Relationship between acrosin activity of human spermatozoa and oxidative stress / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the association between seminal oxidative stress and human sperm acrosin activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>It is a prospective study consisting of 30 infertile men and 12 fertile normozoospermic volunteers. A full history, clinical examination and scrotal ultrasound were done to exclude other related factors such as smoking and varicocele. Presence of white blood cells (WBCs) in semen samples was evaluated by peroxidase staining. Lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa was induced after incubating with ferrous sulphate (4 mmol/L) and sodium ascorbate (20 mmol/L). Induced peroxidation of spermatozoa was assessed by determining the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Acrosin activity was measured using the gelatinolysis technique. The halo diameters around the sperm heads and the percentages of spermatozoa showing halo formation were evaluated. An acrosin activity index was calculated by multiplying the halo diameter by the halo formation rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant difference was observed in acrosin activity parameters and TBARS levels between samples with WBCs (1 multiply 10(6)/mL of ejaculate) and those without. This difference was also noted between the normozoospermic and the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic semen samples. The TBARS production by spermatozoa had a significant negative correlation with the acrosin activity index (r = -0.89, P 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The presence of oxidative stress in an individual with leukocytospermia and/or abnormal semen parameters is associated with impaired sperm function as measured by its acrosin activity.</p>

Relationship between seminal plasma trace elements concentration and sprem function in male infertility

Six kinds of trace elements were analyzed in the seminal plasma of 10 fertile and 30 infertile men by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Some biochemical markers of accessory sex glands [fructose, alpha-glucosidase and citric acid] and induced acrosome reaction as a functional test of spermatozoa were also assessed. It was concluded that measurement of the seminal plasma trace elements concentration may provide some information in cases of infertility. Also, trace elements may have a beneficial role to predict the acrosome reactivity and the functional status of spermatozoa

Effect of reserpine [serpasil] on male fertility in rats

This study was conducted on 40 male rats divided into four equal groups: Two test groups receiving reserpine 0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously for 30 and 60 consecutive days and the other two received distilled water subcutaneously for the same period and served as controls. Sex organs weights, semen analysis, level of testosterone as well as histopathological examination were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive performance of treated male rats. Reserpine significantly decreased testicular weight, sperm cells concentration, live sperms, percentage of sperm motility, velocity and plasma testosterone level. A significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormalities was observed in treated groups. Histopathologically, reserpine induced mild to severe degenerative changes in the testes

Microscopical study of spermatozoal stability in semen stains

Spermatozoal stability in semen stains was evaluated microscopically in 18 normozoospermic semen samples. Each semen sample was examined microscopically in the fresh state [time 0] to determine sperms concentration [million/ml] and morphology. Then, every semen was divided equally into two aliquots to be stored on white cotton and nylon fabrics at room temperature. Seminal fluid was extracted by the use of 1% HCl soaking and examined at different intervals [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 25 days, then 1,1.5,2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 months, respectively]. For morphological study, three wet smears were formed from each soaked portion for every studied interval. The first was examined unstained by phase contrast microscope. The second was stained by Gram stain and examined by light microscope. The third was stained with SpermMac stain and examined by both light and phase contrast microscopes. AutoSperm [the computerized assisted system] connected to phase contrast microscope was used to determine sperms concentration in fresh semen and seminal stains in unstained state

study of the relation between vitamin E status and the degree of liver disease in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Vitamin E has an antioxidant protective effect against peroxidation in lipid phase in the membranes of most cells. Previous reports have shown diminished vitamin E in some chronic liver disease. This study aimed to assess vitamin E status in patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis with different degree of liver dysfunction. Assessment of serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherol, total serum cholesterol, total serum biltrubtn, serum ALT, serum albumin and prothrombin activity were done in 40 patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis [15 Child s stage A, 13 Child s stage B and 12 Childs stage C], and in 10 healthy control subjects. Serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherols decreased significantly [P<0.01] in all patient groups when compared to healthy controls. Also serum alpha tochopherol to cholesterol ratio [which is supposed to be a better reflection of vitamin E status] decreased sign [P< 0.01] in all patient groups when compared to healthy control. Serum vitamin E [alpha] and ratio between alpha-tochopherol to cholesterol was correlated significantly with serum cholesterol, plasma prothrombin time, ALT, albumin, bilirubin and Child score. These results indicate that in patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis, vitamin E status is reduced as evidenced by reduced serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherols and reduced serum alpha tochopherol to cholesterol ratio. Both are sign correlated with biochemical and clinical findings of the disease