Gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and testosterone in human male serum and seminal plasma.

Concentrations of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and testosterone (T) were measured in male serum and the seminal plasma of normo-, oligo- and azoospermic ejaculates. In addition, T levels were measured in tissue extracts of testis and prostate. The concentrations of FSH were nearly the same in seminal plasma and serum. However LH levels were higher in seminal plasma, while T levels were higher in serum. In azoospermic samples, the gonadotropins showed increased concentrations, while T levels were decreased. The concentrations of all three hormones differed in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to the control group.

Lectin binding as a biological test in vitro for the prediction of functional activity of human spermatozoa.

Adequate acrosome reaction is one of the essential events that has to occur in successful mammalian fertilization. The purpose of the present study was to assess the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa by means of iodine-labelled lectins concanavalin A and peanut agglutinin ([125I]Con A and [125I]PNA). Six sperm samples in the control (fertile) group were compared with 24 samples obtained from infertile patients. The acrosome reaction in both groups was induced in vitro by adding follicular fluid. Iodine-labelled lectins were bound to the sperm surface, and alteration in the binding capacity for [125I]PNA and [125I]Con A after induced acrosomal reaction was the main parameter for the prediction of acrosome reaction and fertilizing ability. It is hoped that with the availability of this test, in-vivo data may be accumulated.

[Susceptibility and the immune response to Trichinella spiralis infection]. / Prijemsivost i imunski odgovor na infekciju Trichinella spiralis-om.

The aim of this study was to assess a possible association between parameters of immune response and susceptibility/resistance to T. spiralis infection. The immune response to T. spiralis was monitored in two inbred strains of mice (BALB/c and C57Bl/6), as well as in the most important natural host--swine, by analysing the changes in main lymphocyte populations, the appearance of specific antibodies and worm burden recovery. In the murine model, the lower level of muscle larvae worm burden recovery in mice expressed greater resistance (BALB/c) was associated with manifested clinical signs, earlier development of humoral antibody response and a persistently higher level of CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, compared to T. spiralis-susceptible mice (C57Bl/6). In swine, high susceptibility to infection was also associated with lack of clinical symptoms, a delayed development of an antibody response and persistently low CD4/CD8 T cell ratio.

[Immunoglobulins in chronic tonsillitis]. / Imunoglobulini kod hronicnog tonzilita.

Thirty patients aged 3-40 were tonsillectomized at the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology in Novi Sad. The tonsils removed were fluoroscentically investigated to establish the presence of G, A and M immunoglobulins. The presence of all three immunoglobulin classes was confirmed in 60% of the investigated samples of tonsillar tissue. IgG producing plasma cells were seen in the largest number while IgA producing plasma cells were noticed in the least number. Immunoglobulins were positioned on the surface of the epithelium and in the subepithelial tissue. However, plasma cells were localized in interfollicular spaces in 85% of the cases which pointed to the existence of local immunoglobulin synthesis inasmuch as plasma cells were not found at all in 10% of the patients. Parallel pathohistologic and other investigations being now under way would give the basis for final opinion on local immunoglobulin synthesis and its part in chronic tonsillitis.

Protein synthesis by human fetal lung.

Biochemical and morphologic studies have shown that proteins and carbohydrate-protein complexes, in addition to phospholipids, are present in the alveolar surface layer. For this reason the study of lung protein synthesis in parallel with phospholipid biosynthesis and its regulation is of interest. The data obtained show that from 16 to 24 weeks' of gestation the human fetal lung rapidly incorporated 14C-leucine into proteins from the particulate fraction and 105,000 x g tissue supernatant fraction. The distribution of radioactivity between protein fractions after gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 revealed three major peaks of radioactivity. According to our results the protein, detected at the site of the 7S peak of normal serum, was synthesized in vitro by human lung tissue, as was a more rapidly labeled 19S protein which was released into the incubation medium. The addition of prolactin and cortisone to the incubation medium led to a dose-dependent inhibition of total protein synthesis by the human fetal lung in vitro. The significant decrease in 14C-leucine incorporation was noticed in proteins eluted from the Sephadex G-200 column in fractions corresponding to the 19S and 7S peaks of normal human sera.

Immune response of sheep to Fasciola hepatica infection.

The IgG immunoglobulin levels and the immune response to Fasciola hepatica digestive tract antigens were studied in experimentally infected lambs. A synchronic increase and decrease of IgG-1 serum levels and indirect fluorescent antibody titres were observed during the course of the infection. Antibody activities were demonstrated in IgG-1, but not in IgG-2 isolates. The antibody activity was partly sensitive to reduction with mercaptoethanol.