Sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected men

A comparative study was carried out in the andrology clinic, Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, to investigate the sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected individuals. Sixty-two patients with infertility problems who attended the clinic were requested to donate semen and blood after consent was obtained. HIV antibodies in paired semen and blood samples, sperm morphology, sperm count, sperm motility, seminal leucocytes, seminal fructose, seminal neutral alpha-glucosidase, and citric acid were analyzed. Nine out of 31 blood samples tested positive, while 21 out of 62 semen samples were positive for HIV. Leucocytospermia was associated with HIV-seropositive men (p < .01). The accessory sex gland function, as evaluated by biochemical markers, was not affected in HIV-seropositive men. HIV causes impairment of sperm motility by activating seminal leucocytes, which in turn induce oxidative stress on the sperm. Leucocytospermia is almost always present in HIV-seropositive men.     

The influence of inflammation of the human male genital tract on secretion of the seminal markers α-glucosidase, glycerophosphocholine, carnitine, fructose and citric acid

Biochemical analysis was made of specific accessory gland products in the ejaculates of 362 men suffering from various acute inflammatory diseases of the reproductive tract and 33 normozoospermic patients acting as controls. The ejaculate content of the epididymal markers alpha-glucosidase and L-carnitine, but not glycerophosphocholine, was significantly reduced in ejaculates from men with epididymitis; citric acid was reduced in men suffering from prostatitis; both citric acid and alpha-glucosidase were reduced in men suffering from adnexitis. The ejaculate content of epididymal and prostatic markers in prostato-urethritis (adnexitis), where the exact localization of the inflammation was unclear, was not as low as in epididymitis or prostatitis. Seminal vesicle function, as judged from semen volumes and seminal fructose, was not different in these groups of patients. The results, although strongly related to the clinical diagnosis, were unrelated to the microbiological flora of the semen and indicate that both the epididymis and the prostate glands are involved in some forms of adnexitis.     

Enolase isoforms activities in spermatozoa from men with normospermia and abnormospermia

Total enolase as well as enolase-alphaalpha. (ENO-alphaalpha, ubiquitous) and enolase-S (ENO-S, sperm-specific) activities were measured in total and Percoll-selected sperm from 30 normospermic fertile men and 20 abnormospermic infertile patients. The total enolase activity was significantly higher in total sperm from patients with abnormospermia compared with normospermic patients (11.1 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.8 +/- 0.5 mlU/10(7) sperm P < .05). ENO-alphaalpha activity was significantly higher in total sperm from abnormospermic men than from normospermic men (P < .05). ENO-alphaalpha activity in Percoll-selected sperm was significantly lower compared with total sperm in both group of patients; however, for the same sperm fraction ENO-alphaalpha activity did not differ between normospermic and abnormospermic men. ENO-alphaalpha activity was related to the cell contamination ratio and to the percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology. Furthermore, ENO-alphaalpha was positively correlated with the percentage of immature sperm showing an excess of residual cytoplasm. ENO-S activity was significantly higher in total sperm from normospermic patients than from abnormospermic patients (P < .05). ENO-S activity in Percoll-selected sperm was not significantly different compared with total sperm in both group of patients. However, this activity was significantly lower in Percoll-selected sperm from abnormospermic men compared with normospermic men (P < .05). ENO-S activity was not related to the cell contamination ratio but was significantly correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology. The 2 enolase isoforms seem to reflect 2 opposite aspects of sperm cells quality: ENO-alphaalpha is associated with abnormal spermatozoa, immature spermatozoa, or both; and ENO-S is associated with normal spermatozoa. As an additional index to distinguish normal from abnormal semen, the ENO-S:ENO-alphaalpha ratio was evaluated for total and Percoll-selected sperm in both groups. This ratio seems to be a new, valuable marker of the global sperm quality in a given semen sample, and may represent a predictive index of sperm fertilizing potential.     

