bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orchidectomy alone versus orchidectomy plus radiotherapy in stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer: a randomized study by the Danish Testicular Carcinoma Study Group
Authors: RØRTH M. , MAASE H. VON DER , NIELSEN E. S. , PEDERSEN M. , SCHULTZ H.
Published: May 2008

All Danish patients with stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer diagnosed between December 1980 and January 1984 entered a randomized study comparing irradiation of retroperitoneal lymph nodes with surveillance only after orchidectomy. Twenty‐four of the seventy‐nine patients in the observation‐only group have relapsed, three patients relapsing more than 2 years after orchidectomy. Ten of the seventy‐three patients receiving irradiation have relapsed, all within 10 months after orchidectomy. The median time to relapse in both groups was 4.5 months. Irradiation prevented retroperitoneal relapses. Thirty‐three of the relapsed patients were rendered disease free with chemotherapy, and one is still being treated. Four deaths have occurred, all unrelated to testicular cancer or antineoplastic treatment. Absence of embryonal carcinoma and presence of teratocarcinoma correlated with improved relapse‐free survival. Patients with increased serum concentrations of tumour markers before orchidectomy had an increased risk of relapse. Surveillance‐only is a reasonable treatment strategy in clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer. Preferably control and treatment of relapses should take place in specialized centres.
Limitations to the use of surveillance as an option in the management of stage I seminoma
Authors: OLIVER R. T. D.
Published: May 2008

Improved definition of seminoma using step sections and tumour markers makes such patients a more selected group than when radiotherapy was first introduced. This and the improvements in radiological staging and the exquisite sensitivity of metastatic seminoma to chemotherapy justifies reappraisal of the role of prophylactic radiotherapy. To investigate this, twenty‐six patients have been entered onto a programme of prospective biochemical and radiological surveillance. Though only four (15%) have relapsed, and all easily salvaged by chemotherapy, the relative difficulty and lateness of establishing the diagnosis makes this approach unsuitable for service use. Whether given the chemosensitivity of seminomas, radiotherapy would remain the treatment of choice compared to short courses of adjuvant carboplatin requires testing in a randomized trial.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in clinical stage IIA and IIB nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis
Authors: PIZZOCARO G.
Published: May 2008

From 1980 to 1984 inclusive, ninety‐one consecutive evaluable patients underwent primary retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for clinical stage IIA or IIB nonseminomatous germinal testicular cancer. Nodes were negative in twenty cases (22%), and forty‐seven patients (52%) were treated with chemotherapy either postoperatively (thirty clinically understaged patients) or at relapse (seventeen cases). After a median follow‐up period of nearly 5 years (range 18–78 months) the disease‐free survival was 98%. None of thirty patients with radiographic abnormalities 3 cm in the retroperitoneal nodes had negative histology, and twenty‐two (73%) were treated with chemotherapy. Preoperative serum levels of AFP and hCG were not useful in selecting patients with positive nodes. Primary chemotherapy is now used in patients with radiographic evidence of retroperitoneal metastases 3 cm.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in nonseminomatous testicular tumour stage II
Authors: HARTLAPP J. H. , WEISSBACH L. , BUSSARMAATZ R.
Published: May 2008

Preliminary results of a random prospective trial to investigate the necessary extent of adjuvant chemotherapy are presented. Two hundred and sixty‐three patients entered the study, of whom 210 (forty‐eight stage IIA patients, 162 stage IIB patients) could be evaluated. Two hundred and eight patients are currently free of disease, since three of the five patients with relapses (one stage IIA patient, four stage IIB patients) achieved a complete remission. One IIB patient who had relapsed achieved a partial remission, whereas the final IIB patient who progressed is presently undergoing chemotherapy. One patient died of pneumonia after the first course of VBP. Toxicity consisted mainly of nausea, vomiting and loss of hair, 17% of the patients suffered infection, and 7% experienced sepsis.
Cisplatin nephrotoxicity: insights into mechanism
Authors: SAFIRSTEIN R. , WINSTON J. , MOEL D. , DIKMAN S. , GUTTENPLAN J.
Published: May 2008

Cis‐dichlorodiammine platinum (II), or cisplatin, is currently among the most widely used agents in the chemotherapy of cancer. The chief limit to its greater efficacy is its nephrotoxicity. Acute and chronic nephrotoxicity of cisplatin occurs in man and animals especially after repeated administration. Morphological damage is restricted to the P3 segment of the proximal tubule. Abnormalities of water and solute reclamation and transglomerular passage of fluid are commonly associated with cisplatin nephrotoxicity. The vulnerability of the kidney to cisplatin may be related to its function as the primary excretory organ for platinum. Platinum binds to multiple cellular organelles and macromolecules, yet the precise mechanism of its cytotoxicity has not been delineated. Because abnormalities in renal function are preceded by a period where gross renal function appears normal, it is an ideal model to study the early physiological and biochemical determinants of metal induced acute renal failure.
Evaluation of a commercially available kit for the colorimetric determination of zinc in human seminal plasma
Authors: JOHNSEN Ø. , ELIASSON R.
Published: May 2008

