Concentrations In Seminal Fluid Research Articles

Clinical trial considerations on male contraception and collection of pregnancy information from female partners

BackgroundThere is little guidance regarding the risk of exposure of pregnant women/ women of childbearing potential to genotoxic or teratogenic compounds via vaginal dose delivered through seminal fluid during sexual intercourse.MethodWe summarize current thinking and provide clinical trial considerations for a consistent approach to contraception for males exposed to genotoxic and/or teratogenic compounds or to compounds of unknown teratogenicity, and for collection of pregnancy data from their female partners.ResultsWhere toxicity testing demonstrates genotoxic potential, condom use is required during exposure and for 5 terminal plasma half-lives plus 74 days (one human spermatogenesis cycle) to avoid conception.For non-genotoxic small molecules and immunoglobulins with unknown teratogenic potential or without a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) from embryo-fetal development (EFD) studies and no minimal anticipated biological effect level (MABEL), condom use is recommended for males with pregnant partner/female partner of childbearing potential. For teratogenic small molecules with estimated seminal fluid concentration and a margin between projected maternal area under the curve (AUC) and NOAEL AUC from EFD studies of ≥300 (≥100 for immunoglobulins) or in the absence of a NOAEL with a margin between MABEL plasma concentration and maternal Cmax of ≥300 (≥10 for immunoglobulins), condom use is not required. However, condom use is required for margins below the thresholds previously indicated. For small molecules with available seminal fluid concentrations, condom use is required if margins are <100 instead of <300. Condom use should continue for as long as the projected margin is at or above the defined thresholds.Pregnancy data should be proactively collected if pregnancy occurs during the condom use period required for males exposed to first-in-class molecules or to molecules with a target/class shown to be teratogenic, embryotoxic or fetotoxic in human or preclinical experiments.ConclusionThese recommendations, based on a precaution principle, provide a consistent approach for minimizing the risk of embryo-fetal exposure to potentially harmful drugs during pregnancy of female partners of males in clinical trials. Proactive targeted collection of pregnancy information from female partners should help determine the teratogenic potential of a drug and minimize background noise and ethical/logistical issues.

Optimisation of choline testing using Florence Iodine reagent, including comparative sensitivity and specificity with PSA and AP tests

The detection of semen in forensic science is essential in cases of sexual assault but can be problematic in the absence of spermatozoa. Choline is known to occur in high concentrations in seminal fluid and the Florence Iodine test for its detection has been used in forensic science for many years, however very little is documented regarding its sensitivity and specificity in forensic casework. This paper describes the optimisation of the choline Florence Iodine test (FI) and investigates the sensitivity and specificity of the test against different body fluids, food and drink substances, cleaning products and laboratory chemicals. Comparative testing against Acid Phosphatase (AP) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA Seratec®) tests is described and shows that the FI test has greater specificity than the PSA test which cross reacts with a number of body fluids.

Effects of a dietary supplement on chronic pelvic pain syndrome (Category IIIA), leucocytospermia and semen parameters

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is one of the most common male urogenital diseases and a significant public health problem in industrialised countries. It is associated with a low quality of life and significant expense. Given the poor results achieved with antibiotics, scientific interest has turned to the use of natural substances with a known activity on prostate function. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a new dietary supplement containing lycopene, epigallocatechin gallate, ellagic acid, selenium and zinc on semen parameters and on leucocyte concentration in seminal fluid and expressed prostate secretion (EPS) in patients with CP without infection [National Institute of Health (NIH) Category IIIA], in comparison with a control group with the same condition who did not undergo any treatment during the study period. Our data showed a statistically significant reduction in inflammatory parameters (leucocytes in seminal fluid and EPS) and a statistically significant improvement in progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology in patients treated with the supplement in comparison with the untreated group. Improvements were also seen in the pain score of the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), confirming that the reduced inflammation also resulted in a reduction in pain.

Detectable levels of bispenol A (BPA) in human semen: a cause for concern?

While animal studies have associated BPA with alterations in male reproductive function, human studies remain scarce. BPA has a short half-life and is rapidly excreted in urine, bringing to question the relevance of a single urinary BPA measurement, reflecting only recent exposure. The purpose of this study was to measure BPA concentrations in seminal fluid to assess the quantity of BPA available to interact at the target organ.