精浆中游离L-肉碱水平与附属性腺生化指标的相关性研究

目的:研究精浆中游离L-肉碱水平与α-葡糖苷酶、果糖、酸性磷酸酶3项附属性腺生化指标之间的相关性,探讨L-肉碱作为一项生化指标在男性生殖功能评价中的作用。方法:采集30例正常生育男性和222例不育患者精液样品,分别以计算机辅助精液分析系统进行精液常规分析,同时测定精浆中游离L-肉碱、果糖水平以及α-葡糖苷酶和酸性磷酸酶活性。用SPSS 12.0统计软件包分析两组间各项生化指标之间的差异,以及精浆中游离L-肉碱与果糖水平、α-葡糖苷酶和酸性磷酸酶活性之间的相关性。结果:正常生育组精浆游离L-肉碱水平明显高于不育组(P<0.01)。两组间α-葡糖苷酶活性差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而果糖水平和酸性磷酸酶活性差异无统计学意义。相关性分析结果显示,精浆游离L-肉碱水平与精浆中α-葡糖苷酶活性具有较强的正相关关系(r=0.504,P<0.001);而与精浆中果糖水平以及酸性磷酸酶活性之间无相关关系。结论:精浆中游离L-肉碱水平测定可作为评估附睾功能的一项生化指标,其在正常生育组与不育组间的水平差异较两组精浆中α-葡糖苷酶活性差异更为显著,可为男性不育检查及临床诊治和进行有关男性生殖功能机制研究提供参考。     

精索静脉曲张不育患者的精浆生化分析

目的 探讨精索静脉曲张不育患者精浆中酸性磷酸酶、果糖、锌和α-糖苷酶水平的变化.方法 分别检测120例精索静脉曲张不育患者、180例非精索静脉曲张不育患者和36例正常男性的精浆中酸性磷酸酶、果糖、锌和α-糖苷酶含量.结果 精索静脉曲张不育组和非精索静脉曲张不育组精浆中酸性磷酸酶含量均显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01）,但精索静脉曲张不育组和非精索静脉曲张不育组之间的差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）;各组精浆果糖活性无显著性差异（P＞0.05）;精浆中锌和α-糖苷酶含量随精索静脉曲张程度的增加而降低,且明显低于正常对照组（P＜0.05）,但与非精索静脉曲张不育组之间的差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）.结论 精索静脉曲张可通过某些因素引起精浆中酸性磷酸酶、锌和α-糖苷酶含量降低,从而造成男性不育.     

男性不育患者精液质量与精子顶体酶活性关系分析

目的:分析男性不育患者精液参数与精子顶体酶活性变化,探讨精液质量与顶体酶活性的关系。方法:对214例男性不育患者的精液作精子顶体酶活性、弹性蛋白酶、果糖、α葡糖苷酶、锌、酸性磷酸酶、精子尾部低渗肿胀试验检测,同时精子质量检测仪作精液分析。以检出精子顶体酶活性正常的(48.2~218.7μIU/106精子)111例作为对照组,与顶体酶活性异常(<48.2μIU/106精子)的103例精液参数作对比分析。结果:两组精液参数的精子密度、精子活动率、a+b级精子百分率、精子尾部低渗肿胀试验差异均有非常显著性(P<0.001)。弹性蛋白酶差异有显著性(P<0.05)。果糖、α葡糖苷酶差异亦有显著性(P<0.05)。精液量、锌、酸性磷酸酶差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:精子顶体酶活性与精液质量关系密切,精子顶体酶活性是反映精液质量的一项可靠指标。     

Study of the accuracy of physical and biochemical markers in semen to detect infectious dysfunction of the accessory sex glands

Infection of the male accessory sex glands may result in impaired secretory function and alteration of the composition of seminal plasma. Using receiver operating characteristic curves and accuracy tests, the power of several biochemical and physical markers was evaluated for their ability to discriminate between semen of infected and noninfected infertile men. The total output of citric acid had the strongest discriminating power, followed by acid phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Measurement of the concentration of fructose was found to be nondiscriminatory.     

