Semen characteristics in pubertal boys. II. Semen quality in relation to bone age

Semen specimens from 134 pubertal boys were examined and compared to bone age. Normal figures for semen volume, liquefaction, sperm concentration, and morphology were observed between 15 0/12 and 16 0/12 years of bone age. The number of normally motile spermatozoa became standard at 17 0/12 years of bone age. Azoospermia was noted from 13 0/12 to 14 0/12 years of bone age, oligozoospermia from 14 0/12 to 15 0/12, asthenozoospermia from 16 0/12 to 17 0/12, and normospermia from 17 0/12 on.     

Semen characteristics in pubertal boys. III. Semen quality and somatosexual development

The biological quality of semen in 134 pubertal boys was contrasted with somatosexual development. The absence or sparcity of pubic and axillary hair, the absence of facial hair, and infantile-type penile growth are prominent characteristics in azoospermic and cryptozoospermic boys. Sparse or meager pubic hair, absence or sparcity of axillary and facial hair, and puerile penile type are characteristics in oligozoospermia. Female or male pubic hair, meager or normal axillary hair, sparse facial hair, and puerile penile type are characteristic of asthenozoospermia. Female or male pubic hair, meager or normal axillary hair, sparse facial hair, and adult penile type are characteristic in normospermia. Along with the improvement of semen quality the area of the testis expanded and was the largest in normospermia.     

Semen characteristics in pubertal boys. IV. Semen quality and hormone profile

The biological quality of semen was contrasted with levels of FSH, LH, and testosterone in plasma. The level of FSH rises significantly from azoospermia/cryptozoospermia (3.87 +/- 1.1 mU/ml) to asthenozoospermia (5.73 +/- 2.11 mU/ml). In normospermia, however (4.63 +/- 1.88 mU/ml), the level of FSH decreases in a statistically significant manner and remains at the standard level. Comparing the level of LH to the quality of semen, it rises in a statistically significant manner from azoospermia/cryptozoospermia (6.46 +/- 1.35 mU/ml) to oligozoospermia (9.03 +/- 3.35 mU/ml). The level decreases in a statistically significant manner in normospermia (7.15 +/- 1.69 mU/ml). The level of testosterone shows a progressive linear growth from azoospermia/cryptozoospermia (6.03 +/- 2.09 micrograms/ml) to normospermia (6.55 +/- 2.12 micrograms/ml). The growth is statistically insignificant.     

少、弱精子症中精子形态缺陷类型及发生率的检查分析报告

目的 探讨在少、弱精子症中精子形态缺陷类型及其发生率.方法 对精液常规和改良巴氏染色检查的结果进行统计学分析.结果 （1）男性不育症中畸形精子症的发生率约为75%;精子头部缺陷的发生率约为70%,各种头部缺陷中空泡头畸形的发生率占首位,约为20%.（2）少精子症患者的正常形态精子百分率的中位数约为2.97%（P=0）,弱精子症患者的中位数为6.67%（P=0.003）.结论 （1）精子头部缺陷是精子畸形的主要类型;（2）少、弱精子症的畸形精子比例升高;（3）精子形态缺陷分析对选择辅助助孕方式具有应用价值.     

Semen quality of men with asymptomatic chlamydial infection

We have shown previously that the in vitro exposure of spermatozoa to elementary bodies (EBs) of Chlamydia trachomatis can lead to sperm death over a number of hours of incubation. As such, we have hypothesized that the ejaculates of men with a chlamydial infection could contain increased numbers of nonmotile (dead) spermatozoa if they are exposed to EBs prior to ejaculation. To test this hypothesis, the ejaculates of 642 men undergoing diagnostic semen analysis as part of ongoing infertility investigations with their partner were examined. All men were without symptoms of genitourinary infections and semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organisation (WHO) 1999 methods after a 3-5 day abstinence period. In addition to semen analysis, nested plasmid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was undertaken on the ejaculate to detect the presence of C trachomatis DNA. A total of 31 semen specimens (4.9%) were found to be positive, and in 28 of these, the diagnosis was confirmed using the ligase chain reaction (LCR). Men whose ejaculates were PCR positive for chlamydial DNA had a significantly (P <.05) higher mean concentration of leukocytes (1.71 +/- 2.20 x 10(6) per mL) and a higher mean ejaculate volume (3.45 +/- 1.52 mL) than in those whose ejaculates were PCR negative (leukocyte concentration: 0.67 +/- 2.59 x 10(6) per mL; volume 2.93 +/- 1.38 mL). Leukocytospermia was twice as common in men that were PCR positive for chlamydial DNA (P <.05) but it was not always associated with the presence of chlamydial DNA in semen. However, there was no difference in the mean percent motility between the 2 groups and the proportion of asthenozoospermia also did not differ. Because these results do not confirm the hypothesis proposed from our in vitro experiments, further work needs to be undertaken to understand whether human spermatozoa are actually exposed to elementary bodies of C trachomatis in an infected individual prior to ejaculation.     

