Journal of andrology最新文献

ABSTRACT: Human semen contains spermatozoa as well as populations of round nonspermatozoal cells primarily consisting of leukocytes. Activation of white blood cells present in the seminal plasma during genital tract inflammation and cellular reactions against microbial agents may provoke a release of a variety of products such as cytokines and reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a panel of selected cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNFα]) detectable in seminal plasma during male genital tract inflammation could be considered as mediators between altered semen parameters and changed levels of pro-oxidant and antioxidant substances. Studies using chemiluminometric, spectrophotometric, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods indicate that proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα may modulate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in the male genital tract. The data also suggest that the function of pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems in semen may directly influence basic semen parameters. The elevated numbers of leukocytes present in semen during male genital tract inflammation without an associated contribution of cytokines and semen antioxidant capacity appear to be of little prognostic value in evaluating male fertilization potential.

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone [DHT], and hydrocortisone) on the protein secretion of caput and cauda epididymal epithelial cells cultured in principal cell medium (PCM). A confluent monolayer of caput and cauda epididymal epithelial cells was obtained from serum-containing PCM in the presence or absence of hormones after 7 days of culture at 38.5°C (5% CO₂ in air). The protein secretion of epididymal epithelial monolayers incubated in serum-free PCM for 3 days was examined. The secreted proteins were separated by 2-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D SDS-PAGE). A comparison of the different protein patterns showed 61 spots, of which 11 were secreted only in the presence of hormones, 3 appeared to show hormone-related changes, and 25 were region-specific. Most of these secreted proteins were low-molecular-weight acidic proteins. To obtain evidence of the epididymal origin of the secreted proteins, proteins present in caput and cauda epididymal plasma were analyzed. In conclusion, our data indicate that hormones influence the synthesis of a number of caput and cauda epididymal proteins. Some of these proteins could be important for improving our understanding of spermatozoa maturation and storage and their acquisition of fertilizing ability.

ABSTRACT: This study prospectively examined changes in cognition in hypogonadal men given testosterone (T) or older hypogonadal men given dihydrotestosterone (DHT) gel. A battery of cognitive tests assessing verbal and spatial memory, language, and attention was administered at baseline (prior to medication) and again at days 90 and 180 of treatment for men receiving T gel and at baseline and days 30 and 90 of treatment for men receiving DHT gel. For men receiving T gel, circulating total T and estradiol (E₂) were significantly raised compared with baseline, and a significant improvement in verbal memory was observed. For men receiving DHT gel, serum DHT levels increased and T levels decreased significantly compared with baseline, and a significant improvement in spatial memory was observed. The results suggest that beneficial changes in cognition can occur in hypogonadal men using T replacement levels and DHT treatment, and these changes in cognition can be reliably measured during a relative steady-state dose level. Further, our results suggest that aromatization of T to E₂ may regulate verbal memory in men, whereas nonaromatizable androgens may regulate spatial memory.

The age-old adage “a woman's work is never done” may become a mantle equally attributable to both sexes when it comes to certain aspects of pregnancy, according to a March 1, 2003, study in the British Medical Journal.¹ No longer can fathers-to-be sit back, puff out their chests, and rest on their laurels with physically detached pride post-conception while their partners meticulously attend to their diets and activities with hopes of a normal, healthy pregnancy.

“It seems that paternal genes as expressed by the fetus play a role in the timing of birth and in the risk of repeating a prolonged pregnancy.” Women of the world rejoice and men hide as the ubiquitous acerbic shouts of “you did this to me” take on additional weight from post-term women (more than 41 weeks or more than 294 days).

In a retrospective study of 21 746 postterm sibling pairs and 7009 term sibling pairs, Dr Annette Wind Olesen found a 19.9% reoccurrence of postterm births where the babies had the same father, but where the first birth was term only a 7.7% of subsequent births were postterm. In cases where the paternity of the siblings differed, the recurrent risk of postterm delivery fell to 15.4%, whereas there was a statistically insignificant change in the risk for the term cohort.

Learning that paternal genes contribute to the timing of birth will enhance medical decision-making and should reduce the frequency of obstetrical complications and perinatal morbidity associated with postterm pregnancy in an overly litigious field. With the current malpractice crisis and the exodus of doctors from certain states in noted practice areas such as obstetrics, such knowledge should help reduce malpractice insurance and increase physician choice by preventing physician emigration.

