| 1. |
- Bobjer, Johannes, et al.
(författare)
-
High prevalence of androgen deficiency and abnormal lipid profile in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 35:5, s. 688-694
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the risk of hypogonadism is often overlooked. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may increase this risk. The objective of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of hypogonadism in NOA-patients, the impact of TESE on hormone balance and the association between testosterone deficiency and dyslipidaemia. Men with NOA who had undergone TESE during the period 2004-2009 were eligible. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <10 nmol/L and/or LH >10 IU/L and/or ongoing androgen replacement therapy. Sixty-five consecutive men who had undergone TESE owing to NOA and from whom post-TESE serum testosterone levels measured before 1100 h were available. Furthermore, 141 fertile men served as controls. Serum concentrations of testosterone, LH and lipids were assessed. Odds ratios (OR) for biochemical hypogonadism were calculated. Pre- and post-TESE hormone levels were compared. Lipid profile was related to testosterone levels. Hypogonadism was found in 47% (95% CI, 0.36, 0.59) of the NOA-men. As compared with fertile controls, the OR for hypogonadism post-TESE was 17 (95% CI 6.6-45). Serum LH (p = 0.03), but not testosterone (p = 0.43), differed significantly pre- and post-TESE. Compared with eugonadal NOA-men, the OR for having deviations in lipid profile was 3.3 (95% CI 1.3-8.8) for the hypogonadal NOA-men. NOA-men are at very high risk of androgen deficiency, which even in young subjects is associated with dyslipidaemia. Medical management of these men should therefore include endocrinological evaluation and follow-up after completion of infertility treatment.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bungum, Mona, et al.
(författare)
-
Spermatozoa DNA damage measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and birth characteristics in children conceived by IVF and ICSI.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 35:4, s. 485-490
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High levels of spermatozoa DNA damage hinder fertility in vivo but not in vitro. It is a source of worry that following in vitro fertilization (IVF) spermatozoa DNA damage, if not repaired by the oocyte, might have a negative impact on the offspring. The aim of this study was to assess if a high spermatozoa DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) is associated with alterations in birthweight (BW) and/or gestational length in IVF children. One hundred and thirty-one singleton pregnancies established by standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were included in the study. DFI was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) in semen samples used for fertilization. DFI was categorized as low and high, using 20, 30, 40 and 50% as cut-off levels. Birthweight, gestational age, as well as gestational age adjusted BW score were used in a linear regression model as end points For none of the tested birth characteristics, statistically significant differences between the groups with low and high DFI were seen regardless of whether 20, 30, 40 or 50% were used as cut-off levels, both when the IVF and ICSI data were merged or analysed separately. Spermatozoa DNA damage as assessed by SCSA is not associated with BW or gestational length in IVF and ICSI children.
|
|
| 3. |
- Corona, G, et al.
(författare)
-
Thyroid hormones and male sexual function.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 35:5, s. 668-679
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The role of thyroid hormones in the control of erectile functioning has been only superficially investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between thyroid and erectile function in two different cohorts of subjects. The first one derives from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS study), a multicentre survey performed on a sample of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years (mean 60 ± 11 years). The second cohort is a consecutive series of 3203 heterosexual male patients (mean age 51.8 ± 13.0 years) attending our Andrology and Sexual Medicine Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction at the University of Florence (UNIFI study). In the EMAS study all subjects were tested for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). Similarly, TSH levels were checked in all patients in the UNIFI study, while FT4 only when TSH resulted outside the reference range. Overt primary hyperthyroidism (reduced TSH and elevated FT4, according to the reference range) was found in 0.3 and 0.2% of EMAS and UNIFI study respectively. In both study cohorts, suppressed TSH levels were associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Overt hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased risk of severe erectile dysfunction (ED, hazard ratio = 14 and 16 in the EMAS and UNIFI study, respectively; both p < 0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors. These associations were confirmed in nested case-control analyses, comparing subjects with overt hyperthyroidism to age, BMI, smoking status and testosterone-matched controls. Conversely, no association between primary hypothyroidism and ED was observed. In conclusion, erectile function should be evaluated in all individuals with hyperthyroidism. Conversely, assessment of thyroid function cannot be recommended as routine practice in all ED patients.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Elzanaty, Saad, et al.
(författare)
-
Significant impact of 5 alpha-reductase type 2 polymorphisms on sperm concentration and motility
- 2006
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 29:3, s. 414-420
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Androgens, including 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are known to play a role for spermatogenesis and accessory sex gland function. The enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (SRD5A) catalyses the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Our objective was to investigate whether polymorphisms in the SRD5A2 gene influence semen parameters in the general population. DNA from 182 Swedish military conscripts was examined for the A49T, V89L, and R227Q polymorphisms in the SRD5A type 2 gene. Ejaculates were analysed according to WHO guidelines. In addition, sperm motility was assessed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). Seminal markers of epididymal (neutral alpha-glucosidase), prostatic (prostate specific-antigen and zinc), and seminal vesicles function (fructose) were measured. The A49TT-allele was associated with significantly higher sperm concentration compared with the wild type A-allele (mean: 102 x 10(6)/mL vs. 57 x 10(6)/mL, p = 0.02). The V89LV-genotype was correlated with significantly higher proportion progressive motile spermatozoa compared with the L-variant (mean: 55% vs. 48%, p = 0.04). The same trend was found regarding the CASA motile spermatozoa (mean: 52% vs. 41%, p = 0.02). No association between any of the polymorphisms and biochemical markers was found. SRD5A2 gene variants were associated with sperm concentration and motility, but not with epididymal and accessory sex gland markers. This effect on sperm parameters might therefore be exerted via a direct effect of DHT on spermatogenesis.
|
|
| 6. |
- Erenpreiss, Juris, et al.
