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PubMed1989

Movement characteristics of ejaculated sperm from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) analyzed by manual and automated computerized image analysis.

Sperm motility is an important indicator of male reproductive function. An automated computerized system was used to measure the movement characteristics of cynomolgus monkey sperm. Swimming velocities were in good agreement with data derived from tracking sperm heads manually with a digitizer, but sperm counting by the system was erroneous. In some ejaculates, there were two subpopulations of sperm with different curvilinear velocities, linearities of swim-paths, and lateral movements of the heads.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Vitamin A ameliorates the genotoxicity in mice of aflatoxin B1-containing Aspergillus flavus infested food.

Young weaning Swiss albino mice were orally administered crude aflatoxin B1 in a dose mimicking human exposure condition, i.e. at 0.05 micrograms/kg body weight/day for 14 weeks. Vitamin A (retinol) was orally administered along with the toxin in double (132 IU/kg body wt/day) the human equivalent therapeutic dose. The results suggested that vitamin A minimised the frequency of toxin-induced clastogeny in both mitotic and meiotic chromosomes. The decreases in sperm count as well as increases in abnormality in the gross morphology of the sperm-head, as observed upon toxin treatment, was ameliorated by the vitamin A.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Male reproductive potential after MOPP therapy for Hodgkin's disease: a long-term survey.

The testicular function of 47 men who had been treated by MOPP chemotherapy for a Hodgkin's disease was studied in a long-term survey. Azoospermia was constant during at least 14 months after completion of the treatment. After a follow-up period of 89.4 +/- 54.7 months, 26 men were still azoospermic. No correlation could be found between the therapeutic regimen and the results of semen analysis. For the same treatment, some men recovered spermatogenesis within 5 years, others after more than 10 years while some were still azoospermic after 20 years. However, the association of infra-diaphragmatic irradiation to high dose MOPP therapy had a profound detrimental effect on spermatogenesis: only 3/13 men recovered. Sperm recovery was often incomplete: 17/21 men had a sperm count below 20 million ml-1. Yet, spontaneous pregnancies were obtained with severe oligozoospermia: only 1/11 sperm counts performed close to fertilization exceeded 20 million ml-1, and 8 were below 5 millions ml-1. FSH failed to be either a sensitive or a specific marker of sperm recovery, a discrepancy between FSH level and spermiogram being noticed in 18.2% of cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical vs. untreated cryptorchidism: effects on fertility.

Forty-four patients with history of cryptorchidism were studied: 15 untreated (group A); 14 treated by orchiopexy at age 4.5 +/- 1.4 years (group B), and 15 with unilateral orchiectomy of undescended testis at 8.4 +/- 1.6 years (group C). Testicular volume, semen analysis, and LH and FSH were measured. Normal sperm counts were noted in 53%, 36% and 47% of patients in groups A, B and C, respectively. FSH and LH serum levels showed no differences between the groups. Testicular volume of the normal descended testes showed no differences between the three groups. Positive correlation was obtained between testicular volume/sperm concentration and negative correlation between gonadotropins/sperm concentration. The remaining testicular volume and gonadotropin serum values from adults with history of chryptorchidism who underwent orchiectomy were not different from those orchiopexied treated nor with untreated patients. The percentage of men with sperm count greater than 20 millions/mL was lower in the orchiopexied men compared to A and C groups. There seems to be different etiologic factors in our patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Increased levels of sperm ubiquitin correlate with semen quality in men from an andrology laboratory clinic population.

BACKGROUND: Ubiquitin, a house-keeping protein that marks other proteins for proteasomal degradation, tags defective sperm during epididymal passage. To establish ubiquitin as a biomarker of human infertility, the present study examines the relationships between sperm ubiquitin content and clinical semen parameters among men from an infertility clinic population with varied aetiologies. METHODS: Anti-ubiquitin immunoreactivity was measured by flow cytometric sperm-ubiquitin tag immunoassay (SUTI) in sperm samples of 28 infertility patients and 15 fertile donors. Semen analyses were performed by computer-assisted semen analysis and World Health Organization morphology. RESULTS: Median values of ubiquitin-induced fluorescence had a strong negative correlation with sperm count (r = -0.63, P = 0.0003) and a positive correlation with % abnormal morphology (r = 0.55, P = 0.01). Infertility patients (n = 28) had significantly higher levels of sperm ubiquitin. Out of 28 patients, six reported possible occupational exposures to solvents, three were current smokers and six were ex-smokers. Within the patient group, men with known male factor infertility, those with self-reported occupational exposure to solvents and current smokers had the highest sperm ubiquitin levels. When men with jobs involving potential occupational exposure to solvents were combined with current smokers, the highest correlations were found between sperm ubiquitin and motility (r = -0.74), count (r = -0.82) and % sperm abnormalities (r = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Increased sperm ubiquitin was inversely associated with sperm count, motility and % normal morphology, supporting the use of ubiquitin as a biomarker of human semen quality. SUTI assay confirmed poor semen quality in all men with poor clinical semen parameters, but also was high in some patients with seemingly good clinical semen parameters. Occupational exposure to solvents and smoking may have contributed to high levels of sperm ubiquitin in some of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Testicular function among epichlorohydrin workers.

