[Indications and results of the cryopreservation of testicular sperm. The CECOS experience. CECOS French Federation]. / Indications et résultats de la cryoconservation de spermatozoïdes testiculaires. Expérience des CECOS. Fédération Française des CECOS.

A survey of indications and results of cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa has been performed by French Federation of CECOS from 1 January 96 to 31 December 97. 340 sperm cryopreservations (264 with testicular sperm) has been performed: 252 in excretory azoospermia, 88 in non obstructive azoospermia. 30 cycles of ICSI was performed with frozen-thawed spermatozoa with 6 clinical pregnancies (20%).

Presence of neuropeptide--Y and its C-terminal flanking peptide immuno-reactivity in the seminiferous tubules of human testis.

The presence of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its C-terminal flanking peptide (C-PON) was described by immunohistochemistry in human testes. The immunopositive material was visualized in the spermatogenic elements of the seminiferous tubules. More NPY occurred in the younger testis and more C-PON in the older ones. NPY positive material was present mainly in the spermatogonia, and in the primary spermatocytes, where C-PON also occurred. The megalospermatocytes, present in aged testis, showed C-PON immunoreactivity. Both NPY and C-PON were present in granular form in the perinuclear zone of the cells. No positive material was detected in the Sertoli cells or in the Leydig cells. It is possible that NPY and its precursor are synthetized within the testis and might play a role in the paracrine and/or autocrine regulation of spermatogenesis.

Circannual rhythms of sperm parameters of fertile men.

Mean monthly values for ejaculate volume, sperm density, and percentage of motile sperm were calculated from semen analyses performed on volunteered donors to the laboratory from 1979 to 1986. The data of 4,196 ejaculates were computerized by the single Cosinor method for searching on circannual rhythms of the parameters. The study does not detect circannual rhythms, neither of the ejaculate volume nor of the percentage of motile sperm. A statistically significant high-amplitude seasonal variation was detected in sperm court, the highest values being recorded in late winter and early spring, the lowest values being recorded in late summer.

Immunohistochemical detection of prolactin and its receptors in human testis.

Prolactin (PRL) and PRL receptors were localized by light microscopic immunohistochemistry in the human testes on interstitial Leydig-like cells. Similar stainings were obtained with both monoclonal antihuman PRL antibodies and polyclonal antibodies raised against rabbit mammary gland PRL receptors. Moreover, the detection of PRL binding sites by radio-receptor assay on the same samples gave a confirmation of these results. This suggests that PRL might act directly on Leydig cells in the man, in the same way as in the rodent.

[Correlation of the penetration test of zona-free hamster ovocytes and other sperm parameters. Value of this test in evaluating male infertility]. / Corrélation entre le test de pénétration des ovocytes de hamster dépellucidés et les autres paramètres du sperme. Valeur de ce test dans l'évaluation de la fertilité masculine.

On investigating infertility in 162 couples the zona-free hamster egg penetration test was carried out. As a control we tested the ejaculates of 34 fertile men. There is a significant correlation between the percentage of oocytes that were penetrated and the count (p less than 0.001) in motility after one hour (p less than 0.001) and the count after migration (p less than 0.001). The outcome in 129 infertile couples made it possible for us to confirm that the percentage of oocytes penetrated, the initial motility and the number of motile sperms after migration are the best parameters for assessing sperm function that are known (p much less than 0.001) for investigating male fertility. Finally a study of the test in fertile sperm donors made it possible for us to raise statistically significantly the numbers of pregnancies per artificial insemination cycle when the percentage of oocytes penetrated is higher than 50% (p much less than 0.001). Although the egg penetration test did not prove male sterility it can be considered an extra test to be carried out over and above the sperm count and post-coital test in evaluating the fertilisation capacity of sperm.

[Peripheral effects of prolactin in reproductive function. II. Female reproductive function]. / Effets périphériques de la prolactine dans la fonction de la reproduction. II. Fonction de reproduction femelle.

Prolactin (PRL) has an important peripheral role to play in female reproductive function. This hormone, in physiological concentrations, is necessary so that the follicle can mature properly. It also helps the maturation of oocytes and is essential for the physiological action of the corpus luteum so that progesterone production can be stimulated. It inhibits its catabolism and is responsible for keeping up the numbers of LH and oestradiol receptors. It works through the intermediary of prolactin receptors which are localised on the granulosa cells. The mechanism is through immuno-cytochemistry and it can be distinguished biochemically (Ka = 0.5 10(10) M). Probably, when levels are high it upsets follicular maturation by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the oestrogens and also by stimulating the secretion in the granulosa cells of a substance that inhibits oocyte maturation: and prolactin exercises a luteolytic action by stimulating the catabolism of the hormone and lessening the numbers of LH receptors. On the other and, there are high concentrations of PRL in amniotic fluid. As endometrial cells undergo the phenomenon of decidualization they produce PRL which is identical biochemically with the pituitary hormone. Certain steroids seem to regulate this synthesis of PRL. This hormone must play a role in fetal osmoregulation through the intermediary of prolactin receptors.

[Peripheral effects of prolactin in reproductive function. I. Male reproductive function]. / Effets périphériques de la prolactine dans la fonction de reproduction. I. Fonction de reproduction mâle.

Prolactin plays a peripheral role in male reproductive function just as it does in female function. Prolactin, through the medium of immunocytochemistry acts on testicular steroidogenesis through prolactin receptors which are sited on the Leydig cells. It alters the number of LH receptors and therefore the sensitivity of the testis to central stimulation and equally interferes with androgen synthesis. In the areas of physiological concentration the principal effect seems to be to stimulate secretion of testosterone by keeping up the number of LH receptors; but when there is acute hyperprolactinaemia, testosterone secretion is lowered or perhaps not changed at all because of a "post-receptor effect", in spite of there being larger numbers of LH receptors. The direct effect of prolactin on spermatogenesis has not yet been worked out and the results that have been obtained are controversial. Prolactin exerts a direct stimulating effect on the growth of prostatic cells working synergistically with testosterone through specific prolactin receptors. It could play a role in certain cancers of the prostate.

