Phthalates are industrial chemicals widely used in many commercial applications. The general population is exposed to phthalates through consumer products as well as through diet and medical treatments. To determine whether environmental levels of phthalates are associated with altered DNA integrity in human sperm, we selected a population without identified sources of exposure to phthalates. O...

The aim of this work was to assess the damage of DNA in human blood cell and sperm in vitro under the influence of furan. These cells were administered 0-600 μM of furan at 37 and 32 o C for 30 and 60 min, respectively. A significant increase in tail DNA%, tail length and moment indicating DNA damage was observed at increasing doses when compared to the controls. The treatment with 300 and 600 ...

Sperm competition theory predicts that males should use cues indicating the risk and intensity of sperm competition to tailor their sperm investment accordingly. Rival males are an important source of social information regarding sperm competition risk. However, revealing such information may not be in the rival males' interest. Here, we use a theoretical approach based on informed and uninform...

We have previously defined distinct Iocalizations of antigens on the surface of the guinea pig sperm using monoclonal antibodies. In the present study we have demonstrated that these antigen Iocalizations are dynamic and can be altered during changes in the functional state of the sperm. Before the sperm is capable of fertilizing the egg, it must undergo capacitation and an exocytic event, the ...

To clarify the physiological changes of sperm morphology in active Thoroughbred stallions during the breeding season, we examined the dismount semen collected from the penile urethra immediately after service. The spermatozoa were analyzed for relationships between the morphology and the stallion's age or the number of services. Seasonal variation was apparent in the rate of the sperm tail abno...

putative calcium channel specific to sperm tails may be the best target yet for a male contraceptive. The protein, dubbed CatSper, was discovered in a homology search by David Clapham and colleagues of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. CatSper looks like a calcium channel, although Clapham could not detect a calcium current in transfected cells, probably because another component of the chann...

Actin polymerization and development of hyperactivated (HA) motility are two processes that take place during sperm capacitation. Actin polymerization occurs during capacitation and prior to the acrosome reaction, fast F-actin breakdown takes place. The increase in F-actin during capacitation depends upon inactivation of the actin severing protein, gelsolin, by its binding to phosphatydilinosit...

Metronidazole (MTZ) is used as an antiparasitic drug. Curcumin is considered as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The ameliorative effects of curcumin on MTZ induced toxicity on mice spermatozoon tail length, count, motility and testosterone level were investigated. MTZ was administered in 500 and 165 (high and therapeutic doses) mg/kg/day, with and without curcumin (100 mg/kg/day). Aft...

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with impairment of testicular function. Nicotine is a major component of cigarette smoke.In the present study we aimed to study the effect of administration of nicotine-melatonin on sperm parameters in adult mouse. Materials and Methods: Male NMRI mice were divided into 4 groups: 1) control(normal saline) group 2) nicotine treated group 3) melatonin t...

Postcopulatory competition between males, in the form of sperm competition, is a widespread phenomenon in many animal species. The extent to which sperm competition has been an important selective pressure during human evolution remains controversial, however. The authors review critically the evidence that human males and females have psychological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations th...