bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Testicular Function by the Radioimmunoassay of Testosterone in Saliva
Authors: Walker R. F. , Wilson D. W. , Read G. F. , Riad‐Fahmy D. 
Published: May 2008

A sensitive RIA (500 fg/tube) has been developed for assay of testosterone in male saliva and extensively validated. In normal male saliva samples, morning concentrations (368 ± 167 pmol/l) were significantly higher than evening samples (212 ± 132 pmol/l). The circadian rhythm was confirmed by COSINOR analysis. Levels of testosterone in saliva, in response to HCG stimulation, accurately reflected the increase observed in matched plasma samples. Synacthen administration, although increasing circulating cortisol levels, caused no significant change in plasma and salivary testosterone concentrations. Prostatic cancer patients on diethylstilboestrol therapy had low salivary (47–122 pmol/l) and plasma (1.0–2.8 nmol/l) testosterone concentrations.Correct assessment of testicular function following stimulation and treatment regimens requires multiple sampling. Since saliva samples are easily collected by non‐invasive techniques they represent an attractive alternative to plasma for evaluation of androgenicity.
Characteristics of Anti‐Spermatozoal Antibodies Responsible for the Shaking Phenomenon with Special Regard to Immunoglobulin Class and Antigen‐Reactive Sites
Authors: Kremer J. , Jager S. 
Published: May 2008

The interaction between spermatozoa and cervical mucus in the presence of antispermatozoal antibodies was studied in the SCMC‐test and in the Miller‐Kurzrok test.A high correlation was found between: 1. The “shaking phenomenon” in the SCMC‐test; 2. sperm penetration into cervical mucus; 3. the sperm agglutination titre in seminal plasma and in cervical mucus.The authors performed investigations which indicate that antispermatozoal IgA in semen and in cervical mucus is probably responsible for the “shaking phenomenon” in the SCMC‐test and for the reduced penetration of spermatozoa into cervical mucus. Experiments with the Miller‐Kurzrok test make it probable that antispermatozoal antibodies in semen, which are responsible for the “shaking phenomenon”, are directed against the surface antigens of the sperm tails. Antispermatozoal antibodies in cervical mucus, which are responsible for the “shaking phenomenon”, are probably directed against the surface antigens of the sperm acrosome.
A Quantitative Structural Model of the Testis of Fertile Males with Normal Sperm Counts
Authors: van Dop P. A. , Scholtmeijer R. J. , Kurver P. H. J. , Baak J. P. A. , Oort J. , Stolte L. A. M. 
Published: May 2008

The morphology of testicular biopsies of 8 healthy fertile men with proven normal sperm counts was studied using stereological techniques. Quantitative estimations were made of different cellular compartments in the testicular biopsies. The experimental errors of observation, homogeneity of the section, accuracy of the measurements and errors caused during the preparation of the sections were studied. A stereological model of the human testis comprising all compartments was designed. The present observations on the stereological parameters were compared with the results in literature; generally a good agreement was found.This stereological model enabled the authors to establish the quantitative correlations that exist between the separate compartments of the human testis. The tubular length density was positively correlated with the tubular surface density. The tubular surface density showed a negative correlation with the volume density of the germinal cell nuclei. The tubular volume density showed a negative correlation with the volume density of the Leydig cells. The intra‐tubular volume density correlated negatively with the volume density of the Leydig cells and with the volume density of the remaining extra‐tubular tissue. The intra‐tubular tissue density correlated negatively with the volume density of the intra‐tubular space.
Serum Prolactin and Radiological Skull Examinations in Infertile Men with Azoospermia or Severe Oligozoospermia
Authors: Åbyholm Thomas , Molne Kåre 
Published: May 2008

Measurements of serum prolactin, FSH, LH, testosterone, and oestradiol and radiological examinations of the skull were carried out in 142 infertile men with sperm counts below 10 millions/ml. The prolactin levels were compared to those observed in 27 fertile men.Six of the infertile men showed high levels of prolactin. Two of these men had earlier been hypophysectomized, and the sella turcica was found to be abnormal on the roentgenograms. In the remaining four men the sella turcica was normal, and serum gonadotrophins, testosterone and oestradiol were within normal range except for one man who displayed a very high FSH. The testis biopsies from these four men showed severe hypoplasia, signalling that treatment of the infertility with bromocriptine may be of limited value.
Acid Phosphatases of the Human Testis Separation and Enzyme Characteristics
Authors: Guha Kallol , Vanha‐Perttula Tapani 
Published: May 2008

