Andrological Parameters Research Articles

Perfil sérico do hormônio anti-Mülleriano de touros Nelore na peripuberdade

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the profile of AMH serum concentrations during the period of prepuberty in young bulls. The bulls were selected and evaluated for 150 days to assess their sexual development. The semen and blood collection, body weight (kg), and scrotal measurements were performed every 30 days, and puberty (D0) was considered when at least 50×106 spermatozoa/mL, and 10% of progressive motility were verified for the first time. After the blood collection, plasma was separated and used to determine the AMH concentration by ELISA, presenting values of 611.4a (±94.5), 555a (±181.99), 621.6ab (±133.44), 370.4ab (±59.36) and 51.7b (±7.94) for moments of -60, -30, 0, +30 and +60 of puberty, respectively. During the evaluated period, there was a progressive increase in body weight (kg), scrotal circumference (cm), and semen characteristics. The AMH mean plasma concentration decreased 60 days after puberty onset. There was no correlation with the andrological parameters analyzed; however, there was a positive and strong correlation between the testicular height and width at puberty onset with plasma concentrations of AMH. We concluded that AMH is not a helpful tool for the early prediction of puberty in Nelore bulls.

Influence of tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate conditions on seminal redox status and sperm quality parameters in breeding bulls

This study evaluated the effect of climate change on andrological parameters of beef bulls raised under tropical, subtropical, and temperate conditions. Bull ejaculates were collected to evaluate seminal quality parameters, sperm membrane integrity, and redox status (SOD; GPx; GSH; GRx; CARB; DCF; and SOD/GPx ratio). Bulls located in the temperate region showed a higher sperm motility rate and percentage of viable sperm (P < 0.05). When evaluating regions independently, we observed a lower GPx activity from animals in the tropical region (P < 0.05). In contrast, we found that SOD and GRx activities, GSH content, and CARB oxidative levels were higher in the tropical region, while oxidation values of DCF were lower (P < 0.05). Braford bulls showed higher CARB and DCF levels (1.23 ± 0.61 nmol/mg and 1453.60 ± 828.63 nmol/mg, respectively) compared to Hereford bulls (1.00 ± 0.43 nmol/mg and 1138.70 ± 423.24 nmol/mg, respectively) in the temperate region. However, Nellore bulls showed higher DCF levels (650.50 ± 401.53 nmol/mg) than Braford bulls (409.40 ± 286.97 nmol/mg). In addition, the SOD/GPx ratio was lower in Braford (12.44 ± 7.64 U/mg) compared to Nellore bulls in tropical conditions (87.25 ± 2.83 U/mg). A positive correlation was found in temperate conditions between DCF levels, SOD, and GRx activities (0.51, 0.58; P < 0.01, respectively), as well as in subtropical conditions between DCF levels and GRx activity (0.53; P < 0.01). A negative correlation between the temperature-humidity index and CARB content was found in subtropical and tropical regions (−0.44; P < 0.01). We concluded that Braford breeds showed lower seminal motility, DCF contents and SOD/GPx ratios compared to Nellore bulls in tropical climate conditions. Finally, in temperate environmental conditions, Braford bulls also showed lower seminal motility but higher levels of CARB and DCF contents compared to Hereford bulls. Therefore, the existence of climatic differences between the temperate and tropical regions evaluated affected Braford bulls’ seminal motility and seminal redox homeostasis.

Suppression of reproductive function in juvenile rams by a slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone implant.

Background:Regarding animal welfare and reversible suppression of reproduction the need for alternatives to surgical castration, like slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) implants, is increasing.Aim:In this study, we evaluated whether the onset of puberty can be suppressed by implantation of a slow-release GnRH implant (4.7 mg deslorelin) in juvenile rams.Methods:Seven juvenile rams (3–5.5 months) were treated with the GnRH analog deslorelin to analyze the effects on testicular development, sonographic findings of testicular tissue, testosterone concentration in the blood, spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters from the epididymis after castration. Seven rams of the same age without an implant served as controls.Results:Follow-up examinations were conducted over 5 months, after which four rams per group were castrated. No significant group differences were found in the andrological parameters on the group level, but testicular development was suppressed in three rams in the treated group. Histological examination revealed spermatogenesis in the testicular tissue in three of four animals treated with a GnRH analog. Conclusion:The onset of puberty in juvenile rams cannot be reliably suppressed by using the slow-release GnRH implant Suprelorin®.

