Mapping Fifteen Trace Elements in Human Seminal Plasma and Sperm DNA.

Studies suggest a relationship between semen quality and the concentration of trace elements in serum or seminal plasma. However, trace elements may be linked to DNA and capable of altering the gene expression patterns. Thus, trace element interactions with DNA may contribute to the mechanisms for a trans-generational reproductive effect. We developed an analytical method to determine the amount of trace elements bound to the sperm DNA, and to estimate their affinity for the sperm DNA by the ratio: R = Log [metal concentration in the sperm DNA/metal concentration in seminal plasma]. We then analyzed the concentrations of 15 trace elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn, As, Sb, and Se) in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA in 64 normal and 30 abnormal semen specimens with Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study showed all trace elements were detected in the seminal plasma and only metals were detected in the sperm DNA. There was no correlation between the metals' concentrations in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA. Al had the highest affinity for DNA followed by Pb and Cd. This strong affinity is consistent with the known mutagenic effects of these metals. The lowest affinity was observed for Zn and Ti. We observed a significant increase of Al linked to the sperm DNA of patients with oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Al's reproductive toxicity might be due to Al linked to DNA, by altering spermatogenesis and expression patterns of genes involved in the function of reproduction.

Therapeutic anticoagulant does not modify thromboses rate vein after venous reconstruction following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Recommendations for anticoagulation following major venous reconstruction for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) are not clearly established. The aim of our study was to find out the relation between postoperative anticoagulant treatment and thrombosis rate after portal venous resection. Materials and methods. Between 1986 and 2006, twenty seven portal vein resections were performed associated with pancreaticoduodenectomies (n = 27) (PD).We defined four types of venous resection: type I was performed 1 cm above the confluent of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (n = 12); type II lateral resection and venorrhaphy at the level of the confluent SMV (n = 12); type III (n = 1) resulted from a primary end-to-end anastomosis above confluent and PTFE graph was used for reconstruction for type IV (n = 2). Curative anticoagulant treatment was always indicated after type IV (n = 2) resection, and after resection of type II when the length of venous resection was longer than >/=2 cm. Results. Venous thrombosis rate reached: 0%, 41%, and 100% for type I, II, IV resections, respectively. Among them four patients received curative anticoagulant treatment. Conclusion. After a portal vein resection was achieved in the course of a PD, curative postoperative anticoagulation does not prevent efficiently the onset of thrombosis.