Variations in Elemental Distribution in Human Spermatozoa

Morphologically normal spermatozoa from groups of men attending the infertility clinic with normal density and motility had subcellular elemental composition measurements from various parts of the spermatozoa compared with anatomically similar spermatozoa from semen with marked oligo- or asthenozoospermia. In the two groups of semen the mean % value of the elements was similar in the acrosome, nucleus, mid-piece and tail regions excepting sodium and potassium which were significantly lower in the abnormal semen. Although a similar elemental distribution was found in each group the observed trend towards higher total values in the abnormal semen did not reach significance. Highest levels were found in the nuclear and mid-pieces of all spermatozoa suggesting future diagnostic possibilities for such measurements in determining spermatozoal procreative potential.     

Study on DNA content of individual human spermatozoa

DNA contents of nearly 1000 individual human spermatozoa were calibrated microspectrophotometrically. No considerable correlation was found between DNA contents and fertile capacity of spermatozoa. Mostly, DNA contents were well proportional to the head sizes of spermatozoa, but in oligozoospermia no correlation was seen between head sizes and DNA contents. Though spermatozoal DNA contents decreased during travel from the seminiferous tubules to the seminal tracts, they did never change after emission to the distal male tracts or after ejaculation.     

Homologous Insemination Using the Split Ejaculate

Seventy-two couples complaining of primary or secondary sterility, mainly due to male subfertility were investigated. Sperm analyses showed that the husbands were suffering from oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia of moderate to poor grading. Following split ejaculations the semen analyses showed that the first portion of the ejaculates contained a good number of motile spermatozoa. Husbands were instructed to perform coital withdrawal after the deposition of the first portion of the ejaculate. They were interviewed in connection with their sexual performances using this special coital technic. Twenty-seven husbands reported difficulties in performing the technic, 24 could not control their ejaculation, 16 of the 72 reported either precox ejaculations or impotence; only 5 husbands considered the technic as an easy one. Therefore homologous artificial inseminations using the first portion of the ejaculate were performed. In these cases post coital tests showed better results than following regular coitus or after the withdrawal technic. The results of these tests were later confirmed by a total of 45 pregnancies resulting in 36 living babies.     

精液不同体外处理技术对宫腔内人工授精的临床疗效分析

目的　探讨精液的不同体外处理技术对宫腔内人工授精 (IUI)的疗效。　方法　A组为因女方因素引起的不育 ,采用上游法优选精子。B组为因男性性交和射精障碍 ,精液液化不良 ,免疫学异常 ,精液中有核细胞数目 >5× 10 9/L ,单纯精浆异常等引起的不育 ,采用高速离心法处理精子。C组为少、弱、畸精子症等引起的不育 ,采用双层梯度法处理精子。　结果　妊娠成功率A组 5 0 .5 % ,B组为 4 1.4 % ,C组为 32 .4 %。　结论　对不同的病因采用不同的精液体外处理技术 ,能提高IUI的成功率。     

High resolution light microscopic evaluation of boar semen quality sperm cytoplasmic droplet retention in relationship with boar fertility parameters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fertility and quantitative measures of boar semen quality, including various patterns of sperm cytoplasmic droplet (CD) retention, as determined by high power differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. A total of 116 ejaculates were collected from a nucleus herd of 18 Large White boars over an eight month period. Semen quality parameters were analyzed for each ejaculate by calculating the percentage of normal spermatozoa, spermatozoa possessing a CD in the proximal, distal, or distal midpiece reflex position, total spermatozoa with an attached cytoplasmic droplet, spermatozoa with non-CD related aberrations and total spermatozoa with abnormalities. Of the 116 ejaculates received, 71 ejaculates from 13 boars had corresponding fertility data from single-sire inseminations of multiparous sows. The fertility data included farrowing rate (FR) and total number born (TNB). The monthly FR encompassed one month before and one month after the date of semen collection. Detection of differences for fertility and semen quality parameters was performed by separating the boars into either an above-average or below-average group based on the mean FR (74.01 +/- 1.43%) or TNB (12.34 +/- 0.17) for the study. For FR, the boars in the below-average group had a significantly lower percentage of normal spermatozoa and significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa possessing distal CDs, total attached CDs and total abnormalities compared to the boars in the above-average group. Conversely, for TNB there were no significant differences between the above- and below-average groups for the semen quality parameters. These data suggest that the attached CD may negatively affect FR, but not TNB. The detection of relationships between the boar fertility parameters and the retention of the sperm CD after ejaculation, document the advantage of high power DIC microscopy in conventional semen evaluation.     

