Indications de la recherche des anticorps anti-spermatozoïdes

The clinical significance of antisperm antibodies (ASA) is highly controversial. A significant percentage of infertile men and women present immunity to spermatozoa, suggesting that ASA may interfere with the fertilizing capacity. ASA can act negatively on sperm parameters, sperm-cervical mucus interaction, gamete fusion and possibly also on the first step of embryonic development. ASA are present in approximately 2.8% to 26% of the male population and 0.2% to 1.6% of women. The pathogenesis of immunity to spermatozoa had not been fully elucidated: breakdown of normal protective mechanisms, i.e. blood-testis barrier, or epithelial barrier in women, and other mechanisms of immunological sperm tolerance, such as regulation of suppressor T lymphocytes. The indication for antisperm antibody testing is based on clinical and laboratory findings of infertile patients. In men, indictions for ASA testing include a history of genital disease, surgery for genital abnormalities, vasectomy, obstruction or injuries of the male genital tract, infection of accessory glands, long-standing infertility, alteration of semen parameters (agglutination, motility), mucus penetration, and reduced fertilizing capacity in IVF. In many cases, no etiological cause of autoimmunity is found and a genetic predisposition has been suggested. A majority of women do not develop antisperm antibodies, despite repeated contact with spermatozoa during their sexual life. Upper genital tract infection is the main cause of isoimmunization in females, although sexual practices, endometriosis, surgery for cervical neoplasia, recurrent spontaneous abortion and long-term infertility may also be involved. Sperm-cervical mucus impairment is the most obvious effect of immunization in women associated with IVF failure. Autoantibodies are frequently associated with antisperm antibodies. One of the consequences of the success of ICSI has been a decreased research effort to further the understanding of the origin and relevance of antisperm antibodies and specific antibody-antigen interactions. A better understanding of the natural history of immunological infertility would be useful for patient conseiling and to develop the most effective, efficient and safest management strategies. Such data could also be useful for the development of new tests and immunological methods of male contraception.     

Perspectives de l’analyse de la mobilité des spermatozoïdes

Several studies have shown a good correlation between sperm motility and fertility though the microscopic evaluation of the percentage of motile sperm is highly subjective by nature. Therefore in the last decade, various objectives methods have been proposed to overcome this problem. Two types of methods were developed: The methods based on the analysis of images obtained by microphotography, microcinematography and microvideography and the global, undirect methods based on physical principles. Several systems based on video and image analysis (Computer Aided Sperm Analysis, CASA) have been developed and are used in numerous laboratories of reproductive biology. CASA technology offers the possibility to analyse some characteristics of sperm motion which are related to the fertilization potential and to develop new parameters related to some important aspects of sperm behavior such as hyperactivation. However, there is a large amount of interactions between the operator and the CASA machine. CASA instruments are not “ready-to-use” robots: the reliability of CASA depends largely on the expertise and training of the user and the application of standardized procedures and quality control schemes. By contrast, there is only minimal interaction between the operator and the Sperm Quality Anlyser which is a new device measuring and index of sperm motility highly correlated to the concentration of progressively motile sperm. The device uses light passed through a small sample of semen introduced in a capillary tube to detect variations in optical density that result from moving particles. The reproducibility of the measurements is excellent, the device is easy to use and this is a potentially useful tool for field-work studies. Further investigations of this device in the managment of male infertility is warranted. Finally, both types of objectives approaches are complementary to the conventional analysis of sperm motility and they will not replace it. Standardized procedures have been proposed by the World Health Organization for the subjective evaluation of sperm motility. Such procedures are very useful to reduce significantly the intra- and interlaboratory variations but internal and external quality controls schemes indicate that they are not sufficient to achieve acceptable levels of variation and regular quality controls followed by the definition and the application of corrective procedures are required.     

