The possible macrophage role in seminal fluid.

The present report was designed to study the macrophage role and their association with percentage of spermatozoa showing DNA native, morphologically normal sperm and occurrence of antibody-coated spermatozoa. Human sperm samples from 31 patients were used in this study. All samples were evaluated for standard semen parameters according to World Health Organization criteria. The sperm heads with abnormal versus normal chromatin structure were specified as orange-red versus green by Acridine Orange method. Macrophage concentration was assessed with Neutral Red in Neubauer hemocytometer. The technique for the determination of sperm bound antisperm antibodies was sperm mixed antiglobulin reaction. In our study the presence of antisperm antibodies in associated to macrophages concentration (p < 0.05). The log of phagocytic cells were highly correlated with an increase of spermatozoa showing DNA denaturation (p < 0.05). The log of phagocytic cells were highly correlated with an increase of spermatozoa showing DNA denaturation (p < 0.05). There isn't significative association between the log macrophage concentration and morphologically normal sperm (p: 0.414). Thus, the present study further emphasizes the importance of immunosurveillance of the macrophages, and the contribution at the semen quality for the success of the fertilization.

Posible rol de los macrófagos en fluido seminal / The possible macrophage role in seminal fluid

Este trabajo se realizó para estudiar el rol de los macrófagos en semen y su asociación con: el porcentaje de espermatozoides con DNA nativo, morfología espermática y presencia de anticuerpos antiespermáticos (AAE).Se utilizó muestras de semen de 31 pacientes y se evaluaron según los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La cromatina nuclear se estudió con Naranja de Acridina, fluorocromo que discrimina el DNA nativo, color verde, del DNA desnaturalizado, color anaranjado. La concentración de macrófagos se determinó utilizando Rojo Neutro para teñir las células fagocíticas y cámara de Neubauer para contar. La presencia de AAE se investigó mediante reacción de aglutinación mixta.Se encontró asociación entre la presencia de AAE y concentración de macrófagos (p<0,05). Hubo correlación significativa entre presencia de macrófagos y espermatozoides con DNA desnaturalizado (p<0,05).Pero no hubo asociación significativa entre concentración de macrófagos y morfología espermática (p:0,414).Concluimos que existe un fuerte indicio de que los macrófagos presentes en plasma seminal participan en el mecanismo fagocítico contribuyendo a la calidad seminal, facilitando la fertilización (AU)

[Correlation between ABH glycolipids in sperm and functional test]. / Correlación entre glicolipidos ABH en espermatozoides y test funcionales.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association, if any, between the human spermatic membrane integrity test and normal or altered membrane ABH glycosphingolipids expression. METHODS: Semen samples from 50 patients who consulted at the infertility services of the Provincial del Centenario and Eva Peron de Granadero Belgorria teaching hospitals in Rosario (Argentina) were collected and analyzed in accordance with WHO guidelines. The percentage of dead sperm was analyzed by the eosin test while the percentage of swollen sperm was analyzed by the hypoosmotic test. They were classified according to their ABH expression, either diminished or absent (group 1) or normal (group 2), by applying the hemagglutination inhibition and specific antibody consumption technique. For the statistical analysis the two groups were compared with both spermatic viability tests using the non parametric Mann-Whitney technique for independent samples, since the assumptions for the application of the parametric test (test t) were not fulfilled. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the percentage of dead sperm (eosin test) of both groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the percentage of swollen sperm (hypoosmotic test) of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results and the data published in the literature indicate a relationship between a reduced ABH expression and spermatozoid membrane integrity, especially at the level of the head, which leads us to consider that ABH glycosphingolipids are mainly located in this segment of the human spermatozoon involved in the spermatozoon-ovum interactions.

[Immunology and deterioration of seminal parameters in varicocele]. / Inmunología y deterioro de parámetros seminales en varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of antisperm antibodies (ASAs) and their correlation to semen parameters in varicocele patients. METHODS: Semen samples from 137 patients with unilateral palpable clinical varicocele aged 15-35 years who consulted at the Infertility and Urology services of the Provincial del Centenario and Eva Peron teaching hospitals in Rosario (Argentina) were collected and analyzed according to the WHO standardized protocols and ASAs were tested with TAC II. Statistical analyses were performed using log linear models. RESULTS: Motility was impaired in 67.2% (p < 0.001) and morphology in 97.1%. Sperm concentration decreased in 19.7%, although it was not statistically different from that of the normal population. Of the infertile population with varicocele, 46.7% had positive ASAs with TAC II. CONCLUSIONS: We found a statistically significant correlation only between motility and sperm count (p < 0.01). Our study indicates that the severe dysspermia observed may be caused by autoimmune processes that trigger cellular and humoral mechanisms.