(författare)
-
The impact of androgen receptor polymorphism and parental ethnicity on semen quality in young men from Latvia
- 2008
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 31:5, s. 477-482
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent studies on young men from the general population have demonstrated geographic and ethnic differences in semen quality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether reported ethnic differences in semen quality might be associated with the maternally derived CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene or paternal ethnicity. In total 114 military conscripts from Latvia were included in the study. Information on maternal and parental ethnicity was collected by questionnaires. CAG and GGN repeats were analysed by direct sequencing of leukocyte DNA. Men with Latvian mothers (n = 83) had marginally shorter CAG repeat length (21.6 +/- 2.9) as compared with those with non-Latvian mothers (22.9 +/- 3.2, n = 31), not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.053). Sperm concentration did not differ significantly between these two groups (76 +/- 59 and 70 +/- 52, p = 0.9 respectively). In contrast, significantly higher sperm concentration and total sperm count were found in men with Latvian fathers (n = 77) as compared with men with non-Latvian fathers (n = 37) (80 +/- 61 vs. 62 +/- 48, p = 0.035, for sperm concentration and 225.7 +/- 209 vs. 158.4 +/- 134.4, p = 0.002, for total sperm count respectively). CAG repeat length did not correlate with any semen parameters in the whole population. However, GGN repeat length correlated with semen volume: men with GGN > 23 presented with higher semen volume (3.2 +/- 2.1) as compared with men with GGN = 23 (2.6 +/- 1.3, p = 0.04) or GGN < 23 (2.0 +/- 1.2, p = 0.006). We conclude that GGN repeat length has an impact on semen volume, whereas differences in sperm numbers are associated with the paternal ethnicity.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Hardell, L, et al.
(författare)
-
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in blood and the risk for testicular cancer
- 2004
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 27:5, s. 282-290
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An increasing incidence of testicular cancer has been reported from several western countries during the last decades. According to current hypothesis testicular cancer is initiated during the foetal period and exposure to endocrine disruptors such as some persistent organic pollutants has been of concern. We have previously reported the results for concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (pp'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and chlordanes in 58 cases with testicular cancer, 61 age-matched controls and 44 case mothers and 45 control mothers. In that report, significant increase of odds ratio (OR) was found for sum of PCBs, HCB, trans- and cis-nonachlordane in case mothers. These data have now been further analysed for 37 congeners of PCBs. No significant differences were found among cases and controls. However, case mothers had significantly increased concentrations of a number of PCB congeners. A priori decided grouping of PCBs yielded for oestrogenic PCBs OR = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.95-6.0, enzyme-inducing PCBsOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.03-6.5 and toxic equivalents (TEQ) yielded OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.3-8.4. These data further elucidate the role of foetal exposure to different PCB congeners in the aetiology of testicular cancer.
|
|
| 9. |
- Hardell, L, et al.
(författare)
-
In utero exposure to persistent organic pollutants in relation to testicular cancer risk
- 2006
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 29:1, s. 228-234
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Testicular cancer is the most common tumour type in young men. In Sweden the annual age-adjusted incidence increased significantly by 2.4% during the time period 1984-1993 and during 1994-2003 by 1.4%. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals during the foetal period has been postulated to be a risk factor. In this investigation we studied the concentrations of chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (pp'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), chlordanes and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in 58 cases with testicular cancer and 61 age-matched controls. Furthermore, case and control mothers were also asked to participate and 44 case mothers and 45 control mothers agreed. No significant differences were found between cases and controls. Case mothers had in general higher concentrations of these chemicals. For the sum of PCBs an odds ratio (OR) = 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-10 was calculated using the median concentration for the controls as cut-off value. For HCB OR = 4.4, CI = 1.7-12 and for PBDE OR = 2.5, 95% Cl = 1.02-6.0 were obtained, whereas OR was not significantly increased for pp'-DDE and sum of chlordanes. The cases were born during a period with high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in humans. The decline of the increasing incidence of testicular cancer during recent years may reflect decreasing body burden of certain POPs since the 1980s.
|
|
| 10. |
- Jodar, M, et al.
(författare)
-
Polymorphisms, haplotypes and mutations in the protamine 1 and 2 genes.
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 34:5pt1, s. 470-485
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Protamines are the most abundant nuclear proteins and alterations in their expression have been described in infertile patients. Also, protamine haplo-insufficient mice have been described as infertile. Therefore, the protamine 1 and 2 genes have been considered important candidates in different mutational studies. In this article, we review all published articles related to protamine gene mutations and report new data on mutations from patients and controls drawn from the Spanish and Swedish populations. Sequencing of the protamine 1 and 2 genes in a total of 209 infertile patients and 152 fertility-proven controls from the Spanish and Swedish populations identified two novel and rare non-pathogenic missense mutations (R17C and R38M) in the protamine 1 gene and several additional polymorphisms. Furthermore, we have identified and we report for the first time five novel rare haplotypes encompassing the protamine 1 and 2 genes. A review of all available protamine gene mutational studies indicates that none of the reported missense mutations can be considered of proven pathogenicity. However, it is interesting to note that rare protamine 1 promoter variants have been reported only in infertile patients, but not in fertile control groups. Pathogenic high penetrance protamine gene missense mutations, if any, must be extremely rare. However, the detected presence of rare variants and haplotypes in infertile patients deserves further investigation.
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
- Malm, Johan, et al.
