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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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 seminal plasma interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels with semen parameters in fertile and infertile men

The levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were investigated in seminal plasma (SP) of proven fertile (n=24) and infertile (n=55) men to evaluate the relationship between diagnosis and semen parameters in a prospective study. Infertile men were divided into four groups as follows: (1) varicocele (n=23), (2) 3 months after varicocelectomy (post-varicocele, n=14), (3) male accessory gland infection (MAGI, n=10) and (4) bilateral testicular atrophy (n=8). IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were similar in the SP of fertile and infertile men. There was a strong correlation between the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in all groups (P<0.001). IL-6 levels were not correlated with seminal parameters (P>0.05). TNF-alpha levels were negatively correlated with the sperm motility and morphology (P<0.05), but there was no correlation with total sperm counts (P>0.05). The mean levels of IL-6 in the SP of the MAGI group was higher than in the other groups but did not reach statistical significance. No variation was found in the SP levels of the proinflammatory cytokines studied between the varicocele and the post-varicocele groups. Our results suggest that IL-6 and TNF-alpha are involved in male fertility. However, their measurement in SP seem to be unsuitable for routine infertility work, perhaps with the exception of men with inflammatory genital diseases.     

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.     

Assessment of sperm function in fertile and infertile men

Summary. The sperm function of fertile men (control), infertility patients (experimental), and men with varicocele were compared. The bioassays used were the follicular fluid-induced acrosome reaction, the binding to the zona pellucida, and the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes. The percentage (mean ± SEM) of reacted spermatozoa was 35 ± 3 in the control, 22±1 in the experimental, and 22 ± 3 in the varicocele. The minimum value of acrosome reaction in control men was 20%. The mean number of zona-bound spermatozoa was 250 ± 30 in the control, 160 ± 28 in the experimental, and 196 ± 44 in the varicocele. The minimum number of zona bound spermatozoa in control men was 50. The mean number of hamster oocytes penetrated was 50 ± 8 in the control, 19 ± 3% in the experimental, and 10 ± 3 in the varicocele. The minimum number of oocytes penetrated in control men was 6%. In the experimental group, 22 men had a normal sperm function, 58 had 1 or 2 bioassays below the minimum (relative dysfunction), and 10 had all bioassay below the minimum (abnormal sperm function). The results of these bioassays could help to reclassify the infertile men in several subgroups.     

Effect of low-dose androgen and zinc sulfate on sperm motility and seminal zinc levels in infertile men

Beneficial effects of zinc therapy in some infertile patients with low seminal zinc concentrations and decreased sperm motility have been reported recently. The effects of zinc therapy, low-dose (5-10 mg/day) androgen therapy, and combination therapy of both zinc and low-dose androgen, on sperm motility and seminal zinc concentration were studied in patients referred to the andrology clinic. Low-dose androgen therapy increased seminal zinc concentrations and sperm motility, only when pretreatment seminal zinc concentrations were low. Furthermore, patients with low seminal zinc concentrations and poor sperm motility showed greater improvement of sperm motility and seminal zinc levels in response to zinc sulfate with fluoxymesterone than did fluoxymesterone alone or zinc sulfate alone, possible due to a synergistic effect of zinc and androgen.     

Relationship between seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA integrity in infertile men

Ascorbic acid has recently been reported to protect sperm DNA from the damage induced by exogenous oxidative stress in vitro. But, there is no report on seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men. In this study, we asked whether sperm DNA damage correlates with seminal ascorbic acid levels. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was analysed in 75 men by flow cytometry after acridine orange staining. We also measured the levels of seminal plasma ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity. Abnormal sperm DNA integrity (DFI >or= 30%) was observed in 12% of the patients with normal semen parameters and in 52% of the patients with abnormal semen parameters. There were significant correlations between the level of DFI and conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology (r = -0.29, -0.55 and -0.53 respectively; p < 0.05). Seminal ascorbic acid level was significantly lower in the patients with leucospermia than the patient with normal semen parameters. Interestingly, a significantly greater percentage of men with abnormal DFI were observed in the patients with low levels of seminal ascorbic acid compared with those with normal or high levels of ascorbic acid (59% vs. 33%, p < 0.05). Men with insufficient seminal ascorbic acid frequently have sperm DNA damage.     

生育与不育男性精子核DNA成熟度的比较研究

通过对１９对生育夫妇和７２对不育夫妇丈夫精液中绿色吖淀橙（ＡＯ）荧光精子（成熟精子）比率分布情况的比较分析，探讨了绿色ＡＯ荧光精子百分率与精液参数及精子授精能力之间的关系。在１～３年随访中，通过人工授精、其他治疗或在非治疗期，５４对绿色ＡＯ荧光精子≥５０％的夫妇有１８对怀孕，而１８对绿色ＡＯ荧光精子＜５０％的夫妇无１例怀孕。结果还显示了绿色ＡＯ荧光精子百分率与精液参数无关。认为该项指标从精子核ＤＮＡ成熟状态角度反映了单凭精液分析所不能反映的男性生育力。精液中绿色ＡＯ荧光精子＜５０％，是低生育力精液的评估界限     

双波长法检测精浆中唾液酸含量

由于果糖与精浆中的唾液酸（ＳＡ）有相似的吸收峰，为消除果糖对测定ＳＡ的干扰，采用双波长法测定精浆ＳＡ，结果表明，２４例正常生育男性和９８例不育男性精浆ＳＡ含量，双波长法较单波长法差异显著；正常男性与精子活动力低下、阻塞性无精、少精症差异显著。ＳＡ与精子活力、精子在附睾中发育的程度以及精子密度等密切相关，双波长法为消除干扰提供了一个新的途径。     

Sperm plasma membrane integrity in fertile and infertile men

Sperm plasma membrane characteristics were analysed by a combined method, the HOS-eosine test (HOS-E test), that consists of the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS test), and the eosine-Y staining. Semen samples were categorized into four groups (Normo-, Oligo-, Astheno-, and Oligoasthenozoospermic) and subjected to the standard analysis (spermiogram), HOS test, eosine-nigrosine test (reflecting sperm viability); and HOS-E test. HOS-E test makes it possible to distinguish four groups of spermatozoa: type 1, HOS+/eosine-; type 2, HOS-/eosine-; type 3, HOS-/eosine+; and type 4, HOS+/eosine+. Normozoospermic samples showed 61.2 +/- 1.4% type 1, 9.2 +/- 0.8% type 2, 22.6 +/- 1.1% type 3, and 6.8 +/- 0.6% type 4 spermatozoa. Oligozoospermic samples showed no significant differences in these values, whereas asthenozoospermic samples showed a higher percentage of types 3 and 4 and a lower percentage of type 1. Oligoasthenozoospermic samples showed high percentages of types 2, 3, and 4 and a low percentage of type 1. Sperm plasma membrane integrity is a necessary condition for motility and fertilization. So, it is not surprising that semen samples with abnormal motility showed a HOS-E result indicative of a defective plasma membrane.     

Zinc concentrations and total amount of zinc in seminal plasma of infertile men with special reference to prostatic secretory function

The exact relationship between seminal plasma zinc and fertility is not known. Zinc is secreted mainly by the prostate, and zinc concentration in seminal plasma is regarded as an excellent indicator of prostatic secretory function. However, low zinc concentration may result not only from poor secretory function of the prostate but also from dilution due to excessive secretion of seminal vesicular fluid. This assumption is supported by the present result that zinc concentration was inversely correlated with fructose concentration. Therefore zinc concentration is thought to reflect prostatic function in proportion to seminal vesicular function. Total amount of zinc in seminal plasma seems to be an appropriate indicator for prostatic secretory function. In the present study, concentrations and total amount of zinc were examined in seminal plasma of men with various fertility problems. There were no significant differences between men with normal spermodiagram and those with abnormal spermodiagram, seminal inflammation or varicocele in concentration or total amount of zinc. No changes were observed in any of them after various therapies including oral zinc sulfate. However, the percentage of men with normal spermodiagram was low in the group with extremely low or high zinc concentration and total sperm count tended to increase with increase in total amount of zinc. Furthermore, the spermatozoal motility was better in the prostatic fraction than in the vesicular fraction of split ejaculates, and the percentage of men with decreased motility and normal sperm concentration was significantly high in the group with lower zinc concentration or decreased total amount of zinc. These observations indicate that prostatic secretion has a stimulatory effect on spermatozoal motility. The secretory activities of the prostate and the seminal vesicle are generally known to be closely controlled by androgens, but our findings indicate that the secretory functions of these accessory organs are independent because there was no correlation between total amount of zinc and fructose. Analysis of the relative concentrations in prostatic secretion, split ejaculates, and seminal plasma confirmed an almost exclusively prostatic origin of zinc. As part of the routine andrologic examination, measurement of concentration and total amount of zinc in seminal plasma is useful for evaluating prostatic function, but measurement of acid phosphatase, magnesium, calcium or potassium will provide almost as much information, since they also seem to be secreted primarily by the prostate.     

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。     

Beta-endorphin in serum and seminal plasma in infertile men

Aim:To access beta-endorphin levels in serum as well as seminal plasma in different infertile male groups.Methods:Beta-endorphin was estimated in the serum and seminal plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method in 80 infertile men equally divided into four groups:non-obstructive azoospermia(NOA),obstructive azoosper-mia(OA),congenital bilateral absent vas deferens(CBVAD)and asthenozoospermia.The results were compared tothose of 20 normozoospermic proven fertile men.Results:There was a decrease in the mean levels of beta-endorphin in the seminal plasma of all successive infertile groups(mean±SD:NOA 51.30±27.37,OA 51.88±9.47,CBAVD 20.36±13.39,asthenozoospermia 49.26±12.49 pg/mL,respectively)compared to the normozoospermicfertile control(87.23±29.55 pg/mL).This relation was not present in mean serum level of beta-endorphin betweenfour infertile groups(51.09±14.71,49.76±12.4,33.96±7.2,69.1±16.57 pg/mL,respectively)and the fertilecontrol group(49.26±31.32 pg/mL).The CBVAD group showed the lowest seminal plasma mean level of beta-endorphin.Testicular contribution of seminal beta-endorphin was estimated to be approximately 40%.Seminal beta-endorphin showed significant correlation with the sperm concentration(r=0.699,P=0.0188)and nonsignificantcorrelation with its serum level(r=0.375,P=0.185)or with the sperm motility percentage(r=0.470,P=0.899).Conclusion:The estimation of beta-endorphin alone is not conclusive to evaluate male reproduction as there aremany other opiates acting at the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.(Asian J Androl 2006 Nov;8:709-712)