Decreased levels of genuine large free hCG alpha in men presenting with abnormal semen analysis

BackgroundThe pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its free subunits (hCG alpha, hCG beta) are produced in the male reproductive tract and found in high concentrations in seminal fluid, in particular hCG alpha. This study aimed to elucidate changes in peptide hormone profiles in patients showing abnormal semen analyses and to determine the genuineness of the highly abundant hCG alpha.MethodsSeminal plasma was obtained from 45 male patients undergoing semen analysis during infertility workups. Comprehensive peptide hormone profiles were established by a panel of immunofluorometric assays for hCG, hCG alpha, hCG beta and its metabolite hCG beta core fragment, placental lactogen, growth hormone and prolactin in seminal plasma of patients with abnormal semen analysis results (n = 29) versus normozoospermic men (n = 16). The molecular identity of large hyperglycosylated hCG alpha was analyzed by mass-spectrometry and selective deglycosylation.ResultshCG alpha levels were found to be significantly lower in men with impaired semen quality (1346 +/- 191 vs. 2753 +/- 533 ng/ml, P = 0.022). Moreover, patients with reduced sperm count had reduced intact hCG levels compared with normozoospermic men (0.097 +/- 0.022 vs. 0.203 +/- 0.040 ng/ml, P = 0.028). Using mass-spectrometry, the biochemical identity of hCG alpha purified from seminal plasma was verified. Under non-reducing conditions in SDS-PAGE, hCG alpha isolated from seminal plasma migrated in a manner comparable with large free hCG alpha with an apparent molecular mass (Mr, app) of 24 kDa, while hCG alpha dissociated from pregnancy-derived holo-hCG migrated at approximately 22 kDa. After deglycosylation with PNGase F under denaturing conditions, all hCG alpha variants showed an Mr, app of 15 kDa, indicating identical amino acid backbones.ConclusionsThe findings indicate a pathophysiological relevance of hCG, particularly its free alpha subunit, in spermatogenesis. The alternative glycosylation pattern on the free large hCG alpha in seminal plasma might reflect a modified function of this subunit in the male reproductive tract.

Perfluorooctanoic acid, an environmental toxin, confers no adverse effect on semen parameters

OBJECTIVE: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used in the production of numerous industrial and consumer products. It is an environmental toxin previously linked to delayed time to conception in women, prostate cancer and decreased sperm counts in men. The object of this study was to determine if PFOA accumulates in seminal fluid and if it has an effect on sperm parameters in men. DESIGN: Prospective study of males presenting for routine semen analysis (SA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All male participants completed a questionnaire regarding exposure to products containing PFOA and other environmental toxins. Both serum and seminal fluid samples were obtained. SA was performed and analyzed by WHO criteria. Serum and seminal fluid concentrations of PFOA were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Scatter plots and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between serum and seminal PFOA levels and semen parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-seven men participated in the study. PFOA was detected in the plasma of all study subjects with a range of 2.1-103.7 ppb and mean concentration of 21.3 ± 24.5 ppb. Four subjects (10.8%) had detectable levels of PFOA in the seminal fluid with a range of 1.35-12.05 ppb. PFOA had no effect on sperm count, motility, or morphology. CONCLUSION: PFOA was detectable in the serum of men who presented for routine SA at concentrations higher than previously reported in the general population. This is an important finding because PFOA does not degrade in the environment and persists in human tissue with a long half life. This study confirmed that PFOA accumulates in seminal fluid. However, despite seemingly high concentrations of PFOA, exposure was not associated with adverse effects on sperm parameters. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine if long term adverse consequences of PFOA accumulation in seminal fluid could possibly include infertility, formation of testicular tumor, or alterations in the production of gonadal steroid hormones.

Seminal fluid ribavirin level and functional semen parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C on antiviral combination therapy

