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PubMed2003

Induction of oxidative stress by bisphenol A in the epididymal sperm of rats.

Bisphenol A has been shown to affect the reproduction of male rats and mice. However, the mechanism of action of bisphenol A on the epididymal sperm is not elucidated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of bisphenol A on the antioxidant system of rat epididymal sperm. Bisphenol A was administered orally to male rats at the dose levels of 0.2, 2 and 20 microg/Kg body weight per day for 45 days. After 24 h of the last treatment, rats were weighed and killed using anesthetic ether. The body weight of treated rats did not show significant change as compared with the corresponding control groups. In bisphenol A-treated rats there was a significant decrease in the weight of the testis and epididymis; the weight of ventral prostate increased significantly whereas there was no significant change in the weight of seminal vesicles as compared with the corresponding group of control animals. Sperm collected from the epididymis were used for sperm count and biochemical estimations. Administration of bisphenol A caused a reduction in the epididymal sperm motility and sperm count in a dose-dependent manner. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased while the levels of H(2)O(2) and lipid peroxidation increased significantly in the treated rats as compared with the corresponding group of control animals. The results suggested that graded doses of bisphenol A elicit depletion of antioxidant defence system and induce oxidative stress in epididymal sperm of rats. In conclusion, the adverse effect of bisphenol A on male reproduction may be due to induction of oxidative stress in sperm.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Molecular cloning and characterization of the epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase-like protein secreted in the porcine epididymal fluid.

The epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase was purified from the porcine cauda epididymal fluid in order to analyze its enzymatic activity and roles in the epididymis. The purified protein was found to consist of four identical 23 kDa subunits. The complementary DNA encoding the 23 kDa subunit was cloned from the cDNA library of the porcine proximal caput epididymis, only where the 23 kDa subunit is expressed. Although the selenocysteine codon (TGA) is contained in the cDNA of the other cytosolic type of glutathione peroxidases, it is replaced by cysteine codon (TGT) in the 23 kDa subunit cDNA, similarly to the results previously obtained for cDNAs encoding the epididymis-specific form of the secreted glutathione peroxidases of mouse, rat and monkey. By the direct analysis of the selenium, the purified protein was proved to contain no selenium atom in the molecule. The activities of the purified epididymis-specific glutathione peroxidase toward hydrogen peroxide or organic hydroperoxides were by far lower than the activity of cytosolic selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (less than 0.1%). In addition, the concentration of glutathione in the porcine epididymal fluids was about 20 microM, which is much lower than the optimal concentration for the glutathione peroxidase activity of the purified protein. These results strongly suggest that this protein is enzymatically quiescent at least in the porcine epididymal fluid. An immunocytochemical study showed that this protein was found to bind to the acrosomal region of the epididymal sperm and to disappear during the acrosome reaction. Furthermore, this protein significantly retarded the acrosome reaction induced in vitro. The possibilities have been discussed that it protects sperm from the premature acrosome reaction and maintains sperm fertilizing ability in the epididymis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of rat epididymal sperm counts by IVOS HTM-IDENT and hemacytometer.

Epididymal sperm counts, a common measurement in male reproductive toxicity studies, are routinely determined using a hemacytometer. Recently, computer assisted methods for automated sperm counts have been developed. In the present study we evaluated an automated system, the TOX IVOS (Hamilton Thorne Research, Beverly, MA) HTM-IDENT option, that utilizes a DNA-specific stain and fluorescence illumination to identify sperm for enumeration. Cauda and caput epididymal sperm counts were determined in 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, using both the hemacytometer and HTM-IDENT. The mean hemacytometer and HTM-IDENT counts (+/- SD) were 250 +/- 43 and 254 +/- 52 million, respectively, for cauda sperm, and 123 +/- 13 and 127 +/- 18 million, respectively, for caput sperm. The average coefficient of variation using the hemacytometer was 13.8% as compared to 17.3% for the HTM-IDENT. Comparison of the machine count and a visual count from the Display Statics screen of the HTM-IDENT indicated that when two or more sperm heads touched or overlapped, the machine counted them as one. Manual (visual) and machine counts when compared over a range of nine concentrations from 3.7 to 47.8 million/mL differed by 4 to 12% at the lowest to highest concentration. The concentration of epididymal sperm samples used in comparing the two counting methods ranged from 5.8 to 17.7 million/mL. Therefore, the HTM-IDENT undercounting error attributable to sperm heads touching was less than 6%. Overall the data indicate good agreement between the HTM-IDENT and the hemacytometer counts. Furthermore, both counting time and technician fatigue were markedly reduced. Thus the HTM-IDENT option improves the efficiency of epididymal sperm counting without loss of precision.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicant-induced acceleration of epididymal sperm transit: androgen-dependent proteins may be involved.

