Sperm Form Research Articles

Novelty and emergent patterns in sperm: Morphological diversity and evolution of spermatozoa and sperm conjugation in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae).

The beetle family Carabidae, with about 40,000 species, exhibits enough diversity in sperm structure and behavior to be an excellent model system for studying patterns and processes of evolution. We explore their potential, documenting sperm form in 177 species of ground beetles using light microscopy and collecting data on one qualitative and seven quantitative phenotypic traits. Our sampling captures 61% of the tribal-level diversity of ground beetles. These data highlight the notable morphological diversity of sperm in ground beetles and suggest that sperm in the group have dynamic evolutionary histories with much morphological innovation and convergence. Sperm vary among species in total length (48-3,400 μm), head length (0.5-270 μm), and head width (0.2-6.3 μm). Most ground beetles make sperm with heads that are indistinct from the flagella at the gross morphological level. However, some or all Omophron, Trachypachus, and Dyschiriini make broad-headed sperm that show morphological differences between species. Most ground beetles package their sperm into groups of sperm, termed conjugates, and ground beetles show variation in conjugate form and in the number and arrangement of sperm in a conjugate. Most ground beetles make sperm conjugates by embedding their sperm in a hyaline rod or spermatostyle. The spermatostyle is remarkably variable among species and varies in length from 17 to 41,000 μm. Several unrelated groups of ground beetles make only singleton sperm, including Nebriinae, Cicindelinae, many Trechinae, and the tribe Paussini. In order to study patterns in sperm evolution, we combine these data with a low-resolution phylogeny of ground beetles. Results from modern comparative analyses suggest the following: (a) sperm differ from conjugates in some aspect of their underlying evolutionary process, (b) sperm have influenced conjugate evolution and vice versa, and (c) conjugation with a spermatostyle likely evolved early within the history of Carabidae and it has been lost independently at least three times.

REPRODUCING QUALITIES OF RAMS OF THE MOLDOVAN TYPE KARAKUL BREED

Issues related to the reproduction of animals have been and remain one of the most complex and relevant problems of biology and are constantly finding a direct and effective way out into livestock farming practice. The rational use of breeding sheep as producers is limited by the lack of standard, objective methods and methods for the timely assessment of their reproductive ability. The article presents the results of evaluating the sperm production of rams-producers. For the first time, the freshly obtained sperm of rams of Moldavian type producers of the Karakul breed was evaluated using the macroscopic method - ejaculate volume, color and smell, as well as the microscopic method - motility, sperm concentration in the ejaculate, total sperm count in the ejaculate sperm movements (VAP; VSL and VCL) as well as the percentage of abnormal forms of sperm. The experiments were carried out on sheep producers grown on a pedigree farm of the experimental farm of the Moldavian Scientific and Practical Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. As a result of the studies, it was found that the ejaculate volume on average was 0.99 ± 0.04 ml, motility was 0.95 ± 0.02 and sperm concentration 1.51 ± 0.14 billion/ml. The percentage of pathological forms in sperm averaged 13.72 ± 0.61, an indicator that characterizes the high quality of sperm. The average quality indicator of ejaculates obtained from ram-producers of the Moldavian type of the Karakul breed corresponds to physiological standards for the Karakul breed. The average percentage of pathological forms of sperm found in ejaculates indicates that the rams were in good conditions of feeding and keeping. According to research, we can say that the Moldovan type of Karakul rams can be successfully used to obtain high quality ejaculates suitable for freezing sperm at 196°C.

Structural-functional changes in the muscle of the men which have been transferred by epididymoorchitis

The study of structural and functional changes in the testis under conditions of epididymorrhitis is important for urology and andrology, because changes in blood vessels, testicular parenchyma, and ejaculate adversely affect reproductive function. leading to the development of infertility. Most clinicians view epididymoorchitis not as an individual disease, but as part of the infectious-inflammatory process of the entire reproductive system. Most cases of epididymorrhitis in men 36-45 years are caused by a sexually transmitted infection, in particular Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, via the familial duct. Nonspecific epididymoorchitis in men aged 36-60 years is most often (80 %) caused by enterobacteria and especially Escherichia coli. Methods of angiography, microscopy of testicular biopsy specimens, laboratory diagnosis of ejaculate, electron microscopy and statistics revealed that in men who underwent epididymorchitis, testicular atrophy develops with a decrease of 25 %, 23 % of the diameter of the truncate of the bowel, 32 % of them are cells of spermatogenic epithelium are not identified, in 45 % of tubules there are severe disorders of spermatogenesis. The total number of spermatogonia is reduced by 45 %, spermatocytes and spermatids – by 64 %. In the interstitium lymphocytic infiltration, growth of connective tissue elements is expressed. Interstitial endocrinocyte nucleus volume decreases by 31 %. In myoid cells, supporting epitheliocytes, interstitial endocrinocytes, endocrinocytes of hemocapillaries – homogenization of mitochondrial crystals, deformation of structures of the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum are deformed. The concentration of sperm in the ejaculate is reduced by 80 %, the number of pathological forms of sperm increases in 3 times, their mobility decreases