A kit from Wako Pure Chemical Industries for colorimetric determination of zinc has been evaluated for its possible use in the determination of zinc in human seminal plasma. The within‐assay variation for 15 replicates of each of two seminal plasma samples having zinc concentrations (mM) of 0.43±0.025 and 6.06±0.125 (mean ± SD) was 5.7% and 2.1%, respectively. The between‐assay variation after analysis of 15 replicates of a seminal plasma sample (zinc conc. 5.6 mM) on different days was 2.3%. No interference from other metal ions present in seminal plasma was observed. The average % recovery of zinc added to seminal plasma was 102.7±1.77 (mean ± SD). A close correlation (r = 0.996, n = 105) was found between the levels of zinc determined by the colorimetric method and that determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry as reference method. It is concluded that the present colorimetric method, which is fast, sensitive and linear over the entire concentration range of zinc present in human seminal plasma, can be recommended for use in semen analysis laboratories.
Immunoassayable Somatomedin C in seminal plasma of azoospermic men
Authors: BARNI T. , ORLANDO C. , CALDINI A. L. , CASANO R. , NATALI A. , CHELO E. , BONFANTI L. , FORTI G. , SERIO M.
Published: May 2008

Somatomedin C is a Sertoli cell peptide and since measurements of other Sertoli cell products in semen have provided a useful indices of testicular function, it was considered pertinent to measure the semen levels of Somatomedin C. Somatomedin C was measured by RIA in seminal plasma of vasectomized subjects (n = 18), subjects with agenesis of the seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia (n = 6) and subjects with azoospermia resulting from seminiferous tubule damage without obstruction (n = 23). Normal fertile subjects (24 men with a sperm concentration > 20 × 106/ml) were used as controls. In all subjects, seminal levels of transferrin were also measured as an index of Sertoli cell function. The majority of seminal Somatomedin C appears to derive from the testis and/or epididymis. However, in several normal controls seminal levels of Somatomedin C (median = 3.52; range = 1.10–15.67 U/ejaculate) were found to be within the range for vasectomized subjects (median = 0.78; range = 0.46–4.20 U/ejaculate). In subjects with azoospermia the seminal levels of Somatomedin C (median = 2.06; range = 0.60–10.12 U/ejaculate) were significantly lower (P < 0.02) than in fertile controls. However, values for these two groups overlapped. It is concluded that Somatomedin C in semen is not a reliable index of seminiferous tubule function and does not appear to be of diagnostic value in male infertility.
Concentrations of calmodulin in sperm in relation to their motility in fertile euspermic and infertile asthenozoospermic men
Authors: REYES A. , MARTÍNEZ R. , LUNA MARICELA , CHAVARRÍA MARÍA EUGENIA
Published: May 2008

The relationship between calmodulin and sperm motility was assessed in euspermic and asthenozoospermic men using radioimmunoassay and time‐lapse photography, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the% sperm motility, mean sperm velocity, motility index and% of progressively motile sperm in the asthenozoospermic group when compared with euspermic men. The former also exhibited a higher% of sperm with erratic or circular motility. Calmodulin concentration in sperm from the asthenozoospermic men was 4.8 ± 1.4 μg/mg protein compared with 12.6 ±2.3 in euspermic men (P < 0.0005). The differences observed in sperm motility characteristics between the two groups may, thus, be due to the observed differences in the concentration of calmodulin.
TEST‐egg yolk buffer storage increases the capacity of human sperm to penetrate hamster eggs in vitro
Authors: CHAN S. Y. W. , LI S. Q. , WANG C.
Published: May 2008

A total of 85 semen samples from infertility clinic patients were examined to study the effect of storage at 4°C in TES‐Tris (TEST)‐egg yolk buffer for 24 h on the penetrating capacity of sperm in the zona‐free hamster egg penetration assay (HEPA). The mean sperm penetration rate and the fertilization index increased significantly after storage in TEST‐egg yolk buffer. Only five out of the 85 samples (5.9%) failed to show any improvement in sperm penetration rate after cold storage. The sperm penetration rate before cold storage showed no significant correlations with routine semen characteristics, semen ATP concentration or the functional integrity of sperm membranes as measured by the hypo‐osmotic swelling technique. Significant but low correlations were observed between sperm penetration rate after cold storage and the following semen parameters: sperm count,% motility, total number of motile sperm,% normal sperm morphology, total number of normal sperm, semen ATP concentration, and sperm penetration rate before cold storage. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the positive correlation between semen ATP concentration and sperm penetration rate after cold storage was not a direct relationship but was due to the correlation with sperm count. The combination of sperm penetration rate before cold storage, sperm count and% normal sperm morphology accounted for 26.2% of the variation in sperm penetration rate after cold storage by stepwise multiple regression analysis, while sperm penetration rate before cold storage alone explained 13.5% of the variation.

