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Semen characteristics after vasectomy in the ram.

The objective of this study was to monitor the changes in semen characteristics in vasectomized rams and to determine if infertility was present 14 days after vasectomy. Experiments were performed using five cross-breed rams, aged between 18 and 30 months. Semen was collected weekly by artificial vagina from 2 months before to 5 months after vasectomy. After sexual rest for 10 days, vasectomy was performed by the cranial midscrotal approach. In all ejaculates the volume, concentration, total sperm number, motility and morphology (normal spermatozoa, loose heads) were determined and sperm viability (SYBR-14/PI) was evaluated in all semen samples collected after vasectomy. In the first ejaculate obtained 14 days post vasectomy all rams showed a significant (P < 0.05) drop in mean volume (from 1.2 to 0.5 mL), total sperm count (from 5176.8 to 51.1 x 10(6)) and morphologically normal sperm (from 84.1 to 15.7%), when compared to the last prevasectomy collection. We could also demonstrate a positive correlation (r = 0.89) between the individual cumulative total number of spermatozoa after vasectomy and the scrotal circumference measured before vasectomy. Sperm motility and viability could never be demonstrated after vasectomy and normal spermatozoa continuously decreased concomitant with an increase in loose heads. On post mortem examination 5 months after surgery, spermatocele formation and multiple sperm granulomas were present in all five rams. Our results show that in the first ejaculate collected by artificial vagina 14 days after vasectomy, no motile and viable spermatozoa could be detected. Despite weekly collections during a 5-month period after sterilization, azoospermia could never be achieved.

Animals↗

Seminal immune response in infertile men with leukocytospermia: effect on antioxidant activity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of leukocytospermia and relation to T helper cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), antisperm antibodies and antioxidant activity. DESIGN: Semen samples from 176 infertile men and 24 fertile controls were investigated. METHODOLOGY: The protocol included tubal patency test, hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy and dye test and ovulation through mid-luteal phase progesterone for the wives. The husbands had semen analysis, cytomorphology evaluation and semen culture. Seminal TNFalpha and IL-4, antisperm antibodies, total antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase and zinc were determined. RESULTS: Leukocytospermia occurred in 44.3% of the infertile men compared to 12.5% of the fertile men (P<0.01). Thirty-six (20.5%) men had pathogenic bacterial organisms which constituted 46.2% of those with leukocytospermia. Sperm parameters were worse with leukocytospermia in terms of sperm count (P<0.01), total motility progressive motility (P<0.01), morphology, asthenozoospermia, sperm membrane integrity and antisperm antibodies. TNFalpha and IL-4 had an inverse relationship; the expression of TNFalpha was higher with leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia (P<0.001), while IL-4 was higher in fertile controls (P<0.005). Incidence of antisperm antibodies was higher with leukocytospermia. Total antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase and zinc were lower with leukocytospermia. CONCLUSION: Leukocytospermia impairs sperm function through reduced antioxidant activity and enhanced T helper 1 modulation.

Adult↗

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↗

Short-term increase of sperm output under metoclopramide administration.

Nine volunteers were treated with metoclopramide (10 mg T.D.S.) for 4 weeks. Prolactin levels rose both in serum and in seminal plasma 1 week following the initiation of metoclopramide administration. At this point in time, sperm density and total sperm count increased about twofold. Thereafter, levels of prolactin slowly decreased while sperm density and total sperm count fell back to initial values.

Adult↗

Lipectomy in the treatment of scrotal lipomatosis.

Scrotal lipectomy was performed in 102 infertile patients with scrotal lipomatosis; suprapubic lipectomy was included in 22 patients who had redundant suprapubic fat. Improvement in semen quality was obtained in 64.7% and pregnancy occurred in 19.6%. Statistically, the improvement was significant in both the sperm count and motility of the total series and only in the sperm count in the cases which produced pregnancy. The technique is described and the factors to which the results may be attributed are discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗

Urinary vasopressin in male infertility.

In 10 healthy but infertile men, semen analysis and urinary vasopressin levels were evaluated and correlated. A significant correlation was observed between sperm count and urinary vasopressin (r -0.86). Similar correlation was seen between sperm motility and urinary vasopressin (r -0.83). It thus appears that higher levels of vasopressin are associated with aspermia and oligozoospermia.

Adult↗

[Male infertility. Significance of life and occupation].

