Sperm Index Research Articles

Effect of explosive strength exercises on the dead sperm index of Al-Salman Football Club

Effect of explosive strength exercises on the dead sperm index of Al-Salman Football Club

Evaluation the expression of insulin and insulin receptor-beta (IR-β) in sperm of infertile male with failed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Introduction: Most infertility treatment centers are currently using semen analysis to differentiate between fertile and infertile individuals. Recent studies have evaluated the expression and secretion of independent insulin and related beta receptor (IR-β) in mammals’ ejaculated spermatozoa such as humans and pigs, and its effect on motility parameters capacitation and acrosomal reaction. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the expression of insulin, IR-β and the parameters of sperm and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in men with intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) failed. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 15 men with unknown infertility with a history of unsuccessful ICSI and 10 fertile men. After collecting samples, sperm parameters (concentration and motility), sperm DNA fragmentation and expression of insulin and IR-β genes were investigated. To assess DFI from SDFA kit and to review the expression, the genes were analyzed via RT-PCR method. Data were analyzed statistically by t-test and covariance tests. Results: Based on the findings of this research, the concentration and percentage of motility in infertile men with a history of unsuccessful ICSI was significantly lower than fertile individuals, moreover, the amount of DNA fragmentation significantly increased in infertile men with a history of unsuccessful ICSI compared to fertile men (P < 0.05). Insulin expression in the sperm of infertile men with a failed ICSI history was significantly lower than fertile men (P < 0.05); however, the IR-β expression rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Evaluation of insulin gene expression can be helpful as a good marker for identifying infertility with an unknown cause.

MicroRNA expression profile analysis in sperm reveals hsa-mir-191 as an auspicious omen of in vitro fertilization

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding small RNAs that play important roles in many physiological processes by regulating gene expression. Previous studies have shown that the expression levels of total miRNAs increase during mouse embryonic development, and some miRNAs control the regulatory network in development progression. However, few studies have focused on the effects of miRNAs on early human embryonic development. The relationship between miRNAs and early human embryogenesis is still unknown.ResultsIn this study, RNA-seq data collected from sperm samples from 102 patients with a normal sperm index but treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) were analyzed for the relationships between differentially expressed small RNAs and the fertilization rate (FR), blastocyst rate and high-quality embryo rate (HQER). The sperm samples with high hsa-mir-191 expression had a higher FR, effective embryo rate (EER) and HQER. hsa-mir-191 was used as a single indicator to predict the HQER. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.686. We also found that hsa-mir-191 expression is correlated with an abnormal sperm rate (cor = 0.29, p < 0.01). We also evaluated the relationship between hsa-mir-34c and early human embryo development in these 102 sperm samples and obtained negative results.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that high hsa-mir-191-5p expression in sperm is associated with early human embryonic quality and that hsa-mir-191-5p could be used as a potential marker to screen high-quality sperm to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular toxicity in mice.

Phthalates are synthetic chemicals, widely used as plasticizers due to their flexibility in plastics. Human populations may be exposed to phthalates through direct contact or environmental contamination. Most studies have focused on the effects of phthalates on the reproductive tract and have classified these compounds as endocrine disruptors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible oxidative damage induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the mouse testis and to evaluate the regulatory effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA). For this purpose, forty male mice were divided into four experimental groups. Group I received normal saline (2mL/kg; p.o.) and corn oil (5mL/kg; p.o.) as the control group, group II received DEHP (2g/kg; p.o.), group III received DEHP and LA (20mg/kg; p.o.), and group IV was treated with LA alone; treatments continued for 2weeks. The glutathione level (GSH), as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, was determined in mice. In addition, serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. Nitric oxide (NO) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, sperm characteristics, and histological changes of the testes were also evaluated. The results showed that 2g/kg of DEHP could significantly decrease the sperm motility. Based on our findings, DEHP significantly reduced the production and count of sperms; these toxic effects were associated with alterations in the serum hormone levels. In the DEHP group, a significant reduction was reported in the serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels. LA improved DEHP-induced changes in hormonal levels and sperm index. According to our findings, treatment with DEHP triggered histopathological changes and oxidative stress, which were normalized by LA pretreatment. In conclusion, DEHP disrupts the testicular function in rats, at least partly through induction of oxidative stress. On the other hand, LA exhibits potential protective effects on testicular toxicity induced by DEHP.