Modulatory Effect of Lawsonia inermis Linn. Leaves on Andrological Parameters and Histopathological Changes of Testes in Streptozocine Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been known to be a major health challenge that have harmful effects on the quality of life globally as a result of its numerous complications. One of the most prevalent secondary complication of the disease is male reproductive system dysfunction. Oral hypoglycaemic drugs are used for managing diabetes but their use has been reported to possess side effects on male reproductive organ leading to significant alteration of spermatogenesis. Lawsonia inermis Linn are used in the treatment of both infectious and non-infectious diseases like poliomyelitis, measles, menorrhagia, vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea. Lawsonia inermis leaves were sectioned using N-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Fractions obtained were assessed for their modulatory effect. Thirteen groups of diabetic rats (n=5) were orally administered 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of each of the three partitioned fraction, metformin (500 mg/kg), glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), while untreated hyperglycaemic and normoglycaemic rats received distilled water for 28 days. Sperm parameters showed significant (p&lt;0.05) decreased motility in most treatment group compared to normoglycaemic control but significant improvement was observed in sperm parameters when compared to untreated diabetic control. The sperm volume and live/dead ratio of diabetic treated rats showed little or no significant alteration in all the administered dosage compared to both diabetic and non-diabetic controls. Methanol fraction at 100mg/kg presented non-significant (p&gt;0.05) decreased total abnormal sperm cell compared to normoglycemic control. Diabetic and non-diabetic control had a greater number of spermatozoa with tailless head abnormality compared to Lawsonia inermis treatment groups. Histopathology result of diabetic untreated testes showed histological abnormality represented by degenerated seminiferous tubules when compared to normoglycemic control cases. Treatment groups with fractions of Lawsonia inermis presents normal histological appearance. We concluded that this study showed that Lawsonia inermis has significant modulatory or ameliorative effect on various sperm abnormalities and testicular degeneration seen in diabetic ones.

Standardized Extract of Costus Afer Ker. Gawl leaves Modulates Reproductive Toxicity Caused by FructoseStreptozotocin Administration in Type-2 Diabetic Rats Model

Background: Co-administration of streptozotocin and fructose is believed to induce type 2 diabetes as well as to cause reproductive toxicity and testicular damage via increasing oxidative stress in rats. Objectives: In this study, the potential protective effect of Costus afer leaves methanol extract (CAME) on andrological parameters and pituitary-gonadal axis hormones of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in rats treated with streptozotocin and fructose was investigated. Methods: A total of 35 rats were divided into five groups, each including seven rats. Group 1 received normal saline, whereas T2D was induced in rats from groups 2, 3, 4, and 5. Group 2 served as diabetic control; while groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated orally with 12 mg/kg body weight (BW) of metformin as well as 100 and 200 BW of CAME, respectively, for 4 weeks. Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal responses, andrological parameters, DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress parameters of the reproductive organs were examined in all treatment groups. Results: Administration of CAME reduced the degenerative changes in testes, epididymis and improved pituitary-gonadal axis hormone concentrations, and sperm morphology occasioned by the treatments. Conclusion: It was concluded that the administration of CAME ameliorated reproductive abnormalities in T2D rat models treated with streptozotocin-fructose administration.

