The influence of pentoxifylline on motility and viability of spermatozoa from normozoospermic semen samples

In order to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline on sperm motility and longevity, a controlled in-vitro study was conducted on normozoospermic donor semen samples using the Cellsoft automated system for sperm motility analysis. After incubation and selection, pentoxifylline was found to improve the recovery of spermatozoa and to increase their velocity. In the subgroup of progressively motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity was also enhanced. It is concluded that pentoxifylline has an effect on the vigour, but not on the pattern, of sperm motion. Pentoxifylline did not improve the motility characteristics of senescent spermatozoa in normozoospermic sperm samples. Sperm survival, as shown by supra-vital staining, and motility longevity both decreased with time after pentoxifylline treatment.     

Autoimmune reactions in patients with M-component and peripheral neuropathy.

A study of 17 patients with autoimmune axonal or demyelinating peripheral neuropathy in combination with M-component is described. The M-component was associated with MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) in 12 patients, CLL in one patient, WaldenstrÖm's disease in one patient, and myeloma in three patients. Immunohistological examination with direct and indirect fluorescence showed binding of antibodies to nerve structures of the same class and light chain as seen in the M-component. In five cases of IgM M-component, the demyelinating neuropathy was caused by binding of the IgM M-protein and complement C3b to myelin-associated glycoproteins (MAG). In 12 cases with axonal neuropathy, binding of IgG to the connective tissue of the peri- and endoneurium was found in 50% of cases, IgM in five cases, and IgD in one case. None of the patients had central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. The clinical and therapeutic difficulties are discussed; only two patients with an acute course responded to immunosuppression. A marked co-expression of other autoimmune phenomena is interpreted in the light of cross-reactions between the autoantibody and similar tissue autoantigens.     

Prostacyclin accumulation during orthotopic liver transplantation in man.

Significant hypotension commonly occurs upon reperfusion of the donor liver. In this study we tried to determine if there is accumulation of prostacyclin in the portal system. Blood samples for prostacyclin in twelve patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation were studied. Samples were collected at the beginning and end of portal vein anastomosis. Hemodynamic measurements were determined 1 min before and 3 min after portal revascularization. The results show an increase of prostacyclin from 524 +/- 134 pg/ml (n less than 72 pg/ml) to 1132 +/- 264 pg/ml. Eight patients had a decrease in systolic blood pressure from 98 +/- 5 mmHg to 61 +/- mmHg with concomitant significant increase in cardiac output (6.0) from 6.9 +/- 0.7 to 9.9 +/- 1.05 L/mm and significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) from 724 +/- 130 dynes/sec/cm to 309 +/- 98. In conclusion, 60% of patients undergoing OLT accumulate prostacyclin in the portal vein, which could be one of the causes of hypotension seen at reperfusion of the donor liver.     

Development of hatching blastocysts from immature human oocytes following in-vitro maturation and fertilization using a co-culture system

Recently, in-vitro maturation (IVM) of immature human oocytes recovered from non-stimulated follicles has been applied in the treatment of infertility. However, in previous reports, very few embryos cultured in conventional medium have reached the expanded blastocyst stage following in-vitro maturation and fertilization (IVM/IVF). The objective of this study was to investigate whether the developmental competence of human embryos following IVM/IVF could be enhanced by the use of a human ampullary cell co-culture system. Immature human oocytes were aspirated from small follicles at Caesarean section and then cultured in medium containing human menopausal gonadotrophin for 36 to 48 h, followed by insemination. Zygotes were randomly cultured either in conventional culture medium alone or in the co-culture system. Of 48 embryos cultured in conventional medium alone, all arrested at the 2-16- cell stage on day 3 after insemination. Of 46 embryos cultured in the co-culture system, 26 embryos (56.5%) arrested at the 2-16-cell stage. Six embryos (13%) developed to the morula stage. Fourteen embryos (30.4%) developed to expanded blastocysts and two blastocysts were hatching on day 7 after insemination. We conclude that co-culture significantly enhances the development of blastocysts in embryos resulting from IVM/IVF.