Comparison of semen quality in older and younger men attending an andrology clinic

The effects of age on semen quality were analysed in patients referred to an andrology outpatient clinic in a retrospective study covering a period of 3 years. Semen analyses of older men (n = 66; > or = 50 years; median: 53) were compared with those of young patients (n = 134; 21-25 years; median 24). The duration of sexual abstinence was longer among older patients (median: 5.5 vs. 5.0 days; + 10%, P < 0.05). Even after adjustment for duration of sexual abstinence, progressive motility (- 27%, P < 0.01), percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (- 44%, P < 0.01) and semen volume (- 29%, P < 0.0005) were significantly lower in older than in younger men. Impaired sperm morphology was mainly attributed to abnormal staining of flagella (+ 50%, P < 0.05) and an increased portion of coiled or bent tails (+ 44%, P = 0.001) indicating epididymal dysfunction. Total sperm count and sperm concentration were unaffected by age. Age-dependent changes in accessory gland function, as indicated by fructose concentration (- 27%, P < 0.05), was correlated with lower semen volume. Moreover, serum testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the group of older men (median: 3.0 vs. 3.6 ng ml-1; -17%, P < 0.005).     

Impact of clinically silent inflammation on male genital tract organs as reflected by biochemical markers in semen.

Three hundred eight-nine healthy, infertile patients were studied to determine the effects of inflammation on genital tract organs. Clinically silent inflammation was diagnosed by measuring polymorphonuclear granulocyte (PMN) elastase in semen. Seminal vesicle, prostate, and epididymis functions were assessed by measuring fructose, citric acid, and neutral alpha-glucosidase in semen. There was a significant relationship between high PMN elastase levels and low citric acid levels in semen; fructose and neutral alpha-glucosidase were not related to PMN elastase. Semen samples with increased PMN elastase levels (greater than 250 and greater than 1,000 ng/ml) showed a high incidence of pathologic citric acid levels (67% and 73%, respectively). These biochemical data indicate that the prostate is the main target in clinically silent male genital tract inflammation.     

精索静脉曲张不育患者精浆颗粒溶素与精液质量的相关性分析

目的探讨颗粒溶素在精索静脉曲张(VC)患者精液的表达水平及临床意义。方法选择2016年9月至2017年7月在本院就诊的80例男性不育患者作为观察组,其中45例为原发性VC(VC不育组),35例患者不合并VC(非VC不育组)。同时,本研究选取30例健康男性为可育对照组。检测所有入组精液精子密度、精子活动率、精子正常形态比例以及颗粒溶素的表达水平。结果VC不育患者精浆颗粒溶素的表达水平均显著高于可育对照组;此外,与非VC不育患者相比较,VC不育患者精浆颗粒溶素水平更高;精浆颗粒溶素的表达与精子浓度(r=-0.364,P<0.001)、精子活力(r=-0.397,P<0.001)和精子正常形态(r=-0.441,P<0.001)均呈负相关。结论不育合并VC患者精浆颗粒溶素表达水平显著高于正常健康人群,且其表达水平与VC等级密切相关。     

The biochemical indices of the sperm in chronic inflammatory diseases of the accessory genital glands]

Male accessory gland inflammation may interfere with the reproductive potential and can result in the glands secretory dysfunction. Asymptomatic inflammations are difficult to diagnose. This study correlates the white blood cell count in semen to different biochemical markers of accessory gland function, e. g. zinc, citric acid, acid phosphatase, fructose, gamma-glutamyl, transferase to facilitate the diagnosis of asymptomatic inflammation. 230 patients were investigated using the WHO simplified protocol for the infertile couples (project N 84914). Basing on the semen leucocyte number, all the patients were divided into five groups. The semen and biochemical markers were analyzed according to the WHO guidelines including the regression analysis. The data obtained indicate that WBS in the semen correlates closely with reduced concentrations of seminal plasma citric acid and zinc.     

Simultaneous measurement of sperm LDH, LDH-X, CPK activities and ATP content in normospermic and oligozoospermic men

