Rotation of Boar Semen Doses During Storage Affects Sperm Quality.

It is common practice to rotate boar semen doses during storage for prevention of sperm sedimentation. In this study, the effect of rotation of boar semen doses during storage on sperm quality was investigated. Manual turning twice daily and automatic rotation five times per hour resulted in the following effects: alkalinization of the BTS-extender, loss of membrane integrity at day 3, and loss of motility and changes in sperm kinematics during a thermoresistance test at day 5. Using a pH-stabilized variant of BTS extender, sperm motility and velocity decreased in continuously rotated samples, whereas membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity remain unaffected. It is concluded that rotation of semen samples adversely affects sperm quality and, therefore, should no longer be recommended for AI practice.

In Vitro Measures for Assessing Boar Semen Fertility.

Optimization of artificial insemination (AI) for pig production and evaluation of the fertilizing capacity of boar semen are highly related. Field studies have demonstrated significant variation in semen quality and fertility. The semen quality of boars is primarily affected by breed and season. AI centres routinely examine boar semen to predict male fertility. Overall, the evaluation of classical parameters, such as sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm concentration and ejaculate volume, allows the identification of ejaculates corresponding to poor fertility but not high-efficiency prediction of field fertility. The development of new sperm tests for measuring certain sperm functions has attempted to solve this problem. Fluorescence staining can categorize live and dead spermatozoa in the ejaculate and identify spermatozoa with active mitochondria. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) provides an objective assessment of multiple kinetic sperm parameters. However, sperm tests usually assess only single factors involved in the fertilization process. Thus, basing prediction of fertilizing capacity on a selective collection of sperm tests leads to greater accuracy than using single tests. In the present brief review, recent diagnostic laboratory methods that directly relate to AI performance as well as the development of a new boar fertility in vitro index are discussed.

Quality Control of Boar Sperm Processing: Implications from European AI Centres and Two Spermatology Reference Laboratories.

In recent years, increased automatization has resulted in a higher efficiency of boar semen processing in AI laboratories. Sophisticated laboratory management and efficient quality control programmes are needed for current tendencies in major pork-producing countries to reduce the sperm number per AI dose, to lengthen semen storage times and to adopt responsible methods for bacterial control and prevention of the development of multiresistant bacteria. The objective of the present review was to outline current trends in boar semen production and the critical steps in semen processing which affect sperm quality. In addition, integrated elements of a quality assurance programme in use by thirty European AI centres in association with the two German spermatology reference laboratories are described.

Challenges and Limits Using Antimicrobial Peptides in Boar Semen Preservation.

Antibiotics are of great importance for the preservation of ejaculates for livestock breading. The use of antibiotics, however, is not an appropriate compensation for a lack of hygiene standards in artificial insemination (AI) centres. Sophisticated hygiene management and the proper identification of hygienic critical control points (HCCPs) at AI centres provide the basis for counteracting the development of antibiotic resistance in contaminant bacteria and their settlement in AI centres. In recent years, efforts have been made to use antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the preservation of boar semen. Investigations have included the testing of synthetic magainin derivatives and cyclic hexapeptides. One prerequisite for the application of AMPs is that they have a minor impact on eukaryotic cells. Bacterial selectivity, proteolytic stability, thermodynamic resistance, and mechanisms including synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics have made cyclic hexapeptides highly promising candidates for potential application as peptide antibiotics for semen preservation.

