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PubMed2001

Constant light and blinding effects on reproduction of male South Indian gerbils.

The effects of exposure to constant light (CL) and blinding on male reproductive behavioral physiology of South Indian gerbils (Tatera indica cuvieri) were assessed. Exposure to CL diminished reproductive efficiency of males with a reduction in the proportion of ejaculating males. This is further evidenced by increase in the number and duration of intromissions and intromission latency. Concomitantly, reproductive organ weight and epididymal sperm count were also reduced. However, in weanlings CL did not induce changes either in their maturational process or their reproductive organs' weight. Blinding of adult reproductively inactive males resulted in a considerable proportion of them exhibiting sexual activity, which is reflected in the seminal vesicle weight and epididymal sperm count. Blinded weanlings showed earlier testicular descent and higher seminal vesicle weight. These studies reveal that blinding (constant darkness) has a stimulatory effect whereas CL is inhibitory in the reproduction of the tropical rodent Tatera indica cuvieri. J. Exp. Zool. 289:59-65, 2001.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicologic and reproductive effects of inhaled 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in male rabbits.

Groups of 10 male New Zealand white rabbits were exposed by inhalation to 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 10 ppm of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) vapor for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 14 weeks, except that the 10 ppm group was exposed for only 8 weeks due to mortality. The semen of rabbits was evaluated on a weekly basis during the exposure period and at periodic intervals during a recovery period (32 weeks for all groups except the 10 ppm groups which was for 38 weeks). In order to assess the fertility of the exposed rabbits, each male was allowed to mate with an unexposed female at the 14th and 41st week of the study. Exposure of rabbits to 1 and 10 ppm of DBCP by inhalation produced adverse reproductive effects as well as decreases in sperm count, motility and viability. Rabbits treated at 1 and 10 ppm had decreased sperm counts between the 8th and 14th weeks of the study. All of the 10 ppm rabbits were infertile when mated during the 14th week. The effects of DBCP on spermatogenesis were shown to be essentially reversible in rabbits exposed to 1 ppm; however, at 10 ppm, recovery was not complete under the conditions of the test. Rabbits exposed to 10 ppm had severe testicular alterations as early as 4 weeks into the study and these progressed to severe testicular atrophy by 8 weeks. Those exposed to 1 ppm for 14 weeks developed moderate testicular atrophy (approximately 50% reduction in size). Following the recovery period, the rabbits in the 10 ppm group had evidence of partial reversibility of the testicular atrophy. Electron microscopic evaluation of testicular tissue confirmed findings by light microscopy effects and also indicated increased numbers of abnormal sperm within the seminiferous tubules of rabbits at both the 10 and 1 ppm exposure levels. Those exposed to 0.1 ppm had an equivocal increase in abnormal sperm after the 14-week exposure period but not after the recovery period. Based on these results 0.1 ppm level of DBCP is considered as a no effect level for reproductive parameters.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Gossypol blood levels and inhibition of spermatogenesis in men taking gossypol as a contraceptive. A multicenter, international, dose-finding study.

The safety and efficacy of gossypol continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate gossypol as a contraceptive pill for men at doses lower than those previously prescribed and in men from various ethnic origin. A total of 151 men from Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, and China were divided into two groups. Both groups received 15 mg gossypol/day for 12 or 16 weeks to reach spermatogenesis suppression. Subjects were then randomized to either 7.5 or 10 mg/day for 40 weeks. In addition, 51 men were enrolled as a control group. In all, 81 subjects attained spermatogenesis suppression. Only one man discontinued treatment because of tiredness. Potassium levels fluctuated within the normal range. FSH increased consistently. Testicular volume decreased, but after discontinuation, values returned to levels not statistically different from admission. Of 19 subjects on the 7.5 mg/day dose group, 12 recovered sperm counts >20 million/mL within 12 months of discontinuing gossypol. In the 10 mg/day group, sperm counts recovered in only 10 of 24 subjects. Eight of the 43 patients remained azoospermic 1 year after stopping gossypol. All men diagnosed with varicocele failed to reverse spermatogenesis suppression. Gossypol blood levels indicated that sperm suppression occurs independently of concentration, whereas spermatogenesis recovery appears to be concentration-dependent. Gossypol may become a medical alternative to surgical vasectomy when the delay in onset of infertility is acceptable. When taken for 1 year, gossypol causes no reduction in sexual desire or frequency of intercourse. The possibility of reversal, occurring in 51% of the men on this regimen within 1 year after stopping gossypol, is an advantage of this compound as compared with surgical sterilization in many parts of the world.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of mating on sperm numbers and weight of the epididymis.

