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PubMed1988

The effects of oral administration of prostaglandin E2 on the human ejaculate.

A single 1 mg dose of prostaglandin (PG) E2 was given orally to 19 men. Ejaculates were obtained 90 minutes and 24 and 48 hours thereafter. Before treatment, each man delivered another three semen samples with the same time intervals as during the study period. PGE2 was also administered to seven men during naproxen treatment and ejaculates were sampled as above. PGE2 did not influence the 90 minutes' posttreatment ejaculates, but after 24 hours there was a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in sperm counts as compared to the control samples. The change in sperm count was suggested to be due to an effect of PG on the contractile elements in the deferent duct. Sperm motility, viability, and morphology as well as semen volume and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content remained unchanged. The total semen PGE content was increased 24 hours after treatment from 169 micrograms/ejaculate to 213 micrograms/ejaculate (P = 0.02). In the combined PGE2/naproxen treatment the PGE levels were significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated in the ejaculate 48 hours after treatment. The increase may indicate an increased de novo synthesis of prostaglandins. Based on the results from the analysis of the composition of the 19-hydroxy PGF-isomers with and without naproxen treatment, it is speculated that oral PGE2 influences the cyclo-oxygenase activity.

Administration, Oral↗
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 effects of chronic administration of pyrimethamine on spermatogenesis and fertility in male rats.

The present study examines whether the antifertility effects of pyrimethamine (PYR), an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, are mediated by a reduction in intratesticular testosterone (T) concentrations or whether PYR exerts its effect by a cytotoxic insult to spermatogenic cells that is independent of intratesticular testosterone. Adult male rats were treated daily with 100 mg/kg (n = 16) or 400 mg/kg (n = 16) of PYR in honey for 8 weeks. Control rats (n = 16) received honey without PYR. Eight weeks after treatment, five rats from each PYR-treated group and five control rats were mated with normal cycling female rats, and fertility was assessed. These rats were euthanized after the fertility trial; testis weight, testicular sperm, and epididymal sperm counts were determined, and serum levels of T, LH, FSH, and seminiferous tubule fluid T (STF-T) concentrations were measured by RIA. Testes from three rats per group were perfusion-fixed for histological evaluation. PYR was discontinued in the remaining rats for 8 weeks and similar parameters were evaluated after 8 weeks of recovery. PYR (100 mg/kg/day) treatment for 8 weeks did not have any effects on organ weights, testicular and epididymal sperm counts, and hormone levels when compared to controls. In contrast, PYR (400 mg/kg/day) treatment significantly reduced testis and epididymis weights, testicular and epididymal sperm counts, and fertility. Despite these effects, serum T, LH, FSH, and STF-T concentrations were not altered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Variability determination in chromatin condensation and seminal alpha glucosidase with relation with the spermiogram].