Controle de la multiplication et de la polyploïdie des hepatocytes du rat

Résumé L'injection de substances irritantes de nature chimique variée perturbe les mécanismes qui contrÔlent la multiplication des hépatocytes du rat.Les très jeunes rats réagissent de faÇon intense et reproductible. 15 heures après l'injection il se produit une augmentation brève et intense du nombre des cellules entrant en phase S de sorte que les divisions cellulaires, qui normalement auraient été réparties sur les 30 ou 40 prochaines heures, débutent en l'espace de 2 heures seulement. La croissance hépatique a pris une importante avance qui est suivie par une période de diminution du nombre des mitoses due à une rétroaction inhibitrice.La réaction des rats plus âgés met en évidence un mécanisme inhibiteur permanent qui entraÎne une réponse moins intense et moins régulière.La production d'hépatocytes binucléés et polyploÏdes parait liée à ce mécanisme inhibiteur.La régularité et la sensibilité des réactions des très jeunes rats en fait un matériel de choix pour l'étude des mécanismes régulateurs de la croissance hépatique.

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Control of multiplication and polyploidy of rat hepatocytesA study of the perturbations of physiological regulation induced by injection of irritants

Summary The injection of irritating substances of various chemical nature disturbs the mechanisms regulating the multiplication of rat hepatocytes.The reaction of baby rats is intense and reproducible. It results, 15 hours after the injection, in an increase of the number of cells entering the S phase, so that practically all the divisions which would normally have been scattered over 36 hours are initiated within 2 hours. This burst of synchronized mitosis corresponding to a 36 hours advance in the hepatic growth is followed by a decrease of mitoses due to a feed-back inhibition.The reaction of older rats brings to evidence a permanent inhibitory mechanism that results in a less regular and intensive response.The production of binucleated and polyploÏd hepatocytes seems to be correlated to this inhibitory mechanism.The regularity and sensivity of the baby rat reactions make them a choice material for the study of hepatic growth.

     

Contribution à l'etude des thecamoebiens de la Province de Buenos Aires

Résumé La faune des Thécamoebiens fut étudiée dans deux étangs (La Brava et De los Padres) situe dans la Province de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Le nombre d'espèces trouvé en tout a été de 14, quelques-unes desquelles représentées par de différentes formae. Une nouvelle forma Centropyxis compressa (Cushman), forma brava n.f. a été trouvée et décrite, et une espèce de Pontigulasia a été proposée en nomenclatura aperta.

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Summary The Thecamoebiens of two lakes (La Brava and de los Padres) located in the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) were studied. The total number of species found is 14, several of them are represented by various formae. A new forma was found and described, namely Centropyxis compressa (Cushman), forma brava n.f. and one species of Pontigulasia was put in nomenclatura aperta.

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Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires     

Consanguinité et effectifs de la population des communes

Summary In a previous paper, we have used the density of the population as a sort of measure of the unknown size n of the isolates in Dahlberg's model, and shown an inverse relation between the coefficient of inbreeding and the density of the arrondissements. In the present paper, as the considered communes are smaller territorial subdivisions than arrondissements, we used, instead of the density, the population size of the communes. The results are even more eloquent as before: the inbreeding coefficients are large when the observed population size is small; the relative importance of second cousin marriages (233) versus cousin marriages (222) is greater in the latest period considered. The basic data have been collected for each commune in Belgium by Centre National de Radiobiologie et de Génétique.     

La formation des isozymes de l' α-amylase durant la germination de l'orge

Summary The -amylase formed in germinating barley has been separated into six isozymes by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These isozymes do not appear from the beginning of germination but are formed gradually so that after six days all six -amylase isozymes are present.When gibberellic acid is added to the culture medium the production of the -amylase isozymes is accelerated considerably, whereas the addition of kinetin has no influence at all on the formation of the -amylase isozymes.The -amylase induced by gibberellic acid in the aleurone layers of isolated barley endosperms apparently consists of five isozymes, a number that does not change upon further incubation.The action of phytohormones such as gibberellic acid and kinetin on the formation of -amylase and its isozymes during the germination of barley is discussed.     

