The effect of alpha-amylase on the acrosomal membrane of human sperm.

PURPOSE: Sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction are prerequisites to accomplishing fertilization. The object of this research was to induce capacitation and the acrosome reaction of human sperm, comparing the acrosome status of fertile and infertile men, using alpha-amylase. METHODS: Acrosome status was measured using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF; monoclonal antibody GB24, Thèramex), hemizona assay (HZA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Acrosome-reacted sperm without alpha-amylase treatment was significantly more abundant in the fertile versus the infertile group utilizing IIF, HZA, and TEM. alpha-Amylase-treated spermatozoa from the fertile and infertile groups showed a significant increase in the number of sperm bound to the hemizona (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm in the infertile group was significantly enhanced by alpha-amylase, utilizing IIF and TEM.

Micromanipulation at an infertility centre.

AIM: Human in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer have been used in the management of various forms of infertility. In cases of severe male-factor infertility, fertilisation can be a factor. In this study micromanipulation was used to increase fertilisation in such cases. METHODS: Two micromanipulation techniques, subzonal sperm injection (SUZI) and partial zona dissection (PZD), were used to assist fertilisation in patients with abnormal semen parameters. Ten couples with severe oligo-, terato- and asthenozoospermia participated in the SUZI programme. Seventy-three oocytes were obtained from these 10 patients. PZD was used on day 1 oocytes in cases of male infertility as well as a rescue attempt on day 2 oocytes when fertilisation had failed after routine insemination. RESULTS: The SUZI technique had a fertilisation rate of 37.7%. In this group, a biochemical pregnancy was achieved. Differences between the fertilisation rate of conventional IVF (33.3%) and PZD (56.3%) in cases of male infertility, were not statistically significant although a clinical difference could be detected. PZD was statistically effective in facilitating fertilisation (37.5% v. 8.3%) in couples where this procedure was introduced to reinseminate 24-hour-old unfertilised oocytes. Four patients received PZD reinseminated embryos. An average of 1.45 PZD embryos were replaced and 1 implantation pregnancy was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The micromanipulation results are encouraging and seemed to increase the efficiency of IVF in humans. Furthermore, our data support the conclusion that micromanipulation procedures can bring about pregnancies.

A comparative study on the diagnostic sensitivity of rodent sperm and embryos in the detection of endotoxin in Earle's balanced salt solution.

PURPOSE: The bioassay used by most IVF units to assess culture media is the mouse embryo test. The limitations of this assay are well known. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vitro bioassay potential of rodent sperm, in terms of relative sensitivities to endotoxins, and to compare the results with the routine mouse embryo and human sperm tests. RESULTS: The greater sensitivity of rodent sperm than of mouse embryos was evident in this study. A further advantage in using the mouse sperm test was the time (4-6 hr) in which endotoxins could be detected. CONCLUSION: This rapid sperm test proved to be inexpensive, convenient, and invaluable for detecting potential sources of cytotoxicity.

Second pregnancies among immunologically infertile women: a preliminary report.

Two females with sperm antibody activity in their blood serum and cervical mucus were treated with high dosages of methylprednisolone. Both patients became pregnant during therapy. Following the birth of their first offspring, one was treated with steroids and the other conceived without steroids in order to establish their second pregnancies. The sperm antibody activity showed a sharp decline in the blood serum and cervical mucus during therapy. The response of the females showed drastic modification in the antibody activity in that the females revealed a complete disappearance or a significant decrease in their initial sperm antibody reactions after treatment with high dosages of steroids.

Uterine contraction regularity during labour in White and Black patients.

Irregularity of uterine contractions during labour was compared in 50 White and 50 Black patients. The standard deviation of distances between contractions as seen on cardiotocography and of maximal pressures was used to compare contraction regularity in the two groups of patients. A small standard deviation (SD) indicated regular contractions; a larger SD signified irregular contractions. Mean SDs of peak-to-peak and of base-to-base measurements were both 6,3 mm for White patients and both 7,6 mm for Black patients. The mean SD for maximal uterine pressures was 9,5 mmHg for White patients but 12,7 mmHg for Black patients. All these differences were statistically highly significant, and this implies that uterine contractions are more irregular in Black patients.

Serum zinc levels in pelvic inflammatory disease.

Serum zinc concentrations in 47 patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease were compared with those of 50 women in a control group. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the white cell count and acute-phase protein (alpha 1- and alpha 2-globulin) values were used to confirm or exclude infection among the patients studied. All these values differed significantly in the control and study groups. The mean zinc level in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease was 0.725 +/- 0.154 micrograms/ml and that in the control group 0,862 +/- 0.117 micrograms/ml. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.001).

Possible toxic shock syndrome in an 18-year-old girl. A case report.

An 18-year-old girl with fulminating disease and severe shock consistent with toxic shock syndrome, which resulted in multiple organ failure and death, is described. This very serious condition, which has a mortality rate of 10-15%, is discussed.