Expression of metallothionein-1 (MT-1) mRNA in the rat testes and liver after cadmium injection.

Metallothioneins (MTs) belong to the family of stress proteins that are present in the majority of living organisms. The MTs play an important task in detoxifying heavy metals. The mammalian scrotal testis is known to be susceptible to cadmium (Cd) exposure.

Semen quality and age-specific changes: a study between two decades on 3,729 male partners of couples with normal sperm count and attending an andrology laboratory for infertility-related problems in an Indian city.

Objective: To compare the semen quality and age-specific changes in men between the 1980s and 2000s.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory, University of Calcutta, India.

The in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction.

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosome status in normozoospermic semen samples of nonsmokers analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).

Design: Experimental in vitro study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory.

Emerging technologies for the molecular study of infertility, and potential clinical applications.

The techniques currently used to treat infertility cases are quite limited in their capabilities, due to an incomplete understanding of the molecular activities of germ cells. Fortunately, several technologies are presently being researched that should aid the understanding of the various molecular causes of germ cell pathologies. This review discusses microarray technology, proteomics, metabolic profiling, the PolScope, atomic force microscopy and microfluidics.

Does human sperm nuclear DNA integrity affect embryo quality?

Abnormalities in the male genome are a clear potential reason for post fertilization failure. Male infertility may arise due to high levels of loosely packaged chromatin and damaged DNA. The achievement of a correct chromatin packaging level is essential for successful fertilization.

Acrosin activity as a potential marker for sperm membrane characteristics in unexplained male infertility.

Objective: To evaluate sperm membrane system integrity in unexplained infertile male subjects with three consecutive conception failures on IUI even though semen clinical parameters were normal.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Medical biotechnology laboratory, School of Medical Science and Technology IIT Kharagpur, India.

Assessment of sperm functional competence and sperm-egg interaction.

A precise understanding in the functional competence of mammalian sperm is essential to generate clinical advances for the treatment of infertility and novel contraceptive strategies. The fundamental knowledge on the controlling parameters for spermatozoal activation process will help in the identifying the causes in fertilization failure due to male factor as well as in developing male contraceptive methodologies. The defects in the sperm-egg interaction seem to be one of the controlling mechanisms, however, none of the presently available methods for the evaluation of the fertilizing ability of sperm precisely indicates the reason for the failure or the success of sperm entry into egg.

Sperm immobilization activity of Allium sativum L. and other plant extracts.

Aim: To identify possible spermicidal agents through screening a number of edible medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity.

Methods: Initial screening was made on the basis of ram cauda epididymal sperm immobilization immediately after addition of extracts. The most potent extract was selected and was evaluated on both ram and human spermatozoa.