Assessment of features of morphometric structural changes in the testes at conditions of postresection portal hypertension

Introduction. Postresection portal hypertension leads to complex general biological processes that occur and develop in the organs and systems of the body during its adaptation to a new level of life [10]. It should be noted that detailed and objective knowledge of compensatory-adaptive processes in the testes during resection of various volumes of the liver, their role in the development of organ failure to date have been insufficiently studied and need to be addressed.Objective of the research: to study morphometric structural changes of testes in the conditions of postresection portal hypertension and multiorgan failure.Materials of the research and their discussion. The testes of 40 white male rats were divided into 3 groups studied morphologically. Group 1 consisted of 12 intact animals, 2 - 18 rats with postresection portal hypertension, 3 - 10 animals with postresection portal hypertension and poliorganic failure. Euthanasia of rats was performed by bloodletting under thiopental anesthesia a month after the start of the experiment. Micropreparations from the testes stained hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, using the Weigert method, van Gieson, Mallory, Morphometrically, on the testicular micropreparations, the diameters of the testicles tubules, the thickness of their walls, the number of cells of the epithelio-spermatogenic layer in the tubule, the number of Sertoli cells per tubule, the tubulo-interstitial index, the stromal-parenchymal ratio, the Leydigas index, the sperm index, were determined. Quantitative morphological parameters were processed statistically.Results of the research and their discussion. It was found that the investigated morphometric indices of the testes in the 2 and 3 groups of observations varied markedly in comparison with the control values. Thus, the diameter of the seminile tubules in the conditions of postresection portal hypertension was statistically significantly (p˂0.001) decreased by 11.8 %, with the development of multiple organ failure - by 34.0 % (p&lt;0.001), and the number of cells of the epithelio-spermatogenic layer in tubules respectively by 11.3 % and 32.9 % (p˂0.001), which indicated the presence of atrophy of the studied structures.The wall thickness of the tubules in the 2 group increased by 8.8 %, in the 3 group - by 26.9 % (р&lt;0.001), and the Leydig index - by 22.9 % and 57.8 %, respectively (р&lt;0.001). The number of Sertoli cells in one testicle tubule in the 2nd group decreased by 1.6 % and in the 3rd by 8.06 % (p &lt;0.001).Stromal-parenchymal ratios in the testes with simulated pathology statistically significantly increased (р&lt;0.001) by 11.3 % (р˂0.01) and 31.8 % (р˂0.001), while the tubulo-interstitial index decreased respectively by 8.9 % (p&lt;0.001) and 31.8 % (p&lt;0.001). The revealed changes of the investigated morphometric parameters showed a pronounced increase in the number of stroma in the testes. The spermatogenesis intensity index also decreased by 2.9 % (p&lt;0.05) and 38.8 % (p&lt;0.001), respectively.Obtained morphometric parameters indicate that the simulated pathology leads to a decrease in the diameter of the tubules and the thickening of their walls. In the latter, optically sclerosis was observed. In the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, histologic examination revealed spermatocytes of the first order and spermatogonia, rarely observed spermatocytes of the second order. Protein detritus and rarely sperm were detected in the tubules.Conclusions. So postresection portal hypertension and multiorgan failure lead to pronounced structural restructuring of the vascular, interstitial and endocrine components of the testes, characterized by dilatation, plethora, varicose extensions, stasis, hemorrhage, perivasal swelling of the vessels gemomicrocirculatory bad and, hyperplasia, moderate hypertrophy Leydig cell dystrophy. The detected morphological changes dominate in multiple organ failure.

