bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of zinc on human sperm motility and the acrosome reaction
Authors: RIFFO M. , LEIVA S. , ASTUDILLO J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThis study has assessed the effect of zinc on human sperm motility and the acrosome reaction in vitro. Progressively motile human sperm were selected by swim‐up and by glass bead columns and then incubated in a medium in which capacitation happened in an asynchronous way. Different doses of zinc (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μM) were added for periods of 2, 4 or 6 h. Other samples were incubated with zinc (1000 μM), and after 1 h incubation, the zinc was removed. Aliquots of each culture were used to evaluate progressive motility and the acrosome reaction using a triple‐stain technique. Sperm motility was reduced when the amount of zinc added was ≥ 100 μM, and these doses also caused a significant reduction in the % of sperm undergoing the acrosome reaction. After removal of zinc and further incubation in zinc‐free medium for 1 h, an increase in the percentage of motile and acrosome‐reacted sperm was observed. However, the increase in acrosome reaction did not reach the values observed in controls. Results suggest that extracellular zinc acts as an inhibitor of human sperm motility and the acrosome reaction (and/or capacitation and the acrosome reaction). This inhibitory effect is reversible and occurs in a dose‐dependent fashion. The probable mechanisms involved are discussed.
Effects of induced peripheral anosmia on gonadal maturation in prepubertal male rabbits
Authors: ADAMOPOULOS D. A. , KONTOGEORGOS L. , VASSILOPOULOS P. , KAPOLLA N. , STATHOPOULOS E. , NICOPOULOU S. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effect of induced peripheral anosmia on gonadal development and maturation was investigated in sexually immature male rabbits. Furthermore, the effect of agents promoting gonadal maturation (LHRH, hMG or methyl testosterone) on testicular development was examined in anosmic rabbits. Peripheral anosmia was induced by spraying the olfactory mucosa with 5% ZnSO4 solution; its effects were evaluated after a 45‐day period, corresponding to the duration of spermatogenesis. Evaluation was based on measurement of body‐weight, testicular size, testicular biopsy score count (TBSC) and a standard LHRH test (0 and 30 min) involving measurement of the blood levels of FSH, LH and testosterone before and at the end of the test. Markedly lower final and incremental values were noted in anosmic, compared to intact, animals for body‐weight (P > 0.001), TBSC (P > 0.001), FSH (P > 0.01) and LH (P > 0.05). On the other hand, treatment of the anosmic rabbits with 0.9% saline, resulted in lower FSH, TBSC and testicular size increments than in rabbits treated with LHRH, hMG or testosterone, while testosterone levels and body‐weight increments were similar in all groups. These findings indicate that induced peripheral anosmia is probably responsible for the inadequate gonadal maturation in prepubertal anosmic male rabbits. This relationship was confirmed by the observed stimulatory effect of administration of agents activating pituitary gonadotrophin secretion or gonadal function in anosmic animals.
Relationship between sperm quality and chromatin condensation measured by sperm DNA fluorescence using flow cytometry
Authors: ENGH E. , CLAUSEN O. P. F. , SCHOLBERG A. , TOLLEFSRUD A. , PURVIS K. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryDNA flow cytometry of sperm from 100 randomly chosen men undergoing fertility investigation revealed a general association between reduced sperm quality, as judged by conventional parameters, and the appearance of sperm with lower degrees of chromatin condensation in the ejaculate as measured by DNA fluorescence intensity. Chromatin hypocondensation, as measured by increased fluorescence, was manifested to different degrees in different samples. In many cases of more extreme sperm pathology, such as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), the whole population of spermatozoa appeared to be affected. Significant numbers of hypercondensed spermatozoa were present in both normozoospermic men and men with different degrees of disturbance in sperm quality. All of the different parameters of sperm quality could be correlated significantly with certain of the flow parameters, although not one in particular could be used to predict deviations from the normal flow profile. In several asthenoteratozoospermic men and a small proportion of men with OAT, the DNA profiles were normal, implying that in these cases the disturbance may not be so fundamental. The presence of leucocytes in the ejaculate was associated with a general increase in the preponderance of hypocondensed subpopulations of spermatozoa in men with OAT as well as in normozoospermic subjects, emphasizing the effect of inflammatory conditions in the reproductive tract on sperm quality.