(författare)
-
The pentraxin serum amyloid P component is found in the male genital tract and attached to spermatozoa
- 2008
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 31, s. 508-517
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Serum amyloid P component (SAP) belongs to the pentraxin family of proteins, members of which are characterized by radial pentameric structure and calcium-dependent ligand binding. SAP is present in all types of amyloidosis and has been shown to bind to several ligands, but the physiological function of this protein has not been fully elucidated. The present study identified and characterized SAP in human semen and immunolocalized it to the male reproductive tract. SAP was also detected in seminal plasma by immunoblotting and purification by affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. According to electroimmunoassay, the concentration of SAP in semen is approximately 2 mg/L, and flow cytometry revealed SAP attached to the surface of spermatozoa. Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed positive staining of spermatozoa, subsets of epithelial cells, and the stroma of accessory male genital glands and testis. Presence of mRNA supports local production of SAP, as shown with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We identified SAP in a new setting - the human male reproductive system. SAP was detected on ejaculated spermatozoa, in seminal plasma and in tissue sections from the male reproductive tract. Further functional studies are needed to explain the role of SAP in human reproduction.
|
|
| 13. |
|
|
| 14. |
- Skjaerpe, Paal, et al.
(författare)
-
Androgen receptor gene polymorphism and the metabolic syndrome in 60-80 years old Norwegian men
- 2010
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 33:3, s. 500-506
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The metabolic syndrome (MS) includes a clustering of metabolic derangements. Low testosterone levels have been shown to be associated with both components of MS and MS per se. As most androgen-related effects are mediated thorough the androgen receptor (AR), we wanted to investigate to which degree the AR CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms might be related to MS. Sixty-eight men, 60-80 years old, with subnormal total testosterone levels (< 11.0 nmol/L) and 104 men with normal levels (> 11.0 nmol/L), participating in a nested case-control study were investigated in this study. Body weight, height, waist circumferences and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were drawn and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the AR gene were determined by direct sequencing of leucocyte DNA. Men with MS had lower CAG repeat number than healthy men (p = 0.007). There were, however, no difference in CAG or GGN repeats length between the groups with subnormal or normal testosterone concentrations. In cross-sectional analyses, men with CAG repeat lengths < 21 had significantly higher fasting glucose, C-peptide and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (all p < 0.05). In multiple regression analyses, CAG repeat length was an inverse and independent predictor of glucose after an OGTT and of HbA1c levels. We also found that men with more than one component of MS had shorter CAG repeat number (p for trend 0.013) than those with only one component. In conclusion, there were no associations with GGN repeat length, while short CAG repeat length seems to be associated with increased risk of MS.
|
|
| 15. |
- Skoogh, Johanna, 1975, et al.
(författare)
-
Feelings of loss and uneasiness or shame after removal of a testicle by orchidectomy: a population-based long-term follow-up of testicular cancer survivors
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 34:2, s. 183-192
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- P>Few data illustrate the man's reaction to orchidectomy. We investigated long-lasting feelings of loss and uneasiness or shame about the body after removal of a testicle by orchidectomy. We identified 1173 eligible men diagnosed with non-seminomatous testicular cancer treated according to the national cancer-care programmes Swedish-Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group I-IV between 1981 and 2004. We asked the survivors about feelings of loss and uneasiness or shame after having had a testicle removed by orchidectomy. We obtained information from 960 (82%) testicular cancer survivors. We found that 32% of these men miss or previously missed their removed testicle(s) and that 26% have or previously had feelings of uneasiness or shame about their body because of the removed testicle(s). Men who had never been offered a prosthesis reported feelings of loss [relative risk (RR): 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-3.0] and uneasiness or shame (RR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) to a higher extent than those who had been offered, but rejected a prosthesis. An orchidectomy may result in long-lasting feelings of loss and uneasiness or shame in some men; offering a testicular prosthesis may hinder this experience.
|
|
| 16. |
- Ståhl, Olof, et al.
(författare)
-
Sperm DNA integrity in cancer patients : the effect of disease and treatment
- 2009
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 32:6, s. 695-703
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As oncological treatment might impair the patients' fertility, male cancer patients are offered to cryopreserve semen prior to treatment. Impaired sperm DNA quality is associated with reduced fertility, and in case of assisted reproduction, sperm DNA integrity may have an impact on choice of method. Therefore, we have assessed sperm DNA integrity in cancer patients, comparing pre- and post-treatment quality. Sperm DNA integrity was investigated in cryopreserved semen from 121 cancer patients, the predominating diagnoses were germ cell cancer (GCC) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Post-treatment samples, with a median follow-up of 3 years, were analysed for 58 of the men, allowing a pre- and post-treatment analysis on an individual basis. Sperm DNA integrity was assessed using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay and expressed here as the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI%). One hundred and thirty-seven fertile men served as controls. Before treatment, GCC (n = 84) and HL (n = 18) patients had higher DFI% than controls (n = 143) with a mean difference of 7.7 (95% CI 3.2-8.8) and 7.0 (95% CI 2-12), respectively. The same trend was observed for other cancer diagnoses, but without reaching statistical significance (mean difference 3.6, 95% CI -1.2 to 8.4). No increase was seen in DFI% comparing pre- and post-treatment semen, regardless of treatment modality. A moderate elevation of DFI% was observed in cryopreserved semen from cancer patients. Oncological treatment, generally, did not induce any increase in DFI. These findings should be considered when discussing the utilization of pre-treatment cryopreserved semen vs. post-treatment fresh sperm in cancer patients undergoing assisted reproduction.
|
|
| 17. |
- Sävblom, C, et al.
