Seminal prolactin and its relationship to sperm motility in men

Seminal prolactin is associated with HSP90 transcript content in ejaculated spermatozoa

OBJECTIVE

Evidence indicates that an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and defense ability of antioxidants has clinical significance in the pathophysiology of male infertility. To investigate the role of seminal prolactin (PRL) in the fertilizing capacity of men, the present study evaluated the associations of seminal PRL levels with semen parameters and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) transcript abundance in ejaculated spermatozoa.

METHODS

We assessed seminal PRL levels and the abundance of HSP90 transcripts in ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic donors (n=18) and infertile men (n=18). The transcript content of HSP90 in ejaculated spermatozoa was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Seminal PRL concentrations in infertile patients were significantly lower (p=0.004) than in fertile controls. Seminal PRL showed relatively good diagnostic power for discriminating infertile men (area under the curve=0.776; 95% confidence interval, 0.568 to 0.934; p=0.005). Significant positive correlations were seen between seminal PRL levels and sperm count (r=0.400, p=0.016) and progressive motility (r=0.422, p=0.010). Infertile patients showed a significantly higher abundance of sperm HSP90 than fertile controls (p=0.040). Sperm HSP90 transcript abundance was negatively correlated with sperm progressive motility (r=0.394, p=0.018). Men with higher seminal PRL levels exhibited a lower abundance of sperm HSP90 transcripts.

CONCLUSION

Our finding demonstrated associations among semen quality, seminal PRL levels, and the abundance of HSP90 transcripts in ejaculated spermatozoa. Seminal PRL may contribute to male fertility by maintaining the seminal antioxidant capacity and may have the potential to act as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Leptin and prolactin reduce cryodamage in normozoospermic human semen samples during cryopreservation

OBJECTIVES

Cryopreservation has destructive effects on the function and structure of spermatozoa. It is known that leptin and prolactin play an active role in decreasing the rates of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation, as well as enhancing sperm motility. Hence, this experiment aimed to investigate the effects of leptin and prolactin as pro-survival factors on the normozoospermic human semen samples during cryopreservation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Semen samples were collected from 15 healthy, fertile men ranging from 25 to 40 years. Cryopreservation of the samples was performed in liquid nitrogen over a period of two weeks, using five varying concentrations of leptin/prolactin, 0, 10, 100, 500, and 1000ng/ml respectively. Sperm motility, total caspase activity, and mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS were measured by flowcytometry, TUNEL, and other appropriate tests after thawing of the samples.

RESULTS

Both hormones were observed to have positive effects on the motility of the samples post-cryopreservation, the highest improvement being in the 100ng/ml concentration leptin and prolactin in comparison to the control group (P=0.01 and P=0.041, respectively). A significant reduction of mitochondrial ROS was also observed in 100 and 1000ng/ml of leptin (P=0.042), and there was a considerable decrease in the cytosolic ROS in the 100ng/ml of prolactin in comparison to the control group (P=0.048). Total caspase activity was also highly reduced in the 100, 500, and 1000ng/ml of leptin compared to the control group (P=0.039). Interestingly, both hormones also significantly decreased DNA fragmentation in 1000ng/ml compared to the control group (P=0.042).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that leptin and prolactin act as protective agents against cryodamage to spermatozoa during cryopreservation.

In vitro supplementation of testosterone or prolactin affects spermatozoa freezability in small ruminants

In small ruminants, testosterone and prolactin plasma concentrations show circannual fluctuations as an adaptation mechanism to their seasonal breeding behavior. Sperm resistance to the freezing-thawing process shows seasonal fluctuation throughout the year, with lower sperm freezability at the beginning of the breeding season when prolactin and testosterone levels reach their maximum concentration. Nevertheless, whether these hormones directly affect post-thaw sperm quality parameters is still unclear. The objective was to study the effect of testosterone or prolactin added in vitro on sperm freezability in domestic ram (Ovis aries) and buck (Capra hircus). Sperm samples were incubated for 1 h with a range of testosterone (0, 2, 4, or 6 ng/mL; Exp. 1) or prolactin (0, 20, 100, 200, or 400 ng/mL; Exp. 2) concentrations. Samples were cryopreserved by slow freezing in straws at 0 h and after 1 h incubation. Sperm viability, acrosome integrity, motility, and kinetic parameters were assessed at 0 and 1 h in fresh and frozen-thawed samples. Results showed no hormone effect in fresh sperm, whereas these hormones affected post-thaw sperm parameters. In Exp. 1, in vitro incubation with testosterone decreased the post-thaw acrosome integrity of ram sperm (from 68.1 ± 6.3% to 49.6 ± 3.9%; P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, in vitro incubation with prolactin decreased the post-thaw acrosome integrity of ram (from 78.2 ± 3.4% to 66.3 ± 3.5%; P < 0.05) and buck sperm (from 81.7 ± 2.5% to 67.6 ± 3.5%; P < 0.05). Moreover, prolactin increased the post-thaw amplitude of lateral head displacement in ram sperm (from 3.3 ± 0.1 μm to 3.8 ± 0.2 μm; P < 0.05). In conclusion, either testosterone or prolactin added in vitro decreased the post-thaw acrosome integrity of ram and buck sperm. This suggests a destabilization process that could be decreasing sperm freezability when physiological levels of these hormones are high in vivo.

