Seminal fibronectin in fertile and infertile males

This study aimed to assess seminal plasma fibronectin in fertile and infertile males. Ninety infertile males were investigated; asthenozoospermia (n = 27), asthenoteratozoospermia (n = 30), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (n = 33) compared with 20 healthy fertile controls. They were subjected to semen analysis, seminal plasma fibronectin estimation by radial immune diffusion, serum testosterone (T) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) estimation by ELISA. There was significant increase of seminal plasma fibronectin among different infertile groups compared with the controls. Significant negative correlation was elicited between seminal fibronectin and sperm count, sperm motility grades A, B, A + B, sperm velocity, linear velocity, linearity index, sperm normal forms and serum T. Seminal fibronectin showed significant positive correlation with grade D sperm motility and serum FSH. ROC curve analysis discriminating controls and other infertile groups demonstrated criteria value of < 674 mg l(-1) (sensitivity 100% and specificity 96.4%). It is concluded that increased seminal fibronectin is associated with decreased sperm count and sperm motility.     

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.     

Seminal leucocyte subpopulations and sperm function in fertile and infertile Chinese men

The level of seminal leucocytes and the prevalence of leucocytospermia was determined in a group of fertile and infertile southern Chinese men in Hong Kong. Sixteen normal fertile semen donors and 49 men with male factor infertility were studied prospectively. None had antisperm antibodies and past or present evidence of genital tract infection. Seminal leucocytes and their subsets were analysed using monoclonal antibodies and an immunocytochemical alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase conjugate technique. Seminal leucocytes were detectable in 94% and 86% of the fertile and infertile men respectively, with the predominant subset being granulocytes. Leucocytospermia (> 1 × 10⁶ leucocytes/ml) was found in only one of the 49 (2%) infertile men without clinical evidence of genito-urinary infection. Inverse correlations were observed between (1) the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology and the number of T-helper/inducer cells, (2) the linearity of sperm movement and the number of T-lymphocytes. In conclusion, the level of seminal leucocytes and the prevalence of leucocytospermia is low in infertile Chinese subjects. The effect of seminal leucocytes on sperm function in these subjects needs further evaluation.     

Seminal plasma androgen/oestrogen balance in infertile men

The hypothesis that the balance between oestrogen and androgen in seminal plasma is important for normal fertility was investigated. We determined the concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone in blood and seminal plasma from 62 infertile men and 32 normozoospermic men. Infertile men were classified according to semen analysis (concentration, motility and morphology): asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and oligoteratoasthenozoospermia. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined in all participants. For all subjects, mean testosterone levels were lower and mean oestradiol were higher in seminal plasma than in blood. Seminal plasma testosterone levels were lower in the infertile groups vs. control men ( p < 0.0002). Oligpzoospermic and oligoteratoasthenozoospermic men had significantly higher seminal plasma oestradiol levels compared with controls ( p < 0.03). The three infertile groups had significantly lower seminal plasma testosterone/oestradiol ratio than control men ( p < 0.001). Sperm analysis data (concentration, motility and morphology) significantly correlated with seminal plasma testosterone/oestradiol ratio. The findings of elevated seminal plasma oestradiol, decreased testosterone and testosterone/oestradiol ratio in infertile men, and the significant correlation between hormone levels and sperm analysis data suggest that the local balance between androgen and oestrogen is important for spermatogenesis.     

Seminal plasma transferrin in infertile men.

Seminal plasma transferrin levels were estimated in 51 men with various infertility problems and in 15 fertile subjects. The estimation of transferrin was carried out by using the radial immunodiffusion technique on LC-partigen transferrin plates. The mean value of transferrin decreased (p less than .05) in cases of azoospermia (91 +/- 51 micrograms/ejaculate). No significant difference was found in other sperm quality disorders (asthenoteratospermia = 227 +/- 141, mild OTA = 186 +/- 96, severe OTA = 247 +/- 137 micrograms/ejaculate). The mean value of transferrin decreased (p less than .05) in obstructive azoospermia cases (73 +/- 70 micrograms/ejaculate), whereas in the other causes of infertility no statistical differences were found. Transferrin was correlated with sperm count, sperm volume, and serum LH.     