[Prevalence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) - low response in vascular surgery]. / Prävalenz der ASS-Low-Response in der Gefäßchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Research has revealed that a decreased antiplatelet effect (low response [LR]/high on-treatment platelet reactivity [HPR]) of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. There are extensive ASA low response (ALR) and clopidogrel low response (CLR) prevalence data in the literature, but there are only a few studies concerning vascular surgical patients. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of ALR and CLR in vascular surgical patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined n = 154 patients with an antiplatelet long-term therapy, who were treated due to peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAD) and/or arteria carotis interna stenosis (CVD). To detect an ALR or CLR, we examined full blood probes with impedance aggregometry (ChronoLog® Aggregometer model 590). Risk factors were examined by acquisition of concomitant disease, severity of vascular disease, laboratory test results and medication. RESULTS: We found a prevalence of 19.3 % in the ALR group and of 21.1 % in the CLR group. Risk factors for ALR were an increased platelet and leucocyte count and co-medication with pantoprazole. We found no significant risk factors for a decreased antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel treatment. CONCLUSION: The investigated prevalence for ALR and CLR are in the range of other studies, particularly based on cardiological patients. More investigations are needed to gain a better evaluation of the risk factors for HPR and to develop an effective antiplatelet therapy regime to prevent cardiovascular complications.

Use of refractometry as a new management tool in AI boar centers for quality assurance of extender preparations.

A study was performed to see if refractometry can be used as a new quality control tool for boar semen extenders. For this the refractive index and osmolality of BTS extender concentrations (EC) were recorded in 10%-steps from 50% to 150% and 200% of the correct amount. Twelve boar ejaculates were evaluated for semen quality. The refractive index for the correctly prepared extender was 4.6±0.0°Bx, corresponded to 316±16mOsmkg(-1), and correlated highly with osmolality (r=0.99; P<0.001). Total sperm motility with 100% EC differed significantly from ≤70% EC (P<0.001) and 200% EC (P<0.001) on day 1 (d1) and d4, respectively. The percentage of motile spermatozoa in a thermoresistance test on d2 showed a significant drop using ≤70% EC (P=0.047) and ≥140% EC (P=0.004). Secondary apical ridge defects were significantly higher using 50% EC (P<0.001) and ≥150% EC (P=0.032) compared to 100% EC, respectively. An increased number of coiled tails were observed using ≤60% EC (P<0.001). Percentages of spermatozoa with intact membranes on d2 resulted in a significant decrease using 50% EC (P<0.001) and ≥150% EC (P=0.005), respectively. The mean percentage of PI negative spermatozoa with active mitochondria on d2 showed a significant difference using ≤60% EC (P=0.016) and ≥140% EC (P<0.001) compared to 100% EC, respectively. Boar sperm quality is affected by inexact extender preparation. The refractive-index is an indicator of osmolality and may be used to verify semen extender preparation. The sensitivity is sufficient to detect deviations from correct extender preparation before negative effects on sperm quality occur.

Analysis of hygienic critical control points in boar semen production.

The present study addresses the microbiological results of a quality control audit in artificial insemination (AI) boar studs in Germany and Austria. The raw and processed semen of 344 boars in 24 AI boar studs were analyzed. Bacteria were found in 26% (88 of 344) of the extended ejaculates and 66.7% (18 of 24) of the boar studs. The bacterial species found in the AI dose were not cultured from the respective raw semen in 95.5% (84 of 88) of the positive samples. These data, together with the fact that in most cases all the samples from one stud were contaminated with identical bacteria (species and resistance profile), indicate contamination during processing. Microbiological investigations of the equipment and the laboratory environment during semen processing in 21 AI boar studs revealed nine hygienic critical control points (HCCP), which were addressed after the first audit. On the basis of the analysis of the contamination rates of the ejaculate samples, improvements in the hygiene status were already present in the second audit (P = 0.0343, F-test). Significant differences were observed for heating cabinets (improvement, P = 0.0388) and manual operating elements (improvement, P = 0.0002). The odds ratio of finding contaminated ejaculates in the first and second audit was 1.68 (with the 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.04 to 2.69). Furthermore, an overall good hygienic status was shown for extenders, the inner face of dilution tank lids, dyes, and ultrapure water treatment plants. Among the nine HCCP considered, the most heavily contaminated samples, as assessed by the median scores throughout all the studs, were found in the sinks and/or drains. High numbers (>10(3) colony-forming units/cm(2)) of bacteria were found in the heating cabinets, ejaculate transfer, manual operating elements, and laboratory surfaces. In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the need for both training of the laboratory staff in monitoring HCCP in routine semen production and audits in such AI centers for the external control of hygiene parameters.