BILL E. KUNKLE INTERDISCIPLINARY BEEF SYMPOSIUM: Does tall fescue toxicosis negatively impact bull growth and breeding potential?

The predominant cool-season forage in the southeastern United States is the tall fescue cultivar Kentucky 31 (KY31). Kentucky 31 possesses an endophyte (), which produces a family of toxins called ergot alkaloids. These toxins negatively affect the physiology of animals on consumption and result in the syndrome known as fescue toxicosis. Currently, the United States annually produces approximately 11.4 billion kg of beef, of which 25% originates in the southeastern region of the United States where forage systems frequently are tall fescue based. Cattle within this forage system exhibit reduced gains and reproductive performance. The result is a reduction in the nation's beef supply with annual revenue losses recently estimated at approximately US$1 billion. Our hypothesis is that exposure to these ergot alkaloids in conjunction with limited availability of nutrients decreases bull semen quality and fertility. Although the literature is clear that these toxins affect BW, body temperature, blood flow, hair growth, and female reproduction in cattle, their effect on bull reproduction and the mechanisms through which the toxins act are not well defined. Six studies published from 2004 to 2015 assessed bull growth, body composition, and semen quality of young beef bulls exposed to ergot alkaloids. If semen quality or fertility is altered, the mechanisms involved may be either direct effects of ergot alkaloids through neurotransmitter receptors or indirect effects such as inhibiting the release of prolactin (PRL). The possible effects of ergot alkaloids or PRL require establishing the presence or absence of dopamine, adrenergic, serotonin, or PRL receptors in the testis, epididymis, and sperm cell of the bull. The objective of this review is to relate our findings to the few previous studies conducted that evaluated the impact of fescue toxicosis on bull reproduction and to propose possible mechanisms of action for lowered semen quality.

Identification of bovine prolactin in seminal fluid, and expression and localization of the prolactin receptor and prolactin-inducible protein in the testis and epididymis of bulls exposed to ergot alkaloids

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the presence and expression levels of bovine prolactin receptor (PRLR) and prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) in bovine testis and epididymis, and (2) the presence and concentrations of prolactin (PRL) present in seminiferous fluid in bulls consuming diets with (E+) or without (E-) ergot alkaloids. Bulls (n = 8) were sacrificed after 126 days (group A) of E+ or E- treatment or 60 days after all bulls (n = 6) were switched to the E- ration (group B). End point and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were conducted on testis and epididymis samples to establish the presence and relative expression of PRLR and PIP. Seminal fluid samples obtained from bulls consuming E- and E+ diets were subjected to RIA for PRL. Both PIP and PRLR were present in testis and epididymis as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Prolactin-inducible protein mRNA abundance was affected by time of slaughter in testis and epididymis head, respectively (P < 0.05). Prolactin receptor mRNA expression was affected by time of slaughter in the epididymis (P < 0.05) and differed in testis samples because of treatment (P < 0.05). Radioimmunoassay establishes the presence of PRL in seminal fluid; however, differences in the concentration of PRL over two separate studies were inconsistent, possibly because of differences in diet. The presence and localization of the PRLR are consistent with expression data reported for other species, and the presence of PIP and PRL in seminal fluid is consistent with data generated in humans.

