Accessory Sex Gland Function Research Articles

Androgen receptor distribution in the rat prostate gland and seminal vesicles

To better understand the effect of androgen on the growth and function of accessory sex glands, it can be useful to determine the presence or absence of the androgen receptor (AR) in the individual cell types. Five adult intact male rats were sacrificed at 120 days. Their seminal vesicles and prostate glands were removed, fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues were sectioned at 5 μm and stained using the microwave-stimulated antigen retrieval technique for immunohistochemistry. Positive immunohistochemical staining for the AR was evident in nuclei but not in the cytoplasm of gland cells such as luminal cells, basal cells, periacinar smooth muscle cells, other stromal cells, and smooth muscle cells in the tunica muscularis. The proportions of AR-positive and AR-negative basal cells were similar. The staining intensity of luminal cells was greater than basal cells and stromal cells. The numbers of AR-positive and AR-negative luminal cells in the prostate were almost equal. On the other hand, in the seminal vesicle only a small number of luminal cells were AR-negative. These observations can be interpreted to mean that the epithelium of the seminal vesicle is more sensitive to androgenic stimulation than the prostate epithelium.

Declining semen quality and steadying seminal plasma ions in heat-stressed boar model.

There are increasing concerns about infertility of male exposure to high environmental temperatures. Nevertheless, the relationship between heat and accessory sex gland secretion underlying the high ambient temperature-induced poor semen quality has not yet been addressed. In the present study, five boars were used as an animal model to evaluate semen quality and the secretory function of accessory sex glands. After the boars received 3 days of heat exposure, semen collection was standardized to 18 continual times with a 3-day interval to determine the semen variables of semen volume, semen concentration, abnormal spermatozoa, seminal plasma composition, and testosterone level in the seminal plasma and serum. The total sperm count was lowest by the end of week 2. The higher abnormal spermatozoa percentage were observed by the end of week 2 and persisted until week 6 after heat exposure. Additionally, there was no significant change in semen volume, testosterone level, and concentrations of ions and total protein in the seminal plasma before and after heat exposure. A single 3-day heat exposure caused poor semen quality, but did not disturb accessory sex gland secretion in boars. Declining semen quality might be mainly due to the damaged germ cells, which were sensitive to elevated temperature in hot summer months.

Effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on sperm parameters, seminal plasma biochemical markers, and oxidative stress in men.

In this experimental prospective study, we aimed to analyze the effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on the male reproductive organs, from the perspective of sperm parameters, semen plasma biochemical markers, and oxidative stress, to evaluate whether different frequencies of heat exposure cause different degrees of damage to spermatogenesis. Two groups of volunteers (10 per group) received testicular warming in a 43°C water bath 10 times, for 30 min each time: group 1: 10 consecutive days; group 2: once every 3 days. Sperm parameters, epididymis and accessory sex gland function, semen plasma oxidative stress and serum sex hormones were tested before treatment and in the 16-week recovery period after treatment. At last, we found an obvious reversible decrease in sperm concentration (P = 0.005 for Group 1 and P= 0.008 for Group 2 when the minimums were compared with baseline levels, the same below), motility (P = 0.009 and 0.021, respectively), the hypoosmotic swelling test score (P = 0.007 and 0.008, respectively), total acrosin activity (P = 0.018 and 0.009, respectively), and an increase in the seminal plasma malondialdehyde concentration (P = 0.005 and 0.017, respectively). The decrease of sperm concentration was greater for Group 2 than for Group 1 (P = 0.031). We concluded that transient scrotal hyperthermia seriously, but reversibly, negatively affected the spermatogenesis, oxidative stress may be involved in this process. In addition, intermittent heat exposure more seriously suppresses the spermatogenesis compared to consecutive heat exposure. This may be indicative for clinical infertility etiology analysis and the design of contraceptive methods based on heat stress.

Phthalates, perfluoroalkyl acids, metals and organochlorines and reproductive function: a multipollutant assessment in Greenlandic, Polish and Ukrainian men

ObjectivesNumerous environmental contaminants have been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes. However, the complex correlation structure of exposures and multiple testing issues limit the interpretation of existing evidence. Our objective...

