Zinc levels in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

Zinc levels were measured in seminal plasma from 78 men classified on the basis of spermogram analyses into five groups: normo-, oligo-, astheno-, oligoastheno- and azoospermia. Higher zinc levels were found in seminal plasma from the group of asthenozoospermia men in comparison to normo-, oligoastheno- (p less than 0.001), oligo- and azoospermia men (p less than 0.01), while no significant differences appeared when other group pairs were compared. Seminal plasma zinc levels were positively correlated with sperm density (r = 0.6358, p less than 0.01) in asthenozoospermia men, whereas a significant negative correlation was seen in all groups between percentage forms showing normal progressive motility and zinc concentration in seminal plasma. Although zinc is required in seminal plasma for normal spermatozoon functionality, excessively high levels of this ion may be related with defective motility in asthenozoospermia samples.     

Soluble Fas and interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in seminal plasma of infertile men

The seminal plasma levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 were measured and their relationship with semen qualities was examined. The seminal plasma sFas level in fertile males was significantly higher than that in the infertile group. On the other hand, seminal plasma level of IL-6 was significantly lower in fertile males than in the infertile group. In the infertile group, patients with oligozoospermia had a lower seminal plasma sFas and a higher IL-6 level than those with normal sperm concentration. There was an inverse correlation between IL-6 and sperm concentration in infertile patients. Seminal plasma IL-8 was not correlated with sperm parameters. It would appear that certain kinds of cytokine in the seminal plasma might play an important role in improving semen quality.     

Seminal transferrin levels in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men.

Seminal plasma transferrin levels as well as serum FSH and LH levels were measured in fertile (normozoospermic) and infertile (oligozoospermic and azoospermic) men in an effort to find out whether transferrin levels correlated with sperm density and serum FSH and LH levels. Seminal plasma transferrin levels were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.0005) in the infertile group than the fertile group. Seminal plasma transferrin levels can be regarded as a functional parameter of Sertoli cell function in men.     

Glycerophosphocholine in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) was measured in seminal plasma from 65 fertile men, 276 infertile men and 10 men before and after vasectomy, using a new enzymatic method. Extra-epididymal excretion of GPC accounted for 30% of the total seminal levels of GPC. From a diagnostic point of view, GPC determination did not appear to be a specific tool which could discriminate between secretory and excretory azoospermia. Although the seminal content of GPC was related positively to the total sperm count in both fertile and infertile men, there was an inverse relationship between the level of GPC and sperm motility when considering classes displaying the same total sperm count. This was observed in all classes from infertile men as well as in fertile men with a total sperm count lower than 200 x 10(6) sperm/ejaculate. These results suggest a possible role of GPC in the regulation of human sperm motility, which warrants further investigation.     

Possible significance of transferrin levels in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

Human seminal plasma contains large amounts of transferrin, which is a protein secreted mostly by Sertoli cells. It has been suggested that the concentration of transferrin may serve as a possible clinical marker of Sertoli cell function. Therefore the concentration of this protein in human seminal plasma from fertile and infertile men has been evaluated in order to find a relationship between transferrin concentrations and human semen parameters and plasma FSH levels. Findings show that seminal transferrin in subjects with oligozoospermia or azoospermia is significantly lower than in controls, and that it is strongly related to sperm count. Results also indicate that transferrin secretion can be impaired when plasma FSH levels are still normal, suggesting that seminal transferrin is an early and specific marker of Sertoli cell function. These results, however, do not clarify whether impairment of transferrin secretion by Sertoli cells is due to an organic dysfunction or to an organic secretory alteration.     

Antioxidant activity of seminal plasma in fertile and infertile men

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the total antioxidant capacity among fertile and infertile men. Thirty infertile patients and 20 fertility-proven healthy donors with normal sperm analysis were included in the study. Total antioxidant capacity, zinc and fructose levels of seminal plasma, and various sperm parameters were compared among fertile controls and idiopathic infertility patients prospectively. The mean antioxidant capacity of fertile controls (2.02 +/- 0.16 mmol/L) was significantly higher than that of the infertile patients group (1.78 +/- 0.23 mmol/L) (p < .01). Furthermore, asthenozoospermic and asthenoteratozoospermic groups had significantly lower mean antioxidant values (1.73 +/- 0.11 and 1.64 +/- 0.13, respectively) when compared to fertile control group (p < .01). The mean fructose level was significantly lower in the fertile control group and mean zinc level was significantly lower in the entire infertile group. On the other hand, antioxidant capacity is positively correlated to sperm motility (p = .001). Decreased antioxidant capacity was associated with impaired sperm function as a result of either increased ROS production or insufficient antioxidant capacity.     

