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.     

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.     

Artificial insemination in dromedary camels

Artificial insemination (AI) is an important technique in all domestic species to ensure rapid genetic progress. The use of AI has been reported in camelids although insemination trials are rare. This could be because of the difficulties involved in collecting as well as handling the semen due to the gelatinous nature of the seminal plasma. In addition, as all camelids are induced ovulators, the females need to be induced to ovulate before being inseminated.     

Embryos produced from fertilization with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-infected semen and the risk of disease transmission to embryo transfer (ET) recipients and offspring

Bovine diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes a variety of economically important enteric and infertility problems in cattle. For that reason, several countries have eradicated the disease, and some others have schemes in progress to achieve freedom. Although there is a considerable amount of information about the risk of BVDV transmission through contaminated semen used for artificial insemination (AI), there is no evidence to indicate whether the resulting embryos, when used for embryo transfer, can lead to the transmission of BVDV to recipients or offspring. For this experiment, semen from a bull persistently infected with BVDV (10⁵ 50% tissue culture infective doses/mL NY strain) was used for insemination (two times at estrus) of BVDV-seronegative, superovulated cows (N = 35). Embryos were collected 7 days after insemination and subsequently were washed according to the International Embryo Transfer Society recommendations or left unwashed. Out of 302 collected oocytes and embryos, 173 (57%) were fertilized and the remaining 129 (43%) had degenerated. Infectious BVDV was detected in 24% (17/71) of unwashed and 10% (8/77) of washed embryos, and in all (N = 11) follicular fluid samples, oviductal epithelial cells, endometrium, and corpora lutea tissues as determined by the virus isolation test. After transfer of 39 washed embryos to 27 BVDV-seronegative recipients, 12 (44%) cows became pregnant and 17 calves free of BVDV and BVDV antibodies, including five sets of twins, were born. After embryo transfer, all pregnant and nonpregnant recipients remained free of BVDV and antibodies. In conclusion, results herein suggest that BVDV can be transmitted by AI resulting in the production of some proportion of contaminated embryos. However, it appears that such embryos, when washed according to International Embryo Transfer Society and the World Organization for Animal Health guidelines do not cause BVDV transmission to recipients or their offspring.