BACKGROUND: Sperm functional tests as an addition to semen analysis have been used to study the fertilization ability of spermatozoa. Besides the usual variability of the seminal analysis an individual variability in the results of functional tests has been recently found. AIM: To evaluate in a three months period, the individual variability of sperm parameters and sperm maturation using the chromatin condensation test and epidydime a-glucosidase (that allows to discriminate obstructive processes). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The evaluation was carried out in two donors (12 samples) apparently in good health. One of them presented evident semen analysis alterations (donor 1) and the other was considered normal under the WHO standards (donor 2). RESULTS: The averages for donor 1 were: Sperm count 24 x 106 sperm/ml (range 10-58 x 106 sperm/ml), morphology 31.8% (range 30-35%), total motility 33% (range 20-42%), sperm maturation 38% (range 28-78%), a-glucosidase 8.65 (U/ml (range 5-10 (U/ml). The averages for donor 2 were: Sperm count 96 x 106 sperm/ml (range 50-140 x 106 sperm/ml), morphology 32.2% (range 30-35%), total motility 69% (range 58-78%), sperm maturation 17% (range 7-30%), a-glucosidase 36.9 (U/ml (range 20-82 (U/ml). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that significant variations can be found in the sperm parameters and in seminal plasma a-glucosidase; however these variations are generally maintained at the normal or abnormal ranges for each individual, except the sperm morphology that was constant and with low variation in both donors. The determination of the chromatin condensation in the semen analysis gives an additional information about the grade of sperm maturation and would be of great value for differentiating between sperm samples that show similar morphology values.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Gonadal function following chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease: a comparative study of MVPP and a seven-drug hybrid regimen.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Gonadal function was assessed in 89 patients after chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease (HD). Thirty-seven patients had received mechlorethamine, vinblastine, prednisolone, and procarbazine (MVPP) and 52 patients, a hybrid combination of chlorambucil, vinblastine, prednisolone, procarbazine, doxorubicin, vincristine, and etoposide (ChIVPP/EVA). Fifty men (MVPP, n = 21; ChIVPP/EVA, n = 29) with a median age of 26 years (range, 16 to 54) and 39 women (MVPP, n = 16; ChIVPP/EVA, n = 23) with a median age of 30 years (range, 15 to 47) were studied at a median of 30 months (range, 4 to 83) following chemotherapy. RESULTS: Semen analysis showed azoospermia in 35 of 37 men, and increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in this group confirmed severe germinal epithelial damage. Analysis of pretreatment semen in 28 men showed azoospermia in one, oligospermia in four (sperm count < 20 x 10(6)/mL), and a normal sperm count in the remaining 23. In the women, 26 of 34 (76%) with a regular menstrual cycle before commencing chemotherapy became amenorrheic following treatment. Menses returned in 10 women, who had a median age of 25 years (range, 21 to 34), and there were two pregnancies in this group. In the other 16, with a median age of 36 years (range, 27 to 47), amenorrhea persisted and premature ovarian failure was confirmed by increased serum gonadotrophins and reduced estradiol (E2) concentrations. Of the original eight women in whom menses were maintained following treatment, two subsequently developed amenorrhea and the clinical and biochemical features of an early menopause. In total, 18 of 34 women (53%) required hormone replacement therapy for chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency or severity of gonadal dysfunction between MVPP- and ChIVPP/EVA-treated patients. We conclude that both of these chemotherapy schedules cause substantial damage to gonadal function in both sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Effects of psychotropic drugs on human sperm motility.

Imipramine has been shown to have a potent inhibitory effect on sperm motility in vitro. Because of the frequent chronic use of antidepressants in treatment of depression, we investigated the in vivo effects of desmethylimipramine and lithium carbonate on sperm function in patients suffering from clinical depression. We also studied the in vitro effects of a series of neurotrophic agents on sperm motility. There were no significant differences in sperm count, viability, or motility between a group of patients diagnosed as having clinical depression and a group of semen donors with normal sperm characteristics. Three weeks of continuous therapy with desmethylimipramine or lithium carbonate resulted in a significant decrease in sperm viability but no significant change in sperm count or motility. The in vitro drug studies demonstrated that imipramine hydrochloride, desmethylimipramine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, and nortriptyline hydrochloride were all potent inhibitors of sperm motility, whereas lithium carbonate had no effect on motility.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Optimum abstinence time for cryopreservation of semen in cancer patients.

