Seminal vesicles are involved in semen accumulation in the process of ejaculation, contracting and releasing seminal vesicle fluid accounting for about 50－80% of the semen, and the fructose in their secretions is an indispensable nutrient for sperm maturation. Thus, seminal vesicles are important male accessary glands closely related with the quality and quantity of sperm. In the process of semen accumulation, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves participate in the regulation of the secretory function of seminal vesicle epithelia and the contraction of the smooth muscle layer as well as the distribution of adrenonergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic and various neurotransmitter receptors in the seminal vesicle epithelia and smooth muscle layer, which play a significant role in male fertility. This review discusses the neurophysiological effects of seminal vesicles in ejaculation.
Animals ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Male ; Semen ; physiology ; Semen Analysis ; Seminal Vesicles ; physiology ; Spermatozoa

Objective: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is widely used to predict male infertility and the methods of detecting SDF are varied. This study aimed to compare two methods of SDF detection and investigate the correlation between SDF and sperm quality. METHODS: Using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD), we detected SDF in 108 semen samples collected in the Center of Reproduction and Genetics of Suzhou Municipal Hospital. We compared the results of the two methods and analyzed the correlations of SDF routine semen parameters, sperm morphology and the age of the patients. RESULTS: A significant consistency was found in the SDF index (DFI) between the two methods (P<0.01). The DFI was correlated negatively with sperm motility, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and that of morphologically normal sperm (P <0.01), but positively with the teratozoospermia index (P <0.01 in SCSA and P <0.05 in SCD). The DFI measured by SCSA showed a significantly positive correlation with the patients' age (P <0.01), but not that obtained by SCD. CONCLUSIONS The results of both SCSA and SCD play an important role in predicting sperm quality. As a clinical index, the DFI has a predictive value for male infertility. However, the results of different detecting methods vary widely, which calls for further studies on their standardization.
Chromatin ; genetics ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male ; Semen ; physiology ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; ultrastructure

The sperm plasma membrane is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and a variety of proteins, and its function is associated with sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm-egg fusion. Sperm fertilizability can be predicted by detecting the function of the sperm plasma membrane, which is performed mainly with the following five techniques: sperm hypoosmotic swelling test, Eosin gamma water test, sperm membrane lipid peroxidation determination, seminal plasma superoxide dismutase determination, and flow cytometry. The evaluation of the function of sperm plasma membrane can be applied in detecting semen quality, selecting semen centrifugation, assessing the quality and fertilizability of sex-sorted sperm, improving cryopreservation, and guiding the optimization of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This review presents an update on the principles, methods and steps of the detection of sperm plasma membrane function, as well as an overview of its status quo and application.
Cell Membrane ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; Sperm Capacitation ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between the functional integrity of sperm membrane and seminal parameters related to CASA.

METHODSThirty-eight fertile and one hundrend and twenty four infertile males were tested the functional integrity of sperm membrane by the kit and parameters by CASA.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in the functional integrity of sperm membrane between fertile and infertile group (P < 0.01). The items related to CASA between normal and abnormal group in the functional integrity of sperm membrane had a remarkable difference, except motion degree, seminal volume and pH.

CONCLUSIONSTo determine the functional integrity of sperm membrane can be used as a necessary supplementary method for CASA, and it has clinical significance in diagnosing, treating and researching male infertility.

Adult ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Membranes ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

The present study was performed to assess the fertility of frozen-thawed dog semen prepared by freezing with 6% glycerol and thawing at 70degrees C for 8 sec, and to evaluate the least number of post-thaw spermatozoa necessary to achieve pregnancy by intrauterine or intratubal artificial insemination. It was found that the pregnancy rate of intrauterine artificial insemination was 100% using 6% glycerol buffer and thawing at 70degrees C for 8 sec with 5 x 10(7) spermatozoa. Even though the pregnancy rate (80%) and the whelping rate (24.5%) in the 5 x 10(6) spermatozoa inseminated group were lower than those of the 5 x 10(7) spermatozoa group, conception was confirmed with 5 x 10(6) spermatozoa. Although the pregnancy rate of intratubal insemination was low (20%) with 4 x 10(6) spermatozoa, this study is the first report to show the pregnancy rate of intratubal insemination with frozen-thawed ejaculated canine semen. In order to improve the pregnancy rate with intratubal insemination of canine spermatozoa, it is necessary to investigate the optimal insemination site of the uterine tube, the appropriate number of sperm, and the direct effect of buffer on oocytes.
Animals ; Cryopreservation/methods/*veterinary ; Dogs/*physiology ; Female ; Fertility/*physiology ; Glycerol ; Insemination, Artificial/methods/*veterinary ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen/*physiology ; Semen Preservation/methods/*veterinary ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Objective: To investigate whether in vitro culture medium (IVCM) for sparse spermatozoa can improve human sperm motility for the purpose of helping clinicians, laboratorians and patients choose a better strategy of assisted reproduction. METHODS: Semen samples were obtained from 178 males for routine semen examination from March to August 2016, including 151 cases of asthenozoospermia and 27 cases of normal sperm motility. A total of 200 μl was collected from each sample and divided into two equal portions and equal volumes of IVCM (experimental group) and F10 (1×) (control group) were added to the two portions, respectively, followed by 30-minute incubation at 37℃ in an incubator with 5% CO2. Sperm concentration, motility and viability and the percentages of progressively motile, non-progressively motile and immotile sperm were recorded before and after incubation. RESULTS: After activated with IVCM, neither the samples with asthenozoospermia nor those with normal sperm motility showed any statistically significant difference in sperm viability from the baseline or the control group (P>0.05). The rates of progressively and non-progressively motile sperm from the asthenozoospermia males were increased by 14.02% and 4.86% respectively, while that of immotile sperm decreased by 19.01% in the experimental group (P >0.01), and similar results were observed in the semen samples from the men with normal sperm motility. The percentage of reduced immotile viable sperm was positively correlated with that of immotile viable sperm in both the asthenozoospermia patients (r = 0.260, P <0.01) and the men with normal sperm motility (r = 0.679, P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS IVCM can increase sperm motility without affecting sperm viability in men with either asthenozoospermia or normal sperm motility. The larger the proportion of immotile viable sperm, the higher the percentages of progressively and non-progressively motile sperm in the semen after IVCM activation, and this correlation is more significant in men with normal sperm motility than in asthenozoospermia patients.
Asthenozoospermia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Culture Media ; Culture Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; methods ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of successive ejaculation on semen analysis parameters in normal men.