Semen analysis: Indispensable, yet non-ideal

Women’sHealthHospital,Dept. ofObstetricsG accepted 3 November 20131. IntroductionAbout 15% of sexually active, non contracepting couples donot achieve pregnancy within 1 year of marriage and aretherefore described as infertile (1). No cause of infertility canbe found using routine diagnostic work-up in 10–15% of thecouples. A male contribution to infertility is encountered in45–50% of the remaining cases (2). Male and female infertilityfactors often coexist. In 30–45%, the cause of abnormal semenparameters remains enigmatic (idiopathic male infertility)(3,4).Semen analysis is of great value in the initial investigationof the male and its results are often taken as a surrogatemeasure of male fecundity and chances of pregnancy. It alsoprovides information on the functional integrity of thegerminal epithelium, epididymis and accessory sex glands.Additionally, reference ranges for semen parameters from afertile population may provide important data from whichthe diagnosis of infertility or prognosis of fertility can beextrapolated. Routine semen analysis should provide adequateinformation about the physical characteristics of semen(liquefaction, viscosity, pH, color, odor and volume), spermcount, sperm motility and progression, sperm morphology,leukocyte quantification and fructose detection in cases ofazoospermia or oligospermia.From an evidence-based perspective, are the measuredsemen parameters truly and wholly reflective of a man’s repro-ductive capacity? Are those parameters carefully chosen toencompass the multifaceted and complex nature of suchprocess? Are the currently acceptable values for a normalsemen analysis considered accurate ‘pass marks’ for parenthood?Will a normal semen analysis guarantee a successful culminationof a man’s endeavor to father a child? Does an abnormal semenanalysis necessarily designate abnormality?Regrettably, negation is the answer to most, if not all, theaforementioned questions. That said, two fundamental issuesfollow, why and how. Why is the currently applied semenanalysis short of providing an adequate evidence-basedsubstantiation of a man’s fertile capacity? How could we addvalue to such an important and non-invasive investigatory tool?2. Why is the currently adopted semen analysis inadequate?The prognostic value of semen components such as spermcount, motility and morphology, as surrogate markers of malefertility, is confounded by several variables. The fertility poten-tial of a man is influenced by sexual activity, function of acces-sory sex glands and other confounders. Routine semen analysisitself has its own limitations, and does not assess for spermdysfunction such as immature chromatin or fragmentedDNA. Results from at least two, preferably three, properlyspaced separate seminal analyses must be obtained before adefinitive conclusion can be drawn as wide biological variabil-ity exists within the same individual. The numerous character-istics assayed by semen analysis are only few of the many facetsreflecting semen quality. Almost one third of men with anormal semen analysis actually have abnormal sperm function.In contradistinction, men with poor semen analysis results maygo onto father children. Semen analysis should follow theWHO guidelines, laboratory manual for the examination andprocessing of human semen (5). Semen analysis may show adecreased number of sperm (oligozoospermia), decreasedmotility (asthenozoospermia), and many abnormal forms onmorphologic examination (teratozoospermia). These

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of the Accessory Sex Gland and Testis from the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

The accessory sex gland (ASG) is an important component of the male reproductive system, which functions to enhance the fertility of spermatozoa during male reproduction. Certain proteins secreted by the ASG are known to bind to the spermatozoa membrane and affect its function. The ASG gene expression profile in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has not been extensively studied, and limited genetic research has been conducted on this species. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies enables the generation of genomic resources within a short period of time and at minimal cost. In the present study, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing to produce a comprehensive transcript dataset for the ASG of E. sinensis using Illumina sequencing technology. This analysis yielded a total of 33,221,284 sequencing reads, including 2.6 Gb of total nucleotides. Reads were assembled into 85,913 contigs (average 218 bp), or 58,567 scaffold sequences (average 292 bp), that identified 37,955 unigenes (average 385 bp). We assembled all unigenes and compared them with the published testis transcriptome from E. sinensis. In order to identify which genes may be involved in ASG function, as it pertains to modification of spermatozoa, we compared the ASG and testis transcriptome of E. sinensis. Our analysis identified specific genes with both higher and lower tissue expression levels in the two tissues, and the functions of these genes were analyzed to elucidate their potential roles during maturation of spermatozoa. Availability of detailed transcriptome data from ASG and testis in E. sinensis can assist our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved with spermatozoa conservation, transport, maturation and capacitation and potentially acrosome activation.

