter (PMN), and the number of lymphocytes per milliliter were negatively correlated with the results of the SPA. The strongest correlation with an abnormal SPA (less than 11% of eggs penetrated) was the presence of greater than or equal to 1 PMN/100 sperm (8.17 increased relative risk of an abnormal SPA). The most important predictor variables of the percent penetration of the sperm penetration assay were total numbers of leukocytes per milliliter, sperm count, and sperm motility. Microbiologic studies of semen were not correlated with SPA results or number of leukocytes in the semen.
Female↗
Mecobalamin promotes mouse sperm maturation.
The effect of Mecobalamin (alpha-(5,6-dimethyl benzimidazolyl)-Co-methyl-cobamide: Me-B 12) on sperm production in the oligozoospermic mice experimentally induced by the treatment with adriamycin (0.3 mg/kg, three times a week for 5 weeks) was evaluated quantitatively by means of equilibrium sedimentation in Percoll. After centrifugation, the distribution profile of the sperm showed two peaks, i.e. the first peak near the bottom consisting of mature sperm with good motility and the second peak containing immature and/or immotile sperm. By oral administration of Me B 12 (1.0 mg/kg/day) to the oligozoospermic mice for 10 weeks, the sperm count, sperm motility, motile sperm count, diameter of seminiferous tubules and the percentage of good motile sperm with higher apparent density were increased as compared with those of the control. These results suggest that Me-B 12 enhanced the testicular function, resulting in an increased output of mature sperm.
Animals↗
[Study on producing rats with experimental testicular dysfunction and effects of mecobalamin].
Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of mecobalamin (CH3-B12) on disorders of testicular function. Male rats received subcutaneously an injection of doxorubicin (ADR) three times a week for 3, 5 and 7 weeks. Thereafter, they were periodically sacrificed for the examination of cauda epididymal sperm profiles and the morphology of the testis. ADR treatment caused a decrease in sperm counts, sperm motility and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and an increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms. These damaging effects depended on the dosage and period of treatment with ADR. Based on these findings, rats with testicular dysfunction induced by the treatment with ADR at a daily dose of 0.25 mg/kg, three times a week for 5 weeks were prepared to investigate the effects of CH3-B12 on oligozoospermia. CH3-B12 was given intraperitoneally to the oligozoospermic rats six times a week for 5 and 10 weeks. The results obtained indicated that 1,000 micrograms/kg of CH3-B12 caused a significant increase in both the sperm counts and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. These results suggest that CH3-B12 is a candidate drug for oligozoospermia.
Animals↗
Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced -- damage on reproductive function in male rats.
Rats were treated with 0, 8, 16 and 24 mg/kg of lead acetate (LA) (i.p.) for 35 days with or without Maca. Maca was co-administrated orally from day 18 to day 35. The lengths of stages of the seminiferous epithelium were assessed by transillumination. Also, sex organ weights, testicular and epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, daily sperm production, sperm transit rate and serum testosterone levels were measured. Lead acetate treatment resulted in a dose-response reduction of lengths of stages VIII and IX-XI, and serum testosterone levels. However, rats treated with 8 and 16 mg/kg but not 24 mg/kg of lead acetate showed a low number of testicular spermatids, low daily sperm production (DSP) and low epididymal sperm count. Administration of Maca to rats treated with lead acetate resulted in higher lengths of stages VIII and IX-XI with respect to lead acetate-treated rats. Moreover, treatment with Maca to lead acetate-treated rats resulted in lengths of stages VIII and IX-XI similar to the control group. Maca administration also reduced the deleterious effect on DSP caused by lead acetate treatment. Maca prevented LA-induced spermatogenic disruption in rats and it may become in a potential treatment of male infertility associated with lead exposure.
Animals↗
The effects of inbreeding on testicular sperm concentration in Peromyscus polionotus.