METHODSEight ejaculates were collected at daily intervals from 8 normal men. The semen parameters were analyzed according to WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction.

RESULTSThe semen volumes and total sperm counts decreased gradually day by day, significantly lower from the 5th to the 8th day than the 1st (P < 0.01). The sperm densities also declined day by day, but not significantly. The sperm viability and motility (a + b grade) presented an increasing trend, but with no significance except on the 7th day.

CONCLUSIONWith the increase of the ejaculatory frequency, human semen volumes and the total counts significantly decrease, while sperm viability and motility gradually increase. Successive ejaculation does not affect the quality of human semen.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

AIMTo analyze the relationship between sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm motility parameters by means of a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and in-vitro fertilization rate(%FR).

METHODSSemen samples were obtained from 26 men undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Informed consent was obtained from all men prior to the study. Samples were prepared using wash and swim-up method in HEPES-HTF medium. The sperm motility (%MOT), progressive motility (%PMOT), average path velocity (VAP) microm/s), straight line velocity (VSL) (micro m/s), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (microm/s) and %hyperactivated sperm (%HA), and the %FR were assessed. The samples were incubated in the presence of 2.0 mciromol/L of 5,5',6,6'-tetra-chloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) for 30 min at 37 degrees C in air and washed in PBS before flow cytometry (FACSCalibur: Becton Dickinson) analysis. The mitochondrial probe JC-1 was used to identify the mitochondrial membrane potential. The sperm was divided into three populations according to the fluorescence pattern as follows: the high mitochondrial membrane potential group (n=8), the moderate group (n=5), and the low group (n=13). Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-test.

RESULTSSignificant differences were found between the high and the low groups in %MOT (91.1+/-8.5 vs 63.0+/-32.7, mean+/-SD), VAP (73.0+/-14.2 vs 52.1+/-12.5), VCL (127.0+/-28.1 vs 87.0+/-22.6), %HA (27.3+/-23.6 vs 7.2+/-9.0) and %FR [73.2 (48/56) vs 59.0 (69/117)]. No significant differences were found in other CASA parameters.

CONCLUSIONWhen the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential increases, sperm motility parameters and fertility potential will also increase. The JC-1 dye method is useful to predict sperm fertility potential.

Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertility ; physiology ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Intracellular Membranes ; physiology ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; physiology ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

AIMTo develop a method for assessing sperm function by measuring released acrosin activity during the acrosome reaction (AR).

METHODSHuman semen samples were obtained from 24 healthy donors with proven fertility after 3-7 days of sexual abstinence. After collection, samples were liquefied for 30 min at room temperature. Standard semen parameters were evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Calcium ionophore A23187 and progesterone (P4) were used to stimulate the sperm to undergo AR. After treatment, sperm were incubated with the supravital dye Hoechst33258, fixed in a glutaraldehyde-phosphate-buffered saline solution, and the acrosomal status was determined by fluorescence microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA). The percentage of sperm undergoing AR (AR%) was compared to sperm acrosin activities as assessed by spectrocolorimetry. The correlation between AR% and acrosin activity was determined by statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe AR% and released acrosin activity were both markedly increased with A23187 and P4 stimulation. Sperm motility and viability were significantly higher after stimulation with P4 versus stimulation with A23187 (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between released acrosin activity and AR% determined by FITC-PSA staining (r=0.916, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSpectrocolorimetric measurement of released acrosin activity might serve as a reasonable alternative method to evaluate AR.

Acrosin ; physiology ; Acrosome Reaction ; Adult ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; Semen ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; physiology

AIMTo investigate whether early apoptotic changes in spermatozoa can be significant markers for sperm quality.

METHODSTwo early apoptotic changes in the semen of 56 men were assessed using Annexin V (AN)/propidium iodide (PI) staining for phosphatidylserine externalization and JC-1 staining for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results were compared with conventional semen parameters and DNA fragmentation identified using the TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe different labeling patterns in the bivariate Annexin V/PI analysis identified four distinctive spermatozoa populations. The percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa positively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. As for the AN(-)/PI(+) fraction, we found an opposite result in comparison to AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa. The level of early apoptotic AN(+)/PI(+) spermatozoa negatively correlated with MMP and sperm motility. The level of late apoptotic AN+/PI+ spermatozoa negatively correlated with conventional semen parameters and MMP, and positively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa. MMP positively correlated with conventional semen parameters, but negatively correlated with TUNEL (+) spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONAlthough early apoptotic AN+/PI(-) spermatozoa only negatively correlates with sperm motility, the differences in proportion of each subpopulation of spermatozoa (especially, the percentage of AN(-)/PI(-) spermatozoa), and decreased MMP might be significant markers for diagnosing male infertility. They possibly bring additional information to predict the outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; DNA ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; physiology