Previously we established that a 4-d exposure to chloroethylmethanesulphonate (CEMS), a chemical that significantly reduces serum testosterone (T) levels, resulted in a significant decrease in cauda epididymal sperm reserves in adult male rats while homogenization-resistant testicular spermatid numbers were unaffected. This epididymis-specific alteration occurred whether or not circulating T levels were maintained using T-filled Silastic implants. To determine whether this epididymis-specific decrease in sperm number was the result of decreased epididymal transit time, the vas deferens was ligated at its midpoint just prior to the first of 4 d of exposure to CEMS with and without T implantation. If epididymal sperm transit was accelerated due to treatment, there would be fewer sperm in the caput/corpus and more sperm in the cauda/vas of the treated animals compared to control. The number of sperm in the caput/corpus decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while the number of sperm in the cauda/vas increased significantly in both the CEMS and CEMS + T animals. Daily sperm production was unaffected, but transit time through the caput/corpus epididymidis was decreased significantly in both treatment groups. To determine if testicular fluid played a role in the epididymis-specific decline in sperm numbers, the efferent ducts were ligated at the same time the vas deferens was ligated. Again, the number of sperm in the caput/corpus decreased significantly with treatment while there was a reciprocal increase in the number of cauda/vas sperm relative to controls. Finally, to determine whether an androgen-mediated process might be involved, the known antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide (HFLUT) was given to castrated, T-implanted animals in which the fertilizing ability of epididymidal sperm is maintained over 4 days. Once again, the number of sperm in the caput/corpus decreased significantly while there was a reciprocal increase in cauda/vas sperm. A quantitative evaluation of the protein profile in homogenates of the caput/corpus epididymidis revealed treatment-related diminutions in two proteins CC9 (M(r) = 42 kDa, pI = 4.2) and CC34 (M(r) = 35 kDa, pI = 5.5), and the level of each of these proteins in the caput/corpus was significantly correlated with the decrease in caput/corpus sperm number. Thus, both CEMS and HFLUT accelerate sperm transit through the proximal segment of the epididymis; and, while this effect is not dependent on the testis, it may involve a lesion in androgen-dependent epididymal function.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epididymal sperm motion as a parameter of male reproductive toxicity: sperm motion, fertility, and histopathology in ethinylestradiol-treated rats.

The present study was designed to characterize the effect of ethinylestradiol (EE) on epididymal sperm motion using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), and to elucidate the correlation between sperm motion endpoints and other measures including fertility, histopathologic, and endocrinologic endpoints. EE was orally given to adult male rats at a daily dosage of 10 mg/kg for 3 and 5 d, and at daily dosages of I and 10 mg/kg for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Changes in sperm motion were first detected after one week of treatment. Of nine sperm motion parameters, the percentage of motile sperm, velocity, and amplitude of the lateral head displacement (ALH) were decreased in the 10 mg/kg dosing group. Accompanying the decreases in those parameters, the male fertility indices in the 10 mg/kg dosing group were reduced after one week of treatment, and no males in this group could impregnate intact females after 2 weeks or more of treatment. The number of sperm heads in the cauda epididymis in the 10 mg/kg dosing group was reduced to about one-half that in the control group after one week of treatment, whereas the total number of homogenization-resistant advanced spermatids in the testis was not altered and only a slight change was detected in the number and morphology of germ cells in the testis. These results suggest that reduction in the number of epididymal sperm and in sperm motion are not secondary to testicular alteration. However, after 3 weeks of treatment, the number of sperm heads in the testis was drastically reduced with severe atrophy of the seminiferous tubules both in the 1 and 10 mg/kg dosing groups. The profiling of epididymal luminal fluid proteins indicated that two major bands that migrated with molecular weights of about 22 and 23 kDa were weakened and their density was reduced to approximately 70% of the control after 5-d and one week treatments in the 10 mg/kg dosing group. Circulating testosterone declined drastically after 3 d of treatment and remained at undetectable levels with a concomitant decline of circulating LH and FSH, suggesting that EE inhibits testosterone secretion immediately via a negative feedback system, and there follow changes in the accessory reproductive organs including the epididymis. These results indicate that EE affects epididymal spermatozoa before testicular germ cells via a testosterone deficiency, when it is administered at extremely high dosages. The reduction in the sperm motion manifested as decreases in the percentage of motile sperm, ALH, and velocity, is considered to be responsible for the onset of infertility. Sperm motion analysis could be particularly useful for detecting the toxic effects of chemicals that act through the endocrinologic system on the epididymis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Pentoxifylline initiates motility in spontaneously immotile epididymal and testicular spermatozoa and allows normal fertilization, pregnancy, and birth after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