The influence of sperm density on the motility characteristics of washed human spermatozoa
Authors: Wetzels Alexm. M. , Janssen Herman J. G. , Goverde Henny J. M. , Bastiaans Bart A. , Takahashi Kentaro , Rolland Rune 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTo study the effects of sperm density on the results of computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA), 10 washed semen samples were diluted and measured with the CellTrak/S CASA system in a concentration range of 10–180×106 spermatozoa/ ml. All sperm motility parameters were influenced to some extent by sperm density. The motility percentage was influenced significantly in 5 samples (P<0.005), the straight line velocity in all samples (P<0.0005 in 7 samples), the curvilinear velocity in 3 samples (P< 0.005), the linearity in 9 samples (P<0.0005 in 6 samples) and the lateral head displacement in 9 samples (P< 0.005 in 6 samples). In general, the CellTrak/S data are influenced significantly if sperm density exceeds 50 × 106 spermatozoa/ml.The influence of sperm density on the motility parameters can be explained both by the accuracy of the CASA system and by actual changes in the motility of the spermatozoa. In the light of other published studies, it is concluded that sperm motility measurements with CASA systems should be assessed using 25–50 × 106 spermatozoa/ml, especially in studies concerning lateral head displacement and the linearity, as in sperm hyperactivation studies.
Prostate‐specific antigen and prostate gland size in men receiving exogenous testosterone for male contraception
Authors: Wallace E. M. , Pye S. D. , Wild S. R. , Wu F. C. W. 
Published: May 2008

SummarySteroid regimens containing androgens are being evaluated currently as hormonal contraceptives for men. The possible non‐reproductive effects of such treatment were assessed during an efficacy trial using a prototype regime of 200 mg testosterone enanthate i.m. weekly. Prostatic function and size were monitored by regular rectal examination, blood levels of prostate‐specific androgen (PSA) were measured in 30 men and prostatic size was measured by trans‐rectal ultrasound imaging in a representative subgroup of five subjects for 12 months and for a further 6 months after discontinuation. Despite the sustained rise in serum levels of testosterone, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone during treatment, there was no detectable increase in prostatic size on rectal examination or any significant change in blood concentrations of PSA. A small but significant increase (14.3 ± 2.0%) in maximal prostate transverse area was observed in four men while the remaining one showed no change. Our preliminary data demonstrate the feasibility and importance of monitoring prostatic function in the development of androgen‐containing male hormonal contraceptives.
Tissue‐specific gene expression as an indicator of epididymis‐specific functional status in the boar, bull and stallion
Authors: Uhlenbruck F. , Sinowatz F. , Amselgruber W. , Kirchhoff C. , Ivell R. 
Published: May 2008

SummarycDNA probes derived from genes expressed specifically in the human epididymis were used to examine gene expression in the epididymides of boar, bull and stallion by Northern hybridization. Two probes for the HE1 and HE4 gene products were found to recognize tissue‐specific transcripts in all three species, with a regionally differential distribution within the epididymis. Additionally, antibodies recognizing the HE4 protein were shown to react specifically in the epididymis of the boar and bull. An extensive study of the boar showed that, whereas mRNA for the HEl‐homologue was up‐regulated markedly only at puberty, the HE4‐homologue was already present at moderate levels prepubertally. The distribution of the HEl‐homologue changed at sexual maturity from a maximum in the cauda epididymis in the 3–4‐week‐old pig, to a maximum in the corpus/caput region in the adult, while the shift was in the opposite direction for the HE4‐homologue. Evidently, gene expression is not fixed regionally through epididymal development in this species. The abdominal epididymis of a hemicryptorchid pig also showed a differential change in expression for the two gene products by comparison with the scrotal testis from the same animal. The results suggest that the HE1 and HE4 gene homologues may be sensitive markers for physiological changes within the mammalian epididymis, and that the boar could prove a useful model to examine the regulation of these human epididymal transcripts.