The results indicate that TEST‐egg yolk buffer treatment can enhance sperm penetration rate in vitro and may be useful in the treatment of impaired sperm fertility. Neither routine semen parameters, semen ATP concentration nor the degree of sperm swelling after hypo‐osmotic treatment appeared to be a useful predictor of the sperm penetration rate after storage in TEST‐egg yolk buffer at 4°C.
Effects of repeated injections of human chorionic gonadotrophin on vascular permeability, extracellular fluid volume and the flow of lymph in the testes of rats
Authors: MADDOCKS S. , SOWERBUTTS S. F. , SETCHELL B. P.
Published: May 2008

Testicular lymph flow, interstitial fluid volume and vascular permeability have been measured in adult male rats injected subcutaneously with hCG daily for up to 4 consecutive days. Albumin clearance was also measured in rats given two or three hCG injections at 2‐ or 3‐day intervals, or every 2 days for 22 days. While a single dose of hCG increased vascular permeability and lymph flow within 24 h, subsequent daily injections did not produce any additional response and, in fact, values returned towards control levels. A second hCG dose 2 days after an initial dose did produce another similar increase in the clearance of albumin injected directly into the testis and, with continued injections every second day, a response was still evident after 22 days. The response to the second dose of hCG occurred at a time when down‐regulation of hCG receptors on Leydig cells is reported to be maximal. These results suggest that in the testis, the vascular response to hCG does not require the normal number of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors, although other evidence suggests that Leydig cells must somehow be involved.
Orchidectomy or oestrogen treatment in prostatic cancer: effects on serum levels of adrenal androgens and related steroids
Authors: STEGE R. , ERIKSSON A. , HENRIKSSON P. , CARLSTRÖM K.
Published: May 2008

Peripheral serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and its sulphate (DHAS), 4‐androstene‐3, 17‐dione (A‐4), 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP), cortisol and albumin were measured in patients with prostatic cancer before treatment and after orchidectomy or during combined oral and intramuscular oestrogen treatment. Orchidectomy caused a pronounced decrease in 17‐OHP levels and minor but significant decreases in the levels of A‐4 and DHAS. Dehydroepiandrosterone, cortisol and albumin were unaffected by treatment. Oestrogen treatment caused a pronounced decrease in the serum levels of DHA, DHAS, 17‐OHP and A‐4 and a small but significant decrease in serum albumin. Cortisol levels increased, probably due to elevated transcortin levels. The ratio of DHA to DHAS was unaffected by either orchidectomy or by oestrogen treatment. These results confirm that the testis contributes to circulating DHAS. The mechanism behind the more pronounced decrease in adrenal androgens during oestrogen treatment is not known but, for DHAS, increased metabolic clearance due to the decrease in albumin levels may contribute in this respect. The unchanged values for the ratio of DHA to DHAS indicate that this sex‐specific sulphatase/sulphotransferase balance is insensitive to endocrine manipulations in adult men. The results further invalidate the hypothesis that there is a ‘compensatory’ increase in adrenal androgen output following orchidectomy.
Enhancement of Leydig cell testosterone secretion by isolated seminiferous tubules during co‐perifusion in vitro: comparison with static co‐culture systems
Authors: BARTLETT J. M. S. , WU F. C. W. , SHARPE R. M.
Published: May 2008

The aim of this study was to identify an in‐vitro test system for the reproducible demonstration of a modulatory effect of isolated seminiferous tubules (s‐tubules) on testosterone production by purified rat Leydig cells. Co‐incubation of s‐tubules with various numbers of Leydig cells had no significant effect on basal and hCG‐stimulated testosterone production over 4–24 h incubation. In contrast, addition of s‐tubule conditioned medium (STCM) to Leydig cells enhanced both basal and hCG‐stimulated testosterone production over 5 h, but this effect was variable in magnitude and was not completely reproducible. Co‐perifusion of isolated s‐tubules with Percoll‐purified Leydig cells for 6 h produced significant and consistent increases in Leydig cell testosterone secretion compared with Leydig cells perifused on their own. In six experiments, s‐tubules enhanced Leydig cell testosterone secretion by 26 ± 5% (P<0.001) in the absence of LH stimulation and by 48 ± 11% following pulsatile stimulation with 1 ng/ml ovine LH (oLH). The presence of s‐tubules enhanced (P<0.01–0.001) testosterone secretion by Leydig cells in response to pulses of oLH at doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 ng/ml, but the magnitude of enhancement was greatest with 0.1 and 1 ng/ml doses. These stimulatory effects were not explained by Leydig cell contamination or by testosterone leakage from the isolated s‐tubules. Co‐perifusion of Leydig cells with isolated epididymal tubules as a control tissue had no significant effect on LH‐stimulated Leydig cell testosterone production. Stimulatory effects of s‐tubules on Leydig cell testosterone secretion were observed at a ‘physiological’ ratio of s‐tubules to Leydig cells (200 cm tubules/3 million cells) and was mediated by a humoural agent(s), since perifusion of s‐tubules and Leydig cells in series gave similar results to co‐perifusion of these tissues. This system proved to be robust and, in contrast to static culture systems, gave highly reproducible results, which should allow detailed investigation of the dynamic interactions between s‐tubules and Leydig cells and the hormonal control of these events.
Evidence suggesting that germ cells influence the bidirectional secretion of androgen binding protein by the seminiferous epithelium demonstrated by selective impairment of spermatogenesis with busulphan
Authors: MORRIS I. D. , BARDIN C. W. , MUSTO N. A. , THAU ROSEMARIE B. , GUNSALUS G. L.
Published: May 2008