HCG therapy in azoospermic men with lower or borderline testosterone levels and the prognostic value of Y‐deletion analysis in its outcome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of hCG therapy in hypogonadotropic hypogonadic (HH) azoospermic males along with dissecting the prognostic value of Y-deletion analysis in these patients. Fifty-eight azoospermic infertile males with diminished testosterone levels (≤400ng/dl) and hypogonadism symptoms were subjected to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy, and Y-deletion analysis was undertaken. Post-treatment, 43% (25/58) patients showed improvement in sperm count with 8.6% (5/58) turning severe oligozoospermic, 24.14% (14/58) patients turning oligozoospermic and 10.54% (6/58) turning normozoospermic. Among responders, the mean sperm concentration was 8.47±13.16million/ml, sperm count was 17.05±26.17million, sperm motility was 52.59%±25.09% and sperm progressive motility was 26.91%±20.51%. Seventeen out of 25 (68%) responders and 11/33 (33%) nonresponders showed an improvement in libido post-therapy. A Y-deletion was observed in 8% (2/25) responders and in 39.39% (13 out of 33) nonresponders. The Y-deletions were more often found in nonresponders in comparison with the responders (Fisher's exact probability test, p=.007, one tailed). We conclude that hCG therapy in hypogonadotropic azoospermic males is effective in improving andrological parameters and sperm production and that Y-chromosome deletion analysis has prognostic significance in predicting the success of hCG therapy.

18 F-FDG PET/CT use in functional assessment of the testes: A systematic review.

Our study analysed previous studies employing positron emission tomography with co-registered computer tomography (PET/CT) in andrological patient evaluation and assessed the differences in 2-[18 F]F-fluoro-2'-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake between three groups: healthy testes, benign and malignant testicular pathology. Medline and Embase were systematically searched for studies involving FDG-PET/CT imaging of testes with results expressed as mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean ). A one-way ANOVA was used to compare SUVmean between three groups. All papers assessing andrological parameters were pooled to compare fertility data. Seventeen studies, including three relating to fertility diagnosis, with a total of 830 patients, were included in the review. One-way ANOVA showed a statistical difference between mean values of tracer SUVmean in healthy and malignant testes (Dif.=-2.77, 95% CI=-4.32 to 1.21, p<0.01) as well as benign and malignant (Dif.=-2.95, 95% CI=-4.33 to -1.21, p<0.01) but no difference between healthy and benign (Dif.=0.19, 95% CI=-0.96 to 1.33, p=0.90). There is some evidence to suggest that FDG uptake and testicular volume are positively correlated to total sperm count, sperm concentration and sperm motility and that germ cells are likely to account for the majority of testicular FDG accumulation. Our findings indicate that malignant testicular lesions demonstrate a significantly higher FDG uptake than benign testicular lesions or healthy testes. Some evidence also suggests that FDG-PET could visualise metabolic activity and thus spermatogenesis; however more studies are required to determine whether FDG-PET could also be used to diagnose infertility. Further studies should focus on correlating both sex hormone-serum levels and semen analysis results with imaging data.

Hormonal changes and redox imbalance in nicotine-induced testicular toxicity: the mitigating influence of D-ribose l-cysteine

BackgroundThe effects of D-ribose l-cysteine on nicotine-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats were examined in this study. Twenty healthy adult male Wistar rats with an average weight of 200 g were grouped as normal control, nicotine (2 mg/kg), D-ribose l-cysteine (30 mg/kg) + nicotine (2 mg/kg), and D-ribose l-cysteine (30 mg/kg). The animals were administered intraperitoneally for 35 days consecutively. Epididymal sperm concentration, motile count, total counts, morphology, and progressive assessment were estimated. Antioxidant levels, tissue protein and testicular histology were also assessed.ResultsThis study showed reduced antioxidant levels (catalase, super-dioxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and increased malondialdehyde levels in the nicotine group relative to normal control group, D-ribose l-cysteine group and D-ribose l-cysteine + nicotine group. This study also showed significant reduction in testicular mass, sperm motile count, concentration, total count, and morphology in nicotine group (p < 0.05) compared to normal control group and D-ribose l-cysteine groups. There was improvement in sperm motility, viability, morphology, counts, in group co-treated with D-ribose l-cysteine, and nicotine relative to nicotine group. Likewise, the degenerative seminiferous tubule histoarchitecture due to nicotine was improved by D-ribose l-cysteine. Notably, the D-ribose l-cysteine group showed superlative values in all investigated parameters relative to the other groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the ability of D-ribose L-cysteine to mitigate the toxic effects of nicotine on reproductive functions in male Wistar rats. It also demonstrated the pro-spermatogenic properties of the compound in boosting andrological parameters.