Lipase synthesis in the rat pancreas is regulated by secretin.

Conscious rats were infused with optimal doses of secretin (16 clinical units [CU]/kg/h), cerulein (0.25 microgram/kg/h), and both for varying periods of time over 24 h. The presence of zymogen granules in acinar cells and the tissue content of enzymes showed progressive decreases over 3 and 12 h for cerulein and secretin stimulation, respectively. Stimulation with either hormone resulted in a two-fold increase in protein synthesis at 6 and 12 h. Kinetically, the increases observed in protein synthesis were not directly coupled to the observed decreases in tissue content of enzymes. Cerulein stimulation selectively increased the synthesis of anionic trypsinogen forms 1 and 2 and chymotrypsinogen forms 1 (anionic) and 2 (cationic) and decreased the synthesis of amylase. Secretin stimulation selectively promoted the synthesis of lipase and proelastase 2. Lipase synthesis was increased 2.8-, 5.8-, and 4.8-fold at 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. Proelastase 2 synthesis was increased 2.3-, 3.0-, and 3.4-fold at the same time points. In combination, secretin and cerulein stimulation resulted largely in competitive effects, suggesting that the two hormones exert effects on protein synthesis through different mechanisms. The findings suggest that the anticoordinate changes observed in the synthesis of functional groups of pancreatic enzymes by nutritional substrates in the diet are modulated by specific hormones. Synthesis of the majority of protease zymogens but not cationic trypsinogen or proelastase 2 is modulated by cholecystokinin and its peptide analogs. In contrast, the synthesis of pancreatic lipase and proelastase 2 is regulated by secretin. The findings indicate for the first time that secretin regulates the synthesis of specific proteins in the exocrine pancreas.

[European Association of Urology guidelines on urinary and male genital tract infections]. / Synoptische Leitlinie der sexuell übertragbaren Erkrankungen (STD) mit Primärsymptomen im männlichen Genitale (S1). Leitinien der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie.

Today, the classical bacteria that cause venereal diseases, e.g. gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid and inguinal granuloma, only account for a small proportion of all known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other bacteria and viruses as well as yeasts, protozoa and epizoa must also be regarded as causative organisms of STD. Taken together, all sexually transmitted infections comprise more than 30 relevant STD pathogens. However, not all pathogens that can be sexually transmitted manifest diseases in the genitals and not all infections of the genitals are exclusively sexually transmitted. Concise information and tables summarising the diagnostic and therapeutic management of STDs in the field of urology allow a synoptic overview, and are in agreement with the recent international guidelines of other specialist areas. Special considerations (i.e. HIV infection, pregnancy, infants, allergy) and recommended regimens are presented.

[Reliability and safety of intravitreal Ozurdex injections. The ZERO study]. / Zuverlässigkeit und Sicherheit von intravitrealen Ozurdex-Injektionen. Die ZERO-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Since July 2010 Ozurdex® is approved in Germany for treatment of macular edema from retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The objective of this observational study was a systemic summary and analysis of clinical experience regarding complications and side effects of intravitreal administration of dexamethasone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective, multicenter study conducted at 10 centers, 342 eyes with RVO were treated with intravitreal dexamethasone (Ozurdex®, Allergan). After treatment the patients were followed-up over a period of 8 months and intraoperative, perioperative and postoperative complications, such as elevated intraocular pressure and dislocation of implants were systematically recorded. RESULTS: No infections, endophthalmitis, perioperative hypotension, intraoperative lens injuries or retinal detachment occurred. Elevated intraocular pressure was the most common complication accounting for nearly 20 %. In 9 % of patients the intraocular pressure increased by more than 10 mmHg compared to baseline and in 6 patients to > 35 mmHg. In cases of known glaucoma intraocular pressure elevation was not significantly more frequent compared to non-glaucoma patients. In four cases a progression of lens opacity led to phacoemulsification and two implant dislocations in the anterior chamber required surgical repositioning in the vitreous cavity. In two cases a postinterventional macular hole was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical routine Ozurdex treatment has proven to be a therapy method with minimal side effects. In Ozurdex administration intraocular pressure elevation was observed as the most common side effect; however, this generally did not require surgical intervention. Caution is advised in patients with an anterior chamber lens and iridectomy. Macular holes as a rare complication might result from vitreous traction during the administration process. In summary, even in the clinical routine application of Ozurdex the complication rate was not higher than in registration studies.

