Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Spermatic Venous Blood of Azoospermic Subjects

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured in spermatic venous blood of 37 azoospermic subjects. On the basis of testicular biopsy and vesiculodeferentography the patients were divided into three groups, i.e. subjects affected by azoospermia of obstructive origin with normal testicular histology, subjects with germinal cell arrest and those with Sertoli cell only syndrome (n = 6, n = 25 and n = 6 respectively).
The mean values (± SE) of hormone concentrations in spermatic venous blood in the three groups were respectively 2312 ± 517 nM/l. 2292 ± 320 nM/l and 2006 ± 342 nM/l for testosterone and 28.8 ± 7.7 nM/l, 39.0 ± 5.9 nM/l and 41.9 ± 17.7 nM/l for dihydrotestosterone. The differences were not statistically significant.     

Testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Human Seminal Plasma

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were estimated by radioimmunoassay in human seminal plasma. Testosterone concentrations showed no significant differences between fertile and infertile semen samples, whereas DHT concentrations were significantly lower in azoospermic and oligozoospermic samples. It is concluded that testosterone derives essentially from the accessory sex glands, whereas DHT is mainly of testicular or epididymal origin. The low DHT concentrations found in seminal plasma of oligozoospermic and azoospermic patients is probably due to defective epididymal conversion of testosterone to DHT.     

Testosterone and Testosterone Binding Globulin (TeBG) in Young Men during Prolonged Stress

The effect of prolonged physical and psychological stress on the testicular function was studied in 8 students (age 22–25 years) of the Norwegian Academy of War during a combat course of 5 days' duration. The average urinary excretion of free cortisol and 17-ketogenic steroids was 81 and 129% higher than the respective control values one week after the course. Plasma cortisol levels increased from 21.7 μg/100 ml at 8 a. m. before the course to 24.6 ( P < 0.05), and serum HGH rose from undetectable levels, < 0.08 ng/ml, to an average value of 12.9 ng/ml ± 3.7 (SD) at 8 a. m. during the course.
A marked suppressive effect on plasma testosterone levels from 5.6 ng/ml ± 1.4 to 0.9 ± 0.5, and no adjustment to stress was observed over a 5 day period. TeBG increased gradually from 26.9 nmol/l ± 9.9 to 52.7 ± 17.7 on day 6, followed by a slow decrease without reaching control values on day 12, suggesting that the decreased plasma testosterone levels probably reflect reduced production and not increased metabolism of testosterone. LH fluctuated during the course, but was significantly higher in the morning immediately following the end of the course than at the start ( P < 0.02). It is postulated that the effect of stress on the plasma testosterone levels is mediated via an action both on the hypothalamus-pituitary level and on the testis.     

Measurement of Testosterone in Seminal Plasma, Saliva and Serum by Solid-Phase Enzymeimmunoassay

When testosterone concentrations in serum, saliva and seminal plasma were measured with a solid-phase enzymeimmunoassay in which antitestosterone antibody was bound to CNBr-Sepharose-4B, we found the ratios of testosterone in saliva and seminal plasma to that in serum were 2.5 +/- 0.2% and 5.19 +/- 0.42%. Testosterone level in saliva could be an index of free serum testosterone. In addition, we found a correlation between sperm motility and testosterone level in seminal plasma when sperm motility was measured with a transmembrane migration method. This enzymeimmunoassay could be applied to clinical studies of testosterone.     

Problems of Competition in Charcoal Hemoperfusion for the Treatment of Intoxications

Both toxic and physiological substances are adsorbed during an extracorporeal hemoperfusion for the treatment of exogenous and endogenous intoxications. Using a closed circuit in vitro, we perfused one liter saline or fresh human plasma with 4425 mumol creatinine, 4854 mumol and 97,086 mumol barbital-Na, 597 mumol bromthalein, 1942 mumol and 29,126 mumol raffinose, and 200 mumol inulin in different combinations over 70 gm of uncoated charcoal with the following results: 1. The adsorptive capacity of other substances is not influenced by preadsorption of the charcoal with a low or middle molecular weight substance; 2. In the low and middle molecular weight range, there is no competition between two substances in a solution; 3. The simultaneous usage of two substances of middle and high molecular weight, or preadsorption with a high molecular weight substance, reduces the rate of adsorption and the capacity of charcoal for middle molecular weight substances, but not for low molecular weight substances.     