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE TESTES AT CONDITIONS OF POSTRESECTION PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND POLYORGANIC FAILURE

The testes of 50 white male rats were divided into 3 groups studied morphologically. Group 1 consisted of 15 intact animals, 2 – 25 rats with postresection portal hypertension, 3 – 10 animals with postresection portal hypertension and multiple organ failure. Euthanasia of rats was performed by bloodletting under thiopental anesthesia a month after the beginning of the experiment. Micropreparations from the testes were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, using the Weigert method, van Gieson, Mallory. Morphometrically, on the testicular micropreparations, the diameters of the testicles tubules, the thickness of their walls, the number of cells of the epithelial-spermatogenic layer in the tubule, the number of Sertoli cells per tubule, the tubulo-interstitial index, the stromal-parenchymal ratio, the Leydigas index, the sperm index, were determined. Quantitative morphological parameters were processed statistically. The investigated morphometric indices of the testes in the 2 and 3 groups of observations were found to vary markedly in comparison with the control values. Thus, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules in the conditions of postresection portal hypertension was statistically significantly (p˂0.001) decreased by 11.8 %, with the development of multiple organ failure – by 34.0 % (p&lt;0.001), and the number of cells of the epithelialspermatogenic layer in tubules respectively by 11.3 % and 32.9 % (p˂0.001), which indicated the presence of atrophy of the studied structures. The wall thickness of the tubules in the 2 group increased by 8.8%, in the 3 group – by 26.9 % (р&lt;0.001), and the Leydig index – by 22.9 % and 57.8 %, respectively (р&lt;0.001). The number of Sertoli cells in one testicle tubule in the 2nd group decreased by 1.6 % and in the 3rd by 8.06 % (p&lt;0.001). Stromal-parenchymal ratios in the testes with simulated pathology statistically significantly increased (р&lt;0.001) by 11.3 % (р˂0.01) and 31.8 % (р˂0.001), while the tubular-interstitial index decreased respectively by 8.9 % (p&lt;0.001) and 31.8 % (p&lt;0.001). The revealed changes of the investigated morphometric parameters showed a pronounced increase in the number of stroma in the testes. The spermatogenesis intensity index also decreased by 2.9 % (p&lt;0.05) and 38.8 % (p&lt;0.001), respectively. Obtained morphometric parameters indicate that the simulated pathology leads to a decrease in the diameter of the tubules and the thickening of their walls. In the latter, optically sclerosis was observed. In the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, histologic examination found spermatocytes of the first order and spermatogonia, rarely observed spermatocytes of the second order. Protein detritus and rarely sperm were detected in the tubules. Thus, postresection portal hypertension and multiple organ failure lead to pronounced structural rebuilding of the vascular, interstitial and endocrine components of the testes, characterized by dilatation, plethora, varicose extensions, stasis, hemorrhage, perivasal swelling of the vessels of the gemomicrocirculatory bad and, hyperplasia, moderate hypertrophy, and Leydig cell dystrophy. The detected morphological changes dominate in case of multiple organ failure.

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of the Testes for the Classification of Azoospermia and Its Value in the Assessment of Male Infertility

Background: Infertility is an ever-increasing problem in today’s world. It can be due to male or female causes. Azoospermia seen in 5–10% of infertile men is due to obstructive or non-obstructive causes. Traditionally, testicular biopsy is the gold standard for evaluation. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA), however, is minimally invasive, provides qualitative and quantitative information about spermatogenesis, and can aid in assisted reproductive techniques making it a novel technique for the evaluation of male infertility. Objective: We aimed to classify different causes of azoospermia into different patterns based upon FNA, and assess the utility of cell indices in classifying cases into different patterns. Method: We conducted a prospective and a retrospective study of 42 azoospermic males, confirmed on semen analysis, over a period of 5 years. Patients were subjected to FNA of the testes. Smears were prepared, air-dried, wet-fixed, and then stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains, respectively. Cells were identified using predetermined morphologic criteria, and various indices were calculated followed by statistical analysis of the observations. Results: The mean age of 40 patients who satisfied the adequacy criteria was 32.75 years (range 22–48 years). Thirty-four patients had primary infertility and 6 had secondary infertility. Of these, 12 had normal spermatogenesis, 8 had hypo-spermatogenesis, 3 had early and 7 had late maturation arrest, 6 had Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), and there were different results in each testicle in 4 cases. The Sperm Index (SI) was significantly higher in all cases of normal spermatogenesis than in any of the hypo-spermatogenesis cases (p = 0.009). The Sertoli Index (SEI) in cases of hypo-spermatogenesis and maturation arrest was significantly higher than in cases of normal spermatogenesis (p < 0.001). The Sperm-Sertoli Index (SSI) also showed significant differences between cases of hypo-spermatogenesis and normal spermatogenesis (p < 0.001). These indices were useful in categorising patients with azoospermia. Conclusion: FNA helps to easily and accurately identify all types of testicular cells without biopsy. SI, SEI, and SSI are powerful cell indices for assessing the extent of spermatogenesis and classifying various causes of azoospermia. Bilateral sampling and multiple aspirations give a better mapping of spermatogenesis within the testes. Testicular FNA can thus play a very important role in the evaluation of male infertility.