Regarding the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in infrared spectrum in male secretory infertility

The aim of study was to assess the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in infrared spectrum on the main sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, MAR-test in men with nonobstructive pathozoospermia.
 Patients and methods. The study included 50 men from 23 to 40 years old (average age 31.0 5.4), suffering from secretory infertility. Physical examination, semen analysis, MAR-test, sperm DNA fragmentation analysis, male hormone panel, assessment of prostate microbiocenosis, testes and prostate tumor markers, ultrasound examination with color flow mapping were performed. After the examination patients had a course of LLLT in infrared spectrum on a Rubin-C device. 10 laser therapy procedures were carried out every two days with active luminescence for 3 minutes of both testicles. Control examination was done immediately after the LLLT, within one and two months.
 Results. Increase in sperm concentration (by an average of 25%), active mobile sperm forms (by an average of 25%), morphologically normal sperm forms (by an average of 58%) was noticed after the LLLT. MAR-test decreased by an average of 69% after the therapy. From 10 patients with initially increased sperm DNA fragmentation level, in 9 patients its level became normal after the treatment. Increase in concentration of total and free testosterone in blood plasma was noticed within one month after the LLLT. As a result of the treatment pregnancies developed in 11 (22%) out of 50 couples.
 Conclusions. LLLT in infrared spectrum improves sperm quality in patients with secretory infertility, decreases MAR-test level, normalizes sperm DNA-fragmentation level, increases chances of pregnancy in reproductive cycle, which allows to recommend this method as preparation for assisted reproductive technologies.

The Efficiency of Kamavit®-forte in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Diseases in Men, Leading to Infertility

An erection disorder is the most frequently observed phenomenon in sexual practice, the frequency of which increases with age and is associated with conditions such as partial age related immunodeficiency, diabetes mellitus, depression, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, endothelial failure and stress.The objective: to study the efficiency and safety of Kamavit®-forte in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and male infertility.Materials and methods. We examined 60 patients aged 23 to 62 years with ED lasting from 1 to 8 years. The study was conducted for 3 months, patients of the main group (MG) took Kamavit®-forte 1 tablet 3 times a day for 90 days.Results. Before treatment, the testosterone level was 3,1±0,5 ng/ml, after – 6,9±0,3 ng/ml. Thus, after treatment, a significant (p<0,05) increase in blood testosterone levels was observed, which led to the stimulation of sexual function, in particular, libido. Before treatment, libido was retained in 7 (23,3%) patients, and after treatment, in 27 (90%) patients with hypertension. There is a clear tendency to improve an erection according to the subjective assessment of those examined as a result of taking the study drug. So, if before treatment a full erection was in 12 (40%), patients and a partial erection – only in 10 (33,3%), then after a course of taking the drug, a full erection was restored in 23 (76,7%) and in general 29 (96,7%) patients were able to coitus.Conclusion. The appointment of Kamavit®-forte led to a significant increase in ICEF indicators: achieving an erection – by 89,4%, erection during sexual stimulation – by 68,4%, sufficiency of an erection – by 66,7%; a significant increase in the parameters characterizing the sexual activity of patients: erectile function – by 86%, sexual intercourse – by 84%, orgasm – by 79,4%, libido – by 84,9%. With the use of Kamavit®-forte, an improvement in most spermogram indicators was observed; the volume of ejaculate increased, the concentration of sperm, their total number, motility, the number of live sperm, decreased the number of leukocytes, red blood cells, liquefaction time, the number of pathological forms of sperm.