Due to the possible teratogenic effect of ribavirin, effective contraception is mandatory during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate seminal parameters and ribavirin and HCV-RNA concentrations in seminal fluid and serum prior to and during antiviral treatment. Fifteen male patients (age: 42+/-9 (years+/-SD)) with CHC treated with pegylated interferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin were investigated. Seminal fluid (sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) was analysed morphologically. HCV-RNA and ribavirin concentration were determined by quantitative PCR and HPLC, respectively. Examinations were carried out at baseline, week 4, and week 12. Ribavirin concentration was higher in seminal fluid than in serum (week 4: 5.2+/-2.5 vs. 2.1+/-0.3; week 12: 4.4+/-1.8 vs. 2.0+/-0.3 (microg/ml, mean+/-SD; p<0.001)). Semen abnormalities were common at baseline (asthenoteratozoospermia: n=6; asthenozoospermia: n=3; teratozoospermia: n=3). Sperm density (BL: 67+/-33x10(6)/ml; week 4: 42+/-25 (p<0.05); week 12: 49+/-33 (n.s.)), percentage of sperm with progressive motility (BL: 40+/-26%; week 4: 27+/-25; week 12: 31+/-20 (n.s.)), and percentage of sperm with normal morphology (BL: 25+/-15; week 4: 20+/-11; week 12: 16+/-9; p<0.05 for both) further decreased during antiviral therapy. HCV-RNA was detectable in the seminal fluid of only two patients prior to antiviral therapy and was undetectable in all patients during combination therapy. Semen abnormalities were common in CHC patients, with further impairment during antiviral therapy. Ribavirin concentration was elevated twofold in seminal fluid compared to serum levels, which reinforces the need for contraception during antiviral combination therapy.

Antibody-based diagnosis of small ruminant lentivirus infection in seminal fluid

Antibody-based diagnosis of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) has been efficiently achieved using serum and milk, but not semen, for which polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been proposed as a confirmatory technique. This work, involving 296 ovine ( Ovis aries) and caprine ( Capra hircus) semen donors, investigates whether seminal fluid (SF) can be reliably used in antibody-based SRLV diagnosis. First, a gold standard was established to assess the infection status and determine the sensitivity and specificity of three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in serum testing using Western blot and PCR as confirmatory tests. For SF testing, both gold standard and serum testing results were used as reference. The performance of SF testing was affected not only by the ELISA assay sensitivity (related to antigen spectrum) compared with that of the gold standard (as it occurred in serum testing) but also by SF sample quality and SF working dilution. Nonturbid SF samples, commonly collected in artificial insemination centers (AICs), were required. Compared with serum, SF testing had a decreased sensitivity in two of the ELISA assays (with original serum working dilutions ≤1/20 in serum testing) but reached a similar sensitivity (and specificity) in the assay designed to work at the highest serum dilution (1/500). A SF concentration of about 1/2 (250-fold that used in serum testing) was found optimal in this assay, yielding highly repeatable results that were in almost perfect agreement with those of serum testing (κ ± SE, 0.91 ± 0.81). Thus, SF ELISA can be reliably applied in antibody-based SRLV diagnosis. This information may be useful to control infection in AICs and animal and semen trade programs requiring health-certified quality of semen donors.

Further Studies on the Effects of Pentoxifylline on Sperm Count and Sperm Motility in Patients with Idiopathic Oligo-Asthenozoospermia

To further investigate the effectiveness of pentoxifylline (trental) treatment in male infertility, we studied 22 young men (mean age 28.4 years) with "idiopathic" oligo-asthenozoospermia treated for 6 months with the drug (1200 mg daily orally). Sperm concentration and sperm motility were determined before therapy, as well as after 3 and 6 months of pentoxifylline administration. Moreover, fructose concentrations in seminal fluid and sperm ATP levels were assayed before and at the end of the treatment in five semen samples. Pentoxifylline therapy significantly increased both sperm concentration and sperm motility. Sperm concentration showed a 1.5-fold increase (p less than 0.01) at the 3rd month of therapy, and a 2.0-fold increase (p less than 0.001) at the 6th month, whereas sperm motility increased by 1.8-fold (p less than 0.001) and by 2.8-fold (p less than 0.001) respectively. At the end of the treatment, fructose concentrations in seminal fluid were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than pretreatment values; in contrast, sperm ATP levels showed a significant (p less than 0.05) fall. These results suggest that pentoxifylline, probably acting on the cAMP metabolism, may be an useful drug in the treatment of idiopathic oligo-asthenozoospermia.

Use of a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, nimesulide, in the treatment of abacterial prostatovesiculitis.

