Relationships between sperm DNA integrity and bulk semen parameters in Bulgarian patients with varicocele.

Objective: This exploratory retrospective study aimed to compare the level of Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) and investigate its association with bulk semen parameters, for the first time in Bulgarian patients with varicocele, using a distinct methodology.

Material And Methods: Standard semen analysis was performed according to the 2010 criteria of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology - Nordic Association for Andrology (ESHRE-NAFA-2010) and DNA fragmentation was assessed using the Halosperm® kit. The total sample included 28 males: the control group consisted of men with normal genital examination and unknown fertility (n = 10), group one consisted of men with varicocele, normozoospermia and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9) and group two consisted of men with varicocele, abnormal sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9).

Interstitial Deletion of 5q22.2q23.1 Including and in a Patient with Adenomatous Polyposis and Asthenoteratozoospermia.

Interstitial 5q22 deletions are relatively rare and usually represented by severe clinical features such as developmental delay and growth retardation. Here, we report a 23-year-old male patient, referred to our laboratory for genetic confirmation of possible familial adenomatous polyposis. MLPA and the subsequent array CGH identified an approximately 8-Mb-sized deletion in the 5q22.

Improvement of erectile function by a combination of French maritime pine bark and roburins with aminoacids.

Aim: Primary objective of the study was the evaluation of effects of a combination of plant extracts and aminoacids on erectile function (ED).

Methods: The study was performed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. 50 men with moderate ED received a combination of Pycnogenol®, roburins, L-arginine, L-citrulline or placebo.

Sperm quality in men is improved by supplementation with a combination of L-arginine, L-citrullin, roburins and Pycnogenol®.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Prelox®R, a combination of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®), L-arginine, L-citrulline and roburins, on male fertility.

Methods: Sperm quality of 50 subfertile men was tested in monthly intervals in a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover study. Patients received 2 tablets Prelox®R or placebo twice daily during test periods.

Improvement of seminal parameters with Prelox: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

In a randomly allocated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 50 infertile patients were treated for 1 month with placebo or a combination of l-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox). Semen samples were examined at 4 week intervals according to WHO criteria. Treatment with Prelox increased significantly the semen volume, concentration of spermatozoa, percentage of motile spermatozoa and percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology compared with placebo.

[Sperm parameters in male idiopathic infertility after treatment with prelox].

Unlabelled: The diagnosis of male infertility is determinate after assessment of sperm quality and clinical study. In nearly 30% of the cases nevertheless detailed clinical and laboratory study it can't be discovered the cause and on the bases of exclusion criteria set the diagnosis idiopathic infertility. The object of our study was investigation of the group patients (n=50) with idiopathic infertility treated with Prelox and to be studied its effects on spermatozoa parameters.

Improvement of erectile function with Prelox: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

In a randomly allocated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 50 patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) were treated for 1 month with placebo or a combination of L-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox). Patients reported sexual function from diaries. Testosterone levels and endothelial NO synthase (e-NOS) were monitored along with routine clinical chemistry.

[Selecting function of female genital tract in relation with spermatozoa interaction].

The present study includes 50 infertile couples followed sperm parameters: morphology and others indices for ability of penetration in ovulatory cervical mucus during 12 months. It is discussed the possibility of which spermatozoa can participate in the fertilization and the impotence and place of the female genital tract for the selection of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa before reaching the place of fertilization.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine.

Penile erection requires the relaxation of the cavernous smooth muscle, which is triggered by nitric oxide (NO). We investigated the possibility of overcoming erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing the amounts of endogenous NO. For this purpose, we orally administered Pycnogenol, because it is known to increase production of NO by nitric oxide syntase together with L-arginine as substrate for this enzyme.

[Frequency of anti-sperm antibodies demonstrated by classical tests for sperm antibodies in patients with unexplained infertility].

The aim of the present investigation was to establish the frequency of sperm antibodies in patients with etiologically unexplained infertility, and to compare the demonstrated frequencies with the results from y control group of y healthy blood donors, as well as with the results of other investigators. The gelatin agglutination test of Kibrick and the tray agglutination test of Friberg were applied to test 244 sera from infertile patients and 50 sera from healthy blood donors at the Laboratory of Immunology of Reproduction, Department of Biology, Medical University of Sofia. For the infertile patients, relevant sperm antibody titers were demonstrated in 2.

[Asymptomatic infections of the genital tract and infertility].

Diagnosis of male genital tract inflammations plays a significant role in andrology. Although genital infections are often silent they can severely impair male infertility. In seminal plasma of 100 patients were determined IgG and SigA (radial immunodiffusion) the number of peroxydase-positive cells in addition to conventional semen parameters and microbiological investigations.

[Leukocytes in human seminal fluid].

The peroxidase method is sufficient for quantification of granulocytes, but immunocytology is the standard for detection of white blood cells (WBC) in semen. Granulocytes are the most prevalent WBC in semen (50 to 60%) followed by macrophages (20 to 30%) and T-lymphocytes (2 to 5%). The frequency of leukocytospermia (> 106 WBC/ml) among male infertility patients is 29%.

[The postcoital test: clinico-laboratory observations].

