Semen parameters in smokers and non-smokers fertile men

Introduction: World Health organization stated that, approximately one third of the world' population older than 15 years are smokers. Cigarette smoking affects reproductive health in both men and women with poorly understandable mechanisms. Some of the studies focused on the relation between cigarette smoking and the principal semen analysis' variables such as concentration, Morphology and Motility. In this study, we compared the semen parameters between smokers and non-smokers fertile men with time to pregnancy less than one year

Materials and Methods: this case control study was done on proved fertile men in Assiut university hospital between March 2013 and September 2015. The subjects of the study were classified into 2 groups; smokers and non-smokers and their semen parameters were compared

Results: 93 fertile men were included in the present study. 50 non-smokers and 43 smokers the mean age of subjects was not significantly different between the two groups. There were no significant differences among groups according to semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and vitality. However, normal forms were statistically higher in nonsmokers than in smokers

Conclusion: according to our results, semen parameters [semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and vitality] were lower in smokers but without significant differences between groups. Normal forms were higher significantly in nonsmokers than in smoker's fertile men

Semen parameters in fertile men in Assiut governorate

Introduction: the WHO periodically releases manuals for the laboratory examination and processing of human semen. The WHO [2010] semen analysis criteria are likely to have a significant effect on the management of male infertility as the adoption of the new WHO reference values will likely lead to more men being classified as fertile

Aim of the work: to study and analyze the different semen parameters of fertile men in Assiut and comparing this with both WHO manuals 1999 and 20 10 parameters

Materials and Methods: this case control study was done on proved fertile men with time to pregnancy less than 1 year in assiut university hospital between March 20 13 and September 20 15

Results: 93 fertile men were included in the present study. The lower fifth centile for semen parameters were as follow, semen volume: 1.7, sperm concentration: 20 mill/ml, total sperm count: 45 mill/ejaculate, progressive motility: 42%, vitality: 70%, normal forms: 5%

Conclusion: according to our results, semen parameters in Assiut governorate is close to WH0, 2010 parameters and our results may also serve as reference values for future studies of fertile men from the general population in Egypt

Interferon-gamma, immunoglobulin-E and vascular endothelial growth factor in children with papular urticaria

Papular urticaria [PU] is a common childhood disorder. It is a chronic allergic disease caused by insect bites. Both immediate and delayed type hypersensitivity reactions could be involved in the pathogenesis of PU. The immediate reaction is responsible for the immunoglobulin-E [IgE] response supported by T-helper 2 [Th2] cells while the delayed reaction is mediated by Thl cytokines particularly interferon-gamma [IFN-alpha]. Mast cells which are effector cells of IgE-mediated immune responses, can release vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] after IgE-dependant activation. VEGF was reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of many allergic conditions. This study included 28 children with papular urticaria and 15 age and sex-matched healthy controls. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 7 years [mean, 3.5 years]. The duration of PU ranged from 3 months to 4 years. IFN-alpha, IgE and VEGF levels were quantitatively determined in serum of patients and controls by Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assays [ELISA]. Children with papular urticaria showed significantly elevated serum levels of IFN-alpha, IgE and VEGF compared to healthy controls [p<0.05, p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively]. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between serum levels of IFN-y and IgE in children with papular urticaria [r-= 0.941, p<0.01]. Papular urticaria could be mediated by a complex immune response involving more than one mechanism, with evidence for both Thl response [increased production of IFN-alpha] and Th2 response [increased production of IgE] with a possible role for VEGF

Oxidative stress and interleukin-1 beta in serum and skin lesions of patients with generalized vitligo

The etiology of vitiligo is unknown. Increased oxidant stress may explain melanocyte dysfunction and destruction. Increases in pro-oxidants as well as decreases in anti-oxidant agents have been reported in patients with vitiligo. In this study we investigated the role of oxidative stress by determining the levels of the free radical nitric oxide [NO] and the antioxidant systems: superoxide dismutase [SOD], and L-ascorbic acid in addition to interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] in both serum and tissue of lesional skin in patients with generalized vitiligo. Levels of NO and IL-1beta were significantly higher in the serum and tissue of lesional skin of patient with generalized vitiligo compared to the control group. While L-ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. Extent of vitiligo showed a significant positive correlation with tissue levels of IL-1beta. Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo with increased production of NO and decreased SOD activity and ascorbic acid levels. IL-1beta could have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo possibly through the induction of NO production