Existence of Pranatal Education in Islam

Prenatal education is often ignored in daily life. Though this education is highly recommended by religion for adherents of his religion. But to socialize prenatal education in social life today, it is necessary to re-actualize knowledge about the existence of prenatal education. Community life will gradually improve by paying attention to prenatal education as one of the needs in educating children from the womb in an Islamic perspective. There are two problems that must be answered in this paper are the stages of human creation and the concept of prenatal education in Islam. This research is in the form of library research, in which the research aims to describe the meaning on the basis of understanding the reading material sourced from the literature which has a close relationship with the problems presented in this paper using descriptive qualitative methods aimed at describing and analyzing phenomena and concepts using words not numbers. This study aims to determine: the development of prenatal age children, the concept of Pranatal education in Islam. The data collection technique used is to examine a number of primary and secondary data sources. Data analysis techniques by means of text analysis (content analyst). The results showed that: 1. The development of a prenatal child during her mother's womb includes three stages, including the Nuthfah stage in the form of male sperm and female egg cells that meet in the womb and fertilization occurs. The second stage ‘Alaqah (a clot of blood) even though the body tissue has begun to form, the next stage is the Mudghah (a lump of flesh), at this time in the form of a fetus that has been perfect and lives with spirits blown by angels. 2. The concept of prenatal education includes 3 stages: first, the preconception period (partner selection), second, the postconception period (marriage / copulation), third, the pre-natal period (pregnancy). Based on the results of this study is expected to be an information or input to parents to pay more attention to education to children, especially educating children since in the womb, based on certain concepts and methods with the hope that children born will become human figures who have noble personality, as expected.

Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm form and function in mammals.

Sperm competition is a powerful selective force that has influenced many reproductive traits in males and females although additional evolutionary explanations may help to understand the diversity of mammalian reproduction. Sperm morphology varies considerably in mammals with extreme examples in several rodent lineages in which a wide range of sizes and complex head morphologies have been identified. Mammalian spermatozoa also differ in function, with swimming velocity and trajectory showing much divergence. Underlying processes mediating function have received little attention so far, but differences in timing and proportion of sperm undergoing capacitation or acrosomal exocytosis may be related to variation in signalling processes. Furthermore, energy required for sperm functions (such as motion, signalling and overall maintenance of cell integrity) can be produced and consumed, following different patterns among species and this could be the result of several selective forces. A more thorough understanding of the diversity in structure and function of sperm cells, and underlying selective forces, may help us develop better methods to assess them taking into account particulars and generalities of sperm form and performance. Such tests could then become more reliable in estimations of the impact of cryopreservation or effect of changes in the environment and their relevance for fertility.

Dynamics of the functional activity changes in rats testicles under conditions of dosage spermatic cord stenosis

Infertility in marriage is an important medical, biological, social and demographic problem. Inguinal hernioplasty is objectively considered as a factor of male infertility in 9.8% of cases. Under these pathological conditions, the structural elements of the spermatic cord are compressed those appears the circulatory disturbances in testicle. Disorders of reproductive function often occur precisely because of hemodynamic disorders, which are considered one of the leading pathogenetic factors in the development of male infertility. Purpose — to establish peculiarities of testicles vessels and tissues remodeling under dosed spermatic cord stenosis conditions and during the reperfusion period. The experiments have been carried out on 78 non-linear white male rats, weighting 180–200 grams which were fed due to a standard diet of vivarium. All the animals were divided into four groups: one control group and three experimental ones. The control group included six intact animals. All the other comprised the experimental group which was divided into three series six animals per each depending on the terms of observation. The animals with the model of dosed stenosis of funiculus comprised first experimental group; the animals with the model of dosed stenosis and one-moment decompression, starting from the third day of the experiment comprised the second group; to the third group we referred the animals with the model of dosed stenosis of the funiculus which have undergone decompression with the correction of reperfusion changes due to the method proposed by us, starting from the third day. During the experiment it was established that after one-time decompression of the spermatic cord that was under the experimental stenosis conditions, apereas destructive changes in testicles parenchyma and decreases the functional activity of the organ. Despite that the compression factor has been removed and the blood flow in arteries and veins has been fully restored, there was no improvement in the hemodynamics of the testicle. The use of the dosage decompression method of the spermatic cord helps to improve the hemodynamic conditions of the organ during the reperfusion period. In this case, the detected changes of the testicle’s parenchyma and its intra-organ vessels were less pronounced than during stenosis of the spermatic cord and its one-time decompression. The functional activity of the testicles with use of the reperfusion changes correction, was slightly violated, the spermatogenesis index has been increased and the mature forms of spermatozoa were present in the seminiferous tubules. Thus, the usage of the proposed method of the spermatic cord decompression allows us to obtain positive dynamics in testicles blood vessels remodeling in reperfusion period.

