Focal spermatogenesis originates in euploid germ cells in classical Klinefelter patients.

BACKGROUND: Klinefelter syndrome is the most frequent chromosome abnormality in human males. This paper aims to investigate the ploidy of meiotic and pre-meiotic germ cells found in spermatogenic foci, and furthermore, the sex chromosome constitution of Sertoli cells which surround these germ cells in non-mosaic Klinefelter patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A survey of 11 adult patients diagnosed with classical, non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome who underwent testicular biopsies, showed that six of them had spermatogenesis foci. The topographical study of the biopsies showed that tubuli with germ cells are a minor fraction (8-24%) of all tubuli, although the overwhelming majority is devoid of germ cells. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes for the X-centromere and immunolocalization of meiotic proteins, the present work shows that all the 92 meiotic spermatocytes analyzed with FISH were euploid, 46,XY, and thus can form normal, haploid gametes. On the other hand, Sertoli cells show two marks for the X chromosome, meaning that they are 47,XXY. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a rationale for the high rate of success in the testicular sperm extraction plus ICSI procedures when applied to Klinefelter patients. It is also in agreement with previous studies in the XXY-mouse model. These spermatogenic foci most probably originate from clones of spermatogonia that have randomly lost one of the X chromosomes, probably during periods of life when high spermatogonial mitotic activity occurs.

Decreased protein tyrosine phosphorylation and membrane fluidity in spermatozoa from infertile men with varicocele.

Varicocele is a prevalent pathology among infertile men. The mechanisms linking this condition to infertility, however, are poorly understood. Our previous work showed a relationship between sperm functional quality and the ability of spermatozoa to respond to capacitating conditions with increased membrane fluidity and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Given the reported association between varicocele, oxidative stress, and sperm dysfunction, we hypothesized that spermatozoa from infertile patients with varicocele might have a combined defect at the level of membrane fluidity and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Semen samples from infertile patients with and without grade II/III left varicocele were evaluated for motion parameters (computer-assisted semen analysis [CASA]), hyperactivation (CASA), incidence and intensity of protein tyrosine phosphorylation (phosphotyrosine immunofluorescence and western blotting), and membrane fluidity (Laurdan fluorometry), before and after a capacitating incubation (6 hr at 37 degrees C in Ham's F10/BSA, 5% CO(2)). Spermatozoa from varicocele samples presented a decreased response to the capacitating challenge, showing significantly lower motility, hyperactivation, incidence and intensity of tyrosine phosphorylation, and membrane fluidity. The findings reported in this article indicate that the sperm dysfunction associated to infertile varicocele coexists with decreased sperm plasma membrane fluidity and tyrosine phosphorylation. These deficiencies represent potential new pathophysiological mechanisms underlying varicocele-related infertility.

Male antisperm antibodies: association with a modified sperm stress test and lipid peroxidation.

We previously reported a modified sperm stress test (MOST), low scores (< 0.39) in which were associated with sperm-related abnormal in vitro fertilization. Preliminary observations suggested that the presence of male sperm antibodies (ASA) could give low MOST scores. It was therefore decided to undertake a study to verify this possible association and also to ascertain if such a relationship was causal in nature. Six hundred and fifty semen samples from patients consulting for infertility were assessed for basic seminal characteristics, motion parameters (CASA), ASA and MOST. Thirty-nine samples (6%) were ASA-positive. Samples with and without ASA showed similar characteristics, except for percentage of normal forms and MOST scores (0.35 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.67 +/- 0.01, P < 0.001, for ASA-positive and -negative, respectively). There was a strong statistical association between presence of ASA and low MOST scores (P < 0.0001). One-hundred per cent of ASA-positive samples displayed low MOST scores. To verify the nature of this relationship, we incubated ASA-free spermatozoa with ASA-positive and -negative (control) sera. Despite an increase in the percentage of ASA-bearing spermatozoa in those aliquots incubated with ASA-positive serum, their original (pre-incubation) MOST scores remained unchanged. Furthermore, the rate of lipid peroxidation, indirectly reflected in MOST scores, was not different in the aliquots incubated with ASA. In conclusion, there seems to be a strong association between presence of ASA and low MOST values in semen samples of infertile patients; however, the relationship does not appear to be causal.