Endocrine cells of the adenohypophysis in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

It is known that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a severe infectious illness, which caused an epidemic in Asia in 2003, has extensive and complex effects on human organ systems. It has been reported that the serum levels of prolactin (PRL), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) of SARS patients are significantly higher than those of control groups, while estradiol (E2), pregnancy hormone (P), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are considerably lower than those of normal controls. This phenomenon suggests that the adenohypophyseal endocrine cells in SARS patients may be damaged. However, up to now there has been no direct histological investigation on the endocrine cells of patients' pituitary. Here we investigated the endocrine cells in the adenohypophysis obtained from autopsies of 5 SARS patients. The immunohistochemistry and quantitative image results showed that compared with control cases, both the number of positive cells and the staining intensity of immunoreactivity for growth hormone, TSH, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone in these cells were remarkably decreased, while that of PRL, FSH, and LH were significantly increased in all SARS cases studied. These findings indicated that alterations occurred in the patients' adenohypophyseal endocrine cells, and these changes were consistent with the serum levels of relevant endocrine hormones reported previously. It appears that changes in these endocrine cells and their hormones are affected by the severity of this new infectious disease.

Prolactin exerts a prosurvival effect on human spermatozoa via mechanisms that involve the stimulation of Akt phosphorylation and suppression of caspase activation and capacitation

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of prolactin (PRL) on human sperm function, in light of a recent proteomic analysis indicating that these cells express the PRL receptor (PRLR). Immunocytochemical analyses confirmed the presence of PRLR in human spermatozoa and localized this receptor to the postacrosomal region of the sperm head as well as the neck, midpiece, and principal piece of the sperm tail. Nested PCR analysis indicated that these cells possess four splice variants of the PRLR: the long form and three short isoforms, one of which is reported for the first time. A combination of Western blot analyses and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that PRL inhibited sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner, suppressing SRC kinase activation and phosphotyrosine expression, two hallmarks of this process. The suppression of sperm capacitation was accompanied by a powerful prosurvival effect, supporting the prolonged motility of these cells and preventing the formation of spontaneous DNA strand breaks via mechanisms that involved the concomitant suppression of caspase activation. Western blot analyses indicated that the prosurvival effect of PRL on human spermatozoa involved the stimulation of Akt phosphorylation, whereas inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase and Akt negated this effect, as did the direct induction of sperm capacitation with cAMP analogues. We conclude that PRL is a prosurvival factor for human spermatozoa that prevents these cells from defaulting to an intrinsic apoptotic pathway associated with cell senescence. These findings have implications for preservation of sperm integrity in vivo and in vitro.

True corrected seminal fructose level: a better marker of the function of seminal vesicles in infertile men

This study was designed to determine if the value obtained after multiplying motile sperm concentration by seminal fructose concentration, named "true corrected fructose", correlates with sperm motility in asthenozoospermic men. Forty-two male partners in infertile couples were studied. Men were treated with 100 mg daily of clomiphene citrate for 5 days. Blood and semen samples were collected before treatment and 24 h after the end of treatment. Serum testosterone, seminal fructose and sperm motility were measured in each subject. Corrected fructose (log. sperm concentration multiplied by seminal fructose), and true corrected fructose (log. motile sperm concentration multiplied by seminal fructose) values were calculated. Prevalence of asthenozoospermia was 42.85% (18 of 42). Prevalence of hypofunction of the seminal vesicles was 9.5% using seminal fructose as a marker; 40.5% using seminal corrected fructose as a marker and 47.6% using true corrected fructose as a marker of seminal vesicle function. Regression analysis showed a better coefficient of determination between true corrected fructose and motile sperm concentration (R2=0.20, p < 0.001) than with corrected fructose (R(2)=0.05, p < 0.1) or fructose concentration (R(2)=0.006, p < 0.5). Asthenozoospermia was observed in 22.7% of subjects with normal function of the seminal vesicles, and in 65% of men with low values of true corrected fructose (z=6.02, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that sperm motility grade 3 improved after treatment with clomiphene if true corrected fructose increased (p < 0.002). In those men whose seminal vesicle function improved after clomiphene treatment, a reduction in the prevalence of asthenozoospermia from 50 to 28.6% (z=3.10, p < 0.002) was observed whereas in those whose seminal vesicles did not respond to clomiphene the prevalence of asthenozoospermia was not reduced (z=1.05; p: NS). In conclusion, true corrected fructose measurement relates with sperm motility in cases of asthenozoospermia. Asthenozoospermia improves with clomiphene treatment if seminal vesicle function improves after treatment.