Chemotherapeutic Potential of Epimedium brevicornum Extract: The cGMP-Specific PDE5 Inhibitor as Anti-Infertility Agent Following Long-Term Administration of Tramadol in Male Rats.

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (EbM) is a well-known Chinese herb that has been widely used for the treatment of several diseases. The main purpose of this study is to examine the role of Epimedium brevicornum extract in certain andrological parameters in rats as a natural modulator for adverse viewpoints associated with chronic administration of tramadol (TAM). Fifty rats were categorized into five groups. Untreated rats were known as Group I, whereas rats in Groups II and III were administered 2.43 g/kg/day of E. brevicornum extract and 50 mg/kg/day of TAM for 130 consecutive days, respectively. Both of Groups IV and V were administered TAM for 65 successive days, followed by concomitant use of both drugs for another 65 days, with the E. brevicornum extract at doses of 0.81 and 2.43 g/kg/day, respectively. TAM showed an injurious effect on sperm attributes, serum hormones, tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and nitric oxide. Elevation of the apoptotic marker Bax and a reduction of Bcl2 were recorded. Histopathological abnormalities have been reported in rat testicles. Rats treated with E. brevicornum extract with TAM showed an improvement in all the parameters tested. It could be presumed that E. brevicornum extract plus TAM exhibits a promising effect on the enhancement of male anti-infertility effects.

Características reprodutivas de touros pré-puberes suplementados com vitamina A

A fertilidade é o fator mais importante na determinação da rentabilidade em rebanhos bovinos. Deficiência de vitaminas e outros nutrientes essenciais podem afetar componentes reprodutivos de touros. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características reprodutivas de touros na fase pré-pubere suplementados com vitamina A. Foram utilizados quarenta touros Nelores, com idade entre 18 e 20 meses. Eles foram divididos em dois grupos: tratados, que receberam vitamina A (2 ml / animal), e controle, que não foram suplementados. Os animais passaram por exame andrológico e foram submetidos à orquiectomia para avaliação histopatológica do testículo. A média de motilidade e vigor espermático foram maiores nos animais presentes no grupo tratado (p &lt; 0,01). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos nos demais parâmetros andrológicos avaliados. As estruturas analisadas no exame histopatológico apresentaram aparência normal. Os dados sugerem que a suplementação de vitamina A pode ter resultados positivos na qualidade espermática dos touros pré-puberdade.

Reversal of Diabetic Complications in Andrology Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats Treated with Cleome rutidosperma Leaves

Abstract Male infertility is one of the complications associated with diabetes mellitus. This study reported the effect of managing experimentally-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats with Cleome rutidosperma leaf extract at doses of 100 mg.kg−1, 200 mg.kg−1 or 400 mg.kg−1 for 14 days. Further deterioration or amelioration of reproductive derangement was assessed by changes in sperm morphology, sperm characteristics, and testicular histo-pathology. Andrology profile of diabetic untreated rats showed significant (P &lt; 0.05) derangements compared to normoglycaemic rats. The profile of diabetic rats treated with the extract of C. rutidosperma, especially at the 200 mg.kg−1 dose showed a significant decrease in abnormal sperm cells, increases in sperm motility, live/ dead ratio and count compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Histopathology showed spermatogenic arrest and degeneration of Sertoli cells in the diabetic untreated rats, but was restored in the C. rutidosperma treated rats. This study showed evidence of infertility associated with diabetes and the ameliorative ability of C. rutidosperma on infertility demonstrated by improved andrological parameters. Traditional management of diabetes with C. rutidosperma leaves should therefore be encouraged in both humans and other animals, especially males with reproductive intentions.

High dose of standardised extract of Costus afer leaves potentiates cadmium reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats.