Acid phosphatase activities of human testicular tissue were studied after gel filtration on Sepharose 6B and rechromatography on DE‐52 cellulose. Four enzyme activity peaks were detected by using p‐nitrophenyl phosphate, α‐naphthyl phosphate and thymolphthalein phosphate as substrates. Pooled fractions representing each peak were used to analyse the pH‐optima, thermal inactivation and modifier characteristics.Enzyme I was eluted with the first protein peak obtained in gel filtration. Its optimum was at pH 4 and it was the most resistant among the four enzymes to thermal treatment. Enzyme I showed a moderate inhibition with tartrate and fluoride. The three substrates tested were readily hydrolysed by this activity.Enzyme II was co‐eluted with Enzyme IV in the second peak of gel filtration. After cellulose chromatography of this peak Enzyme II was eluted first from the column. Its optimum activity was at pH 3.5. About 80% of its activity was lost by a 15‐min incubation at 60°C. The enzyme was the most sensitive to both tartrate and fluoride. All three substrates were also hydrolysed by this enzyme.Enzyme III was eluted in the third peak of gel filtration. Its optimal activity was at pH 5. It was the most thermolabile among the enzymes. Another unique feature of this enzyme was also the high sensitivity to cadmium, copper and high concentration of zinc and resistance to both tartrate and fluoride, α‐naphthyl phosphate and thymolphthalein phosphate were not hydrolysed by this enzyme.Enzyme IV was co‐eluted with Enzyme II in the second peak of gel filtration but could be separated from the latter in DE‐52 cellulose chromatography. Its optimum was at pH 5.5. It was resistant to low concentrations
Tissue Specificity of the Epididymal Androgen Dependent Phospholipase A
Authors: Beck Bente 
Published: May 2008

The effect of androgens on phospholipase A in the rat epididymis, liver, heart, kidney, prostate and epididymal fat pad has been investigated both in the cytosol and in a postmitochondrial partiulate cell fraction.In both cell fractions, phospholipase A activity was 10–15 times higher in the cauda epididymidis than in the other organs, including the caput epididymidis, while the corpus showed an intermediate activity. In the cauda and corpus, castration reduced phospholipase A activity in both subcellular fractions to the same level as found in the other organs, and testosterone supplementation restored the enzyme activity. No evidence of a similar androgen controlled phospholipase A was found in any other tissue examined, including the prostate.
FSH and LH/hCG Responsive Adenylyl Cyclases in Adult Rat Testes: Methodology and Assay Conditions
Authors: Jahnsen Tore , Purvis Ken , Birnbaumer Lutz , Hansson Vidar 
Published: May 2008

