bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and its relationship to sperm motility: effects of infection in the male reproductive tract
Authors: GONZALES G. F. , GARCIA‐HJARLES M. A. , GUTIERREZ R. , GUERRA‐GARCIA R. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn 146 males aged between 20 years and 40 years attending an infertility service, the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles was assessed by measurement of corrected seminal fructose concentration. This value was related to the presence of a positive semen culture, other evidence of inflammatory processes in the reproductive tract and sperm motility. Only 48% of subjects with a positive semen culture showed evidence of inflammation in the reproductive tract, as assessed by the presence of more than 20 white blood cells per high power field, and > 10% spermagglutination in the ejaculate.There was a relationship between the inflammatory process, hypofunction of the seminal vesicles and poor sperm motility. When the semen culture was positive but there was no evidence of inflammation neither seminal vesicle function nor sperm motility was affected. When the semen culture was negative, i.e. no evidence of inflammation and the subjects were asthenozoospermic, the corrected fructose levels were normal. It is proposed that in these conditions the cause of asthenozoospermia may be factors other than accessory sex organ dysfunction.In conclusion, there was no close relationship between the bacteriological results and evidence of inflammation of the accessory glands. A positive semen culture was related to lower levels of corrected fructose (hypofunction of the seminal vesicles) when the positive sperm culture was associated with inflammation of the reproductive tract and asthenozoospermia.
γ‐Glutamyl transpeptidase in rat epididymis: effects of castration, hemicastration and efferent duct ligation
Authors: AGRAWAL Y. P. , VANHA‐PERTTULA T. 
Published: May 2008

Summaryγ‐Glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) was studied histochemically and biochemically in the rat epididymis after castration with or without testosterone treatment, or after hemicastration and ligation of the efferent ducts. There was a strong reaction to γ‐GT in the apical part of the epithelium in the caput epididymis, while in the corpus and cauda the reaction was confined mainly to the luminal contents. Castration caused a marked decline in epithelial γ‐GT activity within 10 days. Subsequent testosterone treatment (1 mg/day for 10 days) restored γ‐GT activity in the apical surface and lumen. After hemicastration of adult rats, and after hemicastration or ligation of the efferent ducts in immature 28‐day‐old rats, a small but significant (P<0.001) decrease was observed in γ‐GT activity in the epididymal caput compared to controls. The quantities of six other enzymes (β‐N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase, β‐galactosidase, angiotensin‐converting enzyme, alanyl amino‐peptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, acid phosphatase) also displayed significant changes after castration and restoration of activities by testosterone treatment. However, their distribution in the caput and cauda epididymis was more even than that of γ‐GT, and the changes after castration were less drastic. It is concluded that γ‐GT is a highly sensitive androgen‐dependent secretory marker in the caput epididymis and may have an important function in sperm maturation.
Fluid‐phase transcytosis in the primate epididymis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: YEUNG C. H. , COOPER T. G. , WEINBAUER G. F. , BERGMANN M. , KLEINHANS G. , SCHULZE H. , NIESCHLAG E. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryLigated tubules from the corpus epididymidis of men and monkeys were incubated in medium containing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a marker for fluid‐phase endocytosis. HRP was localized by light and electron microscopy after 0, 15, 30 and 60 min of incubation. Movement between the cells was prevented by tight junctions, but bypass of this barrier was apparently achieved by an intracellular vesicular mechanism leading to a time‐dependent appearance of HRP in the lumen. Uptake of HRP into basal cells and capture by the lysosomal apparatus of principal cells were also observed. HRP‐filled vesicles also appeared in the basal, mid and apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the caput 1 h after injection of the tracer into the epididymal circulation of the monkey, suggesting that this pathway also operates in vivo.