Adenosine deaminase activity in fertile and infertile men

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; E.C.3.5.4.4) catalyses the deamination of adenosine to inosine. In the human reproductive system, the importance of enzymes that affect metabolism of adenosine, particularly adenosine deaminase, has been noticed. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma activities of total adenosine deaminase (ADAT), and its isoenzymes, ADA1 and ADA2, in fertile and infertile men. Plasma activities of ADA and its isoenzymes were measured in 55 fertile men and 70 infertile men. There was a significant difference in the ADA1 and ADA2 activities between fertile and infertile individuals (P < 0.01). The activity of ADAT, ADA2 and ADA1 in infertile men was higher than that in fertile individuals. This alteration in ADA activity can lead to reduced adenosine levels, which may be involved in disturbing the fertility process.     

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.     

Seminal Corynebacterium strains in infertile men with and without leucocytospermia

This study aimed to identify seminal Corynebacterium strains in infertile men with and without leucocytospermia. Semen samples from 60 infertile men were allocated into two equal groups: semen samples with leucocytospermia and semen samples without leucocytospermia. Semen culture for Corynebacterium species was carried out on Columbia agar medium confirmed by Gram‐stained film and biochemical tests followed by analytical profile index biotyping and antibiotic susceptibility. Bacterial isolates were detected in 20/60 semen cultures (33.3%) as Corynebacteria, Staphylococci, Alpha haemolytic streptococci and E. coli. In all, 12/60 (20%) had Corynebacterium positive semen culture, whereas C. seminal was the major isolated species followed by C. amycolatum, C. jekium and C. urealyticum. There was nonsignificant difference between patients with/without Corynebacterium positive culture regarding sperm concentration and normal sperm morphology; however, in positive cultures sperm motility was significantly lower compared with negative cultures. Antimicrobial sensitivity among Corynebacteria strains was highest for vancomycin, rifampicin then imipenem, ampicillin + sulbactam, ciprofloxacin. It is concluded that positive semen cultures for different Corynebacteria species were demonstrated in infertile men, whereas Corynebacterium seminale was the most common isolated species. Vancomycin, rifampicin then imipenem and ampicillin + sulbactam are recommended as sensitive antibiotics.     

正常成年男性精浆同型半胱氨酸浓度及其与精液参数关联性研究

目的探讨正常成年男性精浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)的正常值参考范围;探讨精浆、血清Hcy浓度与精液参数的关联性以及精浆与血清Hcy浓度的关联性。方法从精子库捐精者中招募了31例健康志愿者,收集其精液及血清,检测其精液常规,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血清与精浆中的Hcy的浓度并计算精浆Hcy总含量;采用统计学软件SPSS 12.0分析精浆Hcy正常参考值范围,分析精浆、血清Hcy浓度,精浆Hcy总含量与精液参数的关联性以及精浆与血清Hcy的关联性。结果精浆Hcy浓度与精子活力呈负相关(r=-0.439,P=0.014),与其他精液参数无相关性;精浆与血清Hcy浓度之间也无相关性。结论健康青年男性精浆Hcy浓度的参考值范围:6.02~21.96μmol/L(95%CI);精浆Hcy浓度与精子活力呈负相关。     

男性不育病人精浆血管紧张素Ⅱ测定及临床意义

目的 :探讨人精浆血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)对精液常规指标的影响及其与男性不育症的关系。　方法 :通过固相提取 高效液相分离 放免法 (SPE HPLC RIA)测定 4 3例不育男性 (无精子症 13例 ,少弱精子症 8例 ,弱精子症17例 ,精液常规正常 5例 )和 10例正常生育男性对照组的血浆和精浆AngⅡ 。　结果 :精浆AngⅡ 水平明显高于血浆AngⅡ 水平 ,为血浆值的 3倍多 (P <0 .0 1) ;无精子症组精浆AngⅡ 浓度明显高于其他生育与不育男性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;血浆、精浆AngⅡ与精子密度、活力、存活率、畸形率和精子顶体反应率等均无相关性。　结论 :精浆AngⅡ很可能由男性生殖道局部产生 ,除睾丸、附睾外 ,前列腺和 (或 )精囊也可能是其来源 ;无精子症病人精浆高AngⅡ 水平的原因及精浆AngⅡ在男性生育调节中可能发挥的具体作用 ,还需要进一步研究。     

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.     