Although an abstinence period of 48 to 72 hours is the most commonly prescribed interval for diagnostic semen analysis, to our knowledge the association between the abstinence period and sperm quality after cryopreservation has not been identified. Patients with a malignant disease who are consulting for semen banking most often require urgent therapy. Consequently, defining the shortest abstinence period that allows for frequent semen collection within a limited interval and the best post-thaw sperm quality is necessary. We investigated the relationship between abstinence period, and the pre-freeze and post-thaw motility variables in semen specimens obtained from cancer patients for sperm banking. Samples collected from 95 patients were divided according to abstinence period: group 1-15 patients at 24 to less than 48 hours, group 2-53 at 48 to less than 72 hours and group 3-27 at more than 72 hours. Pre-freeze and post-thaw motile sperm count and motion variables (motility, velocity, linearity, amplitude of lateral head movement and motility index), and percentage decrease in sperm variables after cryopreservation were analyzed. Semen volume, the pre-freeze and post-thaw motile sperm count, motion parameters and the percentage decrease in semen variables did not differ significantly among the groups. We conclude that semen collection for cryopreservation after 24 to less than 48 hours of abstinence results in post-thaw quality comparable to that after an abstinence of 48 to less than 72 hours or longer. Thus, an abstinence period of 24 to less than 48 hours can be recommended for sperm banking in cancer patients.

Cryopreservation↗
PubMed1999

The effect of the aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum on the epididymal sperm pattern of the rat.

An aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum was administered by stomach tube to ten mature male Wistar rats, at a dose of 47 mg/100 kg body weight/day for 14 consecutive days. Ten rats were kept as controls and received normal saline by oral route at the same dosing interval. Sperm was collected from the epididymes after decapitation. The results revealed that the water extract of the Cynomorium coccineum induced significant increase in the sperm count, improved the percentage of live sperm and their motility and decreased the number of abnormal sperm. Testicular histology showed increased spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules full of sperm in the treated group compared with the controls.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Testicular and spermatotoxic effects of quinalphos in rats.

Testicular and spermatotoxic effects were investigated in rats exposed to technical-grade quinalphos (70%) at dose levels of 0.52 mg kg(-1) (1/50th ld(50)) or 1.04 mg kg(-1) body weight (1/25th ld(50)) for 5 days a week for 60 days. The activities of marker testicular enzymes such as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and acid phosphatase were significantly decreased but those of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and beta-glucuronidase were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. This particular pattern in the activity of testicular-cell-specific enzymes, a decrease in sperm motility and total epididymal sperm count and an increase in abnormal sperm suggest damage to germ cells and Sertoli cells. The testicular and spermatotoxic effects observed in rats may be due to the pesticide quinalphos or its metabolites.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2003

Semen quality of male smokers and nonsmokers in infertile couples.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on main sperm variables. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Men attending the andrology laboratory in the context of infertility investigation in the couple. PATIENT(S): Eight hundred thirty-nine smokers and 1,266 non-smokers were enrolled; 655 smokers and 1,131 nonsmokers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were compared. Standard clinical analysis of semen. RESULT(S): Cigarette smoking was associated with a significant decrease in sperm density (-15.3%), total sperm count (-17.5%), total number of motile sperm (-16.6%), and citrate concentration (-22.4%). The percentage of normal forms was significantly reduced in smokers, and sperm vitality, ejaculate volume, and fructose concentration were slightly but nonsignificantly affected. CONCLUSION(S): Cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen quality.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sperm morphology assessment using strict criteria and male fertility under in-vivo conditions of conception.

The clinical significance of sperm morphology assessment according to very strict criteria was determined using semen samples of randomly chosen males from couples not submitted to assist procreation techniques, with a median duration of infertility of 4 years (range 1-17; n = 89). The relationships of sperm morphological properties to the results of standard sperm analysis, including the differentiation of round cells in semen by monoclonal antibodies and semen cultures, the testing of sperm functional capacity in vitro with the standardized sperm-cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT) and the subsequent pregnancy rate under in-vivo conditions of conception, were evaluated in a prospective study. The quick staining method (DiffQuick(R) stain) for sperm morphology proved to be practical and suitable for routine use. The percentage of normal forms according to strict criteria ranged from 1 to 36%, with a median of 12%. Morphological findings were not markedly related to the medical history, but significant relationships between standard parameters of sperm analysis, in particular the sperm count, the progressive motility and standard sperm morphology, were found. The percentage of normal forms was not significantly associated with the microbial colonization of semen samples but was negatively related to high leukocyte rates. Semen samples with a higher percentage of normal spermatozoa (shown, for example, for >4,> 7 or >=14% normal) were significantly more frequent in cases of an adequate SCMPT. The subsequent pregnancy rate within an observation period of 12 months was 20.2%. The pregnancy rate under in-vivo conditions was significantly higher when semen samples had a better sperm morphology, with significant differences for thresholds at 4, 7 and 14% of strictly normal forms. Although sperm morphology is only one among a multiplicity of factors determining fertility, the results suggest that the evaluation of sperm morphology using strict criteria provides valuable information during basic infertility investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Out-patient sclerotherapy of idiopathic left-sided varicocele in children and adults.