Androgen binding protein (ABP) was measured in the serum, testes and epididymides of adult rats up to 105 days after the induction of reversible impairment of spermatogenesis by a single injection of busulphan. This treatment decreased testicular and epididymal weights within 7–21 days after treatment, reaching a minimum at 63 days with partial recovery by 105 days. The testicular and epididymal content of sperm was unchanged up to 42 days after busulphan administration, was reduced considerably at 63 days and thereafter increased towards control values. The serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone were normal at all times after treatment, even though serum LH levels were increased at 42 and 63 days. Serum levels of FSH were also increased at 43 and 63 days after treatment. A biphasic pattern in the serum levels of ABP was observed. Concentrations were low up to 43 days post treatment when only the early germ cell types were depleted from the seminiferous epithelium and when the testicular and epididymal contents of ABP were normal. Serum levels of ABP increased as the more mature germ cells were depleted in numbers and the testicular and epididymal contents of ABP declined. It is concluded that bidirectional secretion of ABP into the interstitium (serum) and into the seminiferous tubular lumen by Sertoli cells is influenced considerably by the population of germ cells that are present in the seminiferous epithelium.
Cytochemical and ultracytochemical demonstration of cytochrome c oxidase in spermatozoa and dynamics of its changes accompanying ageing or induced by stress
Authors: HRUDKA F.
Published: May 2008

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) plays a key role in cellular respiration and energetic metabolism. The latter is a prerequisite for osmotic and synthetic function, motility and the maintenance of cell structure. The objective of this study was to develop and assess a facile microscopic technique that would demonstrate CcO activity in‐situ, both at the microscopic and sub‐microscopic levels. The cytochemical technique proposed is based on oxidation of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine (DAB) by the cytochrome c complex (including CcO), in a chain reaction in which the reagent is polymerized and deposited at the reaction sites. The deposit can be identified by its colour under the light microscope and by osmiophilia under the electron microscope. The reaction is restricted to mitochondria at the light microscope level, and to the outer face of the inner mitochondrial membrane at the ultrastructural level. The activity is inhibited promptly by ≥0.5 mM KCN, a specific inhibitor of CcO, and by sodium azide or heat (70°C/5 min). The technique was validated on a number of domestic and laboratory animals, using sperm that were ejaculated or epididymal in origin, cryopreserved or treated. The data obtained displayed activity profiles of individual cells, ejaculates or donors and emphasized differences among species. This technique depicts spontaneous CcO decline during ageing and changes induced by various physical or chemical treatments.
Glutathione, L‐glutamic acid and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase in the bull reproductive tissues
Authors: AGRAWAL Y. P. , VANHA‐PERTTULA T.
Published: May 2008

The distribution of glutathione (GSH), L‐glutamic acid (Glu) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) was studied in bull reproductive organs and fluids. Glutathione, the physiological substrate of γ‐GT, was localized specifically by a fluorescence method in the testis, epididymis and spermatozoa. Of the reproductive tissues, the testis, caput epididymis and ampulla had the highest levels of GSH, but it was also present in seminal fluid. Washed caput epididymal sperm had three times the GSH content of cauda epididymal or ejaculated sperm. In spermatozoa, GSH displayed maximal staining in the midpiece and tail regions. The highest levels of γ‐GT were encountered in the epididymis. The concentration of Glu was also high in the epididymis. Its formation may be due to the hydrolytic activity of γ‐GT, which, in addition, may have an important role in the transfer of Glu residues to reactive groups on the sperm surface.
Androgen binding protein in serum, testis and epididymis following treatment with the Leydig cell cytotoxic agent, ethylene dimethanesulphonate
Authors: MORRIS I. D. , BARDIN C. W. , MUSTO N. A. , THAU ROSEMARIE , GUNSALUS G. L.
Published: May 2008

Androgen binding protein (ABP) was measured in the serum, testes and epididy‐mides of adult male rats after treatment with ethylene dimethanesulphonate (EDS), which has direct cytotoxic effects on Leydig cells and secondarily affects sperm production. Serum ABP increased to a maximum 7 days after treatment and remained elevated for most of the 63 days of observation. The ABP content of both the epididymides and testes declined and were low between 14 days and 21 days following treatment. By contrast, the concentration of ABP in these tissues was maintained after EDS treatment and was sometimes elevated. This divergence between ABP content and concentration was due to atrophy of the testes and epididymides after the decline in androgen secretion. The changes in serum and tissue ABP levels after EDS occurred earlier than those observed in adult hypophy‐sectomized animals, possibly due to local paracrine influences that are lost secondarily to destruction of the Leydig cells. Testicular testosterone did not parallel ABP content as it fell dramatically 2 days after EDS and remained low for about 21 days before returning to near control values after 63 days. Testicular and epididymal sperm heads decreased in number after EDS, but were not clearly associated with the changes in ABP. The results confirm that androgens are important for the production of ABP and for the partitioning of this protein between the blood and the lumen of the reproductive tract.
Development of the blood‐testis barrier and changes in vascular permeability at puberty in rats
Authors: SETCHELL B. P. , PÖLLÄNEN P. , ZUPP J. L.
Published: May 2008

