Semen Of Men Research Articles

Sperm recovery after cryopreservation in men with newly diagnosed cancer

Six percent of all cancers occur in men aged 15 to 45 years. Most cancer therapies are cytotoxic and impair spermatogenesis. Sperm cryopreservation remains the cornerstone of fertility preservation for male cancer victims. Recent data suggests that a type of cancer may affect a man's semen quality; however, it is uncertain if various cancers impact post-thaw sperm survival differently. The objective of this study was to characterize sperm parameters from a thawed semen sample from men with different cancers who cryopreserved prior to onco-therapy.

Low levels of alitretinoin in seminal fluids after repeated oral doses in healthy men

Alitretinoin, like all retinoids, is teratogenic, and can only be given to women of childbearing potential if pregnancy is excluded and a strict contraceptive programme is followed. This study was designed to determine whether alitretinoin in the semen of men treated with alitretinoin poses a teratogenic risk to their female partners. In total, 24 healthy men aged 18-45 years received alitretinoin 20 mg (n = 12) or 40 mg (n = 12), once daily for 14 days. Subjects in the 40 mg dose group provided ejaculate at baseline, on day 1, before and approximately 4 h after dosing on day 2, and at follow-up on study day 21 (± 2). Alitretinoin and 4-oxo-alitretinoin were detected in 11 of the 12 semen samples. The highest level of alitretinoin in semen was 7.92 ng/mL. Assuming an ejaculate volume of 10 mL, the amount of drug transferred in semen would be about 80 ng, 1/375,000 of a single 30 mg capsule. Complete absorption of 80 ng of alitretinoin from semen, presuming a volume of distribution confined to 5 L of circulating blood in the partner, would lead to an increase in plasma alitretinoin concentration of 0.016 ng/mL, which appears to be negligible compared with measured endogenous plasma levels. Increases in plasma levels of related retinoids are also negligible. Alitretinoin in the semen of men receiving up to 40 mg of oral alitretinoin per day is unlikely to be associated with teratogenic risk in their female partners. Barrier contraception is therefore not required for men taking alitretinoin.

Herbo-mineral supplementation in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia : A double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Introduction:There is insufficient scientific data on the medical management options for idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (iOATs). We conducted a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of the herbo-mineral supplement, Addyzoa®, in infertile men with iOATs. We also evaluated its effect on semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DNA fragmentation index.Materials and Methods:Fifty infertile men with iOATS were recruited into an institutional ethics committee approved protocol from April to August 2009. Randomization was done using numbered, identical containers. Baseline semen samples were evaluated for routine parameters, ROS level, DNA fragmentation index and TAC. Drug/placebo was administered at a dose of two capsules twice a day for 3 months. All parameters were reassessed at 3 months and clinical side-effects were recorded. The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India and is available at www.ctri.in as study protocol number CTRI/2009/091/000551.Results:Forty-four subjects completed the study, 21 in the drug arm and 23 in the placebo arm. There was no difference in baseline parameters between the two groups. Men in the drug group had significant improvement in mean total motility from 23.2 ± 17.3% to 33.4 ± 23.2% (P-value: 0.008) and mean progressive (Type A+B) motility from 15.7 ± 12.6% to 22.6 ± 18.0% (P-value: 0.024). ROS, TAC and DFI did not change significantly in either group and did not show any correlation with other semen parameters.Conclusions:Treatment with Addyzoa resulted in a significant improvement in total and progressive motility in the semen of men with iOATs after 3 months of therapy. There was no change in the sperm concentration, ROS, DFI or TAC levels.

HIV-1 Populations in Semen Arise through Multiple Mechanisms

HIV-1 is present in anatomical compartments and bodily fluids. Most transmissions occur through sexual acts, making virus in semen the proximal source in male donors. We find three distinct relationships in comparing viral RNA populations between blood and semen in men with chronic HIV-1 infection, and we propose that the viral populations in semen arise by multiple mechanisms including: direct import of virus, oligoclonal amplification within the seminal tract, or compartmentalization. In addition, we find significant enrichment of six out of nineteen cytokines and chemokines in semen of both HIV-infected and uninfected men, and another seven further enriched in infected individuals. The enrichment of cytokines involved in innate immunity in the seminal tract, complemented with chemokines in infected men, creates an environment conducive to T cell activation and viral replication. These studies define different relationships between virus in blood and semen that can significantly alter the composition of the viral population at the source that is most proximal to the transmitted virus.