Nimesulide, a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was used in cases of abacterial prostato-vesiculitis. Thirty patients with a mean age of 33.7 years (range 18-58) were studied. Nimesulide was administered orally 100 mg b.i.d. for three cycles of 10 d each. Dysuric symptoms, semen analysis, and transrectal ultrasound were examined during the study. The concentration-time curves of nimesulide (NIM) and its metabolite, hydroxynimesulide (OH-NIM) in seminal fluid were also evaluated after single oral administration (100 mg) using an HPLC technique. Following administration of the drug, the Cmax was reached in seminal fluid at the second hour for NIM (with a mean value +/- SD of 0.58 +/- 0.13 micrograms ml-1) and at the fourth hour for OH-NIM (2.98 +/- 0.38 micrograms ml-1). Maximal seminal fluid concentrations compared to blood plasma levels were observed at the fourth hour for both substances (31.73 +/- 2.34% for NIM; 31.87 +/- 8.66% for OH-NIM. Dysuric symptoms were relieved in 20 (66%) patients. A clear amelioration of inflammatory signs were observed at transrectal ultrasound evaluation in 16 (54%) patients. No statistically significant changes of sperm count and motility in the whole sample were observed, while a significant reduction in the number of abnormal forms occurred. From these results, nimesulide appears to be an effective anti-inflammatory drug with a good diffusion into the genital apparatus and low side-effects.

Morphological analysis and assessment of HCV-RNA and ribavirin concentration in seminal fluid of chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral combination therapy

Morphological analysis and assessment of HCV-RNA and ribavirin concentration in seminal fluid of chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral combination therapy

Sperm quality improvement after natural anti-oxidant treatment of asthenoteratospermic men with leukocytospermia

To study the immune-modulating and anti-oxidant effects of beta-glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis. Fifty-one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta-glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E. DNA damage was assessed by the acridine orange test and sperm structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. After 90 days of treatment, an increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (17.0 +/- 5.2 vs. 29.8 +/- 6.5) and total progressive motility (19.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 6.8) were detected. Structural sperm characteristics as well as chromatin integrity were also improved after treatment. In terms of leukocyte concentration in seminal fluid, a significant reduction was recorded (2.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2). The treatment of an inflammatory process by the synergic action of immune modulators and anti-oxidants could protect sperm during maturation and migration, leading to improved sperm function.

Congenital anomalies of the mesonephronic duct and fertility

Agenesia of deferential duct and the others congenital malformations of mesonephronical duct are often encountering condition in andrological practice. This study presents the possibilities of reproductive medicine to restore the male fertility and concentrates on biological and clinical aspects of malformations of mesonephronic duct like factors for excretory male infertility. The investigations including 104 patients (mean age 30.25+/-1.91 years old) with congenital anomalies of mesonephronical duct with: Agenesia of mesonephronical derivates - case with unilateral agenesia of the deferent duct, kidney and left urether (n=1); Dysgenesia of the epididymis (n=5); Cysts of the epididymis (n=47); Agenesia of the deferential duct (n=48); Aplasia of the eja-culatorial duct (n=3). The following methods were used: open testicular biopsy by Vilar; objective findings in situ operation; bilateral epididymo - and deferentovesiculography; morphological specimens of the testicular and epididymal tissues; enzymohistochemical analysis of testicular specimens; the ejaculates and morphological analysis of spermatozoa were assessed for quality parameters by the standard protocol; enzymocytological research of spermatozoa in seminal fluid; biochemical analysis of seminal fluid fructose and citric acid concentrations; radioimmunoassay for measurements of blood FSH and testosterone concentration. Most often observed localization of the malformations of mesonephronic canal is bilateral at 54.81%. The testicular specimens proved preserved testicular architecture and spermatogenesis, and the epididymal slides showed dilatation of the epididymal tubules, which were overfilled with a lot of spermatozoa. The strongest expression of the enzymichistochemical NADH-TR reactions is in the Sertoli cells. We observed spermatozoa with disrup-ted configuration among which the abnormalities in sperm head and acrosome were predominated. The biochemical analysis of seminal fluid proves normal citric acid and low or lack of fructose concentration in seminal fluid. There were no breaches in endocrine regulation of the reproductive process. Patients with congenital anomalies of mesonephronic canal have preserving fertility in 31.73%. There are morpho-functional disorders of the testes, epididymis and seminal ducts in 68.27%. There are normal spermatogenesis but definite sterility. These results necessitate an application of plastic reconstructive operation for recovery of fertilizing ability of the patients, or their involvement in ICSI programme.

Comparison of nitric oxide concentration in seminal fluid between infertile patients with and without varicocele and normal fertile men.