Epichlorohydrin (1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane) (ECH) is a colourless liquid used in the production of insecticides, agricultural chemicals, epoxy resins, and many other productions. It is highly reactive and an alkylating agent suspected of possessing carcinogenic properties in man. The results of a clinical-epidemiological investigation to ascertain whether exposure to ECH may be associated with sperm count suppression among ECH production workers at two chemical plants are presented. Medical histories and physical examinations with special emphasis on the genitourinary tract were completed on each participant. Blood samples and three semen specimens were also obtained. Since no internal control group were available, the data arising from this effort were analysed for each plant (plant A, 44 men; plant B, 84 men) using a control group of 90 chemical plants workers unexposed to any agents known to be toxic to the tests who were included in previous studies. This study provides no evidence that exposure to ECH at the concentrations existing at the two plants studied is responsible for sperm count suppression.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed2002

Germ cell transplantation into X-irradiated monkey testes.

BACKGROUND: An intense debate is ongoing regarding options for fertility protection in oncological patients. Germ cell transplantation has been applied to restore mouse spermatogenesis. Here, an attempt to apply autologous germ cell transplantation to a primate animal model is described. METHODS: Five adult male cynomolgus monkeys were biopsied to retrieve and cryopreserve germ cells before both testes were irradiated (dose 2 Gy). Six weeks later, each monkey received an infusion of its own cell suspension into the right testis, while the left testes were infused with saline. Testis size, sperm counts and serum concentrations of inhibin, FSH and testosterone were analysed weekly for 9 months. Spermatogenic recovery was determined histologically at the end of the study. RESULTS: In four monkeys, the germ cell-infused right testes showed a slight to moderate increase in the rate of regrowth in comparison with the left testes. In two monkeys the right testis proceeded to recover more prominently, resulting in larger right testis volumes and better or full spermatogenic recovery at the study end. Restoration of spermatogenesis occurred as an all-or-nothing event. Inhibin B concentrations increased, while FSH and testosterone concentrations decreased with testicular regrowth. Sperm counts did not recover. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the immaturity and complexity of germ cell transplantation as a clinical approach.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of reproductive toxicity in male rats following acute and sub-chronic exposures to diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of the exposure to diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2] and diphenyl ditelluride [(PhTe)2] on reproductive system in Wistar rats. Adult male rats were exposed intraperitonealy (acute) or subcutaneously (sub-chronic, during 4 or 8 weeks) to (PhSe)2 or (PhTe)2 prior to mating. A number of biochemical parameters in rat testes were examined, such as delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) activity, lipid peroxidation, glycogen content and components of the antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and ascorbic acid concentration). Furthermore, a possible effect on fertility and reproductive performance in male rats were studied. Sperm counts of caudal epididymis were also evaluated. No lethality was noted in any group. Reduction on body weight in rats which received (PhTe)2 was only evidenced in acute exposure, while (PhSe)2-exposed rats presented significant loss of body weight in acute and 4 week-exposure. Mating and fertility indexes were not affected after acute and sub-chronic exposure. Regarding other parameters studied, except for a decrease in testes glycogen content in acutely (PhSe)2-treated group, no alterations were found in treated groups. Sperm counts of rats treated acutely and sub-chronically were unaffected by drugs exposure. Histological evaluation revealed no modification on testicular tissue in rats exposed to (PhSe)2 and (PhTe)2. The results suggest the absence of the male reproductive toxicity induced by (PhSe)2 and (PhTe)2 administered intraperitonealy (acute) or subcutaneously (sub-chronical) to adult rats Wistar.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The value of testicular biopsy in patients with varicocele.