Glicoesfingolípidos de membrana y test de viabilidad espermática / Glicosfingolipides ABH and sperm viability test

Los espermatozoides presentan estructuras glicoesfingolipídicas asociadas a la membrana que son propias de los antígenos ABH. Los glúcidos que conforman estas moléculas participan en la adhesión, reconocimiento e inhibición del contacto celular. Por esta razón los antígenos de grupo sanguíneo podrían tener relevancia en los mecanismos moleculares del proceso reproductivo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar si exite asociación entre los tests de integridad de la membrana espermática y la alteración en la expresión de los glicoesfingolípidos ABH. Se seleccionaron 50 pacientes infértiles cuyas muestras de semen fueron procesadas según normas OMS. La expresión ABH en los espermatozoides se estudió por técnicas inmunohematológicas y se clasificó según estuviera disminuida o ausente (grupo 1), o normal (grupo 2). La integridad de la membrana se evaluó con Test de Burgos y De Paola y Test Hiposmótico. Se efectuó la comparación de los dos grupos respecto de ambos test de viabilidad espermática. El análisis estadistico demostró que: 1) Existe diferencia significativa en la variable porcentaje de muertos (Burgos De Paola) para los dos grupos (p<0.001). 2) No existe diferencia significativa en la variable porcentaje de hinchados (Test Hiposmótico) para los dos grupos. Sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos podemos concluir que existe asociación entre expresión ABH disminuida e integridad de la menbrana del espermatozoide, principalmente a nivel de la cabeza. Lo que nos lleva a pensar que los glicoesfingolípidos ABH, se localizan preferentemente en esta zona del espermatozoide, involucrada fundamentalmente en la interacción con el ovocito. Nos proponemos ampliar la población en estudio e investigar el gen responsable de la estructura final de los antígenos del ABO tratando de profundizar en las alteraciones del plasmalema a nivel molecular

Glicoesfingolípidos de membrana y test de viabilidad espermática / Glicosfingolipides ABH and sperm viability test

Los espermatozoides presentan estructuras glicoesfingolipídicas asociadas a la membrana que son propias de los antígenos ABH. Los glúcidos que conforman estas moléculas participan en la adhesión, reconocimiento e inhibición del contacto celular. Por esta razón los antígenos de grupo sanguíneo podrían tener relevancia en los mecanismos moleculares del proceso reproductivo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar si exite asociación entre los tests de integridad de la membrana espermática y la alteración en la expresión de los glicoesfingolípidos ABH. Se seleccionaron 50 pacientes infértiles cuyas muestras de semen fueron procesadas según normas OMS. La expresión ABH en los espermatozoides se estudió por técnicas inmunohematológicas y se clasificó según estuviera disminuida o ausente (grupo 1), o normal (grupo 2). La integridad de la membrana se evaluó con Test de Burgos y De Paola y Test Hiposmótico. Se efectuó la comparación de los dos grupos respecto de ambos test de viabilidad espermática. El análisis estadistico demostró que: 1) Existe diferencia significativa en la variable porcentaje de muertos (Burgos De Paola) para los dos grupos (p<0.001). 2) No existe diferencia significativa en la variable porcentaje de hinchados (Test Hiposmótico) para los dos grupos. Sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos podemos concluir que existe asociación entre expresión ABH disminuida e integridad de la menbrana del espermatozoide, principalmente a nivel de la cabeza. Lo que nos lleva a pensar que los glicoesfingolípidos ABH, se localizan preferentemente en esta zona del espermatozoide, involucrada fundamentalmente en la interacción con el ovocito. Nos proponemos ampliar la población en estudio e investigar el gen responsable de la estructura final de los antígenos del ABO tratando de profundizar en las alteraciones del plasmalema a nivel molecular (AU)

[Advantages of a new kit for the determination of antisperm autoantibodies]. / Ventajas de un nuevo kit para la determinación de auto anticuerpos antiespermáticos.

OBJECTIVES: It has been widely demonstrated that there is an increased level of sperm autoantibodies (SAA) in infertile than in normal fertile men, suggesting this could be a cause of infertility. This study was designed to correlate the direct agglutination methods of TAC II (a kit developed and validated by our staff) and the MAR-Screen (Fertility Technologies, Natick M.A., Bioscreen Inc.). METHODS: 645 semen samples from patients who consulted for infertility at the Infertility and Urology services of the Provincial del Centenario and Eva Perón de Granadero Baigorria teaching hospitals in Rosario (Argentina) and 30 fertile controls were analyzed. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98% for TAC II. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of TAC II. It has similar methodological characteristics as the MAR-Screen method and offers some advantages, such as the possibility to perform analysis on frozen sperm samples and oligospermic patients, since it is not necessary for the spermatozoa to be moving. Furthermore, the test has a higher immunological specificity because spermatozoa are washed.