Modification of human sperm function by human follicular fluid: a review
Authors: HONG C. Y. , CHAO H. T. , LEE S. L. , WEI Y. H. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThis review assesses whether human follicular fluid (hFF) is able to modify human sperm function in vitro. Addition of hFF has been found to stimulate the motility of washed human spermatozoa, to increase the percentage of hyper‐activated spermatozoa, to induce the acrosome reaction, to attract spermatozoa to the site of fertilization and to facilitate penetration of the oocyte by spermatozoa. It is possible that hFF could provide a favourable environment around the oocyte for fertilization by spermatozoa. Inclusion of hFF in gamete transfer medium may also improve the success rate of assisted reproduction technology. Purification of individual components in hFF which modify different aspects of sperm function awaits further investigation.
Platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase in the male reproductive tract: origin and properties
Authors: JARVI K. , LANGLAIS J. , GAGNON C. , ROBERTS K. D. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe properties and origin of platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase‐ (PAF‐AH)‐like activity in the male reproductive tract were investigated. Seminal plasma (SP) and serum were obtained from normal donors and infertile patients while prostatic fluid (PF), seminal vesicle fluid (SVF) and vas deferens fluid were collected at autopsy. PAF‐AH‐like activity was found in all fluids tested. The specific activity of the enzyme in SP and PF was twice that of PAF‐AH in serum and 15–fold higher than that in SVF and vas deferens fluid. In SP, PAF‐AH‐like activity was Ca++‐independent, acid and heat labile, stable to freezing, not inhibited by phosphatidylcholine, but was inhibited by 10 mM disopropylfluoro‐phosphate (DFP) and 13 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF). These data indicate that the properties of the enzyme in SP are similar to those reported for PAF‐AH in serum. The variation in specific activity of PAF‐AH in reproductive tract fluids suggest that there are either activators of PAF‐AH in SP or inhibitors in one or several of the other reproductive tract fluids.
A search for circulating immunoglobulins blocking follicle‐stimulating hormone action in male idiopathic infertility
Authors: SIMONI M. , PASCHKE R. , NIESCHLAG E. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn this study, patients with idiopathic infertility were investigated for the presence of circulating antibodies which interfered with follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) activity. A retrospective search for autoantibodies was undertaken using single plasma samples obtained from 29 infertile men with azoo/oligo/asthenoteratozoospermia and eight controls with normozoospermia and normal blood FSH levels. Plasma levels of immunoactive FSH, bioactive FSH, immunoactive luteinizing hormone and testosterone were measured in the individual samples. Plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) was isolated using protein‐A chromatography and tested at different dose levels for its ability to inhibit and/or stimulate basal and FSH‐induced aromatase activity in immature rat Sertoli cells in vitro. In the first set of trials, IgGs isolated from three infertile patients showed apparent inhibition of FSH‐stimulated aromatase activity, two showed further stimulation and five showed irregular fluctuations beyond the normal range of stimulation. When reanalysed at different doses, none of the IgG fractions exhibited abnormal interference with FSH action. It is concluded that, unlike many other endocrine disorders characterized by autoimmunity, the occurrence of autoantibodies of the IgG class blocking FSH action in male infertility is improbable.
Developmental expression and androgen regulation of 24 kDa secretory proteins by the murine epididymis
Authors: LEFRANÇOIS A. M. , JIMENEZ C. , DUFAURE J. P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTwo peptides with a molecular weight of 24 kDa and a Pi of 8.4–8.8 were found to be synthesized and secreted specifically by the caput epididymis of adult male mice under androgen control. The peptides can interact with spermatozoa. In the present study, the developmental pattern of [35S]‐methionine‐labelled proteins synthesized by the murine caput epididymis at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of age were studied using two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) and autoradiography. Active synthesis of the 24 kDa proteins was detected in the epididymis from 20 days of age, but secretion of the two peptides was only observed from 30 days of age onwards. To determine whether androgens influenced the active expression of 24 kDa proteins in the developing epididymis, their effect on [35S]‐methionine incorporation into proteins was assessed using 2D PAGE. Mice were either castrated, castrated then testosterone injected or simply testosterone injected at 10, 20, 30 or 40 days of age. Androgen control of 24 kDa protein expression was also studies in vitvo in epididymal organ culture over a 10‐day period, with or without testosterone. Androgens were not involved in the initiation of synthesis of the 24 kDa proteins from days 10 to 20, as shown by in‐vivo and in‐vitro experiments. However, androgens appeared to be essential for maintaining synthesis and secretion of the proteins from 20 days of age onwards. Administration of excessive testosterone was only able to increase secretion of the 24 kDa proteins in intact male mice aged 40 days.
