ABSTRACT
We studied the immunoexpression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) and mRNAs expression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), and epididymal specific glutathione peroxidase 5 (GPX5), in epithelial cells of caput and cauda epididymis of rats treated with finasteride, a steroid-based inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase. The 5alpha-reductase is known to exist in two isoforms. Both 5alpha-red1 and 5alpha-red2 catalyse the irreversible conversion of T into DHT. Formation of DHT in the epididymis is mostly due to the action of 5alpha-red2 and finasteride is more potent inhibitor of this isoform. Rats were treated with finasteride for 56 days covering the duration of one spermatogenesis (four cycles of the seminiferous epithelium). Although E-SOD mRNA is normally expressed in cells of cauda but not of caput epididymis, treatment with finasteride produced the E-SOD transcript in cells of caput epididymis too. The GPX5 transcript was detected in cells of caput epididymis of control and experimental rats, but the level of expression measured densitometrically was significantly lower in finasteride-treated rats. The immunoexpression of Cu/ZnSOD was also changed in epididymis of finasteride-treated rats. Finasteride appears to change the pattern of expression of antioxidant enzymes and may alter the protective function of the epididymis in relation to spermatozoa.
Subject(s)
Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Epididymis/enzymology , Epithelial Cells/enzymology , Finasteride/pharmacology , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Animals , Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase/antagonists & inhibitors , Dihydrotestosterone/blood , Epididymis/cytology , Epididymis/drug effects , Epithelial Cells/cytology , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Isoenzymes , Male , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Spermatogenesis , Testosterone/bloodABSTRACT
Culture of preimplantation embryos is complex and requires strictly defined culture media to sustain their viability and quality. In the current study, an effort was made to evaluate comprehensively the quality of mice embryos, grown in media enriched with IGF I, IGF II, EGF and TNFalpha. For that purpose, critically chosen and thoroughly described, complex morphological methods based on contrast-phase, fluorescent and confocal microscopy were used. The study evaluated blastulation and hatching rates, total blastocyst cells, inner cell mass cell numbers (differential staining) as well as identified embryo cells with positive reactions for necrosis or apoptosis (TUNEL). The critical evaluation of the effects of the studied cytokines allowed for simultaneous, meticulous assessment of the applied study methods. Significantly more blastocysts were found in culture media enriched with IGF-I, IGF II and EGF. Significantly more hatched blastocysts were found in media with IGF-I and IGF II. Additionally, IGF I and II increased inner cell mass and total blastocyst cell numbers. Very few cells with necrosis and apoptosis were found in the culture media enriched with IGF I, IGF II and EGF. TNFalpha produced negative effects. The observed effects were dose-dependent.
Subject(s)
Blastocyst/drug effects , Blastocyst/physiology , Epidermal Growth Factor/pharmacology , Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/pharmacology , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/pharmacology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology , Animals , Blastocyst/cytology , Cell Survival , Culture Media/chemistry , Culture Techniques/methods , Female , Histocytological Preparation Techniques , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Microscopy/methods , PregnancyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sperm morphology and find cut-off values for local andrology lab based on morphological strict criteria. To compare the results to WHO guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Strict morphological criteria were applied to 300 sperm smears stained according to the Papanicolaou method. Specific sperm defects were described in details. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The normal sperm morphology was found in 18.54% of cases, which is less than the cut-off value suggested in the WHO guidelines. The lab cut-off value aimed by the 25th percentile was 8%. CONCLUSION: Sperm morphology requires broader multi-center standardization to enable compatible exchange of morphological data and find predictive factors of sperm fertilizing potential.
Subject(s)
Spermatozoa/physiology , Adult , Humans , Infertility, Male/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate chosen sperm parameters (concentration and progressive motility) in relation to men's age and occupation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of laboratory records containing semen analysis results (n = 473, 1995-1997) of patients attending local andrology lab. Linear regression analyses was applied to co-related the age of the patients with the sperm concentration and progressive motility. Mean sperm counts and percentage of motile spermatozoa were compared in the general population vs. car drivers and soldiers. RESULTS: Sperm characteristics were not associated with the age of men. No differences between the general population, drivers and soldiers were found. The values of the mean sperm counts and percentage of motilile spermatozoa were higher than the cut-off values of the WHO. CONCLUSION: The data show no evidence of deterioration in sperm quality in relation to the age and occupation of patients.