(författare)
-
Association between polymorphisms in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter and release of PSA
- 2009
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 32:5, s. 479-485
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Variations in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been ascribed to A/G nucleotide polymorphisms located at -158 bp (rs266882) and -4643 bp (rs925013), relative to the transcription start site within the promoter of the PSA gene. PSA is also an androgen receptor target (AR) gene and polymorphisms in AR gene are known to affect AR function. Our objective was to compare the impact of these A/G polymorphisms separately or in combination with AR CAG micro satellite on regulation of PSA secretion into seminal plasma and blood in young men. Leukocyte DNA was extracted from 291 conscripts and genotyping performed with the Sequenom Mass Array System. PSA was measured with an immunofluorometric assay. Linear regression analysis was used to test the association of polymorphism frequencies with serum and seminal plasma levels of PSA. PSA gene polymorphisms at -158 bp or -4643 bp did not alone influence total PSA (tPSA) levels in seminal plasma or in blood. Homozygotes for the A-allele at -158 bp in combination with CAG > 22 had significantly higher serum levels of tPSA than subjects carrying the G-allele (p = 0.01). In conclusion, the PSA gene polymorphisms did not importantly influence the levels of tPSA in seminal plasma or in blood. tPSA in serum was influenced by interactions between PSA promoter variants and AR CAG polymorphism.
|
|
| 18. |
- Sävblom, Charlotta, et al.
(författare)
-
Association between polymorphisms in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter and release of PSA.
- 2009
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 32, s. 479-485
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Variations in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been ascribed to A/G nucleotide polymorphisms located at -158 bp (rs266882) and -4643 bp (rs925013), relative to the transcription start site within the promoter of the PSA gene. PSA is also an androgen receptor target (AR) gene and polymorphisms in AR gene are known to affect AR function. Our objective was to compare the impact of these A/G polymorphisms separately or in combination with AR CAG micro satellite on regulation of PSA secretion into seminal plasma and blood in young men. Leukocyte DNA was extracted from 291 conscripts and genotyping performed with the Sequenom Mass Array System. PSA was measured with an immunofluorometric assay. Linear regression analysis was used to test the association of polymorphism frequencies with serum and seminal plasma levels of PSA. PSA gene polymorphisms at -158 bp or -4643 bp did not alone influence total PSA (tPSA) levels in seminal plasma or in blood. Homozygotes for the A-allele at -158 bp in combination with CAG > 22 had significantly higher serum levels of tPSA than subjects carrying the G-allele (p = 0.01). In conclusion, the PSA gene polymorphisms did not importantly influence the levels of tPSA in seminal plasma or in blood. tPSA in serum was influenced by interactions between PSA promoter variants and AR CAG polymorphism.
|
|
| 19. |
- Toft, G, et al.
(författare)
-
Quality control workshops in standardization of sperm concentration and motility assessment in multicentre studies
- 2005
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 28:3, s. 144-149
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Semen quality has been reported to vary markedly between different regions. To properly assess the differences among countries a minimization of the variation among centres in the assessments of sperm quality is essential. We here report on the training and two subsequent follow-up workshops on assessments of sperm concentration and motility. A total of 26 fresh ejaculates were analysed by four persons who were collecting these data in a multicentre study on sperm quality. In addition, two trained technicians from one of the laboratories analysed the samples. At the first training workshop, the median coefficient of variation among centres in sperm concentration was 27.7%, but decreased markedly to 17.0% at the second workshop and 8.1% (P = 0.048) at the third workshop. The CV for evaluation of the proportion of progressive motile sperm decreased less and not statistically significant from 16.5 to 14.1% and 11.0% (P = 0.94). At the third workshop there were no statistical significant differences among centres in assessments of sperm concentration or motility (p > 0.57). Furthermore the coefficient of variation in assessments of sperm concentration and motility among centres were at the same level as between two trained technicians (p > 0.72). This study indicates that training and subsequent follow-up workshops can assure minimum variability among centres in assessments of sperm concentration and motility.
|
|
| 20. |
- Tsarev, I, et al.
(författare)
-
Sperm concentration in Latvian military conscripts as compared with other countries in the Nordic-Baltic area
- 2005
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 28:4, s. 208-214
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent studies of semen quality in men from the general population gave rise to the hypothesis of an East-West gradient in semen quality in the Nordic-Baltic area, with the highest sperm counts in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland, and the lowest in Denmark (30% difference in mean concentration). Genetic, lifestyle-related and environmental factors - alone or in combination - were suggested to be responsible for these differences. The aim of this study was to assess sperm concentration in men from the general population in Latvia and to investigate the impact of ethnic and lifestyle-related factors on this marker of male reproductive health. A total of 133 military conscripts from Latvia were investigated. We found that sperm counts among Latvian adolescents were at the same level (mean 74, median 63 x 10(6)/mL) as those previously reported from Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. Sperm concentration was somewhat higher than in Sweden without reaching the level of statistical significance (mean difference 3 x 10(6)/mL; 95% CI: -10, 16 x 10(6)/mL), and statistically significantly higher that in Denmark (mean difference: 17 x 10(6)/mL; 95% CI: 5, 2 x 10(6)/mL). The study also revealed an impact of ethnic factors on sperm numbers. Sperm concentration was significantly higher in men with both parents born in Latvia (77 +/- 60 x 10(6)/mL), compared with men with both parents born outside Latvia (55 +/- 45 x 10(6)/mL, p = 0.03).
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
|
|
| 23. |
- Giwercman, Aleksander, et al.
(författare)
-
Sperm chromatin structure assay as an independent predictor of fertility in vivo: a case-control study.
- 2010
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 33, s. 221-227
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary Standard sperm parameters have a limited power for prediction of the chance of natural conception. Recent studies have indicated that the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) DNA fragmentation index (DFI), a measure for the fraction of sperms with DNA damage, is associated with fertility in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of this parameter for prediction of infertility. One hundred and twenty-seven men from infertile couples with no known female factor and 137 men with proven fertility were included. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the WHO. DFI was assessed using SCSA. Logistic binary regression was used to compute the odds ratios (OR) for infertility. As compared with men with a DFI <10%, men with a DFI between 10% and 20% had an increased risk for infertility (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.0-6.1). This was also true for men with a DFI >20% (OR 8.4; 95% CI: 3.0-23). In men with normal standard semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) the OR for infertility was increased with DFI >20% (OR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.2-23), whereas if one of the standard semen parameters was abnormal, the OR for infertility was increased already at DFI above 10% (OR 16, 95% CI: 4.2-60). We conclude that SCSA DFI adds to the value of semen analysis in prediction of the chance of natural conception.
|
|
| 24. |
- Lee, David M., et al.