Interleukin‐1 bioactivity and DNA synthesis in X‐irradiated rattestes
Authors: HAKOVIRTA H. , PENTTILÄ T. L. , PÖLLÄNEN P. , FRÖYSA B. , SÖDER O. , PARVINEN M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryStage‐specific DNA synthesis and interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) bioactivity were measured in the rat testis at 2, 6, 12 and 25 days after local irradiation with 3 Gy to investigate whether there was any correlation between germ cell DNA synthesis during repopulation and IL‐1‐like bioactivity in the seminiferous epithelium. DNA synthesis by intermediate and type‐B spermatogonia was reduced significantly at 2, 6 and 12 days after irradiation in seminiferous tubules at stages II‐III and IV‐V. IL‐1 bioactivity was increased significantly at 6 and 25 days after irradiation at stages II‐VI during repopulation of spermatogonia. At 2, 6 and 25 days after irradiation at stages VIIa‐c a significant increase in IL‐1 bioactivity was observed that correlated with repair synthesis of DNA. Increased IL‐1 bioactivity was also observed at stages IX‐XII at 6 days post‐irradiation. These observations support the concept that IL‐1 is a spermatogonial growth factor which might also stimulate repair synthesis of DNA.
Intratesticular hormone levels and the route of secretion of hormones from the testis of the rat, guinea pig, monkey and human
Authors: Maddocks S. , Hargreave T. B. , Reddie K. , Fraser H. M. , Kerr J. B. , Sharpe R. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBlood samples were obtained from the testes of rats, guinea pigs and Macaque monkeys and from normal men undergoing vasectomy reversal, in order to assess the comparative dynamics of hormone secretion. In each species, blood was sampled from a vein on the surface of the testis (testicular venous blood, TV), from a vein in the spermatic cord above the pampiniform plexus (spermatic venous blood, SV) and from a vein elsewhere in the body (peripheral venous blood, PV). Plasma concentrations of testosterone and inhibin were then determined by radioimmunoassay. In all species, testosterone secretion profiles were comparable, with concentrations being greatest in TV blood. SV concentrations were reduced by 40–60% compared with TV levels, with a significantly greater reduction in PV levels. Inhibin secretion varied significantly between species, with the rat being the only animal to show significant increases in inhibin concentrations from TV to SV blood. Inhibin secretion in the guinea pig was most comparable with that of the rat, although the increased SV levels fell short of being significant. Macaque and human profiles contrasted with those of the rat and guinea pig, with the greatest inhibin concentrations being found in TV blood. Levels in SV blood were reduced by some 40%, and PV levels were reduced significantly further. These differences may be due to the different position of the rete testis, and its relationship to the testicular vasculature, in these species. The sampling procedure described provides a defined set of testicular blood samples that could contribute important information of relevance to physiological and clinical studies of testicular function. Hormone concentrations in TV blood samples provide the most accurate indication of intratesticular levels, and the present study demonstrates that TV blood can be sampled with relative ease from a major vein on the surface of the human testis. The observation that testosterone and inhibin concentrations in TV blood were 10 or 250 times greater, respectively, than in PV blood in men, suggests that greater clinical use of this sampling procedure may be warranted when surgical intervention is taking place for other reasons, as this could give insight into the pathophysiology of the human testis.
