Increase in the concentration of cytosolic-free calcium induced by human follicular fluid was decreased in single human spermatozoon with abnormal morphology.

The increase in the concentration of cytosolic-free calcium ([Ca]i) induced by follicular fluid or progesterone has been reported to promote an acrosome reaction and alternation in several motion parameters in human sperm (hyperactivation). We previously reported that populations of sperm in cell suspension obtained from infertile men with abnormal morphology exhibited lower mean peak progesterone-evoked [Ca]i compared with morphologically normal sperm using cell-suspension methods. In the present study, the change in [Ca]i in individual normally and abnormally shaped spermatozoa was compared.

Impaired hyperactivation of human sperm in patients with infertility.

Hyperactivation and acrosome reaction are prerequisite steps for sperm to be able to fertilize an oocyte. In mammals, hyperactivation is defined as a movement pattern seen in spermatozoa at the site and time of fertilization. The objectives of the present experiments were to analyze the process of hyperactivation and to investigate its relationship with progesterone evoked intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase and their implications with infertility.

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer before surgical treatment].

Nine cases of advanced uterine body cancer (stage III: 8, stage IVa: 1) were treated by intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy before curative operation. This treatment produced primary tumors smaller than half sizes in eight cases. Necrotic changes were found in over two-thirds of the lesions in six cases.