(författare)
-
The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS): design, methods and recruitment
- 2009
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 32:1, s. 11-24
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Life expectancy is increasing in most developed countries, in part due to improved socioeconomic conditions and in part to advances in healthcare. It is widely acknowledged that the promotion of healthy ageing by delaying, minimizing or preventing disabilities or diseases is one of the most important public health objectives in this century. In contrast to the menopausal transition in females, we know relatively little about the contribution of androgens and anabolic hormones to the quality of ageing in men. The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS) is a multicentre prospective cohort designed to examine the prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution of gender-specific and general symptoms of ageing in men, including their endocrine, genetic and psychosocial predictors. Men aged 40-79 years were recruited from eight European centres: Florence (Italy), Leuven (Belgium), Lodz (Poland), Malmo (Sweden), Manchester (UK), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Szeged (Hungary) and Tartu (Estonia). Subjects were recruited from population registers and those who agreed to take part completed a detailed questionnaire including aspects of personal and medical history, lifestyle factors and sexual function. Objective measures of body size, cognition, vision, skeletal health and neuromuscular function were obtained. Blood and DNA specimens were collected for a range of biochemical and genetic analyses. After an average of 4 years, it is planned to resurvey the participants with similar assessments. A total of 3369 men with a mean age of 60 +/- 11 years were recruited. The mean centre response rate was 43%, and highest in those aged 50-59 years. Those who participated were marginally younger than those who were invited but declined to participate (60.0 vs. 61.1 years). Participants left education slightly later than a sample of non-participants, though there were no consistent differences in levels of general health, physical activity, or smoking. EMAS will provide new population-based data concerning the main features that characterize ageing in men and its critical determinants, particularly with reference to age-related changes in hormone levels. Such information is an important prerequisite to develop effective strategies to reduce age-related disabilities and optimise health and well-being into old-age.
|
|
| 25. |
- Nenonen, Hannah, et al.
(författare)
-
Non-linear association between androgen receptor CAG repeat length and risk of male subfertility - a meta-analysis.
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; Jul 1, s. 327-332
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary The CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) has been widely studied in association with male infertility, but the results are conflicting. In a recent meta-analysis, infertile men had <1 repeat longer CAG stretch than fertile men when analysed in a linear regression model assuming that AR function diminishes with increasing CAG length. However, in vitro, a non-linear activity pattern was recently demonstrated so that ARs containing short and long stretches, respectively, displayed lower activity than the AR of median length. These results prompted us to explore the possible association between CAG number and male infertility risk in a stratified manner on the basis of data from the mentioned meta-analysis and subjects from our clinical unit. The study population included 3915 men, 1831 fertile and 2084 infertile. Data were divided into three categories: CAG < 22, CAG 22-23 (reference) and CAG > 23 and analysed in a binary logistic regression model. Men with CAG < 22 and CAG > 23 had 20% increased odds ratio of infertility compared with carriers of the median lengths [for CAG < 22: p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39; for CAG > 23: p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.03-1.44]. These results show that an alternative model to a linear one for the genotype-phenotype association in relation to AR CAG repeats is likely, as lengths close to the median confine lowest risk of infertility.
|
|
| 26. |
- Romerius, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
-
High risk of azoospermia in men treated for childhood cancer.
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 34, s. 69-76
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have an increased risk of impaired spermatogenesis, but data regarding the disease- and treatment-related risk factors of azoospermia are scarce. Such information is crucial both for counselling CCS and for selecting patients for testicular tissue cryopreservation. The proportion of azoospermic men in CCS was 18% [95% confidence interval (CI): 12-26], specifically for leukaemias (19%; 95% CI: 5.5-42), Hodgkin's disease (53%; 95% CI: 29-76), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (11%; 95% CI: 0.28-48) and testicular cancer (11%; 95% CI: 0.28-48). In CCS treated with high doses of alkylating agents, the proportion of azoospermic men was 80% (95% CI: 28-99) and if radiotherapy was used additionally, the proportion was 64% (95% CI: 35-87). In CCS with subnormal Inhibin B levels, the proportion of azoospermic men was 66% (95% CI: 47-81) and for those with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, the proportion was 50% (95% CI: 35-67). Among CCS with subnormal testicular volume (
|
|
| 27. |
|
|
| 28. |
- Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf, et al.
(författare)
-
Phthalate exposure and asthma in children
- 2010
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 33:2, s. 333-345
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the last decades more than 100 000 new chemicals have been introduced to the environment. Many of these new chemicals and many common consumer products that include these have been shown to be toxic in animal studies and an increasing body of evidence suggests that they are also impacting human health. Among the suspect chemicals, the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of particular concern. One such chemical group is the phthalates, used in soft poly vinyl chloride (PVC) material and in a huge number of consumer products. During the same period of time that the prevalence of these modern chemicals has increased, there has been a remarkable increase in several chronic illnesses, including asthma and allergy in children. In this article we outline the scientific knowledge on phthalate exposure for asthma and airway diseases in children by examining epidemiological and experimental peer review data for potential explanatory mechanisms. Epidemiological data point to a possible correlation between phthalate exposure and asthma and airway diseases in children. Experimental studies present support for an adjuvant effect on basic mechanisms in allergic sensitization by several phthalates. Despite variations in the experimental design and reported result in the individual studies, a majority of published reports have identified adjuvant effects on Th2 differentiation, production of Th2 cytokines and enhanced levels of Th2 promoted immunoglobulins (mainly IgG1 but also IgE) in mice. A limited amount of data do also suggest phthalate-induced enhancement of mast cell degranulation and eosinophilic infiltration which are important parts in the early inflammation phase. Thus, some of the early key mechanisms in the pathology of allergic asthma could possibly be targeted by phthalate exposure. But the important questions of clinical relevance of real life exposure and identification of molecular targets that can explain interactions largely remain to be answered
|
|
| 29. |
- Carlsson, Lena, et al.
