ABSTRACT
Studies have been made on the semen of three categories (borderline, borderline tuberculoid and lepromatous) of leprosy patients to evaluate the seminal biochemical constituents viz. fructose, glycerylphosphorylcholine and acid phosphatase besides the physical properties viz. volume, pH, liquefaction time, sperm density and sperm motility. In all categories of leprosy patients, seminal pH, liquefaction time and sperm density underwent significant decline. The decline in the seminal volume and sperm motility was significant only in borderline leprosy. It was observed that seminal glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) concentration and acid phosphatase activity declined in all categories of leprosy patients but GPC showed a significant decline only in borderline tuberculoid and acid phosphatase declined significantly only in borderline and lepromatous leprosy.
Subject(s)
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism , Adult , Cell Count , Fructose/metabolism , Glycerylphosphorylcholine/metabolism , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Leprosy, Borderline/metabolism , Leprosy, Lepromatous/metabolism , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Semen/metabolism , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa/physiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Abnormalities in Stratum Corneum (SC) in leprosy lesions have been demonstrated as evidenced by poor hydration power of SC and increased SC turn-over. In continuation of the same study morphometric studies of the SC in leprosy was undertaken as per measurement of the Thickening of the SC, Mean epidermal thickness and Basal layer: Granular layer cell ratio (B : G ratio) of the H.E. stained tissues. Further, on freshly frozen tissues the SC cell-layers were also counted. The findings suggest increased proliferative activity of the epidermis which may lead to formation of defective SC in leprosy.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Cell Division , Epidermis/pathology , Humans , Leprosy, Borderline/pathology , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/pathology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The study of hydration power of stratum corneum of lesions show highly significant poor water-uptake at low temperatures (p less than 0.001), a defect not recorded after removal of water soluble fractions. Secondly, the lesions show significant poor water-diffusive power (p less than 0.001). The findings suggest a qualitative alteration in the stratum corneum of leprosy patients, probably in its water-soluble protein fraction.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Body Water/metabolism , Callosities/metabolism , Foot , Humans , Leprosy/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Skin/metabolism , Temperature , Water Loss, InsensibleABSTRACT
Two cases of leprosy--one Tuberculoid and the other Borderline are reported. The Tuberculoid patch shows sharply defined hyperpigmented border whereas in the Borderline patient, diffuse hyperpigmentation is present around the lesion. The cases are reported for documentation due to rare clinical pressentation.