Protective effects of standardised extract of Costus afer leaves (CAME), an extract with good antioxidants on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats, were investigated in this study. Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were treated every day regularly for 4weeks. G1 (control) rats received 1ml of vehicle treatment. G2 rats were intoxicated with 2.5mgkg-1 day-1 s.c cadmium chloride for 1week. G3 and G4 rats were intoxicated with cadmium as in G2 rats and were treated orally with 100 and 200mg/kg bwt/day of CAME, respectively, for 4weeks. Group G5 and G6 rats were orally treated with 100 and 200mgkg-1 day-1 bwt of CAME, respectively, for 4weeks. Significant changes (p<0.05) in andrological parameters (sperm count, sperm morphology, serum testosterone and nitric oxide concentration) and testicular antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase) caused by Cd toxicity were improved in cadmium-intoxicated rats treated with 100mg/kg body weight of CAME. Administration of 200mg/kg body weight of CAME to cadmium-intoxicated rats potentiated reproductive toxic effects of cadmium. In conclusion, lower dose of CAME is preferred over high dose in treatment of cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in rats.

Aplicações e limites dos testes de Integridade Acrossômica e Reação Acrossômica Induzida por heparina para touros da raça Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and variability of the results of functional tests for assessing acrosome integrity and heparin-induced acrosome reaction (IAR) in young Nellore bulls, as well as to verify their associations with other andrological parameters. Smears were prepared from 16 frozen semen samples of young Nellore bulls and stained with Trypan blue/Giemsa. The overall average post-freezing acrosome integrity was 85 ± 6%, with a reduction to 76 ± 8% after 4 hours of incubation and no large variation between bulls. Marked differences between bulls of the experiment were observed for the heparin IAR tests, with an average of 18 ± 9% (range 44% to 3%). The results suggest that both heparin and heparin + lysophosphatidylcholine were efficient inducers that should be used together in IAR evaluations. Comparison of the different andrological parameters between bulls with high and low IAR showed a difference (p<0.05) only for pre-freezing motility, with superior results for low IAR bulls (≤ 17%). There were no correlations between the andrological parameters and functional tests of sperm quality (acrosome integrity and IAR). Only pre-freezing sperm motility was negatively correlated with IAR (–0.51, p<0.05). In conclusion, the acrosome integrity and IAR tests are important complementary tests to evaluate the functional quality of sperm since they exhibit high variability between bulls and low association with other andrological parameters. However, the tests should be interpreted within the limits of evaluation of the processes associated with sperm quality and not as a broad indicator of bull fertility or reproductive capacity.

Thermoregulatory responses and reproductive traits in composite beef bulls raised in a tropical climate.

It is believed that increased livestock production is limited by tropical climate. Thermal imbalance in bulls can lead to hyperthermia and alter testicular metabolism, causing subfertility or infertility. Therefore, the thermoregulation of composite Canchim bulls (5/8 Charolais × 3/8 Zebu) raised in tropical climate as well as their consequences in the physiological, hematological, hormonal, and andrological parameters were evaluated monthly. The bulls (n = 18; 30.0 ± 1.5months; 503.8 ± 23.0kg) were kept on pasture, in a single group, from August 2015 to March 2016, comprising the winter, spring, and summer seasons. Biometeorological variables were continuously monitored, and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) was calculated. A greater thermal challenge occurred in spring and summer (THI ≥ 72.0). Nevertheless, the bulls exhibited normothermia (38.6 to 38.9°C) in these seasons. The cortisol did not vary between seasons (7.0 vs. 8.7 vs. 6.8ng/mL; P > 0.05) and remained within the physiological patterns. Independent of the seasons, stress leukogram was also not observed, refuting the incidence of acute or chronic thermal stress. It is noteworthy that T3 and testosterone increased (P < 0.0001, P < 0.05) in spring and summer, the time that coincides with the breeding season, when there is increased metabolic requirement from the bulls. The progressive thermal challenge increase did not affect the scrotal thermoregulatory capacity, and in general, scrotal temperature remained at 5.2°C below the internal body temperature. In summer, there was a 5% reduction in the minor sperm defects (P < 0.05) and DNA fragmentation in 2.4% of spermatozoa, a compatible value for high fertility bulls. The results show that the studied composite bulls can be considered as climatically adapted and constitute a viable alternative to be used in production systems in a tropical climate, even if the breeding seasons occur during the most critical thermal condition periods of the year.