Inbreeding effects on fitness have most often been quantified via juvenile mortality. However, inbred adults may suffer from inbreeding depression if their fertility or fecundity is compromised as a consequence of inbreeding. Here, the effects of inbreeding on male fertility in oldfield mice, Peromyscus polionotus, were examined. Testicular sperm concentration was assessed in 93 males, 68 of which were paired for breeding. Forty of the 68 paired males failed to produce offspring. Total testicular sperm count, sperm count (g testis)(-1), and testis mass all declined significantly with increasing inbreeding coefficient. Sperm concentration did not significantly impact reproductive success. Although sperm concentration in males of most species can decline to low levels before reproductive impairment is detectable, the declines in testicular sperm concentration found here suggest that inbreeding can affect fertility in adult males. Furthermore, monitoring testicular sperm concentration could provide a mechanism to monitor potential declines in reproductive performance before population-level reproductive success is irreparably impaired. The implications for the management of small, captive and wild populations may be substantial.
Animals↗
Sperm quality in mice acutely treated with parathion.
AIM: To investigate the toxic effect of a single injection of the organophosphorous agropesticide, parathion, on spermatogenesis in immature male mice. METHODS: Seven-day old mice received a single injection of parathion intraperitoneally at a dose of 1/3 LD50. The epididymal sperm count, sperm morphology and chromatin thermal stability were analyzed 28 and 50 days after injection. RESULTS: Sperm counts were decreased and teratozoospermia and thermal denaturation of DNA increased after parathion injection. Sperm parameters were changed to a greater extent in younger animals, denoting a higher lability of spermatogenic process at its beginning. The damages could recover a long time after parathion administration. CONCLUSION: Organophosphorous agropesticides are testicular toxicants, eliciting reversible cytotoxic and cytogenetic alterations in germ cells.
Animals↗
Semen quality and fertility of men employed in a South African lead acid battery plant.
Previous studies of the associations of measures of occupational lead exposure with measures of semen quality and infertility among male workers have produced conflicting results. The current study was undertaken to examine these associations among a population of workers with a broad range of measures of current and historical lead exposure. Ninety-seven lead-exposed workers from a South African lead acid battery facility provided semen samples that were analyzed for sperm density, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and presence of antisperm antibodies. Questionnaire data were collected for reported histories of sub- or infertility. Current blood leads ranged from 28 to 93 micrograms/dl. Semen lead ranged from 1 to 87 micrograms/dl. Reasonably consistent and significant associations were found between an increased percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology and higher measures of current blood lead, cumulative blood lead, and duration of exposure. An increased percent of immotile sperm was associated only with zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) among the lead exposure measures. There were no associations of sperm density or sperm count with any of the lead exposure measures. A weak association of increased percent of sperm with antisperm antibodies with increased semen lead was present. There were no consistent associations of measures of lead exposure with measures of fertility or procreativity. This study, while supporting the association of lead exposure with increased risk of abnormal sperm morphology seen in some previous studies, does not lend support to previously reported associations of sperm density or count or infertility with measures of lead exposure. However, the relatively high range of current blood leads, high prevalence of abnormalities in semen quality, and the lack of a control population, suggest that these negative findings should be interpreted with caution.
Cross-Sectional Studies↗
Stability of sperm characteristics in men with disturbances in sperm quality.
Sixty-one men referred to our laboratory for semen analysis, and subsequently judged to exhibit some form of sperm pathology, were asked to return for a second analysis, not less than 2 months after the first, in order to assess the stability of the pathological changes observed. In almost half of the cases, the referring physician had, on his own initiative, started hormone or antibiotic treatment. The sperm parameters studied included sperm count, sperm motility judged by laser-Doppler spectroscopy, and sperm morphology and viability. The motility characteristics included percentage motile, their average velocity, and percentage swimming in a progressive manner, and their progressive velocity. In untreated subjects, there was no significant difference between the first and second analysis in any of the sperm parameters measured. This was also true for both oligozoospermic individuals (less than 20 x 10(6) sperm/ml) and the group with higher sperm concentrations. All parameters were highly correlated on the two occasions. The average coefficients of variation of the paired observations were highest for sperm count (approximately 25%) and lowest for sperm velocities and the proportion of abnormal and viable cells in the ejaculate (1-9%). No major differences in the extent of variation could be detected between the low and high sperm density groups. In general, the unsystematic antibiotic and hormone regimens (clomiphene or androgen) used by the referring physicians had no discernable effect on any aspect of sperm quality, indicating the need for more controlled and standardized programmes of treatment.