Between 1983 and 1989, 334 patients with idiopathic left-sided varicocele were referred for transfemoral sclerotherapy; 323 were adults and 11 were children. The standard site of injection of the sclerosing solution (Varicocid-Natriummorrhuat 55 mg, Benzylalkohol 20 mg) was the mid-portion of the spermatic vein. The upper third was injected only in cases where the catheter could not be negotiated further (e.g. abnormalities in the course of the spermatic vein or its drainage into the intrarenal veins). The amount of sclerosing material was predetermined fluoroscopically using contrast material. Occasionally, in cases of high catheter positioning, the Varicocid was injected fractionally. The amount injected was always between 1 and 3 ml. Of 80 patients studied 1 year later, varicoceles were still present in 3 (4%). The best results were achieved in patients with small varicoceles (Grade I), normal testicular volume and normal FSH levels; 29% showed an improvement in sperm count and 27% an increase in sperm motility, while sperm morphology improved in only 7%. The conception rate was 11%.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chronobiological fluctuations in semen parameters with a constant abstinence period.

This study examined the seasonal variation in three semen parameters (total sperm count, % grade a progressive motility and sperm morphology according to strict criteria) with an identical abstinence period of 24 h. A total of 340 spermiograms of 107 different men enrolled in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) program were examined. To reduce variation due to interindividual disparities in semen quality, differences of each test result from the mean value obtained for that individual were analyzed. Mean values resulted from at least 3 observations during different IUI cycles. Using ANOVA and spectral analysis, no differences in semen parameter results in function of the month of the year were observed. The lack of any significant periodicity may be explained by the large biological variation for individual semen parameters and/or the lack of significant differences regarding light exposure and temperature between summer and winter months in moderate climates.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Standardization and comparability of CASA instruments.

Thirty human semen specimens were analyzed using a standard manual method, then videotaped and reanalyzed using two different computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) instruments (the HTM system, Hamilton-Thorn Research, Danvers, MA, and the CTS system, Motion Analysis Corp., Santa Rosa, CA). Videotaped specimens were analyzed by CASA for 5 frames for sperm concentration (CON) and percent motility (MOT), and for 15 frames for kinematic variables (straight-line velocity, VSL; curvilinear velocity, VCL; linearity, LIN; and amplitude of lateral head displacement, ALH). Machine parameter settings for the two instruments were matched as closely as possible. CASA values were compared with each other for all measures and with manual results for sperm count and the percentage of motile sperm. Results show: 1) HTM and CTS average values for CON are not different from manual measures for the 5- or 15-frame analysis, but slight differences are seen between CTS and HTM; 2) average values for MOT for the 5-frame analysis are higher than the 15-frame analysis for both instruments, but the average manual measurement for percent motility is much higher than any CASA value; 3) average VSL and LIN are slightly higher for HTM than CTS, but pair-wise comparison shows a high degree of concordance between the instruments; and 4) the mean values for VCL and ALH are equal for the two instruments, and there is a close concordance for the pair-wise comparison for VCL; however, pair-wise comparison of ALH reveals significant differences between the instruments. Overall, the differences seen between these instruments are slight, and are probably not biologically or clinically significant.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Collection and analysis of semen from the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The authors examined the seminal characteristics of 16 male common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) to provide baseline data for future studies of the reproductive biology of this species. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation. There was considerable inter- and intra-male variation in all seminal characteristics. The median seminal volume was 30 microliters (range 8 to 85 microliters), and the median total sperm count was 5.1 x 10(6) sperm (range, 0.1 to 43 x 10(6]. The median progressive sperm motility was 48% (range, 10% to 76%), and 49% of the sperm exhibited normal morphology (range, 24% to 81%). Three types of sperm head abnormalities and eight types of tail defects were noted. Tail defects were common (median, 50%; range, 17% to 76%), whereas head defects were relatively rare (median, 4.5%; range, 0% to 24%). The results indicate that semen samples can be routinely collected from this species, but considerable inter- and intra-male variation can be expected. It is therefore important to examine several semen samples from each male marmoset to obtain an accurate seminal picture.