A retrospective study was carried out which focused on the impact of lifestyle and exposure to different external factors on sperm quality. A questionnaire was sent to 312 men who had previously attended our laboratory for semen analysis. Their answers were correlated to sperm quality. Men exposed to a relatively high degree of X-rays were found to have significantly reduced sperm count. A previous symptomatic genital infection did not significantly influence the sperm quality, but an earlier sexually transmitted disease in the female partner was associated with a reduced rate of pregnancy. Frequency of ejaculation was significantly positively correlated to sperm motility and inversely related to both semen volume and proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology. Information on exposure to the remaining factors was not related to reduced sperm quality or fertility.

Adult↗

Lead concentrations in semen of healthy men without occupational exposure to lead.

Lead analyses were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry of semen and blood specimens from 21 medical students and technicians (ages 19 to 41 years) who had no occupational or avocational exposure to lead (Pb). Seminal Pb concentrations averaged 5.9 (S.D. +/- 2.7) microgram per dl (range = 1.0 to 11), and blood Pb concentrations averaged 13.1 (S.D. +/- 3.5) microgram per dl (range = 7.0 to 19). Sperm counts averaged 54 X 10(6) (S.D. +/- 29 X 10(6)) sperm per ml (range = 13 X 10(6) to 120 X 10(6)). Seminal protein concentrations averaged 2.9 (S.D. +/- 0.5) g per dl (range = 2.0 to 4.0). No significant correlations were found between seminal Pb concentrations and blood Pb concentrations or between seminal Pb concentrations and sperm counts. In each subject, the concentration of seminal Pb was less than or equal to the concentration of blood Pb. These measurements are the first published data on seminal Pb concentrations in healthy men, and they serve as reference values for measurements of Pb in semen from Pb-poisoned men.

Adult↗

Birthweight and semen characteristics.

A correlation between birthweight and sperm counts in adult life was anticipated because impaired fetal growth could impair replication of Sertoli cells produced in fetal life. Furthermore, it was expected that males born with a high birthweight might have impaired sperm production as they are expected to have been exposed to higher levels of oestrogen in fetal life. We examined these predictions by including midwives records for 296 Danish males that had taken part in studies on male fecundity for other reasons. The study provided no support for these expectations. If anything, males born with a birthweight of 3000-3999 g had slightly lower sperm counts and more abnormal spermatozoa.

Birth Weight↗

Correlation between semen parameters of electroejaculates and achieving pregnancy by intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether any parameter in the routine semen analysis of electroejaculates is correlated with success in achieving pregnancy by IUI. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: An Assisted Reproductive Program at a tertiary care university center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-seven anejaculatory men with spinal cord injury (n = 24) or history of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (n = 3), thirteen of whom attempted conception with their wives. INTERVENTION(S): Anejaculatory men underwent rectal probe electroejaculation and electroejaculates were used for IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Statistical correlation of semen parameters between electroejaculates that resulted in pregnancy and those that did not. RESULT(S): Seven pregnancies resulted from 56 IUIs using electroejaculates (pregnancy rate = 12.5% per IUI). The total motile sperm count and percentage of normal morphology were significantly higher in the specimens that resulted in pregnancies than those that did not. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed in pH, sperm concentration, or percentage of motility between the two groups. Swim-up techniques used to process electroejaculates significantly improved the motility of the specimens. No pregnancy occurred beyond the fifth IUI attempt. Repeated electroejaculation and duration of spinal cord injury had no effect on the quality of the ejaculates. CONCLUSION(S): The total motile sperm count and the percentage normal morphology of electroejaculates correlate with success in achieving pregnancy by IUI. Because repeated electroejaculation does not improve quality of ejaculate, the initial semen analysis of electroejaculates is not only useful in counseling couples undergoing such treatment program but should be planned for use as an inseminate.