Recherche d'antigènes de groupe chez des rickettsies de la tribu desWolbachiae par la technique d'agglutination des corps élémentaires

Résumé Les relations antigéniques entre einq rickettsies pathogènes aux Invertébrés sont étudiées par agglutination. Cette comparaison met en évidence que le genreRickettsiella ne constitue pas au point de vue immunologique un ensemble homogène. On définit deux groupes sérologiques distincts:R. melolonthae, R. tipulae etR. cetonidarum appartiennent au groupe I; le groupe II est actuellement consitué parR. grylli etR. armadillidii.

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Summary The antigenic relation between five rickettsiae pathogenic to Invertebrates have been studied by agglutination. This comparison shows that the genusRickettsiella does not form and homogeneous group from an immunological point of view. Two separate serological groups are defined:R. melolonthae, R. tipulae andR. cetonidarum belong to the Ist group;grylli andR. armadillidii are forming the IInd group now.

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Ce travail a été réalisé en partie dans le cadre d'une convention D.R.M.E.     

Traumatisme de la verge et des organes génitaux

The most frequent cause of testicular injuries is blunt trauma (following sports injuries or road accidents). Penetrating injuries are rare. Increased scrotal volume and a painful testis are the main symptoms and require scrotal ultrasonography. Scrotal ultrasonography is very sensitive and specific for testicular rupture or intratesticular haematoma. Two out of three patients with testicular injuries require surgical exploration. Secondary complications due to delayed management of trauma are testicular atrophy, sterility or impotence. Penile fracture (rupture of corpus cavernosum) is due to direct trauma by an excessive force applied to an erect penis. Swelling, penile ecchymosis, penile curvature and pain are the usual symptoms of rupture of the tunica albuginea. Urethral injury must be ruled out. Cavernosography, ultrasonography or MRI are not considered mandatory to establish a diagnosis but can be prescribed in the absence of typical signs or symptoms. Early surgical exploration and repair ensure a better outcome. Secondary complications are penile curvature, chronic pain and impotence.     

Etude des premiers stades de développement de la Coccidie Coelotropha durchoni

Summary This study considers the earlier growth stages of Coccidium Coelotropha durchoni in its host, Nereis diversicolor. Before evolving into free trophozoites and gamontes in coeliac fluid, the parasites remain in muscular and coeliac cells in microscopic intracellular form. Electron microscope reveals that these stages show an intermediary fine structure between that of a sporozoite — from which they keep some typical characteristics such as the conoid, the fibers and the involuted tubuli — and that of the future free trophozoites. The wall consisting in two clear membrans is provided with one or several micropores. The classical cytoplasmic organites clearly stand out: dictyosomes show constant relationship with ergastoplasm, the mitochondria contain short inner tubuli. Besides the paraglycogen granules and lipoid vacuoles, at least three types of vacuoles may be observed. Peculiar topographic relationship connects mitochondria and paraglycogen granules probably in formation. In the nucleus with classical membrane and heterogeneous structure, a rather voluminous nucleolus may be seen.     

Analyse quantitative des remaniements intestinaux et évolution de la synthese de l'ADN

Résumé Les remainements intestinaux affectant la paroi intestinale sont quantifiés chez les larves d'un Amphibien Anoure,Alytes obstetricans, traitées par la thyroxine. La fraction correspondant à chaque zone composant la paroi est déterminée sur coupe. La répartition et la fréquence des noyaux marqués sont recherchées chez des larves ayant reçu de la thymidine tritiée.L'indice de marquage nucléaire de l'épithélium primaire tend vers zéro durant les 3 premiers jours du traitement. Ces résultats reflètent un ralentissement de la croissance du tissue, précédant sa dégénérescence et son élimination complète au 14ème jour d'immersion dans la solution hormonale.Dès de 3ème jour de traitement, un épithélium secondaire se développe à partir de cellules-souches basales. Son indice de marquqge croît, culmine au 9ème jour avec une valeur proche de 50%, puis s'abaisse. La prolifération cellulaire est plus modérée dans la zone extra-épithéliale, qui s'épaissit toutefois au cours de cette métamorphose provoquée.