Retained Acetylated Histone Four in Bull Sperm Associated With Fertility.

Bull fertility, ability of the sperm to fertilize and activate the egg and support embryo development, is vital for cattle reproduction and production. Even though majority of histones are replaced by protamines, some histones are retained in sperm. It is known that chromatin remodeling during spermatogenesis results in dynamic changes in sperm chromatin structure through post-translational modifications (PTM) of sperm histones, which are important for regulation of gene expression. However, amounts of sperm Histone 4 (H4), its acetylated form (H4 acetyl), and to what extent these molecular attributes influence sperm chromatin structure and bull fertility are unknown. These gaps in the knowledge base are important because they are preventing advances in the fundamental science of bovine male gamete and improvement of bull fertility. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that expression dynamics as well as PTM of sperm H4 are associated with bull fertility. Flow cytometry was utilized to quantify H4 and H4 acetylated form in sperm from seven high and seven low fertility Holstein bulls. The results indicated that the average number of cells with H4 or H4 acetyl expression in high and low fertility bull sperm were 34.6 ± 20.4, 1.88 ± 1.8, 15.2 ± 20.8, and 1.4 ± 1.2, respectively. However, the sperm enriched in both H4 and H4 acetyl were different between high and low fertility groups (3.5 ± 0.6; 1.8 ± 0.8; P = 0.043). The localization and detection of H4 and H4 acetylation were measured by immunocytochemistry which revealed that H4 and H4 acetylation were equally distributed in the sperm head of high and low fertility sires. Western blotting results confirmed the presence of the H4 and its acetylated form in the sperm. Bioinformatics studies demonstrated that H4 is highly conserved among mammalians, and have significant gene ontology on spermatogenesis, early embryo implantation, and sperm capacitation. The results are significant because it demonstrates the replacement of canonical histone H4 into modified H4 acetylation in sperm and regulate its dynamics which is crucial for bull fertility and reproductive biotechnology. These findings advance fundamental science of mammalian early development and reproductive biotechnology.

Negative effect of antiretroviral therapy on spermogram values in HIV-positive men

The study objective is to analyze spermogram values in HIV-positive men receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Materials and methods . The prospective case-controlled study included 115 men: the main group consisted of 51 patients with HIV, control group consisted of 64 patients with negative serological test for HIV and normal spermogram values. In total, 97 and 111 sperm samples were analyzed. HIV status was evaluated based on disease stage and phase, viral load, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocyte counts and ART duration. Results. History of HIV varied between 2 and 9 years (median 5 years). All patients were receiving ART. Median duration of drug administration was 1.5years. In 48.4 % of HIV-positive patients, normozoospermia was observed. In the structure of pathological zoospermia, teratozoospermia was the most prevalent (40 %), and the percentage of pathological forms of spermatozoa in HIV-positive men was significantly higher than in HIV-negative men (97 (96—98) and 96 (95—96) %, р = 0.0001, respectively). Ejaculate volume (2.7 (2.0—3.4) and 3.1 (2.3—4.0) ml, р = 0.003), total count (89.1 (47.3—153.0) and 198.8 (138.5—272.8) million, р = 0.0001), concentration (36 (21—52) and 63.5 (46—91) million/ml, р = 0.0001), percentage of progressive motile (40 (31—53) and 55 (48.7—62.2) %, р = 0.0001) and viable sperm (78 (71.5—81.0) and 84 (82—87) %, р = 0.0001) were significantly lower, and the number of immotile forms (50 (39—55.5) and 38 (31.7—42.2) %, р = 0.0001) significantly higher in HIV-positive patients than in men without HIV. Negative correlations between the number of abnormal spermatozoa and CD4+ lymphocyte count (r = —0.362, р = 0.026), disease duration and sperm concentration (r = —0.242, р = 0.020), percentage of progressive motile sperm (grade B) and disease duration (r = —0.241, р = 0.024) were established. ART duration negatively correlated with the percentage of progressive motile sperm (grade B) (r = —0.224, р = 0.036). Percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA was significantly higher in HIV-positive patients compared to HIV-negative men (15.8 (12.4—23.0) and 9.95 (7.3— 12.4) %, р = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion. In HIV-positive patients receiving ART, sperm DNA fragmentation and the number of pathological forms are increased. Percentage of abnormal forms is higher for lower CD4+ lymphocyte counts. Sperm concentration decreases, and percentage of immobile forms increases with duration of HIV infection. ART negatively affects sperm motility.

Sperm divergence in a passerine contact zone: Indication of reinforcement at the gametic level.

Postcopulatory sexual selection may promote evolutionary diversification in sperm form, but the contribution of between-species divergence in sperm morphology to the origin of reproductive isolation and speciation remains little understood. To assess the possible role of sperm diversification in reproductive isolation, we studied sperm morphology in two closely related bird species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), that hybridize in a secondary contact zone spanning Central and Eastern Europe. We found: (1) striking divergence between the species in total sperm length, accompanied by a difference in the length of the mitochondrial sperm component; (2) greater divergence between species in sperm morphology in sympatry than in allopatry, with evidence for character displacement in sperm head length detected in L. megarhynchos; (3) interspecific hybrids showing sperm with a length intermediate between the parental species, but no evidence for decreased sperm quality (the proportion of abnormal spermatozoa in ejaculates). Our results demonstrate that divergence in sperm morphology between the two nightingale species does not result in intrinsic postzygotic isolation, but may contribute to postcopulatory prezygotic isolation. This isolation could be strengthened in sympatry by reinforcement.

Efficacy of Virechana (therapeutic purgation) followed by Go-Ghrita (cow ghee) in the management of Ksheena Shukra (oligozoospermia): A clinical study.

Background:Fertility is affected by many different cultural, environmental and socioeconomic factors, especially in developing countries where poverty and infections are common place. Infertility is the inability of a sexually active, noncontracepting couple to achieve spontaneous pregnancy in 1 year. Shodhana (biopurificatory) procedures are indicated before the administration of Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) drugs, especially Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) is indicated in the cases of vitiation of Shukra (seminal parameters). Go-Ghrita (cow ghee) is a rejuvenator and aphrodisiac. Maximum preparations for the diseases of Shukra and reproductive system are prepared in Go-Ghrita and reported to be useful in the management of infertility.Aim:The present clinical study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Go-Ghrita administered after performing Virechana Karma in the management of Ksheena Shukra (oligozoospermia).Materials and Methods:Eligible male participants from the age group of 21 to 40 years, with sperm count of <15 million/ml, received cow ghee for 8 weeks in the dose of 10 g, after undergoing Virechana Karma with Haritakyadi Yoga. Percentage changes in the semen parameters and associated symptoms of Ksheena Shukra in comparison to baseline were the primary outcomes measured.Results:Go-Ghrita administered after Virechana provided 80.92% increase in total sperm count, 41.78% increase in sperm motility, 12.58% increase in normal form of sperm, 41.69% decrease in abnormal forms, and increase in semen volume by 45.22%.Conclusion:Overall assessment of the therapy showed that administration of cow ghee after performing Virechana provided statistically highly significant improvement on seminal parameters.

ВИВЧЕННЯ ДИНАМІКИ РІВНІВ CD4+CD25+, CD4+HLA-DR4+ ТА CD4+CD95+ ЛІМФОЦИТІВ СПЕРМИ ІНФЕРТИЛЬНИХ ЧОЛОВІКІВ З ХРОНІЧНИМ ЗАПАЛЕННЯМ УРОГЕНІТАЛЬНОГО ТРАКТУ ПІД ВПЛИВОМ НУКЛЕКСУ

Вступ. У практиці сімейних лікарів почастішали випадки звернень чоловіків із порушенням запліднювальної функції. Ретельний збір анамнезу дозволяє запідозрити, що зниження фертильності у чоловіків супроводжується латентним та персистуючим перебігом урогенітальних інфекцій, що дуже ускладнює їх своєчасну діаг­ностику.Мета – дослідження маркерів активації лімфоцитів сперми чоловіків з малосимптомними формами хронічної інфекції урогенітального тракту в залежності від фертильності та впливу нуклексу на їх рівні.Матеріал і методи. Було досліджено сперму 60 чоловіків, хворих на малосимптомні форми хронічного запалення урогенітального тракту (ХЗУТ); І групу склали 32 пацієнти, в яких діагностували ускладнення – інфертильність, у ІІ групу ввійшли 28 фертильних пацієнтів.Висновки. 1. Вивчення маркерів активації лімфоцитів сперми у чоловіків, хворих на малосимптомні форми хронічної інфекції урогенітального тракту, вказує на різнопланове збільшення їх кількості залежно від фертильності.2. Діагностично важливим є визначення співвідношення CD25+/CD95+ для прогнозування розвитку інфертильності. Збільшення цього індексу вказує на порушення процесів апоптозу патологічних форм генеративних клітин, що призводить до їх накопичення у спермі.3. Імунокорегуюча терапія з використанням нуклексу приводить до нормалізації співвідношення CD25+/CD95+, до зменшення патологічних форм сперматозоїдів й, зрештою, до збільшення запліднювального потенціалу.

