BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vaginal yeast infections in women are usually caused by Candida albicans and, to a lesser extent, by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Studies on C. albicans have shown that it can cause sperm agglutination which can lead to lowered fertility. This study was conducted to compare the effect of S. cerevisiae and C. albicans on the fertility of ICR mouse (Mus musculus) through sperm agglutination.

METHODOLOGY: Sperm agglutinating activity was examined by mixing different concentrations of S. cerevisiae (10, 10°, and 10 CFU/mL) and C. albicans (10", 10°, and 10 CFU/mL) separately with semen from male mice of ICR strain. Determination of the effect of S. cerevisiae and C. albicans on the fertility outcome of female mice was done by intravaginal inoculation of 20 uL of 104, 106, and 108 CFU/ml of the two yeast organisms and later allowed to mate.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The study showed a statistically significantly higher percent sperm agglutination by S. cerevisiae than C. albicans at 10* CFU/ml but no difference was observed at 10° and 10 CFU/ml. No significant difference was observed in the number of sperm per agglutinate between the two yeast species at a=0.05. The concentration that exhibited the highest percentage of agglutinated sperm is 10° CFU/mL for both yeast. The most frequent type of agglutination observed in S. cerevisiae is the mixed type, while head-to-head type is most frequent in C. albicans. Both yeasts were able to cause a decline in the number of births in mice starting at 10 CFU/ml. While sperm agglutination could be one of the reasons for the infertility observed in mice, there may be other processes, mechanisms, and/or activities that could contribute to such an outcome.

Sperm Agglutination ; Candida Albicans ; Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

A number of tissues have been studied in the past with respect to their organ-specific antigens. In many instances it has been possible to produce autoantibodies against characteristic components. The testis, epididymis, and seminal plasma have been largely explored from this angle. Interest in the field of accessory glands began many years ago, when the first cross-reactions between extracts of prostate, seminal vesicles and seminal plasma were demonstrated. As a consequence, the possibility that some seminal plasma antigens might be present in the accessory glands before being secreted into the genital tract opened up a new approach to possible autoimmunologic damage of these glands and of seminal spermatozoa as well. The purpose of this study is made to observe the effect of homologous epididymal extracts on the spermatogenesis in mouse. Isoimmunization with extracts of mouse epididymis, administered with complete Freund`s adjuvant, has been performed in this study.The results were as follows: 1. The histological observations revealed that spermatogenesis was adversely affected by the immunization with homologous epididymal extract added with an equal amount of complete Freund's adjuvant for 6 weeks. It was observed that spermatogenesis was remarkably impaired in the experimental group whereas it was unaffected in the control group of male mouse. The results further indicated that the degeneration and exfoliation were found in the germinal cell of seminiferous tubules and in the epithelium of the epididymal ducts besides intercanalicular infiltration of m0nonuclear round cells. 2. The cross-reactions between extracts of epididymis and testicular tissues were demonstrated in mouse. 3. The immunological examination such as immune diffusion test and sperm agglutination test showed negative reaction on all of the experimental animals in this study. Therefore. the immunological change in this experiments seems to be caused by cell mediated immunity.
Animals ; Autoantibodies ; Diffusion ; Epididymis ; Epithelium ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Male ; Mice* ; Prostate ; Semen ; Seminal Vesicles ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Agglutination ; Spermatogenesis* ; Spermatozoa ; Testis

