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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Reduced sperm counts in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) following exposure to low levels of tributyltin and bisphenol A.

There is increasing evidence that normal male reproductive function can be disrupted by exposure to pollutants in the environment that can exogenously mimic, antagonize or block sex-hormone function. One possible consequence of exposure to these xenobiotics is disruption to spermatogenesis, but results thus far provide only indirect and inconsistent evidence. In this study we exposed adult male guppies (Poeciliidae: Teleostei) to environmentally relevant levels of the common xenobiotics tributyltin (11.2-22.3 ngl-1) and bisphenol A (274-549 micrograms l-1) in experimental aquaria. After 21 days of exposure, we found significant declines (by 40-75%) in total sperm counts for male fishes exposed to tributyltin and bisphenol A compared with controls. This short-term decline in sperm count is unlikely to be the result of endocrine-mediated alteration of the germ line, and we found no change in testis size or sperm lengths between treatments. However, Sertoli cells, which facilitate the transport of maturing sperm into the testicular deferent duct (where they are stored prior to ejaculation), are directly sensitive to xenobiotic action and it is therefore possible that spermatogenesis was inhibited through in vivo interference with normal Sertoli-cell function.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between sperm count, serum gonadotropins and testosterone levels in normo-, oligo- and azoospermia.

In 92 men with normozoospermia (greater than 40 X 10(6)/ml), 105 with slight oligozoospermia (greater than 10 X 10(6)/ml), 100 with severe oligozoospermia (less than 10 X 10(6)/ml) and 56 with azoospermia, serum testosterone, LH and FSH were measured radioimmunologically. With an increasing degree of reduction of spermatozoa, a decreasing testosterone level and increasing LH and FSH levels could be demonstrated. In normozoospermia, between 40 and 140 X 10(6)/ml, a direct correlation was found between FSH and sperm count, and, in the group between 40 and 100 X 10(6)/ml, a direct correlation between T and sperm count. A disturbed LH:T balance is often observed which beside decreased serum T levels demonstrates a testicular deficiency in androgen production.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗
PubMed1997

Ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy is associated with decreased sperm counts in infertile men with varicoceles.

PURPOSE: The presence of ipsilateral testicular growth retardation (hypotrophy) is the most common indication for prophylactic varicocele repair in adolescents in an effort to prevent future infertility. We examined the relationship between semen parameters and ipsilateral versus contralateral testicular size in men with unilateral varicoceles to determine whether testicular size is an appropriate parameter for predicting future fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the records of consecutive patients with palpable unilateral left varicoceles for whom a history, physical examination and semen analysis were available. Total motile sperm counts of men with and without ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy were compared. RESULTS: We identified 611 patients with unilateral clinical left varicoceles, including 305 (50%) with ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy. Mean total motile sperm counts plus or minus standard error of mean were significantly less in the patients with than without testicular hypotrophy (80 +/- 5.2 versus 126 +/- 7.8 x 10(6) sperm, p = 0.0018). Hypotrophy was more common in patients with large varicoceles (73%) than in those with medium (53%) or small (43%) varicoceles. CONCLUSIONS: Infertile patients with testicular hypotrophy associated with unilateral varicoceles have worse semen parameters than those without hypotrophy. These data support the practice of varicocele repair in adolescents with varicocele associated testicular growth retardation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Long-term reduction in sperm count after chemotherapy with and without radiation therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

PURPOSE: Treatment of lymphomas with combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy (XRT) can result in long-term or permanent azoospermia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Semen analyses of lymphoma patients were performed before, during, and after treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo) chemotherapy. Some of the patients also received other drugs or radiation therapy. RESULTS: Although no patients were azoospermic before treatment, all were rendered azoospermic during treatment. Following the completion of treatment, the fraction of patients whose sperm counts recovered increased gradually over 5 years and plateaued by 7 years, with two thirds of the men achieving normospermic levels. Scattered gonadal radiation dose and cumulative cyclophosphamide dose were found to be independently significant determinants of recovery: the fraction of patients whose sperm counts recovered to 10 x 10(6)/mL were 83%, 47%, and 20% for those who received less than 9.5 g/m2 of cyclophosphamide, greater than 9.5 g/m2 of cyclophosphamide, and pelvic XRT, respectively. The inclusion of additional drugs and interferon alfa did not significantly affect the long-term recovery of spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION: Pelvic XRT and cumulative cyclophosphamide dosages greater than 9.5 g/m2 are associated with a high risk of permanent sterility in lymphoma patients treated with the CHOP-Bleo regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sperm count in male patients after alcoholic delirium].