In man, a decrease in sperm count occurs after ejaculation. Approximately three days are needed for complete recovery to preejaculation levels. Our experiment evaluated the possibility that a similar recovery period is also required in the rat. The total spermatozoa in the epididymis and the weight of the epididymis decreased for four and two days after mating, respectively. These data demonstrate that a recovery period for epididymal sperm counts and weight is required in the male rat following mating.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Y chromosome haplogroups: a correlation with testicular dysgenesis syndrome?

Testicular dysgenesis syndrome encompasses low sperm quality, hypospadias, cryptorchidism and testicular cancer. Epidemiological studies and genetic data from familial cases suggest that testicular dysgenesis syndrome has a common etiology. The Y chromosome is known to encode genes that are involved in germ cell development or maintenance. We have therefore investigated if different classes of Y chromosomes in the general population (Y chromosome haplogroups) are associated with aspects of the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. We defined the Y chromosome haplogroups in individuals from different European counties who presented with either (i) oligo- or azoospermia associated with a Y chromosome microdeletion, (ii) unexplained reduced sperm counts (<20 x 10(6)/ml) or (iii) testicular cancer. We failed to find Y chromosome haplotype associations with either microdeletion formation or testicular cancer. However, in a study of the Danish population, we found that a specific Y chromosome haplogroup (hg26) is significantly overrepresented in men with unexplained reduced sperm counts compared with a Danish control population. The factors encoded by genes on this class of Y chromosome may be particularly susceptible to environmental influences that cause testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Our current data highlight the need for further analyses of clinically well-defined patient groups from a wide range of ethnic and geographic origins.

Chromosome Deletion↗
PubMed1992

Relationship of serum inhibin levels to serum follicle stimulating hormone and sperm production in normal men and men with varicoceles.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between serum inhibin levels as measured by RIA and serum FSH and sperm concentration. Three groups of men were used for this study: group I, normal fertile men (n = 67); group II, fertile men with a varicocele (n = 57); and group III, infertile men with a varicocele (n = 21). There were no differences in mean serum inhibin levels between the three groups. The two groups of men with varicoceles exhibited higher serum FSH levels and FSH responses to GnRH than the normal men. Sperm counts in both groups II and III were significantly lower than group I. In the normal men there was an inverse correlation between baseline serum inhibin and serum FSH levels and GnRH stimulated FSH levels, r = -0.415 and 0.422, P less than 0.005, respectively. Furthermore, the normal men exhibited a positive correlation between serum inhibin measurements and sperm concentration and testicular volume, r = 0.35 and 0.26, P less than 0.01 and less than 0.05, respectively. In neither group of men with a varicocele were these relationships found. These data demonstrate that serum inhibin does correlate with FSH in a negative fashion, when the reproductive system is normal, as would be expected for a negative feedback factor. Finally, the relationship of serum inhibin levels to testicular size and sperm count in the normal men suggests that serum inhibin levels reflect to some extent the integrity of seminiferous tubule function.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computerized videomicrographic analysis of rat sperm motility.

Quantitative methods for the determination of the concentration, percent motility and swimming speed of human and animal spermatozoa can assist in the objective analysis of sperm and semen quality. These parameters are among the most discriminating indicators for both clinical and toxicologic assessments of reproductive function. A computerized videomicrographic analysis system to measure sperm motility characteristics in the Fischer 344 rat was characterized and compared with both manual and semi-automated videomicrographic methods (Blazak et al, 1985). The system compares favorably, both in accuracy and sensitivity, to these more conventional methods. The most variable indicator of potential reproductive function in the Fischer 344 rat is the total sperm count from the cauda epididymidis (coefficient of variation [CV] = 24%), while parameters of sperm motility vary least. These include percentage of motile cells (CV = 15%), curvilinear velocity (CV = 9%) and linearity (CV = 10%), which is a ratio of straight-line to total distance traveled. It was concluded that the computerized system may be useful for routine assessment of changes in sperm quality that may occur in the rat after exposure to toxic drugs or chemicals.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Prolactin injection, a new contraceptive method: experimental study.

