Effect of a bacterial lipopolysaccharide treatment on rabbit testis and ejaculated sperm.

In a previous study, we reported the short- and long-term effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on rabbit sperm quality. This study was aimed at exploring the spermatogenesis of the rabbit model focussing on the possible damages occurring to the testis and ejaculated sperm. Twenty New Zealand White rabbit bucks were divided into two groups. One group was inoculated intra-peritoneally with LPS, the other group, considered as control, was treated under the same conditions with saline only. Semen samples were collected before LPS injection, the 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th, 45th, 60th and 90th day after LPS treatment. Semen parameters were evaluated following international guidelines. The kinetic characteristics of ejaculated sperm were analysed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer and the ultrastructural characteristics were explored by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). On the 7th, 14th and 30th day, testis from treated rabbits and controls were obtained. Testis samples were analysed by light microscopy and TEM. The induced LPS lesions in the testis became evident the 7th day after treatment, with a decrease in germinal cells and with an increase in structurally altered Sertoli cells; normal spermatogenesis was restored on the 30th day. The testicular damages observed on day 7 were probably responsible for the reduction in sperm concentration and motility and the ultrastructural alterations that were detected in the ejaculated sperm on the 14th through the 30th days after treatment. In conclusion, rabbit buck treated with LPS could be a useful model for studying the effect of an induced systemic inflammation on spermatogenesis.

Effect of trans-resveratrol on induced oxidative stress in human sperm and in rat germinal cells.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin with antioxidant properties. We evaluated resveratrol toxicity in swim-up selected human sperm and in rat spermatocytes and spermatids separated by the STAPUT method. Resveratrol antioxidant activity was tested against lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. LPO was evaluated using the C11-BODIPY(581/591) probe and transmission electron microscopy in samples incubated with and without resveratrol. LD50 for human sperm and rat spermatids was 50 µM; spermatocytes were more sensitive to resveratrol cytotoxicity. Sperm motility increased progressively at 30 µM, 15 µM and 6 µM. 15 µM resveratrol acts against LPO, preserving sperm chromatin and plasma membranes. LPO were more marked in spermatocytes than in spermatids and the effect of resveratrol was more evident in spermatocytes. In this study, the scavenger properties of resveratrol were demonstrated in vitro in human sperm and rat germ cells, thus resveratrol could be added to the media used in assisted reproduction techniques and cryopreservation when oxidative stress is exacerbated.

Semen quality of male idiopathic infertile smokers and nonsmokers: an ultrastructural study.

This retrospective study was aimed at evaluating the effects of cigarette consumption on semen parameters in a group of men with idiopathic infertility. The semen quality of 2 groups of men with idiopathic infertility, smokers (n = 118) and nonsmokers (n = 153), were compared. Conventional semen analysis was performed and sperm morphology was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were elaborated by means of a mathematical formula based on a Bayesian technique able to furnish a fertility index (FI), and the percentages of sperm apoptosis, necrosis, and immaturity. Values of normality recommended by World Health Organization guidelines were used as a control for conventional semen analysis, and values from sperm of 25 men of proven fertility were used for TEM indices. Infertile smoker and nonsmoker patients showed similar sperm parameters, although sperm motility and TEM analysis values in both groups were significantly impaired compared with controls. Smoker patients were then classified as mild (>or=1 and 10 and <20 cigarettes/day), or heavy smokers (>or=20 cigarettes/d). Sperm concentration and FI were significantly (P < .05) different among the 3 considered smoker classes. Comparing the pairs of smoker classes, sperm concentration and FI in heavy smokers were significantly lower (P < .05) than that observed in mild smoker and nonsmoker groups. Although semen quality in males with idiopathic infertility seems not to be dramatically affected by cigarette consumption, heavy smokers show significantly lower sperm concentration and FI: another strong reason to stop smoking.

Parathyroid function study in patients submitted to laryngeal surgery for squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim of this study was to investigate any eventual quantitative variations in the serological concentration of parathormone in a homogenous sample of patients suffering from laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent only surgery. A total of 12 patients (2 female, 10 male), aged between 58 and 76 years, were treated between June 2002 and June 2003. The patients were all affected by T2-T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Serum intact parathyroid hormone and calcaemia were measured pre- and post-operatively. Of these patients, 2 underwent total laryngectomy (including thyroid isthmectomy), 5 patients received partial supraglottic laryngectomy, while the remaining 5 were submitted to supracricoid laryngectomy. Results showed a progressive regression of parathyroid hormone level, in only one case and was not, however, below normal limits. Contrary to data reported in the literature, this study indicated that the incidence of hypoparathyroidism following laryngeal surgery, even in radical surgical approaches, proved to be closer to zero.