Evaluating Spermatogenesis Using Semen: The Biology of Emission Tells Why Reporting Total Sperm per Sample Is Important, and Why Reporting Only Number of Sperm per Milliliter Is Irrational

Evaluating Spermatogenesis Using Semen: The Biology of Emission Tells Why Reporting Total Sperm per Sample Is Important, and Why Reporting Only Number of Sperm per Milliliter Is Irrational

Evaluation ofProlactin Receptor(PRLR) as Candidate Gene for Male Fertility in Hanoverian Warmblood Horses

Stallion fertility has increasing importance as the artificial insemination is employed in horses more intensely. Molecular genetic markers may be useful tools to evaluate the stallion fertility before breeding. The prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) was chosen as a candidate for stallion fertility because of its influence on testicular and accessory sex gland function. Screening the equine PRLR gene for polymorphisms in Hanoverian stallions revealed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association and haplotype analyses were performed in 162 Hanoverian warmblood stallions for these intragenic SNPs using the least square means (LSM) of the pregnancy rate per oestrus for stallions and the paternal component and embryonic component of the breeding values (BV) of the pregnancy rate per oestrus. The two SNPs (BIEC2-589441, BIEC2-560860) showed significant associations using single marker and haplotype analysis with the embryonic and paternal component of BV and one SNP (BIEC2-560860) was also significantly associated with the LSM of the pregnancy rate per oestrus. This is the first report on an association of PRLR-associated genetic markers with fertility traits in stallions.

Hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia: their relationship to seminal quality.

Seminal quality and levels of blood serotonin (5-HT) and serum prolactin (PRL) were determined in 60 men attending an infertility service. Subjects were grouped according to normal or abnormal accessory sex gland function. Subjects with normal accessory sex gland function were further subdivided into groups with asthenozoospermia, polyzoospermia, normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or azoospermia. Blood 5-HT levels were significantly higher in oligozoospermics (115.9 +/- 23.7 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), and asthenozoospermics (90.0 +/- 8.2 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), than in normals (68.5 +/- 5.3 ng ml-1), whereas serum PRL levels were higher in azoospermics (44.2 +/- 4.7 ng ml-1) than in normozoospermics (15.9 +/- 1.6 ng ml-1, P less than 0.01). Subjects with abnormal accessory sex gland function were also subdivided according sperm count and sperm motility categories. None of these subgroups showed differences in serum PRL levels or blood 5-HT levels. Men with hyperserotoninaemia had higher serum PRL levels, low sperm count, and low motile sperm concentration. Moreover, higher 5-HT levels may be observed in men with normal PRL levels and also associated with normal PRL levels and with hyperprolactinaemia, and hyperprolactinaemia may be observed also associated with normal serotonin levels. Hyperserotoninaemia was related to both diminished sperm count and sperm motility, whereas hyperprolactinaemia was related to low sperm count. When hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia were both present, additive effects were observed.

Sperm Adenylyl Cyclase in Young and Middle-Aged Men/Sperma-Adenylyl-Cyklase bei Jungen und Männern im mittleren Lebensalter

The present report is an extension of a previous study of the accessory sex gland function in normal young (20-25 years) and middle-aged (50-55 years) men. In the same individuals, the basal and in vitro stimulated activities of the sperm adenylyl cyclase were determined. A high degree of individual variation existed in both basal and Gpp(NH)p-, forskolin- and acetate-stimulated sperm adenylyl cyclase, and no significant difference could be demonstrated between the means of the age groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation existed between the concentrations of the glandular secretory products (prostatic acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc, spermine, spermidine, putrescine, fructose and prostaglandin E) in the ejaculate and the activity of the sperm adenylyl cyclase. Furthermore, the number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells in the ejaculate did not influence the activity of the enzyme. No inverse correlation existed between the magnitude of basal activity and the relative response to Gpp(NH)p, forskolin or acetate suggesting that the variation in the enzyme could not be explained by its partial desensitization by seminal plasma constituents during the liquefaction period. A lack of correlation between the response of the enzyme to Gpp(NH) p and forskolin on the one hand and acetate on the other, implied that these drugs activate the enzyme through different mechanisms.