Selenium‐enriched probiotics alleviate murine male fertility compromised by high fat diet

A total of 75 male mice were randomly allotted to 5 groups of 15 each to study the effects of probiotics (PB), inorganic selenium (ISe) and selenium‐enriched probiotics (OSePB) on the male fertility of hyperlipidemic mice. Group 1 (negative control) were fed a normal basal diet and Group 2 (positive control) a high fat diet (HFD). Groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed the HFD supplemented with PB, ISe, and OSePB, respectively. The HFD was composed of 83.7% basal diet, 15% lard, 1% cholesterol and 0.3% cholic acid. After a 75‐day feeding trial, mice fed the HFD had significant (p&lt;0.01) elevations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein, decreases of high density lipoprotein, decline in testosterone level, seminiferous tubule atrophy and degeneration, and reduced semen quality. PB, ISe or OSePB supplementation alleviated (p&lt;0.05) the adverse effects of hyperlipidemia by increasing testosterone level, reducing testicular tissue injury, and improving sperm index. It was concluded that the adverse effects of hyperlipidemia on murine male fertility can be ameliorated by PB, ISe or OSePB supplementation. OSePB or ISe gave better results than PB and may be used to improve human male fertility compromised by hyperlipidemia or obesity. This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China.

Apoptosis-mediated seasonal testicular regression in the Japanese Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

The present study investigated effects of apoptosis observed during seasonal testicular regression in Japanese Jungle Crows. The study was conducted during January to June 2008, 2009. Testes from adults captured during non-breeding (January), prebreeding (February to mid-March), main-breeding (late March to early May), transition (mid-May to late May), and post-breeding (June) seasons were analyzed. Apoptosis was assessed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Paired-testis volume increased 95-fold from the non-breeding to the main-breeding season (P < 0.05), and subsequently decreased 26-fold from the main breeding to the post-breeding season (P < 0.05). Testicular activity was evaluated from the total germ cell count and sperm index, which increased 42- and 5-fold, respectively, in the main-breeding season, and subsequently decreased 33- and 5-fold in the post-breeding season. In testes, TUNEL-positive germ cells were at low levels in the non-breeding season, absent in the prebreeding and the main-breeding seasons, and highest in mid-May (P < 0.05). In contrast, TUNEL-positive Sertoli cells occurred only in late-April. In addition, TUNEL-positive fibroblast-like cells were observed in the outer zone of the tunica albuginea in the post-breeding season. Collectively, these data suggested that the seasonal rise in the testicular competence occurred slowly in Japanese Jungle Crows; however, testis function was terminated rapidly after the breeding season. Furthermore, we concluded, similar to other avian species, Sertoli cell apoptosis followed by massive germ cell death was responsible for rapid testicular regression in Jungle Crows.

