bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of inflammation of the human male genital tract on secretion of the seminal markers α‐glucosidase, glycerophosphocholine, carnitine, fructose and citric acid
Authors: COOPER T. G. , WEIDNER W. , NIESCHLAG E. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBiochemical analysis was made of specific accessory gland products in the ejaculates of 362 men suffering from various acute inflammatory diseases of the reproductive tract and 33 normozoospermic patients acting as controls. The ejaculate content of the epididymal markers α‐glucosidase and l‐carnitine, but not glycerophosphocholine, was significantly reduced in ejaculates from men with epididymitis; citric acid was reduced in men suffering from prostatitis; both citric acid and α‐glucosidase were reduced in men suffering from adnexitis. The ejaculate content of epididymal and prostatic markers in prostato‐urethritis (adnexitis), where the exact localization of the inflammation was unclear, was not as low as in epididymitis or prostatitis. Seminal vesicle function, as judged from semen volumes and seminal fructose, was not different in these groups of patients. The results, although strongly related to the clinical diagnosis, were unrelated to the microbiological flora of the semen and indicate that both the epididymis and the prostate glands are involved in some forms of adnexitis.
Correlation of the hypo‐osmotic swelling test, semen score and the zona‐free hamster egg penetration assay in humans
Authors: OKADA A. , INOMATA K. , MATSUHASHI M. , FUJIO K. , MIURA K. , SHIINA K. , SHIRAI M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe correlation between the hypo‐osmotic swelling test, the modified Eliasson score for human semen analysis and the hamster egg penetration assay was examined. The results showed a weak but significant correlation between the group of subjects with swelling rates below 50% and the above 80% group. These groups showed hamster egg penetration assay rates of 9±14% and 39±29%, respectively (P<0.035). A significant correlation was also found between modifed Eliasson scores (17±10 and 5±7, respectively) and swelling rates below 50% and above 70% (P<0.001). These results suggest that spermatozoa showing a low swelling rate have a poor fertilizing capacity. Therefore, the swelling tests and analysis of the patients semen can be used to discriminate sperm quality.
The cryopreservation of donor semen by a simplified method: use in an IVF and GIFT programme
Authors: MORROLL D. R. , MATSON P. L. , TROUP S. A. , IZZARD HELEN , PRIOR J. R. , BURSLEM R. W. , LIEBERMAN B. A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe cryopreservation of semen used in assisted reproduction procedures was carried out exclusively by a simplified method in which a mixture of semen and cryoprotectant was contained in 1‐ml tuberculin syringes and plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. Donor semen samples halved and frozen in syringes and in straws in a controlled‐rate freezer showed no significant difference in post‐thaw motility (P=0.217) or survival (P=0.217) after 30 min. However, after 180 min the survival rate showed a significant reduction in syringes (P=0.045). A significant difference (P<0.00008) in the rate of fertilization of oocytes was seen in IVF cycles using frozen‐thawed donor sperm (58/142, 42%) when compared to fresh sperm from husbands (2315/3926, 59%). A significant reduction (P<0.00005) in fertilization rate was also observed in the case of supernumerary oocytes in GIFT cycles with the cryopreserved donor sperm (29/132, 22%) compared to the husbands' sperm (239/514, 46%). However, the pregnancy rate following IVF and embryo replacement was the same after fertilization with fresh sperm (75/351, 21%) as opposed to frozen sperm (3/14, 21%). Furthermore, a higher pregnancy rate was observed in GIFT with frozen donor sperm (9/19, 47%) than with fresh sperm from husbands (28/103, 27%), though this was not statistically significant (P=0.079). These results show this simplified method of semen cryopreservation to be effective when used in an IVF and GIFT programme, giving pregnancy rates comparable to fresh normo‐spermic semen samples. The method is simple, quick and inexpensive.