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Quantitative analysis of intestinal changes and the evolution of DNA synthesis in thyroxine-treated larvae ofAlytes obstetricans. (Amphibia, Anura)

Summary Changes in the intestinal wall ofAlytes obstetricans (Amphibia, Anura) were quantified during thyroxine treatment. The relative proportion of each intestinal wall component was determined in tissue sections. Autoradiographic studies on intestine with³H-thymidine revealed the distribution and frequency of labeled nuclei.The labeling index in the primary epithelium falls to zero by 3 days. Thyroxine treatment induces a decrease in the growth rate of this tissue, just before its degeneration and complete elimination by 14 days.Three days after T₄-treatment, a secondary epithelium develops from basal stem cells. Its labeling index rises to a maximum of about 50% by 9 days, and thereafter declines. Cell proliferation is less marked in the extraepithelial zone, which nevertheless thickens during this thyroxine-induced metamorphosis.

     

Mensurations échographiques de la thyroïde chez des enfants de zéro à 15 ans de la ville de Ouagadougou

Among the methods used to carry out measurements of thyroid, echography is the best because it is noninvasive and more specific. The goals of this study were to determine the normal thyroid volume of the Burkinabe child; to study the parameters which induce a variation of thyroid volume and to compare our values with those from other localities. Through a cross-sectional study, 240 children from the town of Ouagadougou benefited from a thyroid echography. Thus the height (h), the transverse diameter (dt) and the thickness (e) were measured. Volume (vl) of each lobe was estimated by: vl = h × dt × e × 3.14/6. The total volume (VT) is the sum of the volumes of each lobe, the isthmus being neglected. A correlation set at the threshold p < 0.001 has been carried out between VT and some anthropometric parameters. The following averages were observed: before one year, the average volume is of 0.51 L ± 0.21; from one to three years, it is of 0.95 mL ± 0.33; from four to six years, the average volume is of 1.35 mL ± 0.43; from seven to nine years, it is of 1.95 mL ± 0.62. From 10 to 12 years, the average volume is of 3.01 mL ± 1.08 and it is of 5.32 mL ± 2.07 from 13 to 15 years. It stands out that the VT is positively associated with the age (r = 0.82), with the size (r = 0.73), with the weight (r = 0.81) and with body surface (r = 0.78). Moreover, the VT is higher among boys than in girls beyond one year of age. This parameter varies according to the area of origin. Lastly, compared with the American, European and Asian averages, our values are smaller. This study enabled us to establish our own standards which we will be able from now on to use in daily practice. However, multicentric studies associated with thyroid and sexual hormones blood levels measurements must be undertaken to ascertain these data.     

La question de la sensibilité des Abeilles A l'ultra-violet

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Reaktion von Bienen auf monochromatische Lichter und variabler Intensität im Spektrum von 300 bis 665 m untersucht. Das Spaltbild eines Spektrographen wurde auf die Wand einer Versuchskammer vergrössert abgebildet. Als Test der Reaktion wurde die Zahl der Bienen genommen die während einer vorgegebenen Zeit auf das Spaltbild zugehen und ihm entlanglaufen.Dabei ergaben sich folgende Resultate: 1) Eine lineare Abhängigkeit zwischen der Reaktionszahl und dem Logarithmus der verwendeten Spektralenergie für alle verwendeten monochromatischen Lichter. 2) Eine spektrale Empfindlichkeitskurve mit zwei Maxima bei 550 und bei 365 m. Das Letztere ist etwa doppelt so intensif wie das im Sichtbaren.Die gefundenen Resultate bestätigen z. Teil die Resultate Bertholf's und ergänzen sie. Es konnte gezeigt werden, warum bei Sander das Max. bei 365 m nicht auftritt.Weiterhin konnte nachgewiesen werden, dassApis mellifica keinerlei Lichthautsinn besitzt.     