Use of clomiphene citrate in the treatment of men with high sperm chromatin stability

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether improvements of the seminal vesicle function after a 5-day course with clomiphene citrate (CC) may reduce the prevalence of men with high sperm chromatin stability under conditions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

Andrology laboratory at the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.

PATIENT(S)

Forty-one male partners of infertile couples attending the andrology laboratory.

INTERVENTION(S)

Clomiphene citrate was administered orally twice a day. Men were treated with CC at 100 mg daily for 5 days. Blood and semen samples were collected before treatment and 24 hours after the last administration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Serum testosterone, seminal fructose, sperm motility, sperm chromatin stability after SDS and EDTA, and prevalence of high sperm chromatin stability.

RESULT(S)

The percentage of stable sperm after SDS-EDTA correlated inversely with the basal corrected concentration of seminal fructose (-1.77 +/- 0.89, beta +/- SE). High sperm chromatin stability was observed in 53.8% of the study population and in 66.7% of patients with hypofunction of the seminal vesicles. In those men whose seminal vesicle function improved after treatment with CC, the prevalence of high sperm chromatin stability was reduced from 67% to 25% (chi2 = 5.34). Logistic regression analysis showed that the higher the basal corrected seminal fructose levels and the higher the basal serum testosterone levels, the lower the probability of nonresponse of the sperm chromatin stability to treatment with CC (0.54 +/- 0.15, odds ratio +/- SE for corrected fructose; and 0.50 +/- 0.15, odds ratio +/- SE for serum testosterone).

CONCLUSION(S)

Hypofunction of the seminal vesicles was associated with high sperm chromatin stability, and this high sperm chromatin stability under SDS-EDTA conditions may be reduced by treatment with CC.

Binding of 125I-prolactin to spermatozoa from normospermic and asthenospermic men

Scatchard analysis of prolactin binding sites (PRL-BS) from ejaculated spermatozoa showed a single population of binding sites (apparent association constant: 2.51+/-0.186 nmol/l[-1]) with 0.317+/-0.0743 fmol/10(6) sperm binding sites. Different pools of spermatozoa were incubated with increasing concentrations of several hormones. There was a decrease in [125I]-oPRL binding with purified ovine prolactin (oPRL) and human growth hormone (hGH) which was not observed in the presence of synthetic ACTH and recombinant FSH, suggesting that binding was hormone specific. When the patient's samples were analyzed using the single point assay at saturation concentration, asthenospermic patients showed a significantly higher concentration of binding sites compared to normospermic ones. Both groups of patients displayed similar PRL levels in seminal plasma measured by DELFIA. Moreover, individual values of PRL levels in seminal plasma did not correlate with PRL-BS concentrations. We thus conclude that [125I]-oPRL binding to ejaculated spermatozoa was hormone specific and with similar parameters as seen in other target tissues. PRL-BS concentration in asthenospermic patients was significantly higher than in normospermic but this was not due to different levels of PRL in seminal plasma.

Hyperprolactinemia in men with asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or azoospermia

The role of serum prolactin (PRL) in male infertility is still unclear. To assess the clinical significance of PRL determination during infertility studies, serum hormones and semen samples from 167 men attending the Andrology Clinic were analyzed, and PRL seric values were correlated with volume, sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology. The range of PRL levels (ng/mL) was 7.3 +/- 2.1 in the control group (n = 46), 13.9 +/- 6.6 in asthenozoospermic (n = 51), 12.6 +/- 7.8 in oligozoospermic (n = 42), and 10.9 +/- 4.8 in azoospermic patients (n = 28). Significantly higher (p < .0001) levels of PRL were found in the men with asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, and azoospermia. In the 121 infertile patients with abnormal semen analysis, serum PRL levels were below 14.0 ng/mL (normal mean + 3 SD) in 81 (66.9%) and above this level in 40 (33.1%) cases. Serum FSH and LH concentrations in azoospermic men were significantly higher (p < .0001) when compared with those of the control group, which indicates some disturbance of the spermatogenic process, and estradiol was significantly higher (p < .02) in oligozoospermic patients. No significant differences were found in serum testosterone. Twenty-one patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia and hyperprolactinemia were treated with 2.5 mg of bromocriptine daily for 6 months, resulting in a nonmeasurable effect on their sperm analysis. In conclusion, two-thirds of patients with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and azoospermia have normal PRL levels. Infertility in men due to moderate hyperprolactinemia could be associated with these sperm disturbances, but bromocriptine was of no therapeutic utility.