The activities of the membrane bound testicular adenylyl cyclases (AC) and their responsiveness to LH/hCG and FSH were examined in membrane particles from adult rat testes. The assay requires the use of an ATP regenerating system consisting of creatine kinase, creatine phosphate, and myokinase for the maintenance of ATP levels. LH/hCG and FSH responsive AC in the rat testes showed the following properties:1. GTP and GMP‐P(NH)P showed a concentration‐dependent stimulation of AC activity with an apparent Km of 2 times 10‐6M.2. The relative response to hCG and FSH was not influenced by ATP concentration if the free magnesium (Mg2+) concentration was kept constant. The AC activitity increased with increasing concentration of ATP (with an apparent Km of approximately 1.0 mM) using Mg2+ of 0.4 mM in excess of ATP and EDTA.3. At low ATP (0.15 mM) Mg2+ caused a concentration‐dependent increase in both basal and hormone stimulated activities. At high ATP (1.65 mM) Mg2+ caused a concentration‐dependent increase in basal AC activity, but a gradual decrease in hCG and FSH stimulated AC activities at Mg2+ concentrations higher than 5 mM.4. Decreasing Mg2+ was associated with increasing relative responses to hCG and FSH. Optimal relative stimulation by FSH and hCG was obtained when Mg2+ was 0.4‐1.0 mM in excess of the added Mg2+ binding ingredients (ATP and EDTA). Maximal relative stimulation by fluoride was achieved at much higher Mg2+ (5mM).5. Increasing pH from 7.0 to 8.2 was associated with increasing basal activity. Optimal hormonal effects (relative response) were achieved using an incubation medium of pH of 7.00–7.40.6. Time curves with GTP and GMP‐P(NH)P with or without hormones showed linearity up to 20 min.7. Hormonal activation by gonadotropins (hCG and FSM) was seen using both membrane particles and homogenates, and in the presence of either GTP or GMP‐P(NH)P.8. Relative responses to hCG and FSH were slightly better in membrane particles than in homogenates, and GMP‐P(NH)P reinforced the FSH response better than GTY. Similar relative stimulation by hCG was obtained using both nucleotides.9. Complete maintenance of AC activity as well as hormonal responses were seen after freezing at ‐70°C for two weeks.10. LH/hCG responsive AC activity was associated with Leydig cells, whereas FSH responsive AC was entirely localized in the seminiferous tubules. The finding of an FSH responsive AC in seminiferous tubules of adult rats does not support the notion that “uncoupling” of the FSH receptors from the AC is a primary reason for the loss of FSH response occurring during sexual maturation.The finding of an FSH responsive AC in seminiferous tubules of adult rats does not support the notion that “uncoupling” of the FSH receptors from the AC is a primary reason for the loss of FSH response occurring during sexual maturation.
A Multi‐channel System for the Measurement of Spermatozoan Collective Motility
Authors: Mayevsky Avraham , Bar‐Sagie Dafna , Bartoov Benjamin 
Published: May 2008

A new multi‐channel optical system for objective evaluation of sperm motility is described. The principle of the technique is based on the measurement of changes in the intensity of light scattered from semen samples thermoregulated at 38°C. These changes were recorded continuously as analog waves (Reflectospermiogram ‐ RSG).Changes in the intensity of sperm motility as a function of time from ejaculation were simultaneously measured in 8 equal semen samples from single ejaculate. By analyzing the variations in results, the sensitivity of the technique was defined. In order to demonstrate the use of the technique, the effect of various concentrations of ethanol on sperm motility has been described. The exposure of sperm cells to 366 nm light used in the system did not alter their ultrastructure, as was observed by electron microscopy. This objective, relatively easy to perform and highly informative technique can be of great value in research studies.
Endocrinological Studies in Patients with Metastatic Malignant Testicular Germ Cell Tumours
Authors: Fosså Sophie Dorothea , Klepp Olbjørn , Barth Elin , Aakvaag Asbjorn , Kaalhus Olav 
Published: May 2008

In this study, various serum hormone levels were determined in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumours. Raised LH levels, due to a cross reaction with hCG in the radioimmunoassay, were observed in 20 out of 29 patients with active disease and were mainly caused by gonadotrophin production in the tumour tissue. Increased LH levels were frequently observed in the patients with non‐seminomatous tumours, but were also found in 4 (out of 6) patients with metastatic seminoma. One should, however, preferably use a specific hCG radioimmunoassay in order to measure tumour hCG as a tumour marker with a high diagnostic accuracy. In patients with active disease despite ongoing combination chemotherapy which included LH suppressing medication, serum testosterone remained above 6 nmol/l in 11 out of 16 patients. These patients remained sexually potent, while testosterone values below 6 nmol/l usually were combined with sexual impotence in patients during combination chemotherapy.These data strongly suggest that the tumour hCG has a biological activity, stimulating the remaining testis to increased testosterone secretion in these patients. The serum E2‐17β levels were slightly to moderately increased in half of the patients with metastatic disease. Markedly increased serum E2‐17β levels (> 0.30 nmol/l) and very high prolactin values (> 32 μg/l) were observed only in patients with high LH levels (> 9.5 μg/l) and a large tumour burden. These observations indicate that E2‐17β and prolactin determinations are of minor value for early detection of tumour manifestations. Serum FSH cannot serve as a tumour marker in patients with testicular germ cell tumours.
Testicular Function in Varicocele
Authors: Pasqualini T. , Chemes H. , Coco R. , Domené H. , Campo S. , Nicolau G. , Lavieri J. , Rivarola M. A. 
Published: May 2008