Seminal peroxidase positive cells are not an adequate indicator of asymptomatic urethral genital infection
Authors: BARRATT C. L. R. , ROBINSON A. , SPENCER R. C. , KINGHORN G. R. , WHITE A. , HARRISON P. E. , KESSOPOULOU E. , COOKE I. D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe relationship between asymptomatic urethral infection and seminal white blood cells, as detected using the peroxidase enzyme system, was examined. Eighty‐four semen donors were tested. Twenty‐four (29%) were diagnosed as having an active urethral genital infection. There was no statistical relationship between the total number or concentrations of peroxidase‐positive cells and a urethral genital infection. Further studies should concentrate on the subtypes of seminal leucocytes and their surface receptors using monoclonal antibodies.
A morphological study of the efferent ducts of the human epididymis
Authors: SAITOH K. , TERADA T. , HATAKEYAMA S. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryEfferent ducts of the human epididymis were studied with a light microscope and a computerized three‐dimensional image analyser by preparing complete serial sections. The efferent ducts were characterized by a columnar epithelium, which differed both from the cuboidal epithelium of the rete testis and from the tall columnar epithelium of the epididymal duct. Therefore, the junctions of the efferent ducts with the rete testis and epididymal duct could be identified morphologically. Five or six efferent ducts originated from the dilated extra‐testicular rete testis, ran in an extremely tortuous manner and transformed into the epididymal ducts in an end‐to‐end pattern near the border of the epididymal head and corpus. Computerized image analysis confirmed light microscopical findings and demonstrated three‐dimensional structures of the junctions of the efferent ducts with both the rete testis and the epididymal ducts.
Glycoprotein biosynthesis by testes of 40‐day‐old rats subjected to protein malnutrition
Authors: GUMA FÁTIMA C. R. , GUARAGNA REGINA , ROSA NEILA B. S. , MORAES G. G. S. , GAMALLO JUANA LIA , PERRY M. L. S. , BERNARD ELENA A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe testes of 40‐day‐old rats subjected to protein malnutrition show a marked delay in maturation of the seminiferous epithelium, as well as greater mannose incorporation into glycoprotein than observed in normal animals of the same age. Testes were incubated for 1 h with [2‐3H]mannose and germ cells were then separated by the Staput method. Mannose incorporation occurred in the same cell fraction, i.e. the spermatocytes, both in normally fed and protein‐undernourished animals. These data were confirmed by incubating the cells previously isolated on the gradient with [2‐3H]mannose. Comparison of these data with results obtained in previous studies on 20‐day‐old animals in which mannose incorporation was lower in undernourished rats suggests that the differences observed in the present study between the experimental groups are due to alterations in the germ cells.
Does vasectomy have long‐term effects on somatic and psychological health status?
Authors: THONNEAU P. , D'ISLE BÉATRICE 
Published: May 2008

SummaryAll the major international articles on the somatic and psychological consequences of vasectomy published over the last 10 years have been reviewed and analysed. Although some experiments on animals have revealed harmful effects, none of the large‐scale epidemiological studies has pointed to any increase in health risks (cardiovascular, hypertensive, psychiatric) in vasectomized men. The contradictions which arise between the clinical and large‐scale epidemiological studies may be the result of methodological or experimental conditions. As our knowledge stands at present it can therefore be considered that vasectomy has no major effects on the physical or mental health of men.
Electrophoretic pattern of rodent seminal vesicle proteins as revealed by silver staining
Authors: CARBALLADA R. , ESPONDA P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryElectrophoresis of seminal vesicle secretions (SVS) from several rodents showed a very simple pattern composed of 3–5 main protein bands when an anionic dye (Coomassie brilliant blue) was used. However, use of a silver staining method showed a more complex protein spectrum, and several minor components of 12–90 kD, were clearly revealed. Western blotting using antibodies to SVS demonstrated that these minor protein components were not serum contaminants. Rat, mouse and hamster SVS shared antigenic determinants which were not related to rabbit svs.
