Fetal and maternal vitamin E content in correlation with blood lipids

The present study was designed to investigate the correlation between plasma Vitamin E and total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides in maternal and umbilical cord blood. Levels of Vitamin E total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in maternal plasma[P > 0.001] vitamin E/total lipids ratio in cord blood was higher than that of maternal blood. Correlation of vitamin E levels with cholesterol and triglycerids levels in maternal group and cord blood group revealed no significant correlation the only significant correlation was between vitamin E levels with total lipids level in cord blood group where r = 0.673 and [p > 0.001] but no significant correlation in maternal blood. Since Vitamin E and lipids share a common lipoprotein carrier proteins

Biochemical studies on human cervical mucous in infertility

We studied 25 infertile women in whomn in whom cervical hostility was the only known cause of infertility, and 10 fertile women. Total soluble proteins, IgG, IgA and IgM togeter with zinc, copper manganese and lead were measured in mid-menstrual cycle cervical mucus. IgG and IgA were present in the cervical mucus of all the women. But IgM was detected only in 20% of samples of fertile women and in 36% of samples of infertile women. Levels of IgA and total soluble proteins were significantly higher in the infertile group. Zinc, Copper and manganese were present in cervical mucus and the concentrations found did not differ significantly in the tow groups. Lead was not detected in all cervical mucus samples in the two groups

Immunoglobulins, peptides and trace metals in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile males

The biochemical characteristics of human seminal plasma and the possible role of these parameters in relation to infertility problems were the aim of this study. In the present work semen samples were collected from 64 males attending the infertility Clinic and Family Planing Unit of Mansoura University Hospital, for problems concerning infertility and fertility regulation. Semen samples were subdivided into normo, astheno, oligoastheno and azoospermic groups according to the recommendation of the European Androlgy Club 1970. The seminal plasma samples were analysed for total plasma proteins, immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM, fractionation of peptides and the trace metals Zn, Cu, Mn and Pb. It has been concluded from the present work that the essential trace elements, zinc, copper and manganese are always present in seminal plasma, zinc may be positivly correlated with spermatozoa count and to less extent with motility. Lead which is non-essential metal, and a toxic cumulative environmental pollutant was not detected in semen. The decrease in total seminal plasma proteins observed in azoospermic semen may reflect endocrine imbalance or anatomical abnormality. The peptides-types and concentrations-in the seminal plasma were variable in the different groups of semen. It is of value to call for more detailed studies aiming at identification of chemical nature, and source of these peptides, and to study their effects in spermatozoa metabolism, motility and fertilizing capacity. Immunoglobulins G and A are normaly present in the seminal plasma and may play a role in protection against infections by bacteria or viruses, but under certain abnormal conditions the level of IgG and IgA [in particular] significantly increase either by transudation from blood and/or local production, and an altered immune response may occur leading to auto-antibody in the male against spermatozoa which results in sperm agglutination or immotility. IgM is not present in seminal fluid of both normal and abnormal semen groups as it is a macromolecule and non-diffusible through the blood-prostate barrier

Alpha-1-antitrypsin in umbilical cord serum and amniotic fluid in Egyptian newborn babies

A[1] Antitrypsin, a major a[1]- globulin protease, is measured in cord [fetal] blood, amniotic fluid and maternal blood in 26 F.T. infants [15 AG A, 11 SG A] as well as in 7 preterm deliveries. 11 other non-pregnant females acted as control for maternal blood. A[1]-AT level in pregnant females was found to be higher than in the non-pregnants, and in those giving birth to full term than to preterm babies Cord blood a,-AT was found to correlate well with birth weight as well as with gestational age. Amniotic fluid a[1]-AT was lower in preterm and SGA groups compared to F.T. infants. The relation between a[1]-AT level and development of respiratory distress syndrome was discussed and the follow-up of babies with low levels was recommended

Seminal plasma lipid pattern in male infertility

The asthenospermic, oligoasthenospermic and azoospermic groups showed significant decrease in total phospholipids, lecithin, sphingomyelin and lecithin/ sphingomyelin ratio in comparison with the normospermic group. This decrease may be attributed to the dysfunction of the epididymal epithelial cells which are the chief site of phospholipid synthesis and /or secretion. The dysfunction of the epididymal epithelial cells may be caused by male genital tract infection, decreased androgenic activity or chromosomal anomalies which are the common causes of asthenospermia, oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia. Also, there were significan increase in human seminal plasma triglycerides level and fructose content in asthenospermic, oligoasthenospermic, and azoospermic groups in comparison with the normospermic group. The inverse relationship between fructose level and triglyceride content of human seminal plasma, and the sperm count may be attributed to the decreased utilization by the decreased number of the asthenic spermatozoa, also, there may be a concomitent increase in the triglyceride synthesis by the epididymal epithelial cells at the expense of the decreased phospholipid synthesis. Total lipids, cholesterol, and free fatty acids levels in human seminal plasma showed insignificant differences between normospermic, asthenospermic, oligoasthenospermic, and azoospermic groups