Aging↗
PubMed1987

Stress and semen quality in an in vitro fertilization program.

While a greater understanding is emerging of the psychological stresses of infertility treatment, little is known about the specific effects of these stresses upon the quality of the semen sample used at the fertilization stage in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. This study evaluated two semen profiles for each of 500 couples on IVF treatment. The first semen sample was collected in the couple's pre-IVF workup, and the second sample was given by husbands after ovum aspiration, and used to inseminate the eggs in vitro. Comparisons of samples revealed that sperm density, total sperm count, and both quantitative and qualitative sperm motility were significantly lower in the second sample presented for IVF. For 91% of cases, there was no change across samples in assigned fertility index categories. However, 14 cases revealed a deterioration, falling from normal to pathologic, while 21 cases changed in semen character from normal in IVF workup to severely pathologic in IVF treatment. For these cases, the incidence of total fertilization failure in the procedure also dramatically increased. Several steps are discussed in the better management of patients with such declines in semen quality.

Fertilization in Vitro↗
PubMed1989

Viable spermatozoa in the bladder after electroejaculation of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus).

The bladder of 6 lion-tailed macaques was emptied and flushed with sterile saline. TALP-Hepes buffer was infused and the animals were electroejaculated. After electroejaculation, the semen quality was determined in the ejaculate and the bladder infusate. Of the 15 ejaculates analysed, a mean (+/- s.e.m.) sperm count of 133.8 (+/- 30.7) x 10(6) with 69.5 (+/- 6.0)% motility was obtained in the infusate as compared to the sperm count of 72.4 (+/- 38.6) x 10(6) with significantly lower (47.7 +/- 5.8%) motility in the ejaculate.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of growth hormone therapy in men with severe idiopathic oligozoospermia.

Some studies have suggested that growth hormone (GH) may enhance folliculogenesis in women, and similarly may enhance spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. In this prospective open-controlled pilot study, we investigated the effect of daily subcutaneous GH for 5 months in 12 endocrinologically normal men with severe idiopathic oligozoospermia (< 10 million/ml). All the men had normal karyotype and endocrine tests, including a GH response of > 20,000 mU/l to insulin hypoglycaemia. Nine men with similar sperm counts acted as controls. During treatment, each patient was examined monthly, asked for side effects and had glycosylated haemoglobin, glucose and blood counts monitored. Five semen samples were obtained in the 4 months before treatment, two samples per month during treatment and three samples after stopping treatment. The mean insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was normal before treatment and 1 month after ending treatment, at 206 and 182 micrograms/l, respectively, but increased significantly during treatment to 444 micrograms/l (p < 0.0001, ANOVA). The mean (SD) sperm counts were 2.6 (2.5), 2.5 (3.7) and 2.3 (2.1) million/ml before, during and after GH treatment, respectively, and did not show any statistically significant differences (ANOVA). We conclude that GH does not increase or decrease sperm counts in men with severe idiopathic oligozoospermia.

Adult↗