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.     

Laminin and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen in seminal plasma from fertile and vasectomized men

Summary. The components of the extracellular matrix, laminin and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were determined in seminal plasma of 50 patients with vasectomy and of 50 age-matched fertile patients. The concentration of laminin was highly significantly ( P < 0.001) elevated in the fertile group as compared to the vasectomy group, whereas the concentrations of PIIINP were not significantly different between these two groups. Only weak correlations were observed between the concentrations of laminin and PIIINP. It is suggested that part of the laminin found in seminal plasma is derived from the ductus deferens, while the source of PIIINP is probably located at an upper part of the urogenital tract.     

Oxidative stress status and sperm DNA fragmentation in fertile and infertile men

Evidence suggests that disturbing the balance between reactive oxygen species levels and antioxidant contents in seminal plasma leads to oxidative stress resulting in male infertility. This study was carried out to identifying clinical significance of seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation in treatment strategies of male infertility in southwest Iran. Sperm parameters, lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes were assessed in fertile (n = 105) and infertile (n = 112) men. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in seminal plasma were found to be higher significantly (p < .001) in patients. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in seminal plasma were significantly (p < .001) lower in infertile men. Significant negative correlations were observed between MDA levels and sperm motility and normal morphology. Spermatozoa with fragmented DNA were higher (p < .001) in infertile men and significantly correlated with MDA levels and SOD and GPx activities. MDA of 4.2 nmol/ml, SOD of 4.89 U/ml and GPx of 329.6 mU/ml were optimum cut‐off limits to discriminate infertile patients from fertile men. The results show the leading role of oxidative stress in aetiology of male infertility in southwest Iran and indicate that evaluation of seminal antioxidant status and DNA integrity can be helpful in men attending infertility clinics during fertility assessment.     

Seminal plasma oxytocin and oxidative stress levels in infertile men with varicocele

This study aimed to assess seminal plasma oxytocin (OT) and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile men with varicocele (Vx). A total of 131 men were divided into fertile men (n = 20), fertile men with Vx (n = 17), infertile men without Vx (n = 40) and infertile men with Vx (n = 54). OT, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in seminal plasma. Mean levels of seminal OT, MDA were significantly decreased, and the mean level of GPx was significantly increased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Mean levels of OT, MDA were increased, and mean level of GPx was significantly decreased in Vx grade III cases compared with Vx grades I, II cases and in bilateral Vx cases compared with unilateral Vx. There was significant negative correlation between seminal OT with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. It is concluded that seminal OT is significantly decreased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Seminal OT demonstrated significant negative correlation with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. Seminal OT is associated with Vx grade and its bilaterality.     

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.     

Intratesticular and plasma steroid profiles in fertile and infertile men

In 24 apparently healthy men who requested sterilization by vasectomy, we have measured the intratesticular and peripheral plasma levels of 9 unconjugated and 5 sulphoconjugated steroids. These steroid levels were then compared with those found in a group of 18 men, admitted to the hospital with complaints of infertility. With the exception of higher dihydrotestosterone levels in the infertile group, no differences were found between the two groups with regard to the peripheral plasma levels of the unconjugated or sulphoconjugated steroids studied. On the other hand, the intratesticular levels of cortisol, pregnenolone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, pregnenolone sulphate and testosterone sulphate (but not those of testosterone) were significantly diminished in the infertile group. With the exception of dehydroepiandrosterone levels in the fertile group, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and dihydrotestosterone sulphate in the infertile group, the intratesticular steroid levels were uncorrelated with the plasma levels. The data are interpreted as suggesting that a) male infertility may be associated with intratesticular alterations of steroid metabolism which are not reflected by the peripheral steroid levels; b) the plasma and intratesticular levels of testosterone are not sensitive enough indices for the endocrine evaluation of male infertility; c) the role of the sulphoconjugated forms of steroids in the maintenance of male fertility deserves further investigation.