Integrin cell adhesion molecules on human spermatozoa.

The expression of integrin cell adhesion molecules (ITG-CAMs) by human ejaculated spermatozoa (fresh, capacitated and acrosome reacted) was evaluated by immunocytochemical, immunofluorescence and cell-ELIS methods, using monoclonal antibodies against alpha-6 and beta-3 subunits. Both the subunits were expressed on the acrosome region in fresh spermatozoa and post acrosomal region after acrosome reaction induced by calcium ionophore. The spermatozoa of the fertile men showed significantly (P < 0.001) higher expression of alpha-6 and beta-3 ITG subunits than the subfertile men. The percentage of spermatozoa reacting with alpha-6 and beta-3 mAbs increased significantly after the loss of acrosome when compared with fresh spermatozoa. Moreover, 35-40% of spermatozoa with normal shape and none of the spermatozoa with pathological shape showed a positive reaction. The quantitative analysis carried out by ELISA suggests that the levels of these ITG subunits decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the subfertile subjects when compared with the fertile and the difference was more for alpha-6 than the beta-3. Hence our result suggests that alpha-6 subunit may be used as a clinical marker to evaluate the sperm quality in men.

Resazurin reduction test to evaluate semen quality.

The resazurin test (REZ TEST) was performed on semen samples obtained from 75 untreated subfertile and 10 pregnancy confirmed fertile males. The results were compared with other sperm parameters to assess the quality of semen. The highest correlation of REZ grade was with motile sperm (r = 0.90, P < 0.001), sperm viability (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) and sperm concentration (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). The REZ grade indicated significant difference in the rate of positive tests between samples from fertile males and patients exhibiting abnormal semen parameters. The RES TEST had a positive predictive value of 93.75% for a progressives motile sperm concentration of > 20 x 106/ml and a negative predictive power of 88.7% for the same variable at a criterion value of 10 x 106/ml. It is suggested that REZ TEST can be performed with a relatively small volume of semen, it is easy to perform and requires no technical equipments.

Antihistaminic efficacy of Ranitidine with & without Dimethendine maleate on histamine-induced cutaneous reactions.

The effect of Ranitidine, the H2-receptor antagonist, was investigated on cutaneous response to intradermal injection of histamine in healthy volunteers in a controlled, randomized, cross over study. The response was compared with that of the H1-receptor blocker; Dimethendine maleate used alone and in combination with the two antagonists. Reduction in the wheal area was significant in subjects pretreated with Ranitidine alone (P less than 0.05), and Dimethendine maleate alone (P less than 0.05); the combination of the two antagonists, did not produce additional reduction. Reduction in erythema area was not significant with Dimethendine maleate alone, but significant with Ranitidine alone (P less than 0.01). With the combination of the two antagonists the reduction was not more significant than with Ranitidine alone. The flare response scoring on visual analogue scale was not reduced significantly by Dimethendine maleate alone but reduced significantly by Ranitidine alone (P less than 0.10), and by combination of Ranitidine and Dimethendine maleate (P less than 0.05). Thus, Ranitidine appears to be more effective than Dimethendine maleate in reducing the erythema area and intensity of flare response and equieffective in reducing wheal response to histamine injection.

Hypothyroidism in children/adolescents. Clinical and hormonal profiles.

This paper describes the clinical, hormonal and radiologic profiles in 282 children evaluated for hypothyroidism. Short stature, mental retardation or puberal disturbances were often the presenting features in the older age group, whereas in the 1-5 years age group medical opinion was usually sought for symptomatology suggestive of thyroid hypofunction. Children in the 0-1 year group were suspected on the basis of psychomotor dysfunction. Skeletal immaturity was found in 93.0% of patients with overt hypothyroidism and in 36.6% cases with normal thyroid profiles but associated with malnutrition. High TSH levels were noted in 70.9% of the cases studied. 4.9% and 7.3% patients with normal TSH had low T3, and T4 levels respectively. FSH, testosterone and PRL levels were also affected in some patients with overt hypothyroidism. Therapeutic responses based on at least 1 year follow up were available in 170 cases. The results are discussed.

Relative bioactivity of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis released during anaphylactic reaction from different tissues of guinea pigs and rats.

Relative amount of histamine and SRS-A released during Schultz Dale reaction were indirectly estimated. Percent block produced by specific antagonists, mepyramine and FPL 55712, on antigen induced response in various tissues was compared with controls. The relative bioactivity of histamine and SRS-A released was 93% and 7%, respectively, in rat lungs: 37% and 63% in guinea pig lungs; 82% and 18% in guinea pig intestine, 59% and 41% in rat intestine and 100% and 0% in skin of guinea pig and rats. Expectedly, individual experiments showed gross variations because anaphylaxis is rarely dose related.

The effects of vasectomy on health.

The study of possible adverse effects of vasectomy have been mainly focussed on hormonal balance, spermatogenesis, the induction· of auto-immune reactions and cardiovascular changes including the non-fatal myocardial infarction. The review of literature, including our own work on the immunological sequelae of vasectomy, indicates that there is no health hazard following vasectomy. The presence of antibodies to spermatozoa in some individuals, however, may effect future fertility, if reversal is requested.