No detection of HIV 1-RNA in semen of men on efficient HAART in the past 4 years of a 2002–2009 survey

No detection of HIV 1-RNA in semen of men on efficient HAART in the past 4 years of a 2002–2009 survey

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, IL‐10, HSP‐60, Anti‐HSP‐60 Antibodies, and Anti‐sperm Antibodies, in Semen of Men with Leukocytes and/or Bacteria

Citation Martínez‐Prado E, Bermúdez MIC. Expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, IL‐10, HSP‐60, anti‐HSP‐60 antibodies, and anti‐sperm antibodies, in semen of men with leukocytes and/or bacteria. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 233–243Problem Different cellular and biochemical markers have been proposed as indicators of infection‐inflammation of male genital tract.Method of study Semen samples from 80 men attending an andrologic clinic were evaluated to determine the presence of leukocyte, bacteria, antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis, levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TNF‐α, HSP‐60, anti‐HSP‐60 antibodies, and anti‐sperm antibodies.Results Leukocytes in semen significantly correlated with an increase in IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α. The simultaneous presence of pathogens and leukocytes was associated with high levels of IL‐8 and TNF‐α, whereas IL‐6 was more associated with the presence of leukocytes. Anti‐HSP‐60 antibodies positively correlated with IL‐6 and IL‐8. The presence of anti‐sperm antibodies highly associated with an increase in anti‐HSP‐60 antibodies.Conclusions The type of cytokines present in the semen will depend on the single or simultaneous presence of leukocytes and/or pathogens. Chronic male genital tract infections could be associated with the development of anti‐HSP‐60 antibodies and anti‐sperm antibodies.

Development of the NBT assay as a marker of sperm oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a well-established cause of male infertility, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing infertility principally by impairing sperm motility and DNA integrity. Currently, most clinics do not test their infertile patients for the presence of oxidative stress because the available tests are expensive or difficult to perform. As antioxidant therapy may improve sperm DNA integrity and pregnancy outcomes, it has become apparent that there is an unmet clinical need for an inexpensive and easy-to-perform assay to identify sperm oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to develop a standardized protocol for performing a photometric nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) assay for the measurement of seminal ROS production via production of coloured formazan, whilst correlating these results with impaired sperm function (motility and DNA integrity). Semen samples from 21 fertile and 36 male aetiology infertile men were assessed for ROS production (NBT assay), sperm DNA integrity (TUNEL), apoptosis (Annexin V) and sperm motility. Infertile men's semen contained on average fourfold higher levels of ROS than fertile men. The production of ROS by sperm was positively correlated with sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, whilst being negatively correlated with sperm motility. Receiver-operating characteristic plot analysis established a cut-off point of 24 microg formazan/10(7) sperm having a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 81% for determining the fertility status of an individual. This study has been successful in establishing a standardized protocol for performing a photometric seminal NBT assay that has significant clinical utility in identifying men with impaired fertility because of oxidative stress.

Is the Index Finger and Ring Finger Ratio (2D:4D) Reliable Predictor of Semen Quality?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the validity of hypothesis that the index finger and ring finger ratio (2D:4D) is related with men's semen quality.Materials and MethodsWe set two groups of healthy young male student (mean age 23.9) who have different 2D:4D ratio from different departments of Chosun University. One group consists of 26 men whose 2D:4D ratio is higher than 1 (mean 1.06), and the other group consists of 33 men whose 2D:4D ratio is lower than 1 (mean 0.94). Their semen was collected by masturbation and examined.ResultsA comparative analysis revealed that there is no relation between semen quality and the 2D:4D ratio. The group of 2D:4D≥1 showed a semen volume of 3.66±1.64 ml, on the other hand, the group of 2D:4D<1 showed a semen volume of 3.73±1.40 ml. No statistical correlation was found (p=0.82). The view of sperm count and motile sperm in single ejaculated semen also showed no statistically significance with 2D:4D ratio (p=0.84, p=0.43, respectively).ConclusionsThe 2D:4D ratio has no statistically significant correlation with the semen quality of health young male. Thus, measurements of finger length cannot be a reliable indicator of semen quality and testicular function.