Testicular testosterone concentration, serum testosterone, LH and FSH, sperm count and testicular histology were evaluated in 17 patients with varicocele. Testicular testosterone was either normal or high (mean 906 ± 723 ng/g of tissue), and serum testosterone was within the normal range in most patients. Serum LH was elevated in half of the patients. The degree of testicular damage observed was extremely variable and correlated with sperm analysis. Testicular testosterone tended to be higher in patients with severe microscopic lesions of the testis.It is concluded that even though Leydig cell function is partially altered, this deficiency is compensated by LH stimulation and therefore, failure of spermatogenesis is not secondary to low testosterone levels.,
Clinical aspects of testicular carcinoma‐in‐situ
Authors: Skakkebæk Niels E. , Berthelsen Jørgen G. , Visfeldt Jakob. 
Published: May 2008

Carcinoma‐in‐situ germ cells were demonstrated in testicular biopsies from 9 of 826 patients (1.1%) from a selected group of Danish infertile men. A similar observation was noted in testicular biopsies from 9 Swiss patients (representing 0.55% of the total number of infertile patients biopsied in that study). Such changes were also seen in 8 testicular biopsies from the contralateral testis of 180 patients (4.4%) with carcinoma of the teitis. Moreover, carcinoma‐in‐situ has beer, found in maldecended testes and in gonads of patients with the testicular feminization syndrome although the incidence of carcinoma‐in‐situ in these two latter groups is unknown.The malignant potential of carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis in infertile men has been clearly demonstrated, whereas its clinical significance in other groups of patients remains to be determined.
Distribution of carcinoma‐in‐situ in testes from infertile men
Authors: Berthelsen Jørgen G. , Skakkebæk Niels E. 
Published: May 2008

Quantitative histologial studies on 4 testes removed because of carcinoma‐in‐situ (CIS) were performed in order to determine the distribution of CIS within the testis and to estimate the likelihood of diagnosing testicular CIS by biopsy. The CIS changes were distributed in all parts of the testes but were less frequent in the parts adjacent to the epididymis. In the 4 testes examined 1.4 to 599 of the entire testicular volume contained seminiferous tubules with CIS. In parts of the testes where more than approximately 10% of the testicular volume consisted of tubules with CIS all simulated biopsies measuring 3 mm contained the lesion. The same was true for simulated biopsies measuring 1.5 mm when more then approximately 30% of the testicular volume consisted of tubules with CIS.If the distribution of CIS generally is similar to that found in the 4 analysed testes there seems to be a high probability of detecting the disease by one or two testicular biopsies.
Ultrasound in the detection of testicular tumours
Authors: Grønvall Sven. , Brünner Nils. , Jacobsen Crete Krag , Holm Hans Henrik 
Published: May 2008

Ultrasonic scanning provides high resolution sectional images of the scrotal content.The value of ultrasound in the detection of testicular tumours is discussed based on the ultrasonic findings in the normal testis as well as the findings in two patients with malignant testicular tumours.
Blood and tissue steroid levels and their interrelationship in men with pathological conditions of the reproductive organs
Authors: de la Torre B. , Hedman M. , Norén S. , Sjöberg B. 
Published: May 2008

We have investigated the interrelationship of the levels of 10 steroids in peripheral venous, spermatic arterial and spermatic venous blood, and in tissue specimens from the epididymis, vas deferens and testis from 8 patients who underwent orchidectomy for pathological conditions of the reproductive organs. The steroids analyzed by radioimmunoassay were: pregnenolone (5‐P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OH‐P), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the sulpho‐conjugated forms (‐S) of 5‐P, DHEA, T and DHT. The quantitatively major steroids in peripheral venous blood were, in order of magnitude, DHEA‐S, 5‐P‐S, DHT‐S, T‐S and T. No difference was observed between the levels of any of the steroids measured in peripheral venous and spermatic arterial blood. With the exception of DHEA‐S and DHT‐S, the levels of all steroids in spermatic venous blood were substantially higher than in peripheral venous blood (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between steroid levels in spermatic venous and peripheral venous blood.Steroid concentrations in tissue from the epididymis, vas deferens and testis were markedly higher than in peripheral venous blood (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), except for the levels of DHEA‐S which were about equal in the various blood and tissue specimens. Tissue to blood ratios varied from approximately 2.0 to 500 according to the steroid in question. The peripheral blood levels of 5‐P‐S, DHEA‐S and DHT‐S were substantially higher than respective unconjugated steroid levels (P < 0.001); the ratios (sulphoconjugated to unconjugated) were approximately 17, 215 and 30, respectively. In contrast the respective ratios in the tissue specimens vaned from 0.3 to 5.0.These data indicate differences in the extent of tissue steroid accumulation and/or hnding. Furthermore, the varying relationship in different tissues between sulpho‐conjugated and unconjugated steroids suggests the existence of organ specific regulatory mechanisms for steroids in the human. The possibility that the various steroids, particularly the sulpho‐conjugated steroids studied, have specific tissue functions is discussed. It is suggested that the measurement of sulpho‐conjugated steroids may be useful for evaluation of certain disorders of the connective tissues.
Hyperthermia and human spermatogenesis: enhancement of the inhibitory effect obtained by ‘artificial cryptorchidism’
Authors: MIEUSSET R. , BUJAN L. , MANSAT ARLETTE , PONTONNIER F. , GRANDJEAN HÉLÈNE 
Published: May 2008

