Hyaluronan bound mature sperm count (HB-MaSC) is a more informative indicator of fertility than conventional sperm parameters: Correlations with Body Mass Index (BMI)

The relationship between overweight and male fertility is well studied, still the correlation of obesity and decreased sperm quality is a subject to debate. The widely used conventional spermatological examinations alone seem to be inadequate to assess fertilization potential. Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA^®) is one of the available validated tests that allows the functional examination of sperm. Data of 72 male patients (mean age 33.9 (24–43) years) from infertile couples were analysed. Body Mass Index (BMI) determination, conventional semen analysis and HBA were performed. Additionally, a relatively new Hyaluronan Bound Matured Sperm Count (HB-MaSC) -index, first introduced by the authors in 2015, was calculated. This index reflects fertilization potential of sperm more precisely. With the increase of BMI, sperm count decreased significantly until about 25?kg/m², above 25?kg/m² no further decrease was observed, although sperm count remained permanently low. Greater body weight (in the 70–90?kg range) was observed to have a significant negative effect only on the progressive sperm motility. In addition to sperm concentration and motility, sperm fertilization potential is also negatively affected by obesity, but is irrespective of body weight, as evaluated using BMI + HB-MaSC linear regression analyses adjusted for age and weight. This correlation between male BMI and sperm fertilization potential – as opposed to the conventional correlations with sperm concentration or motility – appears to provide more helpful information in the identification of real capability for fertilization.     

The association between sociodemographic,hormonal, tubo-ovarian factors and bacterial count in Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with infertility

Aim: To determine if there is an association between the Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with socio-demographic and clinical factors, and also with infertility. Methods: We conducted a study on 100 infertile married women and 100 control group, and collected data on the socio-demographic, hormonal and tubo-ovarian factors. The results of the endocervical swabs were analyzed for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infection, the bacterial counts were also determined. Results: The percentage positivity to infection was significantly more among the infertile group compared to the control group, and also significantly more among the age group <30 years old. The positivity for infection with Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Further sub-analysis of the infertile group showed that positivity to Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma infection was significantly correlated to hormonal factors, ovarian factors, irregular menstruation, and previous abortion. Regression analysis showed that hormonal, ovarian factors, and irregular menstruation were the most significant factors in the positivity to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infection. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Conclusion: Infection to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma is associated to younger age (?30 years old), and occurs in the infertile women. There is an interplay between infection in younger women, irregular menstruation, hormonal, and tubo-ovarian factors with infertility. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion.     

Surface analysis of sheep menisci after meniscectomy via infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy

Menisci are very important fibrocartilaginous tissue, which maintain biomechanical functions and physiological stabilization of knee joint. Meniscectomy is known as a surgery to recover partial functions from acute meniscus tears. However, the late consequences of total or partial meniscectomy include signs of osteoarthritis and even ligament instability. Infrared attenuated total reflection (IR‐ATR) spectroscopy is a very useful technique, which can reveal molecular characteristics via the analysis of vibrational bands. The present study has employed IR‐ATR spectroscopy to investigate sheep menisci samples after meniscectomy in a label‐free fashion. Several differences of peak absorbance change and peak shift were observed between the native healthy samples and the meniscectomy samples in distinct IR wavenumber regions, such as amide I band, amide II band, C‐H bending band as well as the sugar band region. Combining the results from the collagen protein IR spectra, it can be speculated that six months after meniscectomy collagen fibrils on the incision lose its ordered arrangement and a decrease in the triple helical structure of collagen fibril is observed. In addition, the collagen fibrils and proteoglycan content might also be slight varied after meniscectomy.      

Cucurbitacins from Ecballium elaterium juice increase the binding of bilirubin and ibuprofen to albumin in human plasma

Ecballium elaterium, a medicinal plant, whose fruit juice is used for the treatment of jaundice in folk medicine, has been reported as being capable of decreasing bilirubinemia in animals with jaundice [H.H. Elayan, M.N. Garaibeh, S.M. Zmeili, S.A. Salhab, Effects of Ecballium elaterium juice on serum bilirubin concentration in male rats, Int. J. Crude Drug Res. 27 (1989) 227-234]. The aim of this study is to identify the Ecballium elaterium components, which are able to modify the binding of bilirubin to albumin. The juice is fiber-free but contains proteins, lipids, sugars, and minerals. The extract of the juice, analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), contains cucurbitacins (Cuc) B, D, E, and I as well as several glycosylated compounds. Human plasma containing no or serial concentrations of Ecballium elaterium components were prepared and the direct bilirubin (DB) and total bilirubin (TB) were determined by the Jendrassik and Grof method. Our results showed that Cuc D, E, and B decreased the levels of DB and TB in plasma, while Cuc I, glycosyl derivatives, and proteins of the juice did not modify the bilirubin levels. The binding of domain specific ligands to HSA, bilirubin (domain IIA), and ibuprofen (domain IIIA), were studied in the absence and presence of Cuc D, E, and I, by fluorescence spectroscopy. The values of binding constant K(a) and binding site number n, determined by Scatchard method, increased for the both ligands only in the presence of Cuc E and D. Cuc I decreased slightly the K(a) of ibuprofen, suggesting an interaction with the domain IIIA of the protein. As a conclusion, Cuc E, D, and B produce rearrangement in the structure of albumin leading to increase the binding of domain specific ligands, ibuprofen and bilirubin.     