Selenium-Enriched Probiotics Improves Murine Male Fertility Compromised by High Fat Diet

A total of 75 male mice were allotted to five groups of 15 each in a completely randomized experimental design to study the effects of probiotics, inorganic selenium, and selenium-enriched probiotics on male fertility in hyperlipidemic status. The mice in group 1 were fed a normal basal diet and served as negative control. The mice in group 2 were fed a high fat diet and served as positive control. The mice in groups 3, 4, and 5 were fed the high fat diet supplemented with probiotics, inorganic selenium, and selenium-enriched probiotics, respectively. The high fat diet was composed of 15% lard, 1% cholesterol, 0.3% cholic acid, and 83.7% basal diet. Over 90% of the selenium in the selenium-enriched probiotics was present in forms of organic selenium. After the mice were fed these diets for 75 days, serumal total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and testosterone levels, plus sperm index (count, motility and abnormalities), penis length, and weight and histopathology of testes were measured. The results showed that in the mice fed the high fat diet were significant (P < 0.01) elevations of serumal total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein, and decreases of high density lipoprotein. The high fat diet caused a decline in serumal testosterone level, reduced semen quality, and atrophy and degeneration of seminiferous tubules. No effects on penis length or relative weight of testis were observed. Supplementation of probiotics, inorganic selenium, or selenium-enriched probiotics to the high fat diet significantly alleviated (P < 0.05) the adverse effects of hyperlipidemia by reducing testicular tissue injury, increasing serumal testosterone level, and improving sperm indexes. It was concluded that hyperlipidemia had significant adverse effects on male fertility, which could be ameliorated at various degrees by feeding the diets supplemented with probiotics, inorganic selenium, or selenium-enriched probiotics. Selenium-enriched probiotics or inorganic selenium supplementation gave better results than probiotics supplementation and may be used to improve animal and human male fertility compromised by hyperlipidemia or obesity.

Gelatinases in Boar Seminal Plasma and Their Relation to Semen Indicators

Matrix metalloproteinases were detected in reproductive tissues and seminal plasma of various animal species. The aim of this study was to determine for the first time the presence of gelatinases and metalloproteases in boar seminal plasma and to correlate the results with semen indicators. Gelatin zymography was used for simultaneous identification and measurement of gelatinase enzyme activity associated with their molecular weights.Several gelatinase forms were identified in seminal plasma of boars. Those that were stimulated by CaCl2and inhibited by EDTA and phenanthroline were considered as metalloproteases. Negative correlation between semen indicators (sperm index, sperm concentration and concentration of progressive motile sperm) and the concentrations of metalloprotease at 78 kDa and 66 kDa means that higher values of semen indicators correlate with lower concentrations of these metaloproteases in seminal plasma. Gelatinases with molecular weight of 225, 78 and 66 kDa correlated with higher levels of acrosome damage. Samples with sperm index above 110 M/ml contained gelatinases of significantly lower band intensities at 78 and 66 kDa compared to samples with SI less than 110 M/ml. Bands with 225, 78 and 66 kDa are suggested to belong to a dimer of MMP-9, proMMP-2 and mature MMP-2.

Cytologic study of normal canine testis

It has been shown that cytology has a role in the diagnosis of canine infertility, but there are few reports dealing with normal cytologic features of the testis. This is in contrast with human medicine, in which the normal testicular cytology has been thoroughly described and assessed both by qualitative and quantitative approaches. This study was performed to provide a description of the normal cells in cytologic specimens of the testis and to establish ratios between cells that quantify testicular function. Six male dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) with no testicular pathology, aged 3 to 8 yr, were subjected to elected orchiectomy and included in this study. For each testis, six impression smears were obtained, air dried, and stained with a rapid Romanowsky-type stain. Specimens presented low blood contamination and a heterogeneous population of isolated or loosely packed cells, with high pleomorphism and anisokaryosis; naked nuclei, smeared chromatin, and multinucleation were frequent. The morphologic features of the normal testicular cells from spermatogonia to spermatozoa, including Sertoli and Leydig cells, were described. Cells were classified according to slightly modified criteria taken from human cytology. Simultaneously, 500 cells were counted per slide to determine the sperm index (SI) and Sertoli cell index (SEI), which were 26.6 ± 3.8 and 4.2 ± 0.8, respectively. In general, the cells encountered in the dog resemble those of men, although some particularities exist, such as the much larger size of the Sertoli cells, the highly vacuolated appearance of Leydig cells, or the lower SI and SEI in dogs. The descriptions and indexes defined here may assist in the interpretation of a testicular cytology.