SummaryDecreased sperm count and motility were observed in men after induction of local testicular hyperthermia by raising the testicles into the inguinal canal during the day in adult volunteers. A similar technique in which the testicles were better maintained in the inguinal canal resulted in more marked suppression of spermatogenesis. As assessed by the total motile sperm count, the mean inhibitory effect of hyperthermia was at least 97% after 2 months using this technique. This effect of ‘artificial cryptorchidism’ may be of practical interest in the manipulation of male fertility.
Reassessment of the accuracy of traditional sperm characteristics and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in estimating the fertilizing potential of human semen in vivo
Authors: COMHAIRE F. H. , VERMEULEN L. , SCHOONJANS F. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryReceiver operating characteristic curves and accuracy parameters were computed for traditional sperm characteristics (concentration, motility, morphology) and the number of peroxidase negative cells, and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in semen from populations of fertile and infertile men, and men who achieved a pregnancy after varicocele treatment. The percentage and concentration per millilitre of spermatozoa with rapid linear progressive motility, and the ATP concentration, provided the best discrimination between fertile and treated fertile from infertile men. The misclassification rate was higher for sperm morphology, total progressive motility and viability, whereas sperm concentration and the total sperm count per ejaculate had the worst discrimating power. The number of peroxidase negative cells per 100 spermatozoa was highly specific in identifying men who achieved pregnancy after varicocele treatment. The lower limit of normality of sperm characteristics was remarkably different between fertile men and men achieving pregnancy after treatment or during infertility work‐up.
Decreased semen quality in a male infected with malaria
Authors: SINGER R. , SEGENREICH E. , SAGIV M. , SHOHAT B. , LIVNI E. , BARTOOV B. , ZUKERMAN Z. , LEIBA S. , SERVADIO C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryA 33‐year‐old male of proven fertility suffered six attacks of malaria while resident in an African country. For this he received anti‐malarial drugs. Semen analysis performed after the fourth attack, and repeated during the following 2 years after his return to Israel, revealed severe oligozoospermia. necrozoospermia and occasionally even azoospermia. Immunological examination of the patient revealed an inverse ratio of T‐cell subsets and mast cell degranulation in response to palludrin. Twenty‐five months after the last attack of malaria a significant improvement was found in semen quality and there was an increase in the ratio of T‐helper to T‐suppressor cytotoxic cells. These observations indicate that although malaria and its treatment may affect spermatogenesis, recovery may be expected eventually.
Monoclonal antibody against human sperm acrosome inhibits sperm penetration of zona‐free hamster eggs
Authors: SALONEN I. , KALLAJOKI M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryHuman spermatozoa were exposed to a monoclonal antibody (C11H), which recognizes sperm acrosin. The antibody was presented to the sperm during capacitation and/or insemination, and its effect on penetration was tested using zona‐free hamster eggs. An inhibitory effect on penetration was observed when the antibody was present during insemination but not when it was included only in the capacitation medium. As judged by immunofluorescence microscopy, most of the sperm bound to the egg surface were devoid of acrosomal staining. Some of the bound sperm were stained at their equatorial segments. Sperm that had penetrated the ooplasm did not exhibit immunofluorescence.