Male infertility due to asthenozoospermia and flagellar anomaly: detection in routine semen analysis
Authors: MARMOR D. , GROB‐MENENDEZ F. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryMajor monomorphous teratozoospermia, due to sperm tail structural anomalies, were detected in 42 out of 4231 infertile patients during routine semen analysis. The flagella were very short or absent in 16 cases, shortened with thickness irregularity in 18 cases, and of normal length with diameter anomalies in eight cases. These syndromes were always associated with poor forward motility, while mobility and penetration into human cervical mucus were sometimes impaired only partially. With good sperm smears and an experienced observer, the diagnosis could be made without the need for electron microscopic analysis. All the affected patients were sterile and several syndromes could have been transmitted genetically.
Comparison of measurements of human sperm motility characteristics by the automated CellSoft system and time‐exposure photomicrography
Authors: CHAN S. Y. W. , ZHANG G. H. , LO T. , LEUNG A. , WANG C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryHuman sperm motility characteristics in 28 semen samples with sperm concentrations less than 40 ® 106 ml‐1, as determined by the World Health Organization manual analysis (WHO, 1987), were measured by the automated CellSoft semen analyser (Cryo Resources Ltd, New York, NY, USA) using different system parameter settings (Mortimer & Mortimer, 1988a). The results were compared with those obtained by time‐exposure photomicrographic (TEP) analysis. It was found that the settings of the minimum video frame rate and the threshold velocity used to distinguish motile from immotile sperm by the automated CellSoft system had a significant influence on measurements of percentage motility but not on linear velocity. At the five different parameter settings used in the present study, the automated CellSoft system gave significantly lower mean values for percentage motility in comparison with the WHO manual and TEP analyses. Measurements for linear velocity between the automated Cellsoft system and TEP analyses were found not to be significantly different in these defined semen samples.
Hyperactivated motility of sperm from fertile donors and asthenozoospermic patients before and after treatment with ionophore
Authors: PILIKIAN S. , ADELEINE P. , CZYBA J. C. , ECOCHARD R. , GUERIN J. F. , MIMOUNI P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryHyperactivated motility of capacitated sperm was studied before and after contact for 30 min with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Sperm from fertile donors and asthenozoospermic infertile patients were incubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of A23187 in the medium. At 5–10 μM, the ionophore induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in the percentage of hyperactivation of sperm from asthenozoospermic subjects. Higher concentrations (20 and 30 μM) were needed to enhance hyperactivation of sperm in the fertile population. In the latter, extended contact with the ionophore induced no significant change compared to a 30‐min incubation period. Since this type of movement is an essential feature of the fertilizing gamete, a low hyperactivation rate may partly explain fertilization failure in the asthenozoospermic group.
Variations in 3H‐diisopropylfluorophosphate binding proteins in human seminal plasma
Authors: FRENETTE G. , TREMBLAY R. R. , DUBÉ J. Y. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe have characterized the electrophoretic pattern and variations in 3H‐diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP)‐binding proteins in human seminal plasma from normal men and from 103 patients attending the infertility clinic of our hospital. This study shows that 34 kDa prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is the major 3H‐DFP‐binding protein and that two other ubiquitous bands of 100 and 60 kDa are also present in seminal plasma from all the men studied. Additional bands of92, 50–54 (doublet) and 38 kDa were also observed in some patients. The 38 kDa band was shown to be a highly glycosylated form of PSA. Further complexity was demonstrated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis in the 27–30 kDa range of the gels since at least 10 major spots and rows of spots were seen. The concentration of these spots, including PSA, was extremely variable, as was their pattern of inhibition by various active site inhibitors of serine‐proteases; these variations were not correlated with any specific sperm characteristics. With the exception of PSA, the proteins have not been identified. Their distribution suggests that most of them are exclusively of prostatic origin although a few could also derive from the seminal vesicles or blood. Future studies will be aimed at determining the nature of these proteins and their potential usefulness in andrology.
