Impact of seminal and serum zinc on semen quality and hormonal status: A population-based cohort study of Russian young men

BackgroundTrace elements are important factors in human reproductive health. Among them, special attention is paid to zinc, which is an essential trace element and is necessary for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system and the process of spermatogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between seminal and serum zinc concentrations and semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in population of Russian young men.MethodsThe study population consisted of 626 young Russian men (median age 22.5 years), recruited from the general population, regardless of their fertility status. Each participant provided semen and blood sample, information about his lifestyle and ethnicity. Semen quality (sperm concentration, motility and morphology), reproductive hormone levels (testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH and inhibin B), and serum and seminal zinc concentrations were evaluated. The semen samples were analyzed according to the WHO laboratory manual (WHO, 2010). Serum hormones were measured by enzyme immunoassay, zinc concentrations were determined using spectrophotometry and direct colorimetry without deproteinization.ResultsZinc was present in the seminal plasma in a significantly higher concentration than in the blood serum (median serum Zn concentration was 23.6 μmol/L vs seminal Zn concentration 1571.8 μmol/L). The seminal zinc concentration was positively related to the total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology (Spearman’s test: 0.221; 0.286; 0.269; 0.183, respectively, p < 0.001), while the serum Zn concentration was negatively related to serum testosterone and estradiol levels (r = −0.249 and r = −0.096, respectively, p < 0.001−0.05). It was found that the seminal Zn content in men with normal semen quality was higher compared to men with lowered semen quality (means: 6.37 and 5.03 μmol/ejaculate, respectively, p < 0.001). Similarly, the semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility, normal morphology and the serum testosterone level in men with the seminal Zn deficiency were lower than in men with the normal seminal Zn content.ConclusionBased on the results of our population-based study, seminal Zn levels were closely associated with semen parameters in young men, so Zn deficiency may be an important risk factor for lowered semen quality. Seminal Zn determinations should be considered as a useful tool in addition to other parameters in assessing male fertility.     

A comparison of three packaging techniques using two extenders for the cryopreservation of canine semen

The progressive motility of frozen-thawed canine semen was used as a criterion to compare methods of semen cryopreservation. Twenty-one ejaculates from 7 dogs were frozen in 2 extenders, Tris-citrate (TC) and BES-lactose (BL), in each of 3 packaging techniques (pellets, 0.5-ml, and 2.5-ml straws). Duplicate samples were frozen on dry ice (pellets) or in liquid nitrogen vapor (straws). Least squares means for the percentage of post-thaw progressive motility (PTPM) were greater for TC (33.2 ± 1.7) than for BL (20.9 ± 1.7; P<0.0001). Freezing in pellets (PTPM = 34 ± 2.3) resulted in greater PTPM than freezing in either 0.5-ml (24.7 ± 1.6) or 2.5-ml (22.1 ± 2.3) straws (P<0.001). The percentage of PTPM of spermatozoa frozen in TC pellets was greater than that in TC 2.5-ml straws or in BL in any packaging method (P<0.05). The percentage of PTPM of spermatozoa from semen extended in BL was greater in pellets than in 0.5 or 2.5-ml straws (P<0.05).     

Effect of hypoxia by intermittent altitude exposure on semen characteristics and testicular morphology of male rhesus monkeys

Semen characteristics and testicular morphology of rhesus monkeys were studied on exposure to a simulated high altitude of 4411 m for 21 days. There was a partially reversible decrease in the semen volume, sperm count and sperm motility, as well as an elevation of pH and fructose concentration. These changes were associated with degeneration of the germinal epithelium and spermatogenic arrest at the end of third week of exposure which had not recovered even 3 weeks after the exposure.     

Epididymal histoplasmosis diagnosed by isolation ofHistoplasma capsulatum from semen

An autochthonous case of epididymal histoplasmosis masquerading as tuberculosis in a 55-year-old male patient is reported from India. It was diagnosed by culture ofHistoplasma capsulatum from semen and by demonstration of the fungus upon re-examination of epididymal biopsy sections previously misinterpreted as tuberculous granuloma. The patient's main complaints were painful epididymal swelling, occasional fever and cough. He was treated successfully by excision of epididymis and vas deferens combined with amphotericin B therapy. This is believed to be the first case of epididymal histoplasmosis to be reported outside the American continent and the fourth of its type reported in the English literature. The case is also noteworthy in thatH. capsulatum was isolated for the first time from semen, and it underlines the importance of mycological culture of semen specimens for diagnosis of genitourinary infections of obscure etiology.Presented at the XII Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology, Adelaide, Australia, March 13–18, 1994.     

高压静电场对绵羊精子存活率的影响

采用不同剂量的高压静电场处理绵羊精液,经分析发现,高压静电场对绵羊精具有激活作用。能提高绵羊精液品质,表现在适当剂量的高压静电场能显著地提高绵羊精子存活率,其中以６００ｋＶ／ｍ剂量处理效果最佳。１００ｋＶ／ｍ和３００ｋＶ／ｍ剂量对精子刺激不足,而９００ｋＶ／ｍ剂量则对精子刺激过程,导致部分精子损伤和死亡,同样达不到预期的效果。     

Semen characteristics of Muturu Bulls--Bos brachyceros

Six mature Muturu Bulls were elecroejaculated once a week for nine weeks to study their semen quality and ejaculate characteristics. The semen volume was 1.8 ml +/- 0.1, the sperm concentration 2.16 x 10(8)/ml +/- 0.29, and the progressive sperm motility 36.2% +/- 2.6. Morphologically normal sperm averaged 70.0% +/- 3.1, primary abnormalities 13.4% +/- 1.0 and secondary abnormalities 15.1% +/- 2.3. Except in one bull, no measurable levels of fructose were observed. The contents of major cations and chloride ions in whole semen and seminal plasma were also determined.     