Ejaculates from 30 patients with alcohol toxic delirium have been tested. We found a decreased number of hypospermia (n = 8) and a reduced sperm density of 18 mill.spermatozoa/ml. Judging sperm density, morphology and motility, 29 sperm-counts are severe pathological. The disturbance of spermiogeneses is most pronounced (2 = 0.01), when increased FSH-values (n = 10) and acute alcohol toxical hepatitis (n = 4) were found, but is less dependent on the drinking habits according to Jellinek or on increased oestradiol values (n = 6) or increased CK-values. The sperm parameters in chronic alcoholics show no better values when fertility has been proved before (n = 10).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of a second insemination after ovulation on fertilization rate and accessory sperm count in sows.

Insemination immediately after ovulation causes low fertilization results owing to a low fertilization rate and possibly also owing to polyspermic fertilization. The present experiment was undertaken to study the effects of a second insemination after ovulation on fertilization rate and embryonic development. In multiparous crossbred sows, transrectal ultrasonography was used at intervals of 4 h to determine ovulation. All sows (n = 91) were artificially inseminated with 3 x 10(9) mixed spermatozoa and, in 31 sows, a second insemination took place at 3 +/- 1 (mean +/- SD) h after ovulation. At 119 +/- 5 h after ovulation, the percentage of normal embryos and the accessory sperm count were determined. In the sows that were inseminated once, the percentage of normal embryos decreased when insemination took place more than 24 h before ovulation, from 88 +/- 20% (16-24 h; n = 15) to 63 +/- 40% (24-32 h; n = 10) (P < 0.05). In the sows that were inseminated again after ovulation, the percentage of normal embryos was high, irrespective of the period between first insemination and ovulation. The difference in percentage of normal embryos between the sows that were inseminated once or twice was significant when the first insemination took place between 24 and 32 h before ovulation; 63 +/- 40% (inseminated once, n = 10) and 97 +/- 5% (inseminated twice, n = 8) (P < 0.05). The accessory sperm count of the normal embryos in a litter was positively related to the percentage of normal embryos in a litter, and this relation was not affected by the interval between first insemination and ovulation or by the number of inseminations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A quantitative structural model of the testis of fertile males with normal sperm counts.

The morphology of testicular biopsies of 8 healthy fertile men with proven normal sperm counts was studied using stereological techniques. Quantitative estimations were made of different cellular compartments in the testicular biopsies. The experimental errors of observation, homogeneity of the section, accuracy of the measurements and errors caused during the preparation of the sections were studied. A stereological model of the human testis comprising all compartments was designed. The present observations on the stereological parameters were compared with the results in literature; generally a good agreement was found. This stereological model enabled the authors to establish the quantitative correlations that exist between the separate compartments of the human testis. The tubular length density was positively correlated with the tubular surface density. The tubular surface density showed a negative correlation with the volume density of the germinal cell nuclei. The tubular volume density showed a negative correlation with the volume density of the Leydig cells. The intra-tubular volume density correlated negatively with the volume density of the Leydig cells and with the volume density of the remaining extra-tubular tissue. The intra-tubular tissue density correlated negatively with the volume density of the intra-tubular space.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1975

Increased serum FSH levels correlated with low and high sperm counts in male infertile patients.

Serum FSH, LH and testosterone were measured in 57 (42) normal men and in 80 male infertile patients. In the former, mean (x) FSH was found to be 2.5 ng/ml with a range (x +/- 2 SD) from 0.25 ng/ml to 5.3 ng/ml, mean LH was 2.2 ng/ml with a range from 0.5 ng/ml to 5.6 ng/ml, and mean testosterone was 540 ng/100 ml with a range from 190 mg/ml to 890 ng/100 ml. Immunoassayable FSH was found to be elevated in 17 out of 42 presumably infertile males with sperm counts below 20 million/ml, and in 5 out of 12 men with sperm counts above 120 million/ml. There was no correlation between testosterone and sperm number, motility, and seminal fructose content. The concurrence of depressed spermatogenesis and elevated FSH levels seems to be a relatively good indicator for the presence of organic disorders of the testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels and their relation to the sperm count in man.

Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels were estimated in 60 normal adults and compared with 60 oligospermic and 24 azoospermic Indian subjects. In normal group, the seminal plasma fructose level and acid phosphatase activity showed a fall as the sperm count increased. As compared to normals, significantly higher mean values for fructose and acid phosphatase activity were observed in oligospermic and azoospermic groups. Seminal alkaline phosphatase activity did not show any relationship with sperm count. Similarity in changes observed in seminal fructose and acid phosphatase levels with respect to seminal citric acid content and sperm concentration suggests that both these parameters are probably regulated by similar physiological mechanism.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

Effect of minocycline on the sperm count and activity in infertile men with high pus cell count in their seminal fluid.