PURPOSE: Pentoxifylline (PF) has been used to enhance sperm motility in many in vitro fertilization programs. The twofold purpose of this study was to determine whether PF stimulates fresh or frozen epididymal and testicular totally immotile spermatozoa and whether it can be used to select viable spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: To test the effect of PF on motility, 10 samples of totally immotile spermatozoa were incubated for 10 min with 3.6 mM PF. Motility was initiated in all cases (14.8% mean motility after PF treatment of five samples of fresh or frozen epididymal spermatozoa and 13.6% mean motility of five samples of fresh or frozen testicular spermatozoa). To assess PF for selection of viable spermatozoa before ICSI, we compared the outcome of ICSI in 20 cycles using fresh or frozen epididymal or testicular PF-treated immotile spermatozoa and 139 control ICSI using fresh or frozen epididymal or testicular spontaneously motile spermatozoa. RESULTS: Fertilization rates were similar in the PF and control groups (45.2% vs. 51.0%). Embryo quality and division stages at the time of transfer were comparable. Six pregnancies occurred in PF-ICSI group (30.0% per cycle vs. 26.6% in control group) including two deliveries of healthy children and four ongoing pregnancies.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Activity and androgenic control of enzymes associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lipid oxidation and mitochondrial shuttles in the epididymis and epididymal spermatozoa of the rat.

1. Enzyme activities (units/g wet wt.) were determined in the caput and cauda epididymidis and in epididymal spermatozoa of the rat. 2. The activity of most enzymes in the cauda was between 50 and 100% of that in the caput, except that ATP citrate lyase was barely detectable in the cauda. 3. Spermatozoa, unlike epididymal tissue, contained sorbitol dehydrogenase but lacked ATP citrate lyase. NADP+-malate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, carnitine acetyltransferase and citrate synthase were 5 to 400 times as active in spermatozoa as in epididymal tissue. 4. 2-Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase was the least active member of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in all tissues and most closely matched the measured flux through the cycle. 5. The concentrations of hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase were equivalent to the more active enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, indicating the capacity for extensive lipid oxidation, and the presence of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase suggests that these tissues can also oxidize ketone bodies. 6. Transfer of reducing equivalents from cytoplasm to mitochondrion is unlikely to occur by means of the glycerol phosphate cycle because mitochondrial glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is relatively inactive in epididymal tissue, whereas the cytoplasmic enzyme has little activity in spermatozoa, but transfer may be accomplished by the malate-aspartate shuttle. 7. Transfer of acetyl units from mitochondrion to cytoplasm could be effected by the pyruvate-malate cycle in the caput of androgen-maintained rats, but not in the other tissues because of the low activity of ATP citrate lyase. Acetyl unit transfer could take place via acetylcarnitine, mediated by carnitine acetyltransferase. 8. Castration resulted in a decrease in the concentration of nearly all enzymes, although subsequent administration of testosterone restored concentrations to values similar to those in animals maintained by endogenous androgen. The extent to which enzyme concentration was changed by an alteration in androgen status was highly variable, but was most marked in the case of pyruvate carboxylase.

Androgens↗
PubMed1992

Genetic evidence for an androgen-regulated epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase whose transcript does not contain a selenocysteine codon.

Epididymal glutathione peroxidase (GPX) has been suggested as a major factor in combating loss of fertility of spermatozoa due to lipid peroxidation. We report here the isolation and sequence of putative GPX cDNAs from rat (Rattus rattus) and cynomolgus-monkey (Macaca fascicularis) epididymis, which exhibit marked sequence identity with known GPXs. In both species the cDNAs encode predicted preproteins containing 221 amino acid residues. Unlike other characterized GPX sequences, epididymal GPX mRNA does not contain a selenocysteine codon (UGA). However, sequence comparison and molecular-modelling studies suggest a high degree of structural conservation between epididymal and other GPXs. Transcripts corresponding to epididymal GPX are not detected in a variety of other tissues (liver, spleen, kidney and testis) and appear to be androgen-regulated in the epididymis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Purification and characterization of rat epididymal-fluid alpha-D-mannosidase: similarities to sperm plasma-membrane alpha-D-mannosidase.

