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Comparison of semen quality in older and younger men attending an andrology clinic.

The effects of age on semen quality were analysed in patients referred to an andrology outpatient clinic in a retrospective study covering a period of 3 years. Semen analyses of older men (n = 66; > or = 50 years; median: 53) were compared with those of young patients (n = 134; 21-25 years; median 24). The duration of sexual abstinence was longer among older patients (median: 5.5 vs. 5.0 days; + 10%, P < 0.05). Even after adjustment for duration of sexual abstinence, progressive motility (- 27%, P < 0.01), percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (- 44%, P < 0.01) and semen volume (- 29%, P < 0.0005) were significantly lower in older than in younger men. Impaired sperm morphology was mainly attributed to abnormal staining of flagella (+ 50%, P < 0.05) and an increased portion of coiled or bent tails (+ 44%, P = 0.001) indicating epididymal dysfunction. Total sperm count and sperm concentration were unaffected by age. Age-dependent changes in accessory gland function, as indicated by fructose concentration (- 27%, P < 0.05), was correlated with lower semen volume. Moreover, serum testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the group of older men (median: 3.0 vs. 3.6 ng ml-1; -17%, P < 0.005).

Adult↗

Testicular function in eight patients with seminoma after unilateral orchidectomy and radiotherapy.

Testicular function was monitored in eight patients with low stage seminoma who were treated with radiotherapy following unilateral orchidectomy. The absorbed gonadal radiation dose ranged from 15 to 157.5 rad. At 10-24 months after radiotherapy, serum hormone levels, sperm analysis, sperm penetration into zona-free hamster ova (HOP-test) and lymphocyte chromosome abnormalities were evaluated. Two patients were azoospermic with elevated serum levels of LH and FSH. The remaining six patients had slightly decreased (n = 3) or normal (n = 3) seminal parameters. Their HOP rates were within the normal range. A low incidence of polyspermy (i.e. only one penetrating sperm per ovum) was found in the patients, suggesting low penetrability of motile sperm. A highly significant correlation was found between sperm count or sperm penetrability and time post-irradiation. The results indicate that restitution of testicular function is time-dependent.

Adult↗

Tamoxifen treatment of oligozoospermia.

33 subfertile men with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligozoospermia were treated with the non-steroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen. A significant improvement of sperm count, total sperm output and sperm motility was observed.

Adult↗

The use of ketotifen, a mast cell blocker, for treatment of oligo- and asthenozoospermia.

Treatment of idiopathic oligo- and asthenozoospermia by the mast cell blocker Ketotifen leads to a very moderate, but statistical significant improvement of sperm count and sperm motility. However, pregnancy rate was within the range of spontaneous conceptions. To evaluate the possible significance of this new treatment approach further research is mandatory to elucidate the relationship between mast cell proliferation and dysfunction of the blood-testis barrier.

Humans↗

Effects of kallikrein on the male reproductive system and its use in the treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermia with impaired motility.

A single-blind study on the effects of kallikrein in idiopathic oligozoospermia was carried out. 8 of the 16 patients admitted to the trial were treated with kallikrein 100 K.U. t.i.d., the remaining patients received vitamin E 100 mg t.i.d. Treatment lasted 120 days in both groups. Kallikrein led to an increase in sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm penetration capacity. Patients receiving vitamin E failed to show any improvement. It is postulated that the increase in sperm concentration could be explained by the positive action of kallikrein on spermatogenesis, due to a stimulatory effect of the drug directly on the Sertoli cell function and on the circulation in the vascular system of the testis.

Animals↗

Cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc in semen of occupationally unexposed men.