With the use of semi-thin sections of 88 testicular biopsies from 44 patients, we were able to separate a relatively uniform group of patients with idiopathic left varicocele and infertility into 4 groups with different pathophysiological conditions. Group 1 patients had atrophy of the Leydig cells, decreased Leydig cell ratio, low plasma testosterone, and normal luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in sperm count. Group 2 patients had undergone attempted repair of Leydig cells, and had a normal Leydig cell ratio, and normal testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone plasma values. Group 3 patients demonstrated hyperplasia and an increased Leydig cell ratio, high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone values, and relatively high testosterone values. Group 4 patients had an increased Leydig cell ratio but severe atrophy of the Leydig cells and tubuli, indicating burned out testes with high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone but low testosterone levels. A successful operation failed to increase the sperm count in the latter groups. The technique used should allow better patient selection for medical treatment, as well as lead to a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of infertility in varicocele patients. Therefore, the histological technique has an important role in the evaluation of patients suffering from infertility in general.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Quantitative differences in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, but not in MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 or TIMP-2, in seminal plasma of normozoospermic and azoospermic patients.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), have been detected in reproductive tissues and seminal plasma. The purpose of this study was to quantify MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in human seminal plasma and to evaluate their association with sperm. METHODS: Seminal plasma was analysed using ELISA assays for all four analytes in 12 normozoospermic and 12 azoospermic patients and then for MMP-2 only in another 114 men with azoospermia (n = 16), after vasectomy (n = 20) and with sperm counts within the following ranges: 0.3-19 x 10(6)/ml (n = 20), 20-23 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11), 49-57 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 96-110 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 139-161 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12) and 215-346 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11). Additional zymographic analyses using SDS-PAGE were performed. RESULTS: All investigated MMPs and TIMPs were detected. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not significantly different in normozoospermia and azoospermia. Only the MMP-2 concentration was significantly decreased in azoospermic compared with normozoospermic patients (mean +/- SD: 650.6 +/- 288.9 versus 1677 +/- 910.4 ng/ml respectively; P = 0.0002) and significantly correlated with the number of sperm (r = 0.54; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: MMP-2 in seminal plasma was strongly correlated to the sperm count in a linear fashion. Its origin and potential function remain to be elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Successful management of infertility due to polyzoospermia.

Polyzoospermia is a rare cause of male infertility. In our clinical practice, patients with exceedingly high sperm counts (ranging from 650 million/ml to 1.75 billion/ml) have invariably been found to have associated poor sperm motility and poor sperm migration in postcoital tests, although the sperm appear morphologically normal. Cases of two infertile couples are presented in which each husband had sperm counts greater than 1 billion/ml. Two methods are reported for the successful management of their infertility problems: (1) precoital dilutional douching and (2) in vitro seminal fluid dilution with 5% dextrose-Ringer's lactate solution and artificial insemination homologous. Each method resulted in improved sperm motility, postcoital tests, and pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Varicocelectomy as therapy in male infertility: a study of 504 cases.

Over a ten-year period, surgical correction of varicocele was performed on 504 selected subfertile men. They were followed up for at least one year after surgery. Semen quality was improved in 71% and 55% of the wives became pregnant. Statistically, the results were better in terms of semen quality improvement and pregnancy for patients who had preoperative sperm counts over 10 million/ml (88% improved, 68% pregnancy rate) than for patients who had preoperative sperm counts of less than 10 million/ml (33% improved, 23% pregnancy rate). The empirical use of postoperative human chorionic gonadotropin therapy in this latter group improved results significantly (56% improved, 44% pregnancy rate).

Cell Count↗
PubMed1979

The fractional postcoital test: a reappraisal.

Postcoital tests (PCTs) were conducted following artificial insemination with either live or dead spermatozoa. The cervical mucus samples were analyzed for sperm counts and acid phosphatase activity. The results indicate that the final distribution of mucus and sperm in the PCT sampling catheter is not truly representative of their original distribution within the cervix. Moreover, PCTs done after insemination with semen containing only dead sperm yield unrealistically high sperm counts and high cervical mucus acid phosphatase levels. This is apparently due to the translocation of semen from the area of the external os into the mucus sample by the sampling catheter. This problem can be largely prevented by removing a plug of mucus from the external os prior to the catheter sampling procedure.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2002

Detection of apoptotic alterations in sperm in subfertile patients and their correlations with sperm quality.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to define the effect of apoptosis on sperm quality and function. METHODS: The apoptotic features in sperm were assessed in 60 subfertile subjects, using Annexin-V staining for phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization and Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay for DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: On average, about 45% of the sperm were found to be apoptotic based on the results from Annexin-V staining, including both early (Annexin-V-positive, PI-negative) and late apoptosis (Annexin-V-positive, PI-positive). TUNEL-positive cells (median value 15%) significantly correlated to late apoptosis but not early apoptosis, indicating that DNA fragmentation only occurs at the later stage of sperm apoptosis. TUNEL-positive and late apoptotic cells (Annexin-V-positive, PI-positive) were found to be inversely correlated to sperm motility and vitality, and positively to abnormal sperm morphology. On the other hand, it is surprising to note that the apoptotic alterations in sperm positively correlated to sperm concentration or total sperm counts. CONCLUSIONS: Overall results from this study support the abortive apoptosis theory; apoptosis in mature sperm is initiated during spermatogenesis, after which some cells earmarked for elimination via apoptosis may escape the removal mechanism and contribute to poor sperm quality.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Fetal antigen 1, an EGF multidomain protein in the sex hormone-producing cells of the gonads and the microenvironment of germ cells.