Serum inhibin B may be a reliable marker of the presence of testicular spermatozoa in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the predictive value of serum inhibin B levels as an indicator of the presence of testicular spermatozoa in nonobstructive azoospermia, compared with the traditional serum FSH marker. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Private high-complexity reproductive center with university affiliation. PATIENT(S): Seventy-eight patients with nonobstructive azoospermia, 15 patients with obstructive azoospermia, and 10 fertile volunteers. INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples, testicular sperm extraction, percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, and semen collection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum levels of inhibin B and FSH and presence of spermatozoa on TESE, PESA, or regular semen analysis. RESULT(S): Patients with nonobstructive azoospermia has significantly higher levels of serum FSH and significantly lower levels of inhibin B. Mean inhibin B serum levels were significantly higher in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia who had spermatozoa on TESE than in those in whom no spermatozoa were found (89.31 +/- 73.24 pg/mL vs. 19.23 +/- 22.34 pg/mL), but mean FSH serum levels did not have similar predictive power (21.37 +/- 12.92 IU/mL vs. 19.27 +/- 10.28 IU/mL). The cut-off level of inhibin B separating both groups, as determined by the receiver-operating characteristic curves, was >53 pg/mL. CONCLUSION(S): Serum inhibin B level seems to be more accurate than serum FSH level in prediction of the presence of testicular spermatozoa in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia.

Conservative management versus aspiration of functional ovarian cysts before ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficiency of transvaginal ultrasound-guided functional ovarian cyst aspiration, with conservative management, in the outcome of patients undergoing assisted reproductive technique (ART) (in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection). These cysts were identified before ovarian stimulation begun and after administration of a midluteal GnRH agonist. METHODS: Fifty nine patients undergoing ART from January 1, 1997 to February 28, 1999, who developed functional ovarian cysts were included. Aspirations of these cysts (n = 14) versus conservative management (observation) (n = 45) were compared. Total number of ovarian follicles developed, number of oocytes retrieved, estradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin, fertilization rate, number of good quality embryos transferred, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rate per cycle were evaluated. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed between the two groups in any of the selected parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Cyst aspiration and conservative management showed similar implantation and pregnancy rates, in patients who develop functional ovarian cysts after pituitary down-regulation following luteal phase gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this trend.

Estudio prospectivo randomizado comparando la via de administración subcutáneas vs. la via intramuscular de depósito de acetato de leuprolide en técnicas de reproducción asistida / Randomized study comparing subcutaneous administration of vial vs. the intramuscular vial of acetate in techniques assited reproduction

Comparar los resultados en técnicas de reproducción asistida (ART) empleando dos vias diferentes de administración de análogos de GnRH (diario vs. depósito9(AU)

Estudio prospectivo randomizado comparando la via de administración subcutáneas vs. la via intramuscular de depósito de acetato de leuprolide en técnicas de reproducción asistida / Randomized study comparing subcutaneous administration of vial vs. the intramuscular vial of acetate in techniques assited reproduction

Comparar los resultados en técnicas de reproducción asistida (ART) empleando dos vias diferentes de administración de análogos de GnRH (diario vs. depósito9

Discordancia entre la determinación morfológica realizada con criterio estricto y normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) / Disagreement between morphologic determination made with stric criterion and WHO standards

Debido a la falta de correlación entre estudios básicos del semen, como espermatograma, y los resultados en fertilización asistida, se han desarrollado numerosos tests para evaluar la capacidad fecundante del semen. Entre ellos, la determinación de las formas morfológicamente normales ha tenido un gran desarrollo. Por este motivo, quisimos comparar retrospectivamente dos criterios de evaluación morfológica: Criterio Estricto (CE) y las normales dadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Cuando la morfología espermática se encuentra muy alterada ("patrón P", CE < 4 por ciento), la evaluación morfológica con criterio OMS podría tener un valor predictivo. En todos los demás casos, la discordancia promedio de 19,6 por ciento, indicaría la necesidad de la determinación morfológica con Criterio Estricto. En nuestro Centro, el Criterio Estricto se correlaciona con los resultados en fertilización asistida (AU)

Discordancia entre la determinación morfológica realizada con criterio estricto y normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) / Disagreement between morphologic determination made with stric criterion and WHO 'standards

Debido a la falta de correlación entre estudios básicos del semen, como espermatograma, y los resultados en fertilización asistida, se han desarrollado numerosos tests para evaluar la capacidad fecundante del semen. Entre ellos, la determinación de las formas morfológicamente normales ha tenido un gran desarrollo. Por este motivo, quisimos comparar retrospectivamente dos criterios de evaluación morfológica: Criterio Estricto (CE) y las normales dadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Cuando la morfología espermática se encuentra muy alterada ("patrón P", CE < 4 por ciento), la evaluación morfológica con criterio OMS podría tener un valor predictivo. En todos los demás casos, la discordancia promedio de 19,6 por ciento, indicaría la necesidad de la determinación morfológica con Criterio Estricto. En nuestro Centro, el Criterio Estricto se correlaciona con los resultados en fertilización asistida