The choice of optimal time, the technique and limitations of the post-coital test (PCT) have been described. They are of important significance for getting reliable information both concerning the cervical mucus, quality and migration of spermatozoa in female genital tract. It has been stressed that a negative PCT does not necessary exclude pregnancy.

[A clinico-genetic study of male infertility with globozoospermia].

Eight patient with male infertility due to isolated or combined with other defects anomaly--round-headed spermatozoa, have been studied. Five of them have been studied. Five of the patients have been sporadic cases, whereas three cases have been familial ones.

[The protein profile of the cervical mucus: cyclic and ovulatory values].

Immunological and biochemical analysis on cervical mucus requested application of micromethods on sindle small specimens. The following micro-methods in agar gel are applied: immunoelectrophoresis--the normal cervical mucus developed by antiserum against total human serum is presented with 5 precipitin lines: prealbumin, albumin, a1-antitrypsin, transferrin and IgG. The single immunodiffusion technique in agar gel (Mancini et al.

[The electron microscopic pathology of human spermatozoa].

About 8% of our patients reveal predominantly single abnormality-state, known like monomorphic teratozoospermy, which concerns round headed spermatozoa, amorphous heads, small heads, tapering heads, decapitated spermatozoa, middlepieces and tail defects. In the light of electron-microscopy study the quality and information exactness increases significantly in comparison to conventional semen analysis. Such kind of study, however is not acquitted in normal fertile men, although the finding some of the above mentioned defects, but with less frequency.

[The morphology of human spermatozoa--the norm and pathology].

The careful analysis of sperm morphology is an important part of routine semen examination. Although, there are different classification systems and methods for staining of the semen smears, the prognostic value of this assessment for man's fertility potential requests to be an obligatory part of semen analysis. Literally review shows that there are united attitude towards the significance of this semen parameter in vivo and in vitro.

Anti-seminal plasma antibodies associated with infertility: II. Comparative investigation of human antibody binding to normo-, astheno-, and azoospermic seminal plasma antigens.

Problem: Sera from infertile patients with elevated reactivity against normozoospermic seminal plasma (NSP) have been selected to investigate human antibody binding to seminal fluid antigens present in abnormal ejaculates.

Method: Sera from 32 idiopathically infertile patients and 44 control sera from fertile individuals were examined by ELISA against: 1) pooled seminal plasma from asthenozoospermic ejaculates (AsthSP), 2) pooled seminal plasma from patients with aspermatogenic azoospermia (AzooSP), and 3) chromatographic fractions from NSP, AsthSP and AzooSP.

Results: Of 32 patients positive for anti-NSP antibodies, only four exhibited increased reactivity to whole AsthSP and/or AzooSP, while 14 recognized antigens of different Mr and various distributions in the corresponding chromatographic fractions.

Distribution of vimentin in abnormal human spermatozoa.

Vimentin was immunocytochemically detected using a monoclonal anti-vimentin antibody and indirect immunogold electron microscopy. In abnormal human spermatozoa, vimentin was visualized at the level of whole acrosome, post-acrosomal region, neck and initial segment of the mid piece. The distribution of vimentin immunoreactivity was related to a spectrum of structural defects such as large cytoplasmic droplets, binucleated spermatozoa and mitochondrial disassembly in the mid piece.

Male reproductive function in workers exposed to vibration.

Male infertility is a significant health problem. Increasing attention has been paid to the use of semen analysis as an indicator of exposure to potential reproductive hazards. The aim of the current paper was to study the effects of vibrations on the spermatogenesis in workers of different occupational groups (professional drivers, miners, engine drivers, etc.

[Folliculometry as a method for determining ovulation in insemination with frozen sperm].

The authors carried out studies retrospectively on 57 women, who became pregnant in insemination with donor frozen spermatozoa. Ovulation problems and luteal insufficiency were diagnosed in advance and treated before and during the occurring cycles. Women were divided into two groups.

[Immunological studies of patients with chronic nonspecific prostatitis and infertility].

The authors studied carried out immunological studies on 20 men with chronic nonspecific prostatitis at reproductive age as well as on 10 healthy men included into the control group. Correlative investigations were made on the morphology of the ejaculate as well as on immunological parameters of seminal plasma aiming to establish the degree of the disturbed fertility. The immunological investigations included determination of albumin, transferrin and immunoglobulins in the seminal plasma.

[The effect of lectins on human spermatozoa in the capillary sperm penetration test].

The effect of the commercial lectin (Con A, PHA, SRA, WGA and UEA) as well as of the prepared by us extract from roots of Arum maculatum (Am and AM 80 degrees C) was studied on migration of human spermatozoa in bovine estrous cervical mucus, using the capillary sperm penetration test of Kremmer. It was established that Con A, PHA and AM inhibited the migration of spermatozoa in a concentration, in which they agglutinated human spermatozoa in vitro. Nonagglutinating human spermatozoa SBA and AM 80 degrees C inhibited also the migration of spermatozoa in the mucus.

[A method of determining dehydrogenase activity of human spermatozoa].

The authors present a quantitative method for the evaluation of biologic activity of human spermatozoa by determining their dehydrogenase activity by tetrazolium salts. The method is based on the property of these salts to change during biochemical reduction from colorless water soluble compounds into insoluble compounds in water compounds (phormazanes), which remain at the site of the reduction, e.g.