Assessment of seminal plasma laminin in fertile and infertile men

Aim： To assess laminin levels in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men, and to analyze the correlation of laminin levels with sperm count, age, sperm motility and semen volume. Methods： One hundred and twenty-five recruited men were equally divided into five groups according to their sperm concentration and clinical examination： fertile normozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia （NOA）, obstructive azoospermia （OA） and congenital bilateral absent vas deferens （CBAVD）. The patients＇ medical history was investigated and patients underwent clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma laminin by radioimmunoassay. Results： Seminal plasma laminin levels of successive groups were： 2.82 ± 0.62, 2.49 ± 0.44, 1.77 ± 0.56, 1.72 ± 0.76, 1.35 ± 0.63 U/mL, respectively. The fertile normozoospermic group showed the highest concentration compared to all infertile groups with significant differences compared to azoospermic groups （P 〈 0.05）. Testicular contribution was estimated to be approximately one-third of the seminal laminin. Seminal plasma laminin demonstrated significant correlation with sperm concentration （r = 0.460, P 〈 0.001） and nonsignificant correlation with age （r = 0.021, P = 0.940）, sperm motility percentage （r = 0.142, P = 0.615） and semen volume （r = 0.035, P = 0.087）. Conelusion： Seminal plasma laminin is derived mostly from prostatic and testicular portions and minimally from the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Estimating seminal laminin alone is not conclusive in diagnosing different cases of male infertility.     

Heterologous ovum penetration test and seminal parameters in fertile and infertile men

Sperm penetration rates in the heterologous ovum penetration test were correlated with results of routine semen analysis in 30 fertile and 50 infertile men. There was no difference in penetration rates when comparing infertile men with normal and abnormal seminal parameters, nor was any difference seen between fertile (15-83%) and infertile men (8-83%). Of the 22 infertile men with normal seminal characteristics, seven had partners with no discernible reproductive dysfunction. The penetration rates of these men (38-81%) did not differ from those of fertile men. Stepwise regression analysis of seminal characteristics, with penetration as the dependent variable, indicated that sperm count and morphology are the most important seminal parameters for fertility assessment. Discrimination analysis revealed that sperm numbers and morphologic variables provide significant information for discriminating between fertile men and infertile men with normal or abnormal seminal characteristics. Sperm penetration and motility were not indicated as important factors. The present data suggest that, in unselected male patients seeking reproductive evaluation, the sperm penetration assay did not yield any additional information on the cause of infertility.     

Comparison of zinc concentrations in blood and seminal plasma and the various sperm parameters between fertile and infertile men

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between concentrations of zinc in blood and seminal plasma and sperm quality among infertile and fertile men. One hundred seven male (infertile group) partners of couples who were undergoing investigation for infertility with no known cause for the infertility and 103 men (fertile group) whose wives were pregnant at the time of the study were recruited. The subjects' blood and seminal plasma concentration of zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Except for semen volume, all the other semen parameters for the infertile men were significantly lower than those for the fertile group. The geometric means of the seminal plasma zinc concentration were significantly lower in the infertile group compared with those in the fertile group; 183.6 mg/L (range, 63-499) versus 274.6 mg/L (range, 55-420). There were no significant differences in the geometric means of the blood zinc concentration between the 2 groups. Seminal plasma zinc concentration was significantly correlated with sperm density (r = 0.341, P < .0001), motility (r = 0.253, P < .0001), and viability (r = 0.286, P < .0001). On the basis of the findings of this study and those of other reports, zinc may contribute to fertility through its positive effect on spermatogenesis.     

不育男性精子染色质结构与精液常规参数的关系

目的 研究不育男性精子染色质结构参数与精液常规参数的关系.方法 采集36例男性不育患者和18例健康对照者的精液标本,用TUNEL法检测精子DNA碎片化,CMA3染色法检测精子染色质包装质量,按照世界卫生组织标准(1999)检测精液常规参数.结果 不育组的精子TUNEL阳性率和CMA3阳性率均显著高于健康对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),精液常规参数正常的不育男性精子TUNEL阳性率和CMA3阳性率也显著高于健康对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),精子TUNEL阳性率和CMA3阳性率与精液常规参数之间具有显著的相关性(P＜0.05).结论 不育男性的精子染色质结构检测结果与健康男性存在显著差异,精子染色质结构检测可提供反映男性生育能力的信息.     