Effect of D-ribose-L-cysteine on aluminum induced testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of D-ribose and L-cysteine on aluminum-induced testicular damage in male Sprague-Dawley rats.MethodA total number of thirty-five (35) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (AD). Group A (comprised five (5) rats) was designated the Control Group that received Physiological Saline; while groups B, C, and D (comprised ten (10) rats) were given 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of body weight of aluminum chloride respectively for 39 days. At day 40, the aluminum-treated groups were subdivided into sub-groups (B1, C1, D1) comprising of five (5) rats each, and 30 mg/kg body weight of Riboceine were administered for twenty (20) days. Groups B, C and D remained on the normal dosage of aluminum chloride for three more weeks (59 days).ResultsAndrological parameters (Sperm count, motility, morphology and testosterone) in the aluminum-treated Groups B and C showed no significant difference in their mean values when compared with their control counterparts, whereas there was a significant reduction in the andrological parameters in Group D rats when compared with the Control animals. Histoarchitecture of the testes "stain with H&E" of Group A, B and C rats appeared normal while Group D rats showed testicular damages with several abnormal seminiferous tubules with incomplete maturation of germinal cell layers and absence of spermatozoa in their lumen; Leydig cells appear hyperplastic. Group B1, C1 and D1 andrological and histological parameters appeared normal.ConclusionRiboceine treatment significantly attenuates aluminum-induced testicular toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley in rats.

Evaluation of the comparative effects of antihypertensive drugs: Methyldopa and Moringa oleifera leaves on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in male Wistar rat

Background: Antihypertensive drugs have been reported to induce reproductive toxicity, and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG) is responsible for the control of reproductive functions. Hence, there is a need to compare the effects of taken commonly used synthetic and natural antihypertensive drugs (Methyldopa and Moringa oleifera) on HPG-axis. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal responses to the administration of methyldopa and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats weighed between 150 and 200 g were divided into five groups (A–E), with each group comprising fi ve rats. Group E was designated as the control group which received physiological saline while rats of Group A and B received 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of M. oleifera, respectively. Rats of Group C and D received 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of methyldopa, respectively, for 30 days. Results: Andrological parameters (sperm count, sperm morphology, sperm motility, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone concentration) in Group B rats showed significant increase when compare with the methyldopa-treated group (C and D) and control group E rats. Group D rats showed slight abnormalities in sperm morphology and slight decrease in sperm motility when compare with the control group E. Histoarchitecture of the testes of Group A, B, and E rats showed normal seminiferous tubules with full maturation of the germinal cell layers and only Group B rats contained more spermatozoa in their lumen. Group C and D rats showed some of their seminiferous tubules with incomplete maturation of germinal cell layers with their lumens contained fat deposit with no spermatozoa. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves as an antihypertensive drug showed high beneficiary effects on male fertility over methyldopa.

Quantifying the effect of seasonality on testicular function of Suffolk ram in lower latitude

Suffolk breed is known to display a clear seasonal reproductive response orchestrated by the significant annual variation in photoperiod related to its latitude of origin. However, in the low latitudes of the tropical and subtropical environments the magnitude and timing of these responses in Suffolk rams has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to quantify changes on andrological parameters in Suffolk rams kept under natural light/dark cycle and climate in the south of Brazil (25°25′40′′ S, 49°16′23′′ W). Rams were monitored during 1 year for testicular size, seminal parameters and serum testosterone. From autumn to winter, under shortening daylength, rams underwent a significant gonadal involution. Testicular size increased in spring and reached a peak in summer, similar to the latitude of which this breed originates. Parallel to scrotal circumference, other parameters such as testicular volume, serum testosterone concentration, ejaculate volume and sperm concentration followed a seasonal profile. Testosterone levels followed the same seasonal pattern as testicular size. Ejaculate volume was significantly lower during autumn and winter and higher values of sperm concentration were detected in spring. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in spermatozoa defects, motility, weave motion or vigor between seasons. In this paper we analyze the impact of seasonality over testis function in Suffolk rams at lower latitudes.