Modified Background Subtraction Statistic Models for Improvement Detection and Counting of Active Spermatozoa Motility

An important early stage in the research of sperm analysis is the phase of sperm detection or separating sperm objects from images/video obtained from observations on semen. The success rate in separating sperm objects from semen fluids has an important role for further analysis of sperm objects. Algorithm or Background subtraction method is a process that can be used to separate moving objects (foreground) and background on sperm video data that tend to uni-modal. In this research, some of the subproject model statistics of substrata model are Gaussian single, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Kernel Density Estimation and compared with some basic subtraction model background algorithm in detecting and counting the number of active spermatozoa. From the results of the tests, the Grimson GMM method has an f-measure value of 0.8265 and succeeded in extracting the sperm form near its original form compared to other methods

Identification Male Fertility Through Abnormalities Sperm Based Morphology (Teratospermia) using Invariant Moment Method

Sperm morphology is still a standard laboratory analysis in diagnosing infertility in men. Manually identification of sperm form is still not accurate, the difficulty in seeing the form of the invisible sperm from the digital microscope image is often a weakness in the process of identification and takes a long time. Therefore, male fertility identification application system is needed Through sperm abnormalities based on sperm morphology (teratospermia). The method used is invariant moment method. This study uses 15 data testing and 20 data training sperm image. That the process of male fertility identification through sperm abnormalities based on sperm morphology (teratospermia) has an accuracy rate of 80.77%. Use of time to process Identification of male fertility through sperm abnormalities Based on sperm morphology (teratospermia) during 0.4369 seconds.

Possibility of using the complex of phytopreparates, vitamins and microelements in the treatment of chronic abacterial prostatitis

Aim of the research was to study the effectiveness of the complex drug "Saluprost" with chronic prostatitis on the parameters of spermogram and sex hormones levels in young men.Methods. The state of the prostate gland, the parameters of spermograms, as well as the levels of hormones when using the complex drug "Saluprost", which contains phytonutrients, vitamins and trace elements, were studied. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by studying the index of symptoms of chronic prostatitis (NHI-CPSI). Parameters of spermograms were studied according to WHO criteria. Testing levels of testosterone and estradiol in the blood was carried out using the immune enzyme method.Results. Against the background of a decrease in the N1H-CPSI index, which characterizes the severity of the manifestations of chronic prostatitis, the parameters of the spermogram were improved: the mean values of the concentration of sperm, the percentage of their mobile and active forms, and the mean values of morphologically altered forms of sperm decreased. This happened on the background of increasing and normalizing the mean values of the concentration of fructose in the ejaculate. Therapy helped to make estradiol levels lower in serum, as well as a significant increase in mean testosterone levels.Conclusions. The drug "Saluprost" is effective in the treatment of chronic abacterial prostatitis. It also has a positive effect on the studied parameters of spermograms and androgen-estrogen balance in young men

Sperm form and function: what do we know about the role of sexual selection?

Sperm morphological variation has attracted considerable interest and generated a wealth of predominantly descriptive studies over the past three centuries. Yet, apart from biophysical studies linking sperm morphology to swimming velocity, surprisingly little is known about the adaptive significance of sperm form and the selective processes underlying its tremendous diversification throughout the animal kingdom. Here, we first discuss the challenges of examining sperm morphology in an evolutionary context and why our understanding of it is far from complete. Then, we review empirical evidence for how sexual selection theory applies to the evolution of sperm form and function, including putative secondary sexual traits borne by sperm.

