bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative antitumour activity of cisplatin and two new cisplatin‐analogues JM8 and JM9 in human testicular carcinoma xenografts
Authors: HARSTRICK A. , CASPER J. , SCHMOLL H.‐J.
Published: May 2008

The comparative antitumour activity of cisplatin, JM8 and JM9 was tested using a panel of different heterotransplanted human testicular tumour cell lines. All drugs were applied at equitoxic doses in a 5 day schedule. In the two cisplatin sensitive cell lines 2102 EP and H 12.1 both analogues were inferior to cisplatin. No significant therapeutic effect was achieved with any of the three drugs in the cisplatin resistant line H 23.1. Thus JM8 and JM9 seem to be less active in cisplatin sensitive tumours and seem to be of no advantage in the case of cisplatin resistance.
Screening for carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis
Authors: GIWERCMAN A. , BERTHELSEN J. G. , MÜLLER J. , MAASE H. VON DER , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: May 2008

Germ cell neoplasia detected at the preinvasive stage of carcinoma‐in‐situ (CIS) can be cured by orchidectomy or by localized irradiation of the testis. Therefore, screening for carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis has been applied to groups of individuals known to have an increased risk of testicular cancer. A high (5.5%) incidence of CIS was found in the contralateral testis of men with a unilateral cancer of the testis. An increased incidence of CIS was also found among men with a history of cryptorchidism. We recommend routine screening for CIS of the testis in both groups of men. The role of screening for CIS among subfertile men remains to be elucidated.
Magnetic resonance: in vivo tissue characterization of the testes in patients with carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis and healthy subjects
Authors: THOMSEN C. , JENSEN K. E. , GIWERCMAN A. , KJÆR L. , HENRIKSEN O. , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: May 2008

Six patients with carcinoma‐in‐situ (CIS) of the testis and five healthy volunteers were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), relaxation time measurements (T1 and T2) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The study was carried out on a Siemens Magnetom (1.5 Tesla) whole body MR scanner. All patients with CIS had a biopsy taken before MR examination and histology was compared with the MR results. Significant difference between T1 relaxation processes for normals and patients with CIS was shown. It remains to be seen whether these findings are related to the neoplasia or the reduced spermatogenesis.
Testicular biopsy as an outpatient procedure in screening for carcinoma‐in‐situ: complications and the patient's acceptance
Authors: BRUUN E. , FRIMODT‐MØLLER C. , GIWERCMAN A. , LENZ S. , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: May 2008

Testicular biopsy has been performed as a simple outpatient procedure to facilitate screening purposes. The target population was men aged 20–30 years with previous cryptorchidism, and the aim of the study was to discover carcinoma‐in‐situ. When results from the first 209 consecutive males were assessed, very few and minor complications were encountered. Only three patients needed hospitalization for drainage of pus from the wound. The effects of the procedure as experienced by the patients were evaluated by a questionnaire. 72% of the patients found the method acceptable. The advantages were the patients' minimal absence from their jobs, and the low consumption of resources.
Incidence of bilateral testicular germ cell cancer in Denmark, 1960–84: preliminary findings
Authors: ØSTERLIND ANNE , BERTHELSEN J. G. , ABILDGAARD N. , HANSEN S. O. , JENSEN H. , JOHANSEN B. , MUNCK‐HANSEN J. , RASMUSSEN L. H.
Published: May 2008

The incidence of a second primary testicular germ cell cancer in the contralateral testicle among 2338 men with a first primary testicular germ cell cancer diagnosed in the years 1960–79 in Denmark was established in this preliminary report. The material represents 83% of the total cohort followed until 31 December 1984. The relative risk for a patient with testicular cancer to get yet another testicular cancer was studied, taking into account the histology of the first primary testicular germ cell cancer. Based on fifty‐eight nonsimultaneous contralateral testicular cancer cases and 19,995 ‘person‐years at risk’, the overall relative risk of invasive germ cell cancer in the contralateral testicle following a first germ cell testicular cancer was found to be 23.3 (95% confidence interval. 18–30). Among men with nonseminoma the risk was higher (relative risk = 27.5) than among men with seminomas (relative risk = 20.1). Overall, sixty‐two (2.7%) patients developed a second cancer. In four of these patients bilateral tumours occurred simultaneously.
Surveillance following orchidectomy for Stage I testicular cancer
Authors: PECKHAM M. J. , BRADA M.
Published: May 2008

Surveillance following orchidectomy was introduced in the management of Stage I testicular nonseminoma in 1979 and Stage I seminoma in 1983. Of 132 nonseminoma patients followed for 12–84 months (median 43 months) the relapse rate is 27%. Relapses were diagnosed 2–44 months after orchidectomy with 90% of relapses appearing within the first year. Of the 132 patients, 131 are alive and disease‐free. The pattern of relapse was as follows: 47% of relapses occurred in abdominal nodes, 13% in abdominal nodes and lung, 17% in the lung and 23% with elevated serum markers as the only evidence of disease; 26% of relapsing patients had normal serum AFP and hCG levels. The prognostic significance of thirteen clinical histopathological and biochemical factors has been analysed by multiple regression analysis. Histology and lymphatic invasion within the primary tumour are significant independent prognostic factors.

A total of thirty‐six patients had scrotal interference prior to removal of the primary tumour. This was not a contra‐indication to surveillance. None has developed scrotal recurrence and the overall relapse rate (11%) is comparable to that observed in the surveillance series as a whole.

