ABSTRACT
This is a case report of women with pregnancy morbidity (PM), some of them associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in which the glycan patterns of immunoglobulin G (IgG) were investigated based on the theory of alteration of glycosylation in autoimmunity. We used lectin blot to determine changes in terminal glycosylation of polyclonal IgG from women with antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies and PM plus vascular thrombosis (PM/VT) and seronegative-obstetric APS (SN-OAPS). In addition, we analyzed IgG from women with PM without aPL (PM/aPL-) and healthy women, as controls. Even though the SN-OAPS and PM/VT groups share the PM, only the SN-OAPS group showed a decreased expression of galactose compared to the healthy group. We also found the presence of mannosylated oligosaccharides in IgG from all patients being significantly higher in IgG from women of the PM/aPL- group. The differences in glycans presented here could relate to pathological mechanisms of PM associated with APS.
ABSTRACT
Antecedentes: El espermatozoide es una célula altamente especializada encargada de llevar el material genético paterno hasta el tracto reproductivo femenino en búsqueda del oocito, no obstante durante su desplazamiento puede interactuar con sustancias, otras células e incluso microorganismos que puede transportar desencadenando procesos infecciosos que alteran el éxito reproductivo. Objetivo: Describir las bacterias involucradas en la alteración de la función reproductiva y sus efectos sobre calidad espermática, así como la capacidad de los espermatozoides para transportar infecciones y diseminarlas al tracto reproductivo femenino. Resultados: Las infecciones bacterianas que afectan el tracto reproductivo masculino se clasifican en infecciones de transmisión sexual, del tracto urinario y las asociadas a la microbiota bacteriana, donde están implicadas una gran variedad de agentes etiológicos como Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureoplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Escherichia coli y los Staphyloccoccus coagulasa negativos. Aún es controversial el efecto de estos gérmenes sobre los parámetros seminales así como la presencia de microbiota en el semen; su diagnóstico depende de la calidad de la muestra, de la sensibilidad de la técnica de detección y de los factores de riesgo que presente el individuo. Conclusión: Los procesos inflamatorios e infecciosos en el trato reproductivo masculino influyen en la fertilidad, por lo que se requiere profundizar en el estudio de estos procesos, establecer más y mejores métodos diagnósticos y pautas para el autocuidado que disminuyan la propagación de estos agentes patógenos.
Introduction: Spermatozoon is a highly specialized cell responsible for carrying the paternal genetic material toward the oocyte. During its journey in the female reproductive tract, the sperm cell interacts with substances, cells and also microorganisms that can be transported, thus triggering infectious processes that could alter reproductive success. Objective: Describe the species of bacteria involved in the alteration of sperm cells reproductive function and their effect on the sperm quality. In addition, evaluate the ability of the sperm cell to carry infections and disseminate them in the female reproductive tract. Results: Bacterial infections that affect the male reproductive tract are classified as sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and infections associated with bacterial microbiome. Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureoplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Escherichia coli and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus are the main etiologic agents of these infections. The presence of bacteria in semen and their effect of in semen parameters are still controversial. To probe that bacteria are present in semen depends on the quality of the sample, the sensitivity and specificity of the detection technique and the patient risk factors. Conclusion: Inflammatory and infectious processes in the male reproductive treatment affect fertility; therefore, further study of the role of thoseprocesses, establishment of more and better diagnostic methods and guidelines for self-care to decrease the spread of these pathogens will be necessary.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Male Urogenital Diseases/diagnosis , Male Urogenital Diseases/microbiology , Spermatozoa/microbiology , Infertility, Male , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/microbiology , Genital Diseases, Male/diagnosis , Genital Diseases, Male/microbiologyABSTRACT
Objetivo: evaluar la información y las percepciones sobre algunos temas de salud reproductiva en hombres del valle de Aburrá, Antioquia, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se hicieron 478 encuestas a hombres entre 10 y 58 años. El formulario incluyó 34 preguntas generales acerca de la salud reproductiva. Resultados: 58,6% de los hombres encuestados iniciaron las relaciones sexuales entre los 13 y 18 años de edad; 97,9% tienen algún conocimiento acerca de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual; 76,2% afirmaron no haber visitado a un asesor profesional antes de elegir un método anticonceptivo; 16,1% no saben lo que es un urólogo; 5% creen que el varicocele solo se presenta en hombres mayores y 21,8% no saben lo que es un espermograma. Conclusiones: los resultados de la encuesta son un aporte al conocimiento de la información y los comportamientos de un grupo de hombres del valle de Aburrá con respecto a la salud reproductiva, y alertan acerca de la necesidad de adoptar acciones que involucren a los hombres en temas básicos como la planificación familiar, el número de hijos deseados y la protección frente a las infecciones de transmisión sexual.