Hormonal regulation of a rat seminiferous tubule factor which inhibits LH action on interstitial cells
Authors: SYED V. , LINDH M. , KHAN S. A. , RITZÉN E. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe cytosol from rat testes or seminiferous tubules contains a factor that markedly reduces the responsiveness of interstitial cells to stimulation by LH. It was noted previously that the inhibitor cannot be found until 35 days of age, suggesting that gonadotrophic stimulation of the testes is of importance for its formation. In the present studies, treatment of intact 20‐day‐old rats with FSH or with a combination of FSH and LH caused a premature appearance of the inhibitory activity. LH alone had a weak effect. However, hypophysectomy at 20 or 35 days of age did not influence the inhibitor content of the testes. Moreover, when the Leydig cells of adult rats were destroyed selectively by treatment with ethylene dimethane sulphonate, inhibitor levels were unchanged. It is suggested that induction of the Leydig cell inhibitor is under the control of FSH. However, once induced, its regulation seems to be independent of the pituitary gland. In separate experiments, ligation of the efferent ducts of the testes in adult animals did not cause any accumulation of inhibitory activity in the ligated testes, nor could the inhibitor be traced in the caput epididymis. Thus, it does not seem to be secreted into the epididymis, but rather may act as a paracrine factor in the testis.
Glutathione‐dependent defence mechanisms in isolated round spermatids from the rat
Authors: DEN BOER P. J. , POOT M. , VERKERK A. , JANSEN R. , MACKENBACH P. , GROOTEGOED J. A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe different mechanisms for glutathione‐dependent inactivation of a number of oxidizing compounds and other xenobiotics were studied using isolated round spermatids from rats. For the estimation of cellular GSH a flow cytometric assay was used. The cells were exposed to the oxidizing compounds cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, to study the activity of the GSH redox cycle. Incubation of the isolated cells with these compounds showed that the cells had a limited capacity to withstand the oxidative stress associated with their inactivation. The GSH level of the spermatids was maintained during 18 h of incubation in the presence of low concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, whereas spermatids exposed to higher concentrations showed a loss of both GSH and ATP. No partial loss of GSH from individual cells was observed. Diethyl maleate and 1,2‐epoxy‐p‐(nitrophenoxy)propane (ENPP) were used to study the effect of glutathione S‐transferase‐catalysed GSH conjugation on the GSH content of spermatids. Exposure of the cells to low concentrations of diethyl maleate and ENPP resulted in a decrease in GSH content. The flow cytometric analysis showed that this was a partial loss of GSH from all cells, rather than GSH depletion in a part of the cell population. This diminution of the cellular GSH pool, however, did not affect the ATP content and viability of the cells. The present results indicate that spermatids can utilize GSH‐dependent defence mechanisms against a number of model compounds.
Antisperm antibodies and lymphocyte subsets in semen—not a simple relationship
Authors: BARRATT C. L. R. , HARRISON P. E. , ROBINSON A. , COOKE I. D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe significance of white blood cells in the ejaculate remains a matter of controversy. Several authors have suggested that such cells are important in the modulation of an antisperm antibody response, i.e. a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic to helper/inducer T cells may prevent the development of antisperm antibodies. In order to examine this relationship further we have documented the white blood cell types, with emphasis on the T‐lymphocyte populations, in the ejaculates of men from infertile couples with and without antisperm antibodies; the latter group was divided further into two groups—vasovasostomized men and idiopathic men. All seven of the men without antisperm antibodies had a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells to helper/inducer T cells in the ejaculate. However, only in some of the men with antibodies was there a predominance of T‐helper/inducer cells. It is clear that the relationship between antisperm antibodies and seminal leucocytes is therefore not as straightforward as has been proposed.
Value of sperm characteristics and the result of in‐vitro fertilization for predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction
Authors: HINTING A. , COMHAIRE F. , VERMEULEN L. , DHONT M. , VERMEULEN A. , VANDEKERCKHOVE D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe outcome of procedures for assisted reproduction, namely in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) were used as end‐points to assess the capacity of particular sperm characteristics to predict the fertilizing potential of semen. In addition, the result of IVF performed with spare oocytes from the GIFT procedure, was used to predict the pregnancy outcome of GIFT.The power of sperm characteristics to predict the outcome of assisted reproduction procedures was poor. With regard to the outcome of IVF, sperm morphology was the best discriminant. The threshold value of 16% normal sperm morphology could be used as a good predictor of successful IVF, but could not be applied as a criterion to reject an IVF trial. For the latter purpose, the limit of 5% sperm with normal morphology should be used.The proportion of sperm with grade A motility in native semen provided the best discrimination between GIFT‐fertile and GIFT‐infertile cases. A negative result from IVF performed with spare oocytes was 93% accurate in predicting unsuccessful outcome of GIFT. Hence, diagnostic IVF is the most sensitive assay for male fertility. The occurrence of oocyte fertilization during IVF predicts a successful outcome of GIFT in only 50% of cases. Hence, a negative result in IVF indicates that semen is almost certainly infertile, but a positive result does not guarantee the successful outcome of GIFT.