Correlations between Human Seminal Fructose, Blood Glucose, Urinary 17-Oxosteroids and Plasma Testosterone

Korrelationen zwischen der menschlichen Samenfruktose, Glykämie, 17-Oxosteroiden und Plasmatestosteron
Bei 18 Männern wurden die Korrelationen zwischen den Werten der Glykämie, Samenfructose, 17-Oxosteroide im Urin und in 12 Fällen auch des Plasmatestosterons festgestellt. In der ganzen Gruppe waren die Korrelationen zwischen Glykämie und Fruktose in 1 ml des Ejakulates signifikant und auch zwischen Fruktose in 1 ml und im ganzen Volumen des Ejakulats. In der Untergruppe von 6 Diabetikern war außerdem auch die Korrelation zwischen Glykämie und der Gesamtfruktosemenge signifikant. Keine signifikanten Korrelationen wurden zwischen Fruktose und 17-Oxosteroiden, eventuell Plasmatestosteron gefunden.     

Effects of Aspirin on Blood Plasma Levels of Testosterone, LH and FSH in Maturing Male Rats

Effects of aspirin administration (5 mg/100 g body weight) for various days were observed on the hormonal levels of maturing male rats. Aspirin was given orally every day for 8, 15, 22 and 30 days. No change in the weights of testes, epididymis, prostate or seminal vesicles was observed after treatment. While aspirin administration for 8 days caused an increase in the plasma testosterone level with decrease in both LH and FSH levels, prolonged treatment for 15 days and more produced a reverse effect, viz. decrease in plasma testosterone and increase in plasma LH and FSH levels. Testicular ascorbic acid content was found to decrease on the 15th and the 22nd day of treatment. Testicular cholesterol was increased after 22nd and 30th days of treatment. Prostatic acid phosphatase activity decreased in all the treated groups. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.     

Testosterone Concentrations and Sirolimus in Male Renal Transplant Patients

Sirolimus damages the testes in animals; however, human data are sparse. We conducted a case-control study to obtain further insight into this issue and compared testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin concentrations in matched renal transplant patients who did or did not receive sirolimus. We found that testosterone values were lower (11.2 +/- 6.3 nmol/L vs. 15.5 +/- 7.7 nmol/L, p < 0.05), in 28 sirolimus-treated patients, compared to 28 non-sirolimus-treated controls. Furthermore, these patients more commonly had testosterone concentrations that were below our reference value for normal men. In contrast, FSH and LH concentrations were higher while prolactin levels were not different. These data are consistent with sirolimus-related testosterone suppression and suggest a need for further studies.     

Calcitonin in Human Seminal Plasma and its Localization on Human Spermatozoa

We determined the calcitonin (CT) levels in peripheral plasma and in seminal fluid of 15 normal human subjects: the concentration of the hormone in seminal fluid was about 30 times higher than the concentration found in peripheral plasma. We also studied the localization of calcitonin on human spermatozoa by means of an indirect immunofluorescent technique, using an anti-human CT rabbit serum and a fluorescein-isothiocyanate conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulins serum. A bright fluorescence was observed at the middle piece and neck, while the tail's principal piece was weakly stained. With an anti-human CT rabbit serum pre-absorbed with human CT no fluorescent staining was detectable. These findings demonstrate that calcitonin is localized onto spermatozoa and suggest a potential role for calcitonin in the calcium dependent-mechanisms of spermatozoa.     

Effects of Epidural Analgesia on Plasma Catecholamines and Cortisol in Parturition

To assess the effect of epidural block on plasma catecholamines and cortisol during labour and delivery, plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol levels were determined in 26 healthy parturients, all of whom delivered vaginally (18 received an epidural block, eight had meperidine 50 mg intramuscularly). We found a significant drop of plasma epinephrine and cortisol and no significant reduction of plasma norepinephrine 1 h after administration of epidural block compared to preblock values. Observing the data during the whole course of labour in correlation with cervical dilatation, in the control group, where the parturients received meperidine, all hormones rose progressively up to the moment of delivery. One hour after delivery the catecholamines returned to normal levels; cortisol returned more slowly. In the epidural group the increase of plasma epinephrine and cortisol was significantly inhibited but not that of norepinephrine.     

Mass Transfer Characteristics of Hollow-Fiber Dialyzers and Hemoperfusion Devices

Clearance versus time tests were carried out on three charcoal-based hemoperfusion devices (Sandev, Becton-Dickinson and Gambro) using solutions of 1 gm/L sodium salicylate in a pH 7.4 buffer and in bovine blood at flow rates of 200 ml/min. Similar tests were performed on a Cordis Dow 2.5 m2 hollow-fiber dialyzer at a tube side flow rate (QB) of 200 ml/min. Buffer was pumped through the dialysate side at a flow rate (QD) of 400 ml/min. Two dialyzers were run in series at QB = 200 ml/min and QD = 500 or 1000 ml/min. Mass transfer resistances were computed from the test results. These values are useful in that they constitute an index of the intrinsic initial kinetics of solute transfer in each device. However, the clearance versus time curves indicate that these initial kinetics decrease at different rates for each hemoperfusion unit as sorption capacity begins to be depleted. In contrast, the initial clearances for the dialyzers remain at their initial values. These data reveal much about the relative mass transfer characteristics of these devices.     