[Round cells in semen and genital infections]. / Células redondas en semen e infecciones genitales.

OBJECTIVE: The correlation between leukocytospermia and genital infections remains controversial. Similarly, it is inaccurate to consider the increase of round cells (RC) in semen as leukocytospermia. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible association between round cells, leukocystospermia and bacterial infections in infertile patients. METHODS: 410 semen samples were analyzed to determine sperm concentration, motility, morphology and round cells according to standard WHO citeria. Immature germ cells were differentiated by the Papanicolau stain, while the Nahoum-Cardozo method was used for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Bacteriological studies in semen first urine sprout and urethral secretion were performed. Gram-Nicolle stain was utilized for the direct examination. Cultures were made in enriched blood Columbia agar and Thayer Martin agar was used for common germs. For mycoplasma identification, both A7 Sheppard solid and liquid media were used. Presence of Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral secretion was investigated by direct immunofluorescence. RESULTS: 79% (324) of the samples were dispermic, 9.02% presented more than 10(6) RC/ml. Of these, only 29.7% (11) presented leukocytospermia. Spearman's ranked correlation, used to measure association between RC/field and PMN leukocytes/ml, showed a value of 0.2705 with an associated probability of 0.1046, indicating a non-significant association between variables. Bacteriological studies performed in 32 samples showed 13 were positive, but only 4 (30.7%) presented leukocytospermia. Of the 19 samples with negative bacteriology, 15.78% were leukocytospermic. There was no statistically significant correlation between increased RC and the presence of germs (chi 2: 0.14965, p < 0.05) or between PMN and germs (chi 2: 1.01390, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the convenience of performing bacteriological studies in semen in spite of the presence of RC in the direct examination.

[Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices: prevention of hemorrhagic recurrences caused by rupture of esophageal varices. Results in 45 patients]. / Ligature endoscopique des varices oesophagiennes: prévention des récidives hémorragiques par rupture de varices oesophagiennes. Résultats chez 45 malades.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the morbidity and efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation for the prophylaxis of rebleeding from oesophageal varices. METHODS: Forty-five patients with cirrhosis (Child's class: A: 18, B: 16, C: 11) and recent (< 48 h) variceal bleeding were included. Eleven of the patients were included after failure of sclerotherapy. All patients were treated by endoscopic ligation until the complete eradication of oesophageal varices. The mean follow-up was 8.7 +/- 6.8 months. RESULTS: Oesophageal varices were eradicated in 40 patients (89%) after an average of 2 sessions (range: 1-5). In a subset of 11 patients treated after failure of sclerotherapy, 8 (73%) had complete eradication of oesophageal varices. Six of the 45 patients (13%) had recurrence of haemorrhage, due to post-ligation ulcerations in 5 cases and to rupture of oesophageal varices in one case. The rate of complications was 7%. Of the 40 patients whose oesophageal varices were eradicated, 7 (17%) were lost for follow up, and another treatment was performed in 4 (10%): liver transplantation in 2, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in 2. Recurrence of oesophageal varices after eradication was observed in 3 (10%) of the remaining 29 patients after a follow-up of 8.9 +/- 12.9 months. Of these 3 patients, only one (3%) presented with recurrence of haemorrhage due to ruptured oesophageal varices. Three patients (7%) died before eradication of oesophageal varices from causes unrelated to the technique. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that endoscopic ligation is effective for eradication of oesophageal varices, with a low morbidity. This technique appears to be a method of choice in the prophylaxis of rebleeding from oesophageal varices, especially when sclerotherapy is ineffective.

[Acute hepatitis caused by cyclofenil (Ondogyne). Apropos of 2 cases]. / Hépatite aiguë due au cyclofénil (Ondogyne). A propos de deux cas.

We report the cases of two adults suffering from acute hepatitis due to cyclofenil (Ondogyne), a drug proposed for the treatment of dysovulation and scleroderma. Hepatitis developed 30 and 102 days after the beginning of discontinuous administration of the drug. A challenge test was positive in both cases. The course of hepatitis was reversible after withdrawal of the drug. Hepatitis induced by cyclofenil is likely to be due to an hypersensitivity mechanism.