Fetal antigen 1 (FA1), an epidermal growth factor (EGF) multidomain glycoprotein, was investigated in the human reproductive system. Immunohistochemical analysis of the male reproductive system revealed staining for FA1 in the Leydig cells only. Concentrations of FA1 in seminal plasma and serum were similar and significantly correlated in weekly samples from three men (P < 0.0065). The concentrations in seminal plasma from vasectomized men (n = 4) were not significantly different from those of normal men (n = 187). The concentration of FA1 in seminal plasma was significantly correlated with the sperm counts of normozoospermic men (P < 0.0001), and significantly higher in seminal plasma from men with sperm counts > 20 x 10(6)/ml, compared with those with counts </= 20 x 10(6)/ml (P < 0. 0001). Immunohistochemical analysis of the ovary showed the presence of FA1 in the theca interna and the hilus cells but not in the granulosa cells or the oocyte. In follicular fluid the concentration of FA1 (median; 73.3 ng/ml, n = 28) was three times higher than that of serum (median; 23.8 ng/ml). These data suggest a role for this novel member of the EGF superfamily in relation to human reproduction, but further experiments are needed to define the biological function and to elucidate its clinical potential.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of Ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc on inferior human sperm motility in vitro.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of two constituents of Panax notoginseng flower extract, Ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc, on human sperm motility and progression in vitro. Semen samples were collected from 20 patients with sperm motility between 20% and 40% of normal. All samples had sperm counts of over 20 million per milliliter, in accordance with the World Health Organization standard. Sperm were separated by a Percoll discontinuous gradient technique, and divided into a Percoll sperm control group, and three Ginsenoside Rb2 experimental groups (0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mg/ml) and three Ginsenoside Rc experimental groups (0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mg/ml). The results showed that at concentrations of 0.01 mg/ml and 0.001 mg/ml, Ginsenoside Rc enhanced both sperm motility and sperm progression significantly at the end of the 1st and 2nd hour. However, the three concentrations of Ginsenoside Rb2 did not increase sperm motility at the 1st or 2nd hour, but promoted sperm progression at the 2nd hour, when compared to the Percoll group.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The correlation between sperm cell morphology and fertilization after zona pellucida slitting in subfertile males.

OBJECTIVE: This work was undertaken to evaluate the correlation between sperm cell morphology and fertilization after zona pellucida slitting in subfertile males. DESIGN: Twenty-two couples who failed at least one in vitro fertilization attempt because of lack of oocytes fertilization underwent a zona-slitting micromanipulative procedure. A total of 245 oocytes were retrieved and inseminated by three different modes: 151 oocytes underwent micromanipulation, 2 were damaged, and the remaining 149 inseminated by the husband's sperm (group A). Fifty-five oocytes were not manipulated and inseminated by the husband's sperm (group B), and 39 oocytes were not manipulated and inseminated by a donor sperm (group C). RESULTS: Fertilization rates were 26.8%, 5.5%, and 53.8% in groups A, B, and C, respectively, and differed significantly between group A and group B. The cleavage rates were lower for oocytes fertilized by the husband's sperm (48.6%) than that obtained by donor (90%), suggesting a sperm factor contributing to this phenomenon. The procedure was most efficient in patients with a total motile sperm count after preparation of greater than or equal to 5 million and with either normal sperm morphology or defects localized to the acrosome or tail region only. Sperm with nuclear morphological abnormalities demonstrated a marked reduction in fertilization potential. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the zona-slitting technique enhances fertilization of severely subfertile sperm, and its efficacy is affected by sperm morphology and a threshold concentration of motile cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Combined administration of human chorionic gonadotropin and human menopausal gonadotropin in idiopathic male infertility].

Changes in sex hormone levels, testicular volume and sperm count during hCG/hMG therapy were studied in 44 cases of idiopathic male infertility. These patients were divided into two groups and treated for 12 weeks. In group I, which consisted of 5 cases of azoospermia, 10 cases of severe oligozoospermia (less than 10 X 10(6)/ml) and 12 cases of mild oligozoospermia (10-50 X 10(6)/ml), 1,000 IU of hCG and 75 IU of hMG were both administered once a week. In group II, which consisted of 3 cases of azoospermia, 7 cases of severe oligozoospermia and 7 cases of mild oligozoospermia, 1,000 IU of hCG and 150 IU of hMG were both administered once a week. After 12 weeks, increase in sperm count was observed in 7 cases (26%) in group I and 4 cases (24%) in group II. Pregnancy was ensued in 4 cases in group I. There was no significant changes in testicular volume or sex hormone levels during hCG/hMG therapy.

Adult↗