"Prolactin injection" is presented as a new contraceptive method. The method was tested in dogs. The dogs in the test group were injected with prolactin (PRL) in a dose of 600 micrograms/kg of body weight weekly for 6 months. During this period, the testicles, semen, reproductive hormones, renal function, and serum sodium and potassium were examined periodically. Testicular biopsy was obtained after 3 and 6 months of PRL injection. These investigations were repeated during the 6 months following withdrawal of the drug. Sperm count decreased to azoospermia in 3 months after PRL administration with decrease of sperm motility and increase of abnormal forms. Testicular biopsy showed degenerated seminiferous tubules. Reproductive hormones, renal function, and serum sodium and potassium revealed insignificant change (P > 0.05). Dog mating during the period of PRL administration induced no pregnancy. After 3 months of drug withdrawal, the sperm count normalized and dog mating produced pregnancy; offsprings showed no anomalies. The study demonstrates that PRL administration has the potential to be developed as a reversible male contraceptive.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Microdose vasal injection of sodium fluoride in the rat.

A single microdose (50 micrograms/50 microL) injection of sodium fluoride (NaF) into the vasa deferentia of adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) caused arrest of spermatogenesis and absence of spermatozoa in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules of the testes, which consequently led to a decline in the sperm count in the caudae epididymides. Scanning electron microscopy of cauda and vas deferens sperm revealed deflagellation and tail abnormalities. This is probably related to the alterations in the internal milieu of these organs which rendered the spermatozoa immotile and consequently caused fertility impairment in the experimental animals. Thus microdoses of sodium fluoride were found to affect reproductive function and fertility rate.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2004

GnRH immunocontraception of male cats.

The development of nonsurgical contraceptives for cats may facilitate population control of the species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of GnRH for immunocontraception of male cats. Male cats (n=12) were divided into groups of three and were immunized once with 0 (sham), 50, 200, or 400 microg synthetic GnRH coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and combined with a mycobacterial adjuvant to enhance immunogenicity. GnRH antibody titer, serum testosterone concentration, and scrotal size were determined monthly. At 6 months, semen was collected by electroejaculation and testes were examined histologically. GnRH antibodies were detected in all cats receiving GnRH vaccine by 1 month post-treatment and persisted throughout the study. No dose effect of GnRH was observed; titers were not different among cats treated with 50, 200, or 400 microg GnRH (P=0.5). Six of nine treated cats were classified as responders based on high GnRH antibody titers (>32,000). By 3 months post-treatment, responder cats had undetectable testosterone concentrations and testicular atrophy. Nonresponder cats had GnRH titers of 4000-32,000 and testosterone concentrations intermediate between responder and sham-treated cats. At 6 months, total sperm counts were similar for sham-treated cats (3.1+/-1.8 x 10(6) sperm) and nonresponder cats (3.4+/-1.6 x 10(6) sperm; P=0.7). Only one of the six responder cats produced sperm, none of which were motile. Combined testicular weights of responder cats (1.3+/-0.1 g) were lower than sham-treated controls (5.3+/-1.3 g; P=0.02) and nonresponder cats (2.9+/-0.3 g; P=0.02). Histologic evaluation of the testes revealed that in responder cats, the interstitial cells that were present were pale and shrunken compared to the plump, polyhedral eosinophilic cells in sham-treated cats. GnRH responder cats had marked tubular atrophy with vacuolated Sertoli cells and a paucity of germ cells. Single-dose GnRH treatment resulted in testosterone concentrations and semen quality consistent with immunocastration in a majority of cats treated.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2006

Reproductive patterns of stray male dogs in the tropics.