Fifty‐two patients with Stage I seminoma have been observed from 12–41 months after orchidectomy. Seven (13%) have relapsed and six of the seven relapses have been confined to retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Preliminary data suggests that pre‐orchidectomy elevation of serum hCG is not a significant prognostic factor.
An analysis of poor risk assignment in patients with germ cell tumours
Authors: BOSL G. J. , BAJORIN D. , GELLER NANCY L.
Published: May 2008

Four methods for assigning patients with germ cell tumours to poor risk programmes were compared using 118 consecutive patients treated on ‘good’ and ‘poor’ risk studies. The median survival of patients deemed poor risk by Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center was 11 months, by Indiana University 15 months, by the National Cancer Institute 15 months, and by the European Organization for Research on the Treatment of Cancer 23.5 months. The major differences between these criteria were in the use of pretreatment tumour marker values, and the use of specific sites of metastases as independent prognostic variables. These data imply that a variable number of good prognosis patients enter some poor risk trials, the number being dependent upon the criteria used. Poor risk criteria should be as restrictive as possible in order to avoid over treating good risk patients, and to avoid artificially inflated response rates resulting from the successful treatment of such poor risk patients.
Management of advanced metastatic germ cell tumours
Authors: DAUGAARD GEDSKE , HANSEN H. H. , RØRTH M.
Published: May 2008

Forty patients with poor prognosis germ cell tumours were treated with a combination of cisplatin 40 mg/m2and VP‐16 200 mg/m2, both given days 1–5 every 3 weeks, and bleomycin 15 mg/m2every week. Of thirty‐three previously untreated patients twenty‐eight (85%) patients obtained complete remission (CR) and four (12%) patients partial remission (PR). One patient was not evaluable for response. Twenty‐four patients are alive 2–32 months after completion of therapy without evidence of disease (median observation 18.5 months). Of seven patients previously treated with cisplatin, five obtained CR (71%), one PR (14%) and one patient had progressive disease. Five patients are still alive, four without evidence of disease after a median follow‐up of 22 months (range 16–25 months).
Altered renin and aldosterone excretion in patients treated for metastatic germ cell tumours
Authors: BOSL G. J. , LEITNER S. P. , ATLAS S. A. , SEALEY J. E. , PREIBISZ J. J. , SCHEINER E.
Published: May 2008

Twenty‐four patients with metastatic germ cell tumours were studied for abnormalities in the renin–aldosterone axis and for persistent abnormalities of renal function 9+ to 54+ months following completion of cisplatin based chemotherapy. Increased plasma renin activity and aldosterone were identified in fourteen of nineteen (79%) patients. The mean serum magnesium was subnormal. Statistically lower serum phosphorus levels, and higher urea and creatinine levels were also observed. No patient was hypertensive or on diuretics at the time of study. Since vascular toxicity has been reported after cisplatin based chemotherapy and hypomagnesaemia and increased plasma renin activity have been linked to cardiovascular events, these data imply that germ cell tumour patients treated with cisplatin based chemotherapy should be carefully observed for delayed cardiovascular toxicity.
Ototoxicity of cisplatin
Authors: LAURELL G. , ENGSTRÖM B. , HIRSCH A. , BAGGER‐SJÖBÄCK D.
Published: May 2008

Ototoxicity is one of the unwanted side effects of cisplatin treatment. The first sign of hearing loss usually appears 3–4 days after the drug administration and occurs primarily in the higher frequencies. One hundred and eighty‐six women treated with a moderate dose of cisplatin (50 mg/m2every 4 weeks) for gynaecological cancer were studied. No significant loss of hearing was detected in the speech frequency range. Since the cisplatin concentration in the inner ear is highest after a single high dose injection, systemic audiometric monitoring is advisable during cisplatin therapy with single high dose regimen.
Treatment strategies of testicular cancer in the United States
Authors: EINHORN L. H.
Published: May 2008

The treatment of testicular cancer has dramatically improved during the past decade. Combination chemotherapy with PVB was instituted at Indiana University in 1974. Subsequent studies demonstrated that: (1) post PVB, surgery can cure patients; (2) vinblastine dosage can be lowered from 0.4 to 0.3 mg/kg without sacrificing cure potential: (3) maintenance vinblastine is not necessary; (4) VP‐16 can be substituted for vinblastine with equivalent cure rates and decreased neuromuscular toxicity.
Patterns of human epididymal fluid proteins on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: JENNINGS M. G. , TEMPLE‐SMITH P. D. , SOUTHWICK G. J. , NAUADU P. L. , BAKER H. W. G.
Published: May 2008

Proteins were analysed by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in fluid taken from six epididymal regions in 10 men undergoing microsurgery to bypass epididymal obstructions resulting from various disorders. Some major proteins common to most samples were identified with apparent molecular weights of 95, 67, 56, and 44 kilodaltons. A degree of regional specificity in the synthesis and secretion of epididymal proteins was indicated. There appeared to be no correlation between protein pattern or the abundance of individual proteins and the cause of obstruction, although methodological constraints may have partially obscured any such relationship.
Concentration of prostaglandins in seminal fluid of fertile men
Authors: BENDVOLD E. , GOTTLIEB C. , SVANBORG K. , BYGDEMAN M. , ENEROTH P.
Published: May 2008