Imagerie des glandes annexes de la voie séminale

Ultrasonography (US) is presently routine part of the investigation of infertile men with low volume ejaculate. It provides excellent depiction of the congenital or acquired obstructive lesions of the reproductive system, particulary in its distal part. For 10 years, we performed a US examination of the kidneys, the scrotum contents and transrectal US (TRUS) in every case a excretory cause of male hypofertility could be suspected. In selected patients, MR imaging (with endorectal coil) appears usefull. We describe the normal and abnormal anatomy of the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle (SV) and ejaculatory ducts in male infertility with US and MRI. Dilatation of the small ducts in the epididymis and sometimes in the testis at scrotal US is suggestive of a downstream obstacle. Sometimes these dilatation could appear as small hypoechoic areas in the epididymis. In contrast, post-inflammatory changes are hyperechoic but often associated with dilatations. TRUS permits to confirm the absence of the vas deferens in congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD): it shows the absence of the ampullae and severe abnormalities of the SV. In case of unilateral absence of the vas deferens, the association with a homolateral kidney agenesis does not lead to the screening for mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene, but suggests a wolffian duct abnormality. MRI (with endorectal coil) is indicated when TRUS is unconclusive. Scrotal US permits to guide semen aspiration and TRUS is indicated to eliminate a distal obstruction when a surgical anastomosis is planed. TRUS (as well as scrotal US) can suggest an obstacle when dilatation of one or several segments of the seminal tract is observed. Sometimes the cause is obvious with imaging: CBAVD, prostatic cyst, inflammatory and post-infectious changes, lithiasis etc. However, it remains many cases where US is only one component of the therapeutic decision, besides clinical examination, sperm count, FSH level and biochemical sperm markers.     

Relations entre la tolérance ou la sensibilité à la salinité lors de la germination des semences et les composantes de la nutrition en sodium

Adsorption, absorption and translocation of sodium were compared in three species showing an ascending degree in tolerance to salinity: red cabbage (tolerant) shows higher Root Cationic Exchange Capacity than tomato (sensitive) or radish (intermediate). At low NaCl concentrations, tomato accumulates the greatest quantities of sodium; but Na⁺ translocation remains proportional to the quantity absorbed in the three plants. At high salt concentrations, diffusive phenomena explain similar accumulation in every plant, but red cabbage quickly localises 50% of Na⁺ amount in cotyledons, while this element stays stored in tomato roots. The consequence of these three nutrition phases was discussed in relation to the behaviour observed at the germination time of these same plants.      

Etude des fluctuations annuelles des copépodes et du phytoplancton dans la manche et le golfe de gascogne par la méthode d'analyse de la variance et du coefficient de correlation

2275 samples have been collected with the Continuous Plankton Recorder of Hardy at a standard depth of 10 meteres in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay between 1958–1965. Biological as well as statistical analyses have been carried out to provide data on annual fluctuations of 34 species of copepods and phytoplankton. Methods of analysis of variance and the correlation coefficient analysis were used for this purpose. The results are presented in the form of triangular matrices showing the annual fluctuations of species in the different areas considered and the relationship between different species in each area. These methods allowed us to define separate groups of species that could be called annual communities.

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Extrait d'une thèse de Doctorat en Oceanographie biologique, soutenue à la faculté des Sciences de Paris le 19 décembre 1967. Ce travail a été subventionné par the Office of Naval Research, Department of the United States Navy en vertu du contrat No 62558-3612.

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Extrait d'une thèse de Doctorat en Oceanographie biologique, soutenue à la faculté des Sciences de Paris le 19 décembre 1967. Ce travail a été subventionné par the Office of Naval Research, Department of the United States Navy en vertu du contrat No 62558-3612.     

En France, la majorité des donneurs de spermatozoïdes souhaite le maintien de leur anonymat

So far in France, sperm donor anonymity, which was a fundamental principle and has been twice confirmed in the law in 1994 and 2004, is debated nowadays. In this context, the Cecos wanted to know the donors opinion on anonymity. In 2006, 193 semen donors recruited in 14 Cecos answered anonymously a questionnaire: 73% were in agreement with the principle of anonymity and less than 30% agreed that the future law should change to allow the children to know the donor identity. In case of anonymity disclosure, 60% would give up their sperm donation. The same proportion of donors would accept that non identifying information on them could be given on request to the parents and the child.