Solution structure of agelenin, an insecticidal peptide isolated from the spider Agelena opulenta, and its structural similarities to insect-specific calcium channel inhibitors

Agelenin, isolated from the Agelenidae spider Agelena opulenta, is a peptide composed of 35 amino acids. We determined the three-dimensional structure of agelenin using two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The structure is composed of a short antiparallel beta-sheet and four beta-turns, which are stabilized by three disulfide bonds. Agelenin has characteristic residues, Phe9, Ser28 and Arg33, which are arranged similarly to the pharmacophore of the insect channel inhibitor, omega-atracotoxin-Hv1a. These observations suggest that agelenin and omega-atracotoxin-Hv1a bind to insect calcium channels in a similar manner. We also suggest that another mode of action may operate in the channel inhibition by omega-agatoxin-IVA and omega-atracotoxin-Hv2a.     

Regulating cytoskeleton-based vesicle motility

During vesicular transport, the assembly of the coat complexes and the selection of cargo proteins must be coordinated with the subsequent translocation of vesicles from the donor to an acceptor compartment. Here, we review recent progress toward uncovering the molecular mechanisms that connect transport vesicles to the protein machinery responsible for cytoskeleton-mediated motility. An emerging theme is that vesicle cargo proteins, either directly or through binding interactions with coat proteins, are able to influence cytoskeletal dynamics and motor protein function. Hence, a vesicle's cargo composition may help direct its intracellular motility and targeting.     

Less is more or more is less: Implications of glucose metabolism in the regulation of the reproductive potential and total lifespan of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast

Carbohydrates are dietary nutrients that have an influence on cells physiology, cell reproductive capacity and, consequently, the lifespan of organisms. They are used in cellular processes after conversion to glucose, which is the primary source of energy and carbon skeleton for biosynthetic processes. Studies of the influence of glucose on cellular parameters and lifespan of organisms are primarily concerned with the effect of low glucose concentration defined as calorie restriction conditions. However, the effect of high glucose concentration on cell physiology is also very important. Thus, a comparative analysis of the effects of low and high glucose concentration conditions on cell efficiency was proposed with regard to reproductive capacity and total lifespan of the cell. Glucose concentration determines the type of metabolism and biosynthetic capabilities, which in turn, through the regulation on the cell size, may affect the reproductive capacity of cells. This study was conducted on yeast cells of wild-type and mutant strains Δgpa2 and Δgpr1 with glucose signalling pathway impairment. Such an experimental model enabled testing both the role of glucose concentration in the regulation of metabolic changes and the extent to which these changes depend on the extracellular or intracellular glucose concentrations. It has been shown here that calorie/glucose excess connected with changes in cell metabolic fluxes increases biosynthetic capabilities of yeast cells. This leads to an increase in cell dry weight accompanied by the increase in cell size and a simultaneous decrease in the reproductive potential and the overall length of cell life.     

Protective effect of Abutilon indicum against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats

Despite ample literature on the toxic impact of lead on the environment and health, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis/toxicity is not clearly known. Because it is well established that lead induces oxidative stress, it is assumed that exposure to antioxidants may reduce the toxic impact of lead. In this study, we evaluated the impact of coadministration of the methanolic root extract of a plant Abutilon indicum (50, 100, 200 mg kg ⁻¹b.wt.) in mitigating the toxic impact of lead on the reproductive system of rats. In brief, Wistar rats were exposed to lead acetate in drinking water with or without coadministration of plant root extract and compared with that of control animals. After 45 days of exposure as outlined above, the animals were killed and the reproductive toxicity was assessed by sperm parameters, hormone and antioxidant enzyme assays, and testis histopathology. Significant reduction in testis weight, sperm count, testosterone levels, and antioxidant enzymes levels such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase was seen in lead-treated animals, confirming the toxic impact. The coadministration of A. Indicum (100 and 200 mg kg ⁻¹b.wt.) was found to bring the studied parameters close to the levels seen in untreated (control) animals. Our findings are indicative of the protective nature of A. Indicum against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. However, further characterization of the root extract is required to elucidate the probable mechanism of protection.