Semen samples from 31 men, all of whom had fathered a child within the preceding year, were analysed for sperm characteristics and for the content of prostaglandins (PGs). Mean concentrations (mg/l) for the four main groups of PGs were 67.1 for PGE, 3.2 for PGF, 245.7 for 19‐hydroxy‐PGE and 13.3 for 19‐hydroxy‐PGF. The individual values were distributed over a relatively wide range but the extremely wide ranges reported by previous authors were not confirmed. Information is also presented concerning the relative proportions of the four isomers of PGF, as well as those of 19‐hydroxy‐PGF. Only sperm density was related to PG concentration in fertile men. Polyzoospermia was associated with a low PGE concentration.
Development of the blood‐testis barrier in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)
Authors: BERGMANN M. , SCHINDELMEISER J.
Published: May 2008

The formation of the blood‐testis barrier (BTB) in the domestic fowl was studied at the electronmicroscopic level employing lanthanum as a tracer. No effective barrier could be demonstrated in testes before puberty, although several components of the Sertoli junctional complex such as focal tight junctions and desmosomes were already existent. The time of onset of meiosis after hatching showed great individual variation and meiosis did not occur synchronously in the tubules of a given testis. An effective barrier could first be detected in tubules containing early spermatids, and in which spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes at the leptotene stage were still within the open compartment. Thus, barrier formation was correlated with the occurrence of haploid germ cells. Complete compartmentation of seminiferous tubules, leaving only spermatogonia within the open compartment, was attained in tubules containing elongated spermatids of the maturation phase. In these tubules, primary spermatocytes at the leptotene stage were situated in an intermediate compartment.
Morphometric analysis of the components of the neonatal and the adult rat testis interstitium
Authors: MENDIS‐HANDAGAMA S. M. L. C. , RISBRIDGER G. P. , KRETSER D. M. DE
Published: May 2008

Leydig cells in the foetal rat testis are still present at birth and it has been hypothesized that they commence to degenerate immediately after birth, based on the decrease in their volume density (v/v%) with age. In this study the interstitium of the rat testis was studied quantitatively at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 90 days after birth: the latter are considered to be adults. The absolute volumes of connective tissue cells and blood vessels increased with age. The absolute volumes of macrophages and lymphatic spaces were greater at 90 days than at any other age. The absolute volume of foetal Leydig cells per testis was unchanged from 1 to 15 days, despite a decrease in the% volume occupied per testis. The number of foetal Leydig cells per testis did not decline from days 1–20 although on day 20 an average foetal Leydig cell was smaller in volume than at earlier ages (days 1–15). Adult Leydig cells were recognized at day 10 and their absolute volume and number per testis increased from 15 to 90 days. Adult Leydig cells were similar in morphology to foetal Leydig cells at 20 days except for a reduced volume of cytoplasmic lipid.
Proliferation of Sertoli cells during development of the human testis assessed by stereological methods
Authors: CORTES DINA , MÜLLER J. , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: May 2008

Sertoli cells were studied using stereological methods in testes obtained from five children who were stillborn, and 31 individuals between 3 months and 40 years of age, who had suffered from sudden, unexpected death. The mean nuclear volume of the Sertoli cells, the numerical density of Sertoli cells, and the total number of Sertoli cells per individual were determined by point‐ and profile‐counting of 0.5 μm sections. The nuclear volume of Sertoli cells increased from a median of 120 μm3 (range 53–130) during the period of 3 months to 10 years to 210 μm3 (170–260) in adults (>25 years). The numerical density of Sertoli cells decreased from a median of 1200 times 106/cm3 (870–1400) during childhood (3 months to 10 years) to 140 times 106/cm3 (110–260) in adults (>25 years). The total number of Sertoli cells per individual increased significantly from a median of 260 times 106 (130–520) during the late foetal period to 1500 times 106 (850–2900) in individuals from 3 months to 10 years of age. A further increase was found during puberty as the number of Sertoli cells in adults (>25 years) was 3700 times 106 (2500–5600). These results indicate that significant qualitative and quantitative changes in the population of Sertoli cells take place after birth.
Salivary testosterone levels in infertile men
Authors: GALARD R. , ANTOLÍN M. , CATALÁN R. , MAGAÑA P. , SCHWARTZ S. , CASTELLANOS J. M.
Published: May 2008

Salivary testosterone levels were measured in 18 normal men, 29 oligospermic and six azoospermic subjects, using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA). There was a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in salivary testosterone levels in the group of oligospermic (0.266 ± 0.086 nmol/l) and azoospermic (0.234 ± 0.055 nmol/l) subjects when compared with controls (0.348 ± 0.070 nmol/l). A good correlation was found between salivary and plasma testosterone levels in normal (r= 0.62, P < 0.01) and infertile men (r= 0.58, P < 0.01). This study demonstrates that salivary testosterone levels, a non‐invasive means of sample collection, may be used for evaluation of androgen status in male infertility.,
Continuous light environment has no effect on the circadian testosterone rhythm, spermatogenesis or fertility of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: KHOLKUTE S. D. , JAYARAMAN S. , KUMAR R. ASOK , PURI C. P.
Published: May 2008

Maintenance of adult male marmosets in continuous light for 60 days had no effect on the circadian rhythmicity of plasma testosterone levels, spermatogenesis or fertility. The results indicate that photoperiodicity is not the environmental determinant that regulates reproduction in male marmosets.
Influence of hCG treatment on the metabolism of progesterone and pregnenolone in vitro by the human undescended prepubertal testis
Authors: HAMMAR M. , BERG A. Å:SON , MATHSON KATARINA , LÄCKGREN G.
Published: May 2008