Objective: To evaluate the information and perceptions about reproductive health of a group of men in the Aburra Valley, Antioquia, Colombia. Methods: 478 men aged between 10 and 58 years were surveyed by means of a form including 34 general questions on reproductive health. Results: 58.6% of the surveyed men had initiated intercourse between the ages of 13 and 18 years; 97.9% had some knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases; 76% had not turned to a professional advisor before choosing a contraceptive method; 16.1% did not know which the function of an urologist is; 5% believed that varicocele only occurs in older men, and 22% did not know what a sperm analysis is. Conclusion: Results of this survey allow us to have a more accurate understanding of the behavior and knowledge of a group of men in Antioquia, Colombia about reproductive health. Additionally, they highlight the need to take action involving men in basic aspects such as family planning, the desired number of children and protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Subject(s)
Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Coitus , Reproductive HealthSubject(s)
Acrosome Reaction , Acrosome Reaction/physiology , Biology/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the acrosome reaction by fluorescence microscopy and the flow citometry in a group of men with unknown fertility. METHODS: Each individual gave a semen sample for the analysis of the calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction after the capacitation process, using lectin Pisum sativum aglutinina (fluorescence microscopy) and antibody anti-CD46 (flow citometry). RESULTS: Five of out six individuals increased the number of the sperm with calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction versus the percentage of spontaneous acrosome reaction, using fluorescence microscopy (7.4 +/- 2.4 vs 22.5 +/- 10.1) and flow citometry (8.5 +/- 2.8 vs 25.4 +/- 6.0). On the other hand, the other individual the values of the acrosomal reaction with calcium ionophore A23187 were similar to those of the spontaneous reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are useful to evaluate the in vitro capacity of the spermatozoa to undergo acrosomal reaction, after the capacitation, without fusion between the sperm and the egg, but the flow citometry is more objective and allow the detection of a higher cell numbers of cells. On the other hand, although the individual that did not respond to the stimulus with calcium ionophore has unknown fertility, the obtained results allow to propose that the evaluation of the acrosomal reaction could be a useful tool in the study of the men who consult for infertility.
Subject(s)
Acrosome Reaction/drug effects , Calcimycin/pharmacology , Ionophores/pharmacology , Spermatozoa/physiology , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Male , Microscopy, FluorescenceABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Evaluar la reacción acrosomal inducida por el ionóforo de calcio en espermatozoides de un grupo de individuos con fertilidad desconocida. MÉTODO: Cada individuo donó una muestra de semen la cual fue evaluada para determinar la cantidad de espermatozoides que presentaban reacción acrosomal al estimularlos con el ionóforo de calcio después de la capacitación espermática. Se utilizó la lectina Pisum sativum aglutinina (microscopía de fluorescencia) y el anticuerpo anti-CD46 (citometría de flujo). RESULTADOS: Cinco de los seis individuos presentaron un aumento en el número de espermatozoides reaccionados al estimularlos con ionóforo de calcio comparado con el porcentaje de espermatozoides que presentaron reacción acrosomal espontánea tanto por microscopía de fluorescencia (7.4 +/- 2.4 vs 22.5 +/- 10.1), como por citometría de flujo (8.5 +/- 2.8 vs 25.4 +/- 6.0); en el otro individuo los valores de la reacción acrosomal con el ionóforo de calcio fueron similares a los de la reacción espontánea. CONCLUSIONES: Ambas técnicas son útiles para evaluar in vitro la capacidad de los espermatozoides para sufrir la reacción acrosomal posterior a la capacitación, sin necesidad de que exista fusión entre el espermatozoide y el oocito, pero la citometría de flujo es mas objetiva y permite visualizar un mayor número de células. De otro lado, aunque el individuo que no respondió al estímulo con el ionóforo de calcio tiene fertilidad desconocida, los resultados obtenidos permiten proponer que la evaluación de la reacción acrosomal podría ser una herramienta útil en el estudio de los hombres que consultan por infertilidad
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the acrosome reaction by fluorescence microscopy and the flow citometry in a group of men with unknown fertility. METHODS: Each individual gave a semen sample for the analysis of the calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction after the capacitation process, using lectin Pisum sativum aglutinina (fluorescence microscopy) and antibody anti-CD46 (flow citometry). RESULTS: Five of out six individuals increased the number of the sperm with calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction versus the percentage of spontaneous acrosome reaction, using fluorescence microscopy (7.4 +/- 2.4 vs 22.5 +/- 10.1) and flow citometry (8.5 +/- 2.8 vs 25.4 +/- 6.0); On the other hand, the other individual the values of the acrosomal reaction with calcium ionophore A23187 were similar to those of the spontaneous reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are useful to evaluate the in vitro capacity of the spermatozoa to undergo acrosomal reaction, after the capacitation, without fusion between the sperm and the egg, but the flow citometry is more objective and allow the detection of a higher cell numbers of cells. On the other hand, although the individual that did not respond to the stimulus with calcium ionophore has unknown fertility, the obtained results allow to propose that the evaluation of the acrosomal reaction could be a useful tool in the study of the men who consult for infertility