So, is it fair? Is it justified to blame men for their genes? Of course not, but ask an uncomfortable, waddling 42-week postterm pregnant woman, whose body has been taken over by a little alien for 9 months and who has hugely swollen ankles that she cannot see, about fairness and justice, and I am sure she will cast ethics aside as she pleads, “get this thing out of me.” Advice to the men: do not begin quoting Hippocrates, Kant, Aristotle, or Sophocles, and go get Ben and Jerry.

ABSTRACT: The Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specialization (ES) is a specialized domain of the calcium-dependent Sertoli cell-spermatid junctional complex. Not only is it associated with the mechanical adhesion of the cells, but it also plays a role in the morphogenesis and differentiation of the developing germ cells. Abnormal or absent Sertoli ESs have been associated with step-8 spermatid sloughing and subsequent oligospermia. With a micropipette pressure transducing system (MPTS) to measure the force needed to detach germ cells from Sertoli cells, this study examined, for the first time, the strength of the junction between Sertoli cells and spermatids and between Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. The mean force needed to detach spermatocytes from Sertoli cells was 5.25 × 10⁻⁷ pN, prestep-8 spermatids from Sertoli cells was 4.73 × 10⁻⁷ pN, step-8 spermatids from Sertoli cells was 8.82 × 10⁻⁷ pN, and spermatids plus EDTA was 2.16 × 10⁻⁷ pN. These data confirm the hypothesis that step-8 spermatids are more firmly attached to Sertoli cells than are spermatocytes and pre-step-8 spermatids and that calcium chelation reduces binding strength between Sertoli cells and spermatids. The MPTS is a useful tool in studying the various molecular models of the Sertoli-germ cell junctional strength and the role of reproductive hormones and enzymes in coupling and uncoupling of germ cells from Sertoli cells.

ABSTRACT: The cryoprotective effects of 11 different extenders, TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, TCG, TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LM, on sperm cryopreservation of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) have been compared with glycerol as cryoprotectant. Sperm motility, plasma membrane, and acrosomal integrity were examined to evaluate frozen-thawed sperm function. The results showed that TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG exhibited the best and similar protective efficiencies for cynomolgus monkey sperm cryopreservation in terms of sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity (P > .05). The acrosomal integrity for spermatozoa cryopreserved in TCG was statistically lower than that of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, and G-DM (P < .05) but was significantly higher than that of TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LM (P < .05). The postthaw sperm motility for 5 other extenders (TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LM) did not exceed 30%, and the 3 sperm parameters evaluated for them were significantly lower than that of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG (P < .05). On the basis of these findings, 5 commonly used permeating cryoprotectants, glycerol, ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetamide and propylene glycol have further been tested for their effectiveness on sperm cryopreservation in extenders of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG. The results showed that the sperm cryoprotective efficiencies of glycerol and ethylene glycol were similar and best among 5 permeating cryoprotectant treatments (P > .05). Dimethyl sulfoxide or acetamide resulted in average cryoprotection for cynomolgus monkey spermatozoa: poorer than glycerol or ethylene glycol but better than that of propylene glycol (P < .05). In addition, the action of permeating cryoprotectant appeared to be independent of extenders. The results in the present study demonstrate that 1) TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG are excellent extenders and suitable for cynomolgus monkey sperm cryopreservation; 2) the mechanism of action of permeating cryoprotectants are not affected by extender composition; 3) ethylene glycol has a similar cryoprotective efficacy to glycerol that makes it a successful cryoprotectant for sperm cryopreservation in cynomolgus monkeys.

ABSTRACT: The free radical nitric oxide (NO), generated through the oxidation of l-arginine to l-citrulline by NO synthases (NOSs), has been shown to inhibit steroidogenic pathways. NOS isoforms are known to be present in rat and human testes. Our study examined the sensitivity of Leydig cells to NO and determined whether NOS activity resides in Leydig cells or in another cell type such as the testicular macrophage. The results showed a low level of l-[¹⁴C]arginine conversion in purified rat Leydig cell homogenates. Administration of the NOS inhibitor L-N^G-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or the calcium chelator ethylenebis (oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA), had no effect on l-[¹⁴C]citrulline accumulation. Increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations that were induced by a calcium ionophore, or the addition of luteinizing hormone (LH), failed to affect NO formation in intact cells that were cultured in vitro. Introduction of a high concentration of the NO precursor l-arginine did not decrease testosterone (T) production, and NOS inhibitors did not increase T biosynthesis. However, exposing Leydig cells to low concentrations of the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) induced a dramatic blockade of T production under basal and LH-stimulated conditions. DNA array assays showed a low level of expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS), while the neuronal and inducible isoforms of NOS (nNOS and iNOS) were below detection levels. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses confirmed these findings and demonstrated the presence of high iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in activated testicular macrophages that produced large amounts of NO. These data suggest that, while T production in rat Leydig cells is highly sensitive to NO and an endogenous NO-generating system is not present in these cells, NOS activity is more likely to reside in activated testicular macrophages.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2005, and best of luck to all of you. For those of you who are still knee-deep in the trenches of training, ask yourself these important questions: How often do you find yourself behind on deadlines? Do many days pass and leave you wishing you had a few extra hours before the sun went down? Is organization something you are always striving for, but just can't seem to fully achieve? In this issue's Trainee Page, Rex A. Hess, Professor at the University of Illinois, offers some very helpful tips for those of us who could use assistance managing our time more effectively.