Testicular biopsies were taken from 56 prepubertal and pubertal boys, aged 3–17 years, with undescended testes. The biopsies were incubated in vitro with 3H‐progesterone or 3H‐pregnenolone. Fifteen of the boys had been treated with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) prior to operation. Nine boys were operated on within 1 week of the last injection of hCG while the others were operated on between 12 days and 2 years after hCG treatment. In non‐treated prepubertal boys very small amounts of substrate were converted by means of the enzymes 3β‐hydroxysteroid‐dehydrogenase and 17α‐hydroxylase and virtually no testosterone was produced. Immediately after treatment with hCG there was a large increase in the conversion of substrate by 17α‐hydroxylase and 3β‐hydroxysteroid‐dehydrogenase. Considerable amounts of testosterone were formed, especially from pregnenolone, while smaller amounts were formed from progesterone. This suggests that testosterone production occurred primarily via the Δ5 pathway, at least beyond the 17α‐hydroxylase‐step. Within 2 weeks of the last hCG injection, steroidogenic activity had decreased towards levels similar to those found in prepubertal testis from untreated boys. These observations indicate that hCG treatment of boys with undescended testes does not result in irreversible or even long‐lasting stimulation of their steroidogenic function.
Comparison between a swim‐up and a Percoll gradient technique for the separation of human spermatozoa
Authors: ÅKERLÖF EVA , FREDRICSON B. , GUSTAFSSON O. , LUNDIN A. , LUNELL N. O. , NYLUND L. , ROSENBORG L. , POUSETTE Å.
Published: May 2008

Two methods of separating human sperm were compared using twenty‐two semen samples. The sperm were separated by a swim‐up technique or by self‐migration on a Percoll gradient followed by medium change. After separation, the sperm obtained were assessed for progressive motility, ATP content, energy charge index ([ATP + 0.5 ADP]/[ATP + ADP + AMP]) and morphology. In general, and especially for semen samples containing <20 × 106 sperm/ml, separation by Percoll gradient selected sperm that were superior to those separated by the swim‐up technique. The relatively high energy charge index (<0.8) showed that the sperm tolerated the separation conditions well. It is suggested that self‐migration on a Percoll gradient should prove useful for obtaining sperm of high quality.
Incidence of aetiological factors in testicular obstructive azoospermia
Authors: MIĆIĆ S.
Published: May 2008

Testicular exploration was performed in 225 azoospermic men with normal sized testes and normal serum levels of FSH. Thirty‐one men had impaired spermato‐genesis and the cause of obstruction was found in 46% of the subjects. Thirty‐two men had a history of genital tract infection while 18 had a history of genital or inguinal surgery. A history of chest disease was noted in 25 men with obstructive azoospermia. Aplasia of the vasa was present in 9.3% of the group. The epididymis was the site of obstruction in 63% of patients but the cause of epididymal obstruction was unknown in 81 of the 141 men.
Changes in the secretion of ABP into testicular interstitial fluid with age and in situations of impaired spermatogenesis
Authors: SHARPE R. M. , BARTLETT J. M. S.
Published: May 2008

Androgen‐binding protein (ABP) was measured in serum and testicular interstitial fluid (IF) from rats during sexual maturation or in adult rats in which impairment of spermatogenesis had been induced by (i) testosterone withdrawal following Leydig cell destruction, (ii) local heating (43°C) of the testes for 30 min or (iii) induction of unilateral cryptorchidism (UCD). The changes observed were related to the IF levels of testosterone and, in most instances, to the serum levels of FSH. The levels of ABP in serum and IF decreased together with age, being highest at 30 days, falling steeply by 40 days and then slowly but progressively up to 100 days of age. A similar pattern was observed for serum FSH, except that the initial fall occurred beyond 40 days of age. Treatment with EDS or exposure to local heating caused comparable reductions in testicular weight (25–30% by 7 days after treatment, 50% by 21–28 days) and raised the serum levels of FSH. In both groups the levels of ABP in IF were increased by two‐ to three‐fold while the levels of testosterone were either reduced markedly (EDS‐treatment) or remained unchanged (local heating). In rats made UCD for 60 days, the weight of the abdominal testis was reduced by 75%, compared with the contralateral scrotal testis, while the IF levels of ABP and testosterone were significantly increased (55%) and decreased (90%), respectively. Short‐term (3 days) deprivation of testosterone in adult rats, following immunoneutralization of LH, was without significant effect on IF levels of ABP. It is concluded that ABP secretion into IF is increased in situations of subnormal (or sub‐adult) numbers of germ cells and this is usually associated with high levels of FSH. Measurement of ABP levels in IF should prove of value for the monitoring of Sertoli cell function in vivo and may be of diagnostic use for the detection of changes in germ cell numbers.
Cooling prevents ischaemic testicular damage after spermatic cord clamping in rats
Authors: KELLY M. J. , WHEATLEY R. , SMITH J. H. F. , THOMAS W. E. G.
Published: May 2008

A controlled trial was conducted on four groups of seven rats to evalute any beneficial effect of cooling to 15°C on testicular ischaemia induced by clamping of the spermatic cord for 2, 4, 6 or 8 h. At operation the microscopic appearance of the testes on unclamping was a poor guide to ultimate viability, whereas by the third day macroscopic and microscopic appearances concurred. When killed on the third day, testicular histology demonstrated that increasing periods of clamping led to gross ischaemia and infarction when testes were maintained at 37°C, and this was reduced greatly by testicular cooling. For each period of clamping, maintenance of spermatogenesis, expressed in terms of Johnsen's histological scores, was significant (P<0.01), being 2 (37°C) vs 5.3 (15°C) for 8‐h clamping. It is proposed that testicular cooling should be used during autotransplantation of testes in humans.
Stimulation of calcitonin secretory capacity by increased serum levels of testosterone in men treated with tamoxifen
Authors: SCHOPMAN W. , SLAGER E. , HACKENG W. H. L. , MULDER H.
Published: May 2008

Previous studies have suggested that sex steroids, including both oestrogen and testosterone, influence calcitonin secretion. However, a negative effect of gonadotrophins on calcitonin has not been excluded. Twelve men with infertility and low‐normal serum levels of testosterone were studied before and during tamoxifen therapy. Increases in the serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and calcitonin were observed after treatment. Our findings suggest that testosterone has a direct influence on calcitonin secretion.
Transport of transferrin‐bound iron into rat Sertoli cells and spermatids
Authors: TOEBOSCH A. M. W. , KROOS M. J. , GROOTEGOED J. A.
Published: May 2008

Transferrin (Tf), a major secretory protein of Sertoli cells, may transport iron to spermatogenic cells. This was assessed by measuring the uptake of Fe from 59Fe‐125I‐labelled rat Tf by Sertoli cells and round spermatids in vitro. Uptake of Fe from labelled Tf by Sertoli cells after a 72‐h pre‐incubation period was linear for 20 h (approximately 18 pmol/106 cells/20 h), whereas the uptake of Fe from labelled Tf by round spermatids after a 16‐h pre‐incubation period reached a plateau by 2 h (approximately 5 pmol/106 cells/2 h). The corresponding net uptake of Tf by both cell types was <0.1 pmol. High speed supernatants prepared from Sertoli cells and spermatids labelled with 59Fe‐125I‐Tf were fractionated by gel permeation chromatography. Separate peaks of protein‐bound 59Fe and 125I‐Tf were observed. Protein bound 59Fe could be precipitated with an antiserum to rat ferritin. It is concluded that iron from exogenous Tf is transported into Sertoli cells and round spermatids in vitro, and is complexed to intracellular ferritin. However, the present results do not exclude the possibility that Sertoli cell Tf may serve purposes other than iron transport.
Developmental pattern of the testicular androgen response to gonadotrophin stimulation in vitro and its modification by chronic hypoprolactinaemia
Authors: KOVAČEVIĆ R. , KRSMANOVIĆ L. , STOJILKOVIĆ S. , SIMONOVIĆ I. , MARIĆ D. , ANDJUS R. K.
Published: May 2008

Developing male rats were treated chronically with bromocriptine (BR, 3 mg/kg b.w. daily) to maintain severe hypoprolactinaemia throughout postnatal development. This treatment induced a precocious increase in Leydig cell numbers per testis and caused substantial, but age‐dependent, modifications of the androgenic responsiveness of incubated hemi‐testis preparations to stimulation with hCG. Most conspicuous were: (i) a decrease in sensitivity of the testis to hCG at the approach of adult age (due presumably to reduced responsiveness of the Leydig cells), and (ii) a precocious increase in the steroidogenic maximum of the testis at peripubertal age. This probably resulted from the precocious increase in Leydig cell numbers, which was able to mask the negative consequences of reduced androgenic capacity per Leydig cell. The precocious increase in number of Leydig cells induced by hypoprolactinaemia could have resulted from facilitation of the proliferative action of the high prepubertal LH levels on Leydig cell numbers. There were no clear‐cut indications for an important effect of BR‐induced changes in LH levels, or of a direct effect of BR on the testis.
Effect of vasectomy on humoral and cell‐mediated immunity in monkeys with experimentally induced atherosclerosis
Authors: BANSAL N. , GANGULY N. K. , MAJUMDAR S. , SUKHIJA N. , CHAKRAVARTI R. N.
Published: May 2008

The development of humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses and circulating immune complexes following vasectomy were studied in rhesus monkeys fed a high cholesterol (atherogenic) diet. Four groups of monkeys were studied: (i) sham‐vasectomized males fed a normal stock diet, (ii) sham‐vasectomized males fed an atherogenic diet, (iii) vasectomized males fed a normal stock diet, and (iv) vasectomized males fed an atherogenic diet. Monkeys were observed for a period of 1.5 years. Sperm agglutinins and immobilizins in serum were detected in 100 and 60%, respectively, of vasectomized monkeys fed stock diet. In contrast, 60% of vasectomized monkeys fed an atherogenic diet showed agglutinins in their sera and only 20% exhibited immobilizins. The sensitization of lymphocytes by seminal plasma antigens was of a lower order in vasectomized monkeys fed an atherogenic diet as compared to those maintained on a stock diet. Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were present in both the groups of vasectomized monkeys but the level was higher in animals fed an atherogenic diet. The aortic atherosclerosis score was increased significantly in vasectomized monkeys fed an atherogenic diet, whereas the coronary atherosclerosis score was increased both in vasectomized males and in animals fed an atherogenic diet.
Intratesticular steroids and gonadotrophin receptor concentrations in the testes of immature unilaterally cryptorchid rats
Authors: BERGH A. , DAMBER J. E. , HUHTANIEMI I.
Published: May 2008