Twenty-five infertile males with 5 or more pus cells per 1000 x field in their seminal fluid were randomly assigned to treatment with minocycline 200 mg daily for one (Group A) or two (Group B) weeks. At the end of the treatment period a statistically significant reduction of pus cells, and a statistically significant increase in the sperm count and the motile sperm were observed (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test, p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (Mann Whitney U test). No toxicity was reported. In conclusion, minocycline improves the seminal indices, in infertile males with high pus cell count in their seminal fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effect of prolonged cryptorchidism on germ cell apoptosis and testicular sperm count.

AIM: To evaluate the long term effect of experimental cryptorchidism on germ cell apoptotic rate and testicular sperm content in adult rats. METHODS: Bilateral cryptorchidism was created in 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by surgically manipulating the testes into the abdominal cavity and closing the internal inguinal ring. The rats were sacrificed and the testes removed 6 hours and 2, 4, 7, 21, 28 and 56 days after cryptorchidism. Germ cell apoptosis was quantified by means of TUNEL assay and apoptosis was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The rate of apoptosis peaked at 4 days of cryptorchidism and then progressively declined to a nadir at 14 days of cryptorchidism. At 56 days of cryptorchidism, the germinal epithelium was largely depleted by the apoptotic process and only a few mature sperm were seen within the testis. At this point, a few tubules were seen to be repopulating with primary spermatocytes and the level of germ cell apoptosis began to increase marginally. Testicular sperm count (TSC) began to decline rapidly at day 7 of cryptorchidism. Only a few mature sperm were found in the testes of rats following 56 days of cryptorchidism. Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) were most numerous within the seminiferous tubules at day 4. At day 7, 35 % of MGCs were TUNEL positive. At all subsequent time points, however, MGCs fail to stain positive for apoptosis. This resumption of increased apoptosis coincided with the appearance of a population of primary spermatocytes in some seminiferous tubules. Moreover, there was not a corresponding increase in the number of mature sperm after 56 days of cryptorchidism. CONCLUSION: The decline in germ cell apoptosis after 4 days of cryptorchidism can be attributed to be the result of an overall depletion of germ cells. It appears that after a prolonged cryptorchidism (56 days), there is a limited resumption of spermatogenesis presumably as a result of a decrease in the maturing germ cells undergoing programmed cell death.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Protein content of human seminal plasma and spermatozoa in relation to sperm counts.

Protein concentrations of seminal plasma and spermatozoa were estimated in human normospermic, oligospermic and azoospermic semens. The protein content of seminal plasma ranged from 20 to 60 mg per ml semen and was found to be unrelated to sperm counts. Suspended sediments of azoospermic specimens were found to contain on the average 570+/-86 microng protein per ml semen. This value is about four times higher than in severe oligospermic specimens (0.2 X 10(6) -6.5 X 10(6) cells per ml semen). It is suggested that in azoospermic disorders seminiferous tubules secrete abnormally high amounts of proteinacous material which cannot be eliminated by washings. In addition, destruction of immature cells may contribute to increased protein conten in these specimens. Protein determinations in washed spermatozoa showed a negative relationship between the amount of protein calculated per 10(6) cells and original sperm counts. This trend demonstrates an altered protein metabolism in the spermatozoa of oligospermic specimens which might be responsible for fertility incompetence.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Evaluating the accuracy of different sperm counting chambers by performing strict counts of photographed beads.

PURPOSE: To suggest a method for evaluating the accuracy of different kinds of sperm counting chambers by eliminating errors concerned with human skills or semen properties. In this method, various concentrations were prepared from stocks of commercially available latex beads (Accu-beads, Hamilton-Thorn Research, Beverly, MA). Samples from identical preparations were loaded into different types of chambers, namely, hemocytometer (Neubauer, improved double, Superior Ltd, Germany), Makler (Sefi Medical Instruments, Haifa, Israel) and Horwell (Horwell Ltd, London, UK). Beads were counted by both direct microscopic observations and by strict scanning of their photographed images. RESULTS: In all cases, counts by direct observation were about 5% higher than strict counts of the same photographed beads. Counting photographed beads showed high reproducibility (average CV of 5.1%) between samples in the two wells of the hemocytometer. Counts of photographed beads, sampled from identical stocks, were on average slightly lower in the Makler chamber (20.7 x 10(6)/ml) and much higher in the Horwell chamber (47.4 x 10(6)/ml) than counts in the hemocytometer (21.5 x 10(6)/ml). Samples from three different batches of Accubeads revealed slight variation in counts between the batches and an average concentration of 11% above the number indicated on the commercial product. CONCLUSIONS; A technique that combined loading latex beads from identical stock into various chambers, proper covering of the tested samples and strict counting of photographed beads provided precise and reproducible results. By eliminating most errors related to human skills and semen properties, this method is suitable for evaluating the accuracy of counting chambers.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1993

Sperm count in earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) as a biomarker for environmental toxicology: effects of cadmium and chlordane.

Earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris, exposed in artificial soil to sublethal concentrations of technical chlordane (6.25, 12.5, and 25 ppm) and cadmium nitrate (100, 200, and 300 ppm) exhibited significant reduction in spermatozoa from testes and seminal vesicles. The onset time of reduction varied with exposure concentration, but absolute depression in sperm count was independent of exposure concentration or exposure duration after reduction was first manifested, demonstrating a threshold effect. Earthworm sperm counts show potential as a rapid-measurement endpoint biomarker for measuring sublethal effects of chemical pollutants on reproduction.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1974

Effect of Lh-Rh on antibody formation, sperm count and plasma levels of gonadotropins and testosterone in normal men.

Synthetic LH-RH was given to 15 healthy men divided into 3 groups of 5 each. A dose of 250 mug LH-RH was injected as a single intravenous bolus for 1 day, every other day for 3 days or for 7 consecutive days respectively. Antibody formation against this synthetic hormone was measured by testing for binding with 125I labeled LH-RH. No antibody formation was detected in any group during the seven day period. Sperm counts were done 1 week before and immediately after the administration of LH-RH, as well as 3 months later. Changes in sperm counts could not be related to the number of injections received. Gonadotropins (FSH and LH) were measured by RIA. There was a significant rise in plasma levels of both gonadotropins, but no signigicant changes in their basal level or percent response resulted from the repetitive administration of LH-RH. Plasma testosterone was also measured by RIA. There was no significant channge in either baseline or percent response in any of the groups after 1, 3 or 7 injections. Some individuals did show a significant rise in plasma testosterone levels, but this was not consistent and was not related to the number of injections administered. Thus, in this study, the repetitive administration of LH-RH did not alter pituitary responsiveness or result in antibody formation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Within-subject variability of human semen in regard to sperm count, volume, total number of spermatozoa and length of abstinence.

The within-subject variability of the semen sperm count (n), volume (v) and the total number of spermatozoa (N) was studied on 220 ejaculates from 36 normal subjects after an abstinence of 7 days or less. For each of the three variables, the within-subject standard deviation, sigma, was practically proportional to the mean, mu; the common value of the coefficient of variation sigma/mu for all subjects was very high: 0.39 for n, 0.28 for v and 0.55 for N. The 95% confidence intervals based on a single ejaculate were asymmetrical and very large, the lower and upper limits being respectively 0.5 x n and 2.3 x n; 0.7 x v and 1.8 x v; 0.4 x N and 2.9 x N. The three semen characteristics for a given subject were highly correlated with length of abstinence: for an increase in abstinence of 1 day there were mean increments of 13 x 10(6)/ml for n, 0.4 ml for v, and 87 x 10(6) for N.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

New evidence of the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on sperm count in man.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between individual exposures due to occupation, environment and lifestyle on sperm count, we conducted a case-control study among 92 fertile and 73 sub-fertile Caucasian males. STUDY DESIGN: Data from questionnaires were analysed using simple univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: At risk for oligozoospermia are men exposed to pesticides (odds ratio (OR) 8.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-52.1), welding (OR 2.8; CI 0.9-8.7), antibiotic use (OR 15.4; CI 1.4-163), a history of mumps (OR 2.9; CI 1.3-6.7), gastrointestinal complaints (OR 6.2; CI 1.4-26.8), decreased intake of fruits (OR 2.3; CI 1.0-5.1), vegetables (OR 1.9; CI 0.7-5.0), or with female fertility disorders in their families (OR 8.4; CI 1.7-41.9). Unlike other studies, no associations were observed between oligozoospermia and exposure to paint or heat. CONCLUSION: This study suggests new risk factors oligozoospermia in man and confirms previously reported results from others.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between etiological factors and total motile sperm count in 350 infertile patients.

The prevalence of different etiologic factors has been evaluated in 350 male patients consulting the same physician in an urban, ambulatory setting for primary or secondary infertility of more than 1 year. Environmental factors such as alcohol or drugs represented 12% of the etiologies, acquired diseases such as varicocele and prostatitis 40%, congenital diseases and primary testicular failure 16.2%, idiopathic cases 19.4%, and abnormality of sperm transport 7.4%. The severity of sperm alterations in the different etiologic categories was evaluated by the total motile sperm count per ejaculate (TMS) (normal > 16). The TMS was less than 5 in classical causes of male infertility such as testicular failure, endocrinopathy, cancer, or antisperm antibodies. It was more than 10 in controversial causes of infertility such as varicocele, prostatis, chlamydial infections, and professional exposure to heat. After treatment, there was a nonsignificant increase of the TMS in the latter cases. In cases of azoospermia of pituitary origin, the TMS was normalized by a hormonal treatment. In some cases of azoospermia of possible obstructive origin, sperm appeared in the ejaculate after diclofenac treatment. The utility of andrological investigation and treatment is discussed.

Adult↗