Total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH-X, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities and ATP content were measured in washed spermatozoa from 188 normospermic and 94 oligozoospermic men. These four biochemical parameters were significantly higher (p>0.00l) in spermatozoa from oligozoospermic men than in those from normospermic men and were related inversely to sperm concentration. In oligozoospermic men the activity of sperm LDH and LDH-X was related sipficantly to sperm CPK activity (r = 0.5486 and r = 0.4442, respectively), whereas this relationship was less evident in normospermic men ( r = 0.4124 and r = 0.3844, respectively). Sperm ATP content was related weakly to sperm LDH, LDH-X and CPK activities both in oligozoospermic and normospermic men. After separation on a discontinuous (40% and 80%) Percoll gradient LDH, LDH-X, CPK activities and ATP content in 80% separated sperm fractions from 48 normospermic and 30 oligozoospermic men were found to be significantly lower than in the initial semen sample in both groups of subjects. The 80% separated sperm fi-actions fiom oligozoospermic and normospermic men did not differ in their LDH or LDH-X activities or ATP content, whereas sperm CPK activity was still significantly higher in oligozoospermic men. These data suggest that, of the four parameters studied, high levels of intracellular CPK activity are the most relevant biochemical feature of spermatozoa from oligozoospermic men.     

Seminal plasma zinc and magnesium in infertile men

Levels of zinc and magnesium were estimated in the seminal plasma of 83 men having various infertility problems. There was a wide overlapping of Zn and Mg mean values among the groups of normal and infertile men, a significant reduction in Mg mean value (but not Zn) only in the group with infection of the accessory genital glands, a very high positive correlation between Zn and Mg mean values in all groups, and a high positive correlation between either Zn or Mg and acid phosphatase (but neither fructose nor sperm count and forward progression) in men with infection, but not in the other groups. Measurement of Mg in seminal plasma can, in combination with other parameters of prostatic function, give useful information regarding male infertility problems, particularly in the case of infection of the accessory genital glands.     

Within-subject variation of seminal parameters in men with infertile marriages

As little information exists on the semen variability in infertile men, this study aimed at analysing the within-subject variability of semen from men with infertile marriages included in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) programme. Five ejaculates from each of 436 men (2180 specimens) were analysed. The within-subject coefficients of variation (CV(w)) were high for all parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, forward motility and combined parameters), ranging from 0.73 for the total motile sperm count to 0.27 for the semen volume. Nevertheless, within-subject fluctuations were smaller than the between-subject variability, as indicated by high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values, which, however, significantly lowered when 相似文献   

Clinical significance of reactive oxygen species in semen of infertile Indian men

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in semen are believed to play both physiological and pathological roles in male fertility. The study was aimed to find the clinical significance of ROS levels in infertile Indian men. This pilot study included 33 idiopathic infertile men and 18 proven fertile controls. ROS levels in the washed sperm were measured using chemiluminescence assay and expressed as 10⁶ cpm per 20 million spermatozoa. Sperm count, percent sperm motility, and percent normal sperm morphology were found to be significantly ( P  < 0.0001) reduced in infertile men compared with the controls. Median (minimum, maximum range) ROS levels of the infertile group [24.90 (6.89, 44.71)] were found to be significantly ( P  < 0.0001) elevated compared with the fertile controls [0.167(0.15, 2.78)]. No significant correlation was seen between ROS levels and semen parameters. Elevated ROS levels in the idiopathic Indian infertile men may be one of the underlying reasons for impaired fertility. Therefore measurement of seminal ROS levels may be used in Indian infertile men for better understanding of the aetiology and selection of antioxidant regimen in the treatment of male infertility. However, large studies may be urgently warranted to find out the role of antioxidants in ROS elevated Indian infertile men through randomised, controlled clinical study.     

The effect of chymotrypsin on the determination of total alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma and the correlation between alpha-glucosidase level and semen parameters

To evaluate the effect of chymotrypsin on the examination of alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma, thirty-nine samples of fresh liquefied semen with or without chymotrypsin and forty-eight samples of fresh un-liquefied semen with chymotrypsin were determined for the total alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma. The total alpha-glucosidase level of each sample was assayed by the method of glucose oxidase. The correlations between alpha-glucosidase level and semen parameters, including semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, grade a and b motility and total motility, were analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software. The results showed that chymotrypsin had no effect on seminal alpha-glucosidase activity determination. Chymotrypsin could improve the liquefaction for un-liquefied semen, and there was no significant difference of alpha-glucosidase activity between liquefied and un-liquefied semen samples. There were significantly positive correlations between seminal alpha-glucosidase activity (U/ml) and sperm concentration (r = 0.338, p = 0.015) and between total alpha-glucosidase activity (U/ejaculate) and semen volume (r = 0.677, p = 0.000). However, there was no significant correlation between alpha-glucosidase level (U/ml) and semen volume, pH, sperm motility or grade a and b motility (r = -0.234 approximately 0.077, p = 0.099 approximately 0.993). The data indicated that chymotrypsin could be added into the un-liquefied semen samples for alpha-glucosidase activity determination, and there were different correlations between seminal alpha-glucosidase level and various semen parameters.     

