Sperm In Urine Research Articles

The onset of puberty in colony-housed male and female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus): Possible effects of oxytocin treatment during peri-adolescent development

Oxytocin has been used to treat neurodevelopmental conditions in adolescent patients but possible effects on reproductive development have not been well investigated. The effects of daily intra-nasal oxytocin treatment (12–18 months of age) on puberty and fertility were studied in colony-housed, male and female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Body weight, urinary conjugated pregnanes and estrogens (defining cyclicity) in females, and androgens and sperm in urine of in males, were measured from 1 to 3 years of age to detect puberty. Serum testosterone was also measured in males at 13, 23 and 33 months of age and hemi-castration at 3 years of age enabled assessment of testicular morphometry and oxytocin receptor expression. An oxytocin treatment*time interaction suggested a minor, transient suppression in weight gain after treatment ended. Note that females weighed 10% less across all ages. Oxytocin-treated females exhibited early, spurious ovulations but neither regular cyclicity (≈30 months) nor pregnancies were affected by treatment. Oxytocin did not affect the pubertal increase in urinary androgen or the first appearance of sperm, which occurred as early as 15 months of age. Treatment did delay the puberty-associated rise in serum testosterone in males. All males were pubertal by 22 months and all females by 32 months of age. Although no major male or female fertility outcome was observed, oxytocin demonstrated some physiological effects through a delay of testosterone secretion in males, induction of precocious ovulation in females, and a suppression of general weight gain for the months following treatment.

Salvaging urospermic ejaculates from brown bear (Ursus arctos)

The objective of this study was to reverse the osmotic stress of sperm in urine contaminated bear ejaculates that were obtained by electroejaculation using pre-freezing washing or density gradient centrifugation isolation. In Experiment 1, ejaculates were divided into six aliquots, five were diluted in each washing extender: 200, 300, 400, 500 and 700mOsm/kg (prepared from a Tes–Tris–Fructose base, adding water or fructose as corresponds), at a 1:2 ratio (raw semen: washing solution, v/v); and the other aliquot was handled without washing (Control group). Samples were centrifuged at 600×g for 6min prior to freezing. In Experiment 2, ejaculates were divided into two aliquots: one was diluted 1:1 with TCG (Tris–Citric acid–Glucose) and centrifuged at 600×g for 6min (Centrifugation Control; C-Control); the other was treated with PureSperm® density gradient column. After treatments, samples were cryopreserved. Sperm motility, viability (SYBR-14/propidium iodide (PI)) and acrosomal status (peanut agglutinin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (PNA-FITC)/PI) were analyzed before and after freezing. Ejaculates with an initial osmolality of less than 120mOsm/kg treated with pre-freezing washing, and the Control sample had greater pre-freezing sperm motility than the raw ejaculate, but sperm viability was not different among these groups. The samples washed with 700mOsm/kg solutions had the least pre-freezing viability. In the post-thawing evaluation, pre-freezing washing treatments did not provide any improvement in comparison with the Control sample, and treatment with 700mOsm/kg extender had deleterious effects in all urospermic samples. PureSperm® density gradient centrifugation applied to urospermic raw semen was suitable for improving sperm motility and viability of pre-freezing samples and the selected spermatozoa had greater freezing capacity.

Évaluation du traitement des dysfonctions érectiles et éjaculatoires dans une série de 90 blessés médullaires

To evaluate the erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory on patients injured in conus medullaris (CMI) and the efficacy of treatment. Ninety patients with injured conus medullaris underwent a retrospective and monocentric study. They have all an assessment of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and a clinic scenario. We evaluated the erection by a clinical scoring scale (Shrameck). Seventy-seven out of 90 (85.55%) had therapeutic tests to restore erection: prostaglandin (PGE1), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5) and Papaverine. Seventy-four out of 90 (82.22%) underwent a penile stimulation tests (VM) more or less associated with Midodrine(®) (alpha mimetic) to cause ejaculation with a systematic search of spermatozoa in urine. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. Ninety patients with a complete lesion of the sacral metameres (S2S3S4) were included. They were responding to PGE1, PDE5, respectively 81.63% and 30.76%. The association VM/Midodrine(®) improves ejaculation in 52.63% of cases. Orgasm is absent in all our CMI. In this series of BCM patients, we observed a good efficacy of PGE1 and PDE 5 on erection. We also observed positive results of vibromassage and alpha-agonists on ejaculation.