It has become increasingly evident within the last few decades that immunologic factors are involved in some aspects of the reproductive process and hence in the physiology and pathology of genital tract. Clear-cut demonstration of the antigenic power of the spermatozoa or of whole semen in heterogeneous inoculation was first presented toward the end of last century. Around 1952, real progress widening the conception of spermatogenesis was made when a selective destruction of germinal cell! was obtained in guinea pig by auto- or homologous sensitization with a single dose of homogenate prepared from testicular tissue to which Freund`s complete adjuvant was added. The testis lesions were accompanied by development of humoral antibodies and cellular immunity. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of homologous sensitization with homogenated testicular tissue on the spermatogenesis and immune response in mice, dividing into three groups; the first group is to give a complex of testicular extracts and Freund`s complete adjuvant (10 mice), the second group is to give a Freund's complete adjuvant alone (5 mice), the third group is normal control group (5 mice). The results were as follows: 1. The histopathologic observations revealed that spermatogenesis was more or less adversely affected exception case in group I whereas it unaffected in group II and III. The impairment of spermatogenesis was, diminished number of spermatozoa, degenerated and exfoliated germinal cells in seminiferous tubules and epididymides. 2. Diffusion test and sperm agglutination test for antibody were negative in group I as well as group II and III, which suggested that the histopathologic changes might be caused by cell mediated immune response rather than humoral antibody.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Diffusion ; Fertilization ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunologic Factors ; Mice* ; Pathology ; Physiology ; Semen ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Agglutination ; Spermatogenesis* ; Spermatozoa ; Testis

Infertility is a world wide problem affecting up to 5% of all couples and in some communities up to 30% (WHO, l975). Although it is well known that the male factor is the main cause of the infertility in 40-50% of the cases, the appropriate drugs for treating this condition have not yet been found. Androgens have been tried at different doses, the higher ones to provoke suppression of spermatogenesis and ultimate rebound phenomenon. This has led to controversy due to the high percentage of permanent oligozoospermia reported by some authors (2-8%) and to the short-lived improvement obtained with this treatment. Mesterolone, an androgen without suppressive action upon the hypothalmic-pituitary axis. is presently used, although results are not yet conclusive. The present investigation would assess the effectiveness of mestero1one currently used in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility. To assess the effectiveness of treatment with mesterolone which is alleged to improve semen quality (sperm density, motility and morphology) in idiopathic infertile selected patients, this would be a double blind study to follow prospectively men suffering from primary idiopathic testicular failure being treated with mesterolone, Proviron, Schering, a drug which is presumed to improve this condition. Results would be assessed through several sperm parameters and pregnancy rate. Participants in the study will be men with primary idiopathic oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. The inclusion criteria would be as follows: a) men aged 20-40 years, whose female partners are entirely normal, b) informed volunteers with primary testicular failure, c) men having vaginal intercourse at least 2 times weekly with one partner and without known psycho-sexual problems, d) men willing to enter this study and relying only on the drug administered throughout the study, e) no history of renal, liver or any other chronic physical or psychological disease, t men who can be followed up regularly, and g) men whose female partner is not using any method of family planning. The exclusion criteria would be as follows: a) azoospermic patients, b) history of recent or severe liver or renal disease, and c) history recent severe infectious disease (less than 3 months ago), d) clinically detectable chronic diseases, e) concurrent use of drugs known or suspected to interact with the drug to be administered in the study or known to affect spermatogenesis. A total of 90 subjects are divided into the fol1owing three groups: a) placebo group: consisted of 30 Korean male with 15 oligozoospermia with sperm count of less than 20 x 1,000,000/ml and 15 asthenozoospermia with sperm motility of less than 309b, b) oligozoospermia group: consisted of 30 patients with sperm counts of less than 20 x1,000,000/ml, and c) asthenozoospermia group: consisted of 30 patients with sperm motility of less than 30%. Parameters for study are as follows: history taking, physical examination (testis size), laboratory works (CBC ESR, urinalysis, fructose in seminal fluid, testicular biopsy, semen analyses (pH of semen, volume, liquefaction. density, motility, agglutination, viability, normal form, WBC), hormonal assays (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin). Before starting treatment, 2 semen samples will be obtained with a time interval of not less than 1 week, each preceded by 3 days of sexual abstinence. For follow-up, patients will have a semen sample taken every month each preceded by 3 days of sexual abstinence while in treatment. After treatment, and for 3 months, a monthly semen analysis will be undertaken. Treatment scheme as follows: 75mg of mesterolone (proviron) was given by mouth daily for more than 90days to be justified on the basis of general assumption that spermatogenetic cycle lasts approximately 74days. An average duration of the treatment was 6.8 months in this study. In placebo group, digestive tablets are given as mesterolone administration. Clinical characteristics of a total of 90 patients were listed in the table l. The results were considered to be effective (+), if more than 30%, of improvement being noted on the count or more than 20% of improvement being noted on motility beyond the pre-treatment level. The results of this study are presented as follows: Changes of sperm density after treatment: Oligozoospermia group: sperm counts increased in 27%, of the 15 placebo treatment patients and 37% of the 30 mesterolone treatment patients. Asthenozoospermia group: sperm counts increased in 20%, of the 15 placebo treatment patients and in 27% of the 30 mesterolone treatment patients. Changes of sperm motility after treatment: Asthenozoospermia group: sperm motility improved in 13% of placebo treatment patients and 27% of mesterolone treatment patients. Oligozoospermia group: sperm motility improved in 20%, placebo treatment patients and 30% of mesterolone treatment patients. Changes of other parameters after treatment: Volume of seminal fluid and normal shape of spermatozoa were not changed significantly before and after the treatment between placebo and mesterolone groups and also between oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia groups. Coital frequency and body weight were tend to increase after the mesterolone treatment. Pregnancy rates after treatment: Pregnancy resulted in l3%, of placebo treatment patients and 17% of mestero1one treatment patients in oligozoospermia group. Pregnancy occurred in 7%, of placebo treatment patients and l0% of mesterolone treatment patients in asthenozoospermia group. In conclusion, the author's clinical experience confirmed that mesterolone appears to be of value particularly in the treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia without any noticeable adverse effects.
Agglutination ; Androgens ; Asthenozoospermia ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Chronic Disease ; Coitus ; Communicable Diseases ; Double-Blind Method ; Family Characteristics ; Family Planning Services ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fructose ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Liver ; Male ; Mesterolone* ; Mouth ; Oligospermia* ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sexual Abstinence ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Tablets ; Testosterone ; Urinalysis ; Volunteers