Testicular descent was prevented unilaterally in newborn rats. In this experimental model of cryptorchidism the first morphological changes are noted in the abdominal testis at 16 days of age. Testicular weight was increased in the abdominal testis at 16 days of age, was unaffected at 20 days but was decreased at 30 days of age. The concentrations of LH and FSH receptors, and the hCG‐stimulated progesterone and testosterone secretion in vivo were analysed in scrotal and abdominal testes at different ages. LH‐ and FSH‐receptor content per testis were unaffected by cryptorchidism at 12, 16 and 20 days of age but were depressed markedly at 30 days of age. At 20 days of age (but not earlier) hCG‐stimulated progesterone was reduced while testosterone secretion remained unchanged. It is concluded that the early functional changes in abdominal testes are not related to changes in gonadotrophin receptor content.
Gonadal function in male heroin and methadone addicts
Authors: RAGNI G. , de LAURETIS LUCIANA , BESTETTI ORNELLA , SGHEDONI DONATELLA , ARO V. G AMB
Published: May 2008

Gonadal function was elevated in 80 male heroin and/or methadone addicts by measuring basal plasma levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone. In 41 subjects semen analyses were also undertaken. Three groups were distinguished consisting of 15 heroin addicts, 42 undergoing methadone treatment but continuing to take heroin, and 23 taking only methadone. All patients had normal plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone. Prolactin levels were normal in all subjects except for the 15 heroin addicts, in whom they were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.025). Semen analyses from all of the heroin addicts and from the dual heroin‐methadone users were abnormal, whereas only 10 out of 22 (45%) of the methadone takers were pathological. In all cases asthenospermia was one of the abnormalities (100%). Twenty‐four per cent also showed teratospermia and hypospermia and 17% showed oligozoospermia. Such seminal pathology, especially of forward motility, even in combination with normal hormone levels, might be an early indication of heroin toxicity to the male reproductive tract.
Effect of simulated orchiopexy on spermatogenesis in the dog
Authors: BAUMANS V. , SCHOORL M. , DIJKSTRA G. , WENSING C. J. G.
Published: May 2008

The poor fertility after orchiopexy can be due either to the previously prolonged high abdominal temperature, to surgical trauma or to congenitally malformed or dissociated testis and epididymis. In order to test whether manipulation of the testis and the spermatic cord in juvenile dogs causes damage to the seminiferous epithelium after puberty, orchiopexy was performed stepwise in 31 normal young dogs. In four dogs, in which traction to the proper testis ligament or biopsy was carried out, a significantly lower relative testis weight was found, together with impaired differentiation of the seminiferous epithelium. From these experiments it was clear that surgical procedures in the inguinal and scrotal region do not necessarily affect the development of the seminiferous epithelium in the dog. However, trauma to the vaginal tunic seemed to be crucial, causing damage to the differentiation of the seminiferous epithelium.
Effects of androgens, prolactin and bromocriptine on seminal vesicular enzymes of the pyruvate malate cycle involved in lipogenesis in castrated mature monkeys, Macaca radiata
Authors: ARUNAKARAN J. , BALASUBRAMANIAN K. , SRINIVASAN N. , ARULDHAS M. M. , GOVINDARAJULU P.
Published: May 2008

The interaction of androgens and prolactin, the major factors regulating the male accessory sex organs, on the specific activity of seminal vesicular enzymes of the pyruvate/malate cycle were studied in castrated mature monkeys. Castration decreased the activity of these enzymes, including NADP+ isocitrate dehydroge‐nase, ATP citrate lyase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase. Testosterone propionate (TP)/dihydrotestosterone given as replacement to castrates increased the activity of all these enzymes, except for malate dehydrogenase. Prolactin restored normal activity of ATP citrate lyase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase but not of isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase (MDH). Prolactin had a specific control over MDH. Moroever, when prolactin was combined with androgens a further stimulatory influence was observed on fatty acid synthase activity. In order to prove the direct influence of prolactin on enzymes of the pyruvate/malate cycle, bromocriptine was administered and this inhibited all of the enzymes. Thus prolactin was found to have a direct, as well as a synergistic, action with androgens on enzymes of the pyruvate/malate cycle in the seminal vesicles of monkeys.
Sperm loss in the urine of sexually rested men
Authors: BARRATT C. L. R. , COOKE I. D.
Published: May 2008

In the majority of species, the number of spermatozoa ejaculated is considerably less than the number of sperm produced. Two possible explanations for this discrepancy are the resorption of sperm in the reproductive tract and/or the passage of sperm to the urine. We have examined 24‐h urine samples from fertile men who abstained from sexual activity for up to 13 days. Very few sperm were found in the 24‐h urine samples. We conclude that sperm loss in the urine is not a significant pathway of sperm disposal in the sexually rested male.
Validation of a single‐step procedure for the objective assessment of sperm motility characteristics
Authors: HINTING A. , SCHOONJANS F. , COMHAIRE F.
Published: May 2008

A relatively cheap method is described for the objective assessment of sperm concentration and motility characteristics. The method uses a digitizing tablet with cursor, a micro‐computer and a phase‐contrast or dark‐field microscope equipped with a drawing tube. With this technique the following are accurately assessed: sperm concentration, percentage motility, motility grading, concentration of grade a motile spermatozoa, sperm velocity, linear velocity, linearity and angularity. The data are acquired in less than 5 min. Validation studies reveal this method to be accurate, reproducible (coefficient of variation of motility characteristics = <7%) and clinically useful.
Hormone levels in male ice hockey players during a 26‐hour cup tournament
Authors: TEGELMAN R. , CARLSTRÖM K. , POUSETTE Å.
Published: May 2008