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc were determined in semen and seminal plasma of 22 volunteers by atomic absorption spectrometry. Additionally conventional semen parameters and, by means of computer videomicrography, motion parameters of spermatozoa were evaluated. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn determined in semen were not significantly different from those measured in seminal plasma. However, selenium levels were significantly higher in semen (53.8 +/- 22.9 micrograms l-1) than in seminal plasma (40.4 +/- 15.5 micrograms l-1, P < 0.01). The investigated semen samples on average contained low levels of Cd (0.4 +/- 0.23 micrograms l-1) and Pb (9.8 +/- 6.5 micrograms l-1). Studies on the intra-individual variability revealed the following average coefficients of variation (%) for element concentrations: Pb (70), Cd (53), Se (27), and Zn (23); and for semen parameters: total sperm count (46), sperm concentration (37), motility (22), ejaculate volume (21), linearity (19), linear velocity (11), curvilinear velocity (10), and percentage of normally formed sperm (9). Significant positive correlations were detected between semen selenium levels and sperm concentration (r = 0.51, P < 0.05), and percentage of normally formed sperm (r = 0.46, P < 0.05), respectively. Sperm motility (r = 0.53, P < 0.02), linear (r = 0.76, P < 0.001) and curvilinear velocity (r = 0.64, P < 0.002) were significantly correlated with semen cadmium levels.

Adult↗

Assessment of seminal plasma laminin in fertile and infertile men.

AIM: To assess laminin levels in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men, and to analyze the correlation of laminin levels with sperm count, age, sperm motility and semen volume. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five recruited men were equally divided into five groups according to their sperm concentration and clinical examination: fertile normozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA) and congenital bilateral absent vas deferens (CBAVD). The patients' medical history was investigated and patients underwent clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma laminin by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Seminal plasma laminin levels of successive groups were: 2.82 +/- 0.62, 2.49 +/- 0.44, 1.77 +/- 0.56, 1.72 +/- 0.76, 1.35 +/- 0.63 U/mL, respectively. The fertile normozoospermic group showed the highest concentration compared to all infertile groups with significant differences compared to azoospermic groups (P<0.05). Testicular contribution was estimated to be approximately one-third of the seminal laminin. Seminal plasma laminin demonstrated significant correlation with sperm concentration (r = 0.460, P < 0.001) and nonsignificant correlation with age (r = 0.021, P = 0.940), sperm motility percentage (r = 0.142, P = 0.615) and semen volume (r = 0.035, P = 0.087). CONCLUSION: Seminal plasma laminin is derived mostly from prostatic and testicular portions and minimally from the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Estimating seminal laminin alone is not conclusive in diagnosing different cases of male infertility.

Adult↗

Spermatotoxic effects of carbaryl in rats.

The spermatotoxic effect of carbaryl in adult and young male rats has been examined. Carbaryl 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. Male fed 5 d/week for 60 days, caused dose and age-dependent decline in epididymal sperm count and sperm motility, an increase in sperm with abnormal morphology. The dose of 25 mg/kg/d was a 'No observed effect level' for the indices studied. Young animals in comparison to adults exhibited pronounced spermatotoxic effects.

Administration, Oral↗

Testicular and spermatotoxic effect of nitrate in mice.

A study was conducted with nitrate to assess the testicular and spermatotoxic effects in mice at doses to which human beings are exposed as well as at higher dose levels in the drinking water. Potassium nitrate was administered to mice at dose levels 90, 200, 500, 700 and 900 ppm for 35 days. There was no difference in the uptake of water in control and treated animals. The amount of nitrate intake/ mouse/day calculated on the basis of water intake in the different groups ranged from 22.5 to 27, 50 to 60, 125 to 150, 175 to 210 and 225 to 270 mg/kg body weight. No changes were evident in the body weight, testicular, epididymal and accessory organ weight at all the dose levels tested, although a decline in sperm count and sperm motility along with an increase in abnormal sperm was noticed at 900 ppm. The activity of marker testicular enzymes, mainly 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-betaHSD) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), associated with specific cell types were altered. Histopathological changes including atrophy and disturbed spermatogenesis were observed only at the 900-ppm dose level. In conclusion, we can say that the testicular and spermatotoxic effects are observed only at the highest dose level, which is not likely to be encountered in the drinking water.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Steroidogenic alterations in testes and sera of rats exposed to formulated Fenvalerate by inhalation.