Influence of low corrected seminal fructose levels on sperm chromatin stability in semen from men attending an infertility service

OBJECTIVE

To determine any correlation between sperm chromatin stability under sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and SDS-ethylendiamine tetraacetic acid (SDS and EDTA) conditions with levels of corrected seminal fructose, obtained multiplying logarithm of sperm count by seminal fructose concentration, in men attending an infertility service.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study to compare semen parameters of two groups (control and experimental), one with normal levels of corrected fructose (control) and the second with low levels of corrected fructose (experimental). Subjects were also grouped according to number, motility and morphology of sperm, and according to results of hypo-osmotic test.

SETTING

Andrology laboratory at the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Lima, Perú.

PATIENT(S)

Two hundred and twenty five male partners in infertile couples attending the Andrology Laboratory.

INTERVENTION(S)

None

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

semen analysis, hypo-osmotic swelling test, sperm chromatin stability after SDS, and SDS and EDTA, and seminal fructose.

RESULT(S)

Seminal volume, sperm motility, and seminal fructose were significantly lower in samples from subjects with low levels of corrected fructose. Subjects with low levels of corrected fructose had also high sperm chromatin stability under SDS, and SDS and EDTA treatment. After SDS treatment, sperm chromatin stability was similar in normal samples and in those with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, or abnormal hypo-osmotic swelling test. After SDS and EDTA treatment, a high sperm stability was observed in samples with asthenozoospermia. This hyper-stability is observed in asthenozoospermic samples with low corrected fructose levels, but not in asthenozoospermic samples with normal corrected fructose levels. The logistic regression analysis applied to asthenozoospermic data showed that chronological age, seminal volume, acid phosphatase per ejaculate and percent of stable sperm after SDS and EDTA treatment were significantly associated to levels of corrected fructose.

CONCLUSION(S)

Low levels of corrected fructose were associated to low seminal volume, low sperm motility, and high sperm chromatin stability under SDS and EDTA treatment.

Hormonal evaluation in idiopathic oligozoospermia: correlation with response to clomiphene citrate therapy and sperm motility

The reported response of sperm count to clomiphene citrate therapy in subfertile males with idiopathic oligozoospermia has been widely variable. The author postulates that this may be due in part to patient heterogeneity that may be reflected in pretreatment hormonal status. Seventeen patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia (mean +/- SE sperm density of 7.3 +/- 1.2 x 10(6) sperm/mL, mean FSH of 5 +/- 0.5 IU/L) were studied. Pretreatment basal LH, FSH, testosterone, free T4, and prolactin levels as well as LHRH-stimulated LH and FSH levels were examined in relation to pretreatment semen parameters and percent change in sperm count after a mean of 7.2 +/- 0.6 months of clomiphene citrate therapy. The percentage of motile sperm correlated with basal LH (r = .59, p = .02, n = 16) and free T4 levels (r = .62, p = .02, n = 13). Clomiphene citrate therapy was associated with a significant increase in total sperm count (mean percent change 261 +/- 117, p = .02) and in total motile sperm count (mean percent change 370 +/- 216, p = .03). Percent change in total sperm counts and in total motile sperm counts correlated positively with pretreatment prolactin levels (r = .64, p = .007, n = 16, and r = .62, p = .01, n = 15), but not with the levels of other hormones. The results suggest that in patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia (1) clomiphene citrate therapy may be more effective in the subgroup of patients who have relatively higher prolactin levels, (2) basal and stimulated gonadotropin levels may not be helpful in predicting the response to clomiphene citrate therapy, and (3) lower sperm motility is associated with relatively higher free T4 and lower LH levels. The underlying mechanisms and the clinical utility of the current observations deserve further study.