Puberty and sexual maturity in Anglo-Nubian male goats raised in semi-intensive system

The objective of this study was to characterize the sexual development in Anglo-Nubian male goats raised in semi-intensive system. Eight animals were monitored every fifteen days, from the 12th to the 44th week for age at penis detachment, live weight, scrotal circumference, seminal parameters (volume, aspect, concentration, wave motion, progressive individual motility, vigor and spermatic abnormalities) and serum testosterone levels. Serum testosterone levels were determined in blood samples collected at the 20th, 28th and 38th weeks of age. Penis detachment occurred at 102.9 ± 15.4 days of age. Live weight and scrotal circumference at 20th and 44th weeks of age ranged from 25.9 ± 3.5 to 44.7 ± 4.7 kg and from 21.2 ± 1.6 cm to 26.0 ± 1.5 cm, respectively. The ejaculate volume ranged from 0.38 ± 0.05 to 0.96 ± 0.04 mL, concentration ranged from 1.33 ± 0.64 to 3.54 ± 0.14.109 mL-1 and the progressive individual motility varied from 48.0 ± 10.52% to 82.0 ± 3.74%, at the same age. The number of defective spermatozoa (major and minor) was 32.2 ± 5.8% vs. 8.80 ± 2.9% at the 20th and the 44th week of age, respectively. Serum testosterone level was 2.70 ± 1.40 ng.mL-1 at the 20th week, 8.50 ± 4.66 ng.mL-1 at the 28th week and 2.21 ± 2.28 ng.mL-1 at the 38th week of age. Age showed a correlation with live weight, scrotal circumference, and all the qualitative parameters of semen except for volume, with all other qualitative parameters of semen, and the correlation among sperm abnormalities and the other traits was negative. Serum testosterone levels and andrological parameters of Anglo-Nubian goats raised in semi-intensive system are closely related to age. In those animals, puberty is reached at the 20th week and sexual maturity is reached at the 38th week of age.

Andrological Parameters in Human Semen of High (≥ 6 ml) and Low (≤ 1 ml) Volume/Andrologische Parameter im menschlichen Samen bei hohem (≥ 6 ml) und niedrigem Ejakulatvolumen (≤ 1 ml)

A study was carried out to evaluate 792 semen of high (greater than or equal to 6 ml) and low (less than or equal to 1 ml) volume and sperm counts ranging from 0.1 to 200 x 10(6) per ml. Particularly emphasized were: motility percentage and grade, percentage viability, morphologically normal sperm and immature cells, and the concentration of fructose in semen (mg/ml). The Duncan multiple range test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with multiple comparison of ranks were used in the statistical analyses. The results show that abnormal semen volume influence neither the basic tendency of andrological parameters to change in accordance with sperm counts of semen nor to correlate with each other. The quality of motility was significantly higher in specimens of high semen volume as compared to those of low semen volume. The concentration of fructose in semen was generally higher in specimens of high volumes than in those of low volumes, including semen devoid of sperm. It was assumed that in general increased semen volume does not affect the quality of other andrological parameters, thus being probably unrelated with fertility potential. The considerably lower values of both motility and viability characterizing the semen of low volume would suggest a lower fertility potential of specimens affected by this type of abnormality.

The Evaluation of Routine Andrological Parameters in Human Semen/Auswertung der Routine-Parameter der Andrologie am Sperma

A study was carried out to evaluate the andrological parameters in 540 human semen specimens divided into groups according to sperm counts. The parameters were: motility percentage and grade, percentage of viability and of morphologically normal sperm and immature cells. The Duncan multiple range test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with multiple comparison of ranks were used in the statistical analyses. Of particular interest, among other our findings, were the significant differences obtained by comparing the group with sperm counts up to 5 x 10(6) per ml semen and that with counts ranging from 5.1 to 10 x 10(6) per ml semen. This was true for all parameters with the exception of semen volume. Comparison of the oligozoospermic groups (up to 20 x 10(6)/ml) with those having higher sperm counts also showed significant differences. There was a trend towards improvement of the examined parameters with the increase in sperm density, but with a remarkable heterogeneity particularly within the oligozoospermic groups. In all groups motility, viability and morphological normality of sperm showed a positive correlation with each other. "Normal values" of the parameters studied could be derived from scatterplot charts over the entire range of sperm counts and from the statistical evaluation of the grouped material.