bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

SummaryWe 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

SummaryPrevious 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryTestibumin 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryRats 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

SummaryStereological 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryCryostat 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

SummaryThe 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

SummaryFifty‐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

SummaryA 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

SummaryThis 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.
Developmental pattern of androgen‐regulated proteins in seminal vesicles from the mouse
Authors: NORMAND T. , JEAN‐FAUCHER CHRISTIANE , JEAN C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryProteins from secretions or homogenates of mice seminal vesicles were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In homogenates about 15 bands were differentially induced with molecular weights (MW's) of 12, 13. 14, 15, 15.5, 71, 120 and 140 kD, or repressed molecular weights of 12.5, 14.3, 28, 30, 53, 73, 90–105 kD). The effects of castration were reversed by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone but not by oestradiol, progesterone or corticosterone. When the androgen‐dependence of proteins was investigated using radioactive methionine the protein spectra showed that about 12 bands with molecular weights of 13, 13.7, 14, 15, 15.5, 16, 20.5, 24, 37, 38.5, 56, 68, 96 and 180 kD were differentially induced or repressed by androgens. Of the induced proteins, those with low molecular weight (12–15.5 kD) were accumulated in significant amounts between 20 days and 30 days, coincident with the pubertal increase of androgens in the seminal vesicles. Those induced proteins with high molecular weight (71, 120 and 140 kD) appeared between 40 days and 60 days. The androgen‐repressed proteins were strongly evident in immature males, but disappeared after day 40.
Synthesis of extracellular matrix components by somatic testicular cells from immature and pubertal rats
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ J. P. , MINGUELL J. J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTotal testicular cells derived from immature and pubertal rats were cultured under long‐term conditions. Somatic adherent cells proliferated in culture and produced collagen and proteoglycans. Collagen synthesis accounted for 25% and 5% of total protein synthesized by adherent cells derived from immature, and pubertal rats, respectively. Proteoglycan synthesis was higher in cells from immature than from pubertal rats. The proportion of different types of glycosaminoglycan chains (particularly hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate) also varied according to the age of the donor. The results suggest that the synthesis of extracellular matrix components by somatic testicular cells is an age‐related process which probably plays an active role in spermatogenesis.
Antisperm antibodies and sperm motility: a study using timed exposure photomicrography
Authors: ADEGHE A. J.‐H. , ZHANG J. , CUTHBERT J. , OBHRAI M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThis study examined the effect of antisperm antibodies on sperm motility. Anti‐sperm antibodies present in seminal plasmas with different sperm agglutinating titres were transferred passively to normal donor sperm, and the effects on movement characteristics (velocity of forward progression, amplitude of lateral head displacement, percentage progressive motility and percentage non‐progressive motility) were analysed using timed exposure photomicrography. There was no significant association between sperm movement characteristics and the presence or titre of antisperm antibodies in seminal plasma. Furthermore, no differences were detected between those samples that possessed sperm agglutinating versus sperm immobilizing activity. These findings do not support the common belief that antisperm antibodies are a cause of poor sperm motility in semen.
Does computerized image analysis of sperm movement enhance the predictive value of semen analysis for in‐vitro fertilization results?
Authors: GRUNERT J.‐H. , GEYTER C. DE , BORDT J. , SCHNEIDER H. P. G. , NIESCHLAGM E. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe influence of semen quality on fertilization rates in an in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) programme was studied by analysing both conventional semen parameters and computerized movement characteristics. The study was based on 407 inseminated oocytes which were obtained from 50 patients in 113 laparoscopies. Sperm concentration did not correlate strongly with the fertilization rate. Sperm motility and morphology were the most meaningful parameters in predicting fertilization success. A drop in fertilization rate was found when sperm motility or normal morphology were below 40%. Sperm velocity measured in semen was the only sperm movement parameter which correlated with the fertilization rate, albeit weakly. The latter was reduced when average sperm velocity in semen was < 50 μm/sec. Conventional semen parameters seem to be more predictive of the fertilizing potential of an ejaculate than movement characteristics obtained by computerized image analysis.
Absence of correlation between the levels of ATP and other seminal compounds in semen and the results of human in‐vitro fertilization
Authors: MIEUSSET R. , PARINAUD J. , CHAP H. , PONTONNIER G. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryAs part of an in‐vitro fertilization programme (IVF), semen levels of adenosine triphosphate, fructose, citrate, zinc, free L‐carnitine and glycerophosphocholine were measured in 178 men. None of these substances appeared to have any predictive value with regard to the fertilizing potential of the semen during IVF.