Adult↗
Steroidogenic alterations in testes and sera of rats exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) by inhalation.
1. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an organic unsaturated solvent used in dry cleaning, metal degreasing, thinner for paints/varnishes, anaesthetic agents etc. Human beings are considerably exposed to TCE vapours by inhalation route. 2. TCE has been reported to induce spontaneous abortions and congenital cardiac malformation in occupationally exposed women. However, scanty on-line information is available regarding toxic effects of TCE on male reproductive efficiency in experimental animals. 3. Our earlier observations with TCE inhalation in male rats (376 p.p.m., 4 h/day, 5 days a week) for 12 and 24 weeks using whole body dynamic inhalation chamber consistently showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in total epididymal sperm count and sperm motility. The mating experiments of above TCE inhaled rats with virgin unexposed females showed significantly decreased fertility. 4. These observations prompted us to investigate whether or not primary testicular steroidal precursors (cholesterol and ascorbic acid) and testosterone have any role in TCE induced significantly decreased epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and overall male reproductive inefficiency resulting therefrom. 5. The results indicate significant decrease (P<0.05) in total epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, specific activities of enzymes Glucose 6-p dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 17 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD) with concomitant decrease in serum testosterone concentrations in TCE inhaled rats showing reduced male reproductive efficiency. There was net accumulation in total cholesterol contents in testes of TCE exposed rats. 6. The findings in the present study indicate possible impairment of testosterone biosynthesis in TCE inhaled rats after 12 and 24 weeks. These findings also serve in parts to elucidate the mechanism of reproductive inefficiency in TCE exposed rats. The role of testosterone in this phenomenon is being reported for the first time.
17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
[Male contraception of triptonide and its function mechanism].
OBJECTIVE: The male contraceptive mechanism in rats of triptonide, isolated from Multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW), was investigated. METHODS: The dosage of triptonide was 200 micrograms/(kg.d), fed for 8 weeks via gastric intubation. Sperm counts, sperm motility, and sperm silver staining were used to test the antispermatogenic effect of triptonide; the study of morphology was learned from paraffin sections of testis and visceras of triptonide-treated rats; protamine was abstracted from testis by electrophoresis; using antisense mRNA of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 as prodes, we examined the expression of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 through hybridization in situ. RESULTS: Sperm counts (26.43 +/- 3.90) x 10(6)/g and sperm motility(66.0 +/- 6.8)% of triptonide-treated rats were substantially different from those of control, (41.15 +/- 5.51) x 10(6)/g (P < 0.01) and (88.0 +/- 2.0)% (P < 0.001). Paraffin sections of testis of triptonide-treated rats stained by PAS showed that the number of spermatids per 100 sertoli cells (9.15 +/- 0.33) was remarkably decreased compared with control's (10.73 +/- 0.38) (P < 0.001). At the same time, delaying sperm-released process was observed, which affects the nature course of sperm. And the extended vacuoles of vary sizes, the segregation of cells in lumens were also found in the cross-section of testis of rats treated with triptonide. In addition, the contents of protamine (4.6 +/- 2.2)% was extremely decreased, compared with the control's (40.6 +/- 7.2)% (P < 0.001). By using antisense mRNA of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 as prodes, we detected that the expression of the genes was notably increased in spermatids. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the antispermatogenic effect of triptonide is very well and it mainly plays its role on spermatids by increasing the expression of cyclin D1 and Cdk4, meanwhile, decreasing the biosynthesis of protamine. The appropriate target region of triptonide makes itself most potency to be a suitable male antifertility drug.
Animals↗