Influence of complement on sperm motility
Authors: VOGELPOEL F. R. , VAN KOOIJ R. J. , TE VELDE E. R. , VERHOEF J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIsolated sperm from normo‐, oligo‐ and astheno‐spermic men were incubated for 20 h in medium supplemented with 8% heat‐inactivated or untreated human serum, and in medium with heated or untreated serum deficient in complement factor C3. Before and after incubation, sperm motility was assessed by means of a computer‐assisted semen analyser. The results did not show significant differences between the motility of sperm incubated in heated or untreated serum. It is concluded that heating of homologous serum is not necessary for preserving sperm motility and in some cases may even be disadvantageous.
Effects of propranolol and caffeine on movement characteristics of human sperm
Authors: ROGBERG LENA , FREDRICSSON B. , POUSETTE Å. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryHuman sperm, separated on Percoll gradients and transferred to cell culture medium, were exposed to various concentrations of propranolol (0.8–800 μM) or caffeine (3μM ‐ 17 mM) for 4 h. Their motility pattern was analysed after 5 min and 4 h, employing the computerized Cellsoft® system. Curvilinear velocity (VCL), percentage motile sperm, linearity (LIN), mean amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALHMEAN) and beat cross‐frequency (BCF) were assessed. Both drugs had a practically immediate effect on the sperm. Propranolol concentrations >80μ had a negative effect on all movement variables, except VCL and ALHMEAN, which showed a slight, non‐significant, initial increase.LIN and the percentage motile sperm appeared to be somewhat negatively affected at lower concentrations (80μM) than the other variables, and were reduced further at higher concentrations and with time. The presence of 800 μM propanolol immobilized all sperm within 4 h. Caffeine at 1.7 and 5 mM, increased VCL and ALHMEAN. In contrast, the highest caffeine concentration tested (17 mM) had a negative effect on all variables at 4 h after addition.
Androgen effects on Sertoli cells
Authors: MILLS N. C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryMature male rats, γ‐irradiated in utero, were hypophysectomized. In an effort to maintain the seminiferous epithelium, some animals were treated with exogenous androgen while in other animals the seminiferous epithelium was allowed to regress without hormonal treatment. These Sertoli cell‐enriched (SCE) males were evaluated for 7 weeks following hypophysectomy. In SCE males the average initial weight of each testis was 300 mg which declined to 110 mg at 7 weeks post‐hypophysectomy. Concomitantly, seminiferous tubule diameter decreased from 130 μm to approximately 89 μm. Numerous cells were detached from the lamina propria and were observed in the centre of the tubule. Two layers of Sertoli cell nuclei were frequently observed in the regressed seminiferous tubules. Many of these nuclei appeared to be less differentiated, i.e. the nuclei were smaller with smaller nucleoli and more heterochromatin.In contrast, hypophysectomized animals treated with testosterone propionate during the last 5 weeks of the 7 week observational period, retained a tissue weight of about 270 mg/testis (a 5–10% decline in weight compared with normal untreated controls). Also, these animals had seminiferous tubule diameters of 132 μm. Finally, the Sertoli cells which comprised primarily a single layer inside the seminiferous tubules had larger nuclei with finely granulated chromatin and large nucleoli.Protein changes in SCE testes, (±) androgen, following hypophysectomy were analysed using polyacrylamide gels containing SDS. Prominent changes in the protein profile as separated by molecular weight were observed and were attributable to androgen stimulation. These changes were probably occurring in Sertoli cells since the Sertoli cell represents about 70% of the total cell population in the γ‐irradiated model. It is concluded that testosterone is responsible for major changes in mature Sertoli cells, although potential contributions of other cell types such as myoid cells and Leydig cells are considered.
