[New methods for predicting sperm fertilizing ability].

There is no reliable method for screening for the fertilizing ability of sperm. 3 new methods are presented: the freezing test (FT), hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and migration-sedimentation test (MST). The first 2, test the functional integrity and stability of the sperm membrane under certain osmotic conditions. The MST determines ability to separate high quality sperm. All tests were performed using either fresh semen of husbands, or thawed semen of donors used for fertilization in the IVF unit. Results of the FT were not correlated with the fertilizing ability of sperm in IVF, but HOST results with fresh, but not thawed semen, were correlated. Fertilization of oocytes in IVF was significantly better when HOST value of fresh semen was 45% or more. Motility and morphological normality of sperm separated by MST were better in ejaculates that fertilized ova under in vitro conditions, than in those that did not. Sperm separation by MST of 25% or more of motile sperm, or of more than 1.5 million motile sperm in the sample, indicated statistically significant ability for oocyte fertilization in an IVF system.

A simple spot test for the detection of fructose deficiency in semen.

The concentration of fructose in seminal plasma is an important variable that should be measured in the assessment of fertility status. The current method requires the boiling of diluted seminal plasma with resorcinol. The present study offers a new two-point spot test which uses the metol method. The results of analysis of 104 seminal plasma samples are in excellent correlation with the resorcinol method. The reported method is easy to use, inexpensive, and can be introduced into any laboratory.

A direct effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on rat epididymal spermatozoa.

The effect of alpha-chlorohydrin (alpha-CH) on rat epididymal spermatozoa was studied in vivo and in vitro. Alpha-CH was injected sc in doses of 5 and 20 mg daily for 16 days. The 20 mg dose resulted in diminished epididymal spermatozoal content (8 +/- 4 vs. 44 +/- 5 million, m +/- SE, n = 5) and motility (13 +/- 7 vs. 74 +/- 4%) as compared to saline injected-controls. Fertility rates were significantly reduced; control-100% (5/5), 5 mg - 25% (1/4), 20 mg - 0% (0/4). Alpha-CH was added to suspensions of spermatozoa in vitro and a level of 132 micrograms/ml depressed motility by 90% (P less than 0.0001) and O2 consumption by 40% (P less than 0.05). Intrauterine insemination of in vitro treated spermatozoa was performed in 61 pro-oestrous rats. Alpha-CH treated spermatozoa (from 5.3 to 26.400 micrograms/ml) were found to be completely infertile compared to untreated spermatozoa which showed a 63% fertility rate. There was almost complete absence of oocytes in the flushed ampullas of recipients of alpha-CH treated sperm, in the lowest dose which did not affect sperm motility. Thus, alpha-CH has direct effect upon spermatozoal function and also has a possible effect on the female reproductive tract.

Human sperm penetration into cervical mucus in vitro: correlation between its quality, penetration capacity and velocity.

In vitro penetration tests of human sperm into cervical mucus were introduced in order to study the interaction between sperm and cervical mucus. In the present study the correlation between sperm velocity and penetration value has been assessed. 197 semen samples were run in the in vitro penetration test using semen of different qualities and cervical mucus of good quality. No differences were found either between sperm velocity in cervical mucus (17.3 +/- 0.9 micrometers/s) and in semen (19.9 +/- 0.8 micrometers/s) or at different distances measured along the flat capillary tube (1, 2 and 3 cm). A highly significant correlation was found between sperm velocity and penetration value rates (p less than 0.0001, r = 0.9). Thus, sperm velocity in semen is a variable of great importance in the assessment of the quality of the ejaculate.

Penetration of human ejaculated spermatozoa into human and bovine cervical mucus. II. Pattern and velocity of penetration.

The pattern of penetration of human ejaculated spermatozoa into human cervical mucus (HCM) and bovine cervical mucus (BCM) was studied in an in vitro penetration system by means of plate capillary tubes. Sperm penetrate the HCM in a unique pattern making their way progressively forwards in a one-way direction in between the filaments. In contrast, sperm move preferably forward in BCM. The different patterns are probably due to different organizations of the glycoproteins. The penetration values (PV) were also different in the two systems when studied after short periods of incubation (15 and 30 min), but incubation for 1 h brought both systems to the same rate of PV. Thus, this period is enough to overcome the differences between the patterns of penetration. Sperm velocity in semen, in HCM, and in BCM were the same. Cervical mucus (CM) did not affect sperm velocity. A strong correlation (r = 0.8) was found between sperm velocity in the semen and its PV rate either in HCM or in BCM. The results of this study recommend the use of BCM as a reference CM in cross penetration tests and suggest its establishment as a routine method for assessment of sperm quality.

The temperature, pH, and partial pressure of oxygen in the cervix and uterus of women and uterus of rats during the cycle.

Changes in the temperature, pH, and partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in the cervical canal and cavum uteri were measured in women with or without an intrauterine device and in the uteri of rats throughout the cycle. Only the PO2 exhibited significant variations, rising during the ovulatory phase in both cervices of women and uteri in rats. It is speculated that the rise in PO2 is related to the function of these organs as reservoirs for spermatozoa.

A direct effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on motility and metabolism of ejaculated human spermatozoa.

PIP: A direct effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on motility and metabolism of ejaculated human spermatozoa was evaluated. Pooled human spermatozoa were incubated in the presence of alpha-chlorohydrin at concentrations which inhibited motility but which were not spermicidal. The addition of alpha-glycerophosphate or washing the treated spermatozoa did not reverse the inhibition of motility. The utilization of glucose and lactate production by the washed sperm were inhibited by alpha-chlorohydrin. Glucose uptake fell 35.8% (p=.25) and lactate production fell by 59.5% (p less than .02). Oxygen consumption and cyclic adenosine monophosphate were also reduced. It is concluded that alpha-chlorohydrin inhibits the energy metabolism of human spermatozoa which appears to be due to limitation of hexose utilization and results in decreased motility.^ieng

Improvement of fertility and semen quality in men treated with a combination of anticongestive and antibiotic drugs.

The effects of a combined therapy of antibiotics and antiinflammatory drugs was evaluated in 344 men referred to our clinic for treatment of infertility. Physical signs of congestion, usually not severe, were detected in 244 men. The treatment caused significant improvement in semen quality, especially in sperm concentration, morphology and motility. Forty percent of the wives became pregnant. There was a striking relationship between increase in morphologically normal spermatozoa and incidence of pregnancy. It is speculated that the therapy had its major effect at the level of the epididymis and/or testis.