We have previously reported the occurrence and partial characterization of a novel alpha-D-mannosidase activity on rat sperm plasma membranes [Tulsiani, Skudlarek and Orgebin-Crist (1989) J. Cell Biol. 109, 1257-1267]. Here, we report the presence of a similar alpha-D-mannosidase activity in a soluble form in rat epididymal fluid. The soluble enzyme was purified nearly 500-fold with 9-12% recovery to a state approaching homogeneity using: (1) (NH4)2SO4 precipitation; (2) affinity chromatography on immobilized mannan and D-mannosamine; (3) ion-exchange (DE-52) column chromatography; (4) molecular-sieve chromatography. The enzyme was eluted from the final column (Sephacryl S-400) at an apparent molecular mass of 460 kDa. When resolved by SDS/PAGE (under denaturing conditions), the enzyme showed a major protein band (115 kDa) and few very minor bands. The polyclonal antibody raised against the major protein band was found to cross-react with the alpha-D-mannosidase activity present in epididymal fluid (soluble) and detergent-solubilized spermatozoa from the rat and mouse. This result suggested that the soluble and membrane-bound enzyme activities shared a common antigenic site(s). The antibody was used to characterize further the alpha-D-mannosidase activity(ies) present in the rat epididymal fluid and rat sperm plasma membranes. Data from these studies show that the two forms are similar in (a) subunit molecular mass, (b) substrate specificity and (c) inhibitory effect of several sugars. These similarities suggest that the soluble and membrane-bound alpha-D-mannosidase activities are isoforms. Immunoprecipitation studies after solubilization of the testis and epididymal particulate fraction from sexually immature rats show that the testis (but not the epididymis) contains the immunoreactive alpha-D-mannosidase activity. This result and the fact that spermatozoa from the rat rete testis show alpha-D-mannosidase activity indicate that the sperm enzyme is synthesized in the testis during spermatogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Morphological and morphometric attributes of epididymal and testicular spermatozoa following surgical sperm retrieval for obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.

Whilst the morphological (shape) and morphometric (sperm head size) attributes of ejaculated spermatozoa have been well studied, the morphological and morphometric qualities of testicular and epididymal spermatozoa retrieved from males with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia is much less documented. We wished to examine the effect of aetiology of azoospermia and site of retrieval on the attributes of retrieved spermatozoa. This was a prospective observational study of 30 consecutive successful sperm retrievals, six for nonobstructive azoospermia and 24 for obstructive, of which five were retrieved from the epididymis and the remainder from the testis. The proportion of morphologically normal testicular spermatozoa in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia was not significantly different (7% versus 7.6%, P = 0.97). Testicular spermatozoa from males with obstructive azoospermia showed an increase in frequency of sperm with small heads [47/180 (26%) versus 97/909 (11%), P = 0.036] as well as small acrosome and increasing vacuole formation over nonobstructive spermatozoa. Similarly, there was a significant increase in tail deformities and decreases in tail lengths in sperm from males with nonobstructive azoospermia. Epididymal spermatozoa showed significantly greater proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa than testicular (20% versus 13%, P = 0.001) as well as a significant increase in acrosome vacuoles. Furthermore, morphometrically epididymal spermatozoa displayed with smaller head length, width and area than testicular spermatozoa. Testicular spermatozoa from obstructive azoospermia displayed significantly less tail defects (35% versus 57%, P = 0.003) as well as significantly longer tail lengths (30.6 microm versus 10.7 microm). These morphological and morphometric differences between epididymal and testicular and obstructive and nonobstructive spermatozoa may represent part of the natural maturation process. There were no associations between any morphological or morphometric abnormality with any significant parameter in subsequent use in ICSI.

Epididymis↗
PubMed2001

Differential effect of hyperthyroidism on rat epididymal glycosidases.