Pituitary, adrenal and testicular hormones and steroid‐binding proteins were analyses in 15 active ice hockey players and in 16 spectators, matched for physical fitness, during a 26‐hcup tournament including three matches. Diurnal variations were noted for all compounds except FSH and SHBG. The levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), 4‐androstene‐3, 17‐dione (A‐4) and prolactin increased in players but not in spectators following the matches played in the afternoons, but not following the match played in the morning. Albumin and DHA sulphate (DHAS) levels increased in players following all three matches and SHBG levels increased slightly in players following the afternoon matches, all probably due to haemoconcentration. DHAS and albumin showed simultaneous diurnal variations with a nadir in the morning. 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP) and total and non‐SHBG‐bound testosterone showed similar diurnal patterns in spectators, with maximum levels in the morning. Levels of 17‐OHP were largely unaffected by physical stress, while the morning maximum for total and non‐SHBG‐bound testosterone was completely abolished in players. Minor or insignificant changes were noted for LH and FSH. While the changes in unconjugated adrenal steroids (cortisol, DHA and A‐4) reflect changes in acute ACTH stimulation, changes in albumin binding may be more important for the short‐term variations in levels of DHAS. The influence of physical stress upon the pattern of testosterone may be mediated mainly by inhibition of testicular steroidogenesis by elevated cortisol and/or prolactin levels, rather than by decreased gonadotrophic stimulation or by alterations in binding to SHBG.
Effects of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analogs on cis‐platinum‐induced spermatogenic damage
Authors: HANDELSMAN D. J. , PENG SUSIE , SIKKA SURESH , SWERDLOFF R. S. , RAJFER J.
Published: May 2008

In order to test the hypothesis that pretreatment with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs might ameliorate cytotoxic drug‐induced testicular damage, mature male Wistar rats were pretreated for 2 weeks with a GnRH superactive agonist or a pure GnRH antagonist prior to, and for 1 week after, a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose of cis‐platinum. Despite inhibition of testicular function by both GnRH analogs prior to cis‐platinum administration, there was no evidence of protection or enhanced recovery of spermatogenesis at 6 and 12 weeks after cis‐platinum treatment, and spermatogenesis was significantly further depressed at both time‐points by both GnRH agonist and antagonist pretreatment. This suggests that pretreatment with GnRH analogs in the rat does not protect spermatogenesis from cis‐platinum‐induced testicular damage within up to two spermatogenic cycles and that hypogonadism at the time of cytotoxic drug treatments may aggravate testicular damage.
Treatment with an LHRH agonist or hCG increases interstitial fluid volume and permeability to Evans blue in the mouse testis
Authors: BERGH A. , DAMBER J. E.
Published: May 2008

Treatment of adult mice with 1 μg of an LHRH‐agonist or with 5 i.u. hCG, subcutaneously, resulted in an increase in the permeability to intravenously injected Evans blue into the testicular interstitial space and in the volume of testicular interstitial fluid. These changes are probably related to an increase in vascular permeability but, in contrast to the situation in rats, this was accompanied neither by an accumulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in testicular blood vessels nor by the formation of large inter‐endothelial cell gaps in postcapillary venules. The mechanisms mediating the gonadotrophin‐induced increase in vascular permeability in the mouse testis thus remain unknown.
A modification of testicular biopsy reporting
Authors: FIDAS‐KAMINI A. , BUSUTTIL A. , HARGREAVE T. B.
Published: May 2008

A modified method has been devised which enables the pathologist to evaluate more efficiently the seminiferous tubules and to present a more detailed histological report on testicular biopsies in patients investigated for infertility. This basically involves the production of a diagrammatic representation of the actual biopsy onto a specifically designed reporting form: a detachable prismatic arm attached to an ordinary light microscope enables the pathologist to transfer an actual outline of each of the seminiferous tubules contained in the biopsy onto this form. The seminiferous epithelium and Leydig cells are scored using the method of Johnsen. This method was evaluated using 20 consecutive biopsies. Skill in its usage was quickly acquired and it has been found to be a more clinically acceptable way of histopathological reporting, further facilitating standardization and inter‐laboratory comparison.
Monoclonal antibody labelling of human spermatozoa: an electron microscope study
Authors: HUNEAU D. , VILLARROYA S. , SCHOLLER R.
Published: May 2008

The antigenic determinants recognized by six anti‐human sperm monoclonal antibodies were localized at the subcellular level using an indirect peroxidase immu‐noelectron microscopic method. Labelling was performed using fresh spermatozoa, and after cell permeabilization (by osmotic shock or freeze‐thawing) or detergent demembranation. Two antibodies bound to distinct regions of the plasma membrane, one over the acrosome and the other on the tail, but both also bound to intracellular sites on damaged cells. The internal organelles labelled by the other four antibodies were identified as the acrosomal membrane of the equatorial segment, structures in the connective piece, mitochondrial membranes and axon‐emal microtubules, respectively. These results are compared with those of a previous immunofluorescence study (Villarroya & Scholler, 1986) and the advantages of joint light and electron microscopy for sperm immunocytochemistry are discussed.
Evaluation of the direct and indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction with latex particles for the diagnosis of immunological infertility
Authors: COMHAIRE F. H. , HINTING A. , VERMEULEN L. , SCHOONJANS F. , GOETHALS I.
Published: May 2008