Dose inseminante para fertilização artificial de ovócitos de jundiá cinza, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy &amp; Gaimardm, 1824)

Para determinação da dose inseminante ideal na fertilização artificial de ovócitos de jundiá cinza (Rhamdia quelen), foram selecionadas duas fêmeas com papila urogenital avermelhada, abdômen arredondado e liberação de ovócitos de cor e tamanho uniforme e quatro machos que apresentavam liberação de sêmen sob pressão da papila genital. As fêmeas e os machos receberam duas doses de extrato de hipófise de carpa (doses inicial e final de 0,5 e 0,25 mg.kg-1 e de 5,0 e 2,5 mg.kg-1, para fêmeas e machos, respectivamente). As duas fêmeas produziram 169 g de ovos contendo 1.141 ovócitos.g de ovócitos-1 e os machos, um total de 23,6 mL de sêmen. Do sêmen dos quatro machos foi realizado um pool e analisadas as seguintes características: concentração espermática (1,97x10(10) espermatozóides.mL-1), índice de sobrevivência espermática (96%) e morfologia espermática (66,9% de espermatozóides normais). No ensaio de fertilização, utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualisado, composto de cinco tratamentos (6x10³, 6x10(4), 6x10(5), 6x10(6), 2x10(7) espermatozóides.ovócito-1) e quatro repetições. Após 8 horas de incubação, foram analisadas as taxas de fertilização para cada tratamento. A melhor relação espermatozóide.ovócito-1 foi de 89.497 espermatozóide.ovócito-1, o que provocou taxa de fertilização máxima teórica de 86,68%.

Determination of the diagnostic value of the resazurin reduction assay for evaluating boar semen by receiver operating characteristic analysis

To assess that metabolic status of spermatozoa could provide a useful tool for evaluation of semen quality. The accuracy of the spectrophotometric application of the resazurin reduction assay was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Areas under ROC curves (AUC) for motile sperm concentration and sperm index (SI) (sperm concentration multiplied by the square root of percentage sperm motility multiplied by the percentage normal sperm morphology) were 0.922. The best discrimination between poor and good semen samples according to the SI was achieved at a cut-off point of A610 = 0.209, where high sensitivity (94.1%) and specificity (91.7%) were calculated. The assay was less accurate when motile sperm concentration was used as the criterion value, yielding sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 87.5%, respectively. Likelihood ratios (LR) indicate that absorbances lower than 0.209 were at least 11.3 times as likely to be found in good semen samples than those in poor according to the SI, whereas in the case of motile sperm concentration, the LR was calculated to be 7.06. These results show that the resazurin reduction assay combined with spectrophotometry is an accurate method of assessing the quality of boar semen.

Facial attractiveness in men provides clues to semen quality

Facial attractiveness has been related to health in both men and women. Certain psychological, physiological, and secondary sex characteristics have been used as accurate markers of hormonal and developmental health. The main objective of this study was to investigate the capacity of women to select males of high reproductive quality based on their facial attractiveness. A total of 66 males were included in the study. Each of them provides a semen sample, and frontal and lateral photographs were taken. Semen analysis was made according to standard WHO (1999) guidelines for morphology, motility, and concentration. Moreover, a Sperm Index (SI) was calculated as the principal component of these parameters. In Study 1, 66 women rated the attractiveness, as a possible permanent couple, of pictures of all 66 men. In Study 2, the pictures of a subset of 12 males were randomly selected from three semen quality subgroups (terciles named good, normal, and bad, according to the value of the SI). These 12 pictures were rated on attractiveness by two independent sets of women ( N=88 and N=76). Facial attractiveness ratings were significantly ( P<.05) and positively correlated with sperm morphology, motility, and SI, but not with concentration, for all the women sets.