藏酋猴精液深低温冻存的研究──不同的冷冻程序、冷冻稀释保存液冻存效果的比较

以存活率（ＳＲ）、复苏运动度（ＲＭ）、ＳＰＡ为精子活力检测指标，对四种冷冻程序ＰＳＦ、Ｈ３Ｐ、ＬＰ、ＭＤＰ和卵黄的、无卵黄的冷冻稀释保存液进行了藏酋猴（Ｍａｃａｃａ ｔｈｉｂｅｔａｎａ）精液冻存比较研究。 ＰＳＦ的ＳＲ为９０．１±１．９％，ＲＭ为６３．８±２．８％，显著高于其他三种冷冻程序（Ｐ＜０．０１）。卵黄冷冻稀释保存液（ＭＤＭ）的ＳＲ（９５． ４±１．３％）和ＲＭ（８８．０±１０．２％）显著高于无卵黄防冻液（ＦＣＳ－Ｇ／ＴＨ）的ＳＲ（９０．１±１．９％）和ＲＭ（６３．６±２．８％），但前者在复苏一小时后，ＲＭ（１２．５±１．６％）明显低于后者的ＲＭ（５４． ７±２． ２％）。用 ＦＣＳ～Ｇ／ＴＨ冻存的精液经 ＳＰＡ检测，其穿透率为新鲜精子的 ５１． ９％。结果提示：１）慢速降温冷冻程序适于藏酋猴精液冻存；２）卵黄冷冻稀释保存液能较好地保存藏酋猴精液的活动度；而无卵黄防冻液则有利于延长其冷冻精子的运动寿命。这可能与两者的稀释液及所含的脂蛋白不同有关。     

千金子不同极性部位对酪氨酸酶活性的影响

测定千金子醇提物不同极性部位对酪氨酸酶活性的影响。以L-酪氨酸为底物,采用比色法测定千金子不同极性部位对酪氨酸酶的抑制率。得到了千金子醇提物的乙酸乙酯相、正丁醇相和水相的半数抑制率(IC50值)分别为0.150 mg/mL,0.813 mg/mL,7.570 mg/mL,并对乙酸乙酯相进一步分离得到七叶内酯,其IC50值0.103 mg/mL。结果表明千金子中起到酪氨酸酶抑制性的物质为七叶内酯,主要分布在乙酸乙酯相中。为千金子中酪氨酸酶抑制性物质的筛选提供科学依据。     

复方玄驹胶囊治疗精液液化异常的临床研究

目的：观察复方玄驹胶囊治疗精液液化异常的临床疗效。方法：选择2010年1月至2012年1月在广西医科大学第四附属医院男性科门诊精液液化异常患者182例,采用简单随机分组,其中100例口服复方玄驹胶囊,82例口服生精胶囊为对照组,观察患者治疗前后精子质量及精液液化状态。结果：两组患者在治疗少、弱精方面均较同组治疗前差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,在治疗精液液化异常方面,复方玄驹胶囊治疗组总有效率及治愈率较生精胶囊对照组差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：复方玄驹胶囊对少、弱精子症并精液液化异常具有较好的疗效,可作为治疗男性不育症的一种有效治疗方法。     

Effect of bioactive peptide on ram semen cryopreservation

This present study investigated the effect of bioactive peptide (BAPT) (BAPT) on the quality of ram semen during cryopreservation. Ram ejaculates were extended with Tris buffer supplemented with no antioxidants (as control group), 20 μg/mL BAPT (as BAPT20 group), 40 μg/mL BAPT (as BAPT40 group) and 60 μg/mL BAPT (as BAPT60 group). After cryopreservation, sperm quality including motility, vitality, the percentage of hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST)-positive spermatozoa and the percentage of intact acrosomes was assessed. Furthermore, the malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma and spermatozoa were analyzed, followed by the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in seminal plasma. After in vitro fertilization, the embryonic cleavage rates and development rates of different groups were analyzed to compare the developmental abilities of spermatozoa. The results showed that the post-thaw sperm motility was significantly higher in the BAPT60 group compared to those in the BAPT20, BAPT40 and control groups (P < 0.05). The percentage of live sperms significantly increased from 48.12 ± 2.35% for the BAPT20 group, 55.43 ± 2.16% for the BAPT40 group to 57.53 ± 3.15% for the BAPT60 group. The percentage of HOST-positive spermatozoa was significantly higher in the BAPT60 group than those in BAPT20, BAPT40 and control groups (P < 0.05). The MDA levels in seminal plasma and spermatozoa were significantly reduced with BAPT supplement (P < 0.05). Additionally, the SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels in the BAPT experimental groups were significantly higher than those of the control group, which further indicated that BAPT significantly inhibit the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during the cryopreservation of ram semen. Furthermore, the embryonic cleavage rates and development rates of the BAPT40 and BAPT60 groups were significantly increased in comparison with the BAPT20 and control groups (P < 0.05).In conclusion, BAPT improved the ram sperm quality via inhibiting the ROS production during cryopreservation, and could be applied as a promising supplement for ram semen cryopreservation.