Investigation of flow behaviour (viscosity) from human seminal fluid with a rotational viscosimeter.

Flow behaviour of human seminal fluid was studied with a rotational viscometer (Rotoviso RV 100 with low shear sensor CV 100 made by Haake Karlsruhe) regarding normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, azoospermia and initially prolongated liquefaction time. Measurement is done according to DIN 53018 (procedure) and DIN 53019 (evaluation) and viscosity is given in millipascal seconds (mPas). At a shear rate of 90 s-1 the absolute viscosity n is 7.86 +/- 5.51 mPas (n = 104); without the initial viscous ejaculate (n = 23) viscosity n at 90 s-1 was 5.55 +/- 1.71 mPas (n = 81). Within the group of viscous ejaculates the average viscosity is distinctly higher than the one in the group of normal ejaculates. In both groups there is no correlation between number of spermatozoa and viscosity and motility and viscosity. A reason for the different flow behaviour is not yet found.

Treatment of oligozoospermia by tamoxifen: no evidence for direct testicular action.

The improvement of impaired spermatogenesis by tamoxifen is well documented. The antiestrogen seems to act via an enhancement of gonadotropin release from the hypophysis, but there is evidence for a direct testicular effect. Thus we studied the serum levels of gonadotropins and steroid hormones in 22 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia. To study the direct testicular effect, we tested the response of 5 normal males to hCG prior to and after the application of tamoxifen. FSH levels showed a continuous increase in the patients during the three months of treatment, while the stimulation by LH-RH was not altered. In the case of LH the basal as well the stimulated levels increased. Mean levels of testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and estradiol increased significantly during treatment. Sperm counts of patients were found to be considerably higher after three months. In the normal males no differences in steroid levels as a response to hCG with and without tamoxifen treatment occurred. Our results give evidence, that the hormonal changes occurring under tamoxifen treatment are not due to a direct testicular effect.

[Gram negative infection of the axilla]. / Gramnegativer Achselinfekt.

Report on a 58-year-old woman with eczema-like lesions in both axillae. The lesions had been treated as a mycotic infection, but no fungi grew in the cultures. There was massive growth of pseudomonas aeruginosa, and some few colonies of B-streptococci were found. The lesions disappeared two weeks after treatment with gentamycin and water dressings. The disease is reported as "gram-negative infection of the axillae" because its clinical and anamnestic features are similar to those of the so-called "gram negative infection of the feet".

Influence of LRH on gonadotrophin and testosterone levels in the foetal male rat.

Gonadotrophin and testosterone levels were measured in male foetal rats at the 21st day of gestation 30 min following administration of LRH. The releasing hormone was administered by 3 different routes: subcutaneously as a single injection to the pregnant rat; subcutaneously as 12 times repeated injection to the pregnant rat from 16th-21st day of gestation; direct injection into the amniotic cavity. Three different doses of 1, 5, and 10 microgram/kg were used. The single administration to the dam was without effect. Repeated doses resulted in a significant dose-dependent elevation of mean foetal LH: 163 ng/ml in the control animals and 133,256, and 363 ng/ml in the 1, 5, and 10 microgram/kg LRH group resp. Intra animal injections significantly increased FSH and LH levels, but only those of FSH were clearly dose-dependent. A mean of 390 ng/ml in the control group was observed, with 1 microgram/kg LRH FSH was elevated to 723 ng/ml, at 5 microgram/kg to 928 and at 10 microgram/kg to 1017 ng/ml. Testosterone levels were not significantly altered. Our results demonstrate that the pituitary of foetal rats is able to respond to LRH in the same manner as adult animals.