The direct Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction (MAR test) is a simple method for the detection of auto‐antibodies attached to spermatozoa in fresh semen. The test was improved by using IgG‐coated latex particles (SpermMAR) instead of coated red blood cells. A positive direct MAR test with adherence of latex particles to 40% or more of the motile spermatozoa was found in 16 out of 312 men (5%) consulting for infertility, but never in fertile controls. The percentage of motile spermatozoa reacting with the coated latex particles was correlated significantly with the serum titre of sperm agglutinins assessed by the tray agglutination test. The direct MAR test on semen was highly specific but rather insensitive, particularly if the serum titre of agglutinins was low. The same kit (SpermMAR) can be used to detect circulating sperm antibodies in serum of male or female patients with the indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction. The indirect MAR test discriminated clearly between serum with low (< 1/32) or high (> 1/32) titres of circulating agglutinins assessed by the tray agglutination test. Considering their simplicity and accuracy, both the direct test on semen and the indirect spermMAR test on serum should be included in the routine evaluation of the infertile couple.
A prognostic score for subfertile men based on anamnestic data and semen variables
Authors: ABRAMSSON L. , DUCHEK M.
Published: May 2008

Over a 4‐year period, 259 men were investigated for primary (86%) or secondary (14%) infertility. Some 3–5 years after the initial investigation, 200 of these men were followed up and the conception rate of their partners assessed. Their age at investigation, total testicular volume, sperm density, sperm motility, percentage morphologically normal sperm and the duration of infertility all gave information about the prospects of conception. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed that the age of the men at investigation, sperm density, sperm motility and the duration of infertility all had a strong discriminant bearing on future conception. A score based on these four variables for the estimation of prognosis in ‘subfertile’ men has been devised and would seem to be clinically useful.
Influence of epididymal maturation on cyclic AMP levels in hamster spermatozoa
Authors: WHITE D. R. , AITKEN R. J.
Published: May 2008

Whilst in their native epididymal fluid, sperm from the caput epididymis of the rat and hamster contain significantly (P < 0.01) greater amounts of cAMP than do sperm from the cauda epididymis. The cAMP levels in both cell types from these species underwent a rapid increase concomitant with dilution to a density of 20 × 106/ml. Further analyses in the hamster indicated that this increase was calcium‐dependent, and could be enhanced by treatment with the calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium. Dilution of hamster sperm to a concentration of 1 × 106/ml was not associated with a rapid rise in cAMP levels. This effect was shown to be due to the dilution of a component in epididymal plasma. When incubated at this lower density, the cAMP content of hamster caput sperm remained low over a 3 h period, whilst similarly treated caudal sperm exhibited a progressive rise in cAMP levels. Thus, in contrast to other species, cAMP does not appear to play a pivotal role in acquisition of the capacity for movement during epididymal maturation in the rat and hamster. However, this nucleotide may be involved in the post‐ejaculatory modifications of motility which accompany the terminal stages of capacitation.
Identification and characterization of arginine vasopressin receptors in the clonal murine Leydig‐derived TM3 cell line
Authors: MAGGI M. , MORRIS PATRICIA L. , KASSIS S. , RODBARD D.
Published: May 2008

Specific arginine vasopressin (AVP) binding sites were identified and characterized using Leydig cell membranes prepared from a clonal murine Leydig‐derived cell line, TM3. 3H‐AVP binding data analyses demonstrated that the radioligand binds to a high affinity, low capacity, homogeneous class of sites with a dissociation constant of 0.5 nM. Characterization of these AVP binding sites included competition studies. Displacement of 3H‐AVP binding with high affinity by unlabelled AVP, LVP and the V1 antagonist, d(CH2)sTyr(Me)AVP, indicated that the Leydig cell AVP receptor is of the V1 type. Furthermore, AVP did not increase adenylate cyclase activity in TM3 membranes, a finding consistent with the V1 type of AVP receptor. No competition with 3H‐AVP was found with the V2 agonist, dVDAVP, or the selective oxytocin agonist, [Thr4, Gly7]oxytocin. No specific binding for oxytocin was found in Leydig cell membranes. No specific binding for either 3H‐AVP or 3H‐oxytocin was observed in membranes prepared from the Sertoli cell line or peritubular cell line. These findings indicate that murine Leydig cells have specific AVP binding sites of the V1 type. These AVP sites are not coupled to the adenylate cyclase system.
True hermaphroditism with bilateral ovotestis: a case report
Authors: BERGMANN M. , SCHLEICHER G. , BÖCKER R. , NIESCHLAG E.
Published: May 2008

A true hermaphrodite with a 46 XX/47 XXY karyotype, gynaecomastia, hypospadia and scrotal gonads was investigated. Gonadectomy performed at 14 years of age revealed bilateral ovotestes. The ovarian portion contained follicles of all developmental stages. The testicular portion was immature consisting of seminiferous cords with Sertoli cells at various steps of differentiation and few germ cells within massive aggregates of collagenous connective tissue. Leydig cells as well as germ cells remained in an embryonic stage of development. Sections of a differentiated Wolffian duct (ductuli efferentes, epididymis, vas deferens) as well as of a Müllerian duct (hypoplastic fallopian tube) were found adjacent to both gonads. Postoperative treatment consisted of androgen substitution therapy leading to progression of puberty.