The effectiveness of the blood‐testis barrier to water‐soluble substances was assessed in rats of various ages by measuring the volumes of distribution of Cr‐EDTA and albumin, and estimating the proportion of the testis made up by interstitial tissue and tubular lumen by morphometric techniques on cryostat sections of frozen tissue. The interstitial tissue volume fell from 15 days to reach adult values at about 30 days of age. A lumen was present in some animals at 15 days, and it enlarged progressively to reach adult levels at about 45 days of age. The 1‐h Cr‐EDTA space began to fall after 25 days, and reached adult values by 33 days; in rats aged 25 and 30 days, the Cr‐EDTA space was almost twice the measured interstitial tissue volume, but even in the older rats, the Cr‐EDTA space remained appreciably greater than the interstitial tissue volume. The 20‐h albumin space did not begin to fall until after 33 days, and had still not reached adult values in rats aged 44 days. Thus, the functional barrier to water‐soluble markers develops later and more gradually than the barrier to electron‐opaque markers as used by previous authors, and its appearance correlates more closely with enlargement of the tubular lumen than with formation of the inter‐Sertoli cell junctions. The rate at which the albumin space approached its final value was used to calculate the vascular permeability to albumin. This rose to a maximum between 25 days and 33 days of age, and then fell again, although adult values had still not been reached by 44 days of age.
Spermatogenic onset. II. FSH modulates mitotic activity of germ and Sertoli cells in immature rats
Authors: ALMIRON ISABEL , CHEMES H.
Published: May 2008

By using high doses of testosterone propionate (TP) endogenous FSH was lowered to non‐detectable levels in immature rats of different ages. Combined administration of TP and human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) or purified human FSH (hFSH) restored circulating FSH to normal or supranormal levels. This experimental model was used to investigate the influences of hormones on the proliferation of Sertoli and germ cells. Mitoses in seminiferous tubules were counted after being blocked by administration of colchicine. The mitotic index so determined showed a reduction with FSH withdrawal and a significant increase when the hormone levels were restored. Testicular DNA content was determined in testicular homogenates and showed similar changes. Autoradiographs were prepared and 3H‐thymidine incorporation into germ and Sertoli cells was quantified. It was found that hFSH induced a significant increase in the labelling indices of gonocytes, type A‐spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. All of these changes were effective in rats younger than 10 days but no modifications in any of the parameters under study were observed after 20 days. It is concluded that FSH exerts a stimulatory effect on the proliferation of spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and testicular DNA content during the first 10 days of life.
Detection of microfilaments in rat Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations with NBD‐phallicidin
Authors: SUÁREZ‐QUIAN C. A. , DYM M.
Published: May 2008

The identification of microfilaments contained within Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations (ES) in intact rat testes is reported. In order to determine the presence and configuration of ES during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, frozen sections of testes were prepared and stained with NBD‐phallicidin (NBDP). Results revealed that Sertoli cell ES become most prominent immediately adjacent to acrosomal caps of spermatids, once these begin their elongation phase of maturation. Significant association of ES with spermatogenic cells earlier than round spermatids was not detected with NBDP. Intense staining of the ES con tinued up to the final stages preceding sperm release, and was followed by dissipa tion of the fluorescence. These results indicate that the disappearance of ES, as detected with NBDP, does not correlate precisely with sperm release.
Effects of differentiation state and post‐castration time lapse on the epididymal response of the lizard to testosterone in vitro: changes in specific protein and mRNA levels
Authors: MOREL F. , COURTY Y. , DUFAURE J. P.
Published: May 2008

The epididymis of the viviparous lizard secretes large amounts of proteins among which L‐proteins are prominent components. It undergoes great morphological and physiological modifications during its testosterone‐controlled annual cycle. The effects of testosterone on L‐proteins synthesis and L‐mRNA concentrations were studied in cultures of organs regressed after castration. Of three tested serum supplements (2% Ultroser, 10% fetal calf serum, 10% calf serum) calf serum was shown to be essential for androgen‐specific control of L‐proteins synthesis. The duration of castration governed the in‐vitro response to testosterone principally at the level of L‐proteins synthesis. The onset of synthesis was delayed in 2‐month post‐castration explants, compared with l‐month post‐castration explants, and was dissociated from appearance of the mRNA. This suggests that there is translational control of secretory proteins in the regressed epididymis. Conversely, the response to testosterone at the mRNA level was delayed in explants from animals castrated during a non‐secretory state, compared with explants from animals castrated at the onset of secretion. These results, together with other data, suggest that expression of the L‐proteins is under multifactorial control and that the influence of multiple controlling elements varies with the stage of differentiation.
Selenium, rubidium and zinc in human semen and semen fractions
Authors: BEHNE D. , GEBNER HILDEGARD , WOLTERS GABRIELE , BROTHERTON JANET
Published: May 2008

The levels of selenium, rubidium and zinc were determined in samples of semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa from men with suspected infertility, together with several parameters of semen quality. The proportion of whole semen selenium present in sperm increased with increasing sperm count from 0 to 40%. For rubidium 98 ± 4% and for zinc 95 ± 8% of the total amount in semen was contained in seminal plasma. In seminal plasma a positive correlation was found between the levels of zinc and selenium, and between the levels of zinc and rubidium, indicating that, like zinc, selenium and rubidium in seminal plasma also derive mainly from the prostate gland. Semen quality parameters, such as sperm motility, vitality, speed and morphology, were not correlated with the contents of the three elements in either whole semen or seminal plasma. As the seminal content of selenium is dependent on the proportion of prostatic secretion in seminal plasma and on the sperm count, and both factors can vary considerably, the selenium level of whole semen does not appear to be a suitable parameter for investigation of the relationship between selenium and semen quality. Provisional measurements suggest lower sperm selenium levels at abnormally low or high sperm counts.
Ontogeny and cellular origin of an interleukin‐1 ‐like factor in the reproductive tract of the male rat
Authors: SYED V. , SÖDER O. , ARVER S. , LINDH M. , KHAN S. , RITZÉN E. M.
Published: May 2008