The impact of hyperthyroidism on epididymal glycosidases was studied in albino rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced in Wistar rats aged 30 days by daily injection of T4 (25 microg/100 g body weight/day intramuscularly) for 30 or 60 days; control rats were injected with vehicle (alkaline saline, pH 7.8). One set of hyperthyroid rats was reverted to euthyroid status by withdrawing T4 treatment after 30 days of hyperthyroidism. To asses the direct effect of thyroid hormone on epididymal hexosaminidases, caput, corpus and cauda tissues were stimulated with 25, 50 or 100 ng/mL T3 for 24 h, after an initial culture of 24 h. The activity of beta-glucosidase decreased in caput, corpus and cauda epididymis of hyperthyroid rats. beta-Galactosidase activity increased in the caput epididymis irrespective of the duration of hyperthyroidism. While a similar decrease occurred in the corpus and cauda epididymis in the 30 day hyperthyroid group, an opposite trend was observed in 60 day hyperthyroid rats. Caput beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities increased at both time points, whereas activity decreased in the corpus and cauda in 30 day, but increased in 60 day hyperthyroid rats. Hyperthyroidism consistently increased caput and corpus beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity irrespective of the duration. Cauda epididymal beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity was decreased in 30 day and increased in 60 day hyperthyroid rats. Hyperthyroidism induced changes in caput beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidases, corpus beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and cauda beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase which were irreversible while the remaining actvities were brought back to normal when T4 treatment was withdrawn. In vitro studies showed that T3 stimulates epididymal hexosaminidases (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase) irrespective of the dose. These data suggest that thyroid hormones have a specific and direct influence on glycosidases in specific regions of the epididymis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Age-related changes in the reactivity of postsynaptic adrenoceptors in the rat vas deferens: differences between the epididymal and prostatic portion.

1. Age-related changes in the reactivity of postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors of isolated portions (epididymal and prostatic) and in whole vas deferens have been studied using 4, 12 and 20 month-old rats. 2. The pD2 values for adrenaline-induced contractions were reduced in the epididymal portion and whole vas deferens of middle-aged and old animals, but not in the prostatic portion. No age related change to phenylephrine or clonidine sensitivity was observed. 3. pA2 values of prazosin and yohimbine were not changed by aging in any preparation. Phentolamine pA2 values were reduced in the epididymal portion and in the whole vas deferens when adrenaline, but not when phenylephrine concentration-response curves were displaced by the antagonist. The mean pA2 value of yohimbine (6.78) indicates that this antagonist blocks alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the rat vas deferens. 4. The data presented here suggest that age-related decreases in the sensitivity to adrenaline and phentolamine (when measured by displacing adrenaline concentration-effect curves) in the whole vas deferens are probably due to a variation in the proportion of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes in the epididymal portion of the rat vas deferens.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2003

Male factors determining the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa.

During a period of 8 years, 1,079 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures with aspirated epididymal or testicular spermatozoa were performed. Epididymal spermatozoa were used in 172 cycles and testicular spermatozoa or spermatids in 907 cycles. Multiple biopsies were obtained from at least two different locations in the testes. Retrieved spermatozoa were used after cryopreservation (frozen) or immediately after aspiration (fresh). Three hundred patients had obstructive azoospermia (OA) or ejaculation failure. In 414 cases, azoospermia was caused by impaired spermatogenesis resulting from maldescended testes, chemotherapy/radiotherapy, or by Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, genetic disorders or unknown aetiology. Transfer rates, pregnancy rates and birth rates per ICSI cycle showed no statistically significant differences between testicular and epididymal spermatozoa in men with OA (28% average birth rates in both cases). However, birth rates differed significantly with regard to the status of spermatogenesis. Treatment of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) resulted in a birth rate of 19% per cycle. In all patient groups, there was no difference in the birth rates achieved with fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. While testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone level and age of the male patient are no statistically significant prognostic factors, the underlying cause of azoospermia is the most important factor determining the outcome of ICSI with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa. The pregnancy rate is lower in NOA patients than in those with OA.

Epididymis↗
PubMed2003

Resorption of the element zinc from spermatozoa by the epididymal epithelium.

