Is the quality of donated semen deteriorating? Findings from a 15 year longitudinal analysis of weekly sperm samples.

Background: Studies suggest that global semen quality is declining, but the debate remains open owing to geographic variation.

Objectives: To evaluate temporal trends of sperm parameters - namely concentration, motility and total motile sperm count - in sperm donated during the period 1995-2009.

Methods: In a retrospective longitudinal cohort study we analyzed the sperm count and motility of 2182 semen samples provided on a weekly basis by 58 young, healthy, fertile, university-educated, paid donors.

Do spermatozoa secrete motility enhancing factor?

Objectives: To determine whether medium conditioned with human spermatozoa was capable of enhancing sperm motility and penetration ability.

Design: Paired aliquots of washed spermatozoa were allowed to incubate for nine different incubation periods, ranging from 15 to 240 minutes in 37 degrees C in humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2. After this, they were centrifuged at 600 x g for 6 minutes.

Ultrasound transmission gel in the vagina can impair sperm motility.

The effect of ultrasound transmission gel on sperm motility was assessed because of a few unsatisfactory post-coital tests, encountered after vaginal ultrasonography in otherwise normal couples. Swim-up samples of spermatozoa from donors and patients with asthenozoospermia were incubated in ultrasonic transmission gel at various concentrations. Sperm progressive motility and viability were checked.

Trophoblasts protect the inner cell mass from macrophage destruction.

Several mechanisms have been suggested to account for the survival of the semiallogeneic fetus in the maternal uterus. However, no data are available to explain how the blastocyst resists the high number of macrophages in the uterus at the time of implantation. The present study examines the in vitro development of murine 3.

The hormonal response of patients with polycystic ovarian disease to subcutaneous low frequency pulsatile administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Four patients with oligoamenorrhea manifesting hormonal and clinical features of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) were selected for treatment. All patients had high luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and a basal LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio of greater than 3. Three of them had high androgen levels with normal adrenal cortical function.