Effects of Ejaculation‐to‐Analysis Delay on Levels of Markers of Epididymal and Accessory Sex Gland Functions and Sperm Motility

This study aimed to examine the association between the interval from ejaculation to analysis and epididymal and accessory sex gland function in relation to sperm motility. Ejaculates from 1079 men assessed for infertility were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Biochemical markers were measured in semen to assess the function of the epididymis (neutral alpha-glucosidase [NAG]), prostate (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] and zinc), and seminal vesicles (fructose). Three groups were defined according to time from ejaculation to analysis: G(< or =30) (24-30 minutes), G(31-60) (31-60 minutes), and G(>60) (63-180 minutes). The proportion of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in G(>60) than in G(< or =30) (mean difference, 8.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0%-13%) or G(31-60) (mean difference, 6.0%; 95% CI, 1.0%-12%). The proportion of rapid progressive sperm motility was significantly higher in G(< or =30) compared with G(31-60) (mean difference, 3.0%; 95% CI, 1.0%-5.0%) and G(>60) (mean difference, 6.0%; 95% CI, 1.0%-10%). Sperm morphology and viability did not vary significantly between the groups. However, PSA levels in G(>60) were 29% and 31% significantly lower than in G(< or =30) (95% CI, 3.0%-54%) and G(31-60) (95% CI, 7.0%-58%), respectively. Moreover, men in G(>60) had 29% and 17% significantly lower zinc compared with those in G(< or =30) (95% CI, 4.0%-69%) and G(31-60) (95% CI, 4.0%-64%), respectively. Levels of NAG and fructose did not differ significantly between the groups. There were negative associations between the ejaculation-to-analysis interval and sperm motility and levels of PSA and zinc. In male infertility assessments, semen analysis should be performed within 60 minutes of ejaculation.

Association between tobacco exposure and reproductive parameters in adolescent males

Cigarette smoking is quite prevalent in the general population but our knowledge of its effect on male reproductive function is still very limited. Therefore, we investigated the impact of tobacco exposure on reproductive characteristics in young males. Military conscripts, 217 non-smokers and 85 smokers, with a median age of 18 years were enrolled. Physical examination and semen analysis, including measurement of accessory sex gland markers and reproductive hormone levels, were performed. Lifestyle-associated factors, including maternal smoking during pregnancy and snuffing, were recorded. Non-smokers had 49% higher total sperm number than smokers (95% CI 4.5-112%, p = 0.01). In addition, sperm concentration was 37% higher among non-smokers (95% CI -4% to 95%, p = 0.08). Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were 17% higher among non-smokers (95% CI 3-33%, p = 0.02), whereas no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers were found for inhibin B, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol. Those who smoked >10 cigarettes per day exhibited 37% lower (95% CI 10-69%, p = 0.005) FSH levels than those who smoked less. Maternal smoking during pregnancy had a negative impact on epididymal and seminal vesicle marker secretion. Smoking seems to impair sperm production and epididymal as well as accessory sex gland function and could be one of the factors contributing to regional differences in sperm parameters.

Association between Age and Epididymal and Accessory Sex Gland Function and their Relation to Sperm Motility

Increased male age has been associated with significant reduction in pregnancy rates. This study investigated the association between age, the function of epididymal and accessory sex glands, and their relation to sperm motility. Ejaculates from 498 men assessed for infertility were analysed according to WHO [1999] guidelines. Seminal markers of epididymal (neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG)), prostatic (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and zinc), and seminal vesicle function (fructose) were measured. Four groups according to age were defined: G(21-30) (21-30 years), G(31-40) (31-40 years), G(41-50) (41-50 years), and G(>50) (51-66 years). Percentage progressive motility was significantly lower in G(>50) compared with G(21-30). NAG, PSA, zinc, and fructose were significantly lower in G(>50) compared with G(21-30). In a multiple regression analysis model, NAG and PSA showed positive significant association with percentage progressive motility. The opposite trend was found regarding zinc. No association between fructose and percentage progressive motility was shown. In this cross-sectional study, declined sperm motility observed in men over 50 years of age might be due to age-dependent changes in epididymal and accessory sex gland function.