We have recently isolated an interleukin‐1 (IL‐1)‐like factor from the rat testis, which originates from the seminiferous tubules and is a protein with an MW of 17 000 and a PI of 5–6. This paper reports on the appearance of the IL‐1‐like factor during postnatal development and investigates its cellular origin further. IL‐1 activity was measured by a murine thymocyte proliferation assay. Very low IL‐1 activity was present in culture medium conditioned by seminiferous tubules from rats aged 10 or 20 days. From 30 days of age, increasing amounts were detected, reaching a maximum level in adult animals (60–90 days). No IL‐1 activity was found in medium conditioned by peritubular cells. Sertoli cell‐enriched seminiferous tubules obtained from experimentally cryptorchid or from prenatally irradiated rats produced much higher levels of IL‐1 activity than did those obtained from intact testes. IL‐1 activity was detected in efferent duct fluid after ligation of the efferent ducts for 24 h, indicating that the IL‐l‐like factor was secreted into the tubular lumen. Low levels of IL‐1 activity were detected in extracts of epididymal tissue and epididymal sperm, whereas ejaculated seminal plasma, seminal vesicle fluid and extracts of seminal vesicles (together with the coagulating glands) and ventral and dorsolateral prostate lacked IL‐1 activity. Instead, seminal plasma inhibited testicular IL‐1 activity dose‐dependently without affecting cell viability in the thymocyte cultures. Although its biological function remains to be defined, our results indicate that the testicular IL‐l‐like factor is produced by Sertoli cells and that its appearance during development coincides with the initiation of active spermatogenesis in the rat testis.
Absence of feedback inhibition of prolactin secretion by the prostate
Authors: MORRISH D. W. , CROCKFORD P. M.
Published: May 2008

Previous observations in rodents and man have suggested the existence of feedback inhibition of pituitary prolactin secretion by the prostate. Thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) tests performed in males before and after prostatectomy demonstrated no difference in prolactin or thyrotrophin (TSH) secretion. These data do not support the hypothesis of a prostate‐pituitary feedback loop in the control of prolactin secretion. The results also imply that prostatic TRH acts in a paracrine manner.
Comparative study of the kinetics of the acrosome reaction and survival of human spermatozoa in various media
Authors: PILIKIAN S. , MIMOUNI P.
Published: May 2008

The in‐vitro kinetics of the acrosome reaction and the survival of human spermatozoa were studied under different capacitating conditions. Human pre‐ovulatory follicular fluid (FF), isotonic BWW (N‐BWW) and hypertonic BWW (H‐BWW) were tested. Motile sperm selected by migration in these media were examined after 1, 3, 5 and 22 h of incubation under 5% CO2, The kinetics of the reaction in the population of live, morphologically normal sperm was dependent on both the culture medium and time of incubation. In the first hour, the mean percentage of acrosome‐reacted sperm in H‐BWW and FF was significantly greater than in N‐BWW. The proportion of reacted cells increased significantly after 3 h in N‐BWW (P = 0.001), after 5 h in FF (P= 0.03) and after 22 h in H‐BWW (P = 0.01). A significant decrease in sperm viability was registered at 3 and 22 h of incubation (P < 0.002) in all media. These results demonstrate that both H‐BWW and FF stimulate the acrosome reaction while survival is optimal in the latter.
Localization of immunoreactive testibumin in the testis and epididymis of adult rats
Authors: SHAHA CHANDRIMA , CHENG C. YAN , PHILLIPS D. M. , TALWAR G. P. , BARDIN C. W.
Published: May 2008

Testibumin is a glycoprotein previously isolated from the spent media of primary Sertoli cell‐enriched cultures prepared from 20‐day‐old rats. Immunoassayable testibumin is found in the highest concentrations in testis, epididymis and fluids of the male reproductive tract in adult rats. In the present study, light microscopy was used to show that immunostainable testibumin in paraffin sections of rat testis was localized along the base of the seminiferous epithelium and in finger‐like projections from the base of the epithelium, corresponding to the position of the Sertoli cells. The immunostaining of Sertoli cells was shown to be specific since either purified testibumin or crude Sertoli cell‐enriched culture medium could compete with antibody for binding sites in tissue sections. The observations using light microscopy were confirmed when Sertoli cells were examined by electron microscopy using a pre‐embedding immunostaining technique. The epithelium of the epididymis also contained immunoreactive testibumin which was localized in the caput, corpus and cauda. Immunostainable testibumin was also localized in the corpora lutea of the rat ovary and in the epithelium of the uterine endometrium. These observations are consistent with previous reports that immunoreactive testibumin is present in these organs as demonstrated by radio‐immunoassays. We conclude that (i) the immunolocalization of testibumin in Sertoli cells adds to a growing list of observations suggesting that it is made in this cell type: (ii) the other sites of testibumin synthesis in the male are uncertain but the ovary and uterus are possible sites in the female; (iii) electron microscopy following pre‐embedding immunostaining and epitope selection can be used as an adjunct to conventional immunocytochemistry to localize proteins in Sertoli cells.
Differences in osmolality, pH, buffering capacity, superoxide dismutase and maintenance of sperm motility in human ejaculates according to the degree of coagulation
Authors: MANDAL A. , BHATTACHARYYA A. K.
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare various seminal plasma parameters in fresh human ejaculates exhibiting different amounts of coagulum. Poorly coagulating samples demonstrated significantly lower osmolality and buffering capacity but had a higher pH than did samples with good coagulation. However, no correlation was obtained between the activity of superoxide dismutase and the amount of coagulum. Eight hours after ejaculation, sperm motility had decreased by 15 and 80% in samples with good and poor coagulation, respectively. It is suggested that subfertility may be associated with poor coagulation of ejaculates.
Correlates of human sperm motility assessed by laser Doppler spectroscopy
Authors: PURVIS K. , TOLLEFSRUD A. , RUI H.
Published: May 2008