Biological functions of the water‐insoluble fraction of mouse seminal vesicle fluid. I. Suppression of the blastogenic response of lymphocytes
Authors: EMOTO M. , NISHIKAWA F. , HAMURO A. , OKU D. , KITA E. , KASHIBA S. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effects of the water‐insoluble fraction of mouse seminal vesicle fluid (WIF‐SVF) on lymphocytes was investigated to clarify its role in reproductive immunity. WIF‐SVF inhibited the blastogenic response of T‐cells to concanavalin‐A (Con‐A), but it did not inhibit the blastogenic response of B‐cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pretreatment of splenocytes with WIF‐SVF did not suppress the blastogenic response of splenocytes to Con‐A when treated cells were washed prior to culture. WIF‐SVF did not inhibit the proliferation of Con‐A activated splenocytes, the response of listeria‐immune splenocytes to listerial antigen, or the proliferation of IL 2‐dependent HT‐2 cells, or the growth of tumour cells (Yac 1 cells, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, EL‐4 cells). A listerial antigen‐specific immune response was not induced after mice were immunized with both listerial antigen and WIF‐SVF. WIF‐SVF is mainly composed of protein and its suppressive activity was enhanced by heating at 100°C. These results suggest that WIF‐SVF inhibits the responsiveness of T‐cells to antigens or mitogens non‐specifically at the initial stage.
Efficiency of the countercurrent transfer of heat and 133Xenon between the pampiniform plexus and testicular artery of the bull under in‐vitro conditions
Authors: SØRENSEN H. GLAD , LAMBRECHTSEN J. , EINER‐JENSEN N. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe efficiency of countercurrent transfer of heat and 133Xenon (133Xn) in spermatic cords of the bull was measured under in‐vitro conditions. Plasma was pumped through the artery and veins via two separate systems under controlled temperature conditions. Cold plasma or 133Xn‐saline was introduced into the afferent veins and the transfer of heat or gas from the venous to the arterial side was measured. The mean efficiency of heat transfer was found to be 91% in five experiments. In four experiments a mean of 12% of the radioactive gas introduced into the venous system was recovered from the arterial side. It is concluded that the countercurrent transfer system in the spermatic cord is very effective with respect to the transfer of heat and probably moderately effective in the transfer of inert gases. The transfer is probably due to diffusion as eventual transfer through arterio‐venous shunts was minimal.
Reversible azoospermia induced by an androgen‐progestin combination regimen in Indonesian men
Authors: PANGKAHILA W. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe suppression of spermatogenesis by a combination of depot medroxyprogester‐one acetate (DMPA) and testosterone enanthate (TE) was studied in Indonesian men. Twenty healthy, fertile volunteers were allocated randomly to either of two treatments each consisting of four intramuscular injections at monthly intervals. Group I (n=10 men) received 100 mg DMPA plus 100 mg TE monthly while group II (n = 10 men) received 200 mg DMPA plus 250 mg TE monthly. Sperm concentration was suppressed markedly, with all men attaining azoospermia between the third and fourth month after the start of treatment. There was no significant difference in the suppression of spermatogenesis between the two dos age regimens. The median time to reaching azoospermia was 2.5 months from the onset of injections and the median time to recovery of sperm in the ejaculate was 2.0 months after cessation of treatment. Both steroid regimens were equally effective in suppressing LH, FSH and testosterone levels. Testosterone levels returned to baseline by the fourth post‐treatment month while LH and FSH demonstrated significant rebound above baseline levels from 3 to 5 months after cessation of treatment. No serious clinical side effects were observed. Weight gain and increases in libido were reported during treatment by most volunteers. A transient decrease in libido was noted in 5/20 (25%) men between 1–2 months after cessation of injections, presumably due to the prolonged effects of DMPA relative to TE. These results indicate that uniform induction of reversible azoospermia with minimal side effects can be achieved in a non‐Causasian population. This study therefore supports the feasibility of an effective and reversible hormonal male‐contraceptive in some populations even if this requires the consistent induction of azoospermia. The explanation for the higher frequency of azoospermia induced in Indonesian compared with Caucasian men remains to be clarified and is strategically critical to the future development of male contraception.
