1.Function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility
Asian Journal of Andrology 2001;3(4):251-258
The present review has been designed to update the recent developments on the function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility. It is indicated that the true corrected fructose level is a simple method for the assessment of the seminal vesicular function. Measurement of seminal fructose used universally as a marker of the seminal vesicle function is not an appropriate approach due to its inverse relationship with the sperm count. The true corrected fructose defined as [ log. motile sperm concentration ] multiplied by [ seminal fructose concentration ] has been shown to be a better marker of the seminal vesicle function.Seminal vesicular secretion is important for semen coagulation, sperm motility, and stability of sperm chromatin andsuppression of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract.In conclusion, the function of seminal vesicle is important for fertility. Parameters as sperm motility, sperm chromatin stability, and immuno-protection may be changed in case of its hypofunction.
2.Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men
F.Gonzales GUSTAVO ; Cordova AMANDA ; Gonzales CARLA ; Chung ARTURO ; Vega KARLA ; Villena ARTURO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2001;3(4):301-303
Aim: The present study was designed to determine the effect of a 4-month oral treatment with tablets of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on seminal analysis in nine adult normal men aged 24 - 44 years old. Methods: Nine men received tablets of Maca (1500 or 3000 mg/day) for 4 months. Seminal analysis was performed according to guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were measured before and after treatment. Results: Treatment with Maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculum, motile sperm count, and sperm motility. Serum hormone levels were not modified with Maca treatment. Increase of sperm count was not related to dose of Maca.Conclusion: Maca improved sperm production and sperm motility by mechanisms not related to LH, FSH, PRL, T and E2 .