Human spermatozoa produce C16-platelet-activating factor.

Recent data indicate that human spermatozoa produce platelet-activating factor as determined by the rabbit platelet [3H]serotonin release bioassay. In this report, we examined by fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry the molecular species of platelet-activating factor generated by these germ cells. Extracted spermatozoal samples that contained platelet-activating factor bioactivity underwent straight-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and fractions which coeluted with authentic C16- and C18-platelet-activating factor standards were subjected to fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry.

Relationship of bacteriologic characteristics to semen indices in men attending an infertility clinic.

Bacteria can be isolated from most seminal fluid samples, but the significance of these microorganisms is uncertain because most men lack symptoms associated with bacterial infection of the reproductive tract. We obtained semen samples from 37 men attending a Special Infertility Clinic and assessed the relationship between seminal fluid microorganisms and seminal fluid analysis including sperm motility, morphology, and concentration; the numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and other white blood cells; and the hamster zona-free oocyte sperm penetration assay. Aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 36 of the 37 samples.

Role of spermatozoal platelet-activating factor in fertilization.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent lipid mediator of inflammation, has been shown to play a role in both the implantation and viability of mammalian embryos. We examined whether human and mouse spermatozoa release PAF during in vitro incubation and assessed the effect of exogenous PAF and the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086, a thieno-triazolodiazepine, on mouse in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate. PAF biological activity was detected in 11 samples of leukocyte-free, purified human spermatozoa (28 pg PAF/10(6) cells/24 hr) and 5 samples of epididymal mouse spermatozoa (7.

Lipid mediator production by post-implantation rat embryos in vitro.

The production of inflammatory lipid mediators by post-implantation rodent embryos was examined in this study. Explanted day 10 rat embryos, either intact or after homogenization, were cultured for 3 hr in vitro and the resulting culture medium and embryonic tissue were assessed for eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF). The rank order of cyclooxygenase arachidonate products produced by intact embryos was as follows: 6-keto-PGF1 alpha much greater than congruent to PGF2 alpha congruent to TXB2.

A proposed mouse model for acute epididymitis provoked by genital serovar E, Chlamydia trachomatis.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the male mouse as a model for epididymitis caused by human genital serovar E, Chlamydia trachomatis. C. trachomatis was reisolated from all tissues removed on Days 3, 5, and 7 post inoculation (pi).