(författare)
-
Association of cystatin C with prostasomes in human seminal plasma
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 33:4, s. 363-368
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It was recently elucidated that cystatin C, a protein targeted to the classical secretory pathway by its signal peptide sequence, can also be secreted in association with exosomes. Accordingly, we wanted to investigate whether there is a secretory link between cystatin C and prostasomes in human seminal plasma. Cystatin C concentrations in seminal plasma from 50 men including 6 vasectomized men were measured by turbidimetry on an Architect Ci8200. Some of the seminal plasma samples were also analysed utilizing an Epics Profile XL-MCL cytometer. We found high concentrations of cystatin C in seminal plasma. The 2.5-97.5 percentiles, performed by bootstrap estimation, were 25.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 22.3-29.4] to 77.0 mg/L (95% CI: 71.9-82.1). Cystatin C is present in approximately 50 times higher concentration in seminal plasma compared with blood plasma. There was no clear difference as regards seminal plasma content of cystatin C between vasectomized men and the rest of the group. Immunoblot analysis with chicken anti-cystatin C antibody revealed a firm association of cystatin C with prostasomes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that cystatin C was linked to prostasomes also meaning an at least partial prostasomal membrane surface localization.
|
|
| 30. |
|
|
| 31. |
|
|
| 32. |
- De Ambrogi, Marco, et al.
(författare)
-
Effect of storage in short- and long-term commercial semen extenders on the motility, plasma membrane and chromatin integrity of boar spermatozoa
- 2006
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 29:5, s. 543-552
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- For artificial insemination (AI) in pigs, preservation of liquid boar semen at 16-20 degrees C is still common practice as sperm cryopreservation remains suboptimal in this species. To meet the different needs of the swine industry, several extenders have been developed to preserve semen in liquid form for short- and long-term storage. In the present study, three different commercial extenders devised for short-term (BTS+) or long-term preservation (MR-A and X-Cell), were used to test whether storage of semen from four mature, fertile boars at 17 degrees C for 96 h would affect sperm characteristics relevant for fertility, such as motility, membrane integrity and chromatin stability. Computer-assisted sperm analysis, and stainings with the acylated membrane dye SYBR-14/propidium iodide, and acridine orange in connection with flow cytometry were used to evaluate these variables. Percentages of total motile spermatozoa decreased slightly, but significantly, after 72-96 h. While membrane integrity values varied during the period of study, no significant changes in either membrane integrity or chromatin stability were, however, registered. This suggests a customary 96-day storage at 17 degrees C in these extenders was too short an interval to cause losses of integrity in nuclear DNA in the boar population studied.
|
|
| 33. |
- Garcia, E.M., et al.
(författare)
-
Localization and expression of spermadhesin PSP-I/PSP-II subunits in the reproductive organs of the boar
- 2008
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 31:4, s. 408-417
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The epithelial localization and expression of the spermadhesin PSP-I and PSP-II subunits were determined in the testis, ductus epididymes (caput, corpus and cauda), seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands of mature boars, using immunohistochemical, western blotting and RT-PCR methods. Immunohistochemistry showed positive labelling for PSP-I and PSP-II antibodies in the epithelium of seminal vesicles in all males tested. Positive immunolabelling, but with variable intensity, was also present in the epididymal epithelium (caput, corpus and cauda), although varying largely among segments and boars. Immunoreactivity was nearly or completely absent in the seminiferous epithelium and the bulbourethral gland, although SDS-PAGE and western blotting revealed the presence of PSP-I and PSP-II immunoreactive bands in all the tissue extracts, including the testis and the bulbourethral gland. mRNA amplification by RT-PCR using primers specific for PSP-I and PSP-II showed a trend similar to that observed for western blotting, i.e. intensity variation between tissues (even between segments of the same epididymis) and among boars. Our results indicate that the seminal vesicles are the main source of PSP-I and PSP-II spermadhesins, although epididymal segments, testis and the bulbourethral gland also participate in the expression of both proteins.
|
|
| 34. |
|
|
| 35. |
- Hernandez, Marta, et al.
(författare)
-
Differences in SCSA outcome among boars with different sperm freezability
- 2006
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 29:6, s. 583-591
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spermatozoa from some boars sustain the process of cryopreservation poorly and yield poor fertility after artificial insemination. Poor freezability has not been disclosed using conventional semen analyses. A defective chromatin can, if present in a substantial number of spermatozoa, affect the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Here we tested the hypothesis that nuclear DNA instability could explain differences in freezability among boars, and complement or supersede conventional tests for sperm quality such as sperm motility or membrane assessments. Frozen-thawed (FT) spermatozoa from a total of 44 stud boars were assessed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), in relation to computer-assisted sperm analysis-derived sperm motility variables and sperm viability (triple fluorescent microscopic staining), including three experiments. The first trial, including 24 boars, evaluated the relationship between the sperm motility and viability with levels of DNA integrity. The SCSA showed that most spermatozoa had intact DNA [levels of DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) ranging from 0.63% to 11.85%] significantly correlated (albeit weakly) with current sperm quality variables. The second trial, on 15 boars, assessed the influence of two different thawing rates (20 s at 37 degrees C vs. 8 s at 70 degrees C) and the post-thaw incubation times (0, 30, 150 and 300 min) at 37 degrees C on FT-boar sperm quality. The highest sperm survival (p less than 0.05) and the lowest DNA damage (p less than 0.01) were achieved when thawing was carried out at 70 degrees C for 8 s, without any change during the first 150 min of incubation. Finally, the third experiment studied if differences in sperm freezability showed by stud boar semen, as good or bad freezers by conventional analyses, could be attributed to differences in chromatin structure. All SCSA parameters were low, but significantly (p less than 0.05-0.001) higher for bad freezers, showing they had less homogeneous sperm chromatin than the good freezers. The results indicate that SCSA outcome complements conventional assessment of FT-boar spermatozoa, disclosing differences in their ability to sustain freezing and thawing. However, the low overall DNA damage observed in FT spermatozoa seems to have poor biological significance.
|
|
| 36. |
|
|
| 37. |
- Khan, Shaffiq A, et al.
