Sperm Quality Improvement in Cryopreserved Human Semen

Purpose

We determined if separation of spermatozoa (washed) on a discontinuous colloidal suspension of silica (Percoll^†) density gradient before cryopreservation improves post-thaw motility compared to an unprocessed (raw) cryopreserved sample.

Materials and Methods

Ten normal healthy volunteers recruited into the andrology laboratory donor program were studied. Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa were compared for loss of motility with time, motion characteristics, viability and membrane integrity after incubation for 1, 6 and 24 hours. Within group comparisons were made to baseline measurements (0 hours before incubation).

Results

Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa showed statistically significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after thawing. There were significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after incubation periods of 1, 6 and 24 hours, and significant decreases in viability and membrane integrity at 6 and 24 hours in the unprocessed spermatozoa. Although, motility and motion characteristics of washed samples decreased significantly with longer incubation periods, loss of motility with time (longevity) was greater in raw samples. Washed samples retained greater sperm motility for up to 24 hours (p less than 0.03).

Conclusions

Specimens prepared by Percoll separation techniques before freezing offer the possibility of selecting spermatozoa that retain motility for up to 24 hours. This finding can be of benefit for couples undergoing intrauterine insemination to achieve pregnancy.     

Fibrous dysplasia of the mastoid

A rare case of fibrous dysplasia involving the mastoid bone is reported. Its histopathological characteristics are also described.     

Seasonal variation of alkaloids of Adhatoda vasica and detection of glycosides and N-Oxides of vasicine and vasicinone

The distribution pattern of the alkaloids of A. Vasica has been studied with change of season. The study also resulted in the detection of glycosides and N-oxides of vasicine and vasicinone.     

In vivo andIn vitro studies on synergism with anticholinesterase pesticides in the snailLymnaea acuminata

The synergistic effects of piperonyl butoxide (PB)², sulfoxide (SU), and dimethyl amino aniline (DAA) used in conjunction with two organophosphate pesticides (phorate and formothion) and two carbamate pesticides (mexacarbate and carbaryl) were examined in terms of the LC₅₀ and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in the snailLymnaea acuminata. The three synergists reduced the LC₅₀ of phorate, formothion, mexacarbate, and carbaryl at exposure periods ranging from 24 to 144 hr. PB and SU had strong synergistic action; DAA had little effect; the highest synergistic ratio (70) was found with carbaryl and PB. The synergists enhanced thein vitro inhibition of cholinesterase caused by the pesticides; the synergistic effect onin vitro inhibition, however, was lower, compared to the change in the LC₅₀.     

The Structure of Celiprolol

The crystal structure and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and assignments of celiprolol, N-[3-acetyl-4[3-[N-t-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]-N, N-diethylurea, are reported. Celiprolol crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2_l/a, with a = 9.081(2), b = 13.800(4), and c = 17.471(5) Å and = 95.04(2)°. Structure was solved by direct methods; structure refinement to R of 0.058. Intermolecular hydrogen-bonding in the crystal is discussed. The ¹H, ¹³C, and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectra of the hydrochloride have been obtained and definitive signal assignments made.     

Meningoencephalitis in brucellosis

Human brucellosis, more specifically neurobrucellosis, is a less commonly reported disease in India; although, animal brucellosis and seroprevalence in specific areas is well reported. We are reporting 4 cases of neurobrucellosis presenting as meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by serological test and agglutination titre was > 1:320 in all the patients. All these patients had close contact with animals and history of raw milk ingestion was present in 3 cases. The aim of presenting these cases is to create awareness among physicians while treating meningitis in persons, engaged in occupations related to brucellosis or having a history of ingestion of raw milk or milk product.     

Hanging-delayed death (a rare phenomenon)

Hanging is one of the most common methods of suicide in India in which death of the individual occurs instantaneously. However, a few cases have been reported in literature in which death has occurred after a certain period of time or the patient has survived after prolonged resuscitative measures. A case of a 20-year-old female is described who survived for nine days after hanging, remaining unconscious throughout in the hospital. She died due to cerebral damage caused by cerebral anoxia.     

Auditory evoked responses in gestational diabetics.

Electrophysiological correlates of sensory function in diabetic pregnancy have not been documented. Present study reports changes in Auditory evoked responses (AER) in gestational diabetics when compared with normal pregnant controls. Human AER are generally classified into early Auditory brainstem responses (AER), Mid latency responses (MLR) and late Slow vertex responses (SVR). These potentials were recorded in 20 women with diabetic pregnancy using Ag/AgCl electrodes from Cz-A1 and Cz-A2 position on MEB 5200 Neuropack II ... plus (Nihon Kohden, Japan) Evoked Potential Recorder. The evoked potentials in gestational diabetics were compared with 20 age matched normal pregnant women using Student's t-test. Absolute latencies of waves I to V, Inter peak latencies I-III and I-V of ABR were significantly increased whereas amplitude of wave V decreased in diabetic pregnant women. No significant change in latency of any component of MLR was observed between the two groups whereas significant prolongation of latencies of all components of SVR was observed in diabetic pregnant women as compared to normal control group. These findings indicate prolongation of both peripheral transmission time (PTT) and central transmission time (CTT) in diabetic pregnant females. Prolongation of latencies of SVR components in this study implicates cortex in the central diabetic neuropathy in women with gestational diabetes.