Reduction capacity on nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) of the normal human spermatozoa.

Experimental conditions were determined to find out if washed spermatozoids from fertile, health donors are capable of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction in a similar way (although in the absence of a substrate) to that of leukocytes. Formazan blue formation obtained suggest the participation of the NADH oxidoreductase mitochondrial enzyme. The sperm capacity for NBT reduction might be take as a reflection of human sperm metabolic capacity. Our results seem to be useful for comparison of reduction (metabolic) capacity of normal sperms with that of individuals with fertility problems.

Capacidad reductora del espermatozoide humano normal sobre el NBT (nitroazul de tetrazolio). / Reduction capacity on nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) of the normal human spermatozoa

Se determinaron las condiciones experimentales para juzgar si los espermatozoides lavados de varones sanos y fecundos tienen la capacidad de reducir el nitroazul de tetrazolio (NBT) de manera semejante (aunque en ausencia de algun substrato) a como lo hacen los leucocitos. La produccion del color azul de formazan obtenido sugiere la participacion de la enzima mitocondrial oxidoreductasa del NADH.Esta capacidad del espermatozoide hacia la reduccion del NBT podria tomarse como un reflejo de la capacidad metabolica del espermatozoide humano. Nuestros resultados parecen utiles para comparar la capacidad reductora (metabolica) de los espermatozoides normales con la de los obtenidos de sujetos que cursan con problemas de fecundidad

Human fetal growth retardation. Metabolic response of leukocytes to phagocytosis.

The basal and stimulated metabolism of leukocytes obtained from fetally malnourished and normal children was comparatively studied. All basal activities of the leukocytes from malnourished children were significantly lower than those observed in normal children: Glucose-6-P-deydrogenase activity was 1.04 +/- 0.12 against 1.27 +/- 0.22 mumoles/min/10(8) cells; leukocyte-oxidase activity was 0.19 +/- 0.03 against 0.31 +/- 0.05 OD units/15 min/2.5 x 10(6) cells, oxygen uptake was 384 +/- 48 against 728 +/- 103 nmoles 0(2)/hr/10(8) cells. The conversion of glucose -1(14)C to 14CO2 was 83 +/- 10 nmoles/10(8) cells in malnourished children and 134 +/- 22 in controls. The response of all the parameters studied to the stimulation of phagocytosis was also significantly lower in fetally malnourished than in control babies.