Adult↗

Influence of ejaculation frequency on semen characteristics in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from 6 chimpanzees and the spontaneously liquefied fraction and the remaining coagulum were studied separately. When semen was collected once or twice a week, large intra-individual variations were observed for all measures. The liquefied fraction represented 26.5 +/- 3.2% (weighted mean +/- s.d.) of the total ejaculate but contained 51.3 +/- 3.8% of all emitted spermatozoa. Fructose concentration was higher in the coagulum than in the liquefied fraction (29.3 +/- 3.0 mumol/ml vs 12.0 +/- 2.7 mumol/ml, P less than 0.001) whereas acid phosphatase was less concentrated in the coagulum than in the liquefied fraction (3.5 +/- 0.3 x 10(3) IU/ml vs 13.0 +/- 0.9 x 10(3) IU/ml, P less than 0.001). L-Carnitine and citrate concentrations did not differ between the two fractions of the ejaculate. When semen collection was repeated every hour for 5 h, the ejaculate volume increased from 2.6 +/- 0.7 to 4.7 +/- 0.6 ml (P less than 0.001), whereas total sperm count decreased from 1278 +/- 872 x 10(6) to 587 +/- 329 x 10(6) (P less than 0.05) between the 1st and the 6th ejaculate. In the spontaneously liquefied fraction, the sperm count decreased from 984 to 369 x 10(6). The 6 successive ejaculates gave a total of 20.2 +/- 7.6 ml and 4278 +/- 2884 x 10(6) spermatozoa. The increase of the ejaculate volume was essentially due to an increase of the volume of the coagulum which closely correlated with total amount of fructose (from seminal vesicles) (r = 0.913, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Recovery of testicular function among DBCP workers.

Twenty-one men with DBCP-related sperm count suppression were re-examined one year after termination of exposure in July 1977. When examined initially, 12 of these men were azoospermic and nine oligospermic. By October 1978 the sperm count of eight of the nine oligospermic men had improved considerably, six having recovered to a normospermic state. None of the 12 azoospermic men had improved by August 1978. Eleven of the 12 men exposed for more than four years were azoospermic. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for these 11 men increased significantly between assessments. Four children were born to the wives of the nine oligospermic men; three of the children were normal and one had several defects. The significance of this observation cannot be interpreted in terms of DBCP exposure, since this study was not designed to examine pregnancy outcome.

Chemical Industry↗

Seminal characteristics in the presence of a varicocele as compared with those of expectant fathers and prevasectomy men.

One hundred and thirty-one semen analyses were performed on men found to have a varicocele on a routine physical examination. The seminal characteristics of these men were contrasted with those of 87 men who were desirous of having a vasectomy and with those of 25 expectant fathers. No significant differences were found in the mean sperm density in these three groups of men. However, it was noted that a greater percentage of men with a varicocele had a sperm count of 20 million or less as compared with the control groups. It was also found that a greater percentage of the men with either a large or medium-sized varicocele had a sperm count of 20 million or less than those with a small varicocele. There was no significant difference in the percentage of oval forms, motility, or tapered forms in the three groups of men with a varicocele as compared with expectant fathers and men desirous of a vasectomy.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy for infertility. An initial report from Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate laparoscopic varicocelectomy for the treatment of infertility in Saudi males. METHODS: Between January 1992 and July 1994, laparoscopic varicocele repair was performed at Saudi Aramco Dhahran Health Center, in 48 patients, 8 for pain and 40 for infertility. RESULTS: The 8 patients with pain improved postoperatively. As for those with infertility, 63% had an improved sperm count and 66% showed increased sperm motility. Thirty percent had no change in motility or count. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a simple and safe technique with good results and can be performed as day surgery with early return to normal activity.

Adult↗

Male hormonal contraceptives: current status and future prospects.

Because of the shortcomings of currently available methods of male contraception, efforts have been made to develop additional forms of contraception for men. The most promising approach to male contraceptive development involves hormones, and requires the administration of exogenous testosterone. When administered to a healthy man, testosterone functions as a contraceptive by suppressing the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary, thereby depriving the testes of the signals required for normal spermatogenesis. After 2-3 months of treatment, low levels of pituitary gonadotropins lead to markedly decreased sperm counts and effective contraception in the majority of men. Treatment with exogenous testosterone has proven not to be associated with serious adverse effects and is well tolerated by men. In addition, sperm counts uniformly normalize when testosterone is discontinued. Thus, male hormonal contraception is safe, effective, and reversible; however, spermatogenesis is not suppressed to zero in all men, meaning that some diminished potential for fertility persists. Because of this, recent studies have combined testosterone with progestogens and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists to further suppress pituitary gonadotropins and optimize contraceptive efficacy. Current combinations of testosterone and progestogens completely suppress spermatogenesis in 80-90% of men without severe adverse effects, with significant suppression in the remainder of individuals. Recent trials with newer, long-acting forms of injectable testosterone, which can be administered every 8 weeks, combined with progestogens, administered either orally or by long-acting implant, have yielded promising results and may soon result in the marketing of a safe, reversible, and effective hormonal contraceptive for men.