男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎患者血清和精液氧化应激水平及相关参数分析

目的:探讨男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎患者血清和精液丙二醛(MDA)、对氧磷酶-1(PON-1)水平及对精液相关参数的影响。方法:选择有生育力的男性健康对照组50例,男性不育组42例,男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎组45例,采用分光光度法测定血清和精浆MDA水平、PON-1活性,采用吖啶橙荧光染色法测定精子DNA碎片化指数(DFI)。结果:不育伴肝炎组血清和精浆MDA水平明显高于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05),而PON-1活性明显低于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05)。不育伴肝炎组精子活动率、精子存活率均明显低于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05),而精子DFI明显高于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05)。三组精子浓度无显著性差异(P>0.05);不育组与不育伴肝炎组精液WBC显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎组精浆中的MDA水平、PON-1活性分别与血清中的MDA和PON-1呈显著正相关(r=0.57和0.48,P<0.01)。结论:病毒引起慢性活动性肝炎会使生殖系统氧化应激加强,加重对精子的损害,影响精子质量。     

Bradykininase and protease inhibitors in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men.

The level of protease acrosin in the seminal plasma of oligozoospermic men was significantly higher than that of normozoospermic men. The amount of bradykininase in the seminal plasma was very high in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic patients. When the acrosin and kininase content was referred to one million spermatozoa, seminal plasma kininase was significantly enhanced in oligozoospermic men, while the acrosin activity was similar in normozoospermic fertile men and infertile men. Human seminal plasma inhibitor I (HUSI I) increased along with sperm count. Human seminal plasma inhibitor II (HUSI II) showed no change. The motility of spermatozoa was depressed in oligozoospermic patients.     

Relationship between apoptotic markers in semen from fertile men and demographic,hormonal and seminal characteristics

Apoptosis in the testis has two putative roles during normal spermatogenesis; limitation of the germ cell population to numbers that can be supported by the Sertoli cells, and, possibly, selective depletion of meiotic and postmeiotic abnormal germ cells. We investigated the demographic and biological correlates of the pro-apoptotic marker Fas and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-xL in sperm cells of fertile men. Six hundred and four men from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine were consecutively enrolled during their pregnant wife''s antenatal visits. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the World Health Organization. Immunofluorescence coupled to flow cytometry was utilized for detection of apoptotic markers in the sperm cell. DNA damage was assessed by flow cytometry using both the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. The percentage of Fas-positive sperm cells was higher in men with high total sperm count (P<0.01), more motile sperms (P=0.04) and fewer sperm head defects (P=0.05). These associations were consistent within and across study regions. Furthermore, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly negatively correlated with Fas within and across regions as well. The data indicated no association between the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL marker and semen or personal characteristics. The finding of Fas-positive sperm cells associated with better semen quality in a cohort of spouses of pregnant women seems different from previous data obtained in infertile men and warrants further investigation to clarify the biological significance of sperm apoptotic markers.     

精液液化不良男子与正常人精浆尿激酶活性的研究

应用琼脂糖－纤维蛋白－平板法和抗尿激酶多克隆抗体的免疫阻断法测定１５名正常生育男子和２０例精液液化不良的不育症男子精浆中尿激酶的活力。结果发现：正常生育组精浆中尿激酶的含量为８４５０±１０５０ＩＵ／Ｌ，液化不良组尿激酶的含量为６４５０±１０５０ＩＵ／Ｌ。与正常生育组比较，尿激酶活性明显降低，两组间差异有极显著性（Ｐ＜０．００１）。提示精浆中尿激酶可能与精液的液化有关联。     

Relationship between semen quality and seminal plasma components: alpha-glucosidase, fructose and citrate in infertile men compared with a normospermic population of Tunisian men

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the secretory function of the male accessory glands and sperm parameters in normospermic controls and infertile patients. One hundred and fifty-nine men were investigated: they were composed of two groups: normospermic ( n  = 37) and infertile ( n  = 122) men with altered sperm characteristics. These infertile men were divided into the following groups: asthenozoospermia ( n  = 38), teratozoospermia ( n  = 40) and asthenoteratozoospermia ( n  = 44). The patients underwent semen analysis and measurements of fructose, neutral alpha-glucosidase and citric acid. The level of fructose was significantly decreased in asthenozoospermic and increased in asthenoteratozoospermic men. It was significantly correlated with semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology. The seminal alpha-glucosidase levels were significantly correlated with semen volume and pH and citric acid was significantly correlated with pH. Thus, alpha-glucosidase and citric acid levels were associated with semen pH. The significant correlation between semen parameters, accessory glands and epididymal functions highlights the relationship between semen and normal genital tract function.     