(författare)
-
The rat testis produces large amounts of an interleukin-1 like factor.
- 1987
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 10:2, s. 495-503
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Homogenates of whole testis, isolated seminiferous tubules, testicular cytosol, conditioned media from seminiferous tubules obtained from intact or cryptorchid rats, as well as seminiferous tubules devoid of peritubular cells, showed high concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1). Cytosol from spleen showed low IL-1 activity, while no activity was found in cytosol from heart, kidney, prostate, ovary or liver. Interleukin-1 activity was not detected in spent medium from cultures of immature Sertoli cells (10-day-old rats) or from peritubular cells or in homogenates of interstitial cells from adult rats. Ultrogel AcA 44 gel chromatography and HPLC size exclusion chromatography exhibited a single peak of IL-1 activity corresponding to a relative molecular mass of 17 000–20 000 (Mr= 17–20 K). Similarly, chromatofocusing revealed only one peak of activity with an apparent isoelectric point of 5–6. It is concluded that the rat testis contains large amounts of an IL-1α-like factor. The adult Sertoli cell or possibly germ cells are suggested as its primary source. Testicular IL-1-like activity is of particular interest in view of the intense cell proliferation during spermatogenesis, and the tendency to testicular relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
|
|
| 38. |
- Lissbrant, Erik, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of haemorrhagic hypotension on the subcapsular artery and microvasculature of the rat testis.
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Int J Androl. - : Wiley. ; 29:3, s. 434-440
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Developing germ cells may be sensitive to even moderate reductions in blood flow. Surprisingly, however, experimental evidence suggests that the rat testis may be unable to maintain its blood flow during a decrease in systemic blood pressure. This study was therefore performed in order to answer the following questions: Is the testis able to maintain its blood flow during moderate to major reductions in blood pressure and, if so, at which level of the testicular vasculature (main artery or microcirculation) does this compensatory response take place? Moderate (−20%) and major (−40%) reductions in blood pressure were induced in anaesthetized rats by haemorrhage and the effects on testicular microvascular blood flow and subcapsular testicular artery diameter were examined by using laser Doppler flowmetry and in vivo video-microscopy respectively. Haemorrhagic hypotension led to decreased local testicular blood flow, but the relative reductions in flow were generally only half as large as the reductions in blood pressure. Hypotension also decreased the diameter of the main subcapsular testicular artery. During large reductions in blood pressure the subcapsular testicular artery constricts and testicular blood flow decreases. However, blood flow is reduced proportionally less than the mean arterial pressure, suggesting that local regulatory mechanisms are present in the testicular microvasculature, which may prevent blood flow from falling below a critical level.
|
|
| 39. |
|
|
| 40. |
|
|
| 41. |
|
|
| 42. |
|
|
| 43. |
|
|
| 44. |
|
|
| 45. |
|
|
| 46. |
- Hardell, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
-
Use of cellular and cordless telephones and risk of testicular cancer
- 2007
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 30:2, s. 115-122
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A case-control study on testicular cancer included use of cellular and cordless telephones. The results were based on answers from 542 (92%) cases with seminoma, 346 (89%) with non-seminoma, and 870 (89%) controls. Regarding seminoma the use of analog cellular phones gave odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-1.6, digital phones OR = 1.3, CI = 0.9-1.8, and cordless phones OR = 1.1, CI = 0.8-1.5. The corresponding results for non-seminoma were OR = 0.7, CI = 0.5-1.1, OR = 0.9, CI = 0.6-1.4, and OR = 1.0, CI = 0.7-1.4, respectively. There was no dose-response effect and OR did not increase with latency time. No association was found with place of keeping the mobile phone during standby, such as trousers pocket. Cryptorchidism was associated both with seminoma (OR = 4.2, CI = 2.7-6.5) and non-seminoma (OR = 3.3, CI = 2.0-5.6), but no interaction was found with the use of cellular or cordless telephones.
|
|
| 47. |
- Idahl, Annika, 1965-, et al.
(författare)
-
Male serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgA and IgG, but not heat shock protein 60 IgG, correlates with negatively affected semen characteristics and lower pregnancy rates in the infertile couple
- 2007
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 30:2, s. 99-107
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether serum Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin-A (IgA), IgM and C. trachomatis heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60) IgG are of additional value to C. trachomatis IgG regarding the impact on fecundity in infertile couples, and to relate C. trachomatis serum antibodies to semen characteristics, diagnoses and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: A total of 226 infertile couples, previously tested for C. trachomatis IgG, were tested for C. trachomatis IgA, IgM and CHSP60 IgG, and semen samples from all men were analysed. RESULTS: Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in men (but not in women) correlated with reduced chances of achieving pregnancy [p = 0.021, relative risk (RR) =0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-1.005] and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG the chance was further reduced (p =0.001, RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84). Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA was also significantly correlated with reduced motility of the spermatozoa (-8.7%, p = 0.023), increased number of dead spermatozoa (+10.5%, p = 0.014) and higher prevalence of leucocytes in semen (+122%, p = 0.005), and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG positivity, there was also a decrease in sperm concentration (-35%, p = 0.033), the number of progressive spermatozoa (-14.8%, p = 0.029) and a rise in the teratozoospermia index (+4.4%, p = 0.010). CHSP60 IgG correlated with reduced motility (-5.6%, p = 0.033), and in the women to tubal factor infertility (p = 0.033), but no correlations of C. trachomatis serum IgM or CHSP60 IgG with pregnancy rates were found. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in the male partner of the infertile couple has an additive value to IgG in predicting pregnancy chances, and serum IgA and IgG are associated with subtle negative changes in semen characteristics.
|
|
| 48. |
- Pena, FJ, et al.