Association between exposure to persistent organohalogen pollutants and epididymal and accessory sex gland function: Multicentre study in Inuit and European populations

Exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may have negative impact on male reproductive function. We, therefore, investigated the association between serum levels of POPs and epididymal and accessory sex gland function. Serum levels of CB-153, p, p′-DDE and seminal markers of epididymal [neutral-α glucosidase (NAG)], prostatic [prostate specific-antigen (PSA)] and zinc, and seminal vesicle function (fructose) were measured from 135 Swedish fishermen and fertile men from Greenland ( n = 163), Warsaw, Poland ( n = 167) and Kharkiv, Ukraine ( n = 158). Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders, were employed using both continuous and categorized exposure variables. Both exposure and outcome variables were log transformed. Considering the consistency between models with either continuous or categorized CB-153 levels, negative associations with the activity of NAG were found among Greenlandic men (mean difference 7.0 mU/ejaculate, 95% CI 3.0, 34), and in the aggregated cohort (mean difference 4.0 mU/ejaculate, 95% CI −0.2, 8.0). A positive association was observed between CB-153 and PSA as well as zinc among Kharkiv men. In the Swedish cohort, a negative association was found between CB-153 and fructose. In conclusion, the negative effects of POP on sperm motility, observed in the same study population might partly be caused by post-testicular mechanisms, involving a decreased epididymal function.

Significant impact of 5α‐reductase type 2 polymorphisms on sperm concentration and motility

Androgens, including 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are known to play a role for spermatogenesis and accessory sex gland function. The enzyme 5alpha-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.

Exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants and seminal levels of markers of epididymal and accessory sex gland functions in Swedish men

A major exposure route for persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) in Sweden is through consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea. Endocrine disruptors, such as POPs, may have a negative impact on sperm quality. The present study aimed to investigate whether exposure to 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE) affects epididymal and accessory sex gland function. 157 fishermen from the coastal stretches of Sweden, aged 27-67 years, provided semen samples which were analyzed for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG), fructose and zinc levels. Serum levels of CB-153 and p'p-DDE were determined. The median CB-153 serum level was 189 ng/g lipid (range 40-1460) and a median p,p'-DDE serum level 231 ng/g lipid (range 40-2252). There was a significant linear association between CB-153 and total amount of PSA (slope [beta] = -2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.0, -0.9; P = 0.02). With age, abstinence time and smoking included in the model the association became non-significant (beta = -1.4, 95% CI-3.0, 0.1; P = 0.07). There were no significant associations between CB-153 and zinc, fructose and NAG. As for the exposure variable p,p'-DDE and the outcome variables, no significant associations were found. The study gives only very limited support of an association between CB-153 in serum and total PSA, and a random finding cannot be excluded.

Visco-elasticity of seminal fluid in relation to the epididymal and accessory sex gland function and its impact on sperm motility.

Seminal viscopathy was shown to be associated with male infertility. However, our knowledge about the regulatory mechanism of this process is still limited. In semen samples from 411 men attending for fertility assessment, traditional semen parameters including visco-elasticity were assessed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm motility was evaluated by use of computer aided sperm analysis (CASA). Seminal activity of neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) and concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), zinc, and fructose were measured. The activity of NAG, and the concentrations of PSA and zinc were significantly lower in hyper-visco-elastic semen samples (medians: 5 vs. 8 mU/mL; 741 vs. 924 mg/L; 1 vs. 2 mM/L), than in those with normal visco-elasticity (p = 0.004, 0.005 and 0.011, respectively). When comparing the total amounts, only for seminal fructose there was a difference between samples with high visco-elasticity as compared with those of normal visco-elasticity (median: 74 vs. 53 microM/ejaculate, p = 0.007) This seminal marker was the only significant independent parameter in predicting seminal visco-elasticity in a multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio for the highest quartile = 4.67). Hyper-visco-elasticity was associated with a lower percentage of motile spermatozoa (43 vs. 50%, p = 0.045). Similar trend was found for the CASA motility characteristics curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path length (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) (p = 0.008, 0.038 and 0.020, respectively). Our study demonstrated the interplay between the regulatory effect of post-testicular organs on semen visco-elasticity. Hyper-visco-elasticity was associated with asthenozoospermia and lower levels of VCL, VAP and ALH.

Elevated steroidogenesis, defective reproductive organs, and infertility in transgenic male mice overexpressing human chorionic gonadotropin.