The sperm motility characteristics of 140 men (percentage motile and average velocity of all sperm in motion: percentage progressive and the average velocity of sperm swimming more than 15 μm/sec) were determined using a laser‐Doppler technique and correlated with other aspects of sperm quality, including the concentration and the proportion of abnormal and dead sperm in the ejaculate. In addition, the influence of the length of the period of abstinence, the viscosity of seminal plasma and the volume of the ejaculate were also assessed. The four motility characteristics were all highly correlated with each other. The magnitude of all four parameters increased in an exponential fashion with increasing sperm number up to 400 × 106 per ejaculate. At higher numbers, no further improvement in motility was observed. Moreover, increasing sperm number was associated with a decline in the proportion of sperm exhibiting abnormalities in morphology but with an increase in viable sperm 30 min after ejaculation. The relative viscosity of the ejaculates had generally no influence on sperm motility. In contrast, certain of the sperm motility characteristics, including the average velocity, were significantly negatively correlated with the length of the abstinence period.
Angiotensin converting enzyme in human seminal plasma is synthesized by the testis, epididymis and prostate
Authors: KRASSNIGG F. , NIEDERHAUSER H. , FINK E. , FRICK J. , SCHILL W.‐B.
Published: May 2008

The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was assessed in human body fluids (serum, seminal plasma, prostatic secretions), in tissue extracts of the testis, epididymis, prostate and skeletal muscle, in split ejaculates and in seminal plasma obtained from patients before and after vasectomy. To ensure the specificity of the results the dependence of ACE activity on specific inhibitors was evaluated. Enzyme activity found in tissues of the male genital tract was considerably higher than that in serum and other tissues. ACE in human seminal plasma is synthesized by the testis, epididymis and prostate in different amounts.
Evaluation of the effect of selective germ cell depletion on subsequent spermatogenesis and fertility in the rat
Authors: RATNASOORIYA W. D. , SHARPE R. M.
Published: May 2008

Rats were treated with a single high dose of methoxy acetic acid (MAA; 650 mg/kg) specifically to deplete seminiferous tubules of pachytene and later spermatocytes. The impact of this selective depletion on subsequent spermatogenesis, sperm output and fertility was then evaluated at intervals ranging from 3 days to 10 weeks. Cauda epididymal sperm number was reduced progressively beyond 2 weeks post‐treatment and reached a nadir at 5–6 weeks (28–34% of control values) before recovering progressively back to control levels at 10 weeks. Sperm motility was reduced significantly at 4–7 weeks post‐treatment with a nadir at 6 weeks (35% of control values). Thus, at 5–6 weeks after MAA treatment, motile sperm output was reduced by 82–88%. Despite these changes, there was little evidence for infertility in the majority of treated males during a serial mating trial.

Evaluation of seminiferous tubule morphology combined with germ cell counts at stage VII of the spermatogenic cycle confirmed that, initially, MAA induced the specific loss of pachytene and later spermatocytes at all stages other than early to mid stage VII. Maturation depletion of germ cells at later invervals was consistent with the initial effects of MAA, although at 21 days post‐treatment a number of unpredicted (? secondary) changes in spermatogenesis were observed. These were (a) a reduction in number of pachytene spermatocytes at late stage VII/early stage VIII, (b) retention of sperm at stages IX‐XIV, and (c) increased degeneration of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids at stage VII and of secondary spermatocytes at stages XIV‐I. Whilst none of these changes was severe, together they probably accounted for the unexpectedly prolonged drop in sperm output.

It is concluded that whilst deleterious changes in spermatogenesis may occur secondarily following MAA treatment, for the most part spermatogenesis proceeds normally and fertility is largely maintained despite a massive but transient decrease in sperm output.
Determination of Sertoli cell numbers in the developing rat testis by stereological methods
Authors: WANG Z. X. , WREFORD N. G. M. , KRETSER D. M. DE
Published: May 2008

Stereological studies were performed to determine the number of Sertoli cells present during the postnatal development of the rat testes. Sprague‐Dawley rats aged from 1 to 70 days were used in two experiments, and in each were fixed by vascular perfusion and embedded in Epon‐Araldite, subsequent to which 1 μm sections stained with Toluidine blue were prepared. In the first experiment, rats aged from 1 to 20 days were used in groups of three, and number estimates were made using a direct counting method. In the second, which used groups of four rats aged from 20 to 70 days, a point sampled intercept was used to estimate nuclear volume and thence number. The results of the experiments indicate that the newborn rat testis contains 1.3 ± 0.2 × 106 Sertoli cells and that this number increases to 38.4 ± 2.7 × 106 at day 15. No further increase in Sertoli cell number occurred thereafter up to day 70 of age.
Enhanced conception by stored porcine sperm stimulated with chloroquine
Authors: EGBUNIKE GABRIEL N.
Published: May 2008