UP-2.053: The Index Finger and Ring Finger Ratio (2D:4D): Is This a Reliable Predictor of Semen Quality?

The hypothesis that the index finger and ring finger ratio (2D:4D) related with men's semen quality was suggested. It is based on the HOXA and HOXD gene take a role in finger development and differentiation of urogenital system during embryogenesis. After the assumption reported that if the 2D:4D ratio is higher, the semen quality is probably poorer, many investigators have tried to prove it by experiment.

Enzyme levels in semen of men with different types of azoospermia.

The levels of eight enzymes have been measured in the semen of 15 azoospermic subjects. The results indicate that the values of the enzymes Creatine kinase, and Alanine aminotransferase, just as the Aspartate aminotransferase/Alanine aminotransferase ratio are significantly different between excretory and secretory azoospermics. The enzymes Aspartate aminotransferase, Lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, Gammaglutamyl transferase, Acid phosphatase, and Alkaline phosphatase and the alpha-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase/Lactate dehydrogenase ratio have values which do not differ significantly between the two groups of azoospermic men.

Assessment of hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and motility characteristics of spermatozoa from semen of men of proven fertility and unexplained infertility.

Semen from men of proven fertility was compared with that of men with unexplained infertility to determine differences in spermatozoal functions such as hyperactivation and acrosome reaction and spermatozoal motility characteristics. The hyperactivated spermatozoa in both groups could be visualised on the monitor of the Computer Assisted Semen Analyser and they exhibited 'circling', 'thrashing', 'starspin' and 'helical' motility patterns and the mean hyperactivation rates were not significantly different. However, 20% of the men with unexplained infertility did not exhibit hyperactivation compared to only 4% in the fertile group. Furthermore, the semen from infertile men when evaluated for hyperactivation could be categorised into two groups with those having lower hyperactivation (< 10% or < 6% after 4 and 6 h of incubation respectively), forming the first group, and those having a higher hyperactivation rate constituting the second group. In the fertile men such distinct groups were not visible and the percentage hyperactivation ranged from 1 to 16%. No significant differences were observed in the rate of acrosome reaction of fertile and unexplained infertile men. The non-hyperactivated spermatozoa from unexplained infertile men showed a significant increase in path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and a decrease in linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR) compared to spermatozoa from fertile men. Furthermore, the hyperactivated spermatozoa from infertile men also showed an increase in progressive velocity (VSL) (only after 2 h of incubation) and LIN and decrease in ALH and beat cross frequency (BCF) compared to spermatozoa from fertile men. The results are discussed in the light of the importance of the above spermatozoal functions and spermatozoal parameters in fertilization.

History of the Egg in Embryology

Abstract: From antiquity humans have tried to understand how a new individual is generated after sexual intercourse. A popular notion was that a woman's blood and a man's semen were involved. Aristotle, based on studies of chick embryology, proposed that the mixture produced an egg from which the foetus developed in the uterus. This idea lasted for nearly two thousand years. William Harvey disproved the old notion by finding an empty uterus in a variety of animals soon after mating. Although he did not find any eggs he insightfully proposed “ex ovo omnia”, implying that all creatures arise from eggs. This lead to an intensive search for the source of eggs in mammals and resulted in the discovery of the role of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. With the introduction of the microscope in the 17th century sperm were discovered in the semen. Studies involving impregnation of amphibian eggs revealed that single sperm could produce a foetus. Despite this information the mammalian egg remained undiscovered for an...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Sperm Antibodies, Intra‐Acrosomal Sperm Proteins, and Cytokines in Semen in Men from Infertile Couples

Problem The aim of this study was to investigate seminal sperm‐agglutinating antibodies, intra‐acrosomal proteins, sperm head abnormalities, and cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70 TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) in men from infertile couples.Method of study The direct mixed anti‐immunoglobulin reaction test for IgG, IgA, and IgE in semen, and immunocytochemical method using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence for the examination of intra‐acrosomal proteins in the spermatozoa were used. Cytokines in seminal plasma were determined by multiplex immunoanalytic xMAP (LUMINEX) technology.Results Sperm‐agglutinating antibodies, IgG and IgA, in seminal plasma were found to be more in asthenospermatic and oligoasthenospermatic men than in normospermatic men. Sperm head pathology and very low amounts of acrosomal proteins were frequently detected in pathologic semen samples. Cytokine levels defined as ‘high’ (based on the 75 percentile for each cytokine in all groups) were obtained especially for IL‐8, IL‐5, IL‐6, and IL‐10. The high cellularity in semen was correlated with higher IL‐5.Conclusion Immunologic cause of male infertility is a very important risk factor in the pathogenesis of sperm cells. Sperm autoantibodies and the presence of intra‐acrosomal factors must be studied together, cytokines according to accessory cellularity in the semen.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in infertile men: correlation with semen parameter

The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative stress status and antioxidant enzyme activities in infertile men's semen and to determine their relationship with spermatozoa characteristics. Four groups of infertile men, normozoospermic (n=9), azoospermic (n=13), oligoasthenozoospermic (n=38), and asthenozoospermic (n=42), were tested for malonaldialdehyde (MDA) concentration and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in semen using spectrophotometric methods. We found that MDA levels in semen and SOD activity in seminal plasma (SP) were significantly higher in oligoasthenozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups compared with normozoospermic group. In contrast, the mean values of CAT activity were not significantly different in all groups. We found positive correlations between semen MDA concentration and SOD activity (P<0.01). MDA levels in sperm pellet and in SP were also positively correlated with mobility grade b (P<0.01), acrosome anomalies (P<0.01), and residual cytoplasmic droplets (P<0.05). In contrast, SOD activity in SP was negatively correlated with sperm concentration and normal morphology (P<0.05). Similarly, CAT activity in SP was negatively correlated with sperm and leukocyte concentrations (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that the evaluation of oxidative status and antioxidant defenses may be taken as an important tool for diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: Promises and Uncertainties

Cancer in children and young adults is increasingly being cured by operations, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. However, one of the serious side effects of these treatments is the risk of damage to fertility. Whereas the most important goal used to be survival, now increasing attention is being paid to the quality of life in the long term, thanks to the success of these treatments. Infertility affects the quality of life. In post-pubescent boys and men semen can be frozen for later use prior to treatment that harms the spermatogenesis. In girls and young women the solution for reduced fertility or infertility after ovary damaging treatment, may consist of the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue prior to this treatment. At a later stage a decision can be made to transplant this ovarian tissue into the patient or to follow an IVF procedure. There are important normative questions regarding this experimental treatment. The main question is, whether it may be introduced in health care as a regular treatment or should be subject to medical research first. In the Netherlands, a working party of both doctors and ethical, legal and psychological experts recommended to carry out proper research before introducing ovarian tissue cryopreservation in regular health care. This article is meant to elucidate this policy and, including some relevant updates, thus to contribute to the discussion on this question in other European countries.

Interferência da idade sobre a qualidade seminal

to evaluate the influence of age on the quality of semen in men submitted to spermatic analysis in a human reproduction service, in cases of conjugal infertility. a retrospective study in which the spermiograms of all men in process of investigation for conjugal infertility in a service of assisted reproduction in the Northeast of Brazil were evaluated from September 2002 to December 2004. A number of 531 individuals submitted to 531 spermatic evaluations were included in the study. The following parameters have been analyzed: spermatic volume, concentration, motility and morphology. The men under investigation have been divided in groups, according to the results obtained in each of the variables studied. Seminal volume groups were divided in: hypospermia, normospermia and hyperspermia. Spermatic concentration groups were divided in: azoospermia, oligospermia, normospermia and polyspermia. Motility groups were divided in: normal motility and asthenospermia. Morphology groups were divided in: normal morphology and teratospermia. The t test has been used to compare the average age of patients in groups with normal and in groups with altered parameters. The program XLSTAT (p<0.05) has been used for the statistical analysis. the individuals studied presented an average of 37+/-7.9 years old, with an average of seminal volume of 3+/-1.4 mL, a spermatic concentration of 61.4+/-66.4 spermatozoids by mL of semen, a progressive motility of 44.7+/-19.4% of the total of spermatozoids and normal morphology of 11.2+/-6.6% of the spermatozoids. Average age among groups were similar, except for that of individuals with hypospermia, which was significantly higher than the one from men with normospermia (39.6+/-10.3 versus 36.5+/-7.3, p=0.001). age interferes in an inversely proportional way on the ejaculated volume, but does not influence spermatic concentration, motility and morphology.

Paternal effect on embryonic development in ICSI cycles: sperm type and impact on subsequent embryonic progression and stage of developmental arrest

OBJECTIVE: The paternal genome is believed to be activated at around the 6-8 cell stage. Surgically retrieved sperm from the epididymis and testis where spermatogenesis itself is often impaired may have a negative influence on embryonic progression to the blastocyst stage. Paternal influence on embryonic cleavage, compaction, stages of arrest and blastulation was studied in embryos derived from ICSI with sperm isolated from the testis, epidiymis or semen of men with oligoteratospermia.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro fertilization cycles and outcomes were studied in 241 patients undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center. Women included in this analysis were less than 39 years of age. Oocytes were cultured in microdrops of HTF/HSA. All mature oocytes were fertilized by ICSI. Three groups were established on the basis of sperm source used for the ICSI procedure: Group A: Testicular sperm Group B: Epididymal sperm and Group C: Semen from males with oligoteratospermia (OT). Males in this group had overall sperm counts of 10 million/ml or less and 0-1% normal morphology by Kruger's strict criteria. Embryos were observed and graded daily. On Day 3 embryos were selected for transfer based on cell stage, fragmentation, blastomere appearance and compaction. Excess embryos were either cryopreserved on Day 3 or placed in extended culture for cryopreserved at blastocyst /morula stage. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.Tabled 1Sperm Type and Clinical OutcomeA TestisB EpididymisC Semen - OTRetrievals807784Transfers787583Age32.8 ± 3.632.0 ± 4.033.1 ± 3.4Fertilization rate62%65%76%1Significantly different from A, B;Cleavage rate98%97%98%ET number2.5 ± 0.72Significantly different from B2.2 ± 0.62.3 ± 0.6Clinical Pregnancy53%63%57%Implantation rate31%40%37%Frozen on Day 315%10%22%Development of embryos not transferred or frozen on Day 3 (expressed as % of total embryos placed in extended culture)Arrested <=12 cells29%26%26%Arrested compaction37%35%24%Frozen at morula4%1%4%Blastocyst formation42%38%46%Frozen at blastocyst24%22%30%1 Significantly different from A, B;2 Significantly different from B Open table in a new tab CONCLUSIONS: Type of spermatogenic dysfunction and source of sperm did not appear to directly influence the subsequent pattern of embryonic development of fertilized zygotes. Half of the embryos placed in extended culture arrested prior to the morula stage. OBJECTIVE: The paternal genome is believed to be activated at around the 6-8 cell stage. Surgically retrieved sperm from the epididymis and testis where spermatogenesis itself is often impaired may have a negative influence on embryonic progression to the blastocyst stage. Paternal influence on embryonic cleavage, compaction, stages of arrest and blastulation was studied in embryos derived from ICSI with sperm isolated from the testis, epidiymis or semen of men with oligoteratospermia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro fertilization cycles and outcomes were studied in 241 patients undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center. Women included in this analysis were less than 39 years of age. Oocytes were cultured in microdrops of HTF/HSA. All mature oocytes were fertilized by ICSI. Three groups were established on the basis of sperm source used for the ICSI procedure: Group A: Testicular sperm Group B: Epididymal sperm and Group C: Semen from males with oligoteratospermia (OT). Males in this group had overall sperm counts of 10 million/ml or less and 0-1% normal morphology by Kruger's strict criteria. Embryos were observed and graded daily. On Day 3 embryos were selected for transfer based on cell stage, fragmentation, blastomere appearance and compaction. Excess embryos were either cryopreserved on Day 3 or placed in extended culture for cryopreserved at blastocyst /morula stage. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. CONCLUSIONS: Type of spermatogenic dysfunction and source of sperm did not appear to directly influence the subsequent pattern of embryonic development of fertilized zygotes. Half of the embryos placed in extended culture arrested prior to the morula stage.

Herpes simplex virus 2 serostatus and viral loads of HIV-1 in blood and semen as risk factors for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 blood plasma viral load is correlated with the sexual transmission of HIV, although transmission from men involves virus from semen instead of blood. We quantified HIV-1 RNA in the blood and semen of men who did or did not transmit HIV to their sex partners. We compared the relationships of HIV-1 transmission risk with blood plasma viral load, seminal plasma viral load, herpes simplex virus 2 serostatus and other factors. A case-control study. Participants were men evaluated for primary HIV infection and their recent male sex partners. They were interviewed, and clinical specimens were collected. Epidemiologic and phylogenetic linkages were determined by history and molecular techniques. Couples were grouped on the basis of transmission after exposure. Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon tests were used for comparisons between groups. Multivariable logistic regressions were fit to identify independent predictors of transmission. HIV-transmitting partners (n = 15) had a higher median seminal plasma viral load (P < 0.015) and median blood plasma viral load (P < 0.001) than nontransmitting partners (n = 32). Herpes simplex virus 2 serostatus was associated with transmission only when the HIV-infected source partner was herpes simplex virus 2 seropositive and the HIV-exposed partner was not (odds ratio 16, P < 0.03). Adjusting for other factors, HIV transmission was significantly associated with blood plasma viral load (odds ratio 13.4, P < 0.02) but not seminal plasma viral load (odds ratio 0.69, P = not significant). Blood and seminal plasma viral load were both associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission, but blood plasma viral load was the stronger predictor in this cohort. Herpes simplex virus 2 coinfection was associated with the risk of transmission but not acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Prevalence of human herpes virus types 1–7 in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic and correlation with semen parameters

To determine the prevalence of herpes viruses in the semen of an asymptomatic male cohort with and without infertility problems and its association with altered semen parameters. A prospective randomized study. Medical school and IVF clinic. One hundred seventy-two male patients undergoing routine semen analysis: 80 with normal semen parameters (control group) and 92 with abnormal semen parameters. Semen samples were collected by masturbation. The DNA from the Herpesviridae family (herpes simplex virus 1 [HSV-1], herpes simplex virus 2 [HSV-2], Varicella zoster virus [VZV], Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], cytomegalovirus [CMV], human herpes virus type 6 [HHV-6], human herpes virus type 7 [HHV-7]) and routine semen parameters. Viral DNA was detected in 143/172 (83.1%) of the total samples for at least one herpes virus: HSV-1, 2.5%; VZV, 1.2%; EBV, 45%; CMV, 62.5%; HHV-6, 70%; HHV-7, 0% in the normal semen samples and HSV-1, 2.1%; VZV, 3.2%; EBV, 39.1%; CMV, 56.5%; HHV-6, 66.3%; HHV-7, 0% in the abnormal semen samples. No association was found between the presence of viral DNA and semen parameters. Interestingly, a statistical significance between leukocytospermia and the presence of EBV DNA was observed. The DNA of herpes viruses is frequently detected in the semen of asymptomatic fertile and infertile male patients. Further studies are required to investigate the role of herpes viruses in male factor infertility.

‘Pass the Cream, Hold the Butter’: Meanings of HIV Positive Semen for Bugchasers and Giftgivers

It has been argued by some that sexual health campaigns’ ignorance of the richness of meanings associated with semen for gay men has actually led to an increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS(Rofes 1996). This paper reviews some of these meanings and their employment among a group of gay men who actively want to be infected with HIV as well as wanting to infect others (‘bugchasers’ and ‘giftgivers’). Based on the analysis of exchanges posted on a website used by bugchasers and giftgivers, this research asks if the attitude towards semen of men who apparently actively seek and spread HIV infection, an extreme act, would be equally extreme. It attempts to show that despite the extreme negativity and apparent sexual transgression engaged in by these men, their conceptions of what semen is and does is quite normative—semen causes pregnancy. These findings illustrate both that semen has the same richness of meaning for gay men as for the heterosexual population. Therefore, semen's meanings cannot be ignored when attempting to educate men about sexual practices. Bugchasing and giftgiving as behaviours and discourse that employ HIV infected semen containing the men's DNA are a way of overcoming the sense of isolation that results from ‘cold, sterile’, protected sex, despite their initial appearance as abject, transgressive and destructive.