The largest component for the primary evaluation of the infertile couple remains focused on the woman. In part, this is because of two considerations. The first and primary consideration is that, initially, the woman typically pursues this issue on her own, with her gynecologist. Second, if a couple does present for evaluation, the female factor still dominates evaluation, as infertility has historically been considered principally a female problem. This is exacerbated in cases in which semen parameters are normal.

Approaches to the evaluation of the infertile couple differ from practitioner to practitioner. However, there are certain basic, generally accepted components for evaluating each member of the couple. The following will provide a brief overview; other resources can be consulted for a comprehensive discussion (Penzias, 2000; Brugh et al, 2002). The initial evaluation of the woman begins with a thorough medical history and a physical examination that focuses on physiological function, since ovulatory dysfunction and tubal/pelvic pathology each contribute to approximately 40% of infertility cases, while unusual and unexplained problems each contribute to about 10% of infertility cases (Speroff et al, 1999).

A basic medical history will help elicit any preexisting medical conditions that may affect infertility. The couple's coital habits should be discussed as well as whether prior sexually transmitted diseases are a factor. The history should also be evaluated for pelvic inflammatory disease and abdominal surgeries, since both may cause adhesion formation that can affect tubal patency (Westrom, 1980; Corfman and Badran, 1994). Information that is obtained from the patient's medical history is assessed in conjunction with her menstrual history. Women who are having regular cycles tend to ovulate, reducing the likelihood that they will be diagnosed with anovulation or oligo-ovulation. However, if either diagnosis is correct, it is important to determine the cause. For example, polycystic ovarian syndrome contributes to the majority of anovulation cases (ie, approximately 70%) (Knochenhauer et al, 1998), whereas hyperprolactinemia, hypothalamic dysfunction, premature ovarian failure, and extremes of body weight contribute to the remaining 30%. Ovulation function can be assessed by monitoring the surges in luteinizing hormone with ovulation predictors and by checking the basal body temperature and serum progesterone concentration. The initial physical examination may show undiagnosed anatomic abnormalities that preclude pregnancy, or it may yield clues to the underlying pathology (eg, endometriosis). The preliminary examination may disclose endocrine disorders such as hirsutism or profound thyroid dysfunction. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, serum androgen, and prolactin may also be assessed, and glucose screening may be required to exclude any undiagnosed medical condition(s).

Up to this point, the basic work

ABSTRACT: In order to explore the impact of surgical treatment on antioxidant defense system in varicocele (VAR), we evaluated seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 25 patients affected by VAR, in 14 patients studied 10–24 months after varicocelectomy (post-VAR) and separated into normo- and oligospermic groups, and in 24 non-VAR control patients with seminal parameters matched to patients with VAR in the oligo- and normospermic groups (7 subjects with idiopathic oligospermia and 17 normal fertile subjects). TAC was measured in seminal plasma with the system H₂O₂-metamyoglobin as a source of radicals, which interact with a chromogen 2,2′,-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), generating a radical cation spectroscopically detectable. The presence of antioxidants induces a lag time in the production of ABTS cation proportional to the concentration of antioxidant compounds. When whole groups of patients were analyzed, lag values were significantly higher in VAR vs non-VAR controls (mean ± SEM, 106.6 ± 8.8 seconds vs 78.7 ± 8.8 seconds) but were not modified by surgery (mean ± SEM, 105.8 ± 8.6 seconds). In groups separated according to seminal parameters, oligospermic VAR presented significantly higher lag values than oligospermic controls. Finally, when exploring a possible association of TAC with seminal parameters, we found a significant correlation between lag and sperm motility only in patients with VAR who were in the normospermic group (r = 0.65, P < .01). This correlation was not yet manifest post-VAR. In conclusion, surgical treatment does not seem to modify absolute values of TAC but influences its fine regulation and relationships with sperm motility.