Phosphate, zinc, calcium, citric acid, and acid phosphatase in human ejaculates as related to coagulation/liquefaction

Variations in the coagulation-liquefaction property of human seminal coagula have rarely been correlated to their ingredients. A number of seminal components were evaluated in relation to the degree of coagulation and the liquefaction time of human ejaculates. Correlation analyses suggested that the vesicular coagulatory activity can better be assessed by the phosphate level rather than the fructose and N-acetylamino sugar levels. The results showed that the fresh ejaculates with a smaller amount of coagulum possess significantly higher prostatic but lower vesicular activities in comparison with that of the better coagulating samples. The study also revealed that liquefaction time-based fractionation of the whole ejaculate seems to give an idea about the origin of some seminal components like split ejaculation technique. It was concluded that the material characteristics of human ejaculate can be approximated simply by determining its degree of coagulation or liquefaction time.

Grouping of human ejaculates according to the degree of coagulation and the relationship to the levels of choline and cholinesterase

Human ejaculates were divided into 3 groups (I, II and III) according to the extent of their coagulation and the levels of free choline and cholinesterase were determined together with seminal vesicular N-acetylamino sugar and prostatic (zinc) marker components. Coagulation was determined as the percent coagulum (CG) at 5 min after ejaculation. The mean (+/- SEM) values for CG at 5 min in groups I, II and III were 6 +/- 2, 43 +/- 4 and 79 +/- 2, respectively. The time for 100% liquefaction in the 3 groups were 4.7 +/- 0.8, 12.9 +/- 1.4 and 19.1 +/- 2.1 min, respectively. Group III had significantly higher levels of choline and cholinesterase activity than groups I and II. The choline level was correlated significantly (r = 0.58) with the concentration of N-acetylamino sugar, but there was no correlation with the level of zinc. Evaluation of the level of choline in prostatic fluid, in semen from azoospermic men and in ejaculates with different CG values suggested that the level of choline may provide valuable information about activity of the seminal vesicles. Release of choline in group I was only 33 and 50% of that groups III and II, respectively. 60% of the total release of choline occurred during the liquefaction phase. The mean activity of cholinesterase in the prostate was only 27% lower than that found in seminal plasma. The liquefaction time and the concentration of choline, N-acetylamino sugar and zinc decreased significantly in ejaculates after 2 days of abstinence.

Hematological changes produced by lindane (gamma-HCH) in six species of birds

Hematological changes were studied after oral administration of lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) at 5 mg/kg body weight twice in 1 week in 6 species of agriculturally important birds: house sparrow, baya weaver bird, common myna, rose-ringed parakeet, blue rock pigeon and domestic duck. Lindane induced anemia in the birds as judged by reduced RBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin content with corresponding changes in MCV, MCH and MCHC. Bleeding and clotting time were markedly prolonged. Splenic cell counts were decreased with marginal increase of splenic weight in most of the lindane fed birds. Total leucocyte counts were increased while the differential counts of WBC show marked heterophilia and eosinophilia with a decrease in monocyte, lymphocyte and basophil numbers. Domestic duck appears to be somewhat resistant compared to the wild birds studied. Besides anemia the results suggest both immunosuppression and stress effects and indicate that early hematological changes induced by lindane may serve as an initial warning for pesticide toxicity.

Disinfectant induced changes in the antibiotic sensitivity and phage typing pattern in Staphylococcus aureus

Serial passage through disinfectants at sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations induced antibiotic resistances in 30.5% of the derived phenotypic variants of five strains of Staphylococcus aureus. A proportion of these phenotypic variants showed changes in their phage typing pattern by becoming susceptible to an increased number of phages, and a change from phage non-typable to typable was also observed. A loss of temperate phages was noted in some variants when subjected to reverse phage typing.

Effect of lindane on clutch size and level of egg yolk protein in domestic duck

Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) was administered to laying ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in 3 doses viz. (1) 20 mg/kg body weight daily, (2) 20 mg/kg body weight thrice weekly and (3) 20 mg/kg body weight twice weekly for 8 weeks. Egg laying was immediately stopped for 3 weeks in the first 2 groups and when resumed it became highly irregular with clutch size drastically reduced (1 against 7 of control ducks). The initial delay was absent in the 3rd group and reduction in clutch size was also marginal (5 against 7). Laying frequencies were 8.3%, 11.7% and 40% in Groups 1, 2 and 3 birds respectively against 50% frequency of the normal ducks. Hepatic, plasma and ovarian vitellogenin levels were substantially reduced in the first 2 groups. At the same time liver RNA level was markedly reduced. Ovary of such birds lack mature vitellogenic follicles and the thecal layer of moderately differentiated oocytes became highly atrophic. Stilbestrol (50 mg/kg body wt--single injection) administration to lindane fed pauci-layer ducks restored egg laying within 24 h, with return of a normal level of plasma vitellogenin and hepatic RNA. The results suggest that lindane induced estradiol insufficiency causes inhibition of hepatic RNA and yolk protein synthesis, thereby preventing transformation of moderately differentiated oocytes to mature vitellogenic follicles, delaying ovulation and thus drastically reducing clutch size.

Human seminal antiliquefying agents--a potential approach towards vaginal contraception

One-hundred-one natural and synthetic enzyme inhibitors or inactivators were screened in vitro against the liquefaction property of human ejaculates with a view to develop antiliquefying agents for vaginal contraception. Of those compounds, 27 demonstrated no effect, 36 quickened and 20 delayed the process of liquefaction, while 18 agents stopped it completely. The highly effective antiliquefying agents also showed spermicidal property and were found to coagulate even the liquid ejaculates. Compounds having antiliquefying property, together with coagulating and spermicidal activities, will offer a highly promising approach towards vaginal contraception.