LDH and LDH-X activity in sperm from normospermic and oligozoospermic men

Total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was measured in washed sperm from 74 oligozoospermic patients and 148 normospermic men. In the same samples, an additional iso-enzyme specific for germ cells, LDH-X was also measured. Both enzymatic activities were significantly higher in sperm from oligozoospermic patients than in those from normospermic men (P less than 0.001). In oligozoospermic patients, sperm LDH and LDH-X activities were related inversely to sperm concentration (r = -0.61 and r = -0.53, respectively). In normospermic men, this inverse relationship was less evident (r = -0.28 and r = -0.25, respectively). After separation of sperm on a discontinuous gradient of Percoll, LDH and LDH-X activities were increased in the non-migrated-sperm fractions and reduced in the migrated-sperm fractions in both groups of subjects when compared to the initial semen specimens. In addition, migrated sperm from oligozoospermic and normospermic men did not differ in their LDH and LDH-X activities. Although the possible contribution of immature germ-cells to these findings remains to be defined, the data suggest clearly that high levels of intracellular LDH and LDH-X are a biochemical feature of sperm from oligozoospermic subjects.     

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.     

Seminal biochemistry and sperm characteristics in infertile men with bacteria in ejaculate

Sperm examination, quantitative sperm culture, citric acid, acid phosphatase, and fructose were assayed in three groups of men: fertile controls without significant bacteriospermia (group I), infertile men with significant bacteriospermia; idiopathic infertile men (group II), and infertile men with varicocele (group III). Level of significance of bacteriospermia was greater than or equal to 10(4) germs/ml of ejaculate. In group II, motility and typical morphology percentages were lower, independently of the degree and the nature of bacteriospermia. Incidence of pathogenic bacteria was higher than in group III and linked to the degree of bacteriospermia. Fructose was unaltered in the two groups of infected men. No modification of prostatic markers was observed in any groups, except in group II, where they decreased when bacteriospermia was lower than 10(5) germs/ml and when biological pattern of semen evoked chronic prostatitis. Thus, the presence of germs in ejaculate alters the motility and the typical morphology percentages but does not result in any obvious modifications of biochemical markers of prostate and seminal vesicles. For idiopathic infertile men, it is suggested that the quantitative criterion of pathogenic bacteriospermia is a germ count greater than or equal to 10(5)/ml.     

Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile males

This work aimed to assess the relationship of seminal ascorbic acid levels with smoking in infertile males. One hundred and seventy men were divided into four groups: nonobstructive azoospermia [NOA: smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; oligoasthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 30), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; asthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)] and normozoospermic fertile men [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma calorimetrically. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels in smokers versus nonsmokers in all groups (mean +/- SD; 6.03 +/- 2.18 versus 6.62 +/- 1.29, 7.81 +/- 1.98 versus 9.44 +/- 2.15, 8.09 +/- 1.98 versus 9.95 +/- 2.03, 11.32 +/- 2.15 versus 12.98 +/- 12.19 mg dl(-1) respectively). Fertile subjects, smokers or not, demonstrated significant higher seminal ascorbic acid levels than any infertile group. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid in smokers and nonsmokers was correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.59, 0.60, P < 0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.65, 0.55, P < 0.001) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms per cent (r = -0.53, -0.50, P < 0.001). Nonsignificant correlations were elicited with semen volume (r = 0.2, 0.09) or liquefaction time (r = 0.03, 0.06). It is concluded that seminal plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly in smokers and infertile men versus nonsmokers and fertile men, and is significantly correlated with the main sperm parameters: count, motility and normal morphology. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen main parameters that could worsen the male fertilizing potential, especially in borderline cases.