An automated chemiluminescence test for diagnosis of leukocytospermia
Authors: LEINO L. , VIRKKUNEN P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryA new rapid and sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) test was developed for the analysis of leucocytes in semen. Opsonized zymosan induced luminol‐dependent CL of diluted (1:500) semen was measured in samples from 64 fertile and infertile men with or without leukocytospermia, using an automated luminometer set‐up. The white‐blood‐cell (WBC) count in semen was determined using a conventional leucocyte‐peroxidase staining method. A good linear correlation (r= 0.932) was observed between the seminal white‐blood‐cell number and the CL response. The coefficients of inter‐assay variations for the CL method were 9.6% and 1.8% for semen samples with 0.3 times 106 WBC ml‐1 and 3.2 times 106 WBC ml‐1, respectively. The results also suggest that the previously reported inhibitory effect of seminal plasma on CL activity of human phagocytes is due to the quenching of light‐producing reactions and that this can be circumvented by using appropriate semen dilution. It is concluded that the simple and high‐capacity CL test is an especially convenient method for routine diagnosis of leukocytospermia.
Zeta potential of human X‐ and Y‐bearing sperm
Authors: ISHIJIMA S. A. , OKUNO M. , MOHRI H. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe zeta potential of human X‐ and Y‐bearing sperm was measured by two different methods: (i) using an electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotometer, and (ii) using a laser‐rotating prism. The X‐ and Y‐bearing sperm were separated by free‐flow electrophoresis, and their purities were determined by staining for the F‐body using quinacrine mustard. The zeta potential of the sperm in the fraction containing more than 80% Y‐bearing sperm was approximately ‐16 mV, whereas that of sperm in the fraction containing more than 95% X‐bearing sperm was approximately — 20 mV. In other words, the net negative‐charge on the cell surface of human X‐bearing sperm is higher than that of Y‐bearing sperm.
Review Sperm transport in the human female reproductive tract—a dynamic interaction
Authors: BARRATT C. L. R. , COOKE I. D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe interaction between sperm and the human female tract has been largely ignored. This review summarizes the data available from animal species with specific reference to sperm in the oviduct. Our knowledge of sperm transport within the human female tract is explored and, using the data available from animal species, three lines of future experimental design are suggested. Firstly, there is the need to improve and develop techniques to recover sperm successfully from the tract. Second, an in‐vitro approach which examines the modulation of reproductive tract fluids on sperm function is advocated. Third, an in‐vitro tissue/cell culture system is required to investigate in more detail the interaction between the epithelium and sperm. Using such approaches many of the questions posed in this review can be addressed confidently in the near future.
Movement characteristics and hyperactivation of human sperm on different epithelial cell monolayers
Authors: GUERIN J.‐F. , OUHIBI N. , REGNIER‐VIGOUROUX G. , MENEZO Y. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryStudies of sperm movement characteristics concern mainly sperm swimming between two glass surfaces (as in the Makler chamber). Using automated videomicrography, (CellSoft®, Cryo Resources, New York, USA), we have analysed the movements of human sperm swimming on monolayers of different origins: monkey kidney (Vero) cells, bovine oviduct cells, and human endometrial cells. About 105 sperm were deposited upon preparations consisting of monocellular layers adhering to a coverglass, and placed in a deep slide‐coverglass system. Experiments were first performed at room temperature then at 37d̀C. At room temperature, motion characteristics on Vero cell layers (six samples) were not different from those measured in either the conditioned or corresponding non‐conditioned media, except for the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) which was significantly lower. Comparison of the three different cell monolayers showed no difference between them for the corresponding motion parameters. The data were dramatically different at 37d̀C: sperm swimming on cell monolayers of genital origin (oviduct or endometrium) exhibited high rates of hyperactivation (HA: 36.7% and 38.6% respectively), which was significantly more than on either Vero cells (10.9%) or in a control medium (12.6%). Moreover, HA rates were significantly higher on genital cell monolayers than in the corresponding conditioned medium. Hyperactivated sperm exhibited lasting ‘star‐spin’ trajectories rather than ‘transitional phases’. It is concluded that passage of sperm on either oviduct or endometrial epithelial cell monolayers can induce sperm hyperactivation and improve their fertilizing capacity.