Autoradiographic localization of [3H]oestradiol in epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate of the fetal guinea‐pig
Authors: HATIER R. , MALAPRADE D. , ROUX M. , NGUYEN B.‐L. , GRIGNQN G. , PASQUALINI J. R. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe selective uptake and localization of radioactivity in the fetal male reproductive organs (epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate) of the guinea‐pig (50–60 days of gestation) after in‐vivo and in‐situ subcutaneous injection of [3H]oestradiol was investigated by autoradiography. In 50–day‐old fetuses, the different areas of the epididymis showed selective retention of radioactivity in the nuclei of peritubular and stromal cells surrounding the epididymal duct; no retention was observed in the epididymal epithelium. A similar distribution of silver grains was observed in the 60‐day‐old fetus. Seminal vesicles and prostate sections from both 50‐ and 60‐day‐old fetuses showed concentration and retention of radioactivity only in stromal cells, whereas the epithelium did not exhibit silver grains. In all the tissues studied, the nuclear labelling was abolished after injection of [3H]oestradiol plus a 100‐fold excess of non‐labelled oestradiol. As the mesenchyme surrounding the epithelia of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were labelled selectively with [3H]oestradiol, it is suggested that during fetal life of the guinea‐pig the mesenchymal stroma of these fetal male reproductive organs may be considered as a target tissue for oestrogen.
Prolonged suppression of spermatogenesis by oestrogen does not preserve the seminiferous epithelium in procarbazine‐treated rats
Authors: MORRIS I. D. , BARDIN C. W. , GUNSALUS G. , WARD J. A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe examined the hypothesis that induction of reversible testicular atrophy, subsequent to withdrawal of gonadotrophin support, would alleviate the testicular toxicity of the anti‐cancer drug procarbazine. In rats, severe but reversible testicular atrophy and suppression of spermatogenesis were induced 56 days after the subcutaneous insertion of a silastic implant containing oestradiol‐17β. The effect of this treatment upon the testicular toxicity of four weekly doses of procarbazine (200 mg kg‐1) was examined 56 days after the termination of procarbazine/oestrogen treatment. At this time the testicular endocrine and sper‐matogenic functions were close to normal in rats which has received only oestra‐diol‐17β. Procarbazine produced severe testicular atrophy which was associated with azoospermia and destruction of the germinal epithelium. Serum LH and FSH concentrations were raised and were associated with low serum concentrations of both testosterone and androgen‐binding protein. The combination of procarbazine with the oestrogen treatment did not change any of the testicular toxicity and in some cases it appeared to be exacerbated. In contrast to these experiments other studies have indicated that the testis can be protected if spermatogenesis is revers‐ibly suppressed by other agents which are also active via the pituitary endocrine system. The data would therefore suggest that protection is achieved either by some testicular change other than withdrawl of pituitary gonadotrophin support or that oestradiol‐17β has additional activity which is permissive for the development of the testicular toxicity of procarbazine.
Zona pellucida induces conversion of proacrosin to acrosin
Authors: TÖPFER‐PETERSEN E. , ČECHOVÀ D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effect of heat‐solubilized zonae pellucidae (ZP) isolated from mature pig ovaries on the conversion of pig proacrosin to acrosin was examined and compared with the effects of different sulphated polysaccharides. At low concentrations, zona glycoproteins potently stimulated acrosin auto‐activation. Up to 2.5 μg ml‐1 ZP, the acceleration of acrosin activation was shown to be dependent on the ZP concentration. At higher concentrations zona glycoproteins exerted an inhibitory effect on acrosin amidase activity. A similar effect was demonstrated for fucoidan, heparin, and chondroitin sulphate. The results intimate that in vivo, the conversion of proacrosin to acrosin is regulated at the sperm‐zona interface.