Increased levels of interferon-gamma in seminal plasma of infertile men

Summary. The role of the cell-mediated immunity in male infertility is still far from clear. Interferon-gamma (INF-γ), a secretory product of activated T cells and natural killer cells, has been hypothesized to have a toxic effect on sperm function. The presence of INF-γ was investigated in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile subjects, using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in order to study its role in male infertility. Forty-one subjects were studied; 20 had proven fertility and normal semen quality (fertile group) and 21 showed male infertility for at least 2 years and poor semen quality (infertile group). INF-γ was present in significantly higher levels in the seminal plasma of infertile subjects (6.36±0.72 fmol ml⁻¹) compared to fertile subjects (3.68±0.30 fmol ml⁻¹). Moreover, a significant negative correlation between INF-γ levels and sperm count, motility and morphology was detected, whereas no correlation between INF-γ levels and leukocyte count was found. These findings (i) confirm INF-γ to be present in seminal plasma; (ii) show increased INF-γ secretion in the infertile group; (iii) demonstrate negative correlations of INF-γ with the main spermiogram parameters and (iv) no correlation with leukocyte count. INF-γ may therefore play an important role in male infertility.
Seminal plasma—     

不育患者精浆α-1,4糖苷酶活性与精液参数的关系

目的　探讨精浆 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性与精液参数之间的关系。　方法　分光光度比色法测定精浆 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性及进行精液常规分析。　结果　 2 90 2例男性不育者精浆α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性异常率为 3 8.87%。该酶活性与精子密度、精子活率、a,b级精子活力和顶体酶活性呈显著正相关 ( r分别为 0 .460、0 .1 2 2、0 .0 86和 0 .2 3 0 ,P均 <0 .0 0 1 ) ,而与精液量、精液 p H、液化时间和畸形精子率无显著相关 ( P>0 .0 5)。 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性正常组精子密度、活率、a,b级精子活力和精子顶体酶活性均明显高于 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性异常组 ( P<0 .0 0 1 )。以常规精液分析法 ( RSA)主要参数正常与否分成的两组间α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性差异有显著性 ( P<0 .0 0 1 )。　结论　α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性对精子密度、活率、a,b级精子活力和顶体酶活性均有明显影响 ,对精液量、精液 p H、液化时间和畸形精子率无显著影响     

精浆弹性蛋白酶与精液常规参数及精子DNA完整性的相关性研究

目的:观察男性不育患者精浆弹性蛋白酶水平与精液质量及精子DNA完整性之间的关系,探讨生殖道炎症隐性感染对男性不育的影响。方法:选择202例男性不育患者依照精浆弹性蛋白酶实验结果并结合其他生殖道感染炎症标志物将男性不育分为确认感染组和隐性感染组,选择同期因女方因素不孕前来检查的生育力评估正常,排除生殖道炎症及其他影响生育的致病因素的健康男性32例作为对照组。统计分析不育组与正常对照组、不育组中确认感染组与隐性感染组、不育组中弹性蛋白酶水平正常者与升高者之间精浆弹性蛋白酶水平与精液质量及精子DNA完整性之间的差异。精子浓度及活力用计算机辅助精子分析系统检测,精子形态检查采用Diff-Quik染色法,精子DNA完整性分析用精子染色质扩散法(SCD),精浆弹性蛋白酶用酶联免疫吸附法。结果:正常对照组和不育组的正常形态精子百分率分别为(11.9±9.2)%和(4.1±3.3)%、精子DNA碎片指数(DFI)分别为(10.9±8.7)%和(21.3±12.7)%,精浆弹性蛋白酶分别为(220.9±73.1)ng/ml和(1687.3±1621.2)ng/ml,前向运动精子百分率(PR)分别为(49.7±10.8)%和(19.1±10.3)%,两组相互比较各指标均具有统计学差异(P均0.05)。不育组中弹性蛋白酶升高者较弹性蛋白酶正常者,PR显著降低,DFI显著升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。隐性感染和确证感染患者间精液量、精子浓度、PR、正常形态精子百分率和DFI的差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论:生殖道炎症感染无论是显性或者是隐性有可能导致DNA损伤程度增加,从而影响男性生育。     

Antioxidant activity in the semen of fertile and infertile men

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate catalase- and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men. METHODS: Semen samples were obtained from consecutive men presenting for vasectomy (n = 12) and infertility evaluation (n = 105) at our institution. Catalase-like activity was measured by the decrease in hydrogen peroxide after incubation with seminal plasma. SOD-like activity was measured as the inhibition of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction due to superoxide anion generation by xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. RESULTS: Mean seminal catalase-like activity (+/-SEM) in fertile men was not significantly different from that of infertile men (369 +/- 49 versus 326 +/- 17 U/mL, respectively). Mean SOD-like activity in the semen of infertile men was significantly greater than in the semen of fertile controls (46.7 +/- 1.5 versus 37.0 +/- 2.8 U/mL, respectively, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that infertile men do not have deficient seminal plasma SOD- and/or catalase-like activity (two key antioxidants). These findings suggest that the high semen ROS levels in some infertile men are likely due to excessive generation of ROS rather than deficient ROS scavenging activity in semen.