Corrected seminal fructose test

Serum testosterone, seminal fructose, citric acid, and prolactin were measured in 33 men attending an infertility clinic. Seminal samples were assessed for leucocytes using the peroxidase stain technique and were grouped as leucocytospermics or not. Corrected fructose was calculated from actual fructose concentration. The objective of the study was to use the combined measurement of serum levels of testosterone and levels of corrected seminal fructose as a test to determine the presence or absence of an obstructive process by inflammation at the reproductive tract. Seminal fructose and corrected fructose were lower in subjects with leucocytospermia, whereas serum testosterone, seminal prolactin, and citric acid were not different between groups with and without leucocytospermia. In 61.5% of the samples with leucocytospermia were observed both low corrected seminal fructose and normal serum testosterone levels, indicating an obstructive process. Seminal prolactin levels in leucocytospermic subjects were more associated with citric acid concentration than with corrected fructose, suggesting that prolactin is also secreted by the prostate. In summary, the data demonstrated that when leucocytospermia, normal serum testosterone concentration, and low corrected seminal fructose level are present, an obstructive process of the seminal vesicles may be suspected.

Test for androgen activity at the male reproductive tract in infertile men

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between levels of serum testosterone and corrected seminal fructose levels in men under basal and post-clomiphene stimulation. A prospective controlled study was carried out in 19 selected men attending the andrology laboratory at the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura. These subjects were without any evidence of inflammation in the reproduction tract. The men received 100 mg clomiphene citrate daily for 5 days. Serum testosterone, seminal fructose, and corrected fructose levels were measured before and at the end of clomiphene citrate stimulation. Levels of serum T were related more with corrected seminal fructose than with seminal fructose concentrations under basal and stimulated conditions. Seventy-one percent of subjects with low levels of serum T had low levels of corrected seminal fructose, whereas only 28% of the same subjects had low levels of seminal fructose (uncorrected fructose). The results suggest that corrected seminal fructose may be used as a biological marker of androgen activity in the reproductive tract.

Hyperviscosity and hypofunction of the seminal vesicles

The study was designed to determine whether hyperviscosity of the semen sample is related to dysfunction of the male accessory glands. It was carried out on men who consecutively attended an infertility clinic between June 1989 and June 1991, and the men were grouped according to viscosity of semen samples (normal viscosity or higher viscosity). Semen samples from 229 infertility patients were studied. From these, 155 had normal viscosity and 74 showed hyperviscosity. The effect of hyperviscosity of semen samples on seminal quality and the function of the prostate was evaluated by acid phosphatase measurement, and the seminal vesicles by measurement of corrected fructose. Sperm motility (grades II-III), sperm vitality, and corrected fructose were significantly reduced in samples with high viscosity (p < .05). A high prevalence of hyperviscosity in semen samples was associated with only hypofunction of the seminal vesicles. In fact, 36.5% of subjects with hyperviscosity showed reduced levels of corrected fructose. The same association with hyperviscosity was not observed when only hypofunction of the prostate was present, or when hypofunction of both prostate and seminal vesicles was present (P:NS). Further analysis showed that high viscosity is observed mainly when corrected seminal fructose levels were below 1.5 mg/mL x 10(6) spz/mL. It would appear that hyperviscosity affects sperm motility and is associated with hypofunction of the seminal vesicles.

Leukocytospermia and function of the seminal vesicles on seminal quality

OBJECTIVE

To determine possible relationships between number of leukocytes, function of seminal vesicles, and seminal quality.

DESIGN

The study was carried out on men who consecutively attended an infertility clinic between June 1989 to June 1991.

SETTING

This study was conducted in a private immunological center for infertility, a tertiary care center, The Centro Immunológico-Sección Esterilidad y Reproducción.

PATIENTS

Semen samples from 280 infertility patients attending an Immunological Center for Infertility were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We evaluated the effect of leukocytospermia in the presence of normal or abnormal function of seminal vesicles on seminal quality.

RESULTS

Sperm count, percent of motile sperm, and percent of sperm vitality were significantly reduced when both leukocytospermia and hypofunction of seminal vesicles were present (P less than 0.01). Leukocytospermic subjects with normal function of seminal vesicles showed similar seminal parameters to those nonleukocytspermics. The incidence of subjects with antisperm antibodies measured by direct immunobeads was significantly higher in leukocytospermic men with hypofunction of seminal vesicles. No differences in the incidence of antisperm antibodies with nonleukocytospermic samples were observed in those with both leukocytospermia and normal function of seminal vesicles.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence that white blood cells were deleterious for seminal quality when seminal vesicles were also affected.