Predictors of improved seminal parameters and fertility after varicocele repair in young adults

The aim of our study was to determine hormonal or biochemical markers in patients with clinically palpable left varicocele but without a history of infertility, with especial emphasis on nitric oxide, related with improved seminal parameters after varicocelectomy. Semen samples were obtained from 202 patients with left varicocele grade II or III. Nitric oxide levels in seminal plasma were determined by the Griess technique. Testicular volume was determined ultrasonographically in both testes and hormonal profile was measured. The post-operative sperm concentration increased significantly in patients with normal sperm count or moderate oligozoospermia, but we did not find an increment in sperm count in patients with mild and severe oligozoospermia after surgery . The mean percentage of normal motility significantly increased after surgery, but we did not observe a significant increment in morphologically normal sperm count and testicular volume after varicocele repair. Moreover, we did not find any correlation between nitric oxide concentrations and severity of oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or abnormal sperm morphology in this population. It is concluded that in the general male population, varicocele repair is not associated with an improved semen profile in all cases. We did not observe a significant correlation between nitric oxide concentrations and semen profile.     

Effect of Indomethacin on Semen of Infertile Men

The effects of long term administration of the prostaglandin inhibitor, Indomethacin, on semen, in 22 infertile men with severe oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia have been studied. Quantitative assessment of semen in the whole group showed improved sperm motility ( P < 0.05), normal morphology ( P < 0.05) and concentration ( P < 0.002) after treatment. Individual qualitative evaluation of semen parameters showed improvement in sperm count in one third and improved motility and morphology in 18 per cent of the patients. It would seem that Indomethacin has a beneficial effect on semen in some men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia. It remains to be elucidated whether these effects are related to changes in prostaglandin levels.     

Correlation between defective motility (asthenospermia) and ATP reactivation of demembranated human spermatozoa

Human spermatozoa treated with 0.05% Triton X-100 to remove the cell membranes became immotile but flagellar movement was reinitiated by addition of 0.06 to 1 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The percentage of spermatozoa showing flagellar movement 2 minutes after addition of 1 mM ATP from men with idiopathic asthenospermia (mean +/- SD, 34 +/- 15%), oligozoospermia (17 +/- 21%), sperm autoimmunity (17 +/- 12%), vasoepididymostomy (20 +/- 22%), or idiopathic zero motility (0%) was significantly lower than with spermatozoa from normal men (54 +/- 12%). The percentage of reactivated spermatozoa was correlated with the proportion of live cells (Eosin Y stain, r = 0.602, P less than 0.001), percentage of motile cells (r = 0.761, P less than 0.001), and motility index (r = 0.759, P less than 0.001) in the same semen samples. When expressed relative to initial sperm motility, the proportion reactivated was similar for idiopathic asthenospermia (85%) and normospermia (82%). Thus, failure to produce ATP does not appear to be a frequent cause of low sperm motility in man.     

Effects of Methyl Xanthines upon the Spermatozoa Adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) Concentration in Normal Semen

The aim of the present study was to ascertain the effect of methyl xanthines upon the spermatozoa ATP concentration in normal semen in vitro. 26 normal semen were studied. The specimens were diluted after liquefaction with equal volume of Lopata's buffer or Lopata's buffer plus 1 or 6 mM either of caffeine or pentoxifylline. The samples of semen were incubated at room temperature during 90, 180 and 240 minutes before motility and ATP determination by the firefly luciferin-luciferase method. Significant variation was observed in sperm motility nevertheless variations in the ATP concentration was not induced by any of the methyl xanthines we used.     

Semen Analysis in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Analysis of seminal fluid samples from 20 ADS cases is reported for the first time. A significant decrease in the total volume of complete semen sample and sperm concentration was observed. Percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms was higher in samples from ADS cases than controls, though no linear correlation was observed with amount and duration of alcohol consumption. Analysis of blood samples from five ADS cases, using radio immunoassay techniques showed low testosterone values. LH, FSH and Prolactin values were within normal range. The study shows that alcohol consumption fo a considerable period, affects spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis and causes oligozoospermia. The effect probably are reversible.     

Oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and sperm abnormalities in ex-addict to heroin, morphine, and hashish

A 40-year-old male had been addicted to heroin, morphine, hashish, and other narcotics for 12 years. At examination, 2 years after abstinence from drugs, his semen analysis revealed oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa such as "round-headed" and "kinked"--sperm with neck abnormalities and immature forms. There was no evidence of other morphological abnormalities or of the presence of morphologically normal sperm. A possible correlation is discussed between the long-lasting drug addiction and morphological sperm abnormality, endocrinological function, karyotype, and immunological status.     