Fenvalerate (Fen) is a synthetic pyrethroid, which is commonly used for destroying a variety of insect pests damaging several vegetable, fruit, and cotton crops. This insecticide is also used to mitigate household insects like flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and so forth. Human beings are exposed to formulated Fen preparations mostly by inhalation during spraying in fields for crop protection, for control of household insects, and also during handling and packaging at manufacturing plants. Limited online information is available regarding toxic effects of formulated Fen exposure on mammalian reproductive system. The present study has been undertaken to investigate male reproductive toxic effects of a formulated preparation of Fen (20% EC) particularly in relation to steroidogenic alterations in testes and sera of rats exposed by nose-only inhalation for (4 hours/day and five days a week) for three months. The results indicate significant reduction in the weight of testes, epididymal sperm counts, and sperm motility, along with decrease in marker testicular enzymes for testosterone biosynthesis viz. 17-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17-beta-HSD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), leading to net decrease in serum testosterone concentration in group of rats exposed to one-fifth LC50 of Fen (20% EC) by inhalation (4 hours/day, five days a week) subchronically for three months. These results for the first time indicate the role of testosterone in Fen (20% EC)-induced male reproductive toxicity of rats subchronically exposed by inhalation probably due to neuroendocrine-mediated phenomenon and hormone-disrupting property of the insecticide.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Male reproductive toxicity of sodium arsenite in mice.

The effect of chronic oral exposure to arsenic on male mouse testicular and accessory sex organ weights, sperm parameters and testicular marker enzymes was studied. In addition, the distribution of arsenic in reproductive organs was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sodium arsenite administered to mice (Mus musculus) via drinking water at a dose of 53.39 micromol/L (4 ppm As) for 365 days caused a decrease in the absolute and relative testicular weight. However, epididymal and accessory sex organ weight was similar to control. The activities of marker testicular enzymes such as sorbitol dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and 17beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) were significantly decreased, but those of lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) were significantly increased. A decrease in sperm count and sperm motility, along with an increase in abnormal sperm, was observed in arsenite-exposed mice. A significant accumulation of arsenic in testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland was observed in treated animals. Thus long term exposure (365 days) at the dose level of 53.39 micromol/L sodium arsenite (4 ppm As), to which human beings are likely to be exposed via drinking water, may cause testicular and spermatotoxic effect.

Administration, Oral↗

Electroejaculation and semen analysis and freezing in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Semen was collected by a standardized electroejaculation procedure from a giant panda on 4 occasions. Ejaculate volume, sperm count and % sperm motility were 2.3-3.6 ml, 62-562 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml and 45-85%, respectively. The results, although limited to a single male, suggested a seasonal influence on ejaculate and gonadal parameters with improved ejaculate volume, sperm motility and increased testicular size in the season proximate to the female's oestrous period. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were motile with no apparent abnormalities induced by the freezing procedure.

Animals↗

Male fertility in rats treated with etretinate for 4 weeks.

The toxicity of Etretinate, a retinoid compound, on the male reproductive system was studied in male rats. The drug was administered for four weeks at the dose levels of 0 (control: Vehicle, Peanut oil), 5 and 25 mg/kg/day. The animals were then allowed to mate, and their male reproductive functions and organs were examined in detail. No significant changes due to toxicity were observed in male reproductive functions and organs in the 5 mg/kg/day group after the 4-week treatment. In contrast, males in the 25 mg/kg/day group showed drug-related changes in their reproductive performance (decrease of mating ability and fertility rate), testosterone blood level, sperm head counts, sperm viability and number in the caudal epididymis, organ weight and in the histopathology of their reproductive organs (atrophy of seminiferous tubules, necrosis of spermatocytes and spermatids, vacuolation of nuclei of spermatocytes and spermatids). Even though Etretinate belong to the retinoid group of compounds, the changes seen in the 25 mg/kg/day group were almost the same as those observed in Vitamin A-deficient animals. In conclusion, there is a correlation between changes due to toxicity observed for parameters of male fertility and for histopathological evaluation of the testis of rats that receiving high dose, treatment with Etretinate for 4 weeks.

Animals↗

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of gadobenate dimeglumine formulation (E7155) (1)--Fertility study in male rats by intravenous administration].