In‐vitro influence of germ cells on Sertoli cel l‐secreted proteins: a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis
Authors: Gearard Nadine , Jegou Bernard 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTwo‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) was used to analyse [35S]‐methionine‐labelled proteins secreted in vitro by Sertoli cells when cultured in the presence or absence of enriched preparations of pachytene spermatocytes (SPC), early spermatids (SPT) or residual bodies/cytoplasts from elongated spermatids (RB/CES). The presence of germ cells modified the pattern of Sertoli cell secreted proteins in co‐culture. Out of 21 Sertoli cell secreted polypeptide families visualized by 2D PAGE, one (referred to as number 12) was stimulated, whereas the secretion of polypeptides 1 and 3 was inhibited by all of the germ cell populations tested. Early spermatids and RB/CES both enhanced the secretion of protein number 10 and inhibited the production of protein 11. The RB/CES fraction specifically inhibited secretion of polypeptide 13. Of particular note was the finding that co‐culture with early spermatids or RB/CES induced the secretion of a novel polypeptide, termed GIP (germ cell‐induced protein), with an apparent molecular weight of 72 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.9. Under the present experimental conditions, media conditioned by the different germ cell fractions inhibited the secretion of polypeptide 2 but enhanced the secretion of polypeptides 10 and 18; of note also was the finding that media conditioned by early spermatids or RB/CES induced the appearance of GIP. This study confirms and extends the concept that germ cells influence Sertoli cell function and that the effects observed differ according to the stage of development of the germ cells. However, the sensitivity of the 2D gel electrophoresis technique, and to some extent its reproducibility, limit its use for studying the paracrine control of Sertoli cells in culture.
Prevalence of antisperm antibodies by SpermMARtest in subjects undergoing a routine sperm analysis for infertility
Authors: SINISI A. A. , FINIZIO B. DI , PASQUALI D. , SCURINI C. , D'APUZZO A. , BELLASTELLA A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTo evaluate the prevalence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) attached to the sperm plasma membrane in male partners of infertile couples, the binding of latex particles to spermatozoa was investigated using SpermMARtest, included routinely in semen analysis. A total of 860 men were examined, who were referred consecutively for semen analysis. Of these, 750 men were referred because of infertility (0.6–10 years in duration) whereas 110 were volunteers with a history of previous fertility. Samples were assessed by the SpermMARtest kit using latex particles sensitized with human IgG. Sperm‐latex binding was read after 3 min and samples scored as negative, positive or highly positive when < 10, > 10–40, or >40% binding occurred, respectively. Of the samples 132 (17.3%) were excluded because of azoo‐ or severe oligo‐asthenozoospermia. IgG attached to spermatozoa were detected in nearly 13% of semen samples from the infertile population and in one of 110 fertile men (0.90/,). From the infertile group, 6.2% of samples showed > 40% binding, and 6.7% intermediate binding, with an overall ASA prevalence of 12.9% in subjects undergoing semen analysis for infertility.
Separation of human spermatozoa with hyaluronic acid induces, and Percoll® inhibits, the acrosome reaction
Authors: SLOTTE H. , ÅKERLÖF E. , POUSETTE Å. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effect on the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa of two widely used sperm separation media, hyaluronic acid (Sperm Select®) and Percoll®, was studied. Viable and highly motile fractions of human spermatozoa were separated from seminal plasma using self‐migration on a Percoll® gradient. After translocation of separated spermatozoa from the Percoll® solution to a culture medium, serum, Percoll® or hyaluronic acid (Sperm Select®) was added to aliquots of the spermatozoa containing culture medium. At increasing time intervals, the influx of 45Ca2+ into spermatozoa was measured and the concentration of viable spermatozoa that had undergone the acrosome reaction was analysed using the triple stain technique. Serum was found to be necessary to support sperm motility and viability. Compared to culture medium with serum only, addition of hyaluronic acid induced influx of 45Ca2+ and the acrosome reaction, whilst Percoll® inhibited both of these actions. Hyaluronic acid (Sperm Select®) added to spermatozoa separated by a ‘swim‐up’ method induced, and the addition of Percoll® inhibited, influx of 45Ca2+ when compared to the addition of culture medium with serum only. This study demonstrates that both hyaluronic acid (Sperm Select®) and Percoll® affect the acrosome reaction and the prerequisite for Ca2+ influx in human spermatozoa. These effects should be taken into consideration when using these media for preparation of spermatozoa for insemination or for fertilization in vitro.