Two studies were performed to determine annual reproductive patterns in stray male dogs in the tropics. In Study 1, four dogs housed individually outdoors were monitored once monthly for 12 months, including collection and assessment of semen, measurements of scrotal width, and determination of serum testosterone and prolactin concentrations. In Study 2 (conducted concurrently), a single blood sample (for serum testosterone concentration) was collected from 220 clinically healthy dogs, and after euthanasia, scrotal width and morphology of epididymal sperm were determined. The year was divided into three seasons: warm-dry (March to June); warm-humid (July to October) and fresh-humid (November to February). In Study 1, scrotal width, ejaculate volume, sperm count and motility were significantly lower during the fresh-humid season and sperm midpiece abnormalities were significantly more common during the warm-humid and fresh-humid seasons. Serum testosterone concentrations remained constant during the year. Prolactin concentrations did not differ significantly among seasons, but had a well-defined increase from the beginning of March to the end of August. In Study 2, sperm morphology was similar to in Study 1 and serum testosterone concentrations varied nonsignificantly during the year. Environmental factors, e.g. daylength may have influenced circannual changes in prolactin secretion. Seasonal variations in some reproductive tract and seminal traits were significant but of small magnitude and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm did not vary significantly among seasons. In conclusion, healthy male dogs constantly produced sperm and were apparently fertile throughout the year.

Acrosome↗
PubMed2001

Sperm extraction at orchiectomy for testis cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of aspirating sperm from the vas and epididymis at orchiectomy in azoospermic patients. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic hospital. PATIENT(S): Three patients with known azoospermia who presented with testicular masses suspected to be cancerous. INTERVENTION(S): At orchiectomy, immediately after ligation of the spermatic cord, the contents of the epididymis and vas deferens were extracted into preserving media. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertility rate. RESULT(S): Sperm retrieval was successful in all three patients. The mean total sperm count was 2.3 x 10(6)/mL with 20% motility. Intracytoplasmic injection of sperm harvested by using this method was successful in two couples, one of which delivered a healthy infant. CONCLUSION(S): Sperm can be aspirated from the vas deferens and epididymis at orchiectomy for preservation. In azoospermic patients, this procedure may salvage enough sperm for successful use in micromanipulation techniques. It may be worthwhile to perform sperm aspiration during orchiectomy for testis cancer in any patient with known or suspected infertility.

Cryopreservation↗
PubMed1984

Free L-carnitine in human semen: its variability in different andrologic pathologies.

Free L-carnitine was assayed in semen from patients with various andrologic diseases by an enzymatic-spectrophotometric method. Extremely low concentrations were found in semen from patients with agenesis of the vas deferens (31.8 +/- 18.8 nm/ml). Semen from men with vasectomies contains a higher concentration of free carnitine (105.0 +/- 8.1 nm/ml). When comparing these data with those of ten fertile control subjects (817.0 +/- 200 nm/ml), we assume that seminal free L-carnitine mainly originates from the epididymis. Semen from patients with azoospermia caused by testicular failure also contains a low carnitine concentration. In hypogonadotropic eunuchoids the gonadotropin treatment increased the low basal concentration. A correlation between semen carnitine content and sperm motility and number was also tested in 124 infertile patients. The results show a positive correlation between free L-carnitine and sperm count (r = 0.617; P less than 0.01), between free L-carnitine and sperm motility (r = 0.614; P less than 0.01), and between free L-carnitine and the number of motile spermatozoa per milliliter (r = 0.646; P less than 0.01).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Mini-review of studies on the effect of smoking and drinking habits on semen parameters.

This article aims at evaluating the impact of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on different semen parameters (volume, concentration, motility, morphology, total sperm count and viability), by reviewing all the published literature on smoking, alcohol and sperm morphology. The studies on smoking and sperm abnormalities show a limited effect of smoking on conventional sperm parameters. The data on alcohol are more sparse, and show an apparent protective effect of moderate alcohol drinking on sperm parameters, probably due to the antioxidant effect of some alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, none of the studies that considered both alcohol and smoking habits conducted the analysis of the joint effect of the two exposure factors. More standardized laboratory assays and increased sample size studies involving subjects with various level of exposure to alcohol and smoking are needed to better establish the role of these factors in male infertility.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1998

Transfer of sperm into a chemically defined environment by centrifugation through 12% (wt/vol) Accudenz.