Luteinizing hormone pulsatility in men with damage to the germinal epithelium
Authors: TALBOT J. A. , SHALET S. M. , TSATSOULIS A. , GRABINSKI M. , ROBERTSON W. R. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBioactive‐LH (B‐LH) was measured in plasma by in‐vitro bioassay and immunoactive‐LH (I‐LH) by immunoassay at 10 min intervals for 6 h in five men after standard chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. Eleven normal men acted as controls. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) was markedly raised in the treated patients (mean ± SEM; 12.8 ± 2.8 vs. 2.7 ± 0.4 IU 1‐1, P >0.006) reflecting damage to the germinal epithelium. Bioactive (27.4 ± 2.8 vs. 12.9 ± 1.3 IU 1‐1) and I‐LH (9.6 ± 2.0 vs. 4.9 ± 0.4 IU 1‐1) were elevated (P>0.006) in the patient group whilst testosterone levels (24.0 3.8 vs. 19.6 2.4 nmol 1‐1) were normal. The testosterone I‐LH ratio, a putative index of Leydig cell dysfunction, was negatively correlated with FSH levels (r=‐0.85, P >0.02). Bioactive and I‐LH pulse peak amplitude were elevated, as were pulse maxima (P>0.05). In contrast, B‐LH pulse frequency was similar between the patients (2 pulses per 6 h) and controls (median 2, range 1–3 pulses per 6 h) as was the I‐LH pulse frequency (median 2, 1–2 pulses per 6 h in both groups). The mean B:I LH ratios were similar (2.94 ± 0.09 vs. 2.63 ± 0.14) in both groups, although the inter‐pulse B:I ratio was increased (P>0.007) in the patient group. It is concluded that normal levels of testosterone are maintained in men with chemotherapy‐induced damage to the germinal epithelium by a resetting of the hypothalamic‐pituitary unit such that LH pulse amplitude but not the pulse frequency is increased markedly. The mean biopotency of LH remained unchanged although the inter‐pulse B:I LH was increased.
Measurement of testicular volume by ultrasonography
Authors: FUSE H. , TAKAHARA M. , ISHII H. , SUMIYA H. , SHIMAZAKI J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTo measure testicular volume accurately, an ultrasonographic method was developed and the results obtained from this compared with those obtained by conventional measurements, namely (1) comparison with testis models, (2) an orchidometer, and (3) measurement of testicular volume by calipers through the scrotal skin. Data from these methods were compared with the actual volume measured at operation by slide calipers placed directly on the testis. The volume obtained by comparison with testis models or with an orchidometer tended to overestimate the actual volume. The volume measured by slide calipers on scrotal skin was also found to be incorrect. On the other hand, the volume measured by ultrasonography proved to be closer to, and to correlate well with, the actual volume, and was considered to be the best method.
Granulocyte elastase levels do not correlate with anaerobic and aerobic bacterial growth in seminal plasma from infertile men
Authors: CUMMING J. A. , DAWES J. , HARGREAVE T. B. 
Published: May 2008

SummarySeminal culture and leucocyte elastase measurements were undertaken on samples from 30 men attending an infertility clinic. Elastase levels over 1000 ng ml‐1 were obtained in 14 men and positive bacterial culture in 11 men, but there was no correlation between these two sets of measurements. While granulocyte elastase measurement in semen may reflect inflammation, our study suggests that it cannot be used as a simple marker of infection particularly in a population such as ours where the prevalence of prostatitis and genital infection is low.
Improvement in the assessment of human epididymal function by the use of inhibitors in the assay of α‐glucosidase in seminal plasma
Authors: COOPER T. G. , YEUNG C. H. , NASHAN D. , JOCKENHÖVEL F. , NIESCHLAG E. 
Published: May 2008

SummarySeminal α‐glucosidase had been used clinically as a maker of epididymal function. In this study enzyme inhibitors were used to increase the specificity of the human seminal α‐glucosidase assay and improved its diagnostic value as an indicator of distal epididymal occlusion in cases of azoospermia. Sodium dodecyluphate was added to the sample to eliminate the intetfering acid isoenzyme secreted by the prostate gland, and castonospermine was used with semen pools to provide a semen blank for the assay by eliminating non‐glucosidase‐regulated degradation of the substrate. with both inhibitors included in the assay, glucosidase activity in semen samples from 17 fathers was measured to provide reference values for the clinic (lower threshold 18 mU per ejaculate). With the improved assay glucosidase was non‐detectable in 8 mU per ejaculate). With the improved assay glucosidase was non‐detectable in 8 out of 11 cases of proven and 5 out of 8 cases of suspected ductal obstruction; other azoospermic patients with distal had values below 11 mU per ejaculate.