Paracrine factors in adult rat testis gonadotrophin control of opioids and LHRH like peptide.

A paracrine regulation involves agents which are produced by one cell type and act on an other one within an organ. In rodent testis, local control mechanisms modulate the actions of the gonadotrophins according to local requirements. Two groups of peptides-opioids and testicular LHRH are defined as paracrine factors and in vivo they are both modified by HCG. In vitro, after HCG exposure, we first localized an opioid like material in Sertoli cells cytoplasma by immunohistochemistry. This material is detected in freeze dried homologous culture media using a dot immunobinding technique. With a longer HCG exposure, an LHRH like material is then visualized in the basal compartment of the Sertoli cells and it is detected in freeze dried homologous culture media by the same technical procedure than for opioid material. By adding synthetic enkephalins to culture medium, we obtain the same results as with the endogenous opioid material, excreted after HCG addition. If naloxone a potent opiate antagonist, is added to the culture medium previously to HCG or enkephalins, the Sertoli cells cytoplasma are no more immunoreactives with the anti-enkephalin serum and no LHRH material is neither visualized by immunohistochemical technique neither detected in culture media. We conclude that testicular opioids, synthetized by the Leydig cells and which have specific Sertoli cells receptors are one Leydig-Sertoli paracrine communication factor. One way of response to their receptor fixation is the synthesis and excretion by Sertoli cells of testicular LHRH. This one is known to act on Leydig cells via specific receptors and it is one Sertoli-Leydig cells paracrine communication factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Copper - a major contraceptive agent?]. / Le cuivre, agent contraceptif majeur?

PIP: The effect of copper ions on the motility of human sperm was studied in vitro to determine whether copper is toxic to sperm. Sperm samples from 30 men of proven fertility who had high quality sperm were collected, separated from the seminal fluid, and resuspended in Menezzo, a chemical medium designed to resemble the secretions of the Fallopian tubes. Menezzo contains all the known constituents which aid sperm capacitation, including mineral salts, organic compounds, free amino acids, and enzymes. Its pH is between 7.4 and 7.6. After 1 hour of incubation the dead and weak sperm were separated out and only mobile sperm were tested. Crystallized copper sulfate was added to 4 of the 5 sperm-Menezzo mixtures. The final concentrations were of 1 millimolar, .1 millimolar, .01 millimolar, and .001 millimolar. Sperm motility showed a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of 1 millimolar but only after a latency period of at least 5 hours. At lesser concentrations and in shorter time periods no significant difference was observed compared to the control. The copper released from a copper IUD into the uterine fluid does not exceed a concentration of .1 millimolar. The lower concentration and the long latency period before the toxic effect manifests itself, seem to indicate that copper has no direct contraceptive effect. Copper is however known to promote inflammatory reactions, and it may work in vivo through the intermediacy of the leukocytes in the uterine cavity, either by directly stimulating phagocytosis or by release of substances toxic to sperm.^ieng

Immunohistochemical localization of enkephalins in adult rat testis: evidence for a gonadotrophin control.

The recent detection of immunoreactive POMC derived peptides in the male reproductive tract raised the possibility that these hormones might regulate reproductive function. In addition, a variety of studies suggested that POMC derived peptides have paracrine effects in the testis. In this present study, after HCG addition to the organ culture medium, Sertoli cells cytoplasma became immunoreactive with the enkephalins antisera.

Immunohistochemical localization of enkephalinlike peptides during testicular development in rats.

The distribution of opioid peptides is of interest in the rat testes, because the presence of opiate binding sites strongly supports the hypothesis of paracrine function for these peptidergic factors. Testes of Wistar albino rats between birth and adult stage were examined immunocytochemically for enkephalins, dynorphin, and alpha neoendorphin. The presence of immunoreactive enkephalinlike substances was visualized in both interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, but no staining was observed for dynorphin or neoendorphin. In interstitial tissue the material stained in Leydig cells raised after birth, declined at day 12, and increased again between day 22 and day 35 of life. From day 35 till adult stage we observed again a slight decrease of immunostaining. In seminiferous tubules, intense immunostaining was observed in stem spermatogonia until day 7 of life. After this period the presence of immunoreactive enkephalinlike material was detected, mainly in some spermatogonia and peritubular primary spermatocytes. These data suggest a possible implication of enkephalinlike peptides in spermatogonesis.

[Cytology of peritoneal fluid in the diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis]. / Apport de la cytologie du liquide péritonéal dans le diagnostic d'endométriose pelvienne.

Fluid was collected from the Ponch of Douglas at laparoscopy or laparotomy in 104 women. Macrophages were always present. The Schiff's histochemical reaction was positive inside the cytoplasm in cases of pelvic endometriosis in our study. This technique allows characterization of the cell population in cases of chronic pelvic inflammation and confirmation of the diagnosis of mild endometriosis.

Gonadotrophin-like substance in the testis. Immunocytochemical localization in the guinea pig.

A gonadotrophin-like material (GLM) was observed by immunocytochemical methods in prepuberal guinea pig testes, not only on Sertoli and interstitial cells, but also on spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The intracellular cytoplasmic localization of GLM is discussed in relation to the receptor internalization theory. Variations between young and adult animals allowed us to approach the physiological significance of testicular GLM.