Elevated nitric oxide (NO) levels have been shown to have toxic effects on sperm function and motility. This study was conducted to compare NO levels in the seminal fluid of infertile men with varicocele with those of infertile and fertile men without varicocele. Semen samples were obtained from 40 infertile men with varicocele (group 1), 40 infertile men without varicocele (group 2), and 40 fertile volunteers without varicocele (group 3). NO levels in the seminal plasma of patients in each group were measured and compared. In infertile men with varicocele, semen parameters, including sperm count and motility, and grade of varicocele were also determined. Mean NO concentrations were 52.34 +/- 26.62 micromol/L, 37.06 +/- 20.39 micromol/L, and 33.7 +/- 18.99 micromol/L in groups 1, 2, 3, respectively. Concentrations in group 1 were significantly higher than were those in groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.001). In group 1, no significant correlations were seen between NO concentrations and grades of varicocele, sperm count, sperm motility, or ages of the patients. Data from the current study suggest a possible role of NO in damaging the sperm function in varicocele as demonstrated by an increased concentration of NO in the seminal fluid of infertile men with varicocele compared with the seminal fluid of fertile and infertile men without varicocele.

Immunomodulatory function of seminal catecholamines may be an adaptation for reproduction

Catecholamines are found at high concentrations in seminal fluid. The exact functional significance of seminal catecholamines is unknown. We hypothesize that seminal catecholamines perform important immunomodulatory functions that support reproductive success. Specifically, we propose that catecholamines contribute to a local adaptive shift of T helper (Th) balance to Th2 dominance in the maternal reproductive tract to enable the gametes, and possibly the nascent zygote, to evade immune surveillance of the female. Our hypothesis suggests that the Th2 effects of catecholamines are independent of the direct immunomodulatory effects of seminal cytokines such as prostaglandin E2 and transforming growth factor β 1. Potential immunomodulatory functions of other seminal constituents such as aldosterone, oxytocin, vasopressin, and angiotensin remain unexplored and represents a topic of future interest. Seminal stress hormones may play a role in mating dynamics since alpha males typically live in a state of high hormonal stress, Mating with adrenalized alpha males may represent an adaptive Darwinian strategy by females to maximize their reproductive fitness.

Assessment of fibronectin as a potential new clinical tool in andrology.

In this prospective clinical study, 892 patients with normal and impaired semen were examined in order to investigate the correlation between the concentration of fibronectin in seminal plasma and the motility of spermatozoa. The fibronectin concentration in seminal plasma, total sperm motility and linear sperm motility were measured. We report here a significant negative correlation between the fibronectin concentration in seminal plasma and total sperm motility (r=-0.3474). There was no link between varicocele and vasectomy, or between varicocele and variation in the concentration of fibronectin. It is concluded that higher concentrations of the acute-phase protein fibronectin may be a cause of severe reduction in sperm motility. The investigation of fibronectin concentrations in seminal fluid could be a new and helpful clinical tool in the assessment of male fertility.

Semen quality and reproductive endocrine function in relation to biomarkers of lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper in men.

Blood lead (BPb), activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), blood cadmium (BCd), serum zinc (SZn), seminal fluid zinc (SfZn), serum copper (SCu), and parameters of semen quality and of reproductive endocrine function were measured in 149 healthy male industrial workers 20-43 years of age. The group contained 98 subjects with slight to moderate occupational exposure to Pb and 51 reference subjects. All of the subjects lived in Zagreb, Croatia. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations of BPb, ALAD, and/or EP with reproductive parameters indicated a Pb-related decrease in sperm density, in counts of total, motile, and viable sperm, in the percentage and count of progressively motile sperm, in parameters of prostate secretory function (SfZn, acid phosphatase, and citric acid in seminal fluid), and an increase in abnormal sperm head morphology, serum testosterone, and estradiol. These associations were confirmed by results of multiple regression, which also showed significant (p < 0. 05) influence of BCd, SZn, SCu, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, or age on certain reproductive parameters. These effects were mainly of lower rank and intensity as compared to Pb-related reproductive effects, whereas BCd contributed to a decrease in sperm motility and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology and serum testosterone. No significant Pb- or Cd-related influence was found on levels of the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LDH-C(4) and fructose in seminal fluid or on follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin in serum. The seminal fluid concentrations of Pb (SfPb) and Cd (SfCd) were measured in 118 of the 149 subjects, and a highly significant (p < 0.0001) correlation was found between BPb and SfPb levels (r = 0.571) and between BCd and SfCd levels (r = 0.490). The overall study results indicate that even moderate exposures to Pb (BPb < 400 microg/L) and Cd (BCd < 10 microg/L) can significantly reduce human semen quality without conclusive evidence of impairment of male reproductive endocrine function.