In this study, elimination of the element zinc from spermatozoa during epididymal maturation was investigated. Testes and epididymides from 40 bulls were collected; epididymal fluid was flushed, pooled, labelled with 0.5 MBq 65Zn2+ per sample and proteins were separated on a Sephacryl S-200 HR and zinc chelate column chromatography. To follow the resorption of zinc in the epididymal epithelial lining, an autometallographic technique (AMG) was performed in tissue from caput, corpus, cauda and vas deferens. The results showed a zinc-binding protein fraction with an apparent molecular weight of 150-160 kDa, which was enriched after chelate column chromatography. Specific labelling of 65Zn was about five times higher in the caput than in the cauda epididymidis. AMG revealed no detectable zinc in the caput, but a significant increase of zinc resorption from the corpus to the cauda and vas deferens. Controls showed that the detectable zinc was located within the principal cells. In conclusion, our study proves that zinc present in the sperm flagellum starts to be mobilized in the caput epididymidis and is resorbed by the epididymal epithelium as from the corpus. This zinc elimination is a mandatory step in sperm maturation to obtain motility.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Open versus closed epididymal sperm retrieval in men with secondarily obstructed vasal systems--a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare sperm quality and suitability for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from open and percutaneous epididymal aspiration in men with obstructive azoospermia, and to determine the relevance of epididymal morphology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 20 men undergoing vasectomy reversal were evaluated by percutaneous (PESA) and open epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) before undergoing surgery for reversal. Two samples were taken with PESA, one with the needle in situ (PESA1) and the second while withdrawing the needle (PESA2). Epididymal morphology was graded as normal, distended and grossly distended. Five men undergoing vasectomy served as a control, nonobstructed group for percutaneous aspiration. Analysis of the aspirates was performed immediately after operation with no knowledge of the treatment, and aspiration was considered successful if sperm suitable for ICSI were retrieved. RESULTS: In the obstructed group, 15 of 20 men had successful PESA and 13 of these also had successful MESA. PESA was successful bilaterally eight times compared with MESA on five occasions; two men with successful PESA had no success with MESA. PESA2 was five times more successful than PESA1. Only one PESA in the non-obstructed group was suitable for ICSI. PESA was successful in 21 of 25 distended or grossly distended epididymi compared with only three of 21 non-distended systems. CONCLUSION: PESA is a viable alternative to MESA in patients with obstructive azoospermia, particularly when associated with clinically distended epididymi.

Epididymis↗
PubMed1980

Relations between the fertilizing ability, motility and metabolism of epididymal spermatozoa.

This paper compares the principal modifications taking place in spermatozoa during epididymal transit in several species. The relations between changes in the epididymal medium and modifications in the metabolism, motility and/or fertility of spermatozoa are reviewed with particular reference to spermatozoon forward motility. The fertilizing ability of motile testicular and epididymal spermatozoa has been described. It is suggested that the maturation process may induce a series of spermatozoal changes in cyclic AMP content, external membrane composition and nuclear structure throughout the genital tract; these changes would be under the control of the epididymal epithelium. The origins of these phenomena are practically unknown.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1988

Estrogen induced effects on mouse testis and epididymal spermatozoa.

The effects of estradiol benzoate (E2B) at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg body weight/day for 7 and 15 days were investigated on epididymal sperm parameters and morphology of testis in adult mice. The data revealed a decline in cauda epididymal sperm count and percentage motility with duration of estrogen administration. The decreased sperm motility was correlated with reduced sperm enzymes as evidenced by biochemical and cytochemical studies. The depletion of cauda epididymal sperm population in treated mice was related to inhibition of spermatogenic activity in testis as compared to control. Thus, the estrogen treatment to mice manifests maturational changes in epididymal spermatozoa as a result of androgen deprivation.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Use of epididymal sperm for assisted reproduction in men with acquired, irreparable obstructive azoospermia.

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) is primarily offered to men with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD). However, the IVF capacity of these epididymal sperm is low ( < 15%) and unpredictable. In this study, IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results in patients with non-congenital, irreparable obstructive azoospermia were analysed. Thirty-three patients were evaluated for a total of 37 cycles of MESA and IVF. Most had obstruction secondary to failed vasectomy reversal and to epididymal blockage. The overall fertilization rate was 30% with regular IVF and 26% with ICSI, and six clinical pregnancies were obtained. Both rates are significantly higher than the IVF rate previously reported with sperm from men with CAVD (13%, P < 0.00001). In men with non-congenital obstructive azoospermia, a significant difference was found in the average sperm count (56.9 x 10(6) v. 12.3 x 10(6), P < 0.04) and total motile count (16.6 x 10(6) v. 1.6 x 10(6), P < 0.01) respectively for patients who achieved IVF and those who did not. It is concluded that (a) the real IVF capacity of human epididymal sperm is 30%, or 42%, if calculated only for patients who achieved fertilization, (b) this higher rate is an indirect support of the hypothesis that sperm from men with CAVD have intrinsic biochemical defects, related to cystic fibrosis mutations, responsible for their low and unpredictable IVF rate, and (c) MESA and IVF can be offered at the same time or as an alternative to patients requesting vasectomy reversal.

Adult↗