Temperature management during semen processing: Impact on boar sperm quality under laboratory and field conditions.

Freshly collected boar spermatozoa are sensitive to a fast reduction in temperature because of lipid phase transition and phase separation processes. Temperature management during semen processing may determine the quality of stored samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of isothermic and hypothermic semen processing protocols on boar sperm quality under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory study, ejaculates (n = 12) were first diluted (1:1) with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) at 32 °C, then processed either with isothermic (32 °C) or hypothermic (21 °C) BTS, stored at 17 °C, and assessed on days 1, 3, and 6. Temperature curves showed that 150 minutes after the first dilution, semen doses of both groups reached the same temperature. Two-step hypothermic processing resulted in lower sperm motility on days 1 and 6 (P < 0.05). Concomitantly, hypothermally processed samples contained less membrane intact sperm on days 3 and 6 (P < 0.05). Using AndroStar Plus extender instead of BTS reduced the negative effect of hypothermic processing. In the field study, 15 semen samples from each of 23 European artificial insemination studs were evaluated as part of an external quality control program. Semen quality based on motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and a thermoresistance test was higher for stations using one-step isothermic dilutions (n = 7) compared with artificial insemination centers using two-step hypothermic protocols (n = 16). Both studies show that chilling injury associated with hypothermic dilution results in lower quality of stored boar semen compared with isothermic dilution and that the type of semen extender affects the outcomes.

[Morphometric investigations on lungs of children in perinatal period (author's transl)]. / Morphometrische Untersuchungen an Lungen perinatal Verstorbener

Morphometric indices were investigated by the method of Dunnill (1974a) on 4 lungs of intranatal stillborns and 4 lungs of preterm liveborns with hyaline membrane disease (HMD). The values of the air-tissue interface ranges for stillborns between 0,16 and 0,37 m2. The values for lungs with HMD lies between 0,09 and 0,17 m2 and therefore distinctly lower. Number of alveoli in the entire lung ranges for stillborns between 8.3 and 13.9 x 10(6). The values for lungs with HMD ranges between 0.6 and 3.9 x 10(6) and therefore distinctly lower, too.

[Splenectomy findings in Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)]. / Splenektomiebefunde bei Lymphogranulomatose. Häufigkeit und Erstlokalisation der infiltrate--Follikelaktivierung--Messenchymreaktion

32 splenectomy preparations were examinated. Splenic involvement in lymphogranulomatosis was found in 15 cases, mostly of the mixed type of disease. Morphological findings like first-localization of infiltrates, follicle-activation, and mesenchymal reaction are reported in detail. However, the valuation of the findings without knowing the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease seems to be to early at the present times.

[Sarcoid-like lesions of the spleen in Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)]. / Epitheloidzellgranulome (sarcoid-like lesions) der Milz bei Lymphogranulomatose

In a systematic study of splenectomy preparations of 32 patients with Hodgkin's disease five cases of sarcoid-like lesions were detected. There was no lymphogranulompatosis of the spleen in two of these five cases. Frequency, localization, and pathogenesis of the sarcoid-like lesions are discussed. No statement is possible concerning the consequences of these granulomas as to clinical prognosis.

[Frequency of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in biopsy material. A retrospective study]. / Zur Häufigkeit maligner Non-Hodgkin-Lymphome im Biopsiematerial. Eine retrospektive Studie.