Reproduction of White Perch: The Annual Gametogenic Cycle

Abstract Circulating levels of the sex steroid hormones testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone in males, and 17β-estradiol (E2) and T in females, were measured at monthly intervals in white perch Morone americana for 1 year. The egg yolk precursor vitellogenin was also measured in female blood plasma. The gonadal status of individual fish was assessed through histological examination and measurement of gonadosomatic index (GSI), size-frequency distribution of oocytes, sperm index, spermatocrit, and spermiation response. A biphasic pattern of maturation was seen in both sexes. At the onset of vitellogenesis in females, blood plasma levels of E2 and T increased moderately in November and then increased again to maximal levels during the spawning season in April and early May. All stages of oocyte development were observed in mature females, indicating that the white perch is a multiple-clutch, group-synchronous spawner. In males, androgen levels and GSI increased early in the reproductive cycle during spe...

Egg yolk enhances the receptiveness of zona pellucida to sperm binding

Our purpose was to test whether treatment of zona pellucida with egg yolk enhances its receptiveness to sperm binding. Hams F-10 supplemented with 0.06 g% freeze-dried egg yolk (TM) was evaluated using the hemizona assay. Ham's F-10 supplemented with 7.5% human serum served as the control medium (CM). Salt-stored zona pellucida were bisected and each matched hemizona processed in either TM or CM for the preincubation study or both hemizona processed in CM for the coincubation study. TEST yolk-treated sperm from 10 ejaculates were then incubated with the hemizona preincubated in TM and CM but coincubated in CM or coincubated with hemizona in TM and CM. A significantly (P < 0.02) higher number of tightly bound sperm and hemizona index for the hemizona either preincubated or coincubated in TM compared to the respective hemizonae in CM were observed.

Comparison of Two Sperm Preparation Techniques Using Automated Sperm Motion Analysis: Migration Sedimentation Versus Swim-Up

Migration sedimentation and spermatozoa swim-up techniques were used for obtaining spermatozoa from the semen samples of 39 infertile men. Concentration, percentage of motile sperm, velocity, linearity, and motility index of the sperm preparations obtained by both methods were compared using the CellSoft automated sperm motion analyzer. The mean velocity of the spermatozoa obtained after the migration sedimentation technique was significantly higher than that with swim-up technique. Since it is not necessary to centrifuge spermatozoa with the migration sedimentation technique, this method may be more desirable than other techniques using centrifugation.

Structural features of the epididymis in a dasyurid marsupial (Antechinus stuartii).

The ductus epididymidis of the marsupial mouse Antechinus stuartii was divided into caput, corpus, and caudal regions using several constant morphological landmarks. Tubule diameter and epithelial height increased gradually from caput to cauda. In contrast, the surface area of the lumen of the ductus epididymidis increased to a maximum in the distal caput region, but decreased markedly in the distal cauda in association with characteristic changes in lumen shape (from circular to slit-shaped) and epithelial height. Epithelial cells of the ductus epididymidis were generally similar in structure to those described in other mammalian species. Principal and basal cells were common throughout the epithelium. Clear and mitochondria-rich cells were also identified, but occurred less frequently. Regional variations in cell ultrastructure were observed only in principal cells. Numerous vesicular inclusions occurred in the apical cytoplasm of cells in caput segments, membrane-bounded, electron-dense bodies were common in distal corpus regions, and a brush border of microvilli characterized the luminal surface of principal cells in caudal segments. Sperm index increased in the proximal caput, declined to basal levels in the distal caput and proximal corpus, and then increased to a maximum in segment 9 of the distal corpus and remained at about this level throughout the cauda epididymidis. Nuclear rotation, loss of cytoplasmic droplets, and other sperm maturational changes were observed along the epididymis. Discarded cytoplasmic droplets collected in large masses interspersed between aggregates of spermatozoa throughout the distal regions of the duct. There was no evidence of phagocytosis by principal cells of cytoplasmic droplets. The epididymis of A. stuartii differs from that of other mammals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serum hormone levels associated with spawning activity in the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus

Daily collections of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, from field populations during the first 45 days of the breeding season revealed a semilunar cycle in the sperm index. Peaks in the sperm index were preceded by 6 days with peaks in the serum testosterone concentration. Bihourly sampling of field populations during a 72-hr period at the new moon showed both diel cycling and an upward trend in serum progesterone levels in female mummichogs. Male mummichogs had 12-hr cycles in serum 17β-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,11-dione levels, the peaks of which preceded high tide by 4 hr. The physiological significance of these cycles are discussed.