We previously developed a transgenic (TG) mouse model that overexpresses the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta-subunit under the universal human ubiquitin C promoter, displaying in males a modest 3-fold increase in circulating levels of LH/hCG bioactivity. The males were fertile and presented with a mild reproductive phenotype. To achieve higher levels of hCG, a double TG model was generated by cross-breeding the hCG beta-expressing mice with another TG line harboring a ubiquitin C/common alpha-subunit fusion gene. The double-TG mice expressed excessive levels of dimeric hCG, with 2000-fold elevated circulating LH/hCG bioactivity. These male mice were infertile, primarily due to inability to copulate, and they showed enhanced testicular androgen production despite clear down-regulation of LH/hCG receptors. Their intratesticular inhibin B was unaltered, but serum FSH was markedly reduced. Apparently the chronic hCG hyperstimulation led to focal Leydig cell proliferation/hypertrophy at 6 months of age, but failed to promote testicular tumors. Even though full spermatogenesis occurred in most of the seminiferous tubules, progressive tubule degeneration was apparent as the males grew older. The prostate and seminal vesicles were enlarged by distension of glandular lumina. Functional urethral obstruction was indicated by distension and sperm accumulation in distal vas deferens as well as by dilated urinary bladder and enlarged kidneys. The abnormal function of accessory sex glands and/or lower urinary tract as a consequence of the disturbed sex hormone balance or direct action of hCG may be the main cause of infertility in this model. The present study provides in vivo evidence that exposure of male mice to chronically elevated levels of hCG severely affects their urogenital tract function at multiple sites and causes infertility, but, unlike in LH/hCG overexpressing female mice, it is not tumorigenic.

A short-term evaluation of semen and accessory sex gland function in phase III trial subjects receiving intravasal contraceptive RISUG

Following the intravasal injection of a new male contraceptive RISUG (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) in volunteers, routine semen analysis, semen biochemistry and germ cell morphology were evaluated in comparison with the corresponding preinjection samples for a maximum period of 6 months. Sperm counts in all 25 subjects before injection varied from 45 to 120 × 10 6/ml. Out of 25 subjects, 6 became azoospermic after 1 month, 15 after 2 months, 3 after 3 months and 1 after 4 months of contraceptive injection. The mean volume of the ejaculates was found to be less as compared to preinjection samples. Occasional sperm or sperm heads and immature germ cells were identified in only a few postinjected subjects. However, no pregnancy was reported in these subjects during the study period. Abnormal morphology found in most of the sperm, but not in the accompanying immature germ cells, may be due to a charge-related effect on the former but not on the latter cells. Neutral α-glucosidase, the biochemical marker for epididymis, was estimated to be significantly lower in the seminal plasma of all the postinjected subjects. On the other hand, acid phosphatase activity and fructose levels in the seminal plasma were found to be in the normal range. Based on the above findings, it is concluded that at least for the present study period, RISUG, a new male contraceptive, is effective as a partially occluding agent in the vas deferens.

The impact of testicular and accessory sex gland function on sperm chromatin integrity as assessed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA).

The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) provides an objective assessment of sperm chromatin integrity, which is essential for normal sperm function. SCSA is valuable as a fertility marker in epidemiological studies and in the clinical situation. Little is known about the impact of testicular and post-testicular function on SCSA parameters. Ejaculates from 278 military conscripts of median age 18.1 (range 18-21) years were included. Levels of reproductive hormones, the length of the CAG repeat of the androgen receptor gene, sperm concentration, abstinence period and biochemical parameters of epididymal and accessory sex gland secretions were correlated to the SCSA parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and highly DNA stainable (HDS) cells. Negative correlations were found between sperm concentration and DFI (r = -0.119, P = 0.049) and HDS (r = -0.513, P < 0.0001). DFI was negatively correlated with levels of estradiol (r = -0.19, P = 0.002) and free testosterone (r = -0.13, P = 0.03). DFI also correlated positively with abstinence time (r = 0.17, P = 0.005), and with seminal concentrations of fructose (r = 0.18, P = 0.004) and zinc (r = 0.12, P = 0.04). Sex steroid production, spermatogenic function, abstinence time and seminal vesicle function appear to impact on sperm chromatin integrity and thereby on sperm fertilizing capacity. These findings may improve present understanding of the pathophysiology of male infertility.