AIMTo clarify the relationship between bicarbonate and cAMP in the promoting effects on the sperm agglutination.

METHODSSpermatozoa were collected from mature boars, washed and resuspended in a modified Krebs-Ringer HEPES lacking calcium chloride (mKRH). The sperm suspensions were incubated in a water bath (38.5 degrees C) for 60 min and then the percentage of head-to-head agglutinated spermatozoa was determined.

RESULTSSupplementation of the mKRH with sodium bicarbonate (5-10 mM) significantly raised the percentage of head-to-head agglutinated spermatozoa in the samples. The addition of selective inhibitors for calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterases (type 1: 8-methoxymethyl-IBMX and vinpocetine, 25-50 micro M) or for cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases (type 4: Ro20-1724 and rolipram, 25-50 microM) enhanced the effect of bicarbonate on sperm agglutination as highly as did the addition of non-selective inhibitors for phosphodiesterases (IBMX and papaverine, 25-50 microM). A calmodulin antagonist (W-7, 2 microM), that potentially blocks the stimulator of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterases, significantly enhanced the effect of bicarbonate on sperm agglutination. Moreover, a phosphodiesterase-resistant cAMP analogue (cBiMPS, 0.1 mM) markedly induced agglutination in more spermatozoa (76%) after the incubation without bicarbonate and phosphodiesterase inhibitors than did a less potent cAMP analogue (dibutyryl cAMP, 1 mM) (21%), while three kinds of cGMP analogues (0.1-1 mM) had no effect on sperm agglutination. In addition, a cAMP antagonist (Rp-cAMPS, 1 mM) significantly reduced the sperm agglutination resulting from the actions of bicarbonate and IBMX. On the other hand, the effect of bicarbonate was abolished by a change of incubation temperature from 38.5 degrees C to 25 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONThese findings demonstrate that the bicarbonate-induced agglutination of boar spermatozoa is controlled via the cAMP-mediated, temperature-dependent signaling cascade. This cascade is suppressed by the action of the phosphodiesterase (at least types 1 and 4).

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bucladesine ; pharmacology ; Cyclic AMP ; physiology ; Cyclic GMP ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Male ; Papaverine ; pharmacology ; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; pharmacology ; Sperm Agglutination ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Head ; drug effects ; physiology ; Swine ; Theophylline ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology