INTRODUCTION Elevated nitric oxide (NO) levels have been shown to have toxic effects on sperm function and motility. This study was conducted to compare NO levels in the seminal fluid of infertile men with varicocele with those of infertile and fertile men without varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen samples were obtained from 40 infertile men with varicocele (group 1), 40 infertile men wi...

Adrenoleukodystrophy/adrenomyeloneuropathy (ALD/AMN) is a group of genetically determined peroxisomal disorders associated with progressive central demyelination, primary adrenal cortical insufficiency (Addison's disease) and, frequently, primary hypogonadism. Recently, testicular dysfunction was described in ALD/AMN patients but no information on sperm characteristics was provided. In this pap...

OBJECTIVES Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced lipid peroxidation is associated with sperm function. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity represent the lipid peroxidation and spermicidal antioxidant, respectively. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of MDA and GPx levels with sperm parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS Specimens were divided into two gr...

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 3 primarily COX-1 inhibiting non-steroidal anti­ inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen or indomethacin) on rat sperm hyperactivation in vitro. Rat cauda epididymal sperm were continuously incubated with different concentrations of drugs (aspirin: 0.87,1.7 or3.4 mmol; ibuprofen; 0.75,1.5 or 3.0 mmol; and indomethacin; 0.43, 0.87, or 1.7 mmol...

Suspended sediment from dredging activities and natural resuspension events represent a risk to the reproductive processes of coral, and therefore the ongoing maintenance of reefal populations. To investigate the underlying mechanisms that could reduce the fertilisation success in turbid water, we conducted several experiments exposing gametes of the corals Acropora tenuis and A. millepora to t...

Beta-chemokine, regulated on activation and normally T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), is present in both the male and female genital tract fluids where its levels increase in diseases related to infertility, such as endometriosis and male genital tract infections. beta-Chemokine receptors (CCR3 and CCR5) are expressed on freshly ejaculated human sperm cells and a sperm chemoat...

High step concentrations of progesterone may stimulate various sperm physiological processes, such as priming and the acrosome reaction. However, approaching the egg, spermatozoa face increasing concentrations of the hormone, as it is secreted by the cumulus cells and then passively diffuses along the cumulus matrix and beyond. In this context, several questions arise: are spermatozoa sensitive...

The negative impact of hydrosalpinx on IVF outcome is well recognized but some reports indicate that tubal infertility with hydrosalpinx is a heterogeneous entity and may have different effects on the outcome. The embryotoxic effects of hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) have been documented in mouse but not human embryos. This study examined the effects of HF on sperm motility and survival after various ...

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is routinely measured when evaluating the infertile male for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, among the sperm parameters, only its relationship with sperm concentration is well documented. Few investigations concern the relationship between FSH and sperm motility and morphology, and the results of ICSI. A retrospective study of 316 coupl...

Lithium is a widely prescribed drug used for the treatment of bipolar affective illness. Previous reports on its effects on sperm motility and male fertility are conflicting. The effect of lithium on human sperm motility was examined in vitro using the modified transmembrane migration method. This technique takes account of the dilution of lithium that occurs during the incubation. Lithium inhi...