Centrifugation is commonly used to wash sperm; however, most washing techniques do not put sperm in a chemically defined environment. Rather, washing by centrifugation, in effect, dilutes seminal plasma components. A 0.5-mL volume of 30% (wt/vol) Accudenz was layered beneath 5 mL of 12% (wt/vol) Accudenz in a 15-mL polypropylene centrifuge tube. Diluted semen from individual males (n = 10) was overlaid upon the 12% (wt/vol) Accudenz. After centrifugation at 1,250 x g at 4 C for 25 min, washed sperm were present at the interface of the Accudenz layers. Based upon hemacytometer counts, sperm recovery was 83% (CV = 12%). Neither sperm viability nor morphology was affected by washing. Efficacy of the washing procedure was evaluated by using extracellular glucose, glutamic acid, Ca+2, and protein as markers. Washing eliminated 99% of the glutamic acid and glucose associated with sperm. Likewise, washing removed 98.5% of the extracellular Ca+2 associated with sperm. As evidenced by total protein analysis and SDS-PAGE, washing removed 98% of soluble seminal plasma proteins from sperm. In addition, washing did not affect sperm mobility or fertilizing ability. This procedure returns extended sperm to a physiological concentration in a chemically defined environment. By suspending washed sperm in distinct media, we induced differential sperm mobility. Therefore, this procedure is suitable for the study of the effect of specific substances upon sperm cell function.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1985

Identification and partial characterization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like factors in human seminal plasma.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like material was measured by radioimmunoassay in acid-ethanol-extracted human seminal plasma using radiolabeled D-[Leu6] GnRH ethylamide as labeled ligand, authentic GnRH as standard, and antibody raised against D-[Lys6] GnRH analog. The mean amount of GnRH-like material measured in the seminal plasma of semen samples with sperm counts greater than 20 X 10(6)/ml was 229.0 +/- 66 pg/ml, with sperm counts less than 20 X 10(6)/ml was 213 +/- 42 pg/ml, and from vasectomized samples was 252 +/- 36 pg/ml. There was no significant difference among the three groups. Scatchard analysis of radioreceptor binding data demonstrated significant displacement of GnRH agonist ligand from castrated male rat pituitary membrane preparations. Ultrafiltration and gel column chromatography of pooled extracted seminal plasma identified two compounds with apparent molecular weights of 2600 and 5000 that differ chemically and immunologically from native GnRH. Further characterization using affinity column chromatography suggests that at least one of these GnRH-like factors is a glycosylated protein.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1980

Short term metabolic effects of the anti-fertility agent, gossypol, on various reproductive organs of male mice.

In order to evaluate the short term metabolic effects of gossypol on the testes as well as any possible effects on the secondary sex organs, Balb C mice were injected subcutaneously with various doses of gossypol (0.25-25.0 mg/kg body weight) in corn oil for 10 days. Wet weights of several different secondary sex reproductive organs decreased during gossypol treatment. However, wet weights of the testes during treatment remained equal to or greater than control values. Following 10 days of gossypol treatment, incorporation of [3H]thymidine or [3H]amino acids into trichloroacetic acid precipitable macromolecules was inhibited in the seminal vesicles and ventral prostates normalized to either DNA or wet weight. Treatment with gossypol also had an inhibitory effect on epididymal sperm count at the two highest doses. These results demonstrate that gossypol will decrease sperm count at high dose levels after treatment of male mice for as short as 10 days. However, its overall effects are not limited to the testes and spermatogenesis but, in addition, it has dramatic inhibitory effects on protein and nuclei acid metabolism in the secondary sex organs.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The prognosis of male subfertility: a survey of 1025 men referred to a fertility clinic.

A retrospective survey of 1025 consecutive men referred to a male fertility clinic was carried out: 180 (18%) produced a pregnancy while attending the clinic. There was an overall inverse relationship between age and the production of pregnancy, although the majority of pregnancies were in the partners of men aged 25 to 39 at referral. The proportion of pregnancies rose from 4% for men presenting with azoospermia to 27% for those with initial sperm counts of 11 to 20 million/ml. The relationship between production of pregnancy and sperm density was inconsistent for men with sperm densities above 20 million/ml. There was no significant difference in the sperm motility at referral between those who did or did not produce a pregnancy. Success was highest for men whose duration of infertility at referral was between 2 and 3 years. The importance of these findings to the investigation of infertile men is discussed.

Adolescent↗