Contraception↗

Sperm concentration in Latvian military conscripts as compared with other countries in the Nordic-Baltic area.

Recent studies of semen quality in men from the general population gave rise to the hypothesis of an East-West gradient in semen quality in the Nordic-Baltic area, with the highest sperm counts in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland, and the lowest in Denmark (30% difference in mean concentration). Genetic, lifestyle-related and environmental factors - alone or in combination - were suggested to be responsible for these differences. The aim of this study was to assess sperm concentration in men from the general population in Latvia and to investigate the impact of ethnic and lifestyle-related factors on this marker of male reproductive health. A total of 133 military conscripts from Latvia were investigated. We found that sperm counts among Latvian adolescents were at the same level (mean 74, median 63 x 10(6)/mL) as those previously reported from Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. Sperm concentration was somewhat higher than in Sweden without reaching the level of statistical significance (mean difference 3 x 10(6)/mL; 95% CI: -10, 16 x 10(6)/mL), and statistically significantly higher that in Denmark (mean difference: 17 x 10(6)/mL; 95% CI: 5, 2 x 10(6)/mL). The study also revealed an impact of ethnic factors on sperm numbers. Sperm concentration was significantly higher in men with both parents born in Latvia (77 +/- 60 x 10(6)/mL), compared with men with both parents born outside Latvia (55 +/- 45 x 10(6)/mL, p = 0.03).

Adult↗

Interdependence of count and motility of spermatozoa.

The importance of the selection of two parameters namely total sperm count and percentage of sperm motility in the study of semen is discussed. The statistical analysis of the data of these two variants in normozoospermic, oligozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups was done. A direct linear relationship between the two variants was found in normozoospermia and in oligoasthenozoospermia. Thus, the prediction of one of the variables is made possible, if the other is known in these groups.

Adolescent↗

Use of the acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge test in managing patients in an assisted reproduction program: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of the acrosome reaction (AR) to ionophore challenge test in determining the sperm treatment protocols for patients undergoing assisted reproduction. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-one couples undergoing an IVF-ET or GIFT procedure from January to July 1992 were included in this prospective study. All cases had a preliminary semen analysis within the previous 3 months and an AR to ionophore challenge test was carried out unless an acceptable fertilization rate occurred on previous IVF. For those patients whose AR to ionophore challenge score was below the accepted fertile range of > or = 10%, a second AR to ionophore challenge test was performed after exposure of sperm to the stimulant pentoxifylline. Couples then were managed by assisted reproduction with randomized allocation of oocytes for fertilization with a standard sperm preparation or with added sperm stimulants, either 3.6 mM pentoxifylline alone or combined with 3.0 mM 2-deoxyadenosine. The study was double-blind with neither the patients nor the embryologist knowing the AR to ionophore challenge result at the time of the IVF procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data from the preliminary semen analyses and AR to ionophore challenge scores were correlated with the fertilization rates achieved using control and treated sperm preparations. The rates of total fertilization failure and the numbers of clinical pregnancies occurring in each subgroup were also recorded. RESULTS: All AR to ionophore challenge groups showed normal sperm counts except the groups with poor AR to ionophore challenge, which demonstrated reduced sperm counts. The group with normal AR to ionophore challenge scores or previous normal fertilization showed satisfactory fertilization rates with either control or treated sperm, although some individual cases showed reduced fertilization with treated sperm. The fertilization rate for the group with low AR to ionophore challenge scores improved significantly with pentoxifylline, and the benefit was greatest when this had been predicted from the AR to ionophore challenge studies. Cases with persisting poor AR to ionophore challenge despite pentoxifylline showed no significant improvement in fertilization rates with sperm exposed to either sperm stimulant regimens. Poor AR to ionophore challenge scores were also predictive of total fertilization failure, but this problem was reduced by sperm stimulation. The AR to ionophore challenge score at 10% cutoff level showed optimal levels of sensitivity (82.1%), highest negative predictive value (82.1%), and lowest false negative rate (17.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The AR to ionophore challenge test is useful in the assessment and management of the male factor in assisted reproduction. It can be used to identify the majority of cases who will benefit from the use of sperm stimulants.

Acrosome↗