Changes in sperm apoptotic markers as related to seminal leukocytes and elastase.

To elucidate the effects of inflammation on sperm quality, this study analysed classical sperm characteristics, leukocytes and elastase in neat semen, and sperm apoptotic markers, i.e. changes in plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA integrity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), in semen prepared by density gradient using flow cytometry from 348 men of infertile couples. Increased leukocytes (> or = 0.1 x 10(6)/ml) were associated with a decreased sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology (P < or = 0.001). Sperm necrosis and DNA denaturation were increased (31.3 versus 26.6%, P=0.020; 15.5 versus 11.5%, P = 0.011, respectively), whereas spermatozoa with normal MMP were decreased (64.1 versus 70.0%, P=0.004). High leukocyte levels ((> or = 1 x 10(6)/ml) were not associated with any of the observed sperm parameters. At low elastase concentration (100-290 microg/l), DNA denaturation was higher (16.1 versus 10.5%, P = 0.024) compared with very low elastase concentration (< 100 microg/l). A high elastase concentration (290-1000 microg/l) was associated with higher ROS index compared with low elastase concentration (1.28 versus 1.01, P=0.016). Slightly increased leukocytes and elastase are associated with slightly poorer sperm characteristics and/or increased sperm necrosis, DNA denaturation and intracellular ROS and decreased MMP.

Renal function in miners intermittently exposed to elemental mercury vapour.

The authors investigated renal damage in 45 mercury miners under conditions of relatively short and low-level exposure to elemental (metallic) mercury vapour (Hg0). The analysis included urinary mercury, immunoelectrophoresis of urinary proteins, immunofixation and high-resolution electrophoresis, quantitative analysis of urinary albumin, and urinary alpha 1-microglobulin before and after exposure. The activity of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzyme was determined after exposure. The average duration of exposure of miners was 37 (6-82) days. Urinary mercury significantly increased during exposure. Immunoelectrophoretic changes in the composition of urinary proteins occurred after exposure in 22 of 45 miners, of whom 15 showed high molecular weight (HMW) pattern of urinary proteins and seven showed low molecular weight (LMW) pattern. Only a slight increase in the urinary alpha 1-microglobulin concentration and NAG activity was found in miners with the LMW pattern of urinary proteins. The results point to a slight glomerular and tubular damage in a significant proportion of exposed miners with increased absorption of mercury vapour.