The biopsy material of the Institute of Pathology of the Medical Academy of Erfurt, GDR, from January 1967 to February 1978 has been reinvestigated for malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas which were reclassified according to the Kiel classification (Gérard-Marchant et al. 1974). We observed 122 (72.6%) low grade malignant lymphomas and 46 (27.4%) high grade malignant lymphomas. 17 cases remained unclassifiable. The median age ranged between 47.6 years (lymphoblastic malignant lymphoma) and 65.8 years (centrocytic malignant lymphoma). The sex ratio shows a predominance of males for all types of low grade malignant lymphomas. Only the immunoblastic malignant lymphoma in the group of high grade malignant lymphomas has a predominance in females. The survival of patients with high grade malignant lymphomas shows a good correspondence to the data given in the literature, whereas patients suffering from low grade malignant lymphomas have a distinctly worse prognosis in our material in comparison to literature data.

[Hodgkin's lymphoma in the biopsy material. A retrospective analysis (author's transl)]. / Die Lymphogranulomatose im Biopsiematerial. Eine retrospektive Analyse.

112 cases of Hodgkin's disease diagnosed between 1967 and 1976 at the Institute of Pathology and the Department of ENT, Medical Academy of Erfurt, GDR, were reclassified according to the Rye classification. Age and sex distribution as well as frequency and survival are presented. The most frequency subtype is "mixed cellularity" (43.8%) followed by "nodular sclerosis" (40.2%). The age distribution of all cases shows 3 peaks with only small differences between the subtypes. The cases are distributed among 71 males and 41 females. The most frequent subtype in males is "mixed cellularity" (50.7%) whereas in females it is "nodular sclerosis" (61.0%) The survival of cases with "lymphocyte predominance" and "nodular sclerosis" is significantly better than that of case with "mixed cellularity" and "lymphocyte depletion".

[Contribution to morphology of malignant histiocytosis (author's transl)]. / Beitrag zur Morphologie der malignen Histiozytose.

9 cases of malignant histiocytosis (3 males, 6 females, age 30 to 83 years) have been observed in the biopsy and autopsy material of the Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy of the Medical Academy of Erfurt, GDR. Malignant histiocytosis which derives from tissue macrophages/histiocytes is characterized by a proliferation of non-cohesive atypical histiocytes mainly in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The tumor cells are large, pleomorphic and show an irregularly-shaped, cleaved and often kidney-like nucleus with 1-3 medium-sized nucleoli. The cytoplasm is moderately basophilic and grey-blue when stained with azure B eosin or according to Pappenheim. Diffuse cytoplasmic activities of nonspecific esterase and acid phosphatase are further properties. Another sign of malignant histiocytic cells should be stressed, i.e., the diffuse intracytoplasmic perinuclear PAS-positive spot which hitherto has not been mentioned in the literature. Morphological variants of malignant histiocytosis are fibrosing (2 cases) and erythrophagocytosing types (2 cases). Reactive histiocytosis, histiocytosis X and malignant non Hodgkin-lymphomas, esp. immunoblastic lymphomas, are to be taken into account in differential diagnosis.

[Hairy cell leukemia (author's transl)]. / Beitrag zur Haarzellenleukose

2 cases of hairy cell leukemia are reported. The disease is important for pathologists, because the splenomegaly is the leading clinical sign and often a splenectomy is performed with infomation about the true disease. The morphology of the spleen with infiltration of pulp cords and filling of sinuses by monomorphous blasts, with moderate fibrosis and atrophy of the white pulp is not convincing, because the hairy-like processes of the toumor-cell cytoplasm are not seen by usual histological examination. Hemocytomorphology and -cytochemistry are essential diagnostic procedures.

[On the conception of a reference center "malignant lymphomas" (author's transl)]. / Gedanken zu den Aufgaben und zur Arbeitsweise eines Referenzzentrums "Maligne Lymphome".

Conceptions and experiences in connection with the foundation of a reference center "Malignant Lymphomas" of the Society of Pathology of the German Democratic Republic are described. The different degrees in reliability of pathomorphological diagnosis in the field of malignant lymphomas as well as the methods of co-operation with the reference center are reported.