Hemoperfusion and DNA Synthesis in the Rat Liver Part I: The Effect of Hemoperfusion on the Rate of DNA Synthesis

An investigation has been made into whether charcoal hemoperfusion stimulates a hyperplastic response in the liver of the normal rat. Animals underwent hemoperfusion over Norit RBX1 (Strathclyde, Glasgow, U. K.) charcoal granules using a technique which allowed perfusion in the unrestrained and conscious state. Controls consisted of animals subjected to perfusion through empty columns and animals cannulated only. Body weight, liver weight, function, and DNA synthesis were recorded at various times after completion of perfusion and control procedures. The results indicated that charcoal hemoperfusion did not stimulate a hyperplastic response in the liver of the normal rat following perfusion, and did not produce marked changes in body weight, liver weight, and function.     

Effects of Testosterone, Progesterone and Testosterone plus Progesterone on Rat Testicular Lipids

The effects of testosterone, progesterone or testosterone plus progesterone on testicular lipids of pubertal rats are presented. The hormones were administered for 1 day as well as 7 days continuously to study both short and long term effects. Testosterone induced marked depletion of glycerides in short and long term treatments. It elicited a significant increase in phospholipids only in long term treatment. Progesterone brought about marked increase in esterified cholesterol with a congenital fall in free cholesterol. It had no significant effect on testicular glycerides and phospholipids Testosterone plus progesterone administration caused marked increase in phospholipids with a fall in glyceride levels even in short term treatment. There was a marked increase in esterified cholesterol with a concurrent fall in free cholesterol level. Thus, testosterone plus progesterone treatment brought out marked changes in phospholipids, glycerides and cholesterol fractions.
These hormonal treatments did not have any significant effect on testicular weight in short as well as long term studies.     

Hemoperfusion versus Hemodialysis in the Management of Patients Severely Poisoned by Organophosphorus Insecticides and Bipyridyl Herbicides

Organophosphorus insecticides (parathion, demeton-S-methyl sulfoxide, dimethoate) inhibit cholinesterase activity. Besides the well-known resulting biochemical changes, there is evidence of direct toxic effects due to an excess of organophosphorus in blood and tissue. The therapeutic measure described here aims at eliminating organophosphorus. Hemodialysis (HD) has no effect in parathion poisoning, but hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal (HP-CHAR) results in a clearance of 59.20% of the blood flow (ml/min) while the HP clearance with Amberlite XAD-4 (HP-XAD) is 81.33%. HD may be used in poisoning by demeton-S-methyl sulfoxide (clearance: 52.98%), and dimethoate (clearance: 59.07%), but HP-CHAR clearance is much higher (83.70% and 87.84%, respectively). HP-XAD clearance even reaches 100% of the blood flow. Demeton-S-methyl sulfoxide and dimethoate are distributed almost equally in blood and tissue, and the effect of HP is indicated by a rapid decline in blood organophosphorus level as well as by an improvement in the signs and symptoms of the patient. Parathion accumulation is six to eight times higher in the tissue. This means there is protracted decline in blood level because of redistribution and less clinical evidence of improvement. However, animal trials demonstrate that HP-CHAR results in a significantly faster decrease in parathion concentration in muscle and brain as compared with the control group. Hence, HP is an effective method for removing toxicologically relevant amounts of organophosphorus from the body. Oral poisoning with bipyridyl herbicides such as paraquat (Gramoxone®) and diquat (Reglone®) is extremely serious. Fatal consequences occur after even one to three mouthfuls of the commercial liquid preparations. The literature reports that patients whose plasma levels within the first 48 hours exceed 0.1-0.2 μg/ml have died, regardless of therapy. Recently, two patients with severe suicidal poisonings were treated by almost continuous HP (and HD) using 12 and 21 columns, respectively, for a period of two to three weeks. Paraquat plasma levels were 1.12 μg/ml and 1.44 μg/ml, respectively, within the first 48 hours after ingestion. Both patients survived without lung damage. HP-CHAR clearance (72.7 ml/min, blood flow 100 ml/min) clearly exceeds that of HD (11.5 ml/min, blood flow 100 ml/min) at these blood levels. Probably the affinity of coated activated charcoal for paraquat is superior to that of lung tissue. Hence, continuous HP-CHAR is recommended in severe paraquat poisoning.     