(författare)
-
A new and simple method to evaluate early membrane changes in frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa
- 2005
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 28:2, s. 107-114
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Detection of early changes in the sperm plasma membrane during cryopreservation is of utmost importance when designing freezing protocols and has previously been studied in the pig species using annexin-V detection of phosphatidylserine translocation. In the present study we designed a new assay to detect these changes in boar spermatozoa, based on the slight increase of sperm membrane permeability occurring during the early stages of cryoinjury, using the combination of three fluorescent probes, SNARF-1, YO-PRO-1 and ethidium homodimer. Four ejaculates from five different boars were frozen-thawed and flow cytometrically (FC) evaluated as paired samples. One of the samples was assayed using the annexin-V/propidium iodide staining and the other sample was evaluated using the new triple staining. Using this combination of probes, four sperm subpopulations were easily detected: viable, with stable membranes (SNARF-1 positive cells), and three with compromised membranes, one of YO-PRO-1+/Eth- cells, one ethidium homodimer+ spermatozoa and, finally spermatozoa stained both with YO-PRO-1 and ethidium homodimer (YO-PRO-1+/Eth+). The latter three categories corresponded to dead spermatozoa, but with different degree of membrane damage, being YO-PRO+/Eth- an earlier stage of membrane destabilization, (manifested by an increase in membrane permeability, while still maintaining membrane integrity) than YO-PRO+/Eth+. A method agreement analysis between both methods was performed revealing good agreement, although the percentage of live cells was 9.44% larger for the triple stain than the annexin-V assay. The new assay stained all sperm sub-populations present in the sample, making it especially suitable for both fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, facilitating the exclusion of debris and egg-yolk particles when using FC.
|
|
| 49. |
- Richiardi, L, et al.
(författare)
-
Rates of orchiopexies in Sweden: 1977-1991
- 2009
-
Ingår i: International journal of andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 32:5, s. 473-478
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 50. |
- Saravia, F., et al.
(författare)
-
Controlled cooling during semen cryopreservation does not induce capacitation of spermatozoa from two portions of the boar ejaculate
- 2007
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 30:6, s. 485-499
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cryopreservation imposes dramatic changes in boar sperm survivability but it is as yet unclear which part of the process affects the spermatozoa the most. The present study monitored, along the entire process of cryopreservation, the stability (PMS) of the architecture of the lipid plasma membrane and its integrity (PMI), as well as the kinetics of the processed spermatozoa using two portions from the boar ejaculate (P1 = the first 10 mL of the sperm-rich fraction, SRF; P2 = the rest of the ejaculate), frozen in a recently developed package, the MiniFlatPack (MFPs, 0.5 x 10(9) sperm/dose). Evaluation was made at four specific stages, viz. S1 = after collection (suspended in Beltsville thawing solution, BTS); S2 = at 15 degrees C (suspended in lactose-egg yolk, LEY); S3 = at 5 degrees C (suspended in LEY plus glycerol); and S4 = post-thaw. Both sperm kinetics (using computer-assisted sperm analysis, CASA) and PMS [i.e. the degree of lipid disorder and of the exteriorization of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the plasma membrane, measured by flow cytometry using Merocyanine-540 (M-540), and Annexin-V (AV) respectively], as well as plasma membrane integrity [PMI, i.e. the degree of membrane damage, measured using Yo-Pro-1 or propidium iodide (PI)] were assessed after incubation in BTS at 38 degrees C. Moreover, spermatozoa were challenged by incubation in modified Brackett-Oliphant medium (mBO+) with 37 mM of bicarbonate at 38 degrees C for 30 min, and their PMS and PMI further explored. Total sperm motility was significantly higher in P1 than in P2 along the entire process (S1-S4; p less than 0.01), decreasing significantly at S4 for both fractions (p less than 0.0001). The proportion of spermatozoa showing linear motility (LinM) was similar between ejaculate portions (P1 and P2), with a significant increase post-thaw (S4; p less than 0.0001). During cooling (S1-S3) but not post-thaw (S4), lateral head displacement (LHD) differed between portions and changed along the stages (p less than 0.01). Sperm velocity differed between portions in S1 (p less than 0.01), but remained similar, independently of the portion, thereafter (S2-S4). Both PMS and the total number of live spermatozoa remained similar between S1 and S3 while incubated in BTS for both ejaculate portions. Sperm mortality increased post-thaw (S4) in both portions but the degree of lipid disorder remained low in the live cells (1.28% for P1; 1.55% for P2). Exposure to mBO+, on the other hand, significantly increased membrane lipid disorder along cooling (S1-S3; p less than 0.0001), increasing the percentages of dead spermatozoa, especially post-thaw (around 70%, both portions). PS-exteriorization (AV) was not evident along the cryopreservation process in control (BTS) samples and exposure to mBO+ only induced minor variations. The data showed that kinetics, PMS and PMI of boar spermatozoa suspended in BTS (S1), LEY (S2) or LEY plus glycerol (S3) were maintained during controlled cooling but were altered by thawing, showing more characteristics of cell injury than of sperm capacitation. The spermatozoa were able to capacitate but the bicarbonate challenge destabilized the plasma membrane during initial cooling and accelerated membrane changes post-thaw. We conclude that capacitation of boar spermatozoa does not occur during controlled cooling.
|
|