Physical properties and non-enzymic components of human ejaculates. Relationship to spontaneous liquefaction

The relationship between spontaneous liquefaction and the characteristics of ejaculated human semen has been investigated. The liquefaction time of ejaculates was found to be significantly correlated with their extent of coagulation and some non-enzymic components of seminal plasma. Human ejaculates were classified into 3 distinct groups depending on their liquefaction time, and the groups were characterized physico-chemically. The liquefaction time also revealed a low but significant negative correlation with semen volume. It is concluded that an individual's ejaculatory characteristics can be evaluated simply by determining its liquefaction time.

Some preliminary observations on the liquefaction of human semen

Liquefaction of human semen in vitro was studied by scanning electron microscopy, determinations of total protein, free amino acid and phosphate and by correlation analysis. During liquefaction of the coagulum, its fibers were transformed into globular bodies that fused to form the homogeneous liquefied semen. It was found that the parts of the ejaculate taking more time to liquefy possessed higher concentration of protein than those of the parts liquefied earlier, a relation also appeared to exist with the whole ejaculates. Release rate of phosphate during macroscopic lysis and free reducing sugar level of ejaculates demonstrated significant negative correlations with liquefaction time which could be shortened using reductants.

Studies on the coagulational characteristics of human ejaculates

To study coagulation of human ejaculates, fresh semen samples were classified into coagulated (CG), fully-gelified (FG), partly-gelified (PG) and liquid (LQ) groups. The groups were identified physically, morphologically and biochemically. Physically and biochemically, there was no essential difference between the CG and FG ejaculates, but they differed markedly from those of the PG and LQ samples. Coagulation did not occur in ejaculates showing decreased vesicular activities. PG and LQ ejaculates demonstrated significantly higher prostatic activities from those of the CG and FG samples.

Reliability of two-dimensional echocardiography in diagnosing fungal endocarditis

Although the techniques of M-mode and two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography (echo) have been found to be useful in patients with bacterial endocarditis, the 2D findings of fungal endocarditis are not known. In this report, we present the case of a young female narcotic addict with Candida albicans endocarditis in whom we diagnosed a large vegetation by 2D echo. Decision for surgery was made solely on the basis of the 2D-echo findings. We feel that 2D-echo findings are reliable in diagnosing fungal endocarditis because, with this technique, the size, shape, mobility, and exact location of the vegetation can be better identified than by the M-mode echo. In addition, early diagnosis of fungal endocarditis helps in treating the patients with medical and surgical therapy which may result in lower mortality.

In vivo assessment of 99mTc-labeled hematoporphyrin derivative in tumor-bearing animals

The efficacy of 99mTc-labeled hematoporphyrin derivative in localizing neoplasms has been investigated with tumor-bearing animal models. Spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas of outbred CFW strain Swiss-Webster white mice and chemical carcinogen induced breast tumors in female Sprague-Dawley white rats were clearly visualized in the scintigrams. Mice tissue distribution data demonstrate favourable tumor to organ ratios sufficiently high to permit tumor detection. [99mTc]HPD appears promising as a tumor imaging agent.

Local blood pressure in chronic leg ulcers

The local arterial blood supply was evaluated according to clinical criteria in 30 consecutive patients with chronic leg ulcers. Separately, the blood pressure was measured at the ankle level with both strain gauge plethysmography and a Doppler ultrasonic method. In patients with clinical signs of arterial obliterative disease the systolic ankle pressure and the ankle/arm systolic pressure ratio were lower than in patients without such signs. In none of the patients was the local pressure decreased to such a degree that ischemia was the main cause of the ulcer, nor was gangrene imminent. Hence, success or failure of skin grafting or conservative treatment depends primarily on factors other than the nutritive flow, when the perfusion pressure is above 70 mmHg, as in the present study.

Studies on the effect of plant seed extracts on different isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Fourteen different seed extracts were tested for the agglutination reactions with eleven different isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Twelve seed extracts agglutinated the different Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates investigated. Out of these twelve seed samples tested, ten samples may be used for the differentiation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

Effect of streptomycin on the phosphorus metabolism of Bacillus subtilis

Streptomycin at a dose causing decrease of growth of Bacillus subtilis strain B3 greatly affected the use of phosphorus compounds from the medium during the exponential phase of growth of the organism. Streptomycin also interfered with the accumulation of phosphate esters in the cells of B. subtilis. The accumulation of phosphate esters like fructose-6-phosphate, fructose-1,6-diphosphate, triose phosphates, phosphoglyceric acid, and phosphopyruvic acid was consistently lower in the streptomycin-treated culture throughout the entire period of cellular growth.

Effect of streptomycin on some enzyme systems of Bacillus subtilis

Streptomycin slightly inhibited lactic and malic dehydrogenases of Bacillus subtilis, and inhibited isocitric dehydrogenase to about 60%. The formation of lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase, alpha-alanine dehydrogenase, and succinic dehydrogenase was stimulated by the antibiotic at a concentration causing 50% inhibition of bacterial growth. Streptomycin had practically no influence on the formation of malic dehydrogenase, but the antibiotic produced 48% inhibition of the synthesis of isocitric dehydrogenase.

Successful repair of an arteriovenous fistula between the superior mesenteric vessels secondary to a gunshot wound

Images