Effect of Prostaglandins A-1, E-2 and F-2a on Blood Plasma Levels of Testosterone, LH and FSH in Male Rats

Effects of the administration of PGs A-1, E-2 and F-2 alpha (150 micrograms/rat b.i.d. for 10 days) were studied. Significant increase in testicular weight was observed only in PGE-2 treated group. Testicular ascorbic acid content reduced significantly by treatment with all the PGs. PGE-2 treatment caused a significant decrease in the content of testicular cholesterol, while no change was observed in the same and prostatic acid phosphatase activity in any of the PG treated groups. Blood plasma levels of testosterone drastically reduced by both PGE-2 and PGF-2 alpha, while there was no change in the levels of plasma LH in any of the groups. Plasma FSH levels increased significantly in PGA-1 treated rats only. The results suggest that 1) There is a direct action of PG particularly PGE-2 on testicular weight. PGE-2 increases testicular weight possibly by preventing degeneration of spermatids, 2) PGE-2 acting directly on the testis, reduces testicular ascorbic acid content, stimulates the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone but depresses the conversion of the latter to testosterone.     

The Effects of Mesterolone on the Male Accessory Sex Organs, on Spermiogram, Plasma Testosterone and FSH

Der Einfluß von Mesterolon auf die akzessorischen männlichen Geschlechtsorgane, auf das Spermiogramm, Plasmatestosteron und FSH
Bei 42 Männern mit Subfertilität (mäßige Oligozoospermie) wurde eine Therapie mit Mesterolon in der Dosierung von 3 × 25 mg tgl. über 6 Monate durchgeführt. Diese Behandlung führte zu keiner Änderung des Plasma FSH, Plasma-Testosteron und der Prostataphosphataseaktivität, während die Aktivität der sauren Phosphatase und die Citronensäure im Spermaplasma anstiegen. Die Fructosewerte zeigten eine rückläufige Tendenz, was mit einem Anstieg der Spermatozoendichte erklärt wird. In 93% ergab sich eine Besserung oder keine Änderung des Spermiogramms. In 30% ergab sich eine Normozoospermie. 6 Schwangerschaften wurden beobachtet.
Mehr als 50% der Patienten gab an, daß die Behandlung sich positiv auf ihr Allgemeinbefinden auswirkte. Etwa 30% gab eine Steigerung der sexuellen Aktivität 2–3 Wochen nach Beginn der Behandlung an; dieser Effekt war jedoch vorübergehend.
Negative Einflüsse auf den Zustand der Prostata wurden nicht festgestellt.     

Concentration of Calcitonin in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Men/Calcitonin-Konzentration im Spermaplasma von unfruchtbaren Männern

Calcitonin levels in peripheral plasma (8 cases) and seminal fluid (30 cases) were measured by direct Radioimmunoassay (RIA). Their relationship with seminal characteristics, calcium and swelling test were evaluated. Seminal plasma calcitonin averaged 7530 pg/ml which amounts to 142 times higher than that of serum averaging 53 pg/ml. There was no significant difference in the mean seminal plasma concentration of immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) among normozoospermic, oligozoospermic and azoo-spermic groups. However, there was a significant difference (p less than 0.05) in the seminal plasma mean concentration between high and low motility groups. A significant correlation was found between iCT seminal plasma concentration and percent of motility (p less than 0.05), yet, no correlation was detected between iCT and other seminal characteristics including swelling test (p greater than 0.05). Seminal plasma calcium averaged 175.3 +/- 29.9 mg/L which was 1.75 times higher than that of the serum averaging 100.32 +/- 5 mg/L. No significant difference (p less than 0.05) was obtained between high and low motility groups as regard their calcium seminal plasma levels. A significant correlation was found between seminal plasma concentration of calcium and calcitonin (p less than 0.05), but not with the percent of motility (p less than 0.05). Calcitonin (CT) was present in seminal plasma in higher concentrations than those of serum, indicating its active secretion within the male accessory sex glands. The role of CT in human reproduction needs further elucidation, especially regarding sperm motility.     

对勃起功能障碍患者血清游离睾酮及睾酮分泌指数的初步研究

目的:通过观察勃起功能障碍(ED)患者的血清游离睾酮(FT)、睾酮分泌指数(TSI)的变化,探讨两者在ED内分泌病因中的诊断价值。方法:120例ED患者及30例正常婚检者均来自于江苏省中医院男科门诊和病房,分别进行勃起功能国际指数(IIEF)问卷中勃起功能评分和性欲评分,采用化学发光法(CLIA)检测血清总睾酮(TT)、黄体生成素(LH),放射免疫检测法(RIA)检测游离睾酮(FT),并计算睾酮分泌指数(TSI)。结果:120例ED患者中低于TT、FT参考值的患者分别占5%、15.8%;TT在不同年龄组ED患者中随年龄下降但无统计学差异,FT、TSI在不同年龄组ED患者中随年龄下降且有统计学差异。TT随IIEF评分的变化缺乏规律,而FT、TSI随IIEF评分降低且有统计学差异。TT、FT、TSI在ED患者不同性欲评分组无统计学差异。结论:FT在ED伴有性腺功能减退的诊断价值优于TT,FT、TSI是评估ED严重程度的重要参数。