Defining the “Normal” Postejaculate Urinalysis

Although sperm have been shown to be present in the postejaculate urinalysis (PEU) of both fertile and infertile men, the number of sperm present in the PEU of the general population has never been well defined. The objective of this study was to describe the semen and PEU findings in both the general and infertile population, in order to develop a better appreciation for "normal." Infertile men (n = 77) and control subjects (n = 71) were prospectively recruited. Exclusion criteria included azoospermia and medications known to affect ejaculation. All men underwent a history, physical examination, semen analysis, and PEU. The urine was split into 2 containers: PEU1, the initial voided urine, and PEU2, the remaining voided urine. Parametric statistical methods were applied for data analysis to compare sperm concentrations in each sample of semen and urine between the 2 groups of men. Controls had higher average semen volume (3.3 ± 1.6 vs 2.0 ± 1.4 mL, P < .001) and sperm concentrations (112 million vs 56.2 million, P = .011), compared with infertile men. The presence of sperm in urine was common in both groups, but more prevalent among infertile men (98.7% vs 88.7%, P = .012), in whom it comprised a greater proportion of the total sperm count (46% vs 24%, P = .022). The majority of sperm present in PEU were seen in PEU1 of both controls (69%) and infertile men (88%). An association was noted between severe oligospermia (<5 million/mL) with low semen volume (<0.5 mL), and significant sperm counts in PEU (<5 million). Although infertile men tend to have a higher proportion of their total sperm in the urine compared with control, there is a large degree of overlap between the 2 populations, making it difficult to identify a specific threshold to define a positive test. Interpretation of a PEU should be directed by whether the number of sperm in the urine could affect subsequent management.

Inhibition of Seminal Emission Is the Main Cause of Anejaculation Induced by a New Highly Selective α1A-Blocker in Normal Volunteers

Recent studies have highlighted the influence of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists on ejaculatory function. We evaluated the effect of a new, highly selective alpha1A-blocker, silodosin, on ejaculatory function of normal volunteers. The study included 15 healthy male urologists who voluntarily participated in the study. They took 4 mg of silodosin or a placebo twice daily for 3 days in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. We investigated the ejaculatory volume, sperm count in urine after ejaculation, and fructose concentration in seminal plasma before and after administration of the agents. All volunteers on silodosin had a complete lack of ejaculation. Three days after completion of silodosin, the mean ejaculatory volume recovered to the baseline level. There was no sperm in urine after ejaculation under silodosin administration in any volunteer. All volunteers on silodosin had anejaculation and did not show post-ejaculate sperm in their urine. The mechanism of ejaculatory dysfunction caused by silodosin is a loss of seminal emission.

Prevalence of Sperm in the Post-Ejaculatory Urine of Fertile and Subfertile Men

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sperm within post-ejaculatory urine in both fertile and infertile men. Fifteen men of proven fertility and 66 non-azoospermic men being evaluated for infertility were recruited in two academic centers. Laboratory studies included a semen analysis and the examination of post-ejaculate urine for the presence and concentration of sperm. The median total urine sperm count for the fertile group (26.6 million) was not significantly greater than the infertile group (8.3 million, P = 0.63). The median percentage of total sperm (urine plus semen) present in urine for the fertile group (14.8%) was not different from that in the infertile group (15.3%, P = 0.36). Sperm were found in the urine of 73% of fertile and 65% of infertile patients (P = 0.54). The prevalence of sperm in the post-ejaculatory urine in the fertile population is similar to that in infertile patients, which suggests that a great deal more information is needed to interpret this test in the management of these patients.

