REGIONAL PECULIARITIES IN SEMEN QUALITY AND SERUM HORMONAL CONCENTRATIONS OF CITIZENS FROM YAKUTIA.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate sperm quality and reproductive hormonal level in an unselected population of men who were permanent residents of the Yakutsk city and compare the semen and hormonal parameters with the World Health Organization (WHO, 2001) recommended normal values and the results from other countries. A total of 145 men (mean age 24 years) agreed to be included in the study. All the volunteers completed a questionnaire, received a general and reproductive health examination by an andrologist, gave semen and blood samples. There are no differences between Yakut and Slavs in anthropometric, hormonal or sperm measures, but height and ejaculate volume were higher in Slavs than Yakut men. The data obtained indicated high frequency of suboptimal quality of sperm in males of both nations from this Siberian region in comparison with other Russian regions or European countries.

[Testicular testosterone production in male mice of inbred strains PT and CBA/Lac after a long-term period of stable social hierarchy].

Social dominance can alter testicular testosterone production, although there is pronounced variability in the relationship between social status and pattern of the testosterone response. The study designed to investigate how a long-term period of stable social hierarchy effects on testicular testosterone production in male mice of inbred strains PT and CBA/Lac. Paired males of different genotypes were housed together for 32 days beginning 38 day of age. Dyadic interactions of males generated dominance-subordination relationships during the first day after a social group has been produced and the social rank of each opponent was assessed by asymmetry in agonistic behaviour. Serum level of testosterone and its testicular content were evaluated in male mice of both inbred strains at 70 day of age after pair housing. Control animals were age- and genotype-matched single males that were housed in conventional cages. After a long-term period of pair housing, the serum testosterone level and its testicular content in males of both PT and CBA/Lac strains were not significantly different from the control. There were no significant differences in androgenic parameters between social ranks in male mice of both strains. The results indicate that in laboratory mice the pattern of testicular testosterone response to social hierarchy determined by a social situation, for example, a stability of social interactions, when the importance of aggressive competition for rank is minimal.

Effects of overweight and obesity on the spermogram values and levels of reproductive hormones in the male population of the European north of Russia.

The effects of excessive body weight and obesity on the reproductive potential of the male population of the Russian European North (Arkhangelsk), characterized by a specific northern adaptive metabolic type were studied. Spermogram values and levels of reproductive hormones were compared in men with normal and excessive body weights and with obesity, using body weight index and waist circumference as indicators of abdominal visceral obesity. Irrespective of the indicator used, the total count of spermatozoa and their concentration in the ejaculate were significantly lower in men with obesity than in overweight men. Serum testosterone concentration was lower in obese men in comparison with men with normal body weights. Higher spermatogenesis, but not testosterone values, were observed in men with excessive body weight vs. men with normal body weights or obesity, which was presumably a characteristic feature of the northern metabolic type.

[A role of long-term social interactions in the control of spermatogenesis in male mice of inbred strains PT and CBA/Lac].

Social hierarchy in the animal community is a structure of behavior relations when members of a social group vary in their ability to acquire resources in the presence of others. The aim of our study was to investigate social dominance effects on development of the reproduction function in male mice. Sperm quality, relative testis and epididymis weights were evaluated in male mice of PT and CBA/Lac inbred strains at 70 day of age after pairing throughout the 32 day period. The effect of social dominance on sperm quality was observed only in males of the CBA/Lac strain. The dominant males had higher sperm count than subordinates or control. The result revealed also higher percent of abnormal sperm among dominant or subordinate males compared with control. It was suggested that the effects of social competition on spermatogenesis depend on a genotype and social status.

[Growth and development peculiarities of testicles in inbred mice lines PT and CBA/Lac].

The goal of this study is to perform a comparative genetic investigation of testicle development during the postpubescence period (from days 70 to 90 of life) in the inbred mice lines PT and CBA/Lac. Interlinear differences in the body and testicular weight, serum testosterone concentration, number of epididymal spermatozoa, area of testicular epithelium, semeniferous tubule lumen, and insulae of Leydig cells were analyzed. It was found that the morphological and histomorphometric parameters of testicles in males from the PT line compared to the males of the CBA/Lac line did not reach a definitive stage with the end of the postpubescence period and kept on developing until day 90 of life. Therefore, genetic differences remain in the postpubertal testicular development of laboratory mice.

[Regional peculiarities in semen quality and serum hormonal concentrations of citizens from Eastern Siberia].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate sperm quality and reproductive hormonal level in an unselected population of men who were permanent residents of the Yakutsk city and compare the semen and hormonal parameters with the World Health Organization (WHO, 2001) recommended normal values and the results from other countries. A total of 145 men (mean age 24,1 years) agreed to be included in the study. All the volunteers completed a questionnaire, received a general and reproductive health examination by an andrologist, gave semen and blood samples. We found that the means were 34,69 - 106 spermatozoa/mL for sperm concentration and 39,6% for total motile spermatozoa. Among all volunteers studied 4,3% had azoospermia, 27,0% reported oligozoospermia, 68,1% - asthenozoospermia. There are no differences between Yakut and Slavs in anthropometric, hormonal or sperm measures, but height and ejaculate volume were higher in Slavs than Yakut men. The data obtained indicated high frequency of suboptimal quality of sperm in males of both nations from this Siberian region in comparison with other Russian regions or European countries.