Lesional skin vascular endothelial growth factor levels correlate with the clinical severity in patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis to cement is a common occupational skin disease. It is a delayed-type hypersensitity reaction with Th1 type cytokine response. Interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] is recognized as the main effector cytokine in contact hypersensitivity [CHS]. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] might be involved in persisting erythema and edema in eczematous skin. Human VEGF is a multifactorial cytokine that not only promotes angiogenesis but also enhances vascular permeability and participates in chronic inflammation. Thirty two building workers with chronic allergic contact dermatitis due to occupational exposure to cement and twenty healthy controls were included. The severity of eczema was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity index [EASI]. VEGF and IFN-gamma in serum and skin lesions were measured in patients and healthy controls. Patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis showed significantly elevated levels of serum and lesional skin levels of VEGF compared to healthy controls [p=0.005 and p=0.001 respectively]. They also had significantly higher serum and tissue IFN-gamma levels compared to controls [p=0.007 and p=0.001 respectively. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between skin tissue levels of VEGF and EASI score in patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis [r=0.86, p=0.001]. VEGF and IFN-gamma might play a role in the pathogenesis of cement allergic contact dermatitis. Lesional skin VEGF levels could be an indicator of the severity of eczema

Tissue levels of Interleukin-1 Beta are positively correlated with nitric oxide in patients with Generalized Vitiligo

Recent studies indicated that interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta] enhance the activity of nitric oxide [NO] synthase resulting in release of excess amounts of NO. The later has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The objective of this study was to determine the correlations between levels of IL-1beta and NO in both tissues and sera from patients with generalized vitiligo. Our study included 30 patients with generalized vitiligo and 15 normal controls. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta and NO were measured using enzyme immunoassay and a spectrophotometer, respectively. Tissue and serum levels of NO were significantly higher in patients with generalized vitiligo than controls [0.58 +/- 0.19 vs 0.41 +/- 0.17 and 58.05 +/- 12.19 vs 28.82 +/- 3.98; p <0.01 and p <0.001; respectively]. Tissue and serum levels of IL-1 beta in patients with generalized vitiligo were significantly higher than controls [4.86 +/- 1.94 vs 2.18 +/- 0.71 and 22.09 +/- 2.64 vs 15.34 +/- 3.55; p <0.001 and p<0.001; respectively]. A significant positive correlation was found between tissue levels of NO and IL-1 beta [r = 0.82, p <0.001]. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were significantly correlated with extent of vitiligo [r = 0.57, p <0.01]. Patients with generalized vitiligo had significantly increased tissue and serum levels of NO and IL-1 beta. Tissue levels of IL-1 beta were positively correlated with tissue levels of NO, and extent of vitiligo

Effect of temperature on sperm motility and motion kinetcs as determined by computer assisted semen analysis

To evaluate the effect of semen incubation at different temperatures on sperm motility and motion kinetics. A prospective study. Computer assisted semen analysis [CASA]. Sperm motility and motion kinetics [curvilinear velocity [VCE], straight-line velocity [VSL]. average path velocity [VAP], linearity [L1N] and amplitude of lateral head displacement [ALH]]. Semen samples were collected from infertile patients [n = 20] and fertile donors [n = 20] after sexual abstinence of 2 to 3 days. Each sample was divided into 4 aliquots right alter liquefaction. One aliquot was analyzed as fresh and the remaining 3 were analyzed after simultaneous incubation at 4°C, 25°C and 37°C for 1 hour. Sperm motility and motion kinetics were determined in fresh and incubated aliquots using CASA. Motility, VCL, VSE, VAP. and ALH significantly decreased [P <0.05] from baseline values in both patients and donors after incubation at 4°C. Our results indicated that 37°C is a suitable temperature for semen storage after collection, and during transportation and processing

Assessment of quality of life in patients with psoriasis in upper Egypt

This study examined a consecutive sample of 100 psoriatic patients. The distribution of psoriatic lesions was mapped on body diagrams and assessed as the percentage of body area affected. The psoriasis disability index [PDI] questionnaire was used to assess the impact of psoriasis on quality of life. The results showed that the highest PDI scores were those of questions concerned with work, the effect of treatment on home messiness or untidiness and frequency of bathing. Social disability was manifested since disease condition prevented 94% of patients from going out socially. Social function was affected in 85.7% of those with mild psoriasis and 93.6% of those with moderate and 100% of those with extensive disease. The lowest scores were those related to the practice of sports and frequency of going to the hairdresser. The total PDI score correlated positively with extent of disease [r = 0.356]. The mean PDI score was significantly higher in those with joint affection, hand/feet affection and face/scalp affection compared with those without such affections