Post-ejaculatory urinalysis in fertile and infertile men

Objective: Standard criteria for the interpretation of a postejaculatory urinalysis (PEU) do not currently exist. The purpose of this study was to assess a population of fertile and infertile men in order to determine the prevalence of sperm within postejaculatory urine and develop a cutpoint for interpretation of this test.Design: Prospective, university-based study.Materials/Methods: Both semen analysis and postejaculatory urinalysis was performed upon 15 men undergoing elective vasectomy (fertile group) and 80 patients attending an infertility clinic (infertile group). The percentage of sperm present in the urine as compared to that in the semen was calculated. A variety of criteria for a positive PEU were assessed including any sperm present and various percentages of sperm in the urine. IRB approval was obtained for this study.Results: The mean age of the fertile men (37 years) was not different from the infertile patients (40 years). As expected, the median total sperm count of the fertile men (128 million) was significantly higher (p <0.001) than the infertile patients (8 million). The median total urine sperm count for the fertile group (26.6 million) was greater than the infertile group (2.5 million) but was not significantly different (p = 0.234). Using a cutpoint of the urine containing greater than 5% of the total semen sperm count, the prevalence of a positive PEU in fertile controls (60%) was no different from the infertile patients (50%). Similar findings were observed using all other cutpoints for a positive PEU. The median semen volume for men with a positive PEU (1.4 ml) was significantly lower than for those with negative PEU (2 ml) (p = 0.048).Conclusions: Although we ultimately chose 5% as the cutpoint for this study, a variety of criteria may be used to define a positive PEU. Whatever criteria are used, the prevalence of a positive PEU in the fertile population is similar to infertile patients suggesting that a great deal more information is needed to interpret this test in the management of these patients. Moreover, it is unclear from this study whether the sperm found in the urine is coming from the bladder urine or simply being washed out of the urethra.Supported by: U54 HD36209 from NICHD. Objective: Standard criteria for the interpretation of a postejaculatory urinalysis (PEU) do not currently exist. The purpose of this study was to assess a population of fertile and infertile men in order to determine the prevalence of sperm within postejaculatory urine and develop a cutpoint for interpretation of this test. Design: Prospective, university-based study. Materials/Methods: Both semen analysis and postejaculatory urinalysis was performed upon 15 men undergoing elective vasectomy (fertile group) and 80 patients attending an infertility clinic (infertile group). The percentage of sperm present in the urine as compared to that in the semen was calculated. A variety of criteria for a positive PEU were assessed including any sperm present and various percentages of sperm in the urine. IRB approval was obtained for this study. Results: The mean age of the fertile men (37 years) was not different from the infertile patients (40 years). As expected, the median total sperm count of the fertile men (128 million) was significantly higher (p <0.001) than the infertile patients (8 million). The median total urine sperm count for the fertile group (26.6 million) was greater than the infertile group (2.5 million) but was not significantly different (p = 0.234). Using a cutpoint of the urine containing greater than 5% of the total semen sperm count, the prevalence of a positive PEU in fertile controls (60%) was no different from the infertile patients (50%). Similar findings were observed using all other cutpoints for a positive PEU. The median semen volume for men with a positive PEU (1.4 ml) was significantly lower than for those with negative PEU (2 ml) (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Although we ultimately chose 5% as the cutpoint for this study, a variety of criteria may be used to define a positive PEU. Whatever criteria are used, the prevalence of a positive PEU in the fertile population is similar to infertile patients suggesting that a great deal more information is needed to interpret this test in the management of these patients. Moreover, it is unclear from this study whether the sperm found in the urine is coming from the bladder urine or simply being washed out of the urethra. Supported by: U54 HD36209 from NICHD.

Estimation of Spermarche from Longitudinal Spermaturia Data

A number of studies have dealt with determination of the age at onset of sperm emission (spermarche), based on observations of first occurrence of spermatozoa in urine. A major problem in this connection is the intermittent occurrence of sperm-negative urine samples after the achievement of spermarche. We have here considered an empirical Bayes approach for handling the probability of a sperm-positive urine sample after spermarche. The investigation was inspired by a concrete longitudinal study concerning 40 Scottish boys, which is used for illustration throughout. In this study, the urine was tested for spermatozoa from well before spermarche and every 3 months thereafter for at most 7 years. Some of the boys left the study earlier and techniques for handling such censoring were also developed.

Effect of method of seminal collection on the retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of rams

SUMMARY The effects of method of seminal collection and a diuretic on retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of rams were examined. In experiment 1, semen and urine were collected from 8 rams during the non-breeding season. Prior to seminal collection, all rams were given furosemide and a sample of urine was obtained during micturition. Semen was then collected from each ram with an artificial vagina or by electroejaculation in alternate weeks for 4 weeks, and the urine released during the first postseminal collection micturition was collected in 4 consecutive samples. The volume of electroejaculates was larger (P &lt; 0.0001) than the volume of ejaculates, but the total number of spermatozoa in the electroejaculate or in the ejaculate were not different (P &gt; 0.1). Urine obtained before seminal collection was azoospermic or contained few, nonmotile spermatozoa (mean ± sd = 0.053 ± 0.114 × 106/ml). The adjusted spermatozoal concentration (mean ± sd = 1.630 ± 2.258 × 106/ml) in the urine collected after seminal collection was 31 times higher (P &lt; 0.0001) and there were motile spermatozoa in most (97%) of the samples. The spermatozoal concentration in sequential samples of urine was not different (P &gt; 0.1) between samples and was not affected (P &gt; 0.1) by the method of seminal collection. There was a trend, approaching significance (P = 0.052), for an effect of method of seminal collection on the percentage of retrograde flow. Retrograde flow ranged from 0.21 to 19.38% when semen was collected with an artificial vagina and from 0.03 to 94.60% when semen was collected by electroejaculation and varied (P = 0.02) among rams within the 2 methods of seminal collection. In experiment 2, the 8 rams used in experiment 1 were given injections of 0.9% physiologic saline solution or furosemide in alternate weeks prior to seminal collection with an artificial vagina. Furosemide increased (P = 0.009) the volume of urine voided during the first postejaculation micturition, but did not influence (P &gt; 0.1) the time from exposure of rams to the teaser to ejaculation, seminal characteristics, number of spermatozoa in the urine, or the percentage of retrograde flow. There was a trend (P &lt; 0.1) for more rams to have motile spermatozoa in the postejaculation urine after treatment with furosemide. Administration of furosemide prior to seminal collection facilitates the noninvasive collection of pre- and postejaculation samples of urine for the determination of retrograde flow.

Retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of dogs during ejaculation or after sedation with xylazine

SUMMARY Retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of dogs during ejaculation or after administration of xylazine was examined. In experiment 1, the mean (± SD) spermatozoal concentration in urine collected by cystocentesis before ejaculation was 0.322 ± 0.645 × 106/ml. After ejaculation, motile spermatozoa were present in the urine collected by cystocentesis from 12 of 15 dogs, and the concentration of spermatozoa in the urine (5.139 ± 7.014 × 106/ml) was higher (P &lt; 0.025) than the concentration in the urine collected before ejaculation. The percentage of the total number of spermatozoa that were displaced during ejaculation and flowed into the urinary bladder (retrograde flow) ranged from 0 to 99.75% (24.67 ± 33.98%). In experiments 2 and 3, administration of xylazine to sexually rested dogs induced retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder. In experiment 2, all dogs had spermatozoa in urine collected after xylazine administration, with motile spermatozoa present in the urine from 9 of 10 dogs. In experiment 3, urine collected from dogs before administration of xylazine was azoospermic or contained few, nonmotile spermatozoa (0.063 ± 0.135 × 106/ml), whereas urine collected after administration of xylazine had more (P &lt; 0.025) and motile spermatozoa (3.717 ± 4.273 × 106/ml). In experiment 4, administration of xylazine to dogs after ejaculation did not increase the concentration of spermatozoa in the urine. Results indicate that spermatozoa flow into the urinary bladder of dogs during ejaculation or after administration of xylazine to sexually rested dogs.