Sperm motility should be assessed in fresh sperm and after a sperm washing procedure

A prospective study was carried out on semen samples from 118 consecutive unselected men attending our infertility clinic to determine whether sperm motility may be affected by seminal plasma. The incidence of asthenozoospermia as defined by fewer than 50% of spermatozoa with forward progressive motility in the untreated semen was 37.4%. This value was significantly reduced to 23% after washing and removing seminal plasma. Men with asthenozoospermia in untreated semen but normal in the washed sample had a percentage of normal sperm morphology and a percentage of swollen tails in the HOS test similar to those of controls, and higher than those of asthenozoospermics in both the untreated and washed sample. Sperm velocity was also significantly improved after the washing procedure. Spermatozoa selected by swim-down procedure and applied to a seminal plasma medium reduced sperm motility affecting negatively the HOS test. Sperm motility should be assessed after a sperm washing procedure, since seminal plasma contains constituents that decrease sperm motility without affecting membrane integrity.

Hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia: their relationship to seminal quality

Seminal quality and levels of blood serotonin (5-HT) and serum prolactin (PRL) were determined in 60 men attending an infertility service. Subjects were grouped according to normal or abnormal accessory sex gland function. Subjects with normal accessory sex gland function were further subdivided into groups with asthenozoospermia, polyzoospermia, normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or azoospermia. Blood 5-HT levels were significantly higher in oligozoospermics (115.9 +/- 23.7 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), and asthenozoospermics (90.0 +/- 8.2 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), than in normals (68.5 +/- 5.3 ng ml-1), whereas serum PRL levels were higher in azoospermics (44.2 +/- 4.7 ng ml-1) than in normozoospermics (15.9 +/- 1.6 ng ml-1, P less than 0.01). Subjects with abnormal accessory sex gland function were also subdivided according sperm count and sperm motility categories. None of these subgroups showed differences in serum PRL levels or blood 5-HT levels. Men with hyperserotoninaemia had higher serum PRL levels, low sperm count, and low motile sperm concentration. Moreover, higher 5-HT levels may be observed in men with normal PRL levels and also associated with normal PRL levels and with hyperprolactinaemia, and hyperprolactinaemia may be observed also associated with normal serotonin levels. Hyperserotoninaemia was related to both diminished sperm count and sperm motility, whereas hyperprolactinaemia was related to low sperm count. When hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia were both present, additive effects were observed.

Prolactin and alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity in normal and poorly coagulated human semen

Prolactin and alpha-1,4-glucosidase levels in seminal plasma were measured in poorly coagulated (I), deficiently coagulated (II) and normally coagulated (III and IV) human ejaculates having 0-20%, 21-50% and 51-100% coagulum respectively 4 min after emission. The prolactin concentration (ng ml-1, mean +/- SEM) in poorly coagulated (5.2 +/- 0.48) and deficiently coagulated (7.6 +/- 0.72) samples was significantly lower than in the normally coagulated groups III (51-75% coagulum, 8.2 +/- 0.43) and IV (76-100% coagulum, 9.9 +/- 0.59) as well as the presumably fertile samples (9.2 +/- 0.74). A highly significant positive correlation was observed between the prolactin level and the percentage coagulum of the ejaculates (r = 0.686, n = 58, P less than 0.001). In contrast, the epididymal marker, alpha-glucosidase showed no relationship to seminal coagulation.

The secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and its relationship to sperm motility: effects of infection in the male reproductive tract

In 146 males aged between 20 years and 40 years attending an infertility service, the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles was assessed by measurement of corrected seminal fructose concentration. This value was related to the presence of a positive semen culture, other evidence of inflammatory processes in the reproductive tract and sperm motility. Only 48% of subjects with a positive semen culture showed evidence of inflammation in the reproductive tract, as assessed by the presence of more than 20 white blood cells per high power field, and greater than 10% spermagglutination in the ejaculate. There was a relationship between the inflammatory process, hypofunction of the seminal vesicles and poor sperm motility. When the semen culture was positive but there was no evidence of inflammation neither seminal vesicle function nor sperm motility was affected. When the semen culture was negative, i.e. no evidence of inflammation and the subjects were asthenozoospermic, the corrected fructose levels were normal. It is proposed that in these conditions the cause of asthenozoospermia may be factors other than accessory sex organ dysfunction. In conclusion, there was no close relationship between the bacteriological results and evidence of inflammation of the accessory glands. A positive semen culture was related to lower levels of corrected fructose (hypofunction of the seminal vesicles) when the positive sperm culture was associated with inflammation of the reproductive tract and asthenozoospermia.