Geographical differences in semen characteristics of 13 892 infertile men

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between geographical differences and all semen parameters, across 13,892 infertile men of 84 diverse nationalities, recruited at a specialised tertiary hospital that represents the main healthcare provider in Qatar. Male infertility is an important and global public health problem. Despite this, there is a significant scarcity of epidemiological male infertility and semen analysis research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as geographical comparisons with other parts of the world. Patients and methodsRetrospective study of semen findings of 13 892 infertile men assessed at the Male Infertility Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation, in Qatar between January 2012 and August 2015. Based on country of origin, patients were categorised into those from the MENA region (n = 8799) and non-MENA patients (n = 5093). The two groups were compared across demographic features and semen characteristics: age, sperm volume, sperm total motility, sperm progressive motility (PMot), abnormal sperm forms (ABF), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). ResultsThe whole sample’s mean (SD) age was 35.7 (0.7) years, sperm concentration was 32.3 (0.25) × 106 sperm/mL, total motility was 45.4 (0.2)%, sperm PMot was 25.1 (0.2)%, and ABF was 79.9 (0.2)%. Overall, 841 patients had azoospermia (6.05%), 3231 had oligospermia (23.3%), 4239 had asthenospermia (30.5%) and 6772 had teratospermia (48.7%). SDF (1050 patients) was abnormal in 333 patients (31.7%). MENA patients were significantly younger than their non-MENA counterparts and had a greater semen volume. Non-MENA patients had significantly higher sperm counts, total motility and PMot, and lower ABF. SDF showed no statistical difference between the two groups. MENA patients had significantly higher prevalence of oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia; and lower prevalence of normal sperm concentration, normal motility, and normal morphology. Throughout the 4 years of the study, MENA patients constantly had significantly lower sperm counts; generally lower sperm total motility percentage and generally lower quality sperm morphology. We compared patients by age (≤40 and >40 years): in the patients aged ≤40 years, the same results as for the overall study were reproduced; in the >40-years group, the same results were reproduced with the exception of morphology, which was not significantly different between the MENA and non-MENA patients. ConclusionSemen quality is generally lower in male infertility patients from the MENA region compared to non-MENA regions.

THE STUDY OF THE LEVELS OF METALLOPROTEINASES, CYTOKINES AND LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION MARKERS IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF MEN, DEPENDING ON FERTILITY

The study of the concentration of metalloproteinases, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, lymphocyte activation markers in seminal plasma of men with oligosymptomatic forms of chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract (CIUT), depending on the fertility rate are presented in the article. Quantitative characteristics in male sperm with different forms of pathospermia were studied for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitors - tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. It was shown, that during chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract of men are shifting levels of cytokine profile, reducing the concentration of metalloproteinase-2, chemokines - fractalkine and regulated by activation, expression and secretion of normal T-cells (RANTES), sharp increase in IL-8, MCP-1 and elevation of the CD25+ / CD95+, indicating that the disturbance of apoptosis of pathological forms generative cells and their accumulation in the sperm. The ratio of immunological indices IL-2/IL-4, IL-10/IL-12 was calculated and a significant increase in the IL-10/IL-12 index was noted in the group of individuals with elevated levels of hypercapitated form of sperm, and a reduced proportion of this ratio was observed in the microsomatic morphology of sperm. Prolonged inflammation in the genital area accompanied by depletion of the local immune system, resulting in the development of infertility. Immunocorrection therapy for men with CIUT should take into account the peculiarities of changes in local immunity and be differentiated depending on the prevalence of certain pathological forms of sperm and changes in the cytokine profile of the seminal plasma.

Evaluation of reference values of standard semen parameters in fertile Egyptian men.

The reference values of human semen, published in the WHO's latest edition in 2010, were lower than those previously reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate reference values of standard semen parameters in fertile Egyptian men. This cross-sectional study included 240 fertile men. Men were considered fertile when their wives had recent spontaneous pregnancies with time to pregnancy (TTP) ≤12months. The mean age of fertile men was 33.8±0.5years (range 20-55years). The 5th percentiles (95% confidence interval) of macroscopic semen parameters were 1.5ml for volume and 7.2 for pH. The 5th percentiles of microscopic parameters were 15million/ml for sperm concentration, 30million per ejaculate for total sperm count, 50% for total motility, 40% for progressive motility, 62% for vitality, 4% for normal sperm forms and 0.1million/ml for seminal leucocyte counts. In conclusion, fertile Egyptian men had higher reference values of sperm total motility, progressive motility and vitality, and lower reference values for total sperm counts as compared to those determined by the latest edition of the WHO laboratory manual in 2010. Other semen parameters were identical to those defined by the WHO 2010 manual.