Automated Nephelometric Assay for Seminal Fluid Transferrin

Human seminal transferrin, a 79-kDa β-glycoprotein synthesized mainly by Sertoli cells (1)(2), is considered an index of gonadal function because its concentration in seminal fluid correlates with sperm count (3)(4); it is therefore used as a reliable marker of testicular dysfunction (5)(6). This analysis is useful for exploring and monitoring the treatment of idiopathic infertility (7)(8). We considered the possibility of measuring seminal fluid transferrin by a simple peak-rate nephelometric method. Protocols used for measuring transferrin in serum or urine cannot be used, because the matrix of this fluid produces high-intensity nonspecific reactions, mainly as a result of interactions between samples and buffer components such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). We describe here a new, interference-free method, suitable for the routine measurement of seminal fluid transferrin. The Array 360 nephelometer computer enhanced with Remisol UPC software, microtubes (cat. no. 448163), polyclonal antiserum against human transferrin (cat. no. 449420), calibrator 1 (cat. no. 449560), PEG-containing buffer (cat. no. 663600), diluent (cat. no. 663630), and control Vigil PRX level 2 (cat. no. 450125) were from Beckman Instruments. Seminal fluids were obtained from healthy donors or patients after informed consent. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of our institution. Seminal fluids were liquefied at 37 °C for 10 min, centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 min, and stored at −80 °C if not processed immediately. The first step of the development of this method was to determine the lowest dilution ratio of the sample displaying …

Measurement of vitronectin content of human spermatozoa and vitronectin concentration within seminal fluid

Objective: Vitronectin previously has been extracted from human spermatozoa and messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding vitronectin localized by reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to spermatocytes of human testis. In the present experiments, we have established ranges for the content of vitronectin in living human spermatozoa and vitronectin concentration within seminal fluid of human ejaculates. Design: Seminal fluid was obtained by centrifugation and motile sperm selected by swim-up from men with normal and abnormal ejaculates, according to World Health Organization criteria, for vitronectin determinations. Setting: Academic research environment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Seminal fluid vitronectin concentrations were measured by ELISA and sperm vitronectin content by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and semiquantitative Western blots. Result(s): Vitronectin seminal fluid concentration was 1.35 ± 1.0 mg/mL (mean ± SD) for normospermic samples ( n = 26) and 0.78 ± 0.4 mg/mL for azoospermic specimens ( n = 6). Vitronectin sperm content ranged from 1 to 15 ng/10 6 motile cells ( n = 20). Both high- and low-molecular-weight material was observed. Sperm content of vitronectin did not vary with sperm morphology. Conclusion(s): These results suggest that spermatozoa represent a major source of seminal fluid vitronectin, but that a secondary source exists, perhaps through transudation from serum.

In-vitro activity of fleroxacin against isolates causing complicated urinary tract infections and concentrations in seminal and prostatic fluid and in prostatic adenoma tissue

Fleroxacin is a new fluoroquinolone with a broad antibacterial spectrum and a serum half-life of about 8-12 h. Eighty percent of 400 isolates from complicated or hospital-acquired urinary tract infections were inhibited by a concentration of 1 mg/l and 95% by 4 mg/l. As with other quinolones, fleroxacin is less active in acid urine (pH 5.4) than in Mueller-Hinton broth (pH 7.4). In 12 healthy volunteers the concentrations of fleroxacin were measured in plasma and seminal and prostatic fluid 2, 4 and 12 h after an oral dose of 400 mg. The mean plasma concentrations of three or four volunteers at each time were 4.2, 3.6 and 1.2 mg/l, respectively. The corresponding prostatic fluid/plasma ratios were 0.30, 0.27 and 1.96, respectively. By concomittant administration of ioxitalamic acid it could be demonstrated that in samples obtained 12 h after administration urinary contamination must be considered. Fleroxacin is concentrated in seminal fluid by a median ratio of 1.7. In 13 elderly patients the prostatic fluid and prostatic adenoma tissue concentrations were determined one to four hours following oral administration of 400 mg. The concentrations in prostatic fluid were similar to those of volunteers. The tissue concentrations exceeded plasma concentrations by only about 10% (median). Fleroxacin is very active against isolates causing complicated UTI. Concentrations in seminal and prostatic fluid and prostatic adenoma tissue are sufficiently high to treat bacterial prostatitis or vesiculitis caused by susceptible bacterial strains.