The influence of gadobenate dimeglumine formulation (E7155) on general reproductive performance and fertility in male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain was assessed in this study. E7155 was administered by intravenous injection at a dosage of 0.3, 1.0, or 2.0 mmol/kg/day to groups of 22 male rats for 13 weeks. Control animals received 0.9% sterile physiological saline throughout the same period. After four weeks of treatment, each male was paired with an untreated female of the same strain. Each male was paired again after 10 weeks of treatment with another untreated female of the same strain. All females were killed on Day 14 of gestation for examination of pregnancy status. No significant toxicological signs associated with systemic exposure to E7155 were observed. There were no effects of treatment with E7155 on body weight gain, food consumption, macroscopic findings, reproductive organ weights and sperm count or sperm motility in male rats. Mating performance after pairing at Weeks 4 and 10 of treatment as well as litter size and number of survival embryos on Day 14 of gestation were not affected by paternal treatment with E7155. From these results, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of E7155 was 2.0 mmol/kg/day for general and reproductive toxicity parameters in male rats treated with E7155 and for development in their embryos.

Animals↗

Influence of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on fetal testicular development by oral administration to pregnant rats.

Influence of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on testicular development was studied by oral administration of DEHP at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day to pregnant rats on gestational days (G) 7 to 18. Ethinyl estradiol (EE) at dose levels of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/day was used as a reference substance. Each 5-6 pregnant rats were sacrificed and their fetuses were examined on G12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. Fetal deaths averaging 20-36% were observed at every examination in the group receiving 1000 mg/kg of DEHP. Increases of fetal deaths over 50% were also observed in the reference group that received 0.5 mg/kg of EE. Microscopic examination of the fetal testis in groups treated with DEHP revealed degeneration of germ cells in G16 fetuses and localized proliferation or hyperplasia of interstitial cells in G18 and 20 fetuses. Germ cells having more than two nuclei were observed in a few cases including the control testes of G14 fetuses. These multinucleated cells were observed frequently in G20 fetuses treated with DEHP. Examination of testes of naturally delivered offspring of dams treated with 1000 mg/kg of DEHP at 7 weeks of age revealed scattered atrophy or dilatation of seminiferous tubules. Another experiment was carried out to confirm the dose of DEHP affecting testicular development and spermatogenesis. DEHP was given to pregnant rats at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day during G7-18. Similar histopathological changes were observed in fetal testes of the group exposed to 500 and 250 mg/kg of DEHP, but not in those exposed to 125 mg/kg. In postnatal examinations, however, no abnormality was found in the testes at 5 and 10 weeks after birth in any of the treated groups. Furthermore, no abnormal findings were observed in the function of sperm, sperm counts and sperm morphology in the offspring of the group treated with DEHP during the fetal period at 10 weeks of age. Thus, 125 mg/kg/day is considered the no-observed-effect-level of DEHP on testicular development of rats by exposure in utero during the period of organogenesis.

Administration, Oral↗

Relationship of bacteriological characteristics to semen indices and its influence on fertilization and pregnancy rates after IVF.

BACKGROUND: To determine if routine semen culture is useful in asymptomatic couples joining an in-vitro fertilization (IVF/ET) program. METHODS: Bacterial cultures and semen analysis according to WHO recommendations were performed on semen samples obtained before oocyte recovery from 88 asymptomatic couples undergoing IVF during a 7-month period. RESULTS: In 46 cultures at least one kind of microorganisms could be isolated. Forty-two cultures either contained bacterias regarded as normal skin flora (n = 14) or showed no growth of microorganisms (n = 28). No differences were found in sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology between the semen samples with positive bacteriology and those with negative culture results. Sperm motility was decreased before Percoll preparation if microorganisms were present. Positive culture results had no effect on either fertilization or pregnancy rates. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that bacteriospermia is not associated with abnormal sperm function after Percoll preparation or adverse IVF outcome.

Adult↗

Blood/seminal serotonin levels in infertile men with varicocele.

Seminal and blood serotonin levels were measured in 37 men with varicocele and in 33 men without palpable varicocele. Elevated levels of blood serotonin and lower levels of seminal serotonin were found in oligozoospermic men with varicocele as compared with men having varicocele but normal seminal quality. No differences in seminal serotonin levels were observed in oligozoospermic men without varicocele. Elevated levels of blood serotonin and lower levels of seminal serotonin in semen in men with varicocele were associated with low sperm count, low sperm motility, low fructose levels, and high citric acid levels. It would appear that serotonin may play a role as an infertility determinant in subjects with varicocele.

Adult↗