The effect of chloroquine stimulation on the motility of porcine sperm stored for 6 h and on the subsequent conception rate was assessed. There was a drastic decline in sperm motility after 6 h storage at 4° and 25°C and a concomitant depression in their conception rate. However, chloroquine stimulation restored these functions towards normal, especially in sperm stored at 25°C. These observations, coupled with the stability of the litter size, regardless of treatment, suggest that chloroquine can be used in an artificial insemination programme involving the utilization of semen several hours after collection and some distance away from the source of the ejaculate.
Immuno‐competent cells in the murine epididymis
Authors: NASHAN D. , MALORNY U. , SORG C. , COOPER T. , NIESCHLAG E.
Published: May 2008

Cryostat sections of epididymides from mice were stained with monoclonal antibodies against immuno‐competent cells. This investigation was undertaken to gain basic data about the distribution of macrophages, T lymphocytes, MHC class II and MIF in the normal murine epididymis to establish the mouse as a model for immunological epididymal research. The most important findings were as follows. (1) Macrophages, T lymphocytes, MHC class II and MIF positive cells were distributed similarly in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis. (2) Macrophages were the most frequent leucocytes and the majority were located in the peritubular layer. (3) The MHC class II determinant was also expressed mostly in the peritubular layer and interstitium. These cells were similar in appearance and location to macrophages. (4) Significantly fewer T lymphocytes were found and their main location was the interstitium. T‐helper and T‐suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes did not differ significantly in their regional or histological distribution patterns. (5) The ratio of T‐helper to T‐suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes was 1:1. (6) MIF was detected almost exclusively in blood vessels and the surrounding connective tissue. (7) No invasion of leucocytes into the epididymal lumen was observed. It is concluded that macrophages seem to be the most important immunological cell type in the murine epididymis.
Treatment of complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia with LHRH‐analogues in aged patients
Authors: BIANCHI S. , GRAVINA G. , PODESTÀ A. , BARLETTA D. , FRANCHI F. , KICOVIC P. , LUISI M.
Published: May 2008

The effect of administration of an LHRH‐analogue (LHRH‐a) was evaluated in 11 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in whom there were contraindications for surgery. These patients, who already had impaired potency due to age or serious illness, were given 1500 μg LHRH‐a in the first week and 1200 μg from the eighth day onwards. They all improved significantly (P < 0.001) with regard to their urological symptoms on day 60 of treatment. Our results demonstrate the influence of androgen in maintaining established BPH, the effectiveness of LHRH‐a therapy in selected patients with BPH and the usefulness of a salivary testosterone assay for the follow‐up of treatments expected to lower the bioavailability of androgen to target tissues.
Antisperm antibodies are more prevalent in men with low sperm motility
Authors: BARRATT C. L. R. , HAVELOCK L. M. , HARRISON P. E. , COOKE I. D.
Published: May 2008

Fifty‐six men with low sperm motility (≤40% of sperm with forward progression) who attended our infertility clinic were tested for antisperm antibodies (IgG and IgA) using the indirect immunobead test. Nineteen (34%) of these men were found to be positive (>10% binding). This was significantly higher (P > 0.01) than the incidence (5%) of antibodies in men who attended our infertility clinic with high sperm motility (>40% of sperm with forward progression). It is concluded that significantly more men with low sperm motility have antisperm antibodies. The functional significance of these antibodies warrants further investigation.
Calmodulin‐like protein in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) seminal plasma and its effect on sperm Ca++, Mg++‐ATPase
Authors: SIDHU K. S. , GURAYA S. S.
Published: May 2008

A calmodulin‐like protein (CLP) has been identified in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) seminal plasma and partially characterized. It was heat stable and had properties similar to those of the calcium‐binding protein, calmodulin. It is present in relatively high concentrations in buffalo seminal plasma. When added to buffalo red‐blood cell plasma membrane (RBC ghosts) it increased Ca++, Mg++‐ATPase activity by 112%. The activation is counteracted by chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine, the anti‐calmodulin drugs. A similar calmodulin‐activated Ca++ pump has been found predominantly in the tail fractions of buffalo spermatozoa. The existence of CLP in buffalo seminal plasma may be responsible for some of the physiological changes observed during capacitation and acrosome reaction. A hypothesis has been proposed involving CLP in regulation of these events.
Effects of male accessory sex glands on sperm transport, fertilization and embryonic loss in golden hamsters
Authors: CHOW P. H. , W. S. O.
Published: May 2008

This study was performed to determine the cause of reduced fertility after selective or complete ablation of the male accessory sex glands (ASG) in the golden hamster. The ASG (ampullary gland, coagulating gland, dorsal prostate, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle) were removed bilaterally. The following results were observed in matings involving such surgically‐treated males. (1) Fertilization rate was not changed. (2) Total removal of all ASG resulted in significantly fewer sperm reaching the oviduct 1.5 h after mating and a higher rate of embryonic death at day 9 of pregnancy in the mated females. (3) Absence of the ampullary gland and ventral prostate led to higher rates of embryonic death by day 9 of pregnancy. (4) Compared with the controls, fewer oviducal sperm were found in post‐ovulatory matings involving males in which the seminal vesicles had been removed. (5) No relationship could be established between the size (weight) of sperm plugs and the number of sperm found in the uterus.