Untersuchungen zur Korrelation morphologischer und biochemischer Meßgrößen im menschlichen Ejakulat bei verschiedenen andrologischen Diagnosen

This first report from a study conducted to determine correlations between morphological and biochemical parameters in human ejaculate presents the results based on the measurement of predominantly morphological criteria in patients of various clinical diagnosis groups. The allocation of the 525 patients, who were recruited into the study during the period 1972/73 in the Department of Andrology, Hamburg-Eppendorf, to the diagnosis groups normozoospermia (196), asthenozoospermia (92), oligozoospermia (181) and azoospermia (56) was performed in accordance with the Recommendations for Andrological Nomenclature (1970). The following data were evaluated for this report: height (cm), weight (kg), age (years), ejaculate volume (ml), number of spermatozoa (mill./ml), motility (percentage of highly motile, motile and non-motile spermatozoa), round cells (mill./ml), morphology (percentage of normal-shaped/pathological spermatozoa), changes to the head, middle and tail sections (percentage of the pathological spermatozoa). Relationships between a dependent biological variable (y) and a variable to be assumed independent (x) were obtained by adaptation of polynomials of the 3rd degree: y = b0 + b1 + b2x2 + b3x3. The coefficients (b) which did not differ significantly (p greater than 0.05) from zero were eliminated step by step in regression analyses with breakdown and the resulting mean curves within the ranges covered by the sample depicted graphically. For the time being, the relationships found are described only in the sense of a collection of material. The increased occurrence of pathological spermatozoa in advancing age together with lower values for highly motile spermatozoa could be regarded as a result of a lower organ effectiveness of testosterone, which is protein-bound to an increased extent with advancing age. At the present time there is no explanation for the larger numbers of spermatozoa found with increasing age. The positive correlation between higher sperm counts and high motility, and between high motility and a lower percentage of pathological forms corresponds to expectations from earlier studies. The number of changes to the head, middle and tail sections increase proportionally in keeping with an increasing percentage of pathological forms. When the changes to the head, middle and tail sections are placed in relationship to the diagnosis groups normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligozoospermia a disproportional percental participation becomes noticeable.     

Quality of Semen Obtained from 627 Fertile Men

Six hundred and twenty seven men, whose wives conceived within 6 month of their semen analysis, were included in this study. Attention was focused on 516 men where conception occurred within 3 months of semen analysis. The quality of the seminal plasma (volume pH, fructose and calcium concentrations) and the spermatozoal characterization (concentration, motility, vitality and morphology) are given in details. It was concluded that spermatozoal motility and morphology are the most crucial factors in determining its fertilizing capacity. Measurement of vitality is important only in hypokinetic specimens. Sperm density is a limiting factor only below 10 million/ml.
A widely scattered range of sperm concentration was found among the fathered men which may indicate that the incidence of pregnancy is a multifactorial statistical probability which increases when the quality of the semen is high.     

Seminal Plasma Biochemistry II Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoal Cytidine Monophosphate-Sialic Acid Synthetase and Sialyltransferase Activities

The zona pellucida receptor for spermatozoa has not been identified and the mechanism by which spermatozoa traverse the zona pellucida has not been elucidated. It is proposed that the zona pellucida receptor is a glycoprotein and the receptor per se is galactosamine or N-acetyl galactosamine. The mechanism by which spermatozoa transverse the zona pellucida may be by its structural modification, by the transfer of spermatozoal sialic acid. In addition, male infertility resulting from oligozoospermia or polyzoospermia, may be due to lack of spermatozoal bound sialyltransferase. A total of 43 semen samples were examined for cytidine monophosphate-sialic acid synthetase and sialyltransferase activities. It was found that both these enzymes are present in seminal plasma and bound to the spermatozoa. The spermatozoal bound enzymes may be derived from the seminal plasma which may be a limiting factor in terms of infertility.     

Selected sperm differ from nonselected cells in their electrophoretic mobility (EPM) after demembranation.

Human semen samples were first treated by swim-up migration or by Percoll density gradient centrifugation for selection of spermatozoa. The net surface charges of spermatozoa in the resulting compartments were indirectly evaluated by the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) during spermatozoal microelectrophoresis. Significantly different electrophoretic mobilities were measured between the compartments after demembranation with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100. However, without intermediate treatment by the detergent no significant differences were detected between the spermatozoal EPM. In addition, spermatozoa were divided into migrated and nonmigrated spermatozoal populations by the swim-up technique, and then treated with urea to remove spermatozoal coats. No significant differences in EPM were detected between these two groups. This investigation demonstrates that selected spermatozoa from semen exhibit an additional dimension of superiority, in EPM, to nonselected spermatozoa, which may better equip them for the process of fertilization. Measurements of EPM, therefore, may